The WOW factor is gone.... - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

The WOW factor is gone.... Stuck

Posted on April 19, 2010 at 06:01 PM.

(26)

I've been reading on some initial reactions to NCAA Football 11 and the gameplay video and whatnot over the past couple of hours. It seems as if there is a sizeable sect of people who are unimpressed with the product, and while I understand that sentiment, I also think it's because of unrealistic expectations at this point. In all honesty, I highly doubt any of the yearly titles are able to have you watch their initial video and have you proclaim 'wow' with your jaw dropped to the floor. That just isn't happening for the next several years.

I'm not saying games shouldn't have some core features they are still missing from the last generation, but I am saying that if you are looking to be blown away by initial footage of any of our common yearly products in this genre for the rest of this generation: you are likely going to be sorely disappointed with each product.

From basketball, to baseball, to hockey, to football to whatever other sport you are looking for, the things that just make us gamers go 'WOW' are likely gone for the rest of this generation. I think NCAA Football 11 has made some significant strides in the visuals department over last year, but the game in motion will undoubtedly be a disappointment for many expecting a game to look twice as good as the previous year's edition.

Don't take me as an apologist either, if you've read my blogs you know I have a lot of major beefs with sports gaming. But I also think it's highly unrealistic to expect games to be so much better in such a short amount of time that they cause your jaw to drop. I think the 'WOW' factor is long gone this generation and in it's place are the small to moderate yearly improvements as developers try to fine tune their engines while maximizing sales.

What do you think about NCAA's first gameplay footage? Do you think the 'WOW' factor is gone this generation? Sound off!

Comments

# 1 TreyIM2 @ Apr 19

I'm going to copy and past what I posted in the NCAA 11 vid forum, moments ago:
Wow, I'm very underwhelmed by this vid. It looks the same as usual although the Gator QB scramble looked GREAT but that was a bout it. Didn't like the fact that the head tracking still isn't right and the WR cuts are not crisp with strong foot plants prior to sharp cuts for outs missing.

While I don't know when that vid was made, I know it's about 2 mos, or less til the game final code going gold...but it's STILL about 2 mos or less before final code. I can't see that being of major fixing before then. I would think that bug fixing may be happening around this time or very soon.
Still, though, gotta get my hands on it. Vids don't always do a game justice. Even though Madden 10 still looked like Madden 09, in many respects through early vids, playing it is still fun for me.

I then posted this:

Wow, I'm very underwhelmed by this vid. It looks the same as usual although the Gator QB scramble looked GREAT but that was a bout it. Didn't like the fact that the head tracking still isn't right and the WR cuts are not crisp with strong foot plants prior to sharp cuts for outs missing.

While I don't know when that vid was made, I know it's about 2 mos, or less til the game final code going gold...but it's STILL about 2 mos or less before final code. I can't see that being of major fixing before then. I would think that bug fixing may be happening around this time or very soon.
Still, though, gotta get my hands on it. Vids don't always do a game justice. Even though Madden 10 still looked like Madden 09, in many respects through early vids, playing it is still fun for me.

Actually, upon further thought, it's not like EA said that the WHOLE animation engine was revamped so it should mostly look like NCAA usually looks like. The locomotion addition will add locomotion related animations along with other new animations here and there but that's about it. I think I was expecting too much based on those facts.

# 2 TreyIM2 @ Apr 19

Uhh, that copy and past didn't work out right. Weird how my paste didn't paste the whole thing, at first, but then the second time, it did. Whatever, I had quoted my first post during my second post.

# 3 Pacman83 @ Apr 19

Right there with you guys. I don't get what folks were expecting. Same everything, just fine tuned a bit--like NCAA 10 a bit. If they get presentation right and it feels like more realistic football, I get what i expected. So, i'm happy.

# 4 statum71 @ Apr 19

You're right on Chris, I've been saying forever that people expectations are unrealistic.

While not an early candidate for Sports Game of the Year...I think NCAA is looking up big time.

