EA Announces First 3D Sports Strategy Game -- NFL Head Coach

[bob]

Sorry if it has already been posted:

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/051017/175423.html?.v=1

Become a Coaching Legend in a New Strategy-Based Football Franchise from the Makers of Madden NFL Football


REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2005--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) announced today that NFL Head Coach ((1) working title) will be available in stores in spring 2006, under the EA SPORTS(TM) brand. NFL Head Coach is in development in Orlando, Fla. by EA Tiburon, makers of other NFL properties including Madden NFL Football and NFL STREET. The new exclusive deal with the NFL has allowed EA to build this franchise and work with all coaches in the NFL Coaches Club.

"NFL Head Coach, the third pillar in our NFL portfolio, was developed to satiate all those Monday morning quarterbacks and fantasy football fanatics," said Dale Jackson, Executive Producer, EA Tiburon. "NFL Head Coach is an entirely new football experience that every level of football gamer can play. It provides the strategy that the hardcore fan will demand, but with very easy-to-use controls and assistance for more casual fans. Football will no longer be intimidating for the casual user."

NFL Head Coach reinvents football gaming by introducing the first 3D strategy sports game that challenges gamers to build and manage every aspect of a football team from the ground up. A simple conversation system and an engaging 3D graphical interface allow users to immerse themselves into the lives of an NFL head coach. As head coach, you develop a team strategy, execute it on and off the field, and try to build a winning organization year after year. Your status as a coaching legend will rise and fall based on all of your actions as you strive to become the greatest head coach of all time. Behind the desk, on the practice field, or while wearing the headset on game days, take the reins of your favorite NFL team and lead it to victory.

NFL Head Coach will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, and PC-CD. This product is not yet rated by the ESRB.

[Ben E Lou]

I wonder if this is what Joe Stallings is working on.

[WrongWay]

The coutdown begins.

[MalcPow]

Interesting news, I know there had been rumors of an EA sim, but this announcement brings some official weight to that gossip. I hope the "fantasy football fanatic" verbiage is for marketing purposes only, and the game itself will be geared more towards those around here, but that might be too much to ask from the evil empire. I think a serious sim would sell well (see FM), I'm just not sure I buy that EA thinks that.

[Izulde]

*Very* intriguing news.

[wade moore]

Ill watch this with cautious optimism...

[jeff061]

How good can the interface be if it's being developed for the PS2 and XBox as well.

[cuervo72]

A simple conversation system and an engaging 3D graphical interface allow users to immerse themselves

For some reason, I just had Cinemaware flashbacks...

[stevew]

Well, at least there will be a football sim this fall for sure.

[Ben E Lou]

Well, at least there will be a football sim this fall for sure.Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) announced today that NFL Head Coach ((1) working title) will be available in stores in spring 2006, under the EA SPORTS(TM) brand.http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif

[stevew]

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif
Close enough.

[moriarty]

I don't want to sound negative ... but prepare to be disappointed.

[stevew]

How did JB get scooped on this story, also. Must have been out partying all night or somesuch.

[Barkeep49]

While I don't have much hope for this edition I am hopeful that a couple years down the road this could be a fun product.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

Sounds like junk to me, I mean they're making to for the PS2....

[Neon_Chaos]

Available for PC-CD, THANK GOD. I hate playing strategy games on consoles.

Now, will the PC version be a port of the console version (like almost all EA Sports titles), or will they PC version have it's own sense of being!? :D

[Hurst2112]

They are just gonna repack FOF2002 with 3D glasses.

[Maple Leafs]

For some reason, I just had Cinemaware flashbacks...
Would that be a bad thing?

I want me some fake commercials before each game...

[Johnny93g]

so what comes out first....This game, BBCF, or the new FOF game everyone is convinced is just around the corner :p

[WSUCougar]

I don't get the 3D aspect...does it just refer to the games being played out in 3D after the coaching strategies are set? Or does it have a console-style player control element?

[gottimd]

Are there any other details behind it, screenshots, demo's, etc or is it just a "Hey, look what we are doing...." press release?

[Emiliano]

NFL Head Coach reinvents football gaming by introducing the first 3D strategy sports game that challenges gamers to build and manage every aspect of a football team from the ground up. A simple conversation system and an engaging 3D graphical interface allow users to immerse themselves into the lives of an NFL head coach. As head coach, you develop a team strategy, execute it on and off the field, and try to build a winning organization year after year. Your status as a coaching legend will rise and fall based on all of your actions as you strive to become the greatest head coach of all time. Behind the desk, on the practice field, or while wearing the headset on game days, take the reins of your favorite NFL team and lead it to victory.
Mmm... Let's hope... I'm not too optimistic about it, but...

[gottimd]

A simple conversation system? Not a complicated Sim engine?


So will it be:

Do you want to trade with me? Circle yes or no.

[jeff061]

But it will be heavily influenced by how many relationship points you have built up with each GM. Or how about those fabulous dinner dates you can bring those in demand free agents on?

I think that's the market EA shoots for.

