New player Q’s

[GodlyRecon108]

Hey all. Had my eye on this series for a few years and finally pulled the trigger on it. I’m not a big football guy (baseball is my sport of choice) but I enjoy a good sandbox sports simulator, and like supporting an indie dev when I can, especially when they’ve put as much time and effort as has obviously been put into Axis. I’ve got a few questions/comments from my first few hours mucking about that I was hoping to get cleared up/throw the developers way.

-I don’t see any dedicated tackle or jump buttons for defensive controls on the layout. Am I to assume that the bulk of my control over defensive play is to move my player into the right position, and they’ll then automatically attempt a tackle or interception based on their attributes? I’d actually be more than fine with this, I’m not actually very good at playing defense in most games so the simpler the better, but if there was a way to scratch that weird itch that mashing down the sprint button and timing a jump to try and block a kick scratches, I’d like to make sure I’m not missing it.

-Same general question, but for shedding blocks. A lot of emphasis seems to have been put into blocking this year, but I’ve had a hell of a time getting any pressure on the opposing QB. Am I missing a swim move button or something? Usually line play in football games is the one thing I’m halfway decent at on the defensive side.

-I’ve seen some people bring up kick returns being a bit too easy to bring back for a score and I’ll add my voice to that. I don’t think it’s quite the issue, as I had a fairly good KR, and it doesn’t seem to be an issue on punt returns. However, if you feign to one side of the field and wait for the furthest blocker on the other side to lock on to the furthest member of the coverage on that side, then cut back that way and speed burst? Better than a coin flip you’re taking it all the way back. Frankly I like the idea of special teams being a bigger role in games, but right now the manual kick returns skew a bit too broken.

-When the eventual “real world” mods come out, can you use the real teams in addition to the ones you’ve already created, or do you have to choose between real and fantasy when you boot up the game?

-Does anyone usually do an old 2000 era XFL mod? If not, I may take up that mantle if I have the time. I need a new hobby and I thought those logos and uniforms slapped. (Also, I suppose if there’s any mod tutorials or just info on what folders to put assets into that someone could point me towards, that’d be keen.)

-I haven’t been able to find fake kicks or punts in the game, but I’ve only been using default playbooks. Are they squirreled away somewhere, and need to be added manually?

-Same thing, but with option plays. I gave my friends nightmares in the old NCAA games with Nebraska and Air Force.

Overall I’m really impressed with the game, and can see myself sinking some time into it. Kudos to all involved with making it.

Just for bleeps and giggles, here’s some features I think would be neat if they were added in, just in case the dev wanted some ideas for updates or next year.
-I think a Hall of Fame with annual inductions of individual players would be really neat.
-Smart routes on hot routes, so that a receiver on a post route would know to run to the chains then cut.
-Throw some cheerleaders on the sideline or behind the end zone, because why not? I know this game is all about the sim side of things, and it’s the furthest thing from a dealbreaker or even a complaint, but I wouldn’t hate it if the stadiums had just a bit more life.
-This is going to be the dumbest thing, but whatever, might as well throw it out there. I loved Blitzed, and it was a close call between this game and Sunday Rivals. I used to love the little unlocks you could get. I know that an on-fire mode or weird modifiers like everyone has three times the fumble rate wouldn’t be in the spirit of the game and would be a bear to program, but I think it’d be really neat to have small stuff like different color footballs or some sound effects like cannons or whatever for a touchdown. If it was a matter of just adding in textures then, I mean, I’ve been using photoshop since I could walk, I’d be happy to donate my time to the team to make ‘em up. I just don’t know if it’s as simple as programming in a quick option or if that would futz with the whole juju. I really enjoy the game, but if I had one real complaint, it’d be that it just feels kind of sterile.

Anyway, any help would be appreciated. Thanks y’all!

[Swansonhart]

Originally posted by DikembeMutumbo:

-I haven’t been able to find fake kicks or punts in the game, but I’ve only been using default playbooks. Are they squirreled away somewhere, and need to be added manually?

Yeah, when you're like 4&1, just press back and you'll be able to choose a normal play. If that's you wanted to know:)

[GoalieG]

For the first couple of your questions, you are correct. You do not need to hit any button to tackle or catch - if your player is in position, he will take the action. Similarly, for a DL to break a block there is no button to press, it just goes by ratings (though I am not sure how well this is working at the moment - blocking seems a bit OP).