Some CPU QB stats in Madden 09

[Ian_Cummings_EA]

Given all of the recent complaints with NCAA 09, we had our QA group run some games today to see how everything was looking for our CPU QB's. All of these games are on All-Madden. I know for a fact the pass rush is quite effective in Madden 09, but we also wanted to take a 2nd look at the CPU QB accuracy...so here are some stats for two matchups we wanted to test out:

Matchup 1: Tarvaris Jackson (CPU) vs. Bears (user)
(Real life 2007 stats: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/player...?playerId=9650)
Game 1 (normal tester): 17 of 23 (73%) for 166 yards. 2 TD, 3 INT
Game 2 (normal tester): 15 of 25 (60%) for 183 yards. 1 TD, 3 INT
Game 3 (gameplay tester): 9 of 13 (69%) for 120 yards. 1 TD, 0 INT

Matchup 2: Vince Young (CPU) vs. Jaguars (user)
(Real life 2007 stats: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/player...?playerId=9589)
Game 1 (normal tester): 22 of 30 (73%) for 209 yards. 1 TD, 2 INT
Game 2 (gameplay tester): 15 of 25 (60%) for 184 yards. 0 TD, 3 INT
Game 3 (normal tester): 16 of 20 (80%) for 188 yards. 1 TD, 1 INT
Game 4 (normal tester): 10 of 13 (76%) for 82 yards. 1 TD, 1 INT
Game 5 (gameplay tester): 6 of 11 (54%) for 40 yards. 0 TD, 3 INT (Yikes...sorry Titans fans!)


So initially looking at the results, I thought the percentages seemed a little bit high. But then at 2nd look, I am more relieved because in the games with the gameplay testers (the ones that are much better at the game) they put up very sub-par numbers that actually had percentages very similar to their 2007 stats. So if you are not all that good at the game, and you play on All-Madden, then even the lower level QB's will give you some trouble...but if you are good at the game, you shouldn't have much problem taking care of one of these less-than-stellar QB's. And with the split skill levels, you can separate out your "pass defense" skill to tweak it to your liking while not changing the rest of the gameplay.

I'll try and get some numbers from All-Pro next, as well as numbers against good QB's (Brady and Manning), and I'll also get stats on total sacks as well as how many passes are actually deep passes (vs. dink and dunks). Any other specific things you guys would like to see?

[AlexBrady]

good job ian. will brady and manning always be carving up defenses no matter what?

[DLaren]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheFuture15

So if you are not all that good at the game, and you play on All-Madden, then even the lower level QB's will give you some trouble...but if you are good at the game, you shouldn't have much problem taking care of one of these less-than-stellar QB's.

By "good at the game", do you mean good at manipulating the controls or good at play-calling?

I'd like to think that I'm pretty good at play-calling, but I don't control any of the players when I'm on defense (in my opinion, manually controlling players makes their ratings almost meaningless). Am I to assume that the CPU QB's will average 70% completion percentages if I'm not manually swatting away the passes?

[xV3L0CiTY]

Looks good to me...much better than NCAA at least.

Glad you guys looked into this before release. Makes me happier.

[arseniotall]

i don't get it. Isnt that ALOT of picks?

[Rules]

Thanks Ian. Just curious how the adaptive AI is going to play into those numbers. For example: will a poor passer during the Madden IQ test perform better during the actual game because the AI is letting up on them? Just curious if the test is a once before the season kind of thing or is the game constantly accessing and adapting to your skills?

Thanks again!

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by arseniotall

i don't get it. Isnt that ALOT of picks?

the fact that its not every game doesn't have me too concerned.

[pjv31]

Thanks Ian. Can you do a game with the Browns and compare Anderson and Quinn?

Those stats don't look to bad. Maybe a little high. could you maybe to it with 7 or 8 min quarters? I feel that 5 min quarters may skew the results a little.

[pjv31]

Quote: Originally Posted by arseniotall

i don't get it. Isnt that ALOT of picks?

I hear ya, but I kinda like it. If its about the same frequency as NCAA then I'll be alright with it. I think 2-3 a game are fine, makes for a more exciting game to me.

[Nza]

The completion %'s seem quite high. Other than that though, Vince's last 3 games against the Jags in real life haven't been far from that anyway. Not sure about Jackson but it isn't hard to imagine either.

Completion % high is a good thing though. It means, with slider adjustments, they should be possible to bring down. On the other hand, too low completion % can be tough to work with (i.e. 2K5), so I like these stats actually - it would be good to see Brady and Manning versions though.