NCAA Football 09 hands-on time this week
by 
Later this week I will be in NYC for an event surrounding the unveiling of the NCAA Football 09 cover athlete. Also attending is Chris Jacobs from NCAA Strategies and David Wales from PSU. While there we will have an extensive amount of hands-on time with the game which should occur on Wednesday and Thursday. I’ll be coming back on Friday evening and then holding a live blog during the NFL Draft on Saturday.
We are expecting the latest build and we have been given free reign to discuss anything about it. Originally I had imagined a restricted build similar to what we used to get at E3 but apparently it will be the full thing. That means we’ll be able to dig into aspects such as online dynasty menus, campus legend changes, ect.
Keep in mind that this will still be an early build and I wouldn’t expect everything to be fully implemented and certainly the gameplay won’t be tweaked and balanced the way that it will by release time. While there should be a sufficient amount of time with the game it will still be somewhat limiting (please don’t expect extensive reports on Dynasty mode for example). The good thing about the timing is that our feedback will be directly considered and potentially acted upon. So given the circumstances look for the reports to be more informational than opinionated with full details of the feedback that has been given.
If you have any questions or areas you’d like to hear impressions or information on feel free to leave them in the comments. I can’t promise that I’ll get to all of them but I’ll definitely take them into consideration.
NCAA screenshot update: EA is releasing a new alternate uniform screen every weekday. The first one is Kansas which can now be seen here.
April 21, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Wow just Wow you are so lucky pasta, hope you can find more about online play and online dynasty mode and if night and weather games can be played online as well, have fun keep us posted can’t wait till friday. Thanks
April 21, 2008 at 12:16 pm
so Pasta… will you be allowed to get pictures or, even better, video from these two days?
April 21, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Thanks for keeping us in the loop. It would be great if you do have a chance to find out if the following is in:
-All D1A/Championsihp/Bowl Stadiums
-Bowl/Championship Game patches on uniforms
-Correct endzone logos for bowl games
-Any difference in atmosphere for small vs. big school match ups(i.e. a game between Ohio and Northern Illinois feels different than a Ohio State vs. Michigan game)
-Any difference in the TV presentation for bowl/championship games (i.e. trophy presentation, etc)
April 21, 2008 at 12:16 pm
You are so lucky. See if it is anything like the trailer. Look for things like tipped passes and things like that. Also things like actual players on the sideline, and refs on the field.
April 21, 2008 at 12:20 pm
[quote comment="18321"]so Pasta… will you be allowed to get pictures or, even better, video from these two days?[/quote]
Haven’t got clarification on that yet.
April 21, 2008 at 12:49 pm
[quote comment="18322"]Thanks for keeping us in the loop. It would be great if you do have a chance to find out if the following is in:
-All D1A/Championsihp/Bowl Stadiums
-Bowl/Championship Game patches on uniforms
-Correct endzone logos for bowl games
-Any difference in atmosphere for small vs. big school match ups(i.e. a game between Ohio and Northern Illinois feels different than a Ohio State vs. Michigan game)
-Any difference in the TV presentation for bowl/championship games (i.e. trophy presentation, etc)[/quote]
I think this pretty much sums up what everyone wants Pasta. Can you please ask these questions?
Thanks.
April 21, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Damn you’re lucky Pasta, have fun.
If you remember, could you please let us know how the alternate uniforms turned out? Also let me know which one’s Arizona has? Thanks a lot bro.
email: kabbey520@yahoo.com
April 21, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Pasta – who cares about alt unis, correct end zone logos for bowl games, etc. Again, this isn’t Barbie Dress-up for Males.
Check the gameplay and find if the crap from past years has been fixed (endless interceptions run back for TDs, money plays, lack of lob passes, etc).
If the game itself isn’t FIXED all the little pretty uniforms with fancy see-through visors isn’t going to matter.
April 21, 2008 at 1:29 pm
As discussed previously Pasta…if you could possibly check out whether we can still view other side’s games in dynasty mode as cpu v cpu and we’re not restricted to just the team we choose then that’d be great.
Thanks & Enjoy
April 21, 2008 at 1:32 pm
[quote comment="18338"]Pasta – who cares about alt unis, correct end zone logos for bowl games, etc. Again, this isn’t Barbie Dress-up for Males.
Check the gameplay and find if the crap from past years has been fixed (endless interceptions run back for TDs, money plays, lack of lob passes, etc).
If the game itself isn’t FIXED all the little pretty uniforms with fancy see-through visors isn’t going to matter.[/quote]
YOU ARE A DUMBASS !
April 21, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Pasta, how will C.L be fixed.
