Matrix Games Forums

Hello Everyone,

I am new here so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong area. I have some question about the PDS.

Do you use a mouse to draw the routes or are they defined by typing?

Is it possible to draw a whip route?

What do I mean by a whip route? A whip route (sometimes referred to as a twirl) would be a route where the receiver breaks in toward a linebacker or behind a defensive end and then he curls and runs back to the outside? typically this route is run at a depth between 5 and 6 yards.. it is NOT a hook and go, which is a vertical route, the whip by contrast is more of a horizontal route.

How crazy can you get with your formations? I personally prefer a LOT of unorthodox formations, The Swinging Gate, Lonesome Polecat,Emory and Henry, Unbalanced Lines (ala the old single wing coaches like Charlie Caldwell or Bud Wilkinson's Power line formation where the Center was the end man on the line of scrimage with everyone else aligned to his left or right), Stacked Receivers behind one another. Can you make the center an elgible receiver?

Can you hand the ball to a man in motion? The fly or jet sweep is a very popular play in US College and High School Football, the qb snaps the ball and hands it to a man in full speed motion who then runs it around the end, the man in motion never breaks stride it is one fluid hand off.

Can you design any type of Option running game, like the console versions have (triple option?)

What is the current PDS comparable too? For instance, I'm sure a lot of people have the console game Madden, but before Madden many of the old PC games had SUPERIOR play editors, for instance Unneccessary Roughness 96, Legends 98, Front Page Football all had great and versatile play editors that were ahead of their times, is the PDS comparable to any of those games?

Thank you in advance, even if these abilities are a few releases off, I want to encourage you to continue working toward them. The big companies are getting fat and greedy, the games truly are become an arcade button pushing skillfest (look mom I can tweak my left thumb 5x's fast than that guy) with strategy (one of the things that makes the game of football very unique) being left in the dust bin. I appreciate that there are people I believe very much like me who are frustrated by this development. If your game is a step back in the right direction than it deserves high praise indeed.

Not to mention the ability to modify the rules in itself would be an a great service to the community.


Thank you again

XO Guy

Just a qucik answer, but first I must mention that the PDS has changed greatly for the next release.
 
Ok, I would say that the PDS is similar in many ways to the Front Page Sports Football play creatation.
 
Using the mouse you designate movement points that receivers will move to, so I would say it is possible to create any pattern you want.
 
You can also create almost any formation you would want, the only limitation is that for the american game, the 5 OL are set, but you can put receivers in almost any position.  The only way to really do an unbalanced line is by placing the receivers unbalance to one side.
 
I have not created any plays where the ball is handed to a man in motion, but Im pretty sure that is now possible with PDS 2.
 
A true triple option with a QB reading and making a decesion is not possible.  That said I have created option plays with the dive, QB keep and Pitch, predetermined.  In the game they look very good and if you didnt know you would think they are a true option.

Well, they are redeveloping the PDS, so the answers may change soon, but as is...

The routes are drawn with the mouse using a series of logic points.

Any route you can drawn can be implemented. You draw it, he runs it. As is there is no "read and react" logic for routes (read coverage, eat cushion and turn, comeback when CB turns hips, etc.)

Right now the lineman are fixed. I'm not a crazy formation guy, but I have been pushing for adjustable line splits and the ability to create unbalanced formations as they are useful in amateur ranks, but the skill position players are moveable.

As is, only the QB has handoff ability, and only to the FB and HB. I think the next release will allow all skill players to hand off to any other skill position. Hook and ladder were we come! This would allow the jet sweep to be ran.

As of now, no option because it was an AI buster. With the defensive overhaul, maybe this is something they will revisit.

I think the PDS can eventually be superior to FBPro's, and when the new release is released, it will rival it, but right now it the defense is lacking because it limits you to M2M or Cover 3 variations.

Hope that answers them all.

Here is a screen shot showing the types of formations along with an example of pass routes.

Is it possible to draw a whip route?

 
Yes, a Curl-Sideline pattern can be created.
 

How crazy can you get with your formations?

 
The line is set in place at this time.  There are no unbalanced lines.  This is something that may be looked at in the future.
 

Can you hand the ball to a man in motion?

 
This has been discussed by the development team.  At this time, a ball may only be handed off or pitched to a back.  This precludes end around and reverse plays.  While I have lobbied hard for this, I also understand that any changes of this type will have to be tested against the defensive AI, and there really isn't much time left for Release 3.
 

Can you design any type of Option running game, like the console versions have (triple option?)

 
Again, there is an ongoing discussion about the option pitch as player logic.  With future improvements in defense, it will likely become an action available.
 
Old Coach has been working on his classic playbooks, and he has asked for both unbalanced lines and the option, as have other testers and members of the Maximum-Football community.
 

 

Thank you everyone for your prompt and thorough answers! I appreciate it!
 
I do look forward to these future releases. Like many of you, I have TONS of football strategy materials that I'm dying to implement.
 
Thank you again!