Revisiting a past poll
by 
On May 13th I posted a poll looking to gauge which of the upcoming football games was the most anticipated. NCAA Football 09 pulled in 57%, Madden 09 got 35%, and NFL Head Coach 09 managed 7%.
At the time those results didn’t surprise me. From a new feature standpoint NCAA Football has the edge, whereas Madden took on more of a reinvention that didn’t really click until I actually got to experience it first hand. The Head Coach numbers actually seemed encouraging, as it is likely that most of the people who will pick that up would still see Madden as the main draw.
So I thought it would be interesting to see how the anticipation levels may have shifted following the community event last week.
Which upcoming football game are you most anticipating now?
June 4, 2008 at 11:25 am
Madden is number one for me but Headcoach is a close second just because judging from resent years there is so much good feedback only to be let down so this year Im still resevring Madden but Im going to wait a day just to see what people say and if it doesn’t sound good i’ll roll that money over to something else.
June 4, 2008 at 11:31 am
At first I was looking forward to Ncaa more but I am looking forward to Madden more now and I might not even bother getting Ncaa.
June 4, 2008 at 11:37 am
It was always Madden 09 for me since I’m a huge NFL fan.
However, mix in Ian’s recent, commendable community interaction as well as the tweaking that has resulted from it, and I’m that much more excited.
June 4, 2008 at 11:37 am
I’ve always been more excited for Madden 09.
June 4, 2008 at 11:40 am
I was looking forward to NCAA at first until Madden, for now, has shown the ability to listen to criticism and adjust the game. I have higher hopes for this year
June 4, 2008 at 11:45 am
year in and year out ill always be more excited for ncaa football than madden
June 4, 2008 at 11:55 am
Definitely Madden. Pass rush needs to be fixed in NCAA 09.
June 4, 2008 at 12:14 pm
It was always Madden for me, but when I first started seeing the NCAA previews I was waivering a bit. Since Ian and Phil jumped on the scene though, I’m die hard Madden at this point.
June 4, 2008 at 12:27 pm
NFL Head Coach 09 IS UNDERATED,YOU GUYS WILL SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. by the way you heard it first from me. GO AD
June 4, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I am still looking forward to NCAA just because of the online dynasty, but I am definitely excited about Madden and Head Coach now after the community day at EA.
June 4, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I will ALWAYS be a NCAA guy. I used to play madden back in the day when there was no college football games out. But ever since the first Playstation version of NCAA Football, I was hooked. Now that they’ve added the roster share feature, and the customizable stadium sounds, I’m already sold on this title! I may be the only guy on here so far thats more stoked for NCAA 09 than Madden 09, or Head Coach 09, but hey… someones gotta represent the Unpaid guys right? (Well, besides Reggie Bush and the rest of U$C Athletics!…cheaters!!!)
I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the “Wide Open Gameplay.” Because from what I’ve read, videos and pics can’t really do this feature justice. I’ve been waiting for a football game that rewards great “stick play”, other than finding a money play and cheesing the whole time.
Although I do like the idea of creating plays on Head Coach 09, and I would LOVE to see that implemented into NCAA 2010! (That would solve all problems with the lack of bubble screens, WR reverse passes, etc… that are in some teams real playbooks).
All in all, I enjoy seeing the direction all of these games are headed. Lots of cool features and gameplay changes that are shaping a new and improved gaming experience for years to come! Can’t wait to play all of these titles, and I REALLY can’t wait to see all these games in 2010!! Hopefully by then we will finally have the perfect football game! (I won’t hold my breathe though!!!)
GO DUCKS!!!!!
June 4, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I too, will always be an NCAA guy, I have much more passion for playing with Georgia than I will ever have for playing with an NFL team….I dont like a specific NFL team, I just like certain players, and too me Madden is just not as fun and is easier because you get the same team for more than 4 years.
June 4, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Has the player level up in Madden been fixed? It has ruin franchise for me for the last 2 years. Pasta, anyway to communicate this to EA. Drafted players do not go up.
