retired_skullking1971

Does one answer not just contradict the other, or is that just the confusion that lies within the game?

drewopel

No.

Creative Freedom = Permission to stray from the position where suitable (possibly: 1= never, 10 = good opportunities, 20 = always)

Dwight Yorke's low team work would probably be cummulative to this, so even on creative freedom of 1, the guy will still stroll out of position to do what he wants.

retired_skullking1971

Ok, so another example...
When a ball is put past a full back who has a clear advantage over the opposing player, yet he runs to cover his position rather than play the ball. Is that not a case of robot programming? It should not matter what you set his creativity, d-line or whatever to. Common sense should prevail and the player would clear the ball.

drewopel

I can't believe that actually happens. In fact, it infuriates me when my players move way out of position to attack the ball. Never do they seek a position over the ball.

What are you trying to get at here anyway? The AI isn't a perfect reflection of human behaviour? There's research labs with millions of pounds of funding that can't get that right. I don't think the game engine is that bad, considering that it is only a game. Maybe you need a touch of perspective as to what is actually possible in a computer game.

retired_damian625

Not sure where I stand on this issue but andysafc definately has a point with 'robot' programming. My own pet hate is when the opposition clear a long ball out of defense and my DR or DL picks it up and because it's near the touchline they hoof it out the park as they have a defensive mentality!!! (and low CF probably)

No-one near them and no-one injured! Then the commentary says "He's taking no chances..." Doesn't happen a lot but it does happen and I think demonstrates the 'robot' point.

The problem is getting a computer to use common sense, not easy! Also it's a game and cannot mirror real life exactly, otherwise we would all be real life football managers getting paid a fortune and probably cancelling out each others tactics! .

retired_kellyk

Generally the game is simple to understand...there are 2 approaches you can take.

1. Build a stable of tactics or different variations of the same to account for defensive teams and very attacking teams. Then have them as your presets so you can change them around. This is probably the easiest way. It does however remove the element of excitement you can get from tweaking a specific player.

2. In game tweaks...if a tactic is fundamentally ok..ie defensively sound. Logically your tweaks shouldn't have to be too drastic. This is my preferred approach. But in order to do this, you do need more patience.

A person would probably need to watch the game in extended highlights and then make changes to tempo, width, or even remove farrows in such cases when the need arises.

Using a basic 442 for example.
If I were playing against a weak team. I'd go with my default formation, which is a 442 I customised. Then after 20 minutes if my shot count or my cross count hasn't improved, I'd probably increase tempo and increase width. I'd do the reverse if I were playing against a really good team.

The danger comes when people start making major changes to a tactic in game. Now if this is done as a tweak then the risks are very high, unless you are absolutely certain of its effect. Personally I wouldn't recommend making a drastic change to your tactic, do it only when the tactic you're considering to use has already been tested out.