Thoughts on the NCAA Football 09 features
April 3, 2008 by pastapadre
The release of the first big NCAA Football 09 feature list has brought about a great deal of optimism. It seems as though many things from previous versions along with other wishlist type features have made their way in. So I thought I’d go over my reaction to a handful of the features and what they could mean for the this year.
Wide open gameplay: This is something that I’m really looking forward to. Since the 05 titles it has bothered me how the the football video games feel somewhat scripted and that they’ve lacked the “anything can happen” excitement of the sport. From watching football games you see those things (especially so in college) but never experience them in video games. Other than deep bombs there has been little to no opportunity for explosive plays. I think back to watching highlights of Reggie Bush and how I knew that much of what he did wasn’t possible to pull off in the games. I want to see those things and know that a big play can happen at any time.
Home Field Advantage: This return of HFA alone makes me more excited about NCAA than Madden. Atmosphere accented by HFA are sorely lacking in Madden but it appears that NCAA will improve greatly in those areas. While some people felt the previous attempt at HFA in NCAA was overdone I found it added to realism and ultimately made things more fun while presenting a unique challenge with each game on the schedule.
Roster sharing: Finally a hit to those people who have profited (in some cases tens of thousands of dollars) off rosters. Now the rosters will be passed around freely and to a much wider audience. I didn’t even bother going through the process of getting the rosters named last year and ultimately my interest in the game waned because of it. The question now is whether it will be like the EA Locker in March Madness or 2K Share in College Hoops. With the locker you have to be on a person’s friends list but with share it is held on a server where anyone can grab it. Either way it’ll really be a big thing for the game.
Online dynasty: Something people have been asking for now for a long time makes it in. This is certainly a big project so hopefully EA has things worked out for it. First of all the online play performance will need to be improved, otherwise it could end up as a big waste of time. I’d look for a max of 16 user controlled teams (which would be more than sufficient) and the ability to do basically anything that comes with an offline dynasty in the online ones.
Mascot games: I’ve always been bothered by elitist attitudes that belittle the merits of mascot mode and the people who enjoy them. I’m one of the people who like it and I’m not ashamed to admit it. With quick games against a friend sometimes it’s just more entertaining that way. There are very few resources spent in putting the mascot games together and it doesn’t take away from other aspects of the game. Regardless of what some will claim it is actually enjoyed by many people. Ultimately I’d even like to have mascot games available for online play.
College atmosphere: Really this ties into home field in my mind but they mention things like the dynamic crowds and sidelines. For the sidelines I’ll just be happy if they don’t detract from the experience. I don’t expect anything extraordinary but as long as they aren’t comically bad as they have been it’ll be an improvement.
Return missed field goals: Sounds like it could be fun to see once in a while but here is my concern. The kicking game has always been over-powered. The only time you really see any come up short is 50+ yards. Field goals are just too easy and unless they are made more difficult then I doubt there will be many opportunities for returning missed ones (although the CPU may miss more than other user controlled teams). The positive aspect is that it will make people think before attempting field goals that may be out of range.
I’m very excited about this year’s release after finding out about these new features especially when combined with the screenshot and video uploading via EA Sports World and the Campus Legend mode. Possibly more excited than for any game I can remember in the past three years or so. NCAA 08 was the best football game available for playing offline but they have an opportunity now to make it the premiere all-around football game besting Madden.
Of course there are still many “ifs” to consider. Will online performance and options be better than last year’s inexcusable experience? Will the CPU AI avoid throwing 6 INTs every game? Can you navigate menus and the depth charts without severe button lag? Will there be some improvements to the already strong Campus Legend mode?
Usually I anticipate NCAA Football in large part because it’s the first football game to come out after months of playing none. Then Madden comes and I just don’t find much motivation to continue playing it. But with the addition of online dynasties and roster sharing along with the return of a home field advantage the anticipation is going to be off the charts as the release nears. It’ll be interesting to see if that is enough to challenge for time when Madden and even Head Coach roll out.
nice write up. I too, was wondering about the online dynasties. Hopefully they’ve been working on this for a couple of years now so that it is up to expectations. I wonder how long the dynasties will last. one year? two? 5? ten? it’ll be interesting to find out.
