Backbreaker Preview - Natural Motion based football title

[bkrich83]

What makes you think there will be a BB2?

I am pretty sure that I read in more than one place the developer has confirmed that there will be a BB2.

[Rodster]

Yeah GT mentioned that the devs said they plan on releasing BB2. So far I gotta believe them since they said they would do a patch after feedback and now they are looking to release another one to tweak things after the first patch broke a couple of things.

[Danimal]

We'll see, APF was a confirmed 2nd edition at one point.

If they do then their company is clearly making profits elsewhere because you don't take 3-4 years to make a game, barely sell 100k copies and then decided to do a sequel.

[10spro]

Game is free only today for the iphone.

[GTHobbes]

Yeah GT mentioned that the devs said they plan on releasing BB2. So far I gotta believe them since they said they would do a patch after feedback and now they are looking to release another one to tweak things after the first patch broke a couple of things.

Actually, the devs as far as I'm aware still don't know if there will be another patch or a BB2, and judging by the vgchartz numbers I would understand if neither were released. It would be a shame if that happened, but this game should serve me fine for the next 2-3 years anyways. I've gotten in another 4 great games online so far this weekend (won 3 and lost 1 bringing my September record up to 7-1). The online community for BB Greathouse isn't going away anytime soon, I'm pretty sure of that.

[Rodster]

Man I hope they release both.

[bkrich83]

We'll see, APF was a confirmed 2nd edition at one point.

If they do then their company is clearly making profits elsewhere because you don't take 3-4 years to make a game, barely sell 100k copies and then decided to do a sequel.

The devs never confirmed APF. The only confirmation was a listing on gamestops website. The devs new the franchise was dead shortly after release.

In this case the devs have said they plan on BB2. So I would say it's a probable, but not sure when. Hopefully in the next year or so. I think the second edition will suit my needs more than the first.

[MizzouRah]

The devs never confirmed APF. The only confirmation was a listing on gamestops website. The devs new the franchise was dead shortly after release.

In this case the devs have said they plan on BB2. So I would say it's a probable, but not sure when. Hopefully in the next year or so. I think the second edition will suit my needs more than the first.

There is no doubt they have a ton of feedback for BB2 and I would love for them to really beef up their game for version #2.

I still have a feeling EA will be looking to buy their engine...

[Aristo]

Yeah GT mentioned that the devs said they plan on releasing BB2. So far I gotta believe them since they said they would do a patch after feedback and now they are looking to release another one to tweak things after the first patch broke a couple of things.

The only way they are going to profit on the debacle that is Backbreaker, is to sell the engine to someone that gets American football. So I would imagine patches, and even a sequel will help that happen. The sequel is doubtful, as they don't need another sub 100K game on their resume. VGChartz lists it as 70K.

I remember when Sierra released FBPro 99, which was so bad they had to recall the game. There was a core little group of dreamers that kept trying to convince everyone that the game really was good. This is beginning to feel a lot like that.

[Aristo]

For the full scope of the Backbreaker debacle, consider this.

NaturalMotion and 505 Games' football game Backbreaker has hit a milestone of sorts. According to its publisher, the game's demo has been downloaded one million times.

Yet the game sold about 70K copies.

This information sure is interesting.

[GTHobbes]

The sales numbers are definitely small (assuming vgchartz is close to accurate), but it's nice to see that the 360 sales have gone up the last 2 weeks. Us few backbreaker fans will take victories any way we can get 'em!

[Aristo]

But really, it's more than just small sales numbers. But they got some great exposure eith one million downloads. That tells you just how poorly most people think of it.

[GTHobbes]

But really, it's more than just small sales numbers. But they got some great exposure eith one million downloads. That tells you just how poorly most people think of it.

Best football game I ever played, so it doesn't really matter all that much what most think. "Most" were too backwards to give 2k5 a try back when it was competing directly against The Machine, also. Goes to show what "most" know about quality football games.

[DivotMaker]

The sales numbers are definitely small (assuming vgchartz is close to accurate), but it's nice to see that the 360 sales have gone up the last 2 weeks. Us few backbreaker fans will take victories any way we can get 'em!

