How to improve Superstar and Campus Legend for 09
January 1, 2008 by pastapadre
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.
I think you hit the nail on the head. The draft is terribly done. They need to pay more attention to detail in every . Theoretically EA has good ideas, but the execution on detail in almost every category is majorly lacking. NOTE TO EA. DETAIL DOES NOT MEAN MAKING THINGS MORE COMPLICATED.
“attention to detail in every aspect”
I think that all the things with the agent in Superstar mode was just terrible. What they should do is give the agents their own personality type like: ‘money hungry’, ‘player’s friend’, or ‘dunce’. For instance the ‘money hungry’ personality would be a Drew Rosenhaus reincarnate, also hiring a certain agent should have a direct correlation on what type of influences you can have (lone wolf,team player,etc). Also what is up with the emails? Like you said Pasta either make it apart of Superstar mode or get rid of it.
As for Campus legend I would like the ability to Redshirt or even transfer. I liked how you could make promises to recruits in Dynasty, why can’t that happen in Campus Legend? I mean if I am supposed to be some high profile recruit I should be swayed to go to USC or LSU. Promise me something like playing time or a National Championship. Also I hope they let you return kicks, what a waste of my 99 speed WR by not letting him return kicks.
NBA games need a superstar mode!
Pasta, what you said about the draft and the presentation was perfect. 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. They definitely need to spice things up in that regard. It could be implemented into franchise mode for every pick in the draft. If you don’t want to see every player walk up there then just fast forward like you can now. If there is one thing I would like to see improved in Madden it would be the superstar/franchise/draft presentation.
This was my main problem with CL in 08. I chose certain colleges to be put in their “system”. Like if i wanted to be a scrambler QB i wanted to go to OREGON. Or if i wanted to be a speed back i wanted to go to flordia and be put in the spread offense. but what i noticed there is only like 20 plays which are run for every team. I was furious when i wanted to be colt brenan to find out that the computer ran wing T option the whole game.
And the current players should matter too. If i am a WR for Arkansas i except Darren mcfadden and felix jones to get 30-40 touches. If im a RB for texas tech i expect to get more receptions than rushes. PAsta this would turn the whole perception around CL.
1)entrance, 2)all uniforms, 3)lob passes, 4)button configurations from 07, 5) coaches on the sideline, 6) game day crew should be at the biggest game of the week, 7)corso put on the mascot head, 8)fix the play calling screen, 9)be able to shift offensive line, 10)make it so the players can run at angles, 11) bring the chain gang back, 12)better game tackling, 13) PS3 to run at 60 fps, 14) better player models, 15) black shields, 16) Florida State mascot should throw the spear down the middle of the field and Florida State black uniforms. EA PLEASE MAKE IT FOR THE PS3 FIRST AND DO NOT PORT. A TRUE FAN
is that a screen from NCAA 09?
I like playing defense better than playing on offense, so I would like to see some kind of tutorial that helps you get used to whatever position you play. for example, if you play CB having a “bubble” or circle underneath you that indicates how close you should be to your assaignment.
also I would like to see a “create your own celebration” option, if you controll the player you should be able to control the celebrations.
Another feature I would like in NCAA would be an option where you can talk to the coach and try to convince him to play you in different positions, punt/kick return, long snapper, trick plays, play both offense and defence. pretty much make you a more dinamic player, just so the game doesn’t become one dimensional.
are you going to address these ideas to EA? You should aggressively address these ideas, EA needs to make better games. Campus legend was a great idea, but done terribly
Pachin- I really like that idea of tutorials for the positions in Campus Legend, maybe EA could even implement some sort of mini-games into CL as part of your transition from high school to college. To add on that what would be cool is before the HS playoffs you went to an elite camp where these mini games/tutorials would be utilized. And just to add some more on what I said in my first post, why not let us play as someone on the O-line, TE, or even the Kicker? Sure they are not ’skill’ positions but it would still be cool to make the next Adam Vinetiari or Mike Vandershank….I mean Vanderjaqt lol.
Alex, that isn’t a pic from 09 but it does look really good doesn’t it!
great idea for online and I agree about that QB play.
Ever thought about having your player on the sideline rooting the team on when its either the defense’s or offense’s turn to play? I hated when I was playing superstar on Madden that when your player wasnt on the field at that time, the game was being fastend. It was really annoying because whats the point of fastening up the gameplay where you can just leave the option of where to just sim the plays that your player is not in on, or look at the team while they’re on the field from the sideline rooting them on at regular speed?
PADRE YOU GOTTA TELL SOMEONE HIGH UP IN EA SPORTS BECAUSE I DONT WANNA WAIT 2 YEARS FOR TEAM PLAY……THEY GOTTA DO IT NOW!!!!!
Bring back the Heisman presentation!!!
They have to ADD CO-OP back into the game. 4 players should be able to play on the same team if wanted. Its been in games since super nintendo and is a big part in how some people (like me) enjoy the game.
To even go further they should look to allow the 4 player co-op be done through online. Allowing 4 people to play a whole franchise together through online. BUT ATLEAST ALLOW IT OFFLINE FIRST.
DB’s/Wr’s/Qb’s play : They need to really work more on balancing out the play of these 3 positions.