Oh God, you like the mascot games? Ok, to each their own, but still the absence of FCS is INEXCUSABLE.
MontanaGRIZ wrote:
I am an Eastern Illinois Football fan but I don’t mind missing the FCS in NCAA 09. There would just be lower ratings and less accuracy like those level teams get in the March Madness and College Hoops. Personally, I would like to see some all-conference and classic teams from the past sort of thing and have it done very well.
Pasta has the idea ever came up (for madden specifically) of at least an option to change the play clock time? With 5 minute quarters i’ve seen people waste the entire 4th quarter with 2 first downs with a 40 second play clock. I always wondered why there was never an option to lower it to say 25 seconds.
I hope they fix the recruiting. Yes it was more in depth last year, but it was WAY too time consuming in my opinion. Slowed down the game way too much. I really didn’t mind the simple recruiting before last year’s
I never got the hate of mascot games. They don’t take up any space. All mascot teams have the same ratings, not to mention the mascots and player positions are already in the game. It was always fun playing with Syracuse and laughing as Otto the beachball catches balls above his head.
I’d like to see those leather helmets back again, those were real fun.
I think they are heading in the right direction, but it doesnt matter what list they release until they can implement it. Im hopeful they can pull it off
Where are the FCS teams? It’s inexcusable that they’re available on the PS2 and Wii versions but not on the 360 and PS3.
I just want to see an improved presentation all around for the game. I was looking for the pre-game show with Corso, Herbstreit an Nesler an I found some pitiful screen that only shows their picks but they dont talk about it an Corso didn’t put on his Mascot head. Other than the sub-par presentaion the game was great(PS3)
WHAT ABOUT THE WII!!! They haven’t said anything about it. I think it SHOULD NOT be a ps2 port it’s stupid! I hope that on that features list on the wii they’ll have a post game presentation!! IM SO MAD!!!
I would like to see them put the tunnel entrances back in… it always got me more pumped up to play when the players were waiting in the tunnel with the smoke and then run onto the field….
MontanaGRIZ wrote:
I can certainly understand the desire to have them included, but I’ve seen people suggesting that the mascot games are basically taking their place. Which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Lets hope other cool things return as well. I saw smart routes coming back which to me is exciting and if the O line audibles return as well I’ll be very happy.
And additional camera views…
Pasta said: “Usually I anticipate NCAA Football in large part because it’s the first football game to come out after months of playing none. Then Madden comes and I just don’t find much motivation to continue playing it. But with the addition of online dynasties and roster sharing along with the return of a home field advantage the anticipation is going to be off the charts as the release nears. It’ll be interesting to see if that is enough to challenge for time when Madden and even Head Coach roll out.”
Sorry to say, but that describes me as well.
I posed a question in your previous “NCAA features” thread RE: NCAA features = Madden features. I would like to get your thoughts on that, either here or there.
Thanks
PTR
Ah, PTR I just replied to your comment in the other topic.
Are referees in the game?
Pasta, one thing that has bothered me and I’m sure many others is how EA pulls this crap about “adding new features” when most of the features they are promoting as “new” have been in last gen titles. This basically sounds like NCAA 04 all over again. Although I’m happy that after 4 years they’re finally starting to understand that you can’t pull the wool over our eyes with pretty graphics forever. Overall I’m please to hear that they are finally getting on the ball, but PLEASE PASTA, TELL ME THE PUT REFEREES & CHAIN GANG BACK IN! This is something that is a MUST! No matter what they add to the game, I just can’t even take the game serious without REFS & CHAIN GANGS.
Why can’t they fix the playclock? It’s too long for 5 minute quarters!!!
The game sounds amazing and i hope it will be as advertised but you never know untill the game comes out!I still want them to put the correct entrances in like clemson running down the hill and notre dame smacking there sign etc.
I think NCAA 07 was the best in the series IMO. I like the player highlight feature when your player in in the zone an the game slows down for you to make a great play.
Pasta you are absolutely fooling yourself if you think for 1 second that the online dynasty will anything close to what offline dynasty is. I GUARANTEE online dynasty= online league where you select your team and all you will have are standings. No recruiting, no stat tracking,etc. It will be EXACTLY like the leagues in NHL this year.
