Madden 2011 Wish #8: Fight for the Fumble

[TheWatcher]

I really think this feature went over well, and it was a great step in capturing one of the core elements of football.

However, there are a few area’s of opportunity for improvement:

-There needs to be more than one version of this cut scene.

-The player jumping on top of the pile (and sliding off) is, I believe, a violation of NFL rule. We instead need to see players joining the pile but not jumping on it. I realize that the jump-on was probably done as a way to help keep the excitement factor up. The issue that arises from it though, is that you see it every time and it makes the pre-scripted nature of it stand out more. If players were just coming into the pile naturally without the jump-on, the pre-scripted nature of it wouldn’t stand out as much.

-The button mashing… I personally have no problem with the concept of button-mashing in an instance like this. However, one thing I pointed out at Community Day was that the changing buttons take attention away from watching the pile because you’re now forced to watch the buttons, and it may be hard to follow by some gamers. When you take a look at the crux of the complaints about Fight For the Fumble they center on this very issue.

Solution #1: The simple solution here would be to make it a one-button none-changing situation.

Solution #2: I still think stick flipping (flipping the left and right sticks) would come across much stronger than using the buttons. It better represents a struggle and it requires the user to involve a greater motion range. The other thing is that it would eliminate the minor concern of people using turbo-button control pads.

[RayAP19]

I like it, and never knew that jumping on top of a pile was a violation. Good insight.

[quadragintanovem]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheWatcher

I really think this feature went over well, and it was a great step in capturing one of the core elements of football. However, there are a few area’s of opportunity for improvement: -There needs to be more than one version of this cut scene. -The player jumping on top of the pile (and sliding off) is, I believe, a violation of NFL rule. We instead need to see players joining the pile but not jumping on it. I realize that the jump-on was probably done as a way to help keep the excitement factor up. The issue that arises from it though, is that you see it every time and it makes the pre-scripted nature of it stand out more. If players were just coming into the pile naturally without the jump-on, the pre-scripted nature of it wouldn’t stand out as much. -The button mashing… I personally have no problem with the concept of button-mashing in an instance like this. However, one thing I pointed out at Community Day was that the changing buttons take attention away from watching the pile because you’re now forced to watch the buttons, and it may be hard to follow by some gamers. When you take a look at the crux of the complaints about Fight For the Fumble they center on this very issue. Solution #1: The simple solution here would be to make it a one-button none-changing situation. Solution #2: I still think stick flipping (flipping the left and right sticks) would come across much stronger than using the buttons. It better represents a struggle and it requires the user to involve a greater motion range. The other thing is that it would eliminate the minor concern of people using turbo-button control pads.

Couldn't you use the vibration in a directional way to signal which button to mash?

[mm boost]

I think just alternating the r2, L2 buttons would be sufficient on who gets the ball at the bottom of the pile. Thumbs can slip off the joysticks farely easy, its happened to me before just running the ball, so I could imagine on an intense scenario such as a fumble.

[TheWatcher]

Quote: Originally Posted by quadragintanovem

Couldn't you use the vibration in a directional way to signal which button to mash?

I don't believe there is directional vibration on the 360, but that would be hot if it were possible.

[TheWatcher]

Quote: Originally Posted by mm boost

I think just alternating the r2, L2 buttons would be sufficient on who gets the ball at the bottom of the pile. Thumbs can slip off the joysticks farely easy, its happened to me before just running the ball, so I could imagine on an intense scenario such as a fumble.

I've never had that problem with my 360 controller. But I wouldn't mind it being moved to the right and left trigger for 360 either. I just think it needs to be simplified and have your hands more involved to better simulate a struggle.

Being forced to push the correct button in a split second like we have now is just more thought than should be required, and I think that alone turned a lot of people off.

[Boregard]

I really think they need to take it out completely or completely redo it where it isn't a cutscene but like an extension of the play on the field where tapping one or alternating between two buttons/triggers would be your way to fight for the fumble, but there would not be an onscreen "hint" or "flashing buttons", just the same button or two alternating buttons every time and no freaking repeating cutscene - cuz I have seen situations where there is a scramble for the ball (on Sundays wink wink) and the ball gets pushed around and then ends up outside the pile and gets scooped for a return and you can not get that from a cutscene!!! Plus you should have to switch players if the ball is darting arround on the ground to try to get the best guy as far as being in position to fight for the ball!!!

[Valdarez]

I wrote up a nice blog, complete with mockups on how to improve Fight for the Fumble. Take a look at it and let me know what you think: http://www.operationsports.com/Valda...ols-in-madden/

[WeAreAllWitnesses]

I think I hate it either way.

Too many times i've seen my guy jump on the ball, lay there for like 3 seconds with the ball, and then someone from the other team comes over and triggers that damn animation.

[TheWatcher]

Quote: Originally Posted by WeAreAllWitnesses

I think I hate it either way. Too many times i've seen my guy jump on the ball, lay there for like 3 seconds with the ball, and then someone from the other team comes over and triggers that damn animation.

Yeah, it sucks when that happens. I think they'll fix that though.