[cuervo72]

Would that be a bad thing?

I want me some fake commercials before each game...

Not at all - Cinemaware games were fantastic.

(and I didn't actually ever play TV Sports Football, but the dialogue line had me thinking of trying to woo the scientist's daughter when you meet here in the zeppelin in Rocket Ranger. :) )

[Icy]

I always wondered myself why EA didn't publish a football or NBA GM game knowing the sales success they have with Total Club Manager at least in Europe (the soccer manager game based on the FIFA 3D engine).

Of course the game will be crap if you're looking for deep, but it will be a top seller for the ocasional joystick fan who wants to become a manager without needing to think a lot. That is exactly TCM for soccer, a bunch of awesome ideas to try to compete with Sigames and their FM but that ends being a joke year by year. Their only selling point for TCM is that it uses the 3D engine from FIFA but at the end, the players play as they want and the manager options don't work at all, something that a casual fan won't notice while hypnoticed by the 3D graphs, but that a text simmer would hate.

[Bee]

so what comes out first....This game, BBCF, or the new FOF game everyone is convinced is just around the corner :p

My guess...Arlie will announce BBCF abouth two weeks in advance of release. Jim will show up a week before that and announce TCY2 has been released. The EA game will get delayed and then cancelled.

[Ajaxab]

Icy hit the nail on the head. Although I haven't tried TCM in the last couple of iterations, I returned the version I got a few years back as it was complete rubbish. The 3D engine worked okay, but got really repetitive after a few games.

I think that's the problem with any kind of management game that decides to head in the 3D direction at this point given our current technology. There simply can't be enough animations in the engine to make the games variable and still have a sensible statistical engine behind the eye candy.

I'm skeptical on this one given that EA has to go for the lowest common denominator to generate the most sales, but maybe a few generations down the road, EA might be onto something.

[Mustang]

The Sims - "NFL"

[Emiliano]

I always wondered myself why EA didn't publish a football or NBA GM game knowing the sales success they have with Total Club Manager at least in Europe (the soccer manager game based on the FIFA 3D engine).

Of course the game will be crap if you're looking for deep, but it will be a top seller for the ocasional joystick fan who wants to become a manager without needing to think a lot. That is exactly TCM for soccer, a bunch of awesome ideas to try to compete with Sigames and their FM but that ends being a joke year by year. Their only selling point for TCM is that it uses the 3D engine from FIFA but at the end, the players play as they want and the manager options don't work at all, something that a casual fan won't notice while hypnoticed by the 3D graphs, but that a text simmer would hate.
I totally agree with Icy.

[lighthousekeeper]

The Sims - "NFL"
For some reason, I wouldn't be surprised if this came to be.

[albionmoonlight]

Football will no longer be intimidating for the casual user.
Have you known any "casual users" to be intimidated by Madden. Isn't a sports console game about the most comfortable, non-intimidating game out there?

I don't even know what they mean by that statement.

[Raiders Army]

Madden is getting to the point that I would imagine that it would be hard to "pick up and play". I get this feeling every time I play a FPS. Everyone is so good that I just quit after a few minutes of not knowing who the hell killed me.

[Darkiller]

this is *interesting*.

1 - I like the fact EA sports looks into this field of football games.
2- Still, I worry about the "head-coach" terminology used here, as I'd be more comfortable if they would say something like "put yourself in the General Manager's seat" istead of Head-coach. Pretty significant difference in my opinion.
3- you have to be both intrigued and worried about EA making its own version of FOF (FOF for retarded ?)

[wade moore]

Icy hit the nail on the head. Although I haven't tried TCM in the last couple of iterations, I returned the version I got a few years back as it was complete rubbish. The 3D engine worked okay, but got really repetitive after a few games.

I think that's the problem with any kind of management game that decides to head in the 3D direction at this point given our current technology. There simply can't be enough animations in the engine to make the games variable and still have a sensible statistical engine behind the eye candy.

I'm skeptical on this one given that EA has to go for the lowest common denominator to generate the most sales, but maybe a few generations down the road, EA might be onto something.
This kind of hits on my thoughts...

but what I often wonder is do I WANT a 3d sim? I don't see myself sitting in front of an hour or two of watching a game and just staring at it..

The only way I see this being entertaining is if it was done in a "sportscenter" style, not watching the game from start to finish...

Either that or maybe the old x's and o's running around.. honestly, that would do it for me...

[corbes]

Either that or maybe the old x's and o's running around.. honestly, that would do it for me...
That's what I want -- the x's and o's, like 1985 NFL Challenge. Add that to FOF, let me call the plays -- that's what I want.

[QuikSand]

It's a console game, that will be ported for the PC. That's how they do.

I think the genre benefits from all additions, and perhaps there will be some joystick jockeys who find this intriguing enough to start them looking for a real management sim... but I rather doubt that's what this is going to be. This one will be on my "wait and see" list... but not even at the top.

[cuervo72]

Madden is getting to the point that I would imagine that it would be hard to "pick up and play". I get this feeling every time I play a FPS. Everyone is so good that I just quit after a few minutes of not knowing who the hell killed me.