# 5 TracerBullet @ Apr 19

All I really wanted them to do is get rid of the 90 degree cuts. The Ohio State reciever kind of made one but I think the may be able to fine tune that before it comes out.

# 6 stlstudios189 @ Apr 19

I think that the game looks fine tuned and really with a yearly released thats all you can really expect.

# 7 boilerfan1509 @ Apr 19

I think you are absoultely wrong on the "WOW" Factor. I would agree if you are talking only graphics (and maybe gameplay). But the overall disappointment by me is the lack of Features that seem simple to add and would GREATLY improve this game.

*Roster Builder --> Similar to TeamBuilder but allow us to edit the entire rosters before the game comes out, or a better way to transfer completed rosters

*Stat Tracking --> have the game upload all the stats from your game (dynasties, on-line, Campus Legend, etc.) and give us a customizable webpage (through EA sports of course) to sport off our dynasties and records

*Make it a big deal to break records --> Like in the old days, where the game pauses and really announces that you just broke the record

*Deeper Dynasty --> could go many ways with this

*Mascot Games (conference style) - instead of just all the same mascot, let us create teams or go by conference

*Newer, better commentary - announce better stats and progress, let us make it seem like the commentators know what has happened during the season, past seasons, etc.

*Progression - spring game (give us all the in-season recruits, let us pick the teams, let progression be impacted by this game)

I could go on, and so could many other people. I dont believe that these are unrealistic expectations. Prime example.....how long has it been since FORMATION SUBS were in the game......and they were there on PS2? IMO EA should take it easy on the gameplay and graphics for a year and BOMB up the features.

Alternate it every year....Focus on Gameplay and graphics.....next year Features and everything else.

# 8 BaylorBearBryant @ Apr 19

IMO, the game hasn't done enough for me lately to warrant a purchase this year.

# 9 Bumble14 @ Apr 19

Just to play Devil's advocate here:

How can anyone really judge this game based on gameplay that is very likely an alpha build? Why not wait until we see some actual gameplay before we pass judgement. There really isn't a whole lot to be said about zoomed in early footage clearly meant to show off the new graphics and locomotion.

Everyone take a deep breath, relax, and let's revisit in a few weeks when we get some gameplay.

# 10 cowboy_kmoney @ Apr 19

Like I said in my post If they add real time injuries and make them matter because evry player dont play the same or come back after a bad injury. If coaching changes are in as well its a buy for me.

# 11 str8artist @ Apr 19

Bumble14 @ Apr 19 (21 Minutes Ago)
Just to play Devil's advocate here:

How can anyone really judge this game based on gameplay that is very likely an alpha build? Why not wait until we see some actual gameplay before we pass judgement. There really isn't a whole lot to be said about zoomed in early footage clearly meant to show off the new graphics and locomotion.

Everyone take a deep breath, relax, and let's revisit in a few weeks when we get some gameplay.

^This.. I have never seen so many people going crazy over a 1 min video... By reading this blog you would think that he played the full game..."The WOW factor is gone...." HAHAHAHHAHA.

# 12 bigsmallwood @ Apr 19

The WOW factor is not ever going to be WOOOOOOW as long as EA Sports has no competition to force them to step up their game. I believe you Sanner when you say that you are not an apologists....I think we are being served slop year after year and gamers are just accepting it. (this will be my last NCAA Football for this "gen")

# 13 Eski33 @ Apr 19

I think the game looks awesome. The screen shots look incredible with the detail of the uniforms and player models much improved over last year. The video, to me, appears to be from an early build.

I will hold my final judgment until I can play the game. Anyone who is going to take this and declare that the game is a flop are people who will never be happy.

# 14 Bootzilla @ Apr 20

I wasn't necessarily looking for "WOW" but, I was semi-shocked at how poor it did look. I'm to the point where I just want to have some fun with a video game and not nitpick it to death so, here's hoping we have something decent by July. Expectations weren't all that high to start with but, I am kinda surprised those expectations appear unlikely to be met. Meh.

# 15 Bootzilla @ Apr 20