Matrix Games Forums

This is probably not a bug so much as a matter of statistical modelling in the AI. Re 1.3.139, league game, human v. computer, U.S. rules, college level, outdoors, all players with drafted ratings (i.e., no fiddling on my account), and computer generated profiles. My punt returner ran back four punts for a TD. Not bad for a season, but in one game? Three of these were down the left side of the field. The other (the third in the sequence I think)was through the pack up the middle.

Also, I have noticed a tendency (roughly four to five times per game, but I'm not sure of this, may be more often) for the computer controlled team to attempt to run up the gut on third and long (once 3rd and 15) from deep in their own territory. To the best of my knowledge these were not draw plays. This seems unrealistic to me. Am I nuts or what?

I think implementing more adjustable punting formations, RE: my thread http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1331396&mpage=1&key=&#1331396 would make punting stats more realistic.

I redid the stock punt play, spreading out the cover men much more and I very seldom see a long punt return.  The play is with all my playbooks at FBmax.com, if I remember correctly the play is named  "punt return extra"

I have been working to adjust the punting to be more realistic by adding delays to the punt and also changing the OLs blocking scheme to not be illegally downfield on punts.  I, as well, rarely get returns for TDs.  I have added punt blocks and punt returns for more variety to punting.

Four is probably high for one game. I use the stock plays and since making the changes to the punting system prior to the first public release of R3, I haven't seen any punt return TD's (that I haven't forceably created by cheating).

This is probably not a bug so much as a matter of statistical modelling in the AI.

This may be the source of confusion here. The game doesn't work that way. This game does not generate play outcome via a stats engine and then display it to the screen. Everything is real time.

If that linebacker gets held up for .05 seconds longer on one play than he did on the previous one, the play outcome will be different.

This is why play design, combined with coaching profile, combined with player skills, combined with everything else, will result in a different play outcome each play.

So when you see a punt return for a TD, it's not a case of the AI 'rolling dice' and saying "that punt return resulted in a touch down, I should show that to the user." and then the 3D engine showing the play result. It's a case of the ball carrier being able to elude the defenders to score. The game has no idea what the outcome of a play is going to be until it happens.

Thanks for the punt return help. I will look in FBmax.com for nmleague's punt play redo. Also, thanks to David Winters for clearing up my ignorance about the way the game works.

My punt play is in all of the playbooks I have done that are on FBmax, not just the play by itself.