Hi / On the APF2k8 Learning Curve / Online Match-Ups

[MMQB14]

Hi everybody

With this post I would like to introduce myself to the APF2k8 community. I am an old school gamer (being 39yrs and sprouting the first grays on my temples :eek: ). I am "attempting" to make the switch to AFP2k8 from the 'other' football video game franchise (cough..cough) that I have played the last couple of years on the PC. The primary reasons were, as for many other gamers on this forum, the more realistic game-play and the better online experience.

Trying to stay away from the whole "Sim vs. Cheese" game-play categorization, I declare myself a casual "straight gamer": I don't glitch, I don't run hurry-up all game, I don't care about rank, etc. but due to time constraints (see below), I run a basic play-book with ca. 25-40 plays that I adjust at the LOS by pre-reading the defense. Therefore, I might run the same play a couple a times a game if I see that the defense does not adjust accordingly.

So since last Friday, I am sloooowly climbing the APF2k8 learning curve -- not easy for an older guy with many adult responsibilities & an hour or two of spare time in the evening and a whole different controller and game-play universe in his head.

After a few frustrating "WTF?" experiences (accelerated clock, little time to call the defense, controller configuration, field pass, long wait between play-call screen, camera perspective) I managed to finally beat the CPU a couple of times. Last nite, I felt lucky and ventured out on Xbox Live (which is also new for me) to pick up my first online game in the "Beginner's Lobby" (on All-Pro). I was able to challenge a fellow newbie & got my first game in.

I feel that I am now over the "initial hump" but have lots to learn. The following things I still have no clear handle on - any tips of course are appreciated:

- Manual control: I usually user-control a LB. My stick was good enough with the other video game franchise where I was able to manually tackle, get fumbles or user-intercept the ball. With APF2k8 I still feel totally of the water. I know I have to "feather" the left stick for moving the player but the user controls feel far from being tight.

- Formation shifts: Since I run a fairly basic playbook, I used to rely on formation shifts to give the defense different looks. Does APF2k8 support formation shifts? If yes, then what is the controller config to execute a formation shift ?

- Camera angle/perspective: I am used to the "Long" view from the other video game. I have played around with some custom setting but I still don't feel comfortable. My eyes are straining and I can't "zone out" and just see the defense flow develop resp. see my read my outside receivers. Anybody have some good custom camera settings ?

Otherwise, I think I am slooowly "getting it", i.e. the APF2k8 game-play feel. The learning curve is steep, but it has its rewards :)

So look out for the "Hartford Dragons" under my online gamer-tag "MMQB14" - I hope to get some challenges from a few like-minded forum gamers and be able to build up a friend list. And I would definitely be interested to join an online league - though I am based in Switzerland/Europe so the time difference might prove to difficult to overcome.

Cheers,

MMQB14

[majorhurricane]

Add me to your list majorhurricane

[Dallas4lr]

First,

I would look at the formations I use, and then add just about every play offensive and defensive from the offensive and defensive formations I use the most.

Then I would play 3 or 4 quick games allowing the game to select the plays, write down the formations and plays that work the best. And then adjust the playbook back done to just include the plays that work for your squad. This is the quickest way to learn the game flow and plays that fit your gamestyle.

You will find that 2k8 is more about play selection and matchups, moreso then manually controlling a player. Unless your are extremely good the AI will have more success then you will in most cases. I do very few adjustments in this game besides moving my SS and FS front or further back, and QB spy. Its all about play selection. I dont play much zone cause you negate your mathcups and open yourself up to get burned.

Take your time and study the game, I've played many hours and I still have tons of stuff to learn and implement.


Dallas

[Higgus]

- Manual control

The manual control has been made 'harder' than 2K5 was. And certainly seems impossible compared to madden's no-momentum-at-all-control. I've played 60 online games and only now am finally feeling totally in control. just hang in there, and feathering the joystick is the right move to do this. one note: make sure you're aware of the auto-strafe they implemented. i believe most LBs/DBs start in strafe mode, which will slow you down of course. i've now come to love auto-strafe because its natural for me now to get out of strafe when i need to.

- Formation shifts: Since I run a fairly basic playbook, I used to rely on formation shifts to give the defense different looks. Does APF2k8 support formation shifts? If yes, then what is the controller config to execute a formation shift ?

formation shifts are how i win my running game. yes sir, you can do this. use the D-pad (non analog control). Press up/down to highlight the motion guys, and left/right to motion them.

- Camera angle/perspective: I am used to the "Long" view from the other video game. I have played around with some custom setting but I still don't feel comfortable. My eyes are straining and I can't "zone out" and just see the defense flow develop resp. see my read my outside receivers. Anybody have some good custom camera settings ?

I don't have HDTV and 2K messed up regular TV version. The left and some right side of the screen is cut off. it is annoying to not see your outside WRs. although, I still leave it on the default camera setting. i do this for the running game mostly and i played 2k5 so much i handle it.

[ILLAIM]

The single most important thing I have done so far is adjust my playbook.

The default playbook works for some, but I find it way to limited. It will take a little bit of time, so I suggest doing it in intervals, but after you craft a playbook of your liking you will become a much better player.

Beyond that, just find a style of play you comfortable with a practice with it homie

[dacks]

I'm sure there is but there needs to be a league/s of people like this. What would be awesome for next, and actually get me to pay for a XBL membership, would be to have leagues that players can actually create a team then the league have a free draft with in-season trades, real-tme injuries, free agents, mutilple seasons and accumulation.
Welcome to the greatest football game ever created(besides 2K5.) We need more cool sim ballers and less of the kids.
Btw, you're lucky my hair started turning gray at 31!

[MMQB14]

Guys - thank you for the kind responses, strategy & game-play tips!

@majorhurricane - added your name

@Dalls4lr - Thx for the take on manually controlling a player. I see where you are coming from.

@Higgus - Thx for the tips. One question: how do you get out of strafe "when you need to ?" I turned auto strafe to "OFF". Also, with formation shifts I do not mean motioning players; rather, I mean that you have the ability to press some button combination and shift into a different formation. Example: From a Ace Trips to a Ace Doubles look. Is this in the game ?

@ILLAIM - Yeah, that is what I a doing. I am starting out with a few formations that work well with my players personnel. I then choose 5-8 plays from those formations and customize the playbook accordingly. Then I branch out and add more plays, more formations.

Thx again.

BTW:
- I am on Xbox 360
- My copy of NCAA 08 (got it at the same time as APF2k8 last Friday) currently lies unopened on my office desk :eek: