Backbreaker Preview - Natural Motion based football title

[GTHobbes]

Saw this explanation over on the BB boards:

"Hi all,

I wanted to drop in and just give you a quick report on tonight's confusion. Here's what's what:

- The press release designed to announce the update going live was mistakenly sent out by a PR Agency.

- The update is not being held back by anyone or for any reason... it's not being held at all. Sorry to upset the conspiracy theorists there

- The update has to go through several layers of approval, as you'd expect. This is what is happening right now. It's progressing very well so far.

- Everyone at NMG has worked very hard on this game and this update. We want you to get the best out of Backbreaker and so we want the update out as soon as possible

-Some people are suggesting we know when the patch will release. This is not true. We WANT to release it as soon as possible but, as per previous point, the patch needs to be approved first. This is all 100% normal. The SECOND we know when the patch will be released... we will say. You simply have to take our word on that and respect that.

- Above all else, the fact that a mistake like this stirs up such excitement and then such, well, irritation... well, that just shows what a passionate community we have. We respect that.

Cheers. We'll let you know as soon as we hear anything.

[JRod]

Saw this explanation over on the BB boards:

"Hi all,

I wanted to drop in and just give you a quick report on tonight's confusion. Here's what's what:

- The press release designed to announce the update going live was mistakenly sent out by a PR Agency.

- The update is not being held back by anyone or for any reason... it's not being held at all. Sorry to upset the conspiracy theorists there

- The update has to go through several layers of approval, as you'd expect. This is what is happening right now. It's progressing very well so far.

- Everyone at NMG has worked very hard on this game and this update. We want you to get the best out of Backbreaker and so we want the update out as soon as possible

-Some people are suggesting we know when the patch will release. This is not true. We WANT to release it as soon as possible but, as per previous point, the patch needs to be approved first. This is all 100% normal. The SECOND we know when the patch will be released... we will say. You simply have to take our word on that and respect that.

- Above all else, the fact that a mistake like this stirs up such excitement and then such, well, irritation... well, that just shows what a passionate community we have. We respect that.

Cheers. We'll let you know as soon as we hear anything.

EA is holding it back.

[GTHobbes]

From the BB boards:

"Great news! The update is approved and is going through the process of being activated by Sony and Microsoft. It's hit in Europe and Australia on PS3 already but due to time differences, the update will go live for US PS3 owners and for Xbox 360 owners a little later. We don't foresee this delay being very long.

For PS3 owners who have already downloaded the patch, you should be advised that if you try to play someone in a territory that has not yet received the update, you may experience instabilities due to the conflict between versions. This is temporary and will be resolved as the patch goes live across all territories."

[Rodster]

I always crack up re: the approval process. Do the schmoes at MS and Sony actually play the game and say yup they fixed the interception bug and oh look more plays?

[ScoopBrady]

I always crack up re: the approval process. Do the schmoes at MS and Sony actually play the game and say yup they fixed the interception bug and oh look more plays?

No, they make sure that whatever patch is being released won't brick your system.

[Aristo]

I always crack up re: the approval process. Do the schmoes at MS and Sony actually play the game and say yup they fixed the interception bug and oh look more plays?

No. They could care less if it fixes the bug. What they want to verify is that it won't crash their console or cause other problems.

[Rodster]

I always crack up re: the approval process. Do the schmoes at MS and Sony actually play the game and say yup they fixed the interception bug and oh look more plays?

No, they make sure that whatever patch is being released won't brick your system.

Dayem it that were to happen they should give up their software developers license cause that's one helluva patch.

[JRod]

Out now for the PS3. 360 will be out later.

[JRod]

Tjung impressions - they really fixed a lot in this game.

Here's some quick thoughts...

The CPU is better but could probably be even better. Time will tell on this one.
CPU can run. CPU can pass.
Sometimes the safeties just don't go after the ball resulting in an easy catch and other times they do. Probably has to do with focus ratings but doesn't look right when they sit back.
Instant replay is okay. It's not in the same league as WEs or NFL2k5 but after original version, you can see what's going on and have multiple views.
Teams may have been edited.

It looks like they did a bang up job! Time will tell on how it holds up.

I'll not going to load up NCAA because I'm tired of the cheating AI and the nonsense in that football game. (Had a game Penn St v Alabama where I must have played it 5 times and the CPU didn't play good football to beat me, but cheaters football.)

[MizzouRah]

I'll not going to load up NCAA because I'm tired of the cheating AI and the nonsense in that football game. (Had a game Penn St v Alabama where I must have played it 5 times and the CPU didn't play good football to beat me, but cheaters football.)

This part made me laugh.

[JRod]

I'll not going to load up NCAA because I'm tired of the cheating AI and the nonsense in that football game. (Had a game Penn St v Alabama where I must have played it 5 times and the CPU didn't play good football to beat me, but cheaters football.)

This part made me laugh.

It was exhibition that I just played over and over again.

[Teal]

I'll not going to load up NCAA because I'm tired of the cheating AI and the nonsense in that football game. (Had a game Penn St v Alabama where I must have played it 5 times and the CPU didn't play good football to beat me, but cheaters football.)

