This update looks to improve some of the smaller, lingering gameplay issues existing in the game right now. First off, a handful of minor adjustments have been made to how AI QB's play, including how they read the field and make decisions under pressure. Coupled with that, I've put more emphasis on skill level values for interceptions, so you should hopefully see less 4+ INT games on normal.
I've also made some adjustments to offensive line blocking that should improve the success of inside run plays, even against stack and pressure defenses. Be sure to use your power moves (jukes and protect) once you're in the open field!
Lastly, a few presentation improvements have been made as well, including your sideline reacting to the play in real time, more animations, and the addition of a yardage tracker while the ball carrier runs. Full details below:
Gameplay
- Adjusted timing, boosting, and rating balance to improve offensive line blocking on running plays
- Fixed situations where AI QB's would purposely roll into a pursuing defender rather than away
- Improved AI QB's ability to recognize their chance of being sacked and willingness to make 'danger' throws to avoid them
- AI QB's now take a receivers skill into account when deciding if they're open or not
- Increased AI QB's willingness to make throws to covered receivers when they're being chased
- Improved AI QB's understanding of prioritizing deep receivers on deep pass playcalls
- AI QB progression speed is more directly controlled by their ratings now
- Increased the ratio of tipped passes to deflections, as well as receiver's ability to catch them
- AI defense reacts to offensive playcalling earlier in game
- AI offense will call running plays in more situations
- Boosted defensive attack when AI correctly identifies run-dominant playcalling trends
- Proportionally increased the impact of the interception skill slider with a decreased impact on player ratings, giving skill level the priority on the amount of interceptions in game
- Increased minimum running speed for sub-40 SPD rated runners to avoid missed handoffs/pitches
Animation
- Sideline players now react to plays in real time
- Added more celebration animations
UI
- Added animated yard tracking and sound while runners carry the ball
- Added animation to HeadHunter score changes
Customization
- Added 4 letter support to team initials
Bugs
- Fixed a critical issue where facial hair settings were not being saved correctly, causing a silent crash. Facial hair and hair color should now update and appear correct in menus and the game
- Fixed an issue that was keeping AI-called timeout messages from being displayed in the UI