NCAA Football 12 Preview

[ChaseB]

At this point in a console generation, it feels like sports games are at an advantage and disadvantage. On the one hand, developers should have an immense amount of understanding of the consoles they are working on now. This means adding those extra little elements of joy and polish can be more easily worked into the development of a game. However, it seems like it would be almost crazy to talk about installing an all-new physics engine or something else along those lines at this point in a console's life cycle. Changes like that just seem to happen more often than not at the start of a new console generation.

And NCAA Football 12 might epitomize that double-edged sword. Some of the tweaks that I was shown and was able to mess around with are immediately noticeable and mostly positive, but for folks wanting widespread change, a new engine or some masterful stroke of development genius that will create this all-new football game should probably reel in their expectations a bit.

Read More - NCAA Football 12 Preview

[The GIGGAS]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

Great article!

[shanew21]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

Custom playbooks IN!

Better defense IN!

Better ESPN Presentation IN!

Very excited, but the Dynasty and Commentary better be improved.

[ChaseB]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

And guys, as usual with these previews I could have written more, so I probably can chime in more about certain things etc. or answer some questions relating to the preview throughout the day.

[poopoop]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

Just out of curiosity is there a similar article from OS about last years game I can compare this to?

[The GIGGAS]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

And guys, as usual with these previews I could have written more, so I probably can chime in more about certain things etc. or answer some questions relating to the preview throughout the day.

By chance, Chase, was there any info on TeamBuilder given?

[ChaseB]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

Just out of curiosity is there a similar article from OS about last years game I can compare this to?

By me? No, I don't think I did a preview for NCAA last year. There should be a preview or two up from last year by other writers though.

[WildcatDawg]

So, better presentation, zone coverage, tackling, and custom playbooks. I think I will take a pass this year. Did recruiting get some added presentation? What about player progression?

[ch46647]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

The fact that Chase says the players still have that floaty feel and no true foot planting really concerns me. That is one of my biggest problems with the Next-Gen EA football games. I guess it is just not possible to get that in with the engine they are working with.

Why cant they just copy FIFA's foot planting and locomotion technology? The locomotion they added last year was OK but it wasnt great by any means. Also, I will never understand why they cant get the game to run as SMOOTH as the previous generations of consoles. The only EA game that is extremely smooth on next-gen is the NHL series. I have heard great things about FIFA as well but dont play it much.

It is also very concerning that there is no news from Chase about "consecutive hit" tackles...

[chen_sc]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

the espn ticker that updates scores out of town is in?

[ChaseB]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

By chance, Chase, was there any info on TeamBuilder given?

I know it's a focus for them because they realize college fans are social fiends, but anything I found out I wouldn't be able to talk about anyway at this point. Same goes for Online Dynasty etc.

[poopoop]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

The part about gameplay sounds like a tuner set not a new game.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

I know it's a focus for them because they realize college fans are social fiends, but anything I found out I wouldn't be able to talk about anyway at this point. Same goes for Online Dynasty etc.

I see. Never hurts to ask.

So you can mainly comment on the on-field gameplay and presentation?

[mm boost]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

pretty good read, excited about presentation, but at same time I am kinda bummed that gameday didn't make it in.

Chase, here is a question. When conference games are played, is there presentation tidbits that let you know that you are playing an ACC game vs. say an out of conference game? I feel like these types of things really add to making each game you play feel authentic.

Oh, and can you elaborate a little more on these ESPN presentation packages? So we will have end of the quarter highlights, and a half-time highlight show? Will there be commentary, and in the build that you saw/played, was there commentary included yet?

Thanks for the write up!

[ChaseB]

Re: NCAA Football 12 Preview

The fact that Chase says the players still have that floaty feel and no true footplanting really concerns me. That is one of my biggest problems with the Next-Gen EA football games. I guess it is just not possible to get that in with the engine they are working with.

Why cant they just copy FIFA's footplanting and locomotion technology? THe locomotion they added last year was OK but it wasnt great by any means. Also, I will just never understand why they cant get the game to run as SMOOTH as the previous generations of consoles. The only EA game that is extremely smooth on next-gen is the NHL series. I have heard great things about FIFA as well but dont play it much.

Probably also concerning that there is no news from Chase about "consecutive hit" tackles...

Remind me of the definition of consecutive hit tackles again. I think I know what you mean, and I sort of think that's what I was getting at in this article, but give me clarity first before responding.