NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

[ChaseB]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

Boo. The title had the makings of a great article.

Sadly, it didn't tip-toe the sidelines but rather mind-numbingly juked the topic at hand. Everyone is concerned we will get a rehash of NCAA '08. Where is that next-gen innovation? We know it can be done.

Instead, the focus is on how the new direction has the potential to make this series a great one.

Completely mis-leading article heading, IMO.

I guess a more of the same followed by OR blah blah could have made it a bit more clear.

Anywho, yea I think everyone is concerned about the innovation or lack thereof but you should know how early EA press works, and I think it would be unfair to put forth some sort of scathing editorial this early in the process about doom and gloom/fear about '09. EA gets out some of the easiest features to pimp -- in this case a chance to tout a new animation system and the new right-stick controls (I whined about how I'm tired of right stick "innovations" on the podcast this week I think) but yea once again I see your point somewhat. This article I think serves the purpose of just getting the gears back in-motion, get people back talking about the game -- as well as being a tie-in to the first bits of information...And now we go from here. Once we get hands-on time is really when it becomes fair to start being more critical of the product, at least in my opinion.

[mastershake88]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

People don't say a thing? You obviously haven't read much of the MLB 2K8 forum or the NHL 2k8 forum. 2k gets roughed up when they deserve it.

Does 2k get a little bit more of a break than EA does? Well yeah probably. But that is because they are the underdogs. They don't have near the resources or time in the Marketplace that EA does. So people are a little more foregiving. But to say that "people don't say a thing" is simply inaccurate.

2k is fast to fix their problem. ea isnt..i assure you when 2k says they messed up they will fix it lol they will send a patch. EA messes up you contact them they shut you up. and their patch is another game another year. While 2k screws up. while mlb 2k8 controls are cripple..they will fix it..with EA your playing consumer russian roulette.

so they will be refining the game eh? thats nice and good or ncaa 09. looks like ill be refining my wallet and not getting anything EA.

[J-Unit40]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

2k is fast to fix their problem. ea isnt..i assure you when 2k says they messed up they will fix it lol they will send a patch. EA messes up you contact them they shut you up. and their patch is another game another year. While 2k screws up. while mlb 2k8 controls are cripple..they will fix it..with EA your playing consumer russian roulette.

so they will be refining the game eh? thats nice and good or ncaa 09. looks like ill be refining my wallet and not getting anything EA.

Or you get a patch that doesn't really do too much when the season is over or near over, a la NCAA Football 08.

[mastershake88]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

Or you get a patch that doesn't really do too much when the season is over or near over, a la NCAA Football 08.

yep

[countryboy]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

Did someone mention EA??

[LingeringRegime]

More of the same? Yes. Never again EA, Never again.

[Hawaii_Stars]

As usual I will keep close tabs on this game, but nothing said has me waiting at the edge of my seat on new news.

[DLaren]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

Another small detail to be gleaned from the interview is that the folks down at EA Tiburon are working on adding some depth as it relates to the little things this year.

Good article, more specifically I certainly agree that this seems to be a year in which Tiburon will finally begin to focus on the "little things" again.



If these screenshots of NFL Headcoach'09 are any indication of a company wide focus on detail, then I'd expect NCAA'09 to deliver on that front; hopefully to the tune of team specific intros and crowd participation to better player interaction and booth commentary.

[Pared]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

I guess a more of the same followed by OR blah blah could have made it a bit more clear.

Anywho, yea I think everyone is concerned about the innovation or lack thereof but you should know how early EA press works, and I think it would be unfair to put forth some sort of scathing editorial this early in the process about doom and gloom/fear about '09. EA gets out some of the easiest features to pimp -- in this case a chance to tout a new animation system and the new right-stick controls (I whined about how I'm tired of right stick "innovations" on the podcast this week I think) but yea once again I see your point somewhat. This article I think serves the purpose of just getting the gears back in-motion, get people back talking about the game -- as well as being a tie-in to the first bits of information...And now we go from here. Once we get hands-on time is really when it becomes fair to start being more critical of the product, at least in my opinion.

