Backbreaker Preview - Natural Motion based football title

[GTHobbes]

I'm pretty much blown away by the addition of 100+ new plays, a new QB camera and a full replay system (with 7 cameras of its own) -- all through a patch. Can't wait to give it all a go!

[GTHobbes]

It's like frickin' Christmas for us few Backbreaker fans today. I haven't even had a chance to digest this yet:

"Here it is, the long awaited Greathouse change list. I've already posted the big features, this is an extremely in-depth look at everything in the patch. If you just want a quick look at the major features you can read the other thread, but if you've got some time I highly encourage you read this one. Please Tweet, Facebook, and MySpace about Greathouse This is a major patch, here's a look at what Natural Motion has done:


From the NaturalMotion Games team:

Over the past few months, the team at NaturalMotion Games has been talking with the community and listening to all of their ideas for Backbreaker. We’ve taken it all on board and, as you know, we’ve been working hard on an update. As a tribute to the Backbreaker forums’ favourite player, we’re naming this update “Greathouse” and it does a whole lot more than simply tweak a few things here and there. We’re very nearly done and now we want to share with you exactly what “Greathouse” will bring to Backbreaker.

One final thing. We take great delight from seeing all your videos and we’re humbled by your support and enthusiasm. If you’ve seen something uniquely amazing in Backbreaker that made you smile, laugh, point, call a friend or rub your eyes in amazement, then you ‘get’ Backbreaker… and we’ve made this game, and “Greathouse”, for you.

Key Additions

Brand new replay camera suite

• New free-flight camera
• Sideline and Endzone cameras including ball lock, pan and tele-zoom function
• A player-centric camera including zoom and rotation function. Track any player on either team.
• Ball camera including zoom and rotate
• Complete replay suite functionality added to Tackle Alley
• Added pause/play to all replay cameras for greater footage control
• Added ability to remove OSD for clean footage capture


Offensive Gameplay Camera

• The Quarterback camera has been pulled back and raised a little. This still keeps the feeling of being down in the action, but provides a slightly wider view and vision over the line
• Added a ‘glance’ button which allows you to instantly check your blind-side


Expanded Playbook

An Extra 59 Offensive plays consisting of these formations:
• Ace – Double Tight End
• Spread – 4 Wide
• Bunch – Bunch right
• Empty – 5 WR!!
• T-form – Old fashioned power football, 3 running backs in the backfield

An Extra 51 Defensive plays have been included consisting of these formations:
• 44 – 4 Defensive linemen, 4 linebackers.
• 46 – Traditional old school defense born of Buddy Ryan
• 33 – Nickel package with 3 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers
• 3 Deep – 7 defensive backs package with 3 deep across the back.

Gameplay Enhancements

Improved Passing Game & Reduced Interception Frequency

Following valuable feedback from reviews and Backbreaker forums, we rewrote elements of the AI that will help make passing a more effective way to gain yards.

Here is a summary of the changes:

• We’ve improved the O-Line for teams throughout the game. This will give you longer in the pocket to make your reads correctly and go through your progression
• We’ve increased the passing animation speed and increased the minimum distance where a long windup will be required. You will now be able to execute the pass more quickly and hit your target more effectively
• There were too many dropped passes to the flats. We’ve introduced a new pass classification for these simple passes and have ramped up the accuracy of the QB when performing this type of pass
• The accuracy of QBs has been increased across the board
• Defensive Backs now fully respect their visibility cone, only seeing interception opportunities when appropriate. The DBs will continue with the assigned role until the either “see” the need to change, or “hear” the need to change, which is typically about 1-2 seconds after the snap
• We’ve tweaked the amount your QB will lead a receiver when activated
• Moved pump fake to shoulder button to make lob passes easier to execute
• Improved mechanism for Quarterback scanning the field
• Reduced penalty applied for throwing out of focus mode




User Interceptions and User Controlled Catching

• Following community feedback, the user is now given full control over interception attempts when controlling a defensive player. Interception attempts are made by holding the left trigger (focus mode), ie. by actively looking towards the ball as it comes in
• Wide Receiver catching in now also uses this mechanic (i.e. hold left trigger when ball is approaching)
• To signal an incoming ball, the user-controlled WR will be highlighted red when targeted by the QB

QB AI Logic

The QB AI has received a major overhaul. Firstly, the opposition QB will now recognise double coverage better. He is also more likely to throw the ball away rather than risk a throw / take a sack. This results in fewer AI interceptions and sacks. We’ve also reworked the QB receiver selection logic and increased prioritisation of throwing to the primary.

Improved Pocket Protection

Following numerous tweaks, the pocket is more solid. Pocket time now averages around 5 seconds and is all linked to the players’ attributes.

Show and Hide Blitz

New ability to show and hide blitz, pre-snap , by pressing the shoulder button.

