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The release of the NCAA Football 2012 Demo affirms my annual thoughts towards EA Sports Football titles. There are subtle gameplay advances, while other aspects of player animation and movement remain stagnant.
There’s nothing breakthrough on the field in control, but just enough improvement to keep me coming back.
Our Operation Sports Editor Chris Sanner strongly believes presentational elements can make or break realism in a title; I agree that presentation can add to a game’s polish, and overall goodwill impressions of the gamer.
My first time gaming with 2K sports, seeing action replays in NFL 2K and NBA 2K on the Dreamcast – I will never forget it. Slow, zoomed in, action cut replays on the most beautiful graphics and player models to date matched with excellent commentary never before heard. That was quiet a moment.
These broadcast elements are vital, but I believe game play mechanics are the most important aspect to all of our sports titles. I don’t think Chris would disagree. It’s a complex science to map world-class athletes to analog sticks.
Since the launch of our current generation’s football titles, EA Sports Football has been working to “catch up” every year, to fix game play issues and improve what most of us have considered a flawed core animation engine (among other game modes needing attention). The NCAA Football 12 Demo proves once again how great EA Football can potentially be, while simultaneously having core game play issues.
The Good
EA recently has been able to capture the feel of our PS2 Madden days, boasting quick paced and fluid control. Last year’s addition of varied game speeds showcased the improve line play and blocking schemes. I am huge advocate of the slower game speed as I wrote in last year’s Madden 11 review; it allows for plays to develop, and gamers to make the proper reads.
Bringing in a new tackling system over the past few seasons compliments the game speed changes. Different pursuit angles cause different break-tackle animations. The run game had a breakthrough in last year’s NCAA Football and Madden series.
The NCAA Football 2012 Demo improves on the tackling animations; carriers collapse more naturally upon contact. The biggest improvement with this new tackle button (x button) has been the ability to shed tackles as a ball carrier, and keep momentum; in essence, gamers can take on a weak-angle tackle and never break stride aside from a minor stumble.
I have been waiting for years for these natural break-tackle animations and it’s something that the 2K Football games did so very well. It almost would seem that this is technology that was developed in Fifa’s new collision system.
Gamers welcome new animations; more varied slips and stumbles of ball carries as opposed to the straight-up running style we see in the current football titles lends to a more enjoyable gaming experience.
Creating more dynamic running animations and balance for ball carries can differentiate the running styles of half backs and wide-outs; all we have right now to separate their skills are the player ratings; animation packages can help create signature styles.
The Bad
The NCAA Football 12 Demo left me disappointed, maybe even a bit jaded in the passing game. As much as I enjoy the run game, tackling, and beautiful graphics, the mid range to deep pass offense remains awkward and some could even consider it broken.
Our very own Christian McCleod believes that the zone play a.i. is vastly improved, and it may very well be, as he has played NCAA Football as much as anyone on the staff. I don’t believe the underlying problems vest entirely in zone defenses and defensive player recognition of wr’s hitting their zones.
I believe the defense has a deeper, more rooted issue – the animation design and timing behind defensive back footwork.
In my opinion, the defensive players in EA Sports Football titles defend the ball through animations on one axis; it’s as if they are grounded through an axis running through the middle of their body. Hips can’t swivel without the rest of the upper torso turning in a defensive swat or pick.
A turn, or change of direction requires the players to rotate their whole bodies awkwardly quickly at 90 degrees – the result is the strange skating effect we see in zones or when plays are made on the ball.
This heavily affects your window to throw passes. You never can read how a defender in the area can quite react to a precision pass. Defenders skate, slide, or glide their way in the path of a wideout quicker than their feet can move. Corners still are running routes for receivers before the receivers make their breaks.
This is what separated the PS2 EA Football with the current engine.
Another aspect of the game that left me disappointed is the football physics, weight, and flight patterns. Madden has improved the spiral variation and QB-WR timing. I believe NCAA is still a step behind here.
Both games have maybe three types of flight patterns for the football. A zip pass, a medium pass, and a float pass. To me, this is unacceptable. Again, the 2K football series features amazing QB differential, from throwing styles, to throw power, and accuracy. I believe the different arm slots, and varied flight patterns and speeds of the ball created a sense of weight behind the ball that we don’t feel in Madden or NCAA Football – which is a failure on EA Tiburon’s behalf.
I believe the developers at Tiburon need to spend some time closer to the game. They can attend NFL training camps; watch these world class athletes move in-person, capture video, recreate their movements. Maybe they can even spend some time with our very own TD St. Mathew-Daniel at NFL.com video captures.
There is something missing from the EA Sports Football titles keeping them from being truly great simulation titles. But the discussion of simulation vs. mass appeal is another conversation entirely.
# 2
VilleCity101 @ Jul 7
How do you know they don't spend time researching and