I hear what you're saying... just felt the article title gave way to a tone completely different than the content therein.

Deep down inside we're all looking for more from EA. With the new staff writers I was hoping they would hold their feet to the fire. I've read time and time again that MaddenMania had become one of EA's harshest critics and their inability to capitalize on what could be the premier football games... but then I read this.

Personally I don't feel it's ever too early to hold EA accountable for '09. Because if you don't, what's going to happen is the same thing that happened last year. By then, it will be too late.

Some of you may think my perception is a bit negative and that's ok; Doesn't matter to me much. What matters is I have a football game to enjoy that does things next-gen games are supposed to do, not re-add in features I was utilizing 4 years ago on my PS2 and calling it the second coming.

You may claim it's early, but you never know when it will be too late.

[SportsTop]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

I hear what you're saying... just felt the article title gave way to a tone completely different than the content therein.

Deep down inside we're all looking for more from EA. With the new staff writers I was hoping they would hold their feet to the fire. I've read time and time again that MaddenMania had become one of EA's harshest critics and their inability to capitalize on what could be the premier football games... but then I read this.

Personally I don't feel it's ever too early to hold EA accountable for '09. Because if you don't, what's going to happen is the same thing that happened last year. By then, it will be too late.

Some of you may think my perception is a bit negative and that's ok; Doesn't matter to me much. What matters is I have a football game to enjoy that does things next-gen games are supposed to do, not re-add in features I was utilizing 4 years ago on my PS2 and calling it the second coming.

You may claim it's early, but you never know when it will be too late.

So you're going to judge the stance all of the former MM staff writers and even this author in particular off of one article?

I can tell you first hand from talking to all of them that they, in fact, are some of the harshest EA Sports and more specifically Madden and NCAA critics I've seen on these boards.

[ChaseB]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

I hear what you're saying... just felt the article title gave way to a tone completely different than the content therein.

Deep down inside we're all looking for more from EA. With the new staff writers I was hoping they would hold their feet to the fire. I've read time and time again that MaddenMania had become one of EA's harshest critics and their inability to capitalize on what could be the premier football games... but then I read this.

Personally I don't feel it's ever too early to hold EA accountable for '09. Because if you don't, what's going to happen is the same thing that happened last year. By then, it will be too late.

Some of you may think my perception is a bit negative and that's ok; Doesn't matter to me much. What matters is I have a football game to enjoy that does things next-gen games are supposed to do, not re-add in features I was utilizing 4 years ago on my PS2 and calling it the second coming.

You may claim it's early, but you never know when it will be too late.

If we're really splitting hairs here, I'd say it's already "too late" in terms of us making an impact. There's development time left (roughly 3 months) but whatever features etc they are going with, it's pretty much a given. It's one of the tricky parts about sports games, where when there's media days or preview pushes for other genres and there's a majority saying one thing you can make necessary tweaks and changes or have a delay....Doesn't work like that for annual sports games (and you probably know all this). Now once people see and play NCAA they can still make some tweaks but I think the major stuff is in or not at this point.

To your point about not being negative enough -- due to the subject title being misleading I guess -- that's perfectly alright to say that. It's personal opinion so it's not really something I can argue one way or the other. I still think we need to know more about the game then just this one interview from a Product Manager though before being too worried or hopeful or judgmental.

Now if someone was to simply write a completely op-ed historical piece on the pitfalls of the series the past few years then in that context it would make more sense to do what you're saying.

Either way I think cautious optimism sums up the entirety of the piece to me -- once again if you think Chris is calling it the "second coming" then that's not something I can argue.

So you're going to judge the stance all of the former MM staff writers and even this author in particular off of one article?

I can tell you first hand from talking to all of them that they, in fact, are some of the harshest EA Sports and more specifically Madden and NCAA critics I've seen on these boards.

