Hey guys,
i'm a long time PES/BAL player, and though i love the game/mode, it has probably been one of the most powerful sources of my frustrations for the past couple of years
I'm talking, of course, about the ''lovely'' little ways this game takes complete control of the match, and turns it against you almost at will - i'm talking about the so-called scripting.
Ever since the beginning, i've become almost obsessed with finding some sort of reason or logical explanation behind this, seemingly random events, and after all these years, i've still found nothing. :erm:
There've been a few ''explanations'' circling around Pes forums; such as the effects of fatigue, tenacity and form ... but (in my case, at least), none of those theories proved to hold any water when thoroughly examined.
Over the years I have, however, noticed there are loosely 5 different match types reoccurring in the BAL mode. I can also give you actual examples for every single type just from playing my CF half a current season. (Playing for Liverpool on Superstar -10 mins)
1. the ''easy'' ones: these are the matches, where your teammates fly around the pitch, winning nearly every ball and provide you with amazing passes and support. Your player also succeeds in finalizing most of the passes and shots ... those are the types of matches you can win 5,6,7,8:0 without really trying too hard.
I've had a few this season; most notably against Man City, who suprisingly, happens to be one of my fiercest rivals for the past two seasons)
2.the ''normal'' ones: these are the sort that i personally feel should represent the majority or at least 50% of the matches in Bal ... though they don't; these aren't simple matches as you have to use a bit of skill, patience and brains to score the goal - but once you draw the blood, a steady head on your shoulders will get you safely through those 90 minutes most of the time. Those are the type of matches you can win with 1,2 or 3 goals difference.
I've also had a couple this season against different opposition.. nothing out of the ordinary here
3.the ''tricky'' ones: these matches can be won, but you need to show above average/very honed skill and a cool head to do so; those are the matches where your team mates won't be particularly reliable and most probably will concede goals, but will also provide you a few opportunities to bail your team out of trouble.
This season alone, i've played the type of match around three times; i scored a last minute scorcher against southampton for a 3:2 win (scored 2 and assisted 1), and also secured a 2:1 win at Goodison Park with an 80 minute strike from the edge of the box. (My player is, however, a prolific scorer with 99 shot acc. and power)
I don't mind these types of matches, as they come around about 10-15 times a season and make the end results a bit more deserved. I do, however mind the fact that this isn't the hardest type of a match there is..
4.the ''unwinnable'' ones: This is where things begin to part with realism a bit; it's the types of games, where your team feels a few notches below it's true level, and the opponent as much above it. It's the type of games, where the opponent is excelling at defensive capabilities and physically dominating the pitch. You CAN score with a bit of luck and a great deal of skill, but no matter the cost, the other team will pull off an equaliser seemingly at will (even though they hadn't had a single shot at goal prior to that).
These types of matches happen way too often, to name one; playing Aston Villa at Anfield, i scored one, and assisted the other, only to keep conceding an equaliser in 10-15 in-game minutes after our goals. Then after i finally appeared to break the spell with an 87 minute goal consisting of a brilliant 1-2 pass and a lovely strike by my player, Villa forced a freaky 25 yard free kick in stoppage time, which N'Zogbia scored in the top corner in a way i've never seen a player score before- 3:3.
And last, but unfortunately not least, 5.the ''you must lose'' ones
Those are basicaly, ''the unwinnable'' games, only grossly amplified on adversity. Those are the types of games, where it's practically impossible to score, while the opponent slams 2,3 or even 4 goals past you with ease. I think this type of game is best described with a practical example:
It's mid-December, and the last fixtures of Premier League are taking place. Liverpool is sitting in 1st place with a single point over Chelsea and 2,3 points ahead of a few other teams. And we're facing a 14th place QPR at Anfield. We've had a week off before the match, so fatigue definitely isn't an issue. Our form is great (mine in on red), and there really shouldn't be a problem here.. but there is.
As mentioned, the team was horrendous and didn't provide a single pass for me to capitalize on, meanwhile QPR already blasted two past us and playing like bulldogs on steroids. By the 80th minute, i somehow manage to get into not one, not two, but three positions from which my player (already nearing 40 goals this season, maxed out shooting, 89 tenacity, red arrow!) would sink the goal blindfolded any other day ... on this day, however, two of the shots went narrowly wide, and the third smacked the post and defied physics in a comically, cringe-worthy way that left me staring in disbelief. It was painfully clear, the ''game'' was fixed on the fact i'm getting no points out of this one from the get-go. 2:0 at the final whistle, and absolutely nothing i could do about it.
Granted, the occurrence of these types of games are the rarest of all, but i feel as though they shouldn't be there in the first place.
I get it, even the toughest team loses in real life, and it may happen against the unlikeliest of opposition, but in a video game - payed and played for the user's entertainment, the ability to win or change the outcome of events should be present at all times. And in the fore-mentioned case, it clearly isn't.
But what really frustrates me, is the these game types will seemingly occur completely on random timing, not depending on the opposition, form, fatigue, or any sort of logical sense - that's what gets me the most.
As mentioned, we can beat Chelsea at Stanford Bridge 0:4 and then be completely helpless against visiting QPR 7 days later despite supposedly being on top form ... and it seems to happen completely randomly; i've restarted the game on numerous occasions upon losing the ''unwinnable'' game only to then find the same game to then be of a completely different difficulty type - it's like the computer randomly chooses the type before every match.