April 21, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Pasta can you please see if they have added the D1-AA schools in the game because i heard they were putting them in for next gen gaming…..also can you see if WESTERN MICHIGAN’s waldo stadium is not generic
April 21, 2008 at 1:37 pm
will you please check create a team, Campus Legend upgrades, create a player upgrades thanks,
Cody
April 21, 2008 at 1:41 pm
hey pasta, can you look at crowd reactions and the homefield advantage?
thanx
April 21, 2008 at 1:48 pm
[quote comment="18344"]hey pasta, can you look at crowd reactions and the homefield advantage?
thanx[/quote]
same
April 21, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Pasta,
Can you get the full scoop on the online dynasty feature? Number of players? How are games handled against CPU opponents? Games against other users? Can schedules be edited like in the past to make sure yearly games against other users are scheduled (for non-conference opponents)? How does the recruiting feature work for all involved? Can you add created players to the online dynasty? Can draft classes be exported to Madden still?
Thanks in advance!
April 21, 2008 at 1:54 pm
If you could please give an honest and true description of the gameplay at this stage, I would appreciate it. I get tired of all the previews just gushing over the game and not really getting into how it plays. They end up being glorified marketing for the game.
Let us know how it plays compared to last year. Do the LBs and CBs still have unreal INT ability? Is the line play still terrible? How is the QB play? Is the out route still the go-to route all the time? Can I actually throw over the middle without an LB leaping 10 feet in the air to pick off a pass he wasn’t looking at?
How is the presentation? Does it integrate with ESPN at all? Are there stat overlays and updates throughout the game? Do the commentators actually talk about specific stuff happening in the game?
April 21, 2008 at 1:57 pm
[quote comment="18338"]Pasta – who cares about alt unis, correct end zone logos for bowl games, etc. Again, this isn’t Barbie Dress-up for Males.
Check the gameplay and find if the crap from past years has been fixed (endless interceptions run back for TDs, money plays, lack of lob passes, etc).
If the game itself isn’t FIXED all the little pretty uniforms with fancy see-through visors isn’t going to matter.[/quote]
Not a dumbass. These are good questions. I could care less what uniforms the players are wearing if the gameplay still remains uninspired.
Last year was nothing but running the ball and throwing out routes and comebacks.
Be nice if the directional passing was in the game this year. I like being able to fine tune my pass by pressing up/left/down/right on the stick.
April 21, 2008 at 2:05 pm
PLease find out the following for me
1)Will there be proper entrances like Clemson down the hill Michigan slapping the banner etc?
2) Do they have most of the alternate unis?
3)Does the gameplay run smooth?
4)How does online dynasty work exactly?
5) Are the stadiums athentic just the same as real life?
Thanks in advance!! Your lucky!
April 21, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Custom Playbooks. Imo, this has been a huge black-eye as far as the missing features go but nobody ever seems to mention it. I don’t care about create-a-play, I just want to be able to pick my formations. Thanks, padre.
April 21, 2008 at 2:41 pm
[quote comment="18342"]Pasta can you please see if they have added the D1-AA schools in the game because i heard they were putting them in for next gen gaming[/quote]
I agree will there be D1-AA (FCS) teams in the game…cuz it is in the game. just sayin’
April 21, 2008 at 3:15 pm
[quote comment="18350"][quote comment="18338"]Pasta – who cares about alt unis, correct end zone logos for bowl games, etc. Again, this isn’t Barbie Dress-up for Males.
Check the gameplay and find if the crap from past years has been fixed (endless interceptions run back for TDs, money plays, lack of lob passes, etc).
If the game itself isn’t FIXED all the little pretty uniforms with fancy see-through visors isn’t going to matter.[/quote]
Not a dumbass. These are good questions. I could care less what uniforms the players are wearing if the gameplay still remains uninspired.
Last year was nothing but running the ball and throwing out routes and comebacks.
Be nice if the directional passing was in the game this year. I like being able to fine tune my pass by pressing up/left/down/right on the stick.[/quote]
Yea well comebacks are hard to throw on the game there bud
April 21, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Pasta what is your live blog during th draft going to be like and entail. What all will we talk about etc.?
April 21, 2008 at 3:29 pm
[quote comment="18362"]Pasta what is your live blog during th draft going to be like and entail. What all will we talk about etc.?[/quote]
I’ll talk about it more later this week, but I’ll just be live blogging anything that comes up. Thoughts on the draft, impact on Madden, adding in the rookie Madden screenshots as soon as I get them, ect
April 21, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Ask about the wii stuff please! I ‘m really intereasted in it this year so please ask about the wii PLEASE!!!
April 21, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Pasta, as a suggestion for the best coverage. You, Secret Squirrel, and the other guy should get together. All of you should do the most important aspect, gameplay. Then you guys should split it up(dynasty, mini games, etc.) so that everything is covered to the best of your abilities.
April 21, 2008 at 3:54 pm
-OL/DL Interaction
-Any plans for a QB pocket?
-How does the running game feel this year?
-How is the passing game?
Also, give us feedback and details on the A.I. I was hoping for a fully ADAPTIVE A.I. for those of us who don’t game online that often and would like a real challenge from the CPU. I doubt this is featured this year but who knows?
Thanks
April 21, 2008 at 4:03 pm
How about curse-laden chants from the student sections? F You, Eat Sht was always my favorite (think Miller Lite — Tastes Great, Less Filling).
