Does the AI have the logic built in to where it can analyze position matchups and call plays based on that context? E.g. the CPU sees that its two guards and center are higher rated than the two opposing DT's and that leads to more inside running calls. If it does have any logic built in to where it can look at rosters on either side of the ball and that influences play calling, then it seems bugged and is not having an effect.
If it does not have that logic built in, it is severely needed in 2024.
Does the CPU have logic that can analyze success rates and that can help influence play calling moving forward in the game? E.g. the CPU can see it has called Power 4 times and has averaged 3.8 yards before contact on those 4 carries and it has called Trap 3 times and only averaged 1.2 yards before contact. Seeing this, it will go with more Power until the opponent slows it down.
Again, if that context exists, it is not working properly. If not, that is desperately needed for a modern sports game and is something that would take the CPU play not just to the next level, but beyond it.
The defense also needs this kind of logic if it does not exist. And if it does, it needs to be expanded on even more so. It does seem like the CPU has basic adjustments that it can make like calling more spy plays vs QBs that have racked up some rushing yards. This is nice if it hasn't simply been coincidental.
What can really take the play calling and chess match to the next level vs the CPU, and even in H2H games in Online Leagues, is having coaching profiles that have actual tendencies that are tracked and backed up by actual data from the played/simmed games and are not seemingly faked like it appears the current play calling tendency numbers are with the Weekly Strategy reports.
Each coach in the game needs to have tendencies that dictate how often they prefer certain personnel groupings, play calls, etc. in all different scenarios as well as how aggressive they are in a variety of scenarios .These tendencies can change some over time, but will help dictate how they call games so that teams play more uniquely and potentially true to life. These tendencies would also simply just update based on tracked date of the User's play.
These tendencies would be more accurate to how teams play and could allow the User and CPU to both Gameplan vs each other in better ways. An example being that my tendencies show I run on 1st down or the 1st play of drives the vast majority of the time. When we start the game, the CPU is in a clear run defense the first play against me. This leads to the game being much more like the chess match you see in real life.
The feature could even be expanded on with your coordinators giving you tips during the game that could be as simple as saying, "They love to run right in these situations" when it is 2nd and 3 and the CPU head coach or coordinator has a tendency to run right 67% of the time in 2nd and short situations between the 20's,
This is entering more of dream territory, but in an ideal world, Head Coaches would have a distinction that says whether or not they are the play caller. If so, their tendencies impact how the game is called on their side of the ball. If not, then the coordinator tendencies carry the most weight, but play calling can still be influenced by the HC's tendencies at times. An example of this is the CPU Dan Campbell hiring a coordinator that isn't as aggressive typically, but since he is the HC that calls the shots, the offense is more aggressive than they otherwise would be under that coordinator.
I don't mean to ramble, I just think the play calling side of the game has been neglected a bit, and with current CPU play calling issues it only highlights the issue more. It also presents an opportunity for EA to look into the issue and have a chance to not only simply fix the play calling %s, but look into building an expanding on a new system that takes the entire experience to a new level for gamers to enjoy. Having a profile that shows your tendencies is not just something that would benefit the vs CPU crowd. It could hugely beneficial for users that are in Online CFMs full of real users, it could be helpful in H2H games online, in MUT H2H games. You could have a little box on the play calling screen that says your opponent does X, Y, and Z __% of the time in these situations. It's 1st and 10 and your on defense and they call Bunch, it can say they run Verticals 62% of the time in this situation out of this look.
All users in all modes could really benefit from attention being spent here on getting play calling and tendencies a lot of focus.
