Natural Motion’s Backbreaker

by pastapadre
Posted August 21st, 2007 at 8:34 pm

Today brought the announcement of a new football game coming to the 360 and PS3 titled Backbreaker.

Made by NaturalMotion using their Euphoria engine, the focus is on tackling. Every tackle will be unique.

Of course, with such an emphasis placed on tackling, one might wonder if Backbreaker's gameplay will be closer to simulation, ala Madden, or perhaps an arcade style similar to NFL Blitz. Issuing a sly smile, Torsten shrugged and said, "It's probably not right to go with either arcade or simulation labeling at this point. It's going to be quite close to real football; there's nothing too crazy going on, let's put it that way. But we're not going all the way in terms of simulation, like Madden does."

Rather than compete with Madden, Torsten feels that Backbreaker will comfortably settle into existence as a fun niche title. "People we've shown the title to so far are very excited. They've seen the footage, they get the game; it's not a competitor to Madden, because Madden has the NFL license, and it's a great game. A lot of people buy it; a lot of people love it. What we're thinking instead is, Backbreaker's the sort of game where, if you play Madden, and you like it, you'll also like Backbreaker. We don't think there's going to be anyone who buys Backbreaker instead of Madden, but we hope there will be lots of people who buy both."

I believe there is a place in the market for the arcade-sim mixed games. The BIGS and NFL Street/Tour being good examples. Those have become more appealing to me over the years. Madden, NCAA, and even All-Pro Football already offer the simulation experiences. And APF has shown that another football game is going to have to be unique to be successful.

Continue on to read more details on the game and my thoughts on them, as well as to check out the first trailer and links to screenshots and the full IGN preview.

"We want people to pick up the controller [and be able to play]. The control system is very simple when compared to other football games. When players can pick the controller up and just play the game, learn how it works in about a minute… that's our main design goal, but we're probably not going to simplify the rules too much."

One feeling I got with Madden this year was that there was just too many options. You have the overlays prior to snap with a giant list of things you can do. In the couple seconds you have to evaluate the play pre-snap, it is overwhelming to most people. Simplifying things isn't necessary dumbing them down.

"It's [Backbreaker's camera system] a third-person camera, very close-up. What we're trying to do is, have players stand on that line of scrimmage, and have them really feel that they're a quarterback after the snap. They should feel nervous that they're going to be sacked at any given second. That's the feeling we want to get across: You are on the field, you feel like you're in the middle of the action."

It sounds almost like the Gears of War perspective. Having gone through First Person Football on NFL 2K5 and Superstar mode in Madden 07, it is apparent that those close-up angles can be extremely frustrating if not done properly. It will be interesting to see how well their camera system works. If it is as bad as those two examples, it could completely wreck the experience.

This idea is basically what 2K Sports had to do to create a long-term non-NFL football franchise. It had to be something that was completely different and offered things that couldn't be found in NCAA Football and Madden. Instead they went the Legends route with the previous engine and sales have been stagnant because of it.

While Backbreaker isn't going to challenge those other two in sales, there certainly is always going to be a place on the market for games that are different. Blitz the League was a success partially due to releasing on the older consoles, but also because it presented an arcade experience that separated itself from the sim games. The BIGS may not have been a huge seller, but it personally is my favorite sports title of the year as it mixed arcade style with sim and strategical elements. If the game is fun and different, people will give it a chance.

How will the engine work in an 11 on 11 football environment? That is the big unknown. It is simple enough to have the amazing tackling but how it plays outside of that is the concern. With untested technology it wouldn't be surprising to have growing pains, and those would be especially apparent in a first attempt.

Screenshots

Full Preview

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JBlaze

cool but every once they have contact look like ragdolls hope they can fix that.
JBlaze

cool but every once they have contact look like ragdolls hope they can fix that.
Nick

Hm….I’m unimpressed. Sorry. The movements looked very artificial, and frankly, it seems a bit gimmicky. Of course, if it’s only on PS3, it’s moot anyway, since I only have a 360. If it were on 360, however (or will be), I wouldn’t be likely to get it. The characters and their movements didn’t look lifelike at all, especially when the guy fumbles after getting hit in the shin.
Nick

Hm….I’m unimpressed. Sorry. The movements looked very artificial, and frankly, it seems a bit gimmicky. Of course, if it’s only on PS3, it’s moot anyway, since I only have a 360. If it were on 360, however (or will be), I wouldn’t be likely to get it. The characters and their movements didn’t look lifelike at all, especially when the guy fumbles after getting hit in the shin.
Bukktown

I am very intrigued by this game. And I am very happy to see more competition in the football gaming market. It will probably just be a euphoria showcase. Is natural motion the developer of the game too?
Bukktown

I am very intrigued by this game. And I am very happy to see more competition in the football gaming market. It will probably just be a euphoria showcase. Is natural motion the developer of the game too?
Details

Wait, wait…Madden is a sim?! (Heh.)

I did just come off a nine turnover game in which LBs were somehow jumping up to grab passes thrown to receivers fifteen yards behind them. Again and again. Sigh. It’s like they were in a space shuttle with no gravity.

But I digress.

I think this is great news. I’m excited about it. Maybe the NFL won’t like the idea of people once again getting used to playing football without the NFL brand.

I mean, another professional league IS on the way, right? (Isn’t it called the United Football League? I’m not making that up. How long before THEY have a game?)

This might help the bigger picture. One day the NFL might end the exclusivity deal. Until then, where’s the turnover patch, EA? Heh.
Details

Wait, wait…Madden is a sim?! (Heh.)

I did just come off a nine turnover game in which LBs were somehow jumping up to grab passes thrown to receivers fifteen yards behind them. Again and again. Sigh. It’s like they were in a space shuttle with no gravity.

But I digress.

I think this is great news. I’m excited about it. Maybe the NFL won’t like the idea of people once again getting used to playing football without the NFL brand.

I mean, another professional league IS on the way, right? (Isn’t it called the United Football League? I’m not making that up. How long before THEY have a game?)

This might help the bigger picture. One day the NFL might end the exclusivity deal. Until then, where’s the turnover patch, EA? Heh.
shoeprint

too much… im football’d out. this looks like fright night in football pads… I have to see more, the lighting on the game is horrid. UFL needs to start working on a game asap, pick up all the outcast from NFL. But this game is interesting but the screenshots are crazy looking
shoeprint

too much… im football’d out. this looks like fright night in football pads… I have to see more, the lighting on the game is horrid. UFL needs to start working on a game asap, pick up all the outcast from NFL. But this game is interesting but the screenshots are crazy looking
Steve

yes I agree they look completely like ragdolls, but that’s how they get every tackle to be different, which is their selling point.
Steve

yes I agree they look completely like ragdolls, but that’s how they get every tackle to be different, which is their selling point.
http://www.maddenwars.com/ Moostache (Dan)

I think that judging this title based on the very short tech demo they released would be a mistake.

The euphoria engine is about much, much more than graphics alone. It is intended to be a more comprehensive physics simulator than anything we have ever seen up to now. In a lot of ways, using this engine is what the new hardware consoles (at least PS3 and XB360) were MADE for…it is really “next-gen” stuff in the fact that there is no way possible for the older machines to even dream of running it.

I think in many ways a lot of us continue to be varying degrees of disappointed in Madden, NCAA or APF because those games are all basically the same game as the last-generation consoles – only featuring more options and prettier graphics. Underneath it all though, these games have all been evolutionary changes to video football while the Euphoria engine offers the potential for revolutionary changes (if it is done right that is).

This early look gives only a glimpse of what is possible. The lighting, graphics and player models are rough to say the least. If this game came out and looked exactly like this it would likely bomb. But, if they are able to apply true physics to a football game with this engine, the possibilities are endless…

Another outside possibility would be NM looking to prove the concept to then license the engine to EA for use in its games. That is a remote possibility for sure, but I kind of drool a bit to think of EA’s player models running on that engine….
http://www.maddenwars.com Moostache (Dan)

I think that judging this title based on the very short tech demo they released would be a mistake.

The euphoria engine is about much, much more than graphics alone. It is intended to be a more comprehensive physics simulator than anything we have ever seen up to now. In a lot of ways, using this engine is what the new hardware consoles (at least PS3 and XB360) were MADE for…it is really “next-gen” stuff in the fact that there is no way possible for the older machines to even dream of running it.

I think in many ways a lot of us continue to be varying degrees of disappointed in Madden, NCAA or APF because those games are all basically the same game as the last-generation consoles – only featuring more options and prettier graphics. Underneath it all though, these games have all been evolutionary changes to video football while the Euphoria engine offers the potential for revolutionary changes (if it is done right that is).

This early look gives only a glimpse of what is possible. The lighting, graphics and player models are rough to say the least. If this game came out and looked exactly like this it would likely bomb. But, if they are able to apply true physics to a football game with this engine, the possibilities are endless…

Another outside possibility would be NM looking to prove the concept to then license the engine to EA for use in its games. That is a remote possibility for sure, but I kind of drool a bit to think of EA’s player models running on that engine….
Jeff

I totally agree with you Moostache about these “Next-gen” games not utilizing the system’s power and are basically just upgrades from the old consoles. I remember when that very first Madded Next Gen commercial was shown with the Eagles playing the Giants in the snow.

Now that’s what everyone expected in terms of TRUE Next Gen play, not this rehased “prettier” graphics “wait until next year for the great stuff” Madden.

I applaud NaturalMotion’s attempt to make a next gen football game. You have to be honest and ask yourself which company is truly going after the 360/PS3 graphical power and offering us a game that looks like that Madden Next Gen Preview commercial?
Jeff

I totally agree with you Moostache about these “Next-gen” games not utilizing the system’s power and are basically just upgrades from the old consoles. I remember when that very first Madded Next Gen commercial was shown with the Eagles playing the Giants in the snow.

Now that’s what everyone expected in terms of TRUE Next Gen play, not this rehased “prettier” graphics “wait until next year for the great stuff” Madden.

I applaud NaturalMotion’s attempt to make a next gen football game. You have to be honest and ask yourself which company is truly going after the 360/PS3 graphical power and offering us a game that looks like that Madden Next Gen Preview commercial?
Cole

I am open to this game and willing to look at everything with an open mind, from the preview it looks like something fun and different which I would enjoy playing, however…only time will tell.
Cole

I am open to this game and willing to look at everything with an open mind, from the preview it looks like something fun and different which I would enjoy playing, however…only time will tell.
Anthony

I wonder when we’ll be hearing that this game is canceled. Didn’t Sony try something like this, I think it was called “Road to Sunday”, and they canned it pretty quickly. I’m sure NatrualMotion is all gung ho about this right now, but IMO this game won’t get released.
Anthony

I wonder when we’ll be hearing that this game is canceled. Didn’t Sony try something like this, I think it was called “Road to Sunday”, and they canned it pretty quickly. I’m sure NatrualMotion is all gung ho about this right now, but IMO this game won’t get released.
frtiz

i hope this gets released, I’m completely done with Madden – I can’t believe people still LOVE it…it’s so played out.
frtiz

i hope this gets released, I’m completely done with Madden – I can’t believe people still LOVE it…it’s so played out.
Shawn

This looks much more LIFE-LIKE than Madden ever has, and probably ever will. What's so impressive is that it's something very fresh and new. I love the way the animation looks. It just looks very fluid and sexy. I haven't played Madden since original xbox because next gen madden gameplay sux. This year I might buy it because the gameplay and feel of the game looks to be improved a little bit. For BB though, if they add some depth to a franchise mode and allow people to perhaps change the camera angle (i think it looks cool, but it might be a weird adjustment for ppl used to overhead view) they will beat out madden or at least bring them back to the mindset of making a better football game rather than amping up grafx. EA just wants money. They don't take enough risks in making a good NFL experience. These guys have balls and I'm buying this game no matter what. I support this 100%
Shawn

This looks much more LIFE-LIKE than Madden ever has, and probably ever will. What's so impressive is that it's something very fresh and new. I love the way the animation looks. It just looks very fluid and sexy. I haven't played Madden since original xbox because next gen madden gameplay sux. This year I might buy it because the gameplay and feel of the game looks to be improved a little bit. For BB though, if they add some depth to a franchise mode and allow people to perhaps change the camera angle (i think it looks cool, but it might be a weird adjustment for ppl used to overhead view) they will beat out madden or at least bring them back to the mindset of making a better football game rather than amping up grafx. EA just wants money. They don't take enough risks in making a good NFL experience. These guys have balls and I'm buying this game no matter what. I support this 100%
http://www.piezochina.com/ 超声波传感器

This Sucks….I hope they have another type of game mode…..
http://www.piezochina.com 超声波传感器

This Sucks….I hope they have another type of game mode…..