Also, I would like to know the following:
1) Classic teams? Never know why EA got away from this
2) Classic uniforms
3) Team-specific entrances (Miami smoke)
4) Presentation
April 21, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Oh, are there real head coaches and can they move to coach a different school?
April 21, 2008 at 4:32 pm
he will do what he can, he can’t go and answer all 50 of your guys’s questions.
April 21, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Please check to see if the fumble issue and CPU Int issues have been finally corrected this year. They can do all they want to make it look better, but if the gameplay is still broken, then it is a wasted effort again.
April 21, 2008 at 4:58 pm
[quote comment="18378"]he will do what he can, he can’t go and answer all 50 of your guys’s questions.[/quote]
Well, isn’t that obvious?
April 21, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I cant wait to here about the different campus legend! I hope they have mini games like on the ps2 and medical redshirts. I finally think they are going to change the ps2 and xbox’s campus legend finally. And are they having EA locker like 2k share? And i also heard that there are alternate jerseys finally Notre Dame’s green!
April 21, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Can you get info on custom stadium nosies and music? And on the post-game presentation?
April 21, 2008 at 5:10 pm
alt uniforms and accurate player models are just as good as gameplay you idiots.
with that said, i hope pastapadre discusses both gameplay and new player model features (facemasks, alt uniforms, towels, etc) with the EA crew.
April 21, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Since Kansas has a alt uni then I am assuming that Syracuse will also. Since SYR has accomplished way more then kansas all time. TY EA.
April 21, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Hey pasta can you look and see who are the best players in the game. Im sure tebow will be the best but just some other guys who are rated high.
April 21, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Pasta, I would like to hear more about the “wide open” gameplay and what that means that was talked about earlier. Also I would like to know how effective the new running mechanics work.
I can’t remember if NCAA ever had in game saves but can you find out if they are considering?
Thanks!
GO BLUE!
April 21, 2008 at 6:10 pm
http://www.easports.com/ncaa09/alternatejersyscreenshot
April 21, 2008 at 6:11 pm
sorry I messed up on the link. It’s an alternate jersy screen!
April 21, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I’m glad you are going. Looking forward to your comments. My biggest issues are CPU QB AI (will they avoid INTS and throw downfield), how is the DL pass rush (can you actually rush around the end) and will the weight of the players be better (they had too little weight and not enough momentum). Multiple camera angles is also important to me.
Thanks Pasta.
April 21, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I want to know if the rosters can still be transerred via memory cards.
April 21, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Saving depth chart into roster?
Custom formation subs / packages?
Enhanced gang tackling?
ESPN integration (announcers / visuals)?
Continued realistic interceptions (dont dumb down for noobs)?
Online dynasty details?
April 21, 2008 at 7:53 pm
For those of us who don’t use Xbox Live or are too lazy to hook PS3 into internet…. can we still transfer the rosters the old ways via memory cards?
Thanks
April 21, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Any news on FCS (Div1-AA) teams would be appreciated, also info on differnt camera angles, I would love to play from the old “Press box” angle.
Looks like everyone else was the basic covered.
April 21, 2008 at 8:00 pm
[quote comment="18338"]Pasta – who cares about alt unis, correct end zone logos for bowl games, etc. Again, this isn’t Barbie Dress-up for Males.
Check the gameplay and find if the crap from past years has been fixed (endless interceptions run back for TDs, money plays, lack of lob passes, etc).
If the game itself isn’t FIXED all the little pretty uniforms with fancy see-through visors isn’t going to matter.[/quote]
thank god someone understands gameplay. PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU CAN LOB PASS THIS YEAR!!! the passing game in last year was horrible
April 21, 2008 at 8:03 pm
please please if you can…..check to see how the fluid the catching and defending response is on Off. and Def. this year, you can press the button, but they may not jump or react to the ball. i have a ps3 and not sure if its because of the 30 fps or what, but could you please see if its the same as 08 catching. thanks!!
April 21, 2008 at 9:02 pm
After viewing the alternate jesey screen it apperas they fixed the sleeves for 09
April 21, 2008 at 9:14 pm
[quote comment="18357"][quote comment="18342"]Pasta can you please see if they have added the D1-AA schools in the game because i heard they were putting them in for next gen gaming[/quote]
I agree will there be D1-AA (FCS) teams in the game…cuz it is in the game. just sayin’[/quote]
Not sure what your talking about, but they released the feature list a while ago and 1-AA is NOT in the game. Plus in an interview a while back some guy who works on this game said they might get to 1-AA eventually when they have the development time. I personally think thats lazy ass bullshit. However we all know 1-AA got the shaft for the third straight year. So to both of you who heard its going to be in the game, your thinking about the Wii version, and the ONLY reason why they are in the Wii version is because it is based off of the PS2 version of the game which has some 1-AA teams. PS3/360 are based on a completely different engine and they will not have 1-AA teams again.
April 21, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Can you check out the catching and see if the receivers catch the ball away from thier body? Also see if you can throw deep without the safety all ways knocking it down? And see if power backs are still unstoppable?