Online Dynasty Disaster
July 21, 2008 by pastapadre
Online Dynasty in NCAA Football 09 was shaping up to be to be one of, if not the best new feature in a sports game in years. It had a true next-gen feel to it and into just the first week of the feature it had rejuvenated my interest in playing games against the CPU. The ability to have most of the games against the CPU offered the flexibility to progress a dynasty smoothly (unlike online leagues) while keeping the interactivity of having other users involved made it an exciting proposition.
Unfortunately the biggest feature for the game doesn’t appear to work right, as numerous reports of different things happening to wreck dynasties have been reported. That is the case with the Pastapadre Online Dynasty, which before week one could even be completed has seen an early death. I can no longer load into the dynasty as it just bumps me back to the main menu, and looking at the settings from the outside shows completely inaccurate settings and sliders.
Needless to say this is one of the most frustrating developments I’ve ever experienced when it comes to sports gaming. Previous years have brought terrible online performance though that was corrected with 09. Now the most anticipated and hyped feature doesn’t function correctly. And for those that haven’t had problems yet they’ll have to face anxiety each time they load it up. Not exactly the experience that was promised.
Along with the Online Dynasty problems there are a few other areas of concern, though minor in comparison. The Weather Channel feature hasn’t seemed to function since day one and the uploading of screenshots lately have not been working (though videos remain fine for whatever reason).
At this point even a patch can’t salvage the damage that has been done. I have little interest in restarting a dynasty from scratch. A few days ago I stated how enjoyable the game and new features were and how that would keep me playing through the release of Madden 09. Now it looks as though that won’t be happening.
I’m truely crushed by this development. I’m not sure where to go from here.
first.
That’s pathetic on EA’s part. Completely embarrassing.
The same thing has happened to me. Does anyone know how to fix it. I also feel the same way. i dont feel like creating another online dynasty. i will just wait till madden 09.
that is completely depressing…but on a lighter note…from what i have read from other’s problems with the online dynasty…it would seem to be a server problem and not so much a problem with the game that causes information to be shifted and changed…and new users to be placed into online dynasties that they are not a part of…nevertheless, if the feature isn’t working, then it is a total disaster…i really hope this is fixed…i really like the idea of recruiting against other players…
tried it… froze twice. the second time I went to load up my rosters and they were gone (had to download them all over again).
I had high hopes, but…
thy lost on this one
tried it… froze twice. the second time I went to load up my rosters and they were gone (had to download them all over again).
I had high hopes, but…
they lost on this one
Same thing happened with one of my dynasty’s. Now i’m stuck with an empty dynasty that cant be retired. Luckily I was not host of that one. Sorry Pasta.
Has EA released a statement concerning any of the problems of the game yet? I know Pasta will share when he finds something out!
Pasta-
I hope you are actually relaying your frustrations to your contacts at EA. This is seriously inexcusable, and they need to give us all an update as to what is happening. Sports games need to stop being shipped broken.
Son of a gun…….i was looking forward to it. I borrowed my brothers 360 just to make sure i wouldnt hold anyone up. Im ready to go for it if it works, or we try it again.
It is piss poor implementation though. This was their huge feature, what they put all their hopes on this year, and it doesnt even work right……..Shame
How in the hell can this get past all the testers? I mean even Pasta himself stated that he noticed some of the issues with the game WELL before it was released and NONE of them were fixed, This is horrible……this game had soooo much potential…..however, knock on wood, I havent had any problems with ANY of the 3 online dynasty’s that I am playing in.
Damn, this was a feature that I was really looking forward to. Granted, I hadn’t started an online dynasty yet (as the college football season gets nearer, I had planned on doing so) so I haven’t experienced the problems myself.
Here’s to hoping they get it in order quickly, although I know it doesn’t help you recover the loss of the work you put in getting your dynasty off and running. That ’s got to be frustrating.
And Pasta, “Where to go from here?”……………Madden. Do you think we’ll see the same BS from it?
Any word on patches to fix any of the said problems ie. sliders one kick returner. Not to mention I still can’t control who I have on my kick coverage team like I could on last-gen.
My friend and I got our OD wrecked too. We were in week 12 and it went to crap. I had 4 5stars committed (luck to say the least) and was ranked #8 in the country as Oklahoma State… I go from having the most fun in a really really long time with a game to being so angry I don’t even want to turn the xbox back on
Don’t use rosters and it will be fine.
I have never had a problem, just me and my two brothers. Maybe its all the different connections if you have like 10 people. thats hard to keep track of. THE GAME IS AWSOME THOUGH!
lol just wait… I know some people were able to keep going up into the second season before they crapped out.