What i'm trying to say is; it's frustrating to think that despite seemingly controlling my own actions, i'm basically playing inside whatever restricted container of uncotrollable events the game chooses at random. It also takes a lot away from the rewarding experience once you realise these ''facts''.
i'm a long time PES/BAL player, and though i love the game/mode, it has probably been one of the most powerful sources of my frustrations for the past couple of years
I'm talking, of course, about the ''lovely'' little ways this game takes complete control of the match, and turns it against you almost at will - i'm talking about the so-called scripting.
Ever since the beginning, i've become almost obsessed with finding some sort of reason or logical explanation behind this, seemingly random events, and after all these years, i've still found nothing. :erm:
There've been a few ''explanations'' circling around Pes forums; such as the effects of fatigue, tenacity and form ... but (in my case, at least), none of those theories proved to hold any water when thoroughly examined.
Over the years I have, however, noticed there are loosely 5 different match types reoccurring in the BAL mode. I can also give you actual examples for every single type just from playing my CF half a current season. (Playing for Liverpool on Superstar -10 mins)
1. the ''easy'' ones: these are the matches, where your teammates fly around the pitch, winning nearly every ball and provide you with amazing passes and support. Your player also succeeds in finalizing most of the passes and shots ... those are the types of matches you can win 5,6,7,8:0 without really trying too hard.
I've had a few this season; most notably against Man City, who suprisingly, happens to be one of my fiercest rivals for the past two seasons)
2.the ''normal'' ones: these are the sort that i personally feel should represent the majority or at least 50% of the matches in Bal ... though they don't; these aren't simple matches as you have to use a bit of skill, patience and brains to score the goal - but once you draw the blood, a steady head on your shoulders will get you safely through those 90 minutes most of the time. Those are the type of matches you can win with 1,2 or 3 goals difference.
I've also had a couple this season against different opposition.. nothing out of the ordinary here
3.the ''tricky'' ones: these matches can be won, but you need to show above average/very honed skill and a cool head to do so; those are the matches where your team mates won't be particularly reliable and most probably will concede goals, but will also provide you a few opportunities to bail your team out of trouble.
This season alone, i've played the type of match around three times; i scored a last minute scorcher against southampton for a 3:2 win (scored 2 and assisted 1), and also secured a 2:1 win at Goodison Park with an 80 minute strike from the edge of the box. (My player is, however, a prolific scorer with 99 shot acc. and power)
I don't mind these types of matches, as they come around about 10-15 times a season and make the end results a bit more deserved. I do, however mind the fact that this isn't the hardest type of a match there is..
4.the ''unwinnable'' ones: This is where things begin to part with realism a bit; it's the types of games, where your team feels a few notches below it's true level, and the opponent as much above it. It's the type of games, where the opponent is excelling at defensive capabilities and physically dominating the pitch. You CAN score with a bit of luck and a great deal of skill, but no matter the cost, the other team will pull off an equaliser seemingly at will (even though they hadn't had a single shot at goal prior to that).
These types of matches happen way too often, to name one; playing Aston Villa at Anfield, i scored one, and assisted the other, only to keep conceding an equaliser in 10-15 in-game minutes after our goals. Then after i finally appeared to break the spell with an 87 minute goal consisting of a brilliant 1-2 pass and a lovely strike by my player, Villa forced a freaky 25 yard free kick in stoppage time, which N'Zogbia scored in the top corner in a way i've never seen a player score before- 3:3.
And last, but unfortunately not least, 5.the ''you must lose'' ones
Those are basicaly, ''the unwinnable'' games, only grossly amplified on adversity. Those are the types of games, where it's practically impossible to score, while the opponent slams 2,3 or even 4 goals past you with ease. I think this type of game is best described with a practical example:
It's mid-December, and the last fixtures of Premier League are taking place. Liverpool is sitting in 1st place with a single point over Chelsea and 2,3 points ahead of a few other teams. And we're facing a 14th place QPR at Anfield. We've had a week off before the match, so fatigue definitely isn't an issue. Our form is great (mine in on red), and there really shouldn't be a problem here.. but there is.
As mentioned, the team was horrendous and didn't provide a single pass for me to capitalize on, meanwhile QPR already blasted two past us and playing like bulldogs on steroids. By the 80th minute, i somehow manage to get into not one, not two, but three positions from which my player (already nearing 40 goals this season, maxed out shooting, 89 tenacity, red arrow!) would sink the goal blindfolded any other day ... on this day, however, two of the shots went narrowly wide, and the third smacked the post and defied physics in a comically, cringe-worthy way that left me staring in disbelief. It was painfully clear, the ''game'' was fixed on the fact i'm getting no points out of this one from the get-go. 2:0 at the final whistle, and absolutely nothing i could do about it.
Granted, the occurrence of these types of games are the rarest of all, but i feel as though they shouldn't be there in the first place.
I get it, even the toughest team loses in real life, and it may happen against the unlikeliest of opposition, but in a video game - payed and played for the user's entertainment, the ability to win or change the outcome of events should be present at all times. And in the fore-mentioned case, it clearly isn't.
But what really frustrates me, is the these game types will seemingly occur completely on random timing, not depending on the opposition, form, fatigue, or any sort of logical sense - that's what gets me the most.
As mentioned, we can beat Chelsea at Stanford Bridge 0:4 and then be completely helpless against visiting QPR 7 days later despite supposedly being on top form ... and it seems to happen completely randomly; i've restarted the game on numerous occasions upon losing the ''unwinnable'' game only to then find the same game to then be of a completely different difficulty type - it's like the computer randomly chooses the type before every match.
What i'm trying to say is; it's frustrating to think that despite seemingly controlling my own actions, i'm basically playing inside whatever restricted container of uncotrollable events the game chooses at random. It also takes a lot away from the rewarding experience once you realise these ''facts''.