Bumble14 wrote:
At least your expectations will be exceeded then, I fully believe the feature is going to be much more than that. We’ll see…
Is the PS3 version going to be worth getting? I own a PS3 as of now, but have tried to play nhl 08, but the framerate was so bad I couldn’t play it for more than a minute….. I know they say it will be 60fps, but does this mean it will take a hit graphically on the PS3?
pastapadre wrote:
I seriously hope you are right. The problem is EA’s track record on the 360/PS3 for sports games has been beyond poor. We have yet to get a football game on either system that has eclipsed the feature set/innovations of the last generation. As much as people don’t want to admit it, the only improvement we have seen in these titles the last 3 years has been graphics.
pastapadre wrote:
Got it!
Thanks.
Pasta, have you heard anything about referees and chain gangs being on the field this year? I know it may not be a big deal to some, but it absolutely amazes me how something as basic & important to a football game continues to be left out but yet they can find time to add all these other gimicky features. I know there has been an adjustment period for developers on next gen games & I also understand that when you only have less than a year to develop a game there’s only so much you can add to it but this is the 4th year & it’s way overdue. Afterall we had refs & chain gangs on Madden ‘92.
Any word on what schools will be getting alternates?
hey pasta i have a question have you heard if they are going to bring back create a team mode cuz me and alot of other people loved that mode so we could create our highschool teams and such. thanks
Josh wrote:
Sorry I don’t know anything specific on those things.
Dylan wrote:
I don’t think they’re done announcing features for the game but I suspect if create-a-team was in this year it would’ve made that list.
Josh wrote:
BTW just as an interesting note your comment was the 10,000th made on the site. Congrats!
what does he win? lol jk
pastapadre wrote:
I thought you were going to say it was the 10,000th time someone asked about referees. I would believe that. Ha. Congrats, Josh!
I also want to know if there are alternate uniforms in the game because I want to play as Ga. in their BlackOut Jerseys. I noticed in Madden ( Don’t remember NCAA doing it) that when you changed the uniform for one team(PS3) you couldn’t do it for the other team. One or the other always changed back to the default uniform. I know things like this may seem trivial, but to me I need all the little things in the game that makes the game a real experience that almost seems like you are really in the game.
looks like someone is a fan of your site seems like this guy mostly just copied over what you wrote. also how is this a first look when they havent even seen the game lol
http://www.operationsports.com/preview.php?id=29
Do you know if the celebrations are making a return like the ones from NCAA 07 for the PS2
lakeallen wrote:
Don’t hate on OS, they support Pasta Padre’s site by posting links to his stories. Also they write strong original stuff all the time.
Pasta do u know anything about the teams that get alternate jerseys? if they dont include all of oregons jerseys i am gonna scrreamm!!!
Nice comments Pastapadre. You always seem to get good scoops and info. I prefer NCAA over Madden and I love the wide open feel this game is supposed to have. Last year’s game lacked that special feeling that some of the older PS2 games had. Hopefully the playbooks will be better and the cpu will bomb away without throwing tons of picks.
I like the features but I am like most people — These are features that should have been included two years ago. There is nothing really new.
I don’t understand why they can’t take all of the good additions from years past, such as team-specific entrances, classic teams, classic uniforms, etc. and add things such as accurate bowl game stadiums and end zones, improved gameplay and presentation.
I am excited to see all of these elements but don’t get sucked in to thinking this is all new…..
For everyone thinking that online leagues will just be like NHL’s I wrote in Peter Moore’s blog and he answered me with this.
Here’s what Dale Jackson, our Executive Producer for Madden NFL told me:
“Year after year, the discussion of league play and stat tracking has been a recurring theme in feedback on Madden. Madden NFL 09 will address this feedback directly. Without giving too much away, let’s just say that those who enjoy online stats won’t be disappointed. Based on the amount we see this requested in forums, we’re very excited about our features we have planned here.”