Well Pasta, hate to hear that because I was really looking forward to it…if you DO decide to start up again once you have cooled off from being fired up….Sign me up and remember me for Madden too…..GAME ON EVERYONE
-PASTA
Seriously though….were ANY of these bugs discussed at the events you were at? Why did EA not address them? I mean just the simple stuff like the receivers dragging their toes 2 yards from the sideline……that shit is ridiculous!
damn tht sux..
did andbody actually think that the game was going to work? EA has yet to release a game that works on next gen. its the same thing every year. look at madden, the game had a huge bug that wouldn,t let you play multiple seasons in dynasty and it wasn’t fixed. the games are a mess and there is no competiton, so EA doesn’t have to do anything if they choose, and they will still sell the games because this is america and football is top dog here.
Truley dissapointing…Ncaa 09 has failed on so many level that I’m almost to the point where I think 08 was actually better (crazy right?)
Anwyays, I’m heading to an EA Sports conference in less than 2 weeks and I plan on putting together a report detailing as much feedback from the game as possible. And I’ll try to get it into the hands of some important people @ EA. I’ve been lurking this board, ncaastrategies, and Operations sports a lot just to get some good ideas of what I should be compiling together. Everything from glitches, complaints, feedback about AI, etc.
so if you have any specific requests and/or , you can email me at cpeyrovi@umd.edu
Zane wrote:
I pointed that one out at the early event I went to, not sure why it wasn’t addressed. Which other things are you looking at specifically? We couldn’t test out online dynasties. Even if we had been able to I doubt the results would’ve mirrored what people are seeing now.
Zane wrote:
I don’t think so, but I would’ve said the same thing about NCAA. I don’t go to events to be a tester. Madden felt like a clean game but there is no way to know until enough people get enough time in with it.
Luckily for me the online dynasty I’m in has work fine. It sucks that it isn’t working for everyone but in my opinion I still feel like the game is great even if you can’t get online dynasty to work.
Is it true though that if you don’t use rosters it won’t crash?
^^^^^^
Just please leave out the stupid stuff like wrong color outlining on a jersey, and stuff like that. We need to get back to what really matter, GAMEPLAY!
Zack wrote:
How is the game great if online dynasty doesnt work? That’s like saying the new Batman moive was great, even though they ran out of budget and could not use any scenes with the Joker, even though he is highly promoted in the moive. If something is broke, not working as advertised, then it is not great.
Geesh..keep playing long even and after your online dynasty crashes, because it will, then I’ll ask you again if the game you paid 60 dollars for is great and as advertised.
pastapadre wrote:
Pasta, I was just venting some frustration. I know for a fact that YOU pointed out a lot of these mistakes in one of your earlier posts after a hands-on event you attended. I just think it is ridiculous that the very things that you mentioned were not fixed. Like the defense….tip toe not even close to the sideline, punt/kickoff returns…..it is a total disaster. I mean I play the game and have somewhat of a decent time with it….but I just believe it is unacceptable when people like yourself point out these obvious flaws and EA refuses to address them.
I understand they wouldn’t have caught the online dynasty situation…..it sucks for all, I hope they can fix it but at this point I feel they would have to release a brand new game to fix all the bugs in this.
I’m thinking that the rosters probably have something to do with it…especially if people try to EDIT them…*smh* Having the rosters ADDS to the fun of the game and makes it more realistic but not at the expense of Online Dynasty….this truly SUCKS!! Hope we can get an explanation soon
All I can say is I would of bought this game with or without online dynasty. I can understand why some of you are mad but I still feel like the game is great for these reasons: 1a. Online- The online rank matches are very enjoyable this year w/o lag
1b. Gameplay- The gameplay is way better then year from tackling to catching to user catching on o and d.
2. Campus Legend- This is a very fun and addicting mode.
3. Mini Games- I love playing mini games and I actually like the new ones a lot.
4. Single Player Dynasty- Its not as good as online dynasty but it is still good.
*this
Zack wrote:
Sorry to say but comments like these are the reason EA can continue making games without fully testing them because they know ppl like yourself will buy them regardless if their much talked about new features dont work. Much different story when your spending your own money and not your parents..
I did buy this game out of my own money…
I’m not trying to make a excuse for EA I’m just saying the game is still good in my opinion.
It probably happened because the rosters you used were jacked up.
So I was wondering when this blog was going to come. Everybody else has been having issues and I figured it would happen to you at some point.
I think the funniest part (as in hit your funny bone on the edge of a table funny) is how exciting it is when you play that first game. You win that game and feel like your season is going well only to find out that the dynasty doesn’t work next time you log on.
I think EA is selling a flying car that doesn’t fly with NCAA09. Hopefully Madden doesn’t disappoint the same way.
where do you go from here? take your skills online and quit playing the CPU.
Oh…and I agree with Zack. The car still drives…even though flying would be much awesomer <—yes that’s a word.
