To experience the different gameplay options here's a quick guide
to finding your way around the game.
Construction Sets - From the Main Menu select Construction Sets.
Choose what you would like to modify/create whether it is Play(s),
Playbook(s), Team(s), or League(s).
Here's some tips in creating plays:
Defense
Assign players a 'route' before an assignment such as Zone, Read,
Blitz etc. Click on the X at the end of their route the give the
assignment.
Man coverage assignments do not require routes to be drawn.
Draw the routes for secondary zone coverages exaggeratedly deep -
the secondary will react to the ball once it has been thrown. If
you draw the routes short some lesser DBs will stop and zone the
areas only at the end of their route,(depends on their
Intelligence rating).
Give Read Play assignments to linebackers only.
Offense
Assign players a 'route' before an assignment such as Block,
Receive, etc. Click on the X at the end of their route the give
the assignment.
On Running plays with a Hand-off make sure that the QB & RB have
routes drawn that intersect.
When creating playbooks you can tailor the AI strategies by
modifying what are called 'blocks' for each and every play.
Specify situational usage by quarter, down & distance and yards to
goal for each play in your book. You will also be asked to assign
a Priority Weighting (PW) to each. This number is usually 50 be
aware that for each play that over laps in a specified situation
that P-ratings become a part of a sum (i.e. if 2 plays are
available in a situation & play A is PW 50 and play B is PW 30 the
computer will pick A at a rate of 50/80 times. This formula can be
applied an infinite amount of times).
One or Two Player Single Game - From the Main Menu select Single
Game. Choose both teams*. Set up your options with the mouse. If
you want the computer to call your plays select Play, if you want
to call the plays and watch the computer execute select Coach, if
your want to call your plays and play using a game controller
select Both. I recommend setting your OOMPH to either spin or
hurdle, use the dive in goal-line situations.
*Note: The first time you play the team selection menu will come
up. Using your mouse scroll down the list of directories until you
see the names of the teams. Select the two teams you want to play
with. The teams with '96' after their name are exact duplicates
and are intended to be used by players who wish to alter
attributes, or trade players.
League Play - From the Main Menu select League Play. From the
selection menu scroll downward using the mouse and select the
league 'NFL'. If you want to play as any team select Buy Team from
the File menu to 'buy' your team. You can then play your game(s)
by selecting Play Game from the File menu and then proceed as you
would in Single game mode. To simulate the other non-player games
select Simulate Remaining Games from the File menu.
To simulate an entire season without active participation proceed
as above without buying a team. Select Simulate Season from File
menu. On a Pentium a 17-week season should take about 1 hour to
simulate. This option is fun when exploring what effect trades
between teams might have, etc.
Player Background - From the Main Menu select Player Background to
see personal and career biographies for all the NFL players in UR
96!
How can I start and setup a Single game quickly?
One or Two Player Single Game - From the Main Menu select Single
Game. Choose both teams*. Set up your options with the mouse. If
you want the computer to call your plays select Play, if you want
to call the plays and watch the computer execute select Coach, if
your want to call your plays and play using a game controller
select Both. *Note: The first time you play the team selection
menu will come up. Using your mouse scroll down the list of
directories until you see the names of the teams. Select the two
teams you want to play with. The teams with '96' after their name
are exact duplicates and are intended to be used by players who
wish to alter attributes, or trade players.
I recommend the following settings; your OOMPH to either spin or
hurdle, use the dive in goal-line situations; Select Player # for
Overhead View if you wish to have the field diagram active during
play (useful in reading defenses at the line of scrimmage);
Advanced passing (use Beginner/Intermediate as learning tools).
If you have a single port game/sound card I recommend that you
obtain a Gravis Y-cable (they seem to work the best) to enable two
players to play with game controllers - which is important when
playing in action mode.
Gravis Pad Control:
Play Calling Screen
Scroll through the pages of your playbook with downright and
downleft diagonal action using the D-pad.
Select your play with the D-pad with the appropriate directional
input and the yellow button.
Options are available from this screen by pressing the red button
at anytime.
Game Play
Audible by inputting the proper D-pad direction and press the red
button.
Hike the ball using the red button. Because PC game pads only
allow for two buttons be sure that you don't touch the D-Pad at
any time until after hiking the ball or you may audible.
On pass plays bring up your receiver checkoff (Beginner &
Intermediate passing) or passing windows (Advanced and Pro
passing) with the yellow button.
In Beginner/Intermediate Passing cycle through your eligible
receivers with the yellow button deliver the ball with the red
button
In Advanced or Pro passing the three windows show which receiver
you will throw to by name and # (this moves in real-time so learn
to watch with your peripheral vision) press D-pad left and red
button for left window, D-pad up and red button for center window,
D-pad right and red button for right window.
OOMPH is the yellow button after the player is past the line of
scrimmage. For running backs be aware that they will pull up
passing windows like a quarterback (which creates some interesting
play possibilities) and be able to pass if you hit the button
early. Note that running backs can usually shed a first tackle or
two so you shouldn't need the need the OOMPH unless you break free
from the first wave.
Access the different camera angles by using the number keys on the
keyboard there are over 10 camera angles available - including the
helmet cam and the all new action cam. I recommend using camera
setting number 9 for the best game play.
Why is this version better than Unnecessary Roughness 95 (UR 95)?
Through the experience of developing this game through the two
previous versions one thing became very apparent, UR 95 had great
graphics and solid engine but had some gaping holes in terms
realistic gameplay. As we looked into producing a third version of
the game we realized that the gameplay issues needed to be handled
by someone who has 'been there and done that' in terms of
producing quality games and also possessed extensive working
knowledge of football.
To address this we signed on Bob Busick to produce our latest
version. Bob brings to the table real world football knowledge,
having played college ball at the University of Colorado. Based
upon his own experiences and hours of exhaustive research on NFL
teams and statistics, Bob and his team set about to give
programmer Gene Smith every thing he would need to implement the
changes in UR 96 that have elevated it to the next level. After
three versions we really believe that Sport Accolade is now
shipping the premier NFL football simulation for the PC.
In terms of graphics we have stayed with our established look, but
its beneath the surface where you will find the improvements. I
have played both versions extensively and believe me - the upgrade
in gameplay is drastic.
What's New?
Extensive reworking of the AI that directs player interactions
both on offense and defense resulting in true life action when
playing or coaching.
We have tweaked the defensive playbooks and the implemented real
NFL defenses. No longer can players pass for 10,000 yards or rush
for 4,000 yards during season play - a common problem from UR 95
that we have eliminated.
Expanded box scores containing over 125 different types of NFL
statistics!
Improved blocking physics, audibles, and kicking game.
Better control translates to intense 2 player games using gamepads
and a Gravis Y-cable, (for computers with one game port).
The addition of the OOMPH button and 4 modes of passing make UR 96
the best action football game available on the PC.
Simulate in Season mode with an accurate statistical model.
Construction set allows you to create your own offensive and
defensive plays, players and teams with ease. Play GM and trade
players (what would Emmit Smith do for the 49ers? - now you can
find out), impose/eliminate the salary cap and create your own
league schedule - its your call.
I hope this helps you get into and experience Unnecessary
Roughness 96. We're very excited about all the new changes to the
game and hope that you enjoy them as well.
Steve Allison
Associate Product Marketing Manager &
Author Of The Unofficial John Madden Football Playbook & Strategy
Guide