Black College Football: The Experience game shipped

[dawgfan]

FYI, for those interested in PC football games, a new game called "Black College Football: The Experience" has shipped. A co-worker of mine from my days at Microsoft working on NFL Fever worked on it (I'm assuming he was the lead designer/producer on the project).

If you're interested in checking it out, here's the website: hxxp://www.bcfxgame.com/

From his e-mail to me:

"The first ever Black College Football Video Game, BCFX has shipped.

No where else will you find a fun Black College Football video game that features all the schools from the SWAC, CIAA, SIAC, Tenn. St, as well as some of the schools from the MEAC.

No where else will you get the essence of the Black College Football spirit that not only features the rich history of Black College Football but also captures full interactive halftime shows and 5th Quarter."

[molson]

Fun little concept I guess but it just sounds like an excuse not to do a full game.

Like if someone came out with "Ivy League Football".

[Klinglerware]

Fun little concept I guess but it just sounds like an excuse not to do a full game.

Like if someone came out with "Ivy League Football".

I don't know if it would be any fun, but "Ivy League Football" would be a pretty challenging game.

1. Struggle to find a few hundred recruits nationwide who both can clear admissions and play football at a fairly high level. Then figure out how they will fit under the banding system (basically a quota system that limits the number of athletes at the low end of the academic spectrum: a couple of slots for the studs with the 1150 SAT scores, more slots for recruits with board scores similar to the regular applicant pool).

2. Have the admissions office tell you that they won't accept half your recruit list anyway, even if most of them have acceptable academic credentials. Some admissions offices are more supportive of football than others.

3. See who finally shows up on campus, after they weigh their financial aid offers, and play you off the financial aid offices of your rival schools.

4. Watch half your recruits quit the team in the first year, since there is no threat of a scholarship being pulled. A couple of them used you to get them in to school. You used a couple of them to boost your recruiting class' academic numbers.

Hmm. Maybe that doesn't sound too fun after all.

[Raiders Army]

Fun little concept I guess but it just sounds like an excuse not to do a full game.

Like if someone came out with "Ivy League Football".

What were they supposed to do? The NFL and NCAA licenses are eaten up by EA.

Then again, they could call the game...I dunno...Maximum something.

[Raiders Army]

Oh yeah. It looks cool BTW.

[Pumpy Tudors]

man why they just gotta have hbcu in this game. shit this game got battle of the bands in it and i wanna put weber state's band up against southwest minnesota state

this is BULLSHIT

[Passacaglia]

Fun little concept I guess but it just sounds like an excuse not to do a full game.

Like if someone came out with "Ivy League Football".

Do College Football PC gamers have any other options to be picky here? It's BBCF, TCY, NCAA Football 2000, and this. Or am I missing something?

[Klinglerware]

Yeah, if you like 1-AA, you're kind of stuck with replay games like Haffner, or SAT. And then, you have to input the stats yourself.

Yeah this HBCU game is pretty niche-y, but hats off to them for offering it up.

[Klinglerware]

man why they just gotta have hbcu in this game. shit this game got battle of the bands in it and i wanna put weber state's band up against southwest minnesota state

this is BULLSHIT

It would be awesome if they had Ivy League scramble bands on there. Then we could have digitized representations of mediocre music, obscene formations, and bad jokes about the Bush administration and pedophile priests...

[Passacaglia]

the website isn't very forthcoming about details on the game. Is there any kind of career mode?

[DanGarion]

Great, can't wait for JuCo Football: The 2 Year Experience coming out in 2008.

[Eaglesfan27]

the website isn't very forthcoming about details on the game. Is there any kind of career mode?

I found this press release which makes it sound like the answer is no, but it is ambigious. The line about a walkon makes it sound like there might be a career mode, but it isn't mentioned among the modes at the end:

Welcome to the Black College Football experience.

This is the most brutally fun and amazingly accurate football experience out there. Set in the unique and colorful world of Black College Football, BCFx puts you in the spotlight.

Step into the cleats of a player:

Make hard hits and split decisions, as you guide your team through the season. Feel the passion of the fans and the music from the band coarse through your veins as you get closer, yard-by-yard, to the Championship game.

Step into the boots of a drum major:

Halftime offers no respite as you suit up, grip your baton and lead your band of musical maestros through intricate formations as the crowd roars in amazement. It's the Battle of the Bands: Win this and you just might give your team what it needs to prevail in the second half.

