NCAA Football 2008
 

Preview: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/769/769435p1.html

LOVE the dynamic recruiting feature.

I'm really enjoying 2007 again after not playing it for a few months. It has flaws, but it is much better than Madden for me. I'll be getting this when it comes out and am looking forward to the improvements in recruiting.

I took 2007 back and traded it in - funny as it was the main reason I finally bought a 360 in the first place. The controls just don't feel very responsive to me, but I think that is because momentum was WAY overdone, imo.

We'll see what this year holds.

I love 2007, it being the first real console sports game I have played in over a decade, but I agree that momentum is way overdone. They should have made it a slider feature so you could control it. One of the reasons I haven't tried the top level yet is that I've read you basically have to score first and not make any mistakes to keep the momentum from swinging back because once that happens, you're toast. I'm not good enough to overcome that kind of need for perfection...

http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3.../780122p1.html

new info sorry if posted already. Im excited at the ability to sim during the game so i dont have to play blowouts

Yeah, that would be nice. One of the reasons I haven't finished the remaining schedule in my current career (aside from OOTP taking up all of my gaming time) is that 3 of the 4 games are going to be absolute blowouts, and I just can't get myself motivated to play them. It would be nice if I could play a quarter or a half, establish a lead, and then sim out the rest of the game.

Agreed. That seems like a nice addition as I get bored finishing up the blowouts. I haven't read the above story, but there is a big story on gamespot. I'm not sure I like the increased emphasis on players under player control making big plays = players going in the zone. I'd like players to get a confidence boost regardless if I'm the one controlling them when they make a big play and likewise a decrease if they mess up on their own (as long as it is not overdone.) I guess we'll see how it is when it is done.

This game could be the game that makes me finally get a next-gen console. I'm hoping a lot of things with PS3 vs. 360 become more clear by the time August comes around...

I returned NCAA and Madden 2007 for the 360 because I just despised the menus, I hated th way they worked so much that I couldn't enjoy the game.

Wow, sounds awesome.

Another preview with one very juicy tidbit (I bolded for emphasis) - "NCAA runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, has gang tackles, bruising hits and raucous crowds that don't stop for anything, not even the pause menu."

The dynamic branching animations also sounds very intriguing.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/780/780221p1.html

That whole article...drool....The Weather Channel addition is pretty sweet as well.

Can we let parents of top recruits live in houses rent free?

Does anyone know if this is also coming out for the Wii?

As of right now, it has been announced for the PS2, Xbox, PS3, and 360. Although, I'm fairly sure the new "engine" that they are touting is only for the PS3 and 360.

Pre-ordered today. The only game of the year that always has me salivating.

They're actually releasing it on Xbox? I thought Xbox was completely dead as far as new games were concerned, but I guess not. It does appear that NCAA 08 and Madden 08 are the only games coming out for the Xbox this year. Ah, well, that's good news for Xbox owners.

Although I am probably setting myself up for disappointment, I am really looking forward to this and Madden.

Not only are they releasing it for the Xbox, but the latest developer blogs makes it sound like their are some improvements in the version. I expected it to just be a roster update. More trick plays, automotion plays, and a few other things that sound good for that version if they aren't unbalancing.


Like Kodos, despite myself, I'm becoming excited for this and Madden on the 360 as well. Much more info should be coming out June 11th-13th when EA is doing a large media event.

I think I read earlier that the PS2 and XBOX versions will bring back girlfriends. I hope that doesn't unbalance gameplay or mean that you won't be able to configure the guys sock length in create-a-player.

Speaking of 2008, some great recruiting shots added on Gamespot today:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/spor...mballs;title;2

They look interesting...but will recruiting be too much for the average user? And how crappy will the gameplay be this year?

I may have to take the 17th off...

I don't know about the average user, but those screenshots have just amped up my enthusiasm for the game by a large margin. The gameplay will be the big question, however, early videos have looked better than last year.

I'm tempted to do so.

I'm with you EF. Always liked the college series.. last year was so-so, but these shots look great!

Might have to get that exchange kit this year.

