EvanRG's Blog
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We're coming up on almost a month since the release of NCAA Football 2014. As the last version for this generation of consoles and the last "NCAA" football game of its kind, this game had a lot of pressure on it. I would say, for the most part, it's done OK under the microscope of the critical eye of OS nation. But, with the honeymoon phase all but over and Madden 25 breathing down its neck, this is usually the time when the game begins to gather dust or get traded in altogether.
After a week off from the game due to a busy several days at work and home, I finally got to get back into playing NCAA Football 2014 this weekend. What I found was a game that I thoroughly enjoyed, flaws and all, but still felt like I couldn't totally dive into. It just felt cumbersome. Honestly, I had no one to blame, but myself. My sliders were out-of-whack, I didn't feel invested in my dynasty and I wasn't in total football mode.
Well, after a few changes (which I will share below) I have really gotten into a groove where I look forward to (and actually desire) to spend my valuable free time playing NCAA Football 2014. The changes I am going to suggest are perhaps not meant for everyone, but they did impact how much I enjoy the game and so for that reason alone, it's worth a share.
Step One: I Stopped Expecting to Reach Sim Nirvana
This was the first step for me, and it was tough. I love simulation sports, I really do. But, the first step in actually enjoying a video game is realizing that it is just that: a video game. You aren't going to see fumbled snaps or a realistic representation of special teams play. It's just not fun. Last night I went to the hall-of-fame game in Canton. On their first play Miami fumbled the snap. THE FIRST PLAY. If that happened in a video game, your controller would be in the screen. Football is actually a pretty dry game. The fans, the atmosphere and the big plays are what we want to always remember, but there is a lot of stuff we forgive and forget because we love the other 90%.
This is probably the hardest step to overcome. Sadly, many cannot overlook this, and in fact, believe that EA needs to cater to us. But, we all know that we are a small minority in the grand scheme of sports gamers. The things we catch on to aren't caught by the majority of gamers, and so it's time to be aware of these things and say our opinion, but once that's done, you have to make peace with the game or move on.
Step Two: I Stopped Using Someone Else's Opinion to Formulate Mine
I love these forums, I really do. But we all know how easy it is for everyone to jump on the negative-nancy train and just keep on rolling off the cliff (aka, selling the game). Trust me, we need negative opinions, DB's are messed up (or so I hear), shotgun running is too easy (tell that to my current RB's 2.9 YPC) - and there is definite room for improvement in almost every aspect of the game, but if I all I did was read this forum and not play the game, I'd grow quite depressed about my purchase. However, if you can put your laptop down and jump into the game with the expectations that there is some fun to be had, then you've made a huge leap.
Step Three: I Customized the Game to What Makes it Fun for Me
This one is huge. The biggest thing I did to make NCAA Football 14 fun again was actually quite insane. After trying some wonderful sliders that were realistic (but, so so hard and kind of dry), I realized I was more obsessed with reaching the correct number of plays per game and certain stats than actually enjoying those plays or the gameplay! Crazy right? I realized that starting and finishing a game was actually quite a taxing experience for me. So, first thing I did was shorten the quarters to 6 minutes, reset the sliders to default and made tweaks that I believed I would need (AA offense, Heisman defense, weaker running, tougher pass defense etc.)
Going on three days of this formula and I can't seem to put the controller down! The games have been tough, fun and I keep telling myself, "just one more." Is it sim, no, but it's definitely fun fair and the stats are not unrealistic. I went 9-4 in my first year with Cincinnati, got upset twice, lost two fair games and even ruined Louisville's season. My stats were surprisingly on point (because I still do care about not getting hail mary touchdowns each drive or sacking the QB 10+ times). Of course my plays per game were lower, but not by much and I was most importantly having fun!
So not to end this blog post too abruptly, but take a look at what makes you most unhappy about NCAA Football? Is it something that you've experienced first-hand and can't look past? Then OK. But, like any good marriage, if there's still something there, something that makes you want to try to make it work, then follow my steps and see if you can't keep the passion alive.
Thanks for reading.
# 2
EvanRG @ Aug 5
Thanks for the feedback, and I agree.
I've been playing with a sim-first mentality for almost five years now and it's seemed to work fine, but I consistently burned out almost a month or two into the game's lifespan. I guess what I am suggesting is that not all sim-gamers are born alike, and it could be what causes many of us to abandon ship early. We think we aren't getting the most out of the game because we get caught up on certain things, when in reality we just aren't playing the game how we would actually enjoy it.
I've been playing with a sim-first mentality for almost five years now and it's seemed to work fine, but I consistently burned out almost a month or two into the game's lifespan. I guess what I am suggesting is that not all sim-gamers are born alike, and it could be what causes many of us to abandon ship early. We think we aren't getting the most out of the game because we get caught up on certain things, when in reality we just aren't playing the game how we would actually enjoy it.
# 3
DJ @ Aug 5
This was very refreshing to read, Evan. You touch on a lot of great points here, and many are things I've tried to incorporate into my own gaming life.
I really think default sliders are the way to go with sports games. Looking back over the last 2-3 years, the games that I played at or very close to default (NBA 2K11-13, MLB The Show, NCAA 13) were the ones that I enjoyed the most.
I appreciate that sliders are there and some things certainly need tweaking, but I just don't have the time or patience to get caught up in that never-ending search for the "perfect" set. It's funny that playing on default, if you play enough games, you'll see all of the things that you expect to see from the game you are playing in terms of results, stats, animations, etc. I think we've all fallen into the habit of playing a game, not liking something and then chaning all of the sliders.
Having custom difficulties for offense and defense was a great call by the NCAA team. I play on AA-Offense/Heisman-Defense and am getting great results.
