Hardcore Playcall=Better Gameplay?

[Imaking332]

IMO Changing the style from Advanced to Hardcore equals better gameplay and a better challenge against the CPU. When I was playing my Franchise mode game as the Chiefs(4-1) vs Texans(4-2), I was leading as usual as I won every game I played(loss was a simmed game). The score was 19-10 and I experimented by changing the style to Hardcore playcall. Then all of a sudden My run game was getting shut down the defense stopped their crazy blitzing as much and started playing coverage, and the quarterbacks actually threw deep passes on 3rd and Long. They had a comeback and the score became 19-20. After a very desperate interception I squeezed out a win. Even though it was the toughest game I played yet.

[murdamann10]

Sounds like it is something I need to try. Anyone else tried this approach yet, I am very curious to find out if it works.

[Vikingfan84]

I agree murdamann. I just started my franchise last night. I'll have to see what it's all about.

[DickDalewood]

I actually noticed this too. I had to go back down to all-pro from all-madden when I did this.

[Valdarez]

What does the hardcore do? I thought it would only remove the lines on the plays you called. Does the defense call better plays in this mode?

[jvaccaro]

Any input from EA would be greatly appreciated on this matter. There's several trains of thought as to what this actually does, but nobody is sure. I'll never understand how the devs could put this in the game, and then tell absolutely nobody how it works. Apparently, it's one of EA's tiny little pointless secrets...

[KBLover]

Maybe I don't remember what life was like on Advanced, but I have it on Hardcore and still see tons of blitzing from every team.

As for what it does, maybe it changes the likelihood that the AI "knows" what you're going to run? In other words, harder to trick it by running in a typical passing situation or using run to set up the pass or vice versa (because the AI knows you called a run or pass so it will defend accordingly instead of getting tricked like a human might).

[countryboy]

since switching to Hardcore, I've seen the cpu use less sellout blitzes. I've also seen them take more chances down the field, especially on 2nd and short situations.

The cpu seems to adapt quicker to what you're playcalling/playstyle as well.

[Poetique]

Hasn't made a difference for me in any version of Madden where it has been present.

Imo, gameplay wise, it does nothing.

With that said, the gameplay is so unstable to begin with I doubt you'd know if it made a difference in the first place...

[Knapper]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

since switching to Hardcore, I've seen the cpu use less sellout blitzes. I've also seen them take more chances down the field, especially on 2nd and short situations. The cpu seems to adapt quicker to what you're playcalling/playstyle as well.

I fully agree with less sellout blitzes. Before I switched I could run a slant play on every third down and the entire middle of the field was open because the AI blitzed all of the linebackers. This actually made the game too easy for me. After switching I find they often have a LB in zone over the middle or at least a man covering my WR. Not as easy and more realistic

The AI still blitzes and to me more so for teams with 3-4 but when I had it set to advanced it seemed like they ran that engage 8 blitz (8 blitzers 3 deep zone) on every third down no matter what the distance.

Why it happens I ave no idea and I miss the auto replys that I used to see. But the Auto replays were so rare anyway I can give them up for an overall better game experiance.