This is what I don't get...when you post Madden sales numbers from the same source, YOU state they are falling when Scoop has shown that the 360/PS3 numbers are rising. You state those numbers as if they are gospel. Yet when it comes to BB, you question whether the numbers are accurate. Which is it? Are vgchatrz numbers accurate or are they not? You can't have your cake and eat it too here if you want to be taken seriously when discussing Madden or BB.....

[Aristo]

Well, I was a huge 2K fan that found Tunnel Vision Football to be really annoying.

But at least Backbreaker was given a fair shot by a million people. So nice of you to call anyone that didn't like BB backwards. You really are a charming fellow.

Must be sad that there are so few intelligent people in your worldview.

Of course the more likely scenario is that BB appealed to anti-EA crybabies that would have played anything to try and claim they had the better game. The fun part is that they actually think their voice is relevant, when in fact they are the very definition negligible.

How many months will it take before they realize that developers have moved on and that a sequel isn't coming because they couldn't even muster 2K's level of sales?

[bkrich83]

You can't have your cake and eat it too here if you want to be taken seriously when discussing Madden or BB.....

Why would you take him seriously at this point?

For him it's all about Brand Loyalty/Brand Hatred. The games themselves are secondary, to who makes them. It all stems back to the exclusive license deal. He's like one of those kids who argue about what console is better. It's all about the us vs. them. Either you love Madden or you hate it. He believes everyone is like him and believe it to be all about the brand. Look at the posts. He thinks people getting on him in the Madden thread is simply because of his opinion. Then he states he had to after people like me apparently said negative things about BB. It's a brand war in his eyes. All sense of rationality is out the window. And when called on it, he claims to be persecuted because of his opinion.

Look at this thread. EA is the machine, and anyone who prefers EA's games over BB or didn't buy 2k5 is "backwards"..It's all agenda with him. There is no reason to take him seriouly if you look at the history of his posts. Like DB said, a guy who doesn't even own Madden and hates it has been posting in the Madden threads 5 times more than he has been in the thread talking about what he calls the greatest football game he's ever played.

[Aristo]

It just has to kill him to see the massive turnaround Peter Moore has accomplished with EA Sports.

I was a bitter 2K fan back in the day, refusing to buy any EA products. But then I decided to get over myself and just buy what I like. Tiger Woods, Fight Night, Fifa, and NHL have all become solid franchises.

Even Madden and NCAA has improved dramatically. As much as I liked 2K's games, they have just fallen off over the last couple of years.

[GTHobbes]

The sales numbers are definitely small (assuming vgchartz is close to accurate), but it's nice to see that the 360 sales have gone up the last 2 weeks. Us few backbreaker fans will take victories any way we can get 'em!

This is what I don't get...when you post Madden sales numbers from the same source, YOU state they are falling when Scoop has shown that the 360/PS3 numbers are rising. You state those numbers as if they are gospel. Yet when it comes to BB, you question whether the numbers are accurate. Which is it? Are vgchatrz numbers accurate or are they not? You can't have your cake and eat it too here if you want to be taken seriously when discussing Madden or BB.....

I do think vgchartz is accurate. My comment was directed to those who question their validity in the Madden thread. They might not be 100% accurate, but I bet they're close.

[GTHobbes]

Can't imagine there's still anyone on the fence with this game, but for what it's worth, there's been some good online competition on the PS3 this holiday weekend. I'm at 13-3 now, sitting at # 8 with 2 wins to go to get to # 7. Great stuff.

[Rodster]

I decided i'm going to play this game without the patch. At least the CPU can run the ball. The game changes very little even with the patch so having the CPU gain more yds on the ground vs me is better than what you get after the patch.

Anyway the game still has lots of issues pre and post patch but I still find it a lot of fun in small doses.

[GTHobbes]

I'm still playing this game a ton online, and after seeing the below post from one of the devs, I can't wait for more news on what will be coming next from these guys. IceBreaker? BackBreaker 2? Whatever it is, I'll be buying.

