How to improve Superstar and Campus Legend for 09

by pastapadre
Posted January 1st, 2008 at 2:27 pm

Campus Legend and Superstar modes have become very popular as an alternative to the standard offline Dynasty or Franchise modes. Allowing for someone to play the game from the perspective of a single player is appealing and unique all the while coming across as less intimidating to play through. After a couple years these new modes have gotten better but there are still many changes that could made to enhance the experience.

NCAA Football 08′s Campus Legend turned out better than Madden 08′s Superstar mode for a couple different reasons. The better camera angles and fewer annoyances off the field within the mode are just a few examples. Ultimately those factors among some others led to it being more fun. After having gone back on my notes during my Padre reports I’ve compiled a detailed list of things that need to be addressed to make the 09 versions of them more enjoyable.

Camera angles: The biggest topic of conversation in these modes is the position specific camera angles. Originally the modes started out with the normal camera view but that has moved in to displaying the field from more of a first person perspective. NCAA did a great job with them in 08 (screens and vids here) which led to much disappointment when Madden’s were not nearly as good (screens and vids here). A huge problem with 08 was the flipping cameras when the ball changed possessions on turnovers as well as punt/kick returns. It made things disorienting and very confusing.

Poor QB play: In both games the QB’s played so horribly on both sides that you felt completely out of control at times and at the mercy of the poor QB AI. As a defensive player you’re hoping to force turnovers and it is a bad sign when you become sick of getting them and don’t want any more. In many cases the majority of the scoring came off INTs returned for TDs or at least setting them up for scores. It wasn’t out of the ordinary to see five or more INTs per QB. It was also extremely rare to see a QB throw deep. QB play is something that needs to be worked on extensively.

Poor play calling: Going along with the QB issues is the questionable play calling. This is another thing out of the control of the person playing the mode. It is understandable that the idea behind it is that you play your position and deal with things like that just as an individual player would. However it would be nice to at least be given the option to choose the plays anyway.

Influence points: They were incredibly annoying in 07 and were slightly less annoying in 08. They still don’t make sense in many situations. Getting credit for something you had little to no part in or being docked because a teammate screwed up doesn’t seem fair. I also just don’t like the idea of using these earned points to artificially boost your players stats for a game. That should be done behind the scenes. Make good plays and your player gets more confidence. But you shouldn’t be using a scale before each drive and deciding what you want to be better on and where to spend them. It takes you out of the experience.

Inability to adjust depth charts: This is another thing that is not given as an option because of the idea that the individual doesn’t decide where their place is on the team. But if you expect people to be patient and wait out being a backup than you should at least have the ability to set yourself in as a returner and different creative situations where you can get on the field a few times and keep some interest.

The fluff can be annoying: I appreciate the attempts to add in real life elements to the mode such as the agents and campus life. However they need to be limited to things that have some value. Alright so you’ve signed an agent, maybe you get a new contract, but who cares cause money does you no good in the game. Either make money a factor somehow or just forget about it. Oh and while we’re at it, please just get rid of the whole email setup completely.

Practice and improving: Practice is great for getting your player’s stats improved. Well it is when you are in a prime position such as QB or RB. However the others are much tougher because they aren’t evaluated as easily. As a CB I went through many practices in CL where I gained no points and literally didn’t even have any opportunities to make a play. In both practice and the games it was beneficial to allow a WR to catch the pass so that I could get my player to record a tackle. There has to be ways to reward players for doing their jobs even when they don’t show up in the stats. This is especially the case with lineman and defensive backs. Look to FIFA 08 where in their Be a Pro mode you get rewarded or penalized based on whether you are playing your assignment.

Draft presentation: Nothing is more disappointing then going through the buildup to the draft and having it all over in five seconds and all you get is a screen that pops up that tells you what team you were drafted by. There needs to be a lot more to this crucial event, one that is supposed to be shaping the direction of the player’s career. Wouldn’t this be as big of if not a bigger deal than signing an agent? Then it should be presented as such. Pre-draft analysis, seeing what teams are showing interest, seeing picks go up to the podium, getting a call from the team’s head coach, all of that stuff would make it much more fun and not the letdown it currently is.

EA Sports World utilization: The response to the NCAA video and screenshot uploading was overwhelming and it is something that really needs to be in Madden this year as well. Being able to transfer them over and display them made for a lot of good reading from both these modes as well as Dynasties and Franchises.

