**NFL Head Coach 09 Developer Q&A Thread**

[adembroski]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josh_Looman

We discussed that so it might be a feature we could look at in the future. Don't discount the Head Coach in-game though. A lot of us actually like the experience more. Especially those of us (like me) that aren't that great on the sticks anymore. But as I said before, I'm biased.

I'm not discounting it at all... I plan on playing it to death... but I'd like a little of both.

[BrianFifaFan]

Quote: Originally Posted by adembroski

I'm not discounting it at all... I plan on playing it to death... but I'd like a little of both.

Me too. I'm still quite good on the sticks, but love the deep franchise options this game offers. Fuse it! Like Fifa and Fifa Manager did. But for now, the play export is really cool.

[Dice]

i understand that it's using some of the Madden 08 game engine. Have most of the bugs from Madden 08 been fixed of this game? Stuff like the CPU not going deep if they have a guy like Randy Moss. Thanks.

[Step2001]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josh_Looman

1. We have returners, but we don't really designate special teams guys. 2. We have depth chart spots for long snappers but it's probably not as advanced as what you're asking for. 3. We didn't have time to do anything special with holders. Sorry.

Thanks for your answers. What about a special teams rating for players for down the road? Where a team is more likely to keep the guy who can play special teams over the player who can't!

[Josh_Looman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Step2001

Thanks for your answers. What about a special teams rating for players for down the road? Where a team is more likely to keep the guy who can play special teams over the player who can't!

I think that's a great idea.

[Josh_Looman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dice

i understand that it's using some of the Madden 08 game engine. Have most of the bugs from Madden 08 been fixed of this game? Stuff like the CPU not going deep if they have a guy like Randy Moss. Thanks.

Yes. As I mentioned before, we've done some extensive work tuning '08 gameplay to our liking.

[Step2001]

Josh

Any chance at getting the Players Hall Of Fame into the game down the road? One of a Coaches greatest achviements is seeing the players he coached enter one of the greatest shrines.

It would be cool (down the road) if this is added. That at the end of the 15 years (maybe 30, down the road).

Instead of saying just "Conagrats", or "Thanks for playing "NFL Head Coach" for completing the max amount of seasons!
That if you have the numbers, you (as coach) get's inducted into the Hall as the game ends.
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This game sounds awesome! Everything everyone on these boards has mentioned over the years is in this game.

I too am done with arcade football. I Cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this real simulation of Football!

Does purchasing Madden with Head Coach benefit the way EA looks at the success of Head Coach?
Or is it better to purchase Head Coach (as a stand alone) when it's released come Sept.?

Because what I have read, I want this series to continue with the ideas your team have talked about for down the road.

[adembroski]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjoid

I can answer that bit for you...Madden and HC are released together in the Special Anniversary Package in August. HC is released as a standalone product in early September. Hope that helps.

Ok, cool. Glad I reserved the Anniversary edition.

[Chris_Staymates]

Quote: Originally Posted by georgiafan

Can you still tell your players diffrent things to focus on during the game (ex. HB to run between the tackles)? If so have any of them been added ?

No, the player strategy system from the first version of the franchise did not make it over in NFL Head Coach 09.

[Chris_Staymates]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjoid

after the play has completed does your lineup return back to your starters or do you have to put them back in manually? Or is there a quick key for doing this??

The personnel in each play is tied to play itself so the personnel will reset based on what play you call. There is a 'Quick Subs' option on the play call screen though that will allow you to sub in players for the next play.

Also, included are the typical depth chart management screens.

The Play Creator allows you to sub just about any player on your team into any position in your play. So, you can create a prevent defense with Randy Moss playing 'Center Field.'

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjoid

Do your coaches keep you informed of fatigue/injuries or is it up to the user to keep a check of this?

Items will come up in the Coach Clipboard during game about the Fatigue and Injury status of your players with coach recommendations on subbing them out.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjoid

As you're playing your game you're informed of the latest scores from the NFL - are these results pre-determined using the sim engine or are they being played out in real-time along with your game? Presumably we'll only see scores of games that are in play at the same time as ours - ie. no late games as it's real time?

You will not see the results of a 4:30pm game at 1pm, you are correct.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjoid

The other thing that I noticed during the play creator/editor is that when you're moving players they seem to take an age to move, as in they walk to their position - can or has this been speeded up?

Ha! I fixed this yesterday. Players will run just about as fast possible in the Play Creator when you are moving them around and subbing them in.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjoid

Defining Moments - how and when do they appear? ie. late in game or anytime based upon the present game position?

Defining Moments appear at any time throughout the game based on the situation. You are just as likely to get one in the first quarter as you are in the fourth.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjoid

The coaches/voices that pop up during gameplay - what's all that about, as it's been difficult to see on the videos I've seen...are they just calling the play out that has been selected or something else?

They do call the play, but they also provide insight into what is going on on the field.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjoid

In-game penalties -how are you determining these? Randomly? I'm a big cpu v cpu player (for other EA titles, ok, yes I'm odd but I'm not alone) and have always wondered how this is done..especially as the game in HC is essentially cpu v cpu. I find that the true test of the game's logic is to have the AI play itself.

Sorry, I can't really comment on exactly how we do this. Hope its enough to say that we have tuned the penalty frequency to a point where they won't be annoying, but you will still have to deal with them.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjoid

Does the crowd play any part in determining play outcomes? ie. difficulty for QBs on the road etc..do they have any influence?

The crowd (fans) play a roll in your overall approval rating. Aside from that there is no concept of 'Home Field Advantage.'