Featuring:

Top-Notch Graphics - For the first time ever in a football title, BCFx utilizes the Unreal 3.0 engine for state of the art graphics and animation.
Nerjyzed - There's that time when your senses are heightened. You block out everything, but what matters. You forget your insecurities, your fears and the limits of nature. Run faster. Feel stronger. Smile with fierce determination as you realize the machine you have become. You are Nerjyzed and the crowd is going wild.
Rag Doll Physics - Tackling takes on a new level of brutality and authenticity with the innovative use of rag doll physics.
Interactive Halftime Battle of the Bands - You need a break from that first half, but there's no time to rest. A game is on the line and it's up to you to lead the band. You step into the boots of the drum major as the crowd anxiously awaits your high stepping entrance. The routine plays through your mind -the cues, the notes. It's a complexity you feel at home with and you wouldn't trade it for a thing. You take the stage, knowing the momentum of the game is in your hands now. Out perform. Out awe. And you just might give your team the boost it needs to walk away with the win. Groundbreaking music, combining original recordings with fight songs performed by the actual bands of each school and actual routines, come together to provide a truly authentic and exciting experience.
Diamonds in the Rough - That new walk-on has potential, but it's up to you to sculpt his talent and give him the playing time he needs. With some good coaching, he just might be your next secret weapon.
Music - Think you know sports games? You haven't heard anything yet. BCFx combines original recordings with fight songs played by the actual school bands. After the game, enjoy more music from the bands in the 5th Quarter or head over to the jukebox to hear and download music from our constantly updated track list.
Momentum - Your team has the makings of a nice drive as it becomes imbued with the energy from the crowd and the sounds of the band. Things seem to come a bit easier as the ever-swinging momentum is in your favor …for now.
Trophy Room - Stroll through an area built for the sole purpose of admiring your accomplishments. Stare at the empty spaces, finding renewed determination for practicing harder than ever before.
And Much More - 40 officially licensed teams, mascots, play by play and commentary by Jonathan Coachman and Donal Ware.
Multiple Game Modes - Practice Mode: Refine your strategies. Sharpen your reflexes. Prepare yourself for greatness; Online Mode: Bragging rights and more are on the line, as you play online against competitors across the map; Classic Mode: Face your fiercest rival. Become part of a BCF tradition. Make history, as you get the opportunity to play in an actual BCF Classic Game.

[Abe Sargent]

Want to know what's funny? I'd be happy to play a Black College Football game if its good.

[Passacaglia]

Want to know what's funny? I'd be happy to play a Black College Football game if its good.

Why is that funny?

[Eaglesfan27]

Yeah, I'm not sure why that is funny either. I'd certainly play this game if it had good gameplay and a decent career mode.

[Celeval]

I would too.

But I'd like to hack 'Nerjyzed' to be in English.

[Young Drachma]

Their copywriter sucks. I mean, I know what they were aiming to do in explaining the game. But....meh.

And it's only a PC game. Double meh.

[Young Drachma]

I would too.

But I'd like to hack 'Nerjyzed' to be in English.

It's the name of the studio that made the game, apparently. They probably think it's witty cross-marketing. In reality, we go "what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

[DanGarion]

Why does it always have to be about race?

[Raiders Army]

Why does it always have to be about race?

Because "Asian College Football: The Experience" wouldn't sell.

[st.cronin]

Because "Asian College Football: The Experience" wouldn't sell.

Are you kidding? I would buy that in a heartbeat.

[Klinglerware]

Because "Asian College Football: The Experience" wouldn't sell.

It might... in Japan. I actually saw some sort of championship game on TV a few years ago, it did seem to draw a decent sized crowd. Apparently, some of the college football teams there have been playing since the 1930s. (The Kanto and Kansai Leagues seem to be the two major conferences.)

http://www.american-football-japan.com/

[Raiders Army]

Asia is a big continent, my friend. Not quite as big a band, however.

[Izulde]

Because "Asian College Football: The Experience" wouldn't sell.

But Asian Female Cheerleader: The Experience would

[Klinglerware]

Asia is a big continent, my friend. Not quite as big a band, however.

I'm sure you only said that in the heat of the moment, but only time will tell.

[sachmo71]

The XBox version could be really cool if they can pull the Rock Band halftime show aspect off.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081201-drumline-meets-rock-band-360-in-black-college-football-game.html

[Sun Tzu]

Where's my Jewish football game?

[BYU 14]

Great, can't wait for JuCo Football: The 2 Year Experience coming out in 2008.

Can we get on this, the year is nearly over ;)

[SackAttack]

The XBox version could be really cool if they can pull the Rock Band halftime show aspect off.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081201-drumline-meets-rock-band-360-in-black-college-football-game.html

The sad thing is, there was a six month stretch at my Best Buy store in California where they ran that little Drumline clip with the two kids trying to outdrum each other, and the minute I saw that story, I started hearing that clip again.

[Deattribution]

Judging by the complete disappearance of the PC version, I wouldn't be too optimistic for great success of the console version. Also the company name is just goofy.

[EagleFan]

Yeah, but can you customize the beer tent?

[heybrad]

This game needs Nat X as their spokesman.

[Passacaglia]

I still don't get why it is funny.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I still don't get why it is funny.
I don't think it was "ha ha funny".

[Karlifornia]

Didn't Grambling have a white QB one year?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Didn't Grambling have a white QB one year?

Bruce Jenner IIRC.

[sachmo71]

Yeah, but can you customize the beer tent?

When I went to check reviews for the game, one of the sites suggested that I might like Maximum Football. :D

[lighthousekeeper]

I hope the ragdoll physics apply to the trophy room as well.

[TCY Junkie]

I still don't get why it is funny.

Abe is just too humorous for you.

[Pumpy Tudors]

JUST THINKING OF THIS GAME NERJYZES ME BEYOND BELIEF

[sterlingice]

I don't know if it would be any fun, but "Ivy League Football" would be a pretty challenging game.

1. Struggle to find a few hundred recruits nationwide who both can clear admissions and play football at a fairly high level. Then figure out how they will fit under the banding system (basically a quota system that limits the number of athletes at the low end of the academic spectrum: a couple of slots for the studs with the 1150 SAT scores, more slots for recruits with board scores similar to the regular applicant pool).

2. Have the admissions office tell you that they won't accept half your recruit list anyway, even if most of them have acceptable academic credentials. Some admissions offices are more supportive of football than others.

3. See who finally shows up on campus, after they weigh their financial aid offers, and play you off the financial aid offices of your rival schools.

4. Watch half your recruits quit the team in the first year, since there is no threat of a scholarship being pulled. A couple of them used you to get them in to school. You used a couple of them to boost your recruiting class' academic numbers.

Hmm. Maybe that doesn't sound too fun after all.

This post hasn't gotten enough love

SI

[Young Drachma]

Didn't Grambling have a white QB one year?

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1008914/index.htm

[Pumpy Tudors]

THE NERJYZER! Oi!

[Klinglerware]

I went to Circuit City today to see if I could take advantage of the carnage, and lo and behold there it was on the shelf. I was about to buy it, but then I saw that I did not have the requisite graphics card, so with some sadness, I put it back...

[Passacaglia]

Oh this is out? What plaforms?

[Klinglerware]

Oh this is out? What plaforms?

Saw it for the PC.

[Eaglesfan27]

I had a meeting in an upscale building that I've never been to today. In this group of offices was an office called "hennesey (or something similiar) entertainment promotion" and they appeared to be heavily pimping this game. They had multiple huge (6 foot) cut out cardboard figures for the game just inside the door (but viewable through the glass) and one of them was a picture of Doug Williams and was promoting the "Doug Williams version of Black College Football." Interesting looking office that I was tempted to walk in and see if they do anything else.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I had a meeting in an upscale building that I've never been to today. In this group of offices was an office called "hennesey (or something similiar) entertainment promotion" and they appeared to be heavily pimping this game. They had multiple huge (6 foot) cut out cardboard figures for the game just inside the door (but viewable through the glass) and one of them was a picture of Doug Williams and was promoting the "Doug Williams version of Black College Football." Interesting looking office that I was tempted to walk in and see if they do anything else.

Given your location, I'm guessing that the offices were for developer Nerjyzed Entertainment (www.nerjyzed.com), "Nerjyzed (pronounced Energized) Entertainment, Inc. is a privately held African-American owned interactive digital media Entertainment Company headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Founded in 2004, Nerjyzed captures,creates and transforms unique experiences by pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation to develop and publish interactive software, films and music that reflect the urban experience and provide opportunities and inspiration to a diverse audience."

It ships for the 360 later this year, June apparently.
Reviewed here
AskMen.com - Black College Football: The Xperience -- The Doug Williams Edition preview (http://ca.askmen.com/entertainment/gaming/xbox360/Black-College-Football-The-Xperience-The-Doug-Williams-Edition-Xbox360/preview-1-1.html)
and here (The Chicago Tribune is not optimistic apparently)
Will 'Black College Football Xperience' fumble again? | Eric 2.0 (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/eric2_0/2009/03/will-black-college-football-xperience-fumble-again.html)

You gotta check out the screen shots, including what appears to be a GH/RB style mini-game that's part of the halftime show.
Black College Football Experience - The Doug Williams Edition Screens for Xbox 360 at GameSpot (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/blackcollegefootballexperiencethedougwilliamsedition/images.html?sid=6206671)

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/082/959011_20090324_790screen010.jpg

[Eaglesfan27]

Not sure how I got Hennessy out of that, but yes, that is definitely the company name that I saw. If I wasn't running late for a meeting, I would have gone in and asked them more about the game and what they do.

[tarcone]

I was thinking it was NER-G-IZED. Like nerf. Not energized.

[Senator]

NAIA next.

[stevew]

I thought one of the most basic principles of buisiness was to create a brand name that is easily understandable.