Gameplay - First Rd: Deeper Playbooks vs. Custom Packages

[cdj]

As always, vote for the item you prefer. However, also state how you would like both features implemented into the game and indicate any specific elements you would (or would not) like to see added for each item.


Deeper Playbooks

Throughout the history of college football, coaches have taken countless approaches to calling plays both offensively and defensively. With deeper playbooks, this would bring back some “old school” playbooks but also bring in some of the plays that we’ve never seen in the NCAA Football series. Old School playbooks would include the Single Wing, Power T, Veer, Full-fledged Wishbone, Nebraska Option, and so on.

For plays, this would include the shovel pass, double reverse, double pass, WR reverse pass, midline read option... the beauty of college football is the trick/gadget play. Additionally, this would also make sure that new plays and formations are only added, none removed from what we currently have. Even if these plays & formations aren’t included in default playbooks, they would be available in Custom Playbooks.


Custom Packages

While NCAA Football 11 brought back the feature for Formation Subs, Custom Packages would take this one step further by giving the user the ability to customize the packages for each formation, both offensive and defensive. Some examples of this (courtesy of community member Keontez): Think adding a 3-5-3 package that would replace the OLB/SS with true LBs on run downs or adding a speed package (DBs in for LBs) to other formations like the 4-4 or 5-2. Ideally you would be able to rename the packages that you modify for easy reference.

[bdoughty]

Deeper playbooks for me.

[JeffHCross]

You're killing me, Smalls! I want both :-/ I think that Formation Subs is a huge disappointment compared to what Custom Packages would allow. Quite simply, if you could customize every package, then you have formation subs ... across packages. One is a 1/100th of the other, basically.

And, of course, I'm a huge proponent of Deeper Playbooks, especially Old School Playbooks (though, FWIW, some of those items were in the NCAA Football series ... back in the PS1 days). Decisions, decisions.

[jaymo76]

Going with playbooks. Custom playbooks was a great addition this year but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

[illwill10]

This is a toss up for me. Having deeper playbooks would add a more college feel to the game. Having Custom Packages could add more authencity.

[baseballplyrmvp]

i went with packages....simply because the playbooks that i use are good enough for me.

[blkkrptnt819]

I went with packages. I run custom playbooks so I wouldn't adhere to any of the historical play styles.

[PDuncanOSU]

Custom Playbooks
I'd love a play creater/editor or much deeper custom playbooks so that each user could run exactly the playbook that they want. I think there needs to be some way to restrict the different play styles that can be in a custom playbook though. With custom playbooks now I can have Georgia Tech triple option, USC pro-style, Run-n-shoot, Oregon spread option, and Air Raid plays all in the same playbook with each play style run with the same effectiveness. In real life, no college team would be able to do that because of the practice time required to run these different styles.
Custom Packages
As I mentioned in the Deeper Gameplay Settings Sliders vs. Improved Depth Chart and Pkgs thread, I think that a system similar to what Kwizzy posted here http://www.thegamingtailgate.com/forums/showthread.php?3353-Formation-Sub-tips where a depth chart could set for each formation and package would allow for complete flexibility in how to use your roster.

[blkkrptnt819]

Custom Playbooks[B]
I'd love a play creater/editor or much deeper custom playbooks so that each user could run exactly the playbook that they want. I think there needs to be some way to restrict the different play styles that can be in a custom playbook though. With custom playbooks now I can have Georgia Tech triple option, USC pro-style, Run-n-shoot, Oregon spread option, and Air Raid plays all in the same playbook with each play style run with the same effectiveness. In real life, no college team would be able to do that because of the practice time required to run these different styles.
[B]Custom Packages
As I mentioned in the Deeper Gameplay Settings Sliders vs. Improved Depth Chart and Pkgs thread, I think that a system similar to what Kwizzy posted here http://www.thegamingtailgate.com/forums/showthread.php?3353-Formation-Sub-tips where a depth chart could set for each formation and package would allow for complete flexibility in how to use your roster.

There should NEVER be a restriction on the creativity of custom playbooks. It should be open for users to pick and choose what they want. But a depth chart for each formation would be amazing!!!!

[PDuncanOSU]

Custom Playbooks
I'd love a play creater/editor or much deeper custom playbooks so that each user could run exactly the playbook that they want. I think there needs to be some way to restrict the different play styles that can be in a custom playbook though. With custom playbooks now I can have Georgia Tech triple option, USC pro-style, Run-n-shoot, Oregon spread option, and Air Raid plays all in the same playbook with each play style run with the same effectiveness. In real life, no college team would be able to do that because of the practice time required to run these different styles.
Custom Packages
As I mentioned in the Deeper Gameplay Settings Sliders vs. Improved Depth Chart and Pkgs thread, I think that a system similar to what Kwizzy posted here http://www.thegamingtailgate.com/forums/showthread.php?3353-Formation-Sub-tips where a depth chart could set for each formation and package would allow for complete flexibility in how to use your roster.


There should NEVER be a restriction on the creativity of custom playbooks. It should be open for users to pick and choose what they want. But a depth chart for each formation would be amazing!!!!
I agree that I don't really want to see a restriction to how creative a custom playbook can be. I think it is unrealistically difficult, though, when on defense I have to prepare for an offense that has every possible playstyle in their playbook. Team playbooks in the game that are listed as multiple, such as Ohio State and Florida State, typically have some mix of spread and pro-style offenses not 6 different offensive styles. Maybe an option for the online dynasty commisioner to limit playstyles in custom playbooks for their dynasty.

[blkkrptnt819]

I think air raid, spread, pro, pistol, option can it in a playbook and not be too much. That's 5 different styles and under the limit you would probably want they all would not be allowed. But the game needs custom packages and make a play. The game needs WAY more strategy elements to it. I want to be able to make scheme based on where i want players by position or if i want a specific player in a spot. If i want to switch out where they have OLB's and put SS's and your depth chart idea is exactly what's needed. I want to outcoach ppl in a dynasty and not cheese them. I think they should make the CAP mode DLC and that would free up disc space. Also get rid of mascot mashup.

[jWILL10]

I went with custom packages. I'm always weary of more playbook options because it allows for more exploits...

[blkkrptnt819]

I went with custom packages. I'm always weary of more playbook options because it allows for more exploits...

It's crazy that the AI cant make the adjustment to stop exploits. We have to be careful what we ask for because of that.

[cdj]

Both would be great.

Deeper playbooks are necessary as IMHO I don't think the game will truly capture the uniqueness of college football until we have most (if not all) styles added in as well as the shovel pass, double reverse, double pass, WR reverse pass, midline read option, trick/gadget plays in the game.


It's crazy that the AI cant make the adjustment to stop exploits. We have to be careful what we ask for because of that.

That is true. In addition, the CPU would have to properly run new plays as well for them have maximum effect. The key is that some of the more exotic plays are not exploitable. In the last couple years it seems like the team has done a pretty good job in that regard, but it should always be a focus.

[Oneback]

There should be more styles (I even mentioned to Anthony White to offer some of the older styles as a DLC) added as well as all the plays and constraints for said plays. However, I want playbooks to be smaller or at least build in some sort of mechanism where you would need to practice (set via gameplan) and run said plays to get really good at them a la Head Coach.