As the name implies, I've completely rebuilt how catching works in the game, from the way players run routes, anticipate passes, catch (or drop) the ball, and take off running afterwards. Factors like player height and ball location drive a series of all new, contextual catch animations for both the offense and defense. After the catch, I've made some timing changes to create more space and opportunity to pick up yards without immediately being swallowed up by nearby defenders.
Speaking of running, I've slowed the global running speed down by about 10% and added all new running/leaning animations to compliment it. I think the speed change will help make the game a bit more readable (especially for new players), while still maintaining the frantic action on field veterans are used to.
Of course receivers need good throws to catch, so v.15.0 features a handful of changes targeting all aspects of the passing game. Improvements have been made to pass blocking, AI QB pocket presence, and smarter pass leading and placement. There's a whole lot more going on under the hood, so take a look at the full patch notes below to get an idea of what to expect.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on everything in this release, here and on Discord!
Animation
- Added several all new, contextual catching animations
- Added new blended catch anticipation animations
- Added new run and leaning animations
- Updated existing dive animations
Gameplay
- Globally decreased maximum running speed by 10%
- Added new catching system that takes into account relative ball location, quality of throw, and receiver's height
- Receiver and defenders will now jump for high passes
- Receivers will now side leap for out of reach passes
- Receivers will now look at incoming passes and catch ball on the appropriate side
- Defenders now make a decision between trying to intercept a pass or deflect it
- Missed interception attempts have a chance to turn into tipped balls
- Removed the ability for defenders to intercept a pass while trying to deflect it
- Missed deflection attempts now have a chance to distract the receiver from catching the ball
- Improved clarity on failed attempts to catch tips and dropped passes
- Improved QB pass leading to better take into account a receiver's speed, direction, and distance
- AI QB's properly move around and out of their pocket to avoid pass rushers
- AI QB's have better understanding of a collapsing pocket
- AI QB's are able to throw bullet passes more frequently
- Decreased throw quality and accuracy on low strength rated QB's who are hit while throwing
- Decreased throw accuracy on low agility / skill rated QB's throwing while backpedaling
- Lessened throw quality penalty on low agility rated QB's throwing while on the move
- Added a short delay before a pass can be thrown immediately after snapping the ball
- Added a short delay before a juke/protect can be performed immediately after catching the ball
- Added a ratings-based delay for defender's reaction after passes are tipped/caught
- Players who are in a catch animation can no longer tackle a player until the animation is complete
- Removed rotation jitter immediately after throwing the ball
- Decreased movement jitter when receivers reach their destination at high speeds
- Adjusted OL pass blocking to better utilize the awareness rating
- Improved OL blocking on XP/FG kicks
Playbook
- Updated blocking assignments in most passing plays
- Reworked routes in a number of plays
- Removed 5th receiver from 'Turbo' pass play
- Updated play art to reflect changes
HUD
- On offense, the player control ring does not turn green until the ball can be snapped
- Pass destination target is hidden on player controlled passes and dead balls
Camera
- Game camera now tracks players all the way to the sideline
- Game camera now zooms in for a short period of time after a player completes a pass
- Game camera now dollys in before the start of a play to show entire width of field
- Updated game camera to initially be further back after a change of possession
- Adjusted camera position for kicking plays
- Goal posts fully fade out when next to the camera
Bugs
- Fixed a critical bug where incomplete passes in own endzone silently crashed the game and resulted in endless safeties
- Fixed a critical bug where saving a customized player with a blank uniform number crashed the game and corrupted the roster file
- Fixed a bug that listed safeties as 6 points on the summary page's per-quarter scoring breakdown
- Fixed a bug that allowed the OL to lineup sideways before the snap