"Hi Guys,

Many of you have been asking about the possibility of another patch post Greathouse.

Greathouse added many features to the game and we really appreciate your feedback and input into it. It was a huge undertaking and we are proud of what was achieved by the team.

But, at this time we are not planning to release a further patch to Backbreaker 1. The Backbreaker team are currently pushing forwards on their next projects, which we are very excited about – news on this to follow soon!

Once again, thanks to all the fans for your support. Please continue to discuss and debate Backbreaker 1 with me on the forum.

Todd."

[Rodster]

I don't know if I can give them a pass next time. For some the game is worse. I thought the running game was decent pre-patch and now it's tough as nails. Some think it's good but i'm just not enjoying it. They should try and address that first to make the game a little more balanced. They don't have to add features just finish the job.

[matthewk]

Damn. I saw this back on the first page and thought someone was posting that they were going to do another patch.

As it is, Backbreaker is fun at times, but never for a full game. There are too many blowups in the backfield and the line is always too congested. Combine those with runners constantly falling on their face from tripping over a foot and it just isn't a complete product to me. Being on the PS3 I don't even have the option of trying to twaek the ratings via an editor.

I love having a real alternative for football, but if there is a BB2 I won't be getting it until I've had a chance to either rent it or get it at a discount.

[GTHobbes]

I know most people here have heard enough from me about Backbreaker, but in case there's 1 person out there who is curious how the game has held up long term, I wanted to give an update regarding my online experience.

Six months after release, I'm still playing this game online every chance I get and am 25-1 in the month of November, which has me at #7 on the PS3 monthly leaderboard. I usually only get a chance to play on Saturday mornings-early afternoons, with an occasional Sunday afternoon (when the Steelers aren't playing) or week night game thrown in. Last night, I got a couple of games in -- against the #1 guy (who has 80 some wins this month) and the #2 guy (who has 50 some wins) and I beat them both.

The game against the #1 guy was a great one, with my team of Steelers Greats beating his Ravens team 17-14. I took a 17-0 lead mid-way through the 3rd quarter, effectively mixing up some play action passes with some runs, screens and an occasional mid-range pass. My defense was playing similar to how the Steelers' defense looked against the Raiders this past weekend, with Jack Lambert in on just about every play. Rod Woodson had a pick and LC Greenwood also had a big sack for me as I jumped out to what I thought was a comfortable lead. After my last score, he connected on a big pass for a score and then put another TD on the board with 1:33 left in the 4th. By that point, however, he was out of timeouts and I was able to run the clock out for the win.

After we were finished, I got a challenge from the # 2 guy and, although it was after midnight, I went ahead and started up the game against his Dolphins team. I took the ball after the opening kickoff down the field but my drive stalled around the 15, and I opted to go for the early 3-0 lead. He scored a TD on his first possession, taking a 7-0 lead, but I answered with a touchdown of my own on my next drive and re-took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter. When he threw an interception to Carnell Lake on his next drive, he quit -- giving me the late night win.

I started playing videogame football when I was probably 5 years old or so back in the Odyssey 2 days (never liked Atari's football game), went on to Intellivision football, Accolade's football games, Tecmo Bowl, Madden, Walter Payton's football game, Joe Montana Sports Talk football (never cared all that much for it), NFL Gameday (really liked some of the early ones), Acclaim's Quarterback Club, the awesome 2k football, back to Madden, and now have played somewhere between 200-300 online games with Backbreaker. I can easily say this is the best football game I've ever played. No glitching, no cheese, just good old football strategy and execution, combined with the best and most realistic graphics I've ever seen in a football game.

Hopefully, there will be a Backbreaker 2 someday, but in the meantime, as we approach Thanksgiving 2010, I'm awfully grateful to the videogame football gods that this masterpiece is on the market and being enjoyed by other football fanatics online, with the PS3 at least (can't speak to what it's like on the 360). Great stuff.

[Wilk5280]

In the words of TO: I love me some me