Think this may be the year my friends.
thanks for answering my question pasta but i sure hope you will be wrong ha
Pasta, you may not know the answer to this but it’s worth asking. I’ve read all the responses and I think we’re all wondering why it is that in the “next-gen” transition why all features don’t just get transferred over. What can you say to this point?
i dont understand what roster sharing is… is it where players will actually have thier real names???
Brandon wrote:
They said there would be 50 or so alternates, if they included all of Oregon’s various options there wouldn’t be room for anyone else.
Shomari wrote:
When you build a game from the ground up as EA did you have to re-do all those features. It isn’t as simple as just transfering them over.
Uncle Hershell wrote:
Yeah you’ll be able to pull off a set of named rosters. In the past you’d even see the names when you played online.
thnx but i dont have online but will i still be able to get the real names and not the generated names/numbers?
coogrfan wrote:
Oregon only has like maybe 3 alternate jerseys.
Teams with alternate jerseys. Can People fill in how many each team has to see if there are actually 50 or over 50 that should be in the game?
Air Force No
Akron
Alabama No
Arizona Yes 1
Arizona State No
Arkansas No
Arkansas State
Army No
Auburn No
Ball State
Baylor
Boise State No
Boston College No
Bowling Green
Buffalo
BYU No
California Yes 2
Central Michigan
Cincinnati
Clemson Yes ?
Colorado Yes?
Colorado State
Connecticut
Duke
Eastern Michigan
ECU
FIU No
Florida Yes
Florida Atlantic No
Florida State Yes
Fresno State Yes
Georgia Yes
Georgia Tech Yes
Hawaiʻi Yes
Houston Yes?
Idaho No
Illinois Yes
Indiana Yes
Iowa No
Iowa State Yes 2
Kansas Yes 1
Kansas State No
Kent State Yes?
Kentucky Yes
Louisiana Tech
Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Monroe
Louisville Yes
LSU No
Marshall Yes
Maryland Yes
Memphis Yes
Miami Yes
Miami University
Michigan No
Michigan State No
Middle Tennessee
Minnesota Yes
Mississippi State Yes
Missouri Yes
Navy Yes
NC State Yes
Nebraska NO
Nevada
New Mexico
New Mexico State
North Carolina Yes
North Texas Yes
Northern Illinois No
Northwestern Yes
Notre Dame Yes
Ohio Yes
Ohio State No
Oklahoma No
Oklahoma State Yes
Ole Miss Yes
Oregon Yes
Oregon State Yes
Penn State No
Pittsburgh Yes
Purdue No
Rice
Rutgers Yes
San Diego State
San Jose State
SMU Yes
South Carolina Yes
South Florida No
Southern Miss
Stanford No
Syracuse Yes
TCU Yes
Temple No
Tennessee Yes
Texas No
Texas A&M Yes
Texas Tech Yes
Toledo
Troy
Tulane
Tulsa
UAB
UCF Yes
UCLA No
UNLV Yes
USC No
Utah
Utah State
UTEP Yes
Vanderbilt Yes
Virginia Yes
Virginia Tech Yes
Wake Forest Yes
Washington No
Washington State Yes
West Virginia Yes
Western Michigan
Wisconsin Yes
Wyoming
Arizona has 6 different uniform combos.
Navy jersey/white pants
Navy jersey/navy pants
Red jersey/white pants
Red jersey/navy pants
White jersey/navy pants
White jersey/white pants
I’m just saying this cuz I’m an Arizona fan, & I would love if they had all the alternates for each team in the game. What they should do is make the option to select what color jerseys & what color pants you want, and for those teams that have more than 1 color helmet to select that too. Imagine the possibilities for Oregon…
Kenny wrote:
I could almost imagine the possibilities for Oregon too
It would be cool if there was create a stadium. You could pick any colors, what type of stadium and ect. It would be a nice addition to go along with create a team. Does anyone else agrre with me?
***agree***
Pasta do u think this would be a good idea?
Dude i don’t think i have ever been this excited for NCAA to come out the running engine and tackling engine and open field thing look amazing check out this video of some cool tidbits http://youtube.com/watch?v=c8O-5rGPkAs check it out and pasta what do you know about campus legend because i mostly play that so i’m curious
I Cant wait to return missed feild goals
me either
Buckeye_football_28 wrote:
What Do you mean me either