Superstars online: With NHL, FIFA, and NBA Live all getting Online Team Play it would seem that Madden would receive it as well within the next two years. How cool would it be to not only be able to play with the real teams, but bring your CL/Superstar online to help form a team?

Coaches challenges: This needs to be added in as both modes did not have coaches challenging calls.

NCAA clock: The game clock did not run between plays which meant long sustained drives rarely lasted a significant amount of time. 13 play drives that took up only 1:30 were the norm.

More immediate reward: As a QB, RB, or WR it is easy to know when you’ve made a great play. However the other positions don’t get that same recognition. This somewhat ties in with the practice/attributes but it would be nice to get notifications on the screen signifying things such as crucial blocks (sprung the RB or protected the QB) or shutdown corner play (maybe something like prevented a pass being completed on you for a quarter or a certain amount of passing attempts). I always liked the “user” messages at the bottom of the screen but I think I could go for them being even more pronounced in some form.

What would you like to see done with Campus Legend and/or Superstar mode for 09 to make the experience better? Leave your thoughts in the comment section.

Tags:

bob from florida

Gabe said
am January 1 2008 @ 4:40 pm Quote

NBA games need a superstar mode!

GABE YOU ARE RIGHT ……….THAT WOULD BE PRETTY COOL
bob from florida

Gabe said
am January 1 2008 @ 4:40 pm Quote

NBA games need a superstar mode!

GABE YOU ARE RIGHT ……….THAT WOULD BE PRETTY COOL
a

it would also make it better for the superstar if you could transfer to another school
a

it would also make it better for the superstar if you could transfer to another school
http://www.pastapadre.com/ jets/notre dame lover

In madden 09 i would like it if you could get endorcements from nike,adidas, or under armor
http://www.pastapadre.com jets/notre dame lover

In madden 09 i would like it if you could get endorcements from nike,adidas, or under armor
http://www.pastapadre.com/ jets/notre dame lover

in campus legend i would like it if you could get 5 stars if you ran for 350 yards in the first playoff game. And if i play in florida i should be recruted beter than a guy from alaska.
http://www.pastapadre.com jets/notre dame lover

in campus legend i would like it if you could get 5 stars if you ran for 350 yards in the first playoff game. And if i play in florida i should be recruted beter than a guy from alaska.
http://pastapadre.com/ mj23

you is right man.the play calling sucked ass.on defence the ai always got the ino’s
http://pastapadre.com mj23

you is right man.the play calling sucked ass.on defence the ai always got the ino’s
Evan

You should also be able to ake over someone that is not just a rookie. For instance, I can take over Jamarcus Russel, but I can’t control Eli Manning.
Evan

You should also be able to ake over someone that is not just a rookie. For instance, I can take over Jamarcus Russel, but I can’t control Eli Manning.
bob from florida

When u play bowl games or win the national championchip it feels like nothing…………….and heisman presentation should be better……..and as u said pasta,the draft sucks!
bob from florida

When u play bowl games or win the national championchip it feels like nothing…………….and heisman presentation should be better……..and as u said pasta,the draft sucks!
http://www.pastapadre.com/ jets/notre dame lover

I won four straight hiesmans, four strait maxwells and four strait davy obrian awards. I imported my guy to madden and got drafted in the 3rd round. Wazz up with that
http://www.pastapadre.com jets/notre dame lover

I won four straight hiesmans, four strait maxwells and four strait davy obrian awards. I imported my guy to madden and got drafted in the 3rd round. Wazz up with that
Shaun

Something else is the generic offenses and defenses. If I am an option QB I want Navy or West Virginia, not some generic playbook. If I am a slow, statuesque, cannon-armed QB I want to be in a Memphis type shotgun offense. As a Safety let me choose a 3-4, 4-2-5, or even a 3-3-5 defensive team. Don’t confine me! Give me the option to play as a returner. Basically: TEAM specific playbooks.
Shaun

Something else is the generic offenses and defenses. If I am an option QB I want Navy or West Virginia, not some generic playbook. If I am a slow, statuesque, cannon-armed QB I want to be in a Memphis type shotgun offense. As a Safety let me choose a 3-4, 4-2-5, or even a 3-3-5 defensive team. Don’t confine me! Give me the option to play as a returner. Basically: TEAM specific playbooks.
Kevin Davidson

I love the dynasty mode, but I think a great idea would be to create a program from the ground up, kind of a combination of the facility upgrades in March madness. You would start out by creating a school and begin play in a non-scholarship league in I-AA (like the Pioneer league). Then with success, your boosters would grant you scholar ships and move up to a power I-AA conference like the SoCon (App State’s Conference).