Nice to see they got the uber-tron in DKR-TMS:

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images..._screen007.jpg

Those aren't static ads at the edges of the scoreboard. Those are images of the ads, and part of the screen. They were missing a part to fill the screen with live action and replays, so they used ad images to fill the black space. :)

Can't wait for this one!

In-game saves? If not, I won't have time to play...

Not sure about in-game saves, but you can sim ahead to the next series or the rest of the game if you can't finish.

That's a lot of recruiting pitches!

I had not heard that. Does that mean you can play half the game, then sim the rest without losing the half already played?

Yes. If you're blowing out your opponent, you can fast-sim to the end of the game.

Recruiting looks much better this year and I may actually LIKE recruting this year after sticking with 2K3 for a long time because recruiting was all in one block at the end of the season.

I love the Recruit Search feature. That's going to help cut down on a lot of scrounging around.

IGN has a video up of a full half of gameplay. Unfortunately, it is insider only. This is enough to actually make me think for a second about becoming an insider there.

For any insiders, here is the link:

http://insider.ign.com/videos/teasers/794/794884.html



They also have 4 much shorter new clips up (which I'm about to watch):


http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/8...31/vids_1.html

any chance of finding a ps2 preview? somehow I doubt it, but if anyone knows of one lemme know.

Yeah, I'd be interested in any info about what features the PS2 version is going to have.

Thanks! I'll have to check these out at work tomorrow.. well, not the insider one. If somebody sees that one, let us know what you think.

I have an insider account. Any specific info y'all are looking for in the vids?

I'm an IGN Insider too. Downloading these right now... I'll let you guys know!

BTW, mods: could we merge this thread with the one I've started??? Good info in both of them, but no need to have two.

Good videos. Gameplay seems smoother in the next-gen version compared to last year (well, I'm only judging from videos since I don't have a next-gen console...). Anyway, is it me or the player models in the next-gen still look "funny"? I don't know, maybe it's just that I'm so used to current-gen. I like them more. Graphics are sure amazing, though, and so is the "highlight videos" feature. Hey, I expect great clips of your dynasties from you 360/PS3 owners!!! :D
Those recruiting screens look very good too. I really hope this stuff is in the current-gen also.

Did either of you guys with insider accounts see any gang tackles? Also, any mario running present? How does the running game look in general?

Must be EA media day. MizzouRah started a thread about how great NHL 08 and NCAA 08 are going to be according to the new press releases. ;)

For the record, I'd love for the NCAA 08 game to be a good one, but I'll assume it's going to be bad and then hope to be pleasantly surprised.

I NEVER said NCAA 08 was going to be great. I said the new recruiting screens look great and last year's game was so-so for me, but I'm looking foward to a more polished game this year.

Since NHL 07 is my favorite console sports game, I can only predict that NHL 08 will be even better, especially running at 60 fps and will the improved defensive skating.

Don't you have The Show to go play or something? ;)

I actually liked NCAA 2007.

EF - were you inquiring whether gang-tackling was present, or were you looking for video confirmation? FWIW, I had heard it IS present.

I didn't notice any gang tackles. The running game seems fine to me, but as I said, I didn't play last year's next-gen version, so I can't really compare the two.

:eek: :D

Just found a link to a video about current-gen dynasty mode!

Very nice video: the dynasty menu has been re-organized a bit, and now there's a pre-season phase with redshirts, schedules, pre-season recruit (15 players) and summer training (kinda like the Madden training camp). Recruiting seems improved, and it now has player promises (jersey #, playing time, position), a very good addition IMO. Medical redshirts are also in.

One thing I LOVED about next-gen last year was the 25-second clock. Because of some of the animations it always seemed you were getting to the line of scrimmage with about 4 seconds left on the play clock. I hate, hate, hate football games that allow you to call the play, and then you head up to the line of scrimmage with 20 second left on the clock. This forces you to just sit there and pretend to pick your ear or something in order to get a realistic amount of plays.

Yes, I know you can change the number of minutes a quarter lasts - I set mine to 9 mins in NCAA last year. Another nice thing about it is, there IS a genuine concern about delay of game penalties.

Pretty impressive.