Glad you are enjoying the game and I hope others take your message to heart and instead of looking for flaws, enjoy the games for what they are.
I really think default sliders are the way to go with sports games. Looking back over the last 2-3 years, the games that I played at or very close to default (NBA 2K11-13, MLB The Show, NCAA 13) were the ones that I enjoyed the most.
I appreciate that sliders are there and some things certainly need tweaking, but I just don't have the time or patience to get caught up in that never-ending search for the "perfect" set. It's funny that playing on default, if you play enough games, you'll see all of the things that you expect to see from the game you are playing in terms of results, stats, animations, etc. I think we've all fallen into the habit of playing a game, not liking something and then chaning all of the sliders.
Having custom difficulties for offense and defense was a great call by the NCAA team. I play on AA-Offense/Heisman-Defense and am getting great results.
Glad you are enjoying the game and I hope others take your message to heart and instead of looking for flaws, enjoy the games for what they are.
# 4
trey2k198003 @ Aug 5
i love this write up, ive been saying this for yrs to people about video games not just EA in particular. There games they are all going to be somewhat flawed but the true measure of game is how much fun and how long you play it! i played COnnected Careers m13 up until may....cant remember the last time i played madden that long and since Nacaa 14 came out it has not bee nejectedfrom my xbox for that "one more game" affect that has me in yr three now haha i love it!
# 5
tril @ Aug 5
great article. Id like to know your slider set...lol
I cant get into NCAA 14 because of everything that you mentioned. Im just looking for some good balance which I cant seem to find.
I cant get into NCAA 14 because of everything that you mentioned. Im just looking for some good balance which I cant seem to find.
# 7
davis420 @ Aug 5
That's why I stay out of the Bugs/Glitches forum. Going there will make you see things you wouldn't have noticed. I know there are things wrong, I'm on PS3, but the game is still fun to play.
# 8
gotmeamodel @ Aug 5
Amen Brotha...Great read. Very well thought out. That's how I always looked at it. They will never make the perfect anything. They are a business first that is what I think most people forget. People will by nature find something to complain about. If they made the perfect game they couldn't make money off another one because people would complain that it is just roster upgrades and how much should you really pay for that? Surely not as much as you would for a full game.
# 9
BreaksoftheGame @ Aug 5
So your saying lower your expectations to enjoy the game?
I would like to play 15 minute quarters with the CPU snapping the ball at a realistic pace based on team play. Once EA can deliver that I am all for lowering my expectations.
I would like to play 15 minute quarters with the CPU snapping the ball at a realistic pace based on team play. Once EA can deliver that I am all for lowering my expectations.
# 10
EvanRG @ Aug 5
Thanks for the read everyone. I threw this up during a break at work, so it's a nice surprise for OS to place this on their front page.
Breaksofthegame, thanks for the read. To your point, I think you should stick to your laurels and demand a 15-minute sim-experience if that's what you desire. My point with this blog is not to lower your expectations or comprise what makes you happy, but rather be realistic about the game we have, block out the crowdspeak, and try to find a place where you can enjoy the game.
Breaksofthegame, thanks for the read. To your point, I think you should stick to your laurels and demand a 15-minute sim-experience if that's what you desire. My point with this blog is not to lower your expectations or comprise what makes you happy, but rather be realistic about the game we have, block out the crowdspeak, and try to find a place where you can enjoy the game.
# 11
Stormyhog @ Aug 5
Loved the article great job. Like you I got slidered out and it started killing the enjoyment of sports game in general. I just want to have some fun and not be worried about every minute detail. Sure I try to replicate it the best I can but not go overboard on it. When a game becomes to tedious it becomes a chore to play through and I lose interest. I still want it to have a sim feel but not so much that it kills the fun.
# 12
SkillzKillz719 @ Aug 6
This opinion is fresh on a site like OS. Sometimes it can get a little too sim-happy and negative nancy like you said. But it's always good to be reminded that it's just a game!
Personally I feel like the gameplay is where want expect it to be (and I totally understand the argument it should be better and we all have collectively just lowered our expectations and this is where we wanted it to be in NCAA 08)but it's to the point where I'm not getting so upset that I stop playing. For it to take a next-next step it needs to make dynasty fun and replayable.
I still feel like I'm just playing season after season with streamlined recruiting... it's okay but it's just not making me come back to it day after day... I find myself playing online ranked matches for the gameplay.
Anyways good article!
Personally I feel like the gameplay is where want expect it to be (and I totally understand the argument it should be better and we all have collectively just lowered our expectations and this is where we wanted it to be in NCAA 08)but it's to the point where I'm not getting so upset that I stop playing. For it to take a next-next step it needs to make dynasty fun and replayable.
I still feel like I'm just playing season after season with streamlined recruiting... it's okay but it's just not making me come back to it day after day... I find myself playing online ranked matches for the gameplay.
Anyways good article!
# 13
elgreazy1 @ Aug 6
This is great actually. I sometimes feel too many opinions and reading all the harsh, negative feedback for games is just sensory overload. Imagine if people had this voice in the early years of video gaming? People would have poked holes through Tecmo Bowl, NHL 94 and the like. If a game is fun to the user then what does all else matter?
Where I do have issues with is when a game is broken. Case in point, NCAA 14! My game always freezes during the Nike Trainer mode and sometimes in other modes. Now that's not fun. WTF EA?
Where I do have issues with is when a game is broken. Case in point, NCAA 14! My game always freezes during the Nike Trainer mode and sometimes in other modes. Now that's not fun. WTF EA?
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But please don't ever stop looking for simulation FIRST in any sports game. That should be a base for the fun too come, but if the game becomes too overbearing after changing sliders & rosters then I guess your solutions work.