After you have one a few national championships and maybe a legendary upset or two, you would be invited to a new conference, or even a new conference that was assembled of the best I-AA teams that that point. Then it would function much like the current dynasty mode, with an invite to a more established league. You could also measure the success of your conference by the amount of sponsorships (UA, Nike, Adidas) and stadium enhancements where you could build it from a glorified HS stadium all the way up to something that will hold 100,000.

This would solve a number of things, like the inclusion of FCS teams and playoffs, the ability to improve your stadium, and the ability to move your program from nothing to everything.
Kevin Davidson

I love the dynasty mode, but I think a great idea would be to create a program from the ground up, kind of a combination of the facility upgrades in March madness. You would start out by creating a school and begin play in a non-scholarship league in I-AA (like the Pioneer league). Then with success, your boosters would grant you scholar ships and move up to a power I-AA conference like the SoCon (App State’s Conference).

After you have one a few national championships and maybe a legendary upset or two, you would be invited to a new conference, or even a new conference that was assembled of the best I-AA teams that that point. Then it would function much like the current dynasty mode, with an invite to a more established league. You could also measure the success of your conference by the amount of sponsorships (UA, Nike, Adidas) and stadium enhancements where you could build it from a glorified HS stadium all the way up to something that will hold 100,000.

This would solve a number of things, like the inclusion of FCS teams and playoffs, the ability to improve your stadium, and the ability to move your program from nothing to everything.
Dandre

I think EA should bring back your girlfriends on NCAA.They should also added the clear visors and actually make it look clear.They are one of the sexiest visors.Then i think if your player dont start he could at least get time such as a punt/kick ret.I also think if your person have a great year in college he should be allowed to get drafted into the first round.I like how one person said when u get drafted you should be like it really look in exact life.I think u should let us desinged our players such as hair and etc,because as you see in 08 not one person had dreads coming out ther helment.In one more thing you should do transfer to another school
and player on the sideline rooting the team on when its either the defense’s or offense’s turn to play and It would be nice to set your schools of interest and receive some pitches from those schools, or not one more thing isBring back the Heisman presentation!!!.The last thing is Imagine if you are sitting in the green room or a hotel room and your agent is giving you an idea of what teams are interested and then the phone rings and it a coach or GM telling your agent or you that if you are available with the 4th pick then the Falcons or whoever are going to take you,also the walking up to the podium would be sweet
Dandre

I think EA should bring back your girlfriends on NCAA.They should also added the clear visors and actually make it look clear.They are one of the sexiest visors.Then i think if your player dont start he could at least get time such as a punt/kick ret.I also think if your person have a great year in college he should be allowed to get drafted into the first round.I like how one person said when u get drafted you should be like it really look in exact life.I think u should let us desinged our players such as hair and etc,because as you see in 08 not one person had dreads coming out ther helment.In one more thing you should do transfer to another school
and player on the sideline rooting the team on when its either the defense’s or offense’s turn to play and It would be nice to set your schools of interest and receive some pitches from those schools, or not one more thing isBring back the Heisman presentation!!!.The last thing is Imagine if you are sitting in the green room or a hotel room and your agent is giving you an idea of what teams are interested and then the phone rings and it a coach or GM telling your agent or you that if you are available with the 4th pick then the Falcons or whoever are going to take you,also the walking up to the podium would be sweet
StirCrazy113