Jukes and spins

The animation speed of these has been increased and better linked to a player’s agility attribute.

Improved AI Time Management, Audibles and Play-calling

Sophistication of play selection, audibles and timeouts has been improved. Additionally, the AI is more likely to flip their selected play depending on the situation.

Opposition AI

This has been given an overhaul and you should find your opponent much more of a threat. We’ve also rebalanced Easy, Medium and Hard settings to be more challenging and linked almost all AI decisions/speeds to their attributes. Also, you should be aware that all of the notes relating to AI, animation and behaviours above will apply to your opponent as well. These are game-wide changes.

New RB Focus Mode

When holding the left trigger, the camera will turn upfield when the RB is heading towards the sidelines. This is NOT automatic – you need to press the hold the trigger to manually glance upfield.

Stumble Mechanic

We have added a stumble recovery mechanic for when your player has been knocked off course. To recover from a stumble, just press the Action button as quickly as possible.

Fumbles

• Fumbles are now more likely to happen for non-QB players.
• Passes backwards are now classified as fumbles (respecting QB arm movement direction)
• Catches bobbled / dropped within 2 steps as a result of a tackle are marked as incomplete passes rather than fumbles (player deemed not in control of ball)
Bug Fixes & Other High Priority Issues

Friendly Fire!

Your players occasionally reacted too strongly to friendly physical impact. This happened especially when controlling a RB/FB and clashing with your line. We’ve dialled that back, which should make your running game more effective. Players will still react to the collision but will be less likely to be knocked down

Penalties

Users have been reporting a multitude of penalty issues. We have done a comprehensive review of all penalty complaints and bugs (including the infamous roughing-the-kicker) and have been able to resolve them. We believe you will find this drastically improves the quality of the game.

Online Gameplay

• Reduced online lag slightly
• Built in a new protection system against people hacking the game to create a “super team” and taking it online
• Removed the Cancel Stats Posting option as reported by the forum. People were abusing this to avoid losses showing up in their profile
• Fixed a number of other stat posting related issues

D-Line

• Users playing as part of the D-Line were experiencing a slower-than-desired speed in getting off the mark due to a delay in input control. This has been solved
• Users playing D-line can now bat the ball (pull down on the right-stick)
• Spins, rips and swims are now more effective to help you get that sack

Too much Boom!

Stopped “Boom” playing every kickoff. It now only occurs at the start of each half. Yay!

Team Ratings

Offense, Defensive and Overall ratings for teams have been recalculated and now more accurately reflect the quality of the team if all the best players are on the field.

Play Exploits

Thanks to feedback from the forums we have put tweaks in place to prevent exploits on the following:
• RB spinning through the line
• QB sneak
• FG block
• Punt block
• Nanoblitz

Rule Fixes

• Players must take 2 steps before they gain possession of a caught ball
• Tipped punts and kick-offs that touch receiving team players and subsequently go out the back of the endzone no longer cause safeties (just touchbacks).
• Intentional Grounding penalty now causes a loss of down.
• Scrimmage kicks (punts/field goals) can only be returned by the kicking team if blocked before the line of scrimmage
• Two Minute Warning will only stop the game clock after the play has ended.
• Defensive/Offensive Pass interference rules are turned off when the ball touches a player.
• Pre-snap penalties (Encroachment, Delay of Game, False Start) no longer stop the game clock.
• Touchbacks and Safeties are determined by whoever intentionally touched the ball last, instead of whoever physically touched it last.
• Failed field goals restart at the 20 yard line or the point the ball was kicked from (used to be from the 20 yard line or the previous LoS).
• Improved Pass Interference detection.
• Defensive Holding rule now active during punts.
• Game clock is only stopped by a penalty if it is within the last 2 minutes of the first half, or the last 5 minutes of the second half.
• No longer declaring a pass as incomplete if a player catches it in the air with their feet out of bounds (the feet must be grounded).
• Fumbles on a 4th down, or within the Two Minute Warning, can only be advanced by the Defense or by the player who fumbled the ball.
• Improved the "ball carrier" logic.
• Now awarding a touchback when the punting team catches a non-live ball in the opponent’s endzone
• A ball is only considered blocked/batted if it changes the impetus of the ball.
• Intercepting the ball before your own endzone but being carried into the endzone with momentum will now give a touchback instead of a safety.
• If a QB fumbles a ball while in the motion of throwing (i.e. hands moving forwards), then this is now considered a forward pass.
• Ineligible receiver downfield during a pass down penalty now excludes tight ends."

[Danimal]

When is it out?

[GTHobbes]

When is it out?

"Just to let everyone know, we are still not 100% sure of when the update will go live. Rest assured, we are NOT holding it back. It is currently going through the submission process and we will release it as soon as we can.

As soon as we know when it's due to hit, we'll let you know.

make sure you go to the Facebook page and share the stories and screens. That would be GREAT! leave comments too... that would be GREATHOUSE!

We're very happy with the changes and additions and we are sure you'll love playing it.

Cheers"

[GTHobbes]

Somebody asked about the stadium in one of the pictures and got this response (more good news, IMO):

"Without looking, it's either New England, LA or Backbreaker Park... we've unlocked all the stadiums with Greathouse."

[GTHobbes]

Pictures of the new offensive plays added:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturalmot ... 482475509/

[matthewk]

Wow.

I am surprised at some of the things they were able to cram into a patch. Now I just hope it turns out as good in the game as it looks in text

My biggest fear is that the tweaks will throw the balance off in other directions. Even with the problems, I can't stop playing this game a few times per week.

[JRod]

They really did do a lot with the patch. They had to do stop the bleeding and get any sort of momentum for next year. Had APF done this, they would still be around.

Hopefully it will come out this week, but I bet it will come out after Madden.

[GTHobbes]

They really did do a lot with the patch.

I didn't even know some of this stuff could be addressed through a patch. Very enlightening.

[Danimal]

I'm wondering how they did all that in a title update with the size limitations, perhaps this is free DLC + title update.

[Rodster]

Had APF done this, they would still be around.

Correction if APF had a starting price point of $29.99-$39.99 for an unlicensed game then they might still be around. I bought it new for $5.

I'll definitely get BB when the price drops to $19.99 or less.

[JRod]

I'm wondering how they did all that in a title update with the size limitations, perhaps this is free DLC + title update.

I think so because they change around the front-end with the Greathouse moniker. Who knows...I'm just glad they've addressed the major issues with the game. We'll see how it works.

[MizzouRah]

Seems like BB 1.5

I'll see what you all have to say.. but I'm hopeful the patch does everything it says, then I can pick it up.

[Teal]

Damn...now THAT'S a patch! Okay, I might have to pull the trigger on this one while it's 29.99.

[Lancer]

Where is it $29.99? Wasn't even on my radar so i'll wait and see how ppl like the patch.

[Teal]

Where is it $29.99? Wasn't even on my radar so i'll wait and see how ppl like the patch.

It's currently on sale @ Gamestop for that price. Saw it in the bins yesterday.

[bkrich83]

On paper at least, they addressed the majority of my complaints. There is potential for a very nice game of football, in it's current state it was unplayable for me... If they accomplished what they say they did, this game became very playable and will be back in my rotation.

[Danimal]

According to OS this is out today

[Slumberland]

That'd be hot. I'll pick this thing up on the way home if so!

[GTHobbes]

If anyone does pick this up and is new to the game, I'd strongly recommend going through the training drills (which are minimal) and, more importantly, spend 20 minutes or so with Tackle Alley, where you'll learn how to effectively use the spin moves, jukes, etc. Not only will learning the timing of those moves greatly help your running game, it will also help you gain more yards on your kick returns. Once I learned how to juke and spin effectively, it greatly opened up the game for me (the passing game came over time).

The other thing I'd add is, on defense, try to break old habits and avoid switching players on defense after the play has started, at least at first until you get better used to the controls and the feel of the game. You'll be surprised how often the one player you control ends up making a play (or helping to make a play) even if it at first looks like the play is happening away from you.

[Rodster]

If anyone does pick this up and is new to the game, I'd strongly recommend going through the training drills (which are minimal) and, more importantly, spend 20 minutes or so with Tackle Alley, where you'll learn how to effectively use the spin moves, jukes, etc. Not only will learning the timing of those moves greatly help your running game, it will also help you gain more yards on your kick returns. Once I learned how to juke and spin effectively, it greatly opened up the game for me (the passing game came over time).

The other thing I'd add is, on defense, try to break old habits and avoid switching players on defense after the play has started, at least at first until you get better used to the controls and the feel of the game. You'll be surprised how often the one player you control ends up making a play (or helping to make a play) even if it at first looks like the play is happening away from you.

Actually i'd like to hear from guys like you and JRod if it's still half backed or if it's now worthy of a purchase.

[GTHobbes]

Actually i'd like to hear from guys like you and JRod if it's still half backed or if it's now worthy of a purchase.

I probably won't be the best source for an opinion about the patch, because I absolutely loved the game before (at least online). Early word I've seen about the patch (from the video guys who had early access) has been very positive though.

[JRod]

On the BB boards, the PR company sent out a press release but the patch isn't live.

[GTHobbes]

Saw this on the BB boards:

"Contrary to reports online, the Greathouse update has NOT gone live. We're sorry to disappoint you all. Rest assured we are keen for this to be released as soon as possible, but I'm afraid it's not today."

[Danimal]

Which is funny since they (or someone working for them) sent out an official press release.