LOL. It's always like this.

[12]

I always tell myself that I will wait to buy video games... Not just EA products, but any game.

Why?

We get the hype machine early, and people start getting excited. We hear about new features and we all buy in to it.

Then the game arrives, and people want to believe that it's a good game. Case in point, a week after this game released, the posts were mostly positive. For someone who stood by for a bit to see what the reactions and opinions would be, they would think it was a safe time to buy.

Then, as the beta testing continues, people find serious glitches. Some of these glitches are game breaking, while others are not. Whatever. The point is, the overall tone changes from positivity to outright hatred for the company.

That's all to be expected.

Our problem is, we never make companies earn our dollars. The smart thing is to wait it out until patches are released. Let the suckers buy the game early and find out what the massive issues are. Better them than us, right? We possibly save $60, or at least hold on to it longer, while things get sorted out. EA, or any game company takes notice of the decline in sales, and realizes that they need to step their game up.

But what happens? We all buy it early, and the company sees the sales, and they know they've already made a profit from their work, so they drag *** on releasing patches. How about addressing the community? No need, the sales numbers are good, so let the dust settle and when they release the patch, they are the heroes again.

People love the game after the patch(es), but after a time, new issues show their ugly head or people simply lose interest. By then, the development and sales cycle is complete and it's on to the next year.

Again, this is not just about Electronic Arts. It's about every game on the market.

The goal is to get games out as soon as possible. Why does EA release this game in July? To get a massive head start on Madden. People need their football fix, and they'll get it with NCAA. In reality, this game should not be released until mid-to-late August, but that will never happen.

It's such a vicious, ugly cycle, a cycle that will continue until we make these companies earn our money.

I love this game, despite the flaws. I am not experiencing the same issues that a lot of people are, but perhaps that's because I've only played the game two or three times in the past month. My focus is getting my team's roster as close to perfection as possible, and that takes time. I am patiently waiting for the patch, but even without it, I'll get my money's worth because I love this game. Is it perfect? Not even close. It has more holes than my target when I went and shot my Kimber 1911 the other day.

It's just funny to me to see the same crap happening year after year. For me, I know I am safe purchasing the game early on because I know that I won't let the minute imperfections get me down and ultimately, this game will get a lot of burn from me.

But for some of you, waiting is really your best option and could help (or force) EA to meet your demands in the quality of their work.

If you don't learn from your mistakes, you'll continue to repeat them. True statement or not?

[NikeBlitz]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

So true ...

[OGKing]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

I mean, i enjoy the game a lot. Not sure why people are complaining about it so much. I didn't read your whole wall of text, but i did scim through it. You're overeating too much man, the game barley came out less than a month ago, there will be a few patches here and there to clean the game up. In terms of gameplay, this is possibly the best NCAA football game I've played. This thread could lead to an argument, so its highly possible it's going to get locked.

[blkrptnt819]

I've learned my lesson. Last year, I bought the game in Spetember and it played amazing! Dynasty was fun, I enjoyed the game I played up until the demo came out. I was ready for "12. Come to find out it's a gitchy mess before the patches come out. So what will I do next year?!?! Wait til I see the patches have been released!

[Old School SD Fan]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

Wise take OP. And exactly why I'll be milking NCAA until Madden 12 is completely patched before even THINKING of buying it.

[12]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

I mean, i enjoy the game a lot. Not sure why people are complaining about it so much. I didn't read your whole wall of text, but i did scim through it. You're overeating too much man, the game barley came out less than a month ago, there will be a few patches here and there to clean the game up. In terms of gameplay, this is possibly the best NCAA football game I've played. This thread could lead to an argument, so its highly possible it's going to get locked.

You missed my point entirely, so if you're just going to skim a post, why reply at all?

My point, again, was that I enjoy the game. I get tired of the complaining as well but much of it is warranted, due to some pretty big issues. The meat of my post was about not rushing out to buy games on release day. Understanding the bare bones of how these companies think and do business is key.

And "wall of text?" OK, but again, you missed my point and I don't see how my thread was that long.

Thanks for your thoughts anyway.

[12]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

And I'll continue to buy this game on release day for a variety of reasons...

1) This game has always earned my money. Even if it is widely considered lackluster by the gaming community, I've always enjoyed it. More so than Madden, because I just love the college game and the recruiting. There's been years where I didn't play it as much, but as far as getting my $65 worth, EA has done that year in and year out. Maybe it's not because the game is so great, but rather because of my love for college football.

2) I don't get the desire to play the game much until the real season starts, and by then, patches are released and the game is better. I spend most of time early on by editing my team's roster and getting everything perfect.

3) I am patient, and don't need to start dynasties until at least September.

[Gige56]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

I couldn't have said that any better. I'd put my $65 towards a mildly incomplete college game than a pro game any day of the week because of the feel of the college game...IMO, you don't get the same experience and traditions as you would from Madden.

Well, Well said Apostle...

[Cardot]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

Yep, it has been that ways for years. It is a cycle that repeats with pretty much every game.

1. Pre-release: Everyone super amped for what without a doubt will be the best game EVER.
2. Game released, everyone loving the new stuff.
3. A few days in: bugs noticed/discovered. Outrage swarms OS, pitch forks and torches retrieved.
4. Then about 4-8 weeks later, those who hate the game move on, and for the most part there is calmer discussion on the game.

Fast forward 8 months, and the cycle of life begins again.

[dwidep]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

I disagree, it isn't always like this. There are only a few games I get on release day, ncaa football, any gta game, forza, elder scrolls, and every Diablo game/x pac. The huge difference in ncaa and the rest is obviously development time. The other games all have patches come out to fix minor bugs/issues but they are always functionally playable. This is normally the case w/ ncaa as well but not this year. This game is broken. I cannot play OD w/ my friends because the game has freezing and advancement issues. We have tried to get 3 different dynasties but have not been able to play more that two full seasons. I will not be buying ncaa on release next year.

[Cardot]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

I disagree, it isn't always like this.

For sports games it is. Pick any game, and then go back and look at the forums. The cycle is a constant.

[Cubs017]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

The July release date is completely insignificant. It doesn't matter if it's released in July each year or in August or in January. The development team gets (less than) a year to work on it regardless.

[aarontab]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

Great post Apostle, couldn't agree with you more.

[BenGerman]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

Count me in as another who enjoys the game, but wishes EA went about all of this differently. I don't mind buying it early because I know I'm just going to buy it later, and EA won my money over as soon as they purchased the rights to college football. Fair? Probably not. But it's how it is, and I've grown to be okay with the fact that until EA has some competition, we'll never see the exponential growth we are hoping for.

Which may be a good thing, because other games (i.e MLB the Show) are beginning to circle right around perfection and still hear complaints about how the game is getting stale. For good reason I say, there isn't much else they can do. And maybe this is why we see such a great following for this series, because they have so much room to improve. Its a little depressing and a little exciting all at the same time.

[yourfavestoner]

Re: LOL. It's always like this.

My advice to everyone is to honestly subscribe to Gamefly. Saved me from buying the abortion of a Madden product last year. Played it for a day and sent it back.