Honestly, I tried Madden a few years ago for the Playstation (think it was the playstation), and I couldn't run the ball, couldn't complete a pass, and quickly gave up. I have Madden 2004 for the PC, but the only thing I do there is uniforms (and I've not done that for quite some time either).

[Ben E Lou]

I have confirmation that Joe Stallings is the producer for this one. At least they have someone on the point who is intimately familiar with the text sim genre. {shrug}

[Ajaxab]

but what I often wonder is do I WANT a 3d sim? I don't see myself sitting in front of an hour or two of watching a game and just staring at it..

That is another great point. One of the great things about the text sim is the pace. You can get through a lot of games in a short amount of time. This advantage would obviously get lost in a 3d sim where you sit and watch an entire game for an hour or two. FM does the best job of keeping a solid pace of play while integrating managerial and player moves in a way that makes sense to the user.

I don't know about others, but I'm curious as to just how many gamers really use the franchise options on their console games. I wonder how many seasons on average a console sports game career goes for the normal player. If EA's NFL sim requires one to sit down for an hour or two watch a game at the same pace as Madden, I can't see it working for people who want a long career.

TCM has a quick sim option that allows you to bypass watching the whole game, but people have reported that the stat engine for quick sims is much different than for watching the whole game. I'm still not convinced it can be done given today's tech.

[Barkeep49]

I have confirmation that Joe Stallings is the producer for this one. At least they have someone on the point who is intimately familiar with the text sim genre. {shrug}
That's a generous description to say the least.

[MalcPow]

I have confirmation that Joe Stallings is the producer for this one. At least they have someone on the point who is intimately familiar with the text sim genre. {shrug}

Hopefully EA's ownership of every license imaginable will allow him to avoid some of his earlier troubles with copyrighted material. :rolleyes:

[stevew]

Honestly, I tried Madden a few years ago for the Playstation (think it was the playstation), and I couldn't run the ball, couldn't complete a pass, and quickly gave up. I have Madden 2004 for the PC, but the only thing I do there is uniforms (and I've not done that for quite some time either).
Yeah, i bought 2005 the other day for 10 bucks, and thought that i could have a fun time with it. After trying to run any kind of semblance of an offense or defense for a couple quarters, i quickly put it on the shelf, and now use it for screenshots.

[Draft Dodger]

I have confirmation that Joe Stallings is the producer for this one. At least they have someone on the point who is intimately familiar with the text sim genre. {shrug}

we're all familiar with the phrase "biting your tongue"?

well my fingers are chewed down to little nubs to avoid typing what I want to type here...

[Zippo]

I would love to see an NBA version of this.

[Ben E Lou]

I have confirmation that Joe Stallings is the producer for this one. At least they have someone on the point who is intimately familiar with the text sim genre. {shrug}Correction: one of the producers.

[stevew]

I would love to see an NBA version of this.
Yeah, NBA games dont really play well on a console or computer, it invariably breaks down to you driving and dunking, or launching 3's. it would be cool to coach a team, to actually see how they execute on the floor, run your rotations, etc. I never played football organized, so i dont know many of the nuances(what to use vs different types of coverages, etc), whereas i played a ton of basketball, and know the game better.

[Bee]

Looking forward to druez's review...

[Ben E Lou]

Looking forward to druez's review...:D

[NoMyths]

Correction: one of the producers.Does this mean we'll have a "Springtime for Hitler" endzone dance to look forward to? ;)

[GrantDawg]

I refuse to let myself be hopefull on this. I have been burnt by EA too many times.

[WSUCougar]

I refuse to let myself be hopefull on this. I have been burnt by EA too many times.
But...it's in the game.

[SackAttack]

Correction: one of the producers.

I wonder if Dan Wasson is one of the others, since he was involved with the EA/Solecismic synergy back in the day.

[bob]

Yeah, NBA games dont really play well on a console or computer, it invariably breaks down to you driving and dunking, or launching 3's.

How's this different from the NBA?

[QuikSand]

I wonder if Dan Wasson is one of the others, since he was involved with the EA/Solecismic synergy back in the day.

That name stirs up some ghosts around here, doesn't it?

As I recall, Dan Wasson was the guy who came onto this board and started going off on how the people who entered their credit card information and purchased the FOF 2001 game during what they later described as a live trial were "pirates" and "thieves." And that was before I started getting ominous phone messages from EA at my home.

Oh, the good old days.

[Antmeister]

I must say that this has actually looks interesting. This looks like something a number of people on the board was looking for. Since I was a long time player of FPS Football, I longed for the day when I could coach my team while seeing the action reveal itself through the use of graphics.

Yet I am very pessimistic that it will give solid stats. In fact, I don't know if there will be a emphasis on tracking a player's career since it seems to focus more on the lifespan of the head coach. Plus I doubt there will be an option where you can be both coach and GM which is what I am looking for.

If the reviews come out somewhat favorably, I will give it a try.