I wouldn't say he's judging us, I think he's being wary, which is fine. I think people like Pared questioning us constantly is a good thing anyway. This type of discussion, even if it is criticizing the piece, is a good thing not a bad thing because it keeps everyone on their toes. More people bringing up issues and all that will make people think harder about what they write or do not write.

[countryboy]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

If we're really splitting hairs here, I'd say it's already "too late" in terms of us making an impact. There's development time left (roughly 3 months) but whatever features etc they are going with, it's pretty much a given. It's one of the tricky parts about sports games, where when there's media days or preview pushes for other genres and there's a majority saying one thing you can make necessary tweaks and changes or have a delay....Doesn't work like that for annual sports games (and you probably know all this). Now once people see and play NCAA they can still make some tweaks but I think the major stuff is in or not at this point.

To your point about not being negative enough -- due to the subject title being misleading I guess -- that's perfectly alright to say that. It's personal opinion so it's not really something I can argue one way or the other. I still think we need to know more about the game then just this one interview from a Product Manager though before being too worried or hopeful or judgmental.

Now if someone was to simply write a completely op-ed historical piece on the pitfalls of the series the past few years then in that context it would make more sense to do what you're saying.

Either way I think cautious optimism sums up the entirety of the piece to me -- once again if you think Chris is calling it the "second coming" then that's not something I can argue.



I wouldn't say he's judging us, I think he's being wary, which is fine. I think people like Pared questioning us constantly is a good thing anyway. This type of discussion, even if it is criticizing the piece, is a good thing not a bad thing because it keeps everyone on their toes. More people bringing up issues and all that will make people think harder about what they write or do not write.

[rolltide1017]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

I just wish the industry would move away from the annual sports game releases, that way they would actually have time too really fix things instead of just patching holes and applying a fresh coat of paint.

I think the MLB2K series is a prime example. They just don't have time to fix the problems from the previous year before it's time to push out the current year's game. The problems continue to snowball and they just can't recover. IMO the MLB2K series is worse then it was 3 years ago.

I will cut EA a break on NCAA because they did make some big improvements last year. 08 was much more playable then 07 but, the yearly release just doesn't allow the time for the 100% improvement that the hardcore fans here want to see. What makes it worse with NCAA is the fact that EA removed all of the little touches that made NCAA so great on the PS2/Xbox. If some of those little things (like player entrances) don't start showing up again this year then I'll probably give up on the series like I have with the MLB2K series.

Too really improve sports games, they have to get rid of the yearly release schedule. These really are talented guys making these games, they just need more time to truly put that talent to work.

[fantasysportsguy]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

Tide, a company with the resources of EA DOES have the time. The problem is, they don't have the will. They know they can save money up front (development, innovation, all the stuff that goes into the game), put out what amounts to glorified, patched up versions of the previous years game, and sell MILLIONS of games across all platforms.

The problem is one of will, NOT one of time. It costs money and requires a serious desire on their part, to want to really innovate (read as fix) and make a couple of darn fine football games, that their customers deserve.

The '08 EA games were a joke, lets be honest here, Madden had so many ridiculous bugs in it, that got through testing, that it makes you wonder how they could sit there, being interviewed, and say they were "pleased" with the game. How dare they! How dare they sit there and release an obviously flawed (read as crappy, I am trying to be polite here) game, charge us full price, and have the cojones to tell us this is a game they think the consumer will love?

EA is Wal-Mart, Exxon, etc, it's the bottom line, nothing else. They are so big, but they only have a desire to get larger, and quality be damned if it steps in the way. It's profit, profit, profit, not innovation, not quality, not desire, and until the consumer stands up and emphatically says "NO" to the Maddens, NBA LIVE's, NCAA's (March Madness and Football), and NASCAR's, we will continue to get mediocre games, with little innovation, little real effort, and quality that is lacking.

[SteelerSpartan]

Re: NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

yeah seriously, EA could could do a lot more yet they choose not to because of $$$$....Why work harder/hire more devs when you can make millions being lazy and under staffed.


And I swear if in 09, I go to edit one my players and it resets my depth chart.....I'll make it my life's mission to destroy EA