This part made me laugh.

Cheaters football...

Hey Dan-you didn't play good football to beat me Monday, bro...you played CHEATERS FOOTBALL! I call a do-over!

[JRod]

I'll not going to load up NCAA because I'm tired of the cheating AI and the nonsense in that football game. (Had a game Penn St v Alabama where I must have played it 5 times and the CPU didn't play good football to beat me, but cheaters football.)

This part made me laugh.

Cheaters football...

Hey Dan-you didn't play good football to beat me Monday, bro...you played CHEATERS FOOTBALL! I call a do-over!

If Teal doesn't see it then it doesn't exist. I forgot the rules here.

[Danimal]

I'll not going to load up NCAA because I'm tired of the cheating AI and the nonsense in that football game. (Had a game Penn St v Alabama where I must have played it 5 times and the CPU didn't play good football to beat me, but cheaters football.)

This part made me laugh.

Cheaters football...

Hey Dan-you didn't play good football to beat me Monday, bro...you played CHEATERS FOOTBALL! I call a do-over!

Don't drag me into this, I have that guy on ignore.

[Rodster]

I picked up a brand new copy for $27.99

[JRod]

Running game is still not balance.

There's no offensive line push. And there's too many tackles that bring down a ball carrier when they really shouldn't.

[JRod]

Don't drag me into this, I have that guy on ignore.

That guy. You do realize that people can see your posts. Can't even be respectful.

[Rodster]

Running game is still not balance.

There's no offensive line push. And there's too many tackles that bring down a ball carrier when they really shouldn't.

Now you tell me after I put my order in.

[Teal]

Don't drag me into this, I have that guy on ignore.

As do I....as do I.

[ScoopBrady]

C'mon guys, who you have on ignore is not really helpful to the topic at hand and is an unnecessary cheap shot. Please keep the discussion on Backbreaker.

[Danimal]

C'mon guys, who you have on ignore is not really helpful to the topic at hand and is an unnecessary cheap shot. Please keep the discussion on Backbreaker.

But a post in a BB thread about how NCAA has "cheating AI" is on topic?

Ok then.

While the patch does address a lot of the issues with the game, my conclusion is if you didn't like BB before this patch isn't going to do anything for you. The passing camera is a bit better, but it is still to touchy on changing receivers. I understand the "realism" argument but you don't have time to get to other reads. So while the camera may have a more "real" view, it can never take into account human instincts and senses like vision.

Playing defense is still unrewarding. If you like controlling one guy and not being involved in every play then you may enjoy it more. But switching guys to get into the action still results in confusion a lot of the time.

I don't see how the running game was improved, I am still falling over very easily. granted I only played 2 games so maybe I don't have a big enough test bed.

I can't comment on anything else, I was hoping the adjusted camera angle would make me like this game better but it really didn't do much for me yet.

[ScoopBrady]

C'mon guys, who you have on ignore is not really helpful to the topic at hand and is an unnecessary cheap shot. Please keep the discussion on Backbreaker.

But a post in a BB thread about how NCAA has "cheating AI" is on topic?

It's at least discussion about a football video game in a football video game thread. Going out of your way to tell everybody how you have chosen to ignore a user is a personal attack. I know you are a moderator at OS and I know OS frowns upon talking about one game in another game's thread. This is Jared's site and he is more tolerant about stuff like that but he has made it abundantly clear that he does not wish to see personal attacks on the forums. How is it that you cannot ignore a guy even when you have him on ignore?

[Teal]

Hey, scoop, that one's on me. Somebody else had quoted JRod's comment, or I wouldn't have seen it. I made a smartass remark about that (IMO incredibly silly and out of place-we have an NCAA thread for a reason) comment, and included Dan in there as a little joke about his thrashing of me Monday.

But I agree with Dan-there's no point in putting a random, raving comment about NCAA in the BB forum.

[MizzouRah]

While the patch does address a lot of the issues with the game, my conclusion is if you didn't like BB before this patch isn't going to do anything for you. The passing camera is a bit better, but it is still to touchy on changing receivers. I understand the "realism" argument but you don't have time to get to other reads. So while the camera may have a more "real" view, it can never take into account human instincts and senses like vision.

Playing defense is still unrewarding. If you like controlling one guy and not being involved in every play then you may enjoy it more. But switching guys to get into the action still results in confusion a lot of the time.

I don't see how the running game was improved, I am still falling over very easily. granted I only played 2 games so maybe I don't have a big enough test bed.

I can't comment on anything else, I was hoping the adjusted camera angle would make me like this game better but it really didn't do much for me yet.

Thanks for saving me money.

[GTHobbes]

Dan, sorry to hear you're not a fan. Have you spent any time in Tackle Alley to get the hang of jukes and spin moves (which would dramatically improve your running game)? If so, then maybe this game just isn't for you. It is a shame you feel that way about playing defense, though, as I think that's clearly an area that's a HUGE improvement over EA's games, where I never really feel in control of anything or making any difference.