Editors Corner: 9-1-11 Edition - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

Editors Corner: 9-1-11 Edition Stuck

Posted on September 1, 2011 at 03:16 PM.

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To give a new purpose for my blog, I'm starting a new feature I'll try to do on the Thursday or Friday of each week. Basically, I'll give some comments on the top news stories of the week with some reflection and perhaps some context. This is basically my spot to give my thoughts in as random of a fashion as necessary to cover everything -- and to give insights as to what's going on at OS right now.

So are you ready for the initial round of randomness? Ready, set, go!

-It'd be deplorable for me to not start off the first edition without first talking about what was the latest and greatest release of Madden. I reviewed the game, and gave it a 7.5 -- which is a good game on our new scoring scale. There's a lot of questions as to what a 7.5 means on our scale, and our rubric covers the 7s pretty good. Simply put, a 7.5 isn't a bad score at OS -- it's the type of score you'd expect from a good playing simulation game which isn't all that realistic when it comes down to it. From my perspective, Madden is a clear step behind the NBA 2K, MLB The Show's, and even FIFAs of our genre right now. The gameplay is good but unrealistic, and the presentation is merely average at this point instead of quite bad. But to me, it's easily the best Madden of this generation -- which could speak volumes as to where the series has been the past several years.

-We also found out the NCAA Patch is done and will be coming out sooner or later. It's too bad it took so long, and from some rumblings I think the boys at Tiburon were dumbfounded by some of the things that went wrong with NCAA. Even more importantly, I wonder how many people have abandoned the game for Madden or other video game ventures at this point?

-The NBA 2K12 Momentus trailer has me eating my words. I said on the OS Radio Show I was skeptical about the game's ability to follow up. There are some details (covered in the comments/thread for the video) that basically mean the gameplay experience could be above and beyond 2K11's stellar effort. We've never had a game repeat for Team Sports Game of the Year since I've been here. I'm beginning to wonder if that streak could end this year?

-Of course, the hands-on preview for NBA 2K12 here at OS (another to follow soon) doesn't hurt my enthusiasm either.

-College Football realignment is in the air again. Texas A&M is leaving the Big XII for the SEC. I'm from Big XII Country and have been following this story closely -- and I can even tell you I have no idea what's coming next. The Big XII is attempting to save itself, but my Sooners have been extremely quiet on their future intentions. It's very possible that, as Kirk Bohl's reported, we're packing up the Schooner to head west to the new Pac 16 within days. I know the prospect of the Pac 16 had everyone in Norman excited last year, and I get the feeling we're just ready to end the Big XII to get some stability. However, if the Big XII wants to stay alive, I say merge with the Big East and form the only possible Superconference in the country, since everyone else's plans involve eventually taking teams from both conferences.

-The NHL 12 Review is coming up, and I'm pretty certain it'll be interesting to see how the game fits up. We're trying to renew our focus on simulation aspects of games that are AAA titles meant to be sim, so I'm sure there will be much discussion about how we are being too hard on the game (or perhaps how we're busy praising it's efforts).

-Finally, we are in the midst of some staff reorganization for the writing staff. You'll find out a lot more details next week, as we are going to be looking for a couple more writers to join our team by then. We're still working out the details, but if you ever wanted to write for us (and trust me, a lot of you have inquired in the past eight months) then you'd better be looking. Writing for OS is actually a paying gig, just not an actual job. Stay tuned.

Happy Real Football Week everyone! Hoping for a great first week of actual football games!!!

Comments

# 1 Cobrakai Karate @ Sep 1

Hey Chris, Whats up with you giving last years Madden a high score? I think it was a 9 or 8.8. (something like that) That game was hot garbage! Worst in the series since 06(360) I think we all would agree that this years game is way better. I think the score you gave this years is spot on. What happened last year O.S. missed it along with everyone else. Thanks

# 2 RaychelSnr @ Sep 1

I didn't review the game last year and as I said in the blog here -- we changed the scoring system.

(How many times do I have to state this for people to get it?)

# 3 Petey B @ Sep 1

I would love for a chance to write for OS! Please let me know what I can do!

# 4 RamzaLugria @ Sep 1

Good to see someone else seriously dissappointed with NCAA. Totally going away once FIFA hits.

# 5 briguy2176 @ Sep 1

I just joined up on the site recently but I would love a shot at writing for the site. I was an English major, so you know I check and recheck everything LOL.

# 6 ty5oke @ Sep 1

Too bad CHOOPS2k12 isn't around to give NBA2k12 a run for its money on game of the year..

# 7 RaychelSnr @ Sep 1

@ty5oke VERY TRUE! That series was really good...it's greatly missed!!

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