June 4, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I’m an NCAA guy…but I simply can’t stomach what EA has done to my favorite gaming franchise ever. I HATE the fact that the game was completely stripped of features when brought over to 360, and I hate even more that those features are still not present in the 3rd iteration of the game on a next gen system.
I miss my bowl patches, pride stickers that you earned, amazing presentation, great bowl atmosphere, amazing atmosphere in general, all alternate jerseys, D1AA teams, create a school, create a chant….the list could go on and on.
Because EA forces us to play a watered down version of NCAA, I am looking forward to Madden more this year. I love the snowprints during cold games, and I love the fact that EA actually tried to add some next gen innovation to the game with the replay feature, holographic skill tests, dynamic running system, and the new action camera. I am mad there are no super bowl patches, no online alternate jerseys, generic SB enzones, and no vs cpu in the online dynasty, but at least it isn’t as stripped down as NCAA.
June 4, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Looking forward to both versions
June 4, 2008 at 2:26 pm
i was one of those “buying madden looking forward to NCAA” people because i buy madden every year but now im “buying NCAA and cautiously looking foward to madden”
June 4, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Before the community day event I was really pumped for NCAA, but after Pasta did the write-up on Madden I’ve been more interested in seeing what Madden turns out to be. Aug. 12th can’t come fast enough.
June 4, 2008 at 3:20 pm
NCAA, but I will probably get both.
June 4, 2008 at 3:51 pm
im pumped for both if i was to choose one though i would say madden
June 4, 2008 at 4:07 pm
always have been and always will be an ncaa guy madden is boring
June 4, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Neither one is where they should be or would be had a more talented developer had the franchise. However NCAA looks to have taken a step to the side rather than forward while Madden is actually going forward. Madden will be the better and more complete game this year guaranteed. Its a shame, as NCAA was just a slight step from truly overtaking Madden.
June 4, 2008 at 5:10 pm
[quote comment="23944"]Neither one is where they should be or would be had a more talented developer had the franchise. However NCAA looks to have taken a step to the side rather than forward while Madden is actually going forward. Madden will be the better and more complete game this year guaranteed. Its a shame, as NCAA was just a slight step from truly overtaking Madden.[/quote]
I agree with you. And to add to your point, I think NCAA has more potential to be the better game in the future. They JUST missed on a few features, and could have made a near perfect game. But I think they’re on the right track. Whereas Madden will probably plateau soon.
June 4, 2008 at 5:11 pm
[quote comment="23940"]im pumped for both if i was to choose one though i would say madden[/quote]
hey pat u suck
June 4, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I’m loving all 3 games. I’m gonna kill em wit the 305 Hurricanes in NCAA. Then the Titans on Madden.
June 4, 2008 at 6:51 pm
always get both and play ncaa the most, but the preview for ncaa don’t sound too hot.
June 4, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I am just looking forward to football in general. I am excited for both games. I was initially more excited for NCAA, but after all the good impressions going around about Madden, its hard not to be really excited for it. I’m still going to get both games (thankfully, NCAA comes out in July). I am in serious need of a football gaming fix. I’m on my second season in franchise mode on MLB 08: The Show and although its awesome, I’m ready for some football.
June 4, 2008 at 7:22 pm
[quote comment="23944"]Neither one is where they should be or would be had a more talented developer had the franchise. However NCAA looks to have taken a step to the side rather than forward while Madden is actually going forward. Madden will be the better and more complete game this year guaranteed. Its a shame, as NCAA was just a slight step from truly overtaking Madden.[/quote]
What company did you have in mind exactly, because 2K hasn’t been doing much with their sports games either.