[stevew]

How's this different from the NBA?
At least they can run a semblance of offense from time to time in the NBA. Like in the last version of Live i played, there is no such thing as having a "Post game"

[GrantDawg]

That name stirs up some ghosts around here, doesn't it?

As I recall, Dan Wasson was the guy who came onto this board and started going off on how the people who entered their credit card information and purchased the FOF 2001 game during what they later described as a live trial were "pirates" and "thieves." And that was before I started getting ominous phone messages from EA at my home.

Oh, the good old days.

You were all pirates and you know it. :D

[Butter]

If the AI is not good, it can ruin the game.

Anyone heard anything about the AI?

[JeffR]

I think the genre benefits from all additions, and perhaps there will be some joystick jockeys who find this intriguing enough to start them looking for a real management sim

And I'm sure, once the game's out and those people are discovering its shortcomings, those of us who know the genre will be only too happy to give them a pointer in the right direction...

[Blade6119]

EA just released a FIFA manager 06, so go look at that or the reviews and it will all but tell you what you will get in nfl coach

[Passacaglia]

I think that a sim as an NFL Head Coach would actually be interesting -- just calling plays and running the team, while dealing with your general manager. I doubt the AI would be any good, then.

[rexallllsc]

This kind of hits on my thoughts...

but what I often wonder is do I WANT a 3d sim? I don't see myself sitting in front of an hour or two of watching a game and just staring at it..

The only way I see this being entertaining is if it was done in a "sportscenter" style, not watching the game from start to finish...

Either that or maybe the old x's and o's running around.. honestly, that would do it for me...


You know what I think would be really great - a 2d system like FM does for soccer. So I can see exactly whats happening - I don't need something too graphic intensive, but an overhead of the O and D would be awesome.

[Eaglesfan27]

I must say that this has actually looks interesting. This looks like something a number of people on the board was looking for. Since I was a long time player of FPS Football, I longed for the day when I could coach my team while seeing the action reveal itself through the use of graphics.

Yet I am very pessimistic that it will give solid stats. In fact, I don't know if there will be a emphasis on tracking a player's career since it seems to focus more on the lifespan of the head coach. Plus I doubt there will be an option where you can be both coach and GM which is what I am looking for.

If the reviews come out somewhat favorably, I will give it a try.

You nailed most of my thoughts. I'll likely give this a try, unless reviews are poor.

[Antmeister]

This kind of hits on my thoughts...

but what I often wonder is do I WANT a 3d sim? I don't see myself sitting in front of an hour or two of watching a game and just staring at it..

The only way I see this being entertaining is if it was done in a "sportscenter" style, not watching the game from start to finish...

Either that or maybe the old x's and o's running around.. honestly, that would do it for me...

I guess I am in the camp that would love to see it as a 3D sim, as long as the stats remain realistic. FPS has proven that have graphics and stats can be a great combination. The only reason why I like graphics is that it is much easier to understand how well my offensive and defensive players are doing with graphics than it could ever be done with text.

As it currently stands, I don't know immediately in the game if my defensive lineman is getting dominated by the offensive in a one and one situation or if he is being double teamed. I don't know if the opposing wide reciever is having success because of my cornerback getting burnt, my saftey didn't provide help or the cornerback covered a completely different person due to stacking to one side of the field.

I understand why some people hate graphics if all you do is play the role of GM and don't care for playcalling at all, but if you want to take the reigns as a coach, I don't quite get it.
X's and O's won't do it for me. I would love to see immediately that there is a 6'2' receiver going against my 5'7" cornerback. I would love to see if my reciever ran a bad route or just tripped up on a muddy field.

[digamma]

If the AI is not good, it can ruin the game.

Anyone heard anything about the AI?
I'm probably going to wait and see. If the AI is not good, I will not buy it. But I'm going to wait for the reviews to see.

[Tom E]

Maybe Jim signed a deal with EA...

[Francis_Cole]

I can't wait.
But I hope beyond hope they can actually get the proper NFL rules this time, and not just invent rules as they feel like it as has been done in every single madden so far :)

[bhlloy]

It's pretty telling that nowhere in the release it mentions GM'ing or any aspect of signing, trading, drafting etc... I guess "building a team from the ground up" gives that impression but you'd have thought they'd have wanted to cater to the sports sim fan a bit more. Or am I reading too much into a first press release?

I can't imagine any way in a million years that this will ever be a game that I want to play. I'm envisaging some sort of Madden coach only game, with a slightly enhanced playbook editor, training camp and a sort of system like the latest NHL offerings whereby you spend points on different "areas" of your team. Maybe they can include the original Theme Park negotiations thrown in with the stretchy hands when you negotiate contract offers... come to think of it that would be pretty cool.

[Francis_Cole]

I would think its more likly to be a GM/Owner game rather than an actual OC/DC type of game :)

[Marc Vaughan]

Not at all - Cinemaware games were fantastic.

(and I didn't actually ever play TV Sports Football, but the dialogue line had me thinking of trying to woo the scientist's daughter when you meet here in the zeppelin in Rocket Ranger. :) )

I LOVED TV Sports Football and I'm only a casual Football (American variety) fan ....

I think EA moving into this arena is great personally as it'll give more attention to the genre, especially if they're successful (ie. if they do well it'll give Jim, Arlie etc. a better chance of getting taken seriously by mainstream publishers if they want to head in that direction) ... main problem of course will be that EA have 'locked' the licence for the NFL down for at least a while.

[Easy Mac]

and you have nothing to worry about from their FIFA Manager either... though I have to say, they have a very slick game, but its a bear to move through the game.

[JeeberD]

Maybe Jim signed a deal with EA...

I was about to say that you must be new here, but after looking at your registration date I think you're probably just being facetious. :)

[Solecismic]

I LOVED TV Sports Football and I'm only a casual Football (American variety) fan ....

I think EA moving into this arena is great personally as it'll give more attention to the genre, especially if they're successful (ie. if they do well it'll give Jim, Arlie etc. a better chance of getting taken seriously by mainstream publishers if they want to head in that direction) ... main problem of course will be that EA have 'locked' the licence for the NFL down for at least a while.

That's no problem. What they've done only makes it easier to display a Lanham disclaimer. If anything, their "exclusivity" makes life better for the competition.

[Barkeep49]

Ok I tried a quick google search: What's a Lanham disclaimer?

[Easy Mac]

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode15/usc_sup_01_15_10_22.html

[MTD]

A previous poster requested images.

http://images.ea.com/sports/nflheadcoach/_img/news/statue.jpg



http://images.ea.com/sports/nflheadcoach/_img/news/office.jpg

[Blade6119]

the second one says make deion a slot reciever or keep him on offense only...lol

[Mac Howard]

Ummm! NFL Head Coach.

I released a gridiron "management" game in 1986 called Head Coach. Any lawyers on this board tell me how to make some money out of this? ;)

[FBPro]

While I'm certainly not holding my breath on this one, I will likely give it a look if it ever makes it to the open market.

[Zippo]

I like what I am seeing so far, I would not be surprised if any one of these independent developers end up working with/for EA to develope these managerial games in the near future.

[cthomer5000]

They are just gonna repack FOF2002 with 3D glasses.
This got a chuckle out of me. Nice work.

[Buccaneer]

It's a console game, that will be ported for the PC. That's how they do.

I think the genre benefits from all additions, and perhaps there will be some joystick jockeys who find this intriguing enough to start them looking for a real management sim... but I rather doubt that's what this is going to be. This one will be on my "wait and see" list... but not even at the top.
:eek:

[govols]

I like what I am seeing so far, I would not be surprised if any one of these independent developers end up working with/for EA to develope these managerial games in the near future.


Maybe this is what Jim has been working on ;)




Just kidding but hey it would be nice to combine EA's graphics with Jim sim engine.

[Buccaneer]

Maybe this is what Jim has been working on ;)




Just kidding but hey it would be nice to combine EA's graphics with Jim sim engine.
Lol. Do you want to tell him or I can?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I just hope the AI good

[JeeberD]

Maybe this is what Jim has been working on ;)




Just kidding but hey it would be nice to combine EA's graphics with Jim sim engine.

Been there, done that...

[govols]

Been there, done that...


You never know EA's money can talk...... Even with past history

[JeeberD]

I don't want to talk for Jim, but it sounds like he was pretty disgusted with the way things happened there. I really doubt he would give them a second chance...

[Passacaglia]

the second one says make deion a slot reciever or keep him on offense only...lol

Nice...and the first one is just a stupid statue.

[Antmeister]

A previous poster requested images.

http://images.ea.com/sports/nflheadcoach/_img/news/statue.jpg



http://images.ea.com/sports/nflheadcoach/_img/news/office.jpg


Although these look nice, they don't show me much. I want to see the playcalling screens, trading proposals, free agency screen. This looks like somebody created this in The Sims.

[Solecismic]

I don't want to talk for Jim, but it sounds like he was pretty disgusted with the way things happened there. I really doubt he would give them a second chance...

I was pretty disgusted with Gigawatt, not EA. I'd give them a second chance, but no way would I work with Joe Stallings. People like that don't belong in the business.

[yabanci]

I will buy this game.......in 2008 when it's $9.99.

[dubb93]

Is it me, or would this type of game be alot more appealing if it was a college game. Imagine having to set your offseason schedule and tour the different states to lock in the recruits, deal with the players during the season(we all know what kind of problems college kids can get into) and dealing with the media firestorm that comes with leading a major program. All this and the actual games.

[Izulde]

Game looks good... but Joe Stallings... ugh... that's going to make it a tough buy, as he's one person I think should be dropped naked in the Amazon where he can be assraped by an anaconda while a python squeezes his balls till they explode and piranhas leap out of the water to chew him to bits at the rate of five skin cells a second.

[stevew]

At least you will be able to rent this for console before you buy it. If the football game, is popular maybe they will make it in college, etc.

[KeyserSoze]

2 weeks of fun game, nice graphics. No deep. Just like TCM :D

[RoastDuck]

Ummm! NFL Head Coach.

I released a gridiron "management" game in 1986 called Head Coach. Any lawyers on this board tell me how to make some money out of this? ;)


Also, the "First 3D Sports Strategy Game" claim is somewhat tenuous: hxxp://www.prorugbymanager.com/

Had many hours joy with Kim van Obendorf et al BTW Mac.

[cuervo72]

To succeed at that game, it looks like you have to MAKE WINNING PLAYS!

(also, does that say "defence"??)

[GrantDawg]

Is it me, or would this type of game be alot more appealing if it was a college game. Imagine having to set your offseason schedule and tour the different states to lock in the recruits, deal with the players during the season(we all know what kind of problems college kids can get into) and dealing with the media firestorm that comes with leading a major program. All this and the actual games.

Dag-gummit, now how I am I going to explain my erection to my wife? "No, honey, I was not looking at porn."

[Passacaglia]

[can of worms]
So what's so bad about Joe Stallings again?
[/can of worms]

[GrantDawg]

[can of worms]
So what's so bad about Joe Stallings again?
[/can of worms]

He kicked my dog.

[John Galt]

Joe Stallings is to game developers what Dean Houston is to quarterbacks (except without the records and accolades).

[Draft Dodger]

He kicked my dog.

more likely he took credit for someone else kicking your dog.

[GrantDawg]

more likely he took credit for someone else kicking your dog.

Zing!

[Barkeep49]

Joe Stallings is to game developers what Dean Houston is to quarterbacks (except without the records and accolades).
I'm going to have to take off points for your analogy. I think that Joe Stallings IS a game developer of sorts, albeit one who does graphics as well, where as Dean is NOT a quarterback. The correct analogy, I believe is:

Joe Stallings:game developers::Dean Houston:wide recievers

[JeeberD]

When the heck did Dean Houston become a receiver?

[gottimd]

When the heck did Dean Houston become a receiver?
He was using an analogy.

[John Galt]

I with JeeberD on this one and totally confused. My analogy may have been poor, but Dean Houston has always been a QB to my knowledge.

[Barkeep49]

Man. I've been laboring under a misimpression all these years? I feel so foolish.

[GrantDawg]

Many of you did not do well on the SAT.

[Passacaglia]

Now that that's settled...what was so bad about Joe Stallings?

[Bee]

Many of you did not do well on the SAT.

Never played Second and Ten, and I'm not sure I understand your reference to that game here.











:D

[JeeberD]

Do a search on his name. I bet you'll find some fun stuff...

[Neuqua]

I'm probably going to wait and see. If the AI is not good, I will not buy it. But I'm going to wait for the reviews to see.

The game looks really good from the screen shots but I don't think I will buy it if the AI isn't any good. It all depends on the AI and that will tell me if I should buy the game.

[Antmeister]

Now that that's settled...what was so bad about Joe Stallings?

I assume you weren't browsing the boards during that whole druez/Skydog//.400 Studios/Joe Stallings fiasco. It was better than any soap opera you can imagine. Allegedly Joe Stallings used druez (game reviewer) to write a review praising TPF and bad mouthing FOF.

SkyDog and druez would go at each other since it seemed to contradict a previous review. Of course no one knew it at the time as assumed that druez just suddenly became a TPF fanboy, but eventually he spilled the beans on this board about what went down. Joe Stallings denied the incident but then he was inexplicably let go by .400 Studios.

Because Joe had a large piece of the pie at .400 Studios, he could still earn money off any future games, so Arlie and company split ways. 3 of them started Grey Dog so that Joe couldn't earn any money under the name of .400 Studios.

No one really knows what truly went down, but most people believe than Joe Stallings is a kind of person doesn't have any business ethics and is bad for the industry because of the alleged stunt he pulled. Of course, since druez has already proven to be untrustworhty, you never know if he was telling the complete truth.

[sabotai]

For some reason, I recall Farrah implying at some point that the problems with Joe Stallings started behind the scenes before the whole druez/game review fiasco. There always seemed much more to the story then any of us peons knew.

[sovereignstar]

Overall – 4.75 out of 5: It’s a first generation game and one that I think will bridge the gap between sports fan and gamers. Madden has a large audience, but there are a lot of people out there looking for something more realistic, but still fun to play. I loved Front Office Football for years, but it’s happened THERE IS A NEW KING IN TOWN and this kingdom is good. Long Live Total Pro Football and I can only wonder with this fine linage will continue to bring. A closing thought, this genre will only expand and build upon itself if we the consumer support it, don’t be afraid to try something new I’m pretty sure you will all be as pleased as myself and William were.

.

[sabotai]

Wasn't that review written before all of the patches? (When it was half finished and crashed more oftan than a DC-10?)

(I wonder how many still get the reference.. :) )

[sabotai]

For some reason, I recall Farrah implying at some point that the problems with Joe Stallings started behind the scenes before the whole druez/game review fiasco. There always seemed much more to the story then any of us peons knew.
Found it!

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showpost.php?p=544280&postcount=31

jbmagic asks "Why was Joe fired?"

Reply from Farrah: "I very much want to answer this, becuase this has been the biggest source of speculation. But it wouldn't be such a good idea if I'm trying to get a deal done with him, right? I think I've already walked a pretty thin line with what has been said so far.

But I will say this, he is a 50% owner - the employment agreements have very specific, very serious reasons for termination. I wouldn't have had the ability to fire him had it been simply a case of stealing office supplies, or even the review fixing wouldn't have been enough (which I think is very serious BTW would have been enough for me to submit my resignation if I hadn't already terminated him)."

I don't think she ever expanded on this.

[Solecismic]

For some reason, I recall Farrah implying at some point that the problems with Joe Stallings started behind the scenes before the whole druez/game review fiasco. There always seemed much more to the story then any of us peons knew.

Several people have promised to tell me everything once the legal mess is straightened out. I don't know if it is, but there's certainly much I don't know.

[Antmeister]

Wasn't that review written before all of the patches? (When it was half finished and crashed more oftan than a DC-10?)

(I wonder how many still get the reference.. :) )


Yes, it was written well before. In fact, he let his fried (a former NFL player, William Thomas, I believe) test it out before he wrote the review and supposedly they both thought it was a great game. But, of course, SkyDog was a tester as well, but the bastard doesn't like to coach games. He just simulated and checked the stats, so he missed all these errors as well.
:D

I remember buying the game and was shocked that there weren't any 2 point conversions or onside kicks and all these random crashes. And I bought that game the instant it came out, so I wasn't too thrilled with all the problems. However those days are hopefully gone, but now I know to wait and see the response before I actually purchase.

[sabotai]

Several people have promised to tell me everything once the legal mess is straightened out. I don't know if it is, but there's certainly much I don't know.
Pretty long time for it not to be straightened out yet....but then again, lawyers do get paid by the hour. :)

[Gary Gorski]

Several people have promised to tell me everything once the legal mess is straightened out. I don't know if it is, but there's certainly much I don't know.

I would tell you but then who would buy the book? :D

[Ben E Lou]

But, of course, SkyDog was a tester as well, but the bastard doesn't like to coach games. He just simulated and checked the stats, so he missed all these errors as well.I had two specific areas of responsibility in testing, and I can assure you that taking time to test coaching games would have kept me from having the time to do what I was asked to do. :)

[Buccaneer]

And any surprise that the two areas where SD tested were the best parts of the game (so I was told).

druez had a relationship and an ulterior motive with .400 that I couldn't quite figure out.

[Antmeister]

I had two specific areas of responsibility in testing, and I can assure you that taking time to test coaching games would have kept me from having the time to do what I was asked to do. :)

Well...uh...um....you are sometimes a dictator.

[Mac Howard]

druez had a relationship and an ulterior motive with .400 that I couldn't quite figure out.

Druez always had another agenda. He was one of the most disingenuous characters I've come across on the Internet.

[redfox000]

I guess I am in the camp that would love to see it as a 3D sim, as long as the stats remain realistic. FPS has proven that have graphics and stats can be a great combination. The only reason why I like graphics is that it is much easier to understand how well my offensive and defensive players are doing with graphics than it could ever be done with text.

As it currently stands, I don't know immediately in the game if my defensive lineman is getting dominated by the offensive in a one and one situation or if he is being double teamed. I don't know if the opposing wide reciever is having success because of my cornerback getting burnt, my saftey didn't provide help or the cornerback covered a completely different person due to stacking to one side of the field.

I understand why some people hate graphics if all you do is play the role of GM and don't care for playcalling at all, but if you want to take the reigns as a coach, I don't quite get it.
X's and O's won't do it for me. I would love to see immediately that there is a 6'2' receiver going against my 5'7" cornerback. I would love to see if my reciever ran a bad route or just tripped up on a muddy field.

My thoughts exactly.

[Antmeister]

My thoughts exactly.

Yes! There is at least one other person that appreciates graphics from the standpoint that I was talking about.

[Ksyrup]

Wasn't that review written before all of the patches?
Are you talking about patches for the game, or the grammar in the review? Good Gravy that's some bad writing.

[dawgfan]

Hmmm, I'm not easily finding any links to this game at the EA Sports site. A couple of former co-workers of mine were working on this game - I'll have to ping them and see what's up.

[redfox000]

bump

[Coder]

Yes! There is at least one other person that appreciates graphics from the standpoint that I was talking about.

I've been a hardcore Championship/Football Manager since back in the old days on the Amiga.. when the 2D view was being introduced I was extremely skeptical... why mess with a winning concept? Well.. consider me a convert.. The 2D view in FM is the best thing since sliced bread..

As long as it's done well (and not like some of the old EA Sports Managers games which had like 4 different goal-animations and you knew at the start of an attack that they would score), graphics really do enhance the sports SIMULATIONS...

However, done poorly, I wouldn't touch a 3D (or 2D) simulation.

[jeff061]

I figured anyone who watched their games play out in Front Page Sport Football would love to see an in-game graphical layer on top of a FOF like engine. Maybe I'm wearing rose tinted glasses for FPS, I was rather young when I played that game.

[KWhit]

I would love such a view as long as the other aspects of GMing and coaching were solid.

[Celeval]

XOR NFL, baby.

[CraigSca]

100 years ahead of its time, that one was.

[MizzouRah]

I figured anyone who watched their games play out in Front Page Sport Football would love to see an in-game graphical layer on top of a FOF like engine. Maybe I'm wearing rose tinted glasses for FPS, I was rather young when I played that game.
I've been waiting for something like this for years.... I mean, since FPS Football closed it's doors. :(

[redfox000]

I figured anyone who watched their games play out in Front Page Sport Football would love to see an in-game graphical layer on top of a FOF like engine. Maybe I'm wearing rose tinted glasses for FPS, I was rather young when I played that game.

I'm in the same category as you. I played maybe 1 or 2 games a day, every day, for YEARS (still have the all the history saved for my 45 year career), during high school, college, and beyond. I have even thought about reinstalling that game on my PC.

FOF2004 helps the simulation and realisim side of me and Madden 2005 helps the graphical and pure fun side of me. However, nothing matches up to what FBPro was in its heyday.

[redfox000]

I've been waiting for something like this for years.... I mean, since FPS Football closed it's doors. :(

Me too. :(

[jeff061]

I was in 6th grade or so when I played it. I created an almanac of rosters, pro bowl teams, and all sorts of records I tracked and printed in excel. Only thing ever to get me to do stuff like that for fun.

[General Mike]

Wow, there is alot of hate in this thread.

[redfox000]

I created an almanac of rosters, pro bowl teams, and all sorts of records I tracked and printed in excel. Only thing ever to get me to do stuff like that for fun.

Me too. I have a huge Excel spreadsheet, with TONS of data I tracked over my entire career as well. It was a lot of work, but like you said it was fun at the time. Nowdays, FOF is nice because it tracks most of that for you.

[rexallllsc]

I've been a hardcore Championship/Football Manager since back in the old days on the Amiga.. when the 2D view was being introduced I was extremely skeptical... why mess with a winning concept? Well.. consider me a convert.. The 2D view in FM is the best thing since sliced bread..

As long as it's done well (and not like some of the old EA Sports Managers games which had like 4 different goal-animations and you knew at the start of an attack that they would score), graphics really do enhance the sports SIMULATIONS...

However, done poorly, I wouldn't touch a 3D (or 2D) simulation.

Imagine a FB game with the FM-style overhead. Wow.

[stevew]

I see that this game is available for PC possibly, since you can pre-order it from the EA store. I'm definately more interested now(don't have ps2 or xbox).
http://eastore.ea.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=1271&bcs=237

[Raiders Army]

I'd get this before I'd get Maximum Football.

[Antmeister]

I see that this game is available for PC possibly, since you can pre-order it from the EA store. I'm definately more interested now(don't have ps2 or xbox).
http://eastore.ea.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=1271&bcs=237

And it seems to be the same price as Maximum Football. That is still a wait-and-see game for me, but I must admit that I am excited about its possibilities.

[Bee]

I don't have much hope it will be good, but I'll definitely check out reviews when it comes out.

[kcchief19]

Still pretty quiet on the marketing front for this considering the supposed April 30 release date. I don't know what to make of that.

[Raven Hawk]

I'd get this before I'd get Maximum Football.Even if you pre-ordered them on the same date :D

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm very cautiously optimistic that this will be worth purchasing.

[Hurst2112]

This may be 1 title that will be better on PC. At least they will have the opportunity to patch the hell out of it.

[sabotai]

Available for pre order, yet still no information about the game at all (at least on Gamespot). Kind of sends out a warning flag.

[Eaglesfan27]

Available for pre order, yet still no information about the game at all (at least on Gamespot). Kind of sends out a warning flag.

I agree about the warning flag. I certainly won't preorder this. I'll need to see multiple good reviews from the media or a few from trusted people here.

[EagleFan]

Available for pre order, yet still no information about the game at all (at least on Gamespot). Kind of sends out a warning flag.


At least it hasn't been in development for 7 years... right?


I'll pass on this one for a bit. I have been suckered enough for one week.

[KWhit]

Well I think it's prety safe to say that this will be dumbed down compared to FOF. It will have nice shiny graphics, but I'd be very surprised if it were as deep and statistically accurate as FOF.

[wade moore]

Well I think it's prety safe to say that this will be dumbed down compared to FOF. It will have nice shiny graphics, but I'd be very surprised if it were as deep and statistically accurate as FOF.
The dreamers in us hope that it will be a good building block though. I would actually say that if the game is at least decent, i'd be tempted to get it because of the hopes that if it sells well enough they will improve it...

But i don't have the EA hatred that many around here do...

[ice4277]

Maybe EA is secretly behind the Maximum Football fiasco. They planned it this way to make their game, by comparison, look like the greatest game ever.