Campus Legend and Superstar Mode have become such great alternatives to playing instead of the same modes, that i think it would be in the gamers and EA’s best interests to make these modes an entirely seperate game. Although paying for both Madden and Superstar Mode, and the college series, would be brutal, think of how much more they could incorporate into both these games. The ideas and possibilities are endless because they would have more disc space to make all these games that much more fun to play. For instance, although i think its great that alot of developers put alot of time into the gameplay which is the meat and potatoes, when i play at least 16 games a season faithfully without simming, i want some type of reward system for my effort and great player besides reading text from a reporter or my agent. How lame is it that my college running back set every single college rushing record and won the Heisman three times and went in the third round. Back to the reading text rewards issue- There should be videos of whats happening in the league like sportscenter, a wheaties commercial during it with your created player on the box because he won mvp last year. How about live press conferences where you can watch your player react to the press while your deciding your responses. Finally Detail Detail Detail!!!! If you win the superbowl the year before, how about while showing the pregame show of your team getting off the bus, A shiny ring blings of your players finger. That is what defines the superstar, not only what he does on the field but ALSO OFF!!!!!!!
StirCrazy113

Campus Legend and Superstar Mode have become such great alternatives to playing instead of the same modes, that i think it would be in the gamers and EA’s best interests to make these modes an entirely seperate game. Although paying for both Madden and Superstar Mode, and the college series, would be brutal, think of how much more they could incorporate into both these games. The ideas and possibilities are endless because they would have more disc space to make all these games that much more fun to play. For instance, although i think its great that alot of developers put alot of time into the gameplay which is the meat and potatoes, when i play at least 16 games a season faithfully without simming, i want some type of reward system for my effort and great player besides reading text from a reporter or my agent. How lame is it that my college running back set every single college rushing record and won the Heisman three times and went in the third round. Back to the reading text rewards issue- There should be videos of whats happening in the league like sportscenter, a wheaties commercial during it with your created player on the box because he won mvp last year. How about live press conferences where you can watch your player react to the press while your deciding your responses. Finally Detail Detail Detail!!!! If you win the superbowl the year before, how about while showing the pregame show of your team getting off the bus, A shiny ring blings of your players finger. That is what defines the superstar, not only what he does on the field but ALSO OFF!!!!!!!
http://www.pastapadre.com/ jets/notre dame lover

In dynasty mode i wish you could go to a 1-AA school like princton, deleware, or app state and if your team wins alot they get invited to the bi east or the pack-10 or something that would be sweat
http://www.pastapadre.com jets/notre dame lover

In dynasty mode i wish you could go to a 1-AA school like princton, deleware, or app state and if your team wins alot they get invited to the bi east or the pack-10 or something that would be sweat
http://www.pastapadre.com/ jets/notre dame lover

If you pull off a big upset like usc vs. stanford the stanford crowd should storm the field. And then show pictures of the usc crowd.
http://www.pastapadre.com jets/notre dame lover

If you pull off a big upset like usc vs. stanford the stanford crowd should storm the field. And then show pictures of the usc crowd.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ jets/notre dame lover

I like the idea of sports center clips being shown after you’ve won or lost a big game
http://www.pastapadre.com jets/notre dame lover

I like the idea of sports center clips being shown after you’ve won or lost a big game
http://www.pastapadre.com/ jets/notre dame lover

I t would be cool if white guy’s could have hair
http://www.pastapadre.com/ jets/notre dame lover

i mean long hair
http://www.pastapadre.com jets/notre dame lover

I t would be cool if white guy’s could have hair
http://www.pastapadre.com jets/notre dame lover

i mean long hair
http://www.pastapadre.com/ jets/notre dame lover

What if you could custimize your visor to fit you teams colors
http://www.pastapadre.com jets/notre dame lover

What if you could custimize your visor to fit you teams colors
Naterob

My main grip with superstar mode was that I was a 3rd round draft pick for S.F and come week 1 im taking over Nate Clemons spot. Hes like 3rd now, there needs to be some kinda depth chart reality in this mode. Where im not starting over an 8mill a yr CB thats just not going to happen in most if not all cases. EA need to make it where we earn the starting job not have it handed to us. Oh and EA make the camera angles for CB the same on both games please …! godd
Naterob

My main grip with superstar mode was that I was a 3rd round draft pick for S.F and come week 1 im taking over Nate Clemons spot. Hes like 3rd now, there needs to be some kinda depth chart reality in this mode. Where im not starting over an 8mill a yr CB thats just not going to happen in most if not all cases. EA need to make it where we earn the starting job not have it handed to us. Oh and EA make the camera angles for CB the same on both games please …! godd
will

