Ever see features in Madden NFL that aimed for balance but did more harm than good? "Run vs Weak Box," a feature intended to deter players from using speed as their primary defense against heavy offensive sets, led to frustratingly artificial gameplay that disrupted the game's flow.
Madden enthusiasts might not be gearing up for a victory parade just yet, but perhaps it's time they started. In a blog post about Madden Mechanics: Blocking, EA discussed changes introduced in Madden NFL 18, specifically targeting the longstanding controversial strategy of using pass defense formations to counter run-heavy setups, dubbed "running vs weak box." The Madden NFL 18 Title Update sought to rectify this oversight, aiming to balance gameplay and appease both competitive players and those playing for fun.
Theoretically, a robust run formation should easily overpower a defense that is heavy on defensive backs. On paper, a double tight end formation charging downhill should have a clear advantage over a defense stacked with smaller, faster players. It's expected that if each offensive player successfully engages their defensive counterpart, the offense would consistently gain significant yardage, control the clock, and exhaust the defense. However, as is often the case both in Madden's virtual plays and in life, theoretical advantages do not always translate into actual game dominance. Football, after all, is not just about theoretical planning but about the execution of those plans under real-game conditions.
"Running the ball vs. a weak box. In Madden 18, we've expanded our logic around defenses stopping the run when using sub defenses such as dime, dollar, and quarter. If the offense is in a run formation and running a hard-ball, downhill run play against a defense with very few defenders or a lot of defensive backs in the tackle box, the defense will have a very hard time stopping the running play. In many cases, a lot of the defenders will end up getting pancaked. This also applies to the 'Pass Commit' adjustment vs. a running formation and when dropping defensive linemen into coverage against a running formation."
- Madden Mechanics: Blocking
Firstly, a notable oversight in the weak box mechanic is the agility and speed of defensive backs in Madden, which often offsets their size disadvantage. These quicker players can maneuver more effectively in open spaces, making them surprisingly effective in blocking and tackling scenarios. For offensive players to leverage their size, they must be in close proximity to these nimble defenders, as distance reduces the effectiveness of their physical advantage.
Secondly, the issue of positioning also undermines the weak box argument. Defensive sets like the Dime Normal often align defenders in ways that disrupt traditional run blocking schemes. For example, in an I-Form Tight formation facing a base-aligned Dime Normal, the defenders meant to act as linebackers are positioned on the line but outside the tackle box. This alignment forces offensive tackles to execute challenging reach blocks if they are tasked with handling a defensive back in the slot. If these blocks are bypassed, the defensive back has a clear path to pursue the ball carrier from the flank, potentially thwarting the run.
Thirdly, the weak box theory fails to account for how the positioning and roles of personnel affect the timing and effectiveness of run blocking. Heavy run formations are designed to create gaps against denser defensive fronts close to the line of scrimmage. However, when lighter, spread-out defenses are used, the expected blocks and resulting gaps often materialize differently than planned, compelling the ball carrier to adapt their path to find yardage.
Finally, it is erroneous for offensive players to presume that superior personnel alone will secure a tactical advantage. Effective use of personnel, combined with strategic adjustments in play execution, is crucial. Adhering closely to lead blocks in plays like Iso, Dive, and Zone runs can mitigate the defensive speed advantage. Conversely, avoiding the temptation to exploit immediate openings and allowing designed blocks to develop in Power and Toss runs can often yield better results. These strategic choices require a nuanced understanding of both the strengths and limitations of one's personnel and the tactical context of each play.
The response was far from positive. Madden enthusiasts, including those who had initially sought changes, criticized the update vociferously. The introduction of pancake blocks, intended as a deterrent against using Quarters defenses for run plays, ended up feeling strategically and visually unauthentic. In some extreme scenarios, up to five defenders were flattened with the same repeated animation, adding to the surreal nature of the gameplay.
The flaws in the weak box penalty were starkly highlighted at the outset of the Madden season by the Gun Monster formation. This setup spread the offensive tackles wide, pulling the defensive tackles apart to match them, leaving the interior defense vulnerable under the weak box rule. The Inside Zone play from this formation then allowed offenses to steamroll down the field, creating frustration among players.
This issue was partially addressed by an update on September 6, 2017, which specifically rectified the Gun Inside Zone exploit. However, the pancake penalty itself continued largely unnoticed until a subsequent update on October 9, 2017, aimed specifically at this. Unfortunately, this update also inadvertently made formations like the 46 Normal unusually susceptible to the pancake penalty.
The community's backlash was swift as players experienced how the pancake penalty unnaturally influenced gameplay, making run defense seem unrealistic. Forums like Operation Sports were inundated with threads like "Excessive pancakes since recent patch," which highlighted widespread discontent that ironically had helped bring about the weak box logic in Madden NFL 18 initially.
Reacting to the continued feedback, EA developers released another patch on February 28, 2018, which refined the weak box logic, especially to prevent adverse impacts in Human vs CPU games. This patch was accompanied by a "Developer's Note" which aimed to clarify the original intentions behind the weak box penalty, acknowledging the community's significant influence on the game's evolving mechanics.
"Developer Note: The Weak Box exploit manager was introduced this year to encourage players to better match the offensive personnel on the field when trying to defend the run, especially heavy run sets with eight or more run blockers inside the tackle box. Due to a lot of valuable feedback from our players, we discovered the AI could get hit by this inadvertently which was never the intent of the exploit manager. The new logic will prevent it from occurring when playing AI opponents moving forward."
- EA Sports Madden Website
According to the title update notes, AI-controlled games are no longer affected by the controversial weak box pancake penalties. However, Human vs. Human games, including popular modes like Madden Ultimate Team, Connected Franchise Manager, Ultimate League, and The Madden Championship Series—where EA also profits from micro-transactions—remain susceptible. The discontent among players in casual games against AI hints at potentially greater frustration in high-stakes matches.
Ultimately, the implementation of the weak box logic was a misguided decision by EA, casting a shadow over what could have been a standout release with Madden NFL 18. A more nuanced approach, such as applying pancake penalties selectively against user-controlled players, could potentially address balance issues without wholesale disruption. However, the optimal solution might involve eliminating these penalties altogether. Instead, EA should focus on enhancing educational content that helps players understand and manipulate the intricate dynamics of personnel, position, and tempo. Such tutorials could enrich player experience and appreciation of the strategic depth in Madden games, covering everything from celebrated plays to notorious glitches.