June 4, 2008 at 7:25 pm
[quote comment="23946"][quote comment="23940"]im pumped for both if i was to choose one though i would say madden[/quote]
hey pat u suck[/quote]
hey look the keyboard warrior is back how u doing ok whatever, u got ur own opinion u think i suck no problem at all just keep looking for fights on the internet god ur so cool
June 4, 2008 at 8:11 pm
In the initial poll I said NCAA and in this one I voted the same way. For me it is about building a dynasty. I love that feature about NCAA and now that I can go online with my friends it will be that much more fun. I am liking all the positives I am hearing about both these game but for the past few years Madden has been a big disapointment to me personally. I am still gonna take a wait and see approch. I really do like the fact that some of the devs are on the boards talking to us.
June 4, 2008 at 8:52 pm
NCAA has been better the past 2 years but Madden looks like it may be back for real this time.
June 4, 2008 at 8:52 pm
[quote comment="23959"][quote comment="23944"]Neither one is where they should be or would be had a more talented developer had the franchise. However NCAA looks to have taken a step to the side rather than forward while Madden is actually going forward. Madden will be the better and more complete game this year guaranteed. Its a shame, as NCAA was just a slight step from truly overtaking Madden.[/quote]
What company did you have in mind exactly, because 2K hasn’t been doing much with their sports games either.[/quote]
Its doesnt matter what developer, as long as they have a slight, basic idea as to how to dev for the next gen systems theyd do better than the guys under EA. With that said, it does appear as if EA, finally, is figuring out this next gen technology, at least partially.
June 4, 2008 at 9:00 pm
[quote comment="23945"][quote comment="23944"]Neither one is where they should be or would be had a more talented developer had the franchise. However NCAA looks to have taken a step to the side rather than forward while Madden is actually going forward. Madden will be the better and more complete game this year guaranteed. Its a shame, as NCAA was just a slight step from truly overtaking Madden.[/quote]
I agree with you. And to add to your point, I think NCAA has more potential to be the better game in the future. They JUST missed on a few features, and could have made a near perfect game.[/quote]
Agree 100%. I played NCAA 08 last yr the day it released with my cousin, after about an hour i came to the conclusion that while the game isnt great,it made a lot of strides in the right direction and decided to purchase the game. Throughout the yr, i would note small things that needed to be upgraded/added(namely the dreadful presentation) to have a game truly worth the title of “Great”. I mean i thought the game was really solid and was almost sure that NCAA 09 would be THE sports title to play this yr. Now i havent played the game yet, but going by the videos and multiple write ups from in-tune bloggers such as PastaPadre, i feel that this game has taken a step DIRECTLY to the side instead of forward. Now that may be ok for some, but going to the side isnt enough to warrant 60 bux from me. Ill still play the game, but i just dont have high hopes.
June 4, 2008 at 9:05 pm
NCAA looks really weak this year compared to Madden. However I am biased and never plan to buy NCAA again until FCS teams are respected at least a little. PUT THEM BACK IN THE DAMN GAME ALREADY.
June 4, 2008 at 10:41 pm
madden is awesome this year…and will even be better next year…because we all know they will give franchise mode a much needed makeover and finally make a full franchise online mode available…
June 5, 2008 at 8:04 am
Hey Pasta,
Has everything major been revealed from Madden? I know you can’t discuss specifics but can you at least say yay or nay on if we can expect any other significant announcements?
June 5, 2008 at 10:30 am
NFL Head Coach is the perfect game for me
June 5, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I always get NCAA and Madden. Madden always has the better gameplay but I’m a huge college football fan, so I tend to play NCAA more.
June 5, 2008 at 12:58 pm
nba 2k9 cover reveal is tonight. Who’s it gonna be?
June 5, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I get both every year and as plenty mentioned above NCAA has been beating Madden the last 2 years at least but I’m psyched about Madden seeing EA really make an effort to listen to what the community wants has sold me. Head Coach is gonna be amazing in my opinion been waiting for EA to bring it back although hopefully it’ll just become a mode in Madden and not a stand alone game the Franchise mode in Madden isn’t needed. EA is finally on the right path and not just buying the NFL license and putting out garbage dunno if its because of complaints or possibly the release of Backbreaker and the technology they’re implementing either way its gonna be a win win for football fans
June 10, 2008 at 11:56 am
when will we get a demo for NCAA football 09