YAH THE DRFAT IS HORRIbley done
will

YAH THE DRFAT IS HORRIbley done
Chuck

1. I think the whole thing about forming a team online would be cool. But… wouldn’t it get re dick?
2. Does anyone remember NFL 2K5? well they had this thing called Your Crib or what ever well that is what they should interbreed your Money you get for in madden.
3. The Biggest thing i HATE SO MUCH! so ill be engaged with a blocker and the ball carrier is running right next to the blocker or on a pitch or something and ill hit the move button and ill go the COMPLETE wrong way i don’t even care if he is going to out run me i just want to spin towards the ball carrier (or what ever move i did). maybe you can do a thing like LB is for left finesse move and RB is for right finesse move and LT is for right Power move and RT is for right Power move. and this doesn’t have to apply to just super star maybe to both games.
Chuck

1. I think the whole thing about forming a team online would be cool. But… wouldn’t it get re dick?
2. Does anyone remember NFL 2K5? well they had this thing called Your Crib or what ever well that is what they should interbreed your Money you get for in madden.
3. The Biggest thing i HATE SO MUCH! so ill be engaged with a blocker and the ball carrier is running right next to the blocker or on a pitch or something and ill hit the move button and ill go the COMPLETE wrong way i don’t even care if he is going to out run me i just want to spin towards the ball carrier (or what ever move i did). maybe you can do a thing like LB is for left finesse move and RB is for right finesse move and LT is for right Power move and RT is for right Power move. and this doesn’t have to apply to just super star maybe to both games.
GTruth

Online play would be the best. Also you should be able to transfer or get released or traded.
GTruth

Online play would be the best. Also you should be able to transfer or get released or traded.
jake

I love madden and ncaa but i cant belive that you cant be a FB or TE or on the line. I understand not being able to be someone who doesnt get a chance to touch the ball but c’mon this is crazy. And Pasta you got it just right when you cant be a kick returner or control the depth chart. If I play corner and I can get anywhere on the depth chart cause they dont throw my way or they go between the tackles to the other side I should at least have some kind of role returning cause then theres no point of playing.
jake

I love madden and ncaa but i cant belive that you cant be a FB or TE or on the line. I understand not being able to be someone who doesnt get a chance to touch the ball but c’mon this is crazy. And Pasta you got it just right when you cant be a kick returner or control the depth chart. If I play corner and I can get anywhere on the depth chart cause they dont throw my way or they go between the tackles to the other side I should at least have some kind of role returning cause then theres no point of playing.
jake

or kicker or punter
jake

or kicker or punter
zack

to jets/notre dame lover “I won four straight hiesmans, four strait maxwells and four strait davy obrian awards. I imported my guy to madden and got drafted in the 3rd round. Wazz up with that”

i have had the same thing happen to me ever since the CL/SS mode’s came out…imagine a player that wins the heisman trophy every possible year, breaks every record in the book, takes his team to the national championship 4 years in a row, etc…this player obviously goes to the pro’s but ends up getting drafted in the 3rd round…..WTF??!?!?

come on EA you guys make great game’s but they could be so much better its almost like they don’t care what they put in to the game b/c they know the game is going to sell.

pasta and everyone else that wrote here you are all 100% correct they’re all great ideas and hopefully someone can talk to the guys at EA so i don’t have to wait till NCAA/Madden 2020 comes out just to see my player walk up to the podium to get his heisman or walk up to the podium when he is named the #1 pick in the NFL draft
zack

to jets/notre dame lover “I won four straight hiesmans, four strait maxwells and four strait davy obrian awards. I imported my guy to madden and got drafted in the 3rd round. Wazz up with that”

i have had the same thing happen to me ever since the CL/SS mode’s came out…imagine a player that wins the heisman trophy every possible year, breaks every record in the book, takes his team to the national championship 4 years in a row, etc…this player obviously goes to the pro’s but ends up getting drafted in the 3rd round…..WTF??!?!?

come on EA you guys make great game’s but they could be so much better its almost like they don’t care what they put in to the game b/c they know the game is going to sell.

pasta and everyone else that wrote here you are all 100% correct they’re all great ideas and hopefully someone can talk to the guys at EA so i don’t have to wait till NCAA/Madden 2020 comes out just to see my player walk up to the podium to get his heisman or walk up to the podium when he is named the #1 pick in the NFL draft