NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

[Steve_OS]

We have just posted our hands-on NCAA Football 11 preview. Find out what Christian McLeod has to say about the game, a few months before release.

"The NCAA series used to be my favorite sports franchise. I use the past tense because ever since the series came to current-gen consoles the gameplay quality and presentation values have taken steps backwards, culminating in the extremely disappointing NCAA Football 10.

So my mission was clear at this preview event in New York: track down those responsible for the development of the series, ask them the tough questions that the OS faithful expect and see just what was so special about this year's version of the game, especially after years of disappointment.

But before I go any further, I wanted to bring up one thing. In today’s world of yearly sports releases of varying quality, it is quite easy to scapegoat a developer or producer, placing the blame on those particular individuals for the quality of their aforementioned game. Our forum users here at OS have a somewhat notorious reputation for holding development teams to somewhat impossible standards at times -- just look at the 180-degree turn in excitement for NCAA 11 after the initial "gameplay" video was posted on site."

[GaryT531]

Sounds promising, but no bowl patches will really set some people off.

[huntt26]

Re: NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

Good to know that teams will enter the field now, and that some will be authentic. Hopefully the teams that are not authentic will have some type of generic tunnel run out.

I buy NCAA every year, but looks like this year I'll have quite a bit to be excited about!

[Jessep07]

I completely regret reading this...purely because of the fact that it's not even may yet.

[ch46647]

Re: NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

This guy has me really excited with this preview! However, he talks about all new OL/DL AI and how it is had been completely re-written from last year. I would have to assume that Madden has this as well, and since the only real gameplay clip we have is from last nights Madden trailer, I did not see any big improvements to the OL/DL in those couple clips. (I was pretty upset about that)

Could him seeing this HUGE amount of progress in this area be because NCAA is more polished then Madden at this point?

[rudyjuly2]

Absolutely fantastic. Can't wait for NCAA 11!

[coogrfan]

Re: NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

I completely regret reading this...purely because of the fact that it's not even may yet.

I feel your pain.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

I like the blocking, but I'm going to withhold judgement until I get the game in my hands. I'm still not sure whether to rent or buy, but if the video that was shown earlier was a pre-alpha, it makes me more excited for this game.

[thmst30]

Re: NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

This is why OS is the only place I trust for previews and reviews. Very in-depth, and covered numerous points of interest for OS members. Thanks Christian!

[TomServo09]

Finally, some information about the gameplay. I will allow my self some very cautious optimism.

[DJ]

Re: NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

Christian, thanks as always for the honest write-up. Glad the drama over the gameplay video has finally been cleared up

No Bowl Patches will upset some people, I'm sure. I'm OK with it, so long as the fields for bowl games are accurate (midfield bowl logo and end zones with each team's logo).

[drlw322]

Re: NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

finally i think my favorite EA series is back. Can't wait to see all the presentation elements come together. Hope they have the "I'M IN" USC pre-game like Notre Dame's play like a champion

[MaizeHaze]

Re: NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

GOOSEBUMPS!!! I figured they where waiting till team entrances etc. were announced before doing an espn vid. I love the part about cut scenes as well! We're not even top may yet and I'm more pumped for this game then I have been in a long long while!

[Maximus205]

It does SOUND promising. Hope I dont have to pay for alternate jersey via DR Pepper Bottle caps. Anyway great write up and are Team Celebrations in this year?

[Solidice]

Re: NCAA Football 11 Hands-On Preview

new Line blocking AI, CPU AI improvements, team entrances, and the ESPN presentations sounds really good.