QB’S: Should play more sparadic* overthrowing high/low. If coverage is good a few throw aways. There should be a bigger difference from playing a great qb to playing a average qb. Maybe a rating for short/medium/deep passing ability. Different throwing motion’s (aleast 3 over,side,3/4)
WR: More catch animation. (a comeback sideline catch is the most used play in football yet its not in any game YET) A great WR should get more attention towards him on both sides (human/CPu). If you have a great wr the cpu should no not to leave him man/man and try taking him away from the gameplan.
There should be a certain wr on every team that is the Qb’s “go to guy” and him and the qb should have a special connection (P Manning/M Harrison) and if you play a few years with that wr maybe develope a boost in awareness when passing to that particular wr (like after 1 year a +1 and 2nd year +2 ect…… so if you played full 4 years with a certain connection you would gain a +4,+5 when throwing to him due to playing together for so long.
Db: Need a big re-working. They should play more aware but not to the point of being magicians. They should not be able to break on a ball the without ever seeing it thrown. Better head tracking is a must.
I think if the qb’s passing can become more random and them not throw into coverage then the high # of int’s would go down. But as of right now the qb’s always try to throw to someone even if covered. And people used to complain about the ball just hitting the defensive players hands. I always understood why they did that cause if they made everyball that could be touched a into then Ncaa08/Madden08 would happen. High # of Int’s kinda ruined the game. I’d prefer the old knockdown the ball myself.
PRESENTATION :see NFL2K5 (but college style)
i disagree on 1 part..i think they should add MORE off field things so it doesnt feel like ur jus playing a football game every week otherwise its just like franchise except u control 1 person
I would still like to see a bit more on the recruiting aspect. I liked the high school games but it was a bit of a let down when you do well and then you can chose any school in the country. It would be nice to set your schools of interest and receive some pitches from those schools, or not. If you’re a pro-style QB chance are that a team which runs the spread-option is probably not the best fit and you should be recruited accordingly. It doesn’t need to be super in-depth but it would be cool to experience the recruiting process.
the main gripe is that Camera… Also have a full season of High School so you can make the player better and give him a better chance to go to a better school
My biggest request is that the playbook be relative to the team. If I create an option quarterback, I shouldn’t be limited to the Wing-T offense no matter what school I play for.
Along with that, playcalling needs to be completely redone. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to call timeout (as RB or WR) to get them to run the play that makes the most sense. Running a playaction pass (which in CL mode is always a sack) or a screen on 3rd an 1 is ridiculous.
Redo the QB AI (when not playing as QB) because the ball never gets thrown pass 5-10 yards and he holds the ball WAYYY too long and inevitably gets sacked.
More control as a WR. Utilize the “impact stick” feature that exists in Madden’s WR catch mode. Where you’re able to fake the DB by using the Right Stick. Being able to do that in a game would be more of a simulation of what a real WR does to a DB.
The ability to run back kicks/punts as a fast RB/WR/DB.
The ability to play as TE.
Make the actual moves on defense work (swim move, power move), I don’t know how many times as a DL or LB I’ve used a move that resulted in my being pancaked and the runner going right past me.
MAKE IT MORE REALISTIC!
*begin rant*
Whatever happened to “if it’s in the game, it’s in the game!” That used to be the calling card of EA Sports. Pre-game booth features in Madden, heck Sega Saturn (worst game system ever) even had a pre-season show with James Brown and every game had a video of Summerall and Madden talking. THAT WAS 10 years ago, and you’re telling me that now with all this technology that can’t do better than that?!?
Bring back the chain gangs and measure first downs, put all 7 officials on the field, get a cart when a player has a serious injury and cart him off, if you can do a GameDay presentation on PS2/Xbox, you can do it on PS3/360. ESPN the Magazine, Create-a-team AND Create-a-Stadium (Stadium expansion in college). Old versions of Madden had cut-a-way scenes to other games, BRING THAT BACK!
It’s also time to get bands on the field and do more pregame (onfield presentation). Get a sideline reporter (preferably Erin Andrews) and have her do reports and interviews.
2Ksports gameplay is horrible, but they are kicking EA Sports butts with their presentation, it’s unacceptable that we can’t get a weekly wrap-up.
*end rant*
Sorry Pasta, but I’ve been holding that back for years!
One more quick comment on off the field concerning CL, where is the interaction with the coaches? If I am not playing up to my potential why shouldn’t I be chewed out, or how about a coaching personality system where you can have coaches that coddle their players and would rather be their friend then their coach or a hard ass who is going to make you work to earn your spot.
i want to be able to do a roll out pass.
and be able to roll the pocket to either side if either of my tackles are getting beat by a good defensive end.come on ea let’s make it happen this year.PASTA you are the that can make it happen tell ea to read all of these request PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!1
another thing please fix the way u sub players in on the depth chart screen go back to highlight the player and press x get rid of using the r2 button.and make the sprint button x instead of r2 y change the buttons go back to 07.
Just wanted to say good job on this, and add that they need to add better off the field elements to the games, and make practice a whole lot better, right now it is garbage.
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
it would also make it better for the superstar if you could transfer to another school
In madden 09 i would like it if you could get endorcements from nike,adidas, or under armor
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.
you is right man.the play calling sucked ass.on defence the ai always got the ino’s
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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
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!!!!!!!
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
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.
I like the idea of sports center clips being shown after you’ve won or lost a big game
I t would be cool if white guy’s could have hair
i mean long hair
What if you could custimize your visor to fit you teams colors
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
YAH THE DRFAT IS HORRIbley done
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.
Online play would be the best. Also you should be able to transfer or get released or traded.
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.
or kicker or punter