Pasta
You may remember me from MN way back in the day. If you do you know I have been a commissioner of leagues as far back as I can remember with Madden. I got a group of guys together from my Madden league to take part in this and I have to say I am dissapointed once again. Here is the issues we currently face (PS3):
Almost half of the scores from the first week changed when advancing to the 2nd week, in one case a user team that lost actually got the win in the game. We havent had any lockout problems but something needs to be done. I fought and fought with EA over the Merge error fix for 3 years straight and they never fixed that feature. This is early enough that something may be able to do about it. We as a community of Gamers need to get an Email address or phone number of someone in Power over at EA and make it a point to bombard them with complaints about this until the issue is resolved. Enough people (especially people on this site and other online sites) have enough interest in the OD feature and for the money we all shell out every year to support this company they owe it to us to fix this in a timely manner. A patch may not even be needed to resolve this issue since the main issue is related to their servers. Perhaps an edit to the server can resolve this. But lets get together and make something happen here instead of just complaining to one another.
Got any info Pasta?
Mr. 707 wrote:
I’m done with you ppl. You guys just dont understand business and marketing. EA can do no wrong in your eyes. You’re not suppose to “settle” for imperfections when you are promised something else. Geesh…
Typical EA Sports BS. This is what happens when you give a company a monopoly on the video game rights to all of college and pro football. Pre-patched Madden was so bad last year that I went out and picked up ESPN NFL 2k5 for 2 bucks, downloaded a couple rosters, and was converted (I wasn’t a fan of 2k5 when it came out). I still love NCAA football, but I rented 09 rather than buying it, and I don’t anticipate buying 09 until the price plummets when 10 comes out. I don’t care about being a year behind - NCAA 08 was a very good game I thought and I had high expectations for 09. Shame on me for holding high expectations from EA Sports. I’m pretty certain I won’t be buying Madden this year, for a number of reasons - the only thing this year’s version have as an improvement over last year is that it’s playable out of the box instead of waiting 6 months for a patch, though, I never surprised anymore at how bad EA can fumble a franchise that set the golden standard for so many years.
^^^^^
But you also don’t have to buy the game. I am disappointed as well, but I chose to buy the game.
By the way, if you look back at the old posts, I called this when they first announced the feature. I laughed at all the people posting about how EA was so awesome and that NCAA was going to be the best game ever. I said there was no way that EA would get this feature right and that it would probably be broken.
Allow me to say I told you so.
Hopefully, more of you see the light and stop being EA sheep year in and year out. The games will only get better when EA starts feeling the pinch in their wallet.
Madden Nation 1 wrote:
Maybe I didn’t make myself clear enough. I’m not “sticking up” for EA. EA dropped the ball big time with the NCAA OD. The game is still playable though. I’ve come to realize that you can’t expect too much from these people because at the end of the day you’re expectations won’t be met.
Relax…Madden will be out in a couple of weeks. NCAA won’t be the topic of choice anymore when it does. So why get worked up about a game that’s going on the shelf when Madden comes out? I’ll save my energy for Madden…you should too.
I didn’t even bother buying the game this year. I can’t afford to spend 60 bucks for a game that I can’t even enjoy out the box. Maybe when they decide to patch it around November/December I may pick it up!
Madden Nation 1 wrote:
Why are you so angry? Gracious!!!! Is the game not fun at all to you, or are you just looking for something to complain about. I spent my hard earned money on the game, and yes it isn’t perfect, but it’s better than any football game I’ve played in years.
Implying that the people that read this board are ignorant about marketing is irrelevant. You’re just trying to make yourself feel smarter than everyone else, which is kinda sad.
There are 2 types of people in this world, those that complain, and those that don’t.
you would think that EA would test out at least a season or 2 in their online dynasty…or test out to see if rosters they work correctly. I have never come across a game that has had so many flaws/glitches.
EA should hire whoever developed the Madden series for the PS2/Xbox Gameplay was smooth and the dynasty/season mode was great.
Bradkaz96 wrote:
Yeah absoutely I remember you from back then man. So the latest is that an engineer from the NCAA team contacted me about it, got some info and such, and is looking into the issue. It sounds to me as if there is some sort of unnatural merging going on, which could explain both the problem with my dynasty and the problem with those that are having scores show up wrong. I’m not sure what (if anything) will come of it, but they are actively trying to get this figured out.
He wants a game where you can stand in a plastic bubble and actually be IN the game. That’s the only way he’ll be satisfied.
If, by some miracle, they actually patch the OD then they game will be great so be patient and hope for the best. Getting mad at people who are looking at the glass as half full isn’t going to help your blood pressure.
