This was a tricky update, mainly because we had to determine what values could start to go back towards default, and what values just needed some slight tweaks to the global set up. If we compare this version to the previous, it shows the progression of the values that have been able to 'survive' through the patch update. Overall quite content with how the game is playing considering . Gameplay Options: Injuries were lowered as it felt like injuries were happening every other play. Just more surprised with how low we had to go. Speed Parity is lowered to ensure that we're getting that release throughout the field, so as blocking values are increased, we still get those interactions that can create big moments as a byproduct. Something as simple as a linebacker that hits the gap but because speed parity is too high and they get sucked into the block instead. Or CBs running into other players during crossing routes would kind of break the immersion of big plays. Simple things, but impactful. Penalty adjustments: Offside - 55 - Felt this was needed to reduce not just the penalty, but the insta-shed that was happening fairly immediately. DPI 60 (AM), 65 (AP) - Seems to work as perception value for the CPU QB. Lower means more breakups, higher means more wait and see catch. Good balance here as I want the AP QB to take more chances into traffic, while still ensuring DBs react. For AM, want more realistic reaction from the User DBs, while still keeping the CPU QB varied in their distribution. RTP - 50 - Couldn't stay low anymore as the aggression was too much and the pursuit angles were worse. Back to 50 to allow the read n' react rather than instant react.

Explanation of SOME sliders currently. Feel free to ask about any of them, or for the ones not discussed on here. This is simply an order of modification away from Authentic sliders originally: Sprint 32/31 - Discrepancy that is key to keep the CPU pressure at bay, but not to the point they just back off - more so that the Sprint at 30-31 produces an earlier jogging animation (not the bad kind) that looks more realistic because they can get into their jockey animation as a result. This allows more reading the movement of the build up rather than blitzing it. Acceleration 48/47 - Seems to help that balance where the CPU's tackling is just too good, too perfect, and their pursuit angles that are filled with assumptions are too spot on. With this change, they still move in the right pursuit angles, but it gives the user a bit more wiggle room to adjust themselves either with a change in dribbling speed or direction or a pass. Regular Shot Speed - 45/45 - We had this at 48. Dropped a bit more to get a more natural looking shot speed/power. Keeper recognizes and still makes realistic save deflections. Header Shot Error - 65/65 - Felt that on 55 it was a bit too perfect contact. Reduces those perfectly powered headers on goal. Normal Ground Pass Error 55/55 - With increased pass speeds, it's natural to want to keep this value raised a lot, but the issue with raising pass error too much is that the ball rising above the shins, and drags on the opposite side of that, rather than it be directional. There's still a bit of that at 60, but it won't be the main experience. Normal Ground Pass Speed 42/42 - The value is not so low that every pass requires the CPU to move towards the ball like a hospital pass. It should be fast enough that even the CPU can build out of the user's pressing. Furthermore, and very important in FC/FIFA, is ensuring the ball stays alive - after all, that is what is trying to be controlled. Header Pass Error 70/70 - Enjoyed seeing some head tennis on occasion at this value, so just kept it for now. Makes for some variety that is needed of course. Injury Frequency 75/75 - We had this at 85 at first. I felt it was too high, and with the Severity value at 40/40, it makes sense to drop the frequency a bit. GK Ability 38/38 - Still not 100% convinced on this, but it will be based on how the shot speed continues to feel as well. This value is raised as well in response to the animation where the keeper tends to bring his hands closer to his body rather than stretched out to save. If it continues to happen, we'll continue to raise this value. GK Deflection Error 75/75 - I think this is an interesting value because some of the saves on the lower end have looked really cool, but there had to be some more sense of variety and always a chance of keeper error. Run Frequency 50/50 - The runs needed to be mixed up, and the safe bet is to raise RF to a default level of 50. This seems to introduce variety of runs from checking to and away from the ball, to making runs on the sidelines or diagonally to the corner flag. This allows less of the one note, receive pass to forward, turn, or send ball over the top to runners breaking through a straight defensive line. Line Height 65/65 - We previously had a discrepancy. Not really needing a discrepancy any longer considering that is more so focused in the increase in length and the discrepancy that accompanies it. This is to introduce the defensive line sooner so they are not passive at all points wherever the ball is played. Line Length 48/45 - The previous value was 25/25. Big jump I know, but I got very tired of seeing the instant retreat in transition, the midfielders just giving up space where it just became the same type of play for 12 rounds. The sacrifice here is not getting the mids to sit in the low block as well, but at least there is more resistance before it comes to that. The discrepancy is to keep the CPU and their directness more at bay, and force them to build up a bit more - be a bit more cautious with the ball, etc. Line Width 45/45 - The previous value was 35/35. I got very tired of seeing the narrow width, just giving up that width in general started to look really rough. At 45, it's a better number because it's a slight move goal-side for the fullbacks, but not super ideal. At least there is a sense of a midfield where the central mids aren't having to play freeze tag to enter into the next 1v1 battle each time. Fullback Positioning 95/95 - Assuming this category will work sometime, I'd like it to be pre-set that there's a chance the fullbacks will get up the pitch the way they should, and being paired with a higher run frequency may entice them to do so. First Touch Control Error 50/50 - More annoyance than anything seeing the double touch in the air, so this value goes down in support of a faster moving ball. We'll let the error and speeds, paired up with the dribbling section to make up for any lost error. Intercept Error 90/90 - More deflections instead of perfect reception is the intent here. Ball Deflection Error 90/90 - More deflections that have a chance of going out of bounds whether it be from physicality or poor touches, etc. Anything to free up the ball. Jog Dribbling 52/52 - We had this a bit too high at first in hopes to get more ball separation from the player's body. Lowered to control the distance of the ball. Increased pass speed and errors should help push that ball a bit further ahead as well. Sprint Dribbling 52/52 - A bit higher before. Lowered as well to help with distance of the ball in full sprint. Physicality Impact 70/70 - We were testing 40/40 for a bit. Raised to indeed get more physicality back. Should stand out a bit more with the discrepancies to Sprint/Acc. Regular Jockey Speed - 60/60 - Helps with defensive positioning in 1v1 and with a midfield that needs to drop back in low blocks. Sprint Jockey Speed - 60/60 - Same as above with jockey in general, but related to Sprinting moments. Should help the CPU when they go into jogging animations as well.

Version 2.0 Notes: Subtle adjustments and not so subtle adjustments in response to the latest patch updates. Trying to balance out the previous set, while keeping a good feel of the game - which is why a lot of regression testing was done with multiple matchups. We had to reduce the Fatigue as it just started to affect everyone both in animation and in logic of that animation. There still seems to be enough fatigue to go around on 55, but it does turn into a bit more of higher awareness - especially from a defense in pass coverage that looks to break up a lot of plays through instant hits to separate ball from man. The concept of raising Block in the Black, or addressing it as a gameplay element in general, is thanks to the well done research by "Flex on Us" from Operation Sports, and took a good amount of time researching the penalty value in my CFB26 trhead. This particular page there went into good detail, with good videos as well: forums.operationsports.com/f… Block in the back also helps provide additional block support for the run game, with the penalty not called a whole lot - but in Madden/CFB, more penalties that aren't offside...usually the better. Holding was dropped down on both sets as there's more room to adjust the blocking values, in particular the run blocking - but with the higher fatigue and speed parity - there's only so much that can be done without getting any warping animations.