Ok, some of these ideas I am repeating, either from
www.rugbyforum.tk, or from earlier this post. If it's your idea, I apologize, saying "my" is just a lot easier. Also, while Swordfish did openly say they were making an arcade game with WCR, it has to change. Simulation modes are neccessary for a good game. This wishlist applies to Rugby 2005 aswell.
Presentation/Opening stages
1. Ability to save your preferences. At the moment every time I play I have to say I want 50hz and language (I think that's the other, I just X through it). I would like this to be saved.
2. Camera view that swings behind attacking team.
3. Camera view that stays behind one team. Probably not that great. Well I definitely want the one that swings anyway.
Game Modes
1. Quick game. Any two teams, with most of the details saved in an options menu some where else. No pre match crap.
2. Test Match. Only International teams. A nice intro for the game would be good, teams lining up, warming up etc with team lineups on field. Ability to change all lineups would be good (select from anybody eligible to play for that country), and just default team would be good.
For all of the following I would like to see either Arcade or Simulation modes. Arcade would allow you to play out the games without any management input. Simulation would allow you to select your squad and then team, deal with injuries, suspensions, team strategies etc. Also, for the real tournaments, the ability to play out either the 2005 series or randomized tournament would be good. Selecting the host nation would be nice where appropiate (for example World Cup and custom tournaments).
3. Tri Nations, Six Nations and World Cup (or fictional name equivalents).
4. Super 12, European cup.
5. NPC.
6. Ranfurly Shield. Should be part of NPC, but would be good to just play a game similar to a test where the Ranfurly Shield was up for grabs. This would just be a one off game. The game would have to keep records for this to work well (it would always have to know who the holder was).
7. Currie Cup. I suppose. Personally I don't care about this.
8. Other European comps. I suppose. Personally I don't care about this.
9. Custom league. For any number of teams. Either play out a home and away, or just play each team once, or have a host nation. Knockouts at the end would be good if optional.
10. Custom Cup. Just knockouts. Host nation probably needed.
Laws
1. Bring in shepherding
2. Bring in marks
3. Bring in dangerous tackles
4. Bring in cards
5. Bring in suspensions
6. Bring in holding on
7. Bring in hands in the ruck
8. Bring in other professional fouls
Franchise
I'll go for a process of playing it, as it will show my wish anyway.
1. Pick a provincial team/franchise if wanted. Pick an international team if wanted.. Pick another provincial team if wanted (from a different tier).
eg I pick Chiefs, All Blacks and Bay of Plenty.
2. Select tournaments to participate. Either select real or fictional for each team you have. So all real for 2005 would have you play out the Super 12, Bay of Plenty provincial game vs the Lions, the All Blacks tests, the NPC and then the end of year tests. In 2007 it would be the World Cup in France.
If you choose fictional you could take the Chiefs into a World League (like Rugby 2004) and a World Cup in 2005 hosted by New Zealand. Call off the Tri Nations if you like and take a tour of South Africa. I don't think this would be that complicated. The setting up screens would be something like this:
Screen 1 Pick a team [Chiefs]
Screen 2 Select tournaments to particapate. [Real {2005} games]
Pop up: Would you like another team? [Yes]
Screen 3 Pick a team [Bay of Plenty]
Screen 4 Select tournaments to particapate. [Real {2005} game + Fictional Tournament]
Screen 5 All options of the Bay of Plenty fictional tournament (eg no. of teams, when it begins etc)
Pop up: Would you like another team? [No]
Screen 6 Injuries [Yes] Suspensions [Yes] Game difficulty [Medium] Ability to trade players [Yes] etc... Some of the schedules of your teams overlap. [Allow players to play multiple games per weekend. OR Do not allow players to play multiple games per weekend].
And you're into it. Wasn't that long was it?
Animations
1. Momentum.
2. Tackles on fullas attempting to score tries (different animations from usual ones as they will try to hold them up.
Rucks
1. If there are only players on the ground, the ball should be free immediately, no need to wait for players to form the ruck.
Mauls
1. NO BUTTON BASHING.
Scrums
1. NO BUTTON BASHING.
Lineouts
...
Back play
...
Kicking
1. Goal kicking. Keep the ability to move it out. I don't care too much about this, as I'm ok with at the moment, however the view isn't the best.
2. Other kicking. There are 4 available normal buttons at the moment (who needs that many sprint buttons, just let us configure the controls), then +L3+R3+directions of right analog(8) and there are 14 buttons not made use of. A lot. Make use of them.
The Game controls for PS2
General
Left Analog stick - control direction. Push it a small bit for the player to walk, mid way for the player to jog, full on to run.
Attack
L1/R1 Pass left/right. Tap to skip pass. Press it before the next player recieves it to do a fast pass (maybe tap on).
L1->R1/R1->L1 Dummy left/right
L2/R2 Step left/right
L2+R2 Goose step
O Break tackle. Includes fend, drop shoulder, shrug off etc. Depending on the player and the situation will depend on what happens. eg Forward from the ruck will charge and drop shoulder/shrug off. Back on the wing would try and fend.
X - punt. If within 10m of goaline punt should be disabled, and X become the score a try button.
Triangle - up and under/chip and chase (depending on size)
Square - drop goal or grubber if tapped.
Right analog stick - on the fly moves. 8 different directions allow 8 moves to be programmed at once. (I'll use compass directions to make it simple) So if I press NE I could call a player to cut from left to right. If I press NW I could call a player to cut from right to left. N could bring the fullback into the line. With so many buttons and combos backline play would be a lot more fun.
urple">You can create your own limitless moves and practice them.
