Turnovers from Rucks

[JimDiGritz]

Firstly, loving the game and well done to the small dev team!

However I'm struggling to understand the Ruck turnover mechanics. I'm getting 7+ turnovers (mostly from me to the AI) from rucks - it feels like almost half my rucks end up being turned over.

I've tried adding players and pushing with A, and I'm trying to not isolate the ball carrier. In fact many of the rucks are turned over from me having players rucking already.

Am I missing something?

It would be really helpful to have an indicator to show that the Ruck is being actively contested and maybe an explanation on how to defend against these turnovers.

[gaberedding]

Glad you are enjoying the game.

A ruck indicator would be good moving forward.

For now, try and tap Y a couple of times while the tackle is still up (as opposed to waiting for it to go to ground). This will pre-program a couple of your players to head to the ruck and give you a little head start.

If one of your players is the first to get to the ruck you'll have a good chance to win in it, more so the amount of time he arrives before any opposition player. Subsequent players who arrive quickly after that will boost your chances, but with diminishing returns.

Once a few seconds have past anyone who arrives will pretty much have no effect (we could adjust this in the future).

Normally I will look to add 2 or 3 players, but don't bother with any more than that.

[lionmaul]

Also, enjoying the game, it has an old school feel to it , like the players have weight and momentum to them instead just a fancy animation. Reminds me a little of the old Lomu game:), this is a great engine to build on, the flow feels like rugby. How the player can turn around or be turned around in the tackle and the positioning for offloads is great. It doesn't have the greatest graphics but it is a really fun game. You have to think in the game , not just pass and offload like a mad man. I like how you can gang tackle and the more players the more weight to the tackle.
Having control of the scrums and a few more options at the ruck, intentional hand in ruck or attempted holding on could be good additions , the ability to remove people from the ruck. With a a few upgrades and polishing could be a real Jem of a game. For sure was worth the $16.00.

[gaberedding]

Thanks for your comments, and glad you are enjoying the game.

Aspects of the game are a nod to Jonah Lomu's rugby, like the shoulder button passing system.

Completely agree about it being important to have real momentum in the tackles like this game does. We can improve animations around that in the future, but too many games have pre-canned tackle animations which destroy the real momentum of the tackle.

Your're also right about the need to think in the game, passing and putting players through gaps, fending when the situation arises etc. These were all a must for us. Most rugby games just rely on passing it out to the winger as fast as possible and hoping for the best. Which in my opinion is not like real rugby at all. You should have to earn the right to get your outsides in space.

We intend to add more options at the scrum and lineout, and I think the idea of deliberate ruck infringement is a good one too.

Anyway, thanks again for your review and feedback.

[lionmaul]

Good stuff , fun game. I knew there was something about this game different from all other rugby games, It feels like you can work the ball as a team were other Rugby games depended on individual performance. Any chance to removing player from the rucks. If you accidentally press to many times. I like the feel of the rucks but as mention somewhere (ruck is decided after the first or second player hit the ruck every time) would be nice to be able to turn the ball over after the 2nd challenge in the ruck in a rare instance. Maybe if you add many players to the ruck there is more chance a random Icon will pop up, different every time , you have a split second to decide, if you chose correctly you steal the ball, you chose incorrect icon then infringement on defense in the ruck. If the offensive player presses the correct Icon quicker then they retain the ball.
Great game look forward to more features. Maybe Mauls?:) You should charge $5.00 for each update with new features. I don't mind contributing to help improve the game:).