Matrix Games Forums

All.

Attached are some preliminary screen shots of the revamped PDS.

NOTE: These are of a work in progress. Artwork and functionality are not final.

Many of you may have read about my work to revamp the Play Development System for the 3rd update. Below are some screen captures to show what direction this is taking.

Obviously the most notable difference is that PDS2.0 (the working title that will probably stick unless I think of something better) is fully 3D. It's no longer a separate application that you must be outside the game to access.

The advantages are numerous but the most obvious ones are;

- Instant access to practice mode. Moving to and from the practice field happens instantly, rather than the lengthy delay previously.

- You now have 100% of the field to work with. You're no longer limited to a small 25 (or so) yard chunk.

- WYSIWYG. With PDS1.0, there was a bit of a disconnect between the play design and what it looked like on the field. This would result in constant switching back and forth between the 2D and 3D world trying to get spacing correct.

- Not seen in the screen shots, there is the ability to move the ball to a different spot on the field so that you can more effectively create red zone (aka green zone, aka go zone) plays.

- The basic functionality is copied verbatim from the 2D version. The menu buttons work the same way as previously, and you still create plays by pointing and clicking command points around the field.

- The interface artwork is development artwork. It's useful for development and testing, but I'm not happy with the overall look of the interface and will be changing that as soon as I can. Right now it works though.

- You will also note some extra controls in the top right corner. Those are camera controls. You can scroll the camera around the full field as well as zoom in close or out as far as the field width.

The one disadvantage that will unlikely be dealt with before release is the lower quality of the play thumbnail generated for the play selection process. One of the reasons for the smaller amount of working field on the previous PDS was to assist the thumbnail generation. Player positions are scaled so they are in the same relative location on the thumbnail as the field. With the larger field now being scaled, the thumbnail drops in quality. The only work around would be to not have the thumbnail be fully representative of the play design. Meaning players further away from the center would be relocated on the play thumbnail for the sake of aesthetics.

So far all existing plays are 100% compatible with the new version. You do not have to make any changes. Plays created with PDS1.0 load as expected in the new verison. So there is no reason for people to stop making plays [:)]

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Cant wait to get my hands on this, hope this corrects the problems with defensive alinements. [:D]

Man That looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good stuff.[&o]

David, can you make it so we can change the offensive position of a player? For instance now there is no way to have 2 TEs in a formation.

ORIGINAL: 21SEC

David, can you make it so we can change the offensive position of a player? For instance now there is no way to have 2 TEs in a formation.

The new PSD allows for 2 TE's in a formation. The second to last screen shot shows this.

David, Can the new PSD allow three backs in the backfield to accomodate formations such as the Wishbone and the T formations?

Thanks for all this work. I can't wait to get my hands on this.

ORIGINAL: cbelva

David, Can the new PSD allow three backs in the backfield to accomodate formations such as the Wishbone and the T formations?

Thanks for all this work. I can't wait to get my hands on this.

This is required. Especially in the lower level leagues, like HS, college etc.......


Also, is it me or are those hashmarks WAY too close together?

Also, I have noticed, when DB's or LB's drop into pass covereage, if its a deep drop, they actually turn their back to the LoS, and then run to their zone. They SHOULD backpedal there...... however there is no command to backpedal in the PDS............. just a "move to" command.

ORIGINAL: Scott_WAR

Also, is it me or are those hashmarks WAY too close together?

The hasmarks are 23 yards from the sidelines. If you use the amature level US field, I have them set at 20 yards from the sidelines.

Haven't played with the PDS much yet, but, one thing I notice is that I can not adjust the players position on the field. It seems you select a formation and other then motion, there is no way to get the players where you want, is this being addressed or am I just missing something?

ORIGINAL: BryanS1017

Haven't played with the PDS much yet, but, one thing I notice is that I can not adjust the players position on the field. It seems you select a formation and other then motion, there is no way to get the players where you want, is this being addressed or am I just missing something?

Initial player positions (on offense) are set by the formation. When you design a formation you can put the skill players anywhere you like. When you create a play from that formation, the players are set in the formation. You can use motion to move them around to other locations.

ORIGINAL: David Winter

ORIGINAL: 21SEC

David, can you make it so we can change the offensive position of a player? For instance now there is no way to have 2 TEs in a formation.

The new PSD allows for 2 TE's in a formation. The second to last screen shot shows this.

Thanks, obviously I'm blind, but still enjoy your game despite my trouble seeing[;)]

Is there a target date for PDS 2.0?

I'm looking forward to it.

David,

I'm not one to make plays or mess with a PDS, and yet I appreciate the effort being made in improving this aspect of the game. Even though I don't design plays and playbooks, I'm sure I'll benefit greatly from the playbooks that the community creates. Thanks David, Matrix and all those that support MAXFB.