In a way I’m kind of glad that this feature is a failure. Maybe this will teach EA a lesson not to focus all their time on Online features & focus on other things such as interactive improved sidelines, refs, chaingangs, presentation, etc…I’m sure a lot of people love online dynasty & this is no knock to you but a lot of people don’t play online. So how about EA focusing on having everything that a real life football game has in it before adding anymore features. On a side note, I bought ESPN NFL 2K5 yesterday from Gamespot for $1. I REPEAT $1! I was blown away on how detailed that game was & how far ahead of it’s time it was with presentation. That game is still better that Madden 08 on Next Gen & it came out in 04! The game is backwards compatable so you can play it on your 360. I felt like I was watching a real life televised football game. EA has yet to come close to the level of realism, detail, and presentation. Oh & I’m not a 2K fanboy, I’ve been loyal to EA since the early 90’s.
Josh wrote:
I disagree…I’d rather they focus on the gameplay. Just imagine if they would have focused on all the things you want. The online stuff would be more F’d up then it is now.
Now the real question is if you should buy Madden…
I don’t know where I read it at, but someone theorized that if the roster file was faulty or if members made appearance edits to their players, it would corrupt the OD.
My OD has worked just fine. We are using a partially named roster file and no one has made appearance edits to players.
cdj wrote:
I think the point is why should anyone have to half ass theirselves on all the options that are suppose to be available to you just to get the game to work? There isn’t any acceptable reason as to why anyone should have to troubleshoot a game that you purchased for your enjoyment in order to get any enjoyment. That’s like buying a brand new car but you can’t drive over 40mph or it’ll cut off so you have to scacrifrice. It just isn’t acceptable!
I thought the field was supposed to be degradable this year? What happened with that? Sounds like a lot of false advirtising from EA to me.
LOL…whats with all the car metaphors? I totally agree though.
Madden Nation 1 wrote:
We aren’t saying that the online dynasty is acceptable but the rest of the game is still fun. You can still play online games, it’s not like the entire online feature is down. Plus the game plays great in terms of what really matters which is gameplay, it’s the best football gameplay to date. So we just have to get over the fact that online dynasty doesn’t work, does that suck? OF COURSE! But I think we need to look at the bigger picture which is EA finally got a great playing football game out. It was the first time anyone tested an online dynasty, there were bound to be some problems. This is only the first step and it will continue to get better from here on out. Until next year I say we all enjoy what is a very fun football game to play. Again I’m not saying that this is acceptable but we just have to move on and try to focus on the possitive.
I guess this may be the reason that the EAsports online dynasty journal on their site never made it into publication past the first week?
These games are being rushed. They aren’t thoroughly testing anything. They have community events when the product is done. They need to just put the demo up in January and allow all the consumers to be beta testers instead of a controlled group of people who may not even care what they’re playing as long as they get a check!
Ryan wrote:
I understand your perspective but if the game was free then I would definitely cosign. Because people are paying for this you can’t expect people to just sit and be happy with what they get. Especially when they were being told what was new and implemented only to buy it and its broken. Its kind of a slap in the face.
EA has to address this. It’s on the back of the box. They have to get to the bottom of it and make it work. The issue seems server related as it’s something that happens when in working with the server. It’s not like the games are ending and all out of whack.
If they don’t fix this, EA Sports will be given yet another digital black eye.
Umm…Madden nation 1. I’m kind of confused on your stance. I’m saying exactly what you just said. Maybe you misunderstood me.
Nevermind…I’m confusing myself right now.
Same has happened to my dynasty. My friend and I got to week 7 before it crashed. We had it on 3 minutes and Varsity to get a feel for the game and now it says All American 5 minutes and 8 guys that are neither myself nor my friend. Worst part is that I also was the commish of it so now I’m stuck with an online dynasty that I can’t even take part in. Needless to say, I’m not very happy about the situation.
SquiFi, that sounds very similar to what happened to 2K Sports when they first put out leagues with trades. Trades were happening on teams that weren’t even done. People made trades and they’d show up in other leagues.
It must be something with relating the information to the server, which I would think is fixable.
I luv how people are saying ohh well time for madden… Im not bashing but over the past years EA has dissapointed on every game I’ve bought. And now with the ‘09 series they screwed up the first one with NCAA, what makes people think Madden is going to be any different. Last years Madden IMO was horrible seeing as how I’m a franchise guy. And I’ve completely lost faith in EA, yea Madden will be great for the first hour but when you calm down and try to enjoy the game as a whole I bet you’ll notice bugs and glitchces that make the game unplayable. That’s why this year I rent each game for a $1 a day for about 3 days so I dont have to surrender $60 to EA. I’m just venting because the reason I got a next gen system is because I’m a huge sports gamer other games really don’t spark my interest execpt for a couple… yet the only game I actually like to play is nba2k8 (can’t wait for 09) and even that game has some bugs but its actually playable. I HOPE EA proves me wrong with Madden ‘09 and makes me eat my words.
Blazelore wrote: