NCAA 08

[Emiliano]

I was just talking about this yesterday, and now the website (http://www.easports.com/ncaa08/) is live. Not much to discuss, though, and still no official word about the (old) Xbox release.

[CU Tiger]

for me the momentum meter is falling fast...

[Pumpy Tudors]

Obviously, the cover athlete will be Memphis QB/WR Maurice Avery.

Obviously.

[GoldenEagle]

Avery graduated two years ago. If they get one from Memphis, it needs to be QB Patrick Byrne.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Avery graduated two years ago. If they get one from Memphis, it needs to be QB Patrick Byrne.
Damn it. I guess Memphis was so bad last year that I didn't notice he was gone.

[Emiliano]

And the cover-boy is ... Boise State QB Jared Zabransky.

[WVUFAN]

Yup. Talking about "Leadership Controls" and an redone Campus Legend and a expanded Dynasty Mode. No details that's I've seen for them so far.

[Izulde]

I hope the redone Campus Legend mode doesn't suck like last year's did.

[WVUFAN]

I hope the redone Campus Legend mode doesn't suck like last year's did.

It was world's better than the first year's edition. Actually, I didn't mind it last year at all. What didn't you like about it?

[sooner333]

And the cover-boy is ... Boise State QB Jared Zabransky.

I guess I'll have to make my own cover this year.

[WVUFAN]

IGN has a first look up for the game:

hxxp://sports.ign.com/articles/769/769819p1.html

It's not looking too bad.

[Emiliano]

IGN has a first look up for the game:

hxxp://sports.ign.com/articles/769/769819p1.html

It's not looking too bad.

Nice. It seems that I won't have to buy a next-gen console this summer, since they'll release the game for the Xbox (and for the PS2, too).

[cartman]

Nice. It seems that I won't have to buy a next-gen console this summer, since they'll release the game for the Xbox (and for the PS2, too).

You need to buy a NTSC/PAL capable TV, a voltage inverter, and a US Xbox360.

:D

[WVUFAN]

You need to buy a NTSC/PAL capable TV, a voltage inverter, and a US Xbox360.

:D

Not if he buys a PS3, since there is no region locking for import games. So he could buy a European-version PS3 and still play NCAA 08 without a hitch.

[cartman]

Not if he buys a PS3, since there is no region locking for import games. So he could buy a European-version PS3 and still play NCAA 08 without a hitch.

Keep in mind that in Europe the PS3 is going to be 599 Euro ($825!!!)

[WVUFAN]

Keep in mind that in Europe the PS3 is going to be 599 Euro ($825!!!)

Good point.

[Emiliano]

You need to buy a NTSC/PAL capable TV, a voltage inverter, and a US Xbox360.

:D

Yeah...:D

No, really, that's what I thought a couple of times. But I'm not really confident about buying it online. I need someone to actually buy the console in the USA, and then bring it here to me. Greg, how about a week in Rome this summer??? :D

[Emiliano]

Not if he buys a PS3, since there is no region locking for import games. So he could buy a European-version PS3 and still play NCAA 08 without a hitch.

Yep. That's what me and Icy are hoping for. But I heard (maybe Groundhog posted it???) that they could even put the lock on the game itself. Is that possible?

The price, obviously, is the reason I won't get this console at launch...

[WVUFAN]

Yep. That's what me and Icy are hoping for. But I heard (maybe Groundhog posted it???) that they could even put the lock on the game itself. Is that possible?

The price, obviously, is the reason I won't get this console at launch...

Sony re-evaluated the Region Codes for PS3 games, so both Japanese games and American releases are both considered the same region.

EDIT: Uh-oh. They have evidently split Europe and Japan, put Japan and American into Region 1, and Europe into Region 2. Sorry. If you lived in Japan, you'd be set. :-)

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=15908

[Emiliano]

Sony re-evaluated the Region Codes for PS3 games, so both Japanese/European games and American releases are both considered the same region.

Good. Thanks for the clarification.

[cartman]

Greg, how about a week in Rome this summer??? :D

Non c'e problema!

:D

[WVUFAN]

Good. Thanks for the clarification.

I had to edit my post -- they split Europe and Japan, so Europe is evidently getting messed over again.

[Izulde]

It was world's better than the first year's edition. Actually, I didn't mind it last year at all. What didn't you like about it?

The tediousness of studying, going to parties, and the tests.

[WVUFAN]

The tediousness of studying, going to parties, and the tests.

Those were the aspects of the mode I really liked .. the idea that you had to go to class to succeed in college football. The tests were fun.

Other than that, it ceases to become what it's original intent was. The only thing I didn't like was that your player was automatically the starter when you began the game. Seems that's getting fixed in the new version.

[Emiliano]

Other than that, it ceases to become what it's original intent was. The only thing I didn't like was that your player was automatically the starter when you began the game. Seems that's getting fixed in the new version.

Yeah. Also, you should control ONLY your player, and not the entire team (like they did in the SS mode in Madden 07).

[Icy]

Sony re-evaluated the Region Codes for PS3 games, so both Japanese games and American releases are both considered the same region.

EDIT: Uh-oh. They have evidently split Europe and Japan, put Japan and American into Region 1, and Europe into Region 2. Sorry. If you lived in Japan, you'd be set. :-)

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=15908

That is only for movies, games are region free in the PS3, this is the difference betwene Ps3 and Xbox360 region lock:

PS3:
- Games: No region lock
- Blueray movies: Region coded

XBOX360:
- Games: Region locked if the publisher wants it (a lot of them are region free, but not EA or 2k games)
- HD-DVD movies: No region lock

As i don't care about movies (i buy consoles to play games, never used them as media centers) and i play mainly USA sports games in the consoles, the PS3 is my only choice, that is why i have put my 360 for sale.

Another option as Emiliano said is to buy a Xbox360 from USA... the problem are the delivery costs and specially the lost of the official guarantee from Microsoft. That is a pain knowing the big amount of problems that the Xbox is having and specially knowing that in Spain we get 2 years of full guarantee in every electric device, inluding consoles.

[Emiliano]

That is only for movies, games are region free in the PS3, this is the difference betwene Ps3 and Xbox360 region lock:

PS3:
- Games: No region lock
- Blueray movies: Region coded

XBOX360:
- Games: Region locked if the publisher wants it (a lot of them are region free, but not EA or 2k games)
- HD-DVD movies: No region lock

Well, good for us then. Anyway, I think I'm gonna stick with my old Xbox this year (since they're making an Xbox version). Summer 2008, we can talk about the PS3.

You know, you should stick with the PS2 too, so your wife won't get mad at you for buying another console...:D

BTW, any word on a PSP version??? I'd love that.

[Eaglesfan27]

IGN and Gamespot both have new previews up for the 360:

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/783/783730p1.html


Highlights from the previews include:

60 FPS, smooth animations.

Much more responsive controls.

"Gang Tackling and more realistic collisions" - can't wait to see it in more videos.

Some trick plays in the game.

Low lights:

- Too many drops.

- Too many fumbles.

- Too many sacks.

Hopefully, they will fix these issues before release. While I've sworn off getting Madden on release day, I'll probably end up biting on NCAA again unless All Pro comes out first and is a great game.

[Icy]

Graphics look great but... let's see, some of the reported bugs are incredible this late in the development cycle.

Btw, what is the release date? summer i guess, but which month? and at same time in 360 and ps3?

[Passacaglia]

Yeah...:D

No, really, that's what I thought a couple of times. But I'm not really confident about buying it online. I need someone to actually buy the console in the USA, and then bring it here to me. Greg, how about a week in Rome this summer??? :D

Now if only you had posted this two weeks before, and not while I was already gone!

Anyway, time for my yearly gripe about how this game is not made for the PC, and I want it to be.

[Eaglesfan27]

Graphics look great but... let's see, some of the reported bugs are incredible this late in the development cycle.

Btw, what is the release date? summer i guess, but which month? and at same time in 360 and ps3?


Release date is mid July (14th maybe and I believe it is at the same time for both the 360 and PS3) and I agree that tweaking/bugs should be limited by this point. I'm concerned about those comments.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

My other biggest complaint with the series is still there according to the IGN preview. The dime defense can still regularly stop power run offensive formations. They need to fix that before release.

[Ksyrup]

This is coming out for PS2, right? I was just thinking about picking up the rest of my EMU career and finishing out what's left of my season to see if I can actually make the BCS Bowl, then maybe starting a new career with a lesser team in a big conference, but I don't know how far I'd get in less than 3 months and whether it would be worth it.

[Eaglesfan27]

It is coming out on the PS2 as well. I wouldn't be surprised if the PS2 game is very similar to last year's game and doesn't include the gang tackling and other improvements in this year's 360 and PS3 versions.

[moriarty]

I haven't read the preview, but I can already tell you:

Any glaring game play issues in 2007 are not addressed.
At least one major issue from 2006 will magically resurface
You will get uber kewl new things to add to your crib
99% of the 'improvements' will focus on graphics, and new uniform designs
The other 1% on celebration dances and new trash talking animation

[RainMaker]

I'm looking forward to this game coming out on the 360. Hoping they can beef up the dynasty mode a bit (like the regular Xbox had). The AI issues will always persist as it's an EA game, but for whatever reason, I was always able to get into this game a lot.

[Young Drachma]

Always look forward to this game. Even if it never improves much. lol

[Ksyrup]

It is coming out on the PS2 as well. I wouldn't be surprised if the PS2 game is very similar to last year's game and doesn't include the gang tackling and other improvements in this year's 360 and PS3 versions.

So I might be better off with a relatively stable older version than spend money on basically the same game with the wildcard that it might have a new bug or two.

[Eaglesfan27]

So I might be better off with a relatively stable older version than spend money on basically the same game with the wildcard that it might have a new bug or two.

That would be my take, especially since the developers have said most of their efforts have gone into the next gen versions.

[WVUFAN]

That would be my take, especially since the developers have said most of their efforts have gone into the next gen versions.

I'll go one step farther and say this'll probably be the last of these games of the PS2/XBox.

[kingnebwsu]

Agreed.

Look for at least one more version of Madden on the PS2 though.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm not a fan of gimmick modes usually, but the campus legend mode sounds like it might be fun this year. If you choose to create a HS player you play the last 4 playoff games of your senior year. You can't call the plays, you can't control anyone but your guy, and the coach can pull you if you are winning by too much or are playing poorly. Also, the created player won't be an automatic starter if they go to a big school but will have to work their way up in practice and earn a bigger role.


Here is the latest gamespot preview:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ncaafootball08/news.html?sid=6170543&mode=recent

[sabotai]

I'm not a fan of gimmick modes usually, but the campus legend mode sounds like it might be fun this year. If you choose to create a HS player you play the last 4 playoff games of your senior year. You can't call the plays, you can't control anyone but your guy, and the coach can pull you if you are winning by too much or are playing poorly. Also, the created player won't be an automatic starter if they go to a big school but will have to work their way up in practice and earn a bigger role.

That sounds pretty cool. In Madden 07 (for the PC...), I started to have a bit of fun with the Superstar mode, but the stupidity of the AI for both teams both on the field and in call playing (no amount of slider changes fixed it) got me out of it. I would really like these modes if EA didn't seem to just throw them together. If they really put effort into them, they could be really good.

All of these features for this mode sound great, but if the play caller is a monkey with downs syndrome like in the previous versions, it won't matter.

[Emiliano]

New (and very good) videos about the game on this site (http://www.gametrailers.com/).

[Grammaticus]

Anybody know if there are multiple camera angles on the 360 version?

[Eaglesfan27]

Anybody know if there are multiple camera angles on the 360 version?


Yes, there are. In the videos that Emiliano mentioned, it shows multiple angles. Also, you can now save any replay to your harddrive and pick which camera angle it saves as. You can also post those "highlight saves" to the internet.

[Emiliano]

Also, you can now save any replay to your harddrive and pick which camera angle it saves as. You can also post those "highlight saves" to the internet.
Yep. That's a great feature, I'd say, especially for dynasties. Too bad I'm still on old-gen...:(

BTW, does anybody know if the "Super-sim" feature will be in the old-gen version, too? Obviously, I don't think all (if any...) the new 360 features will make it, but this feature would be really great to advance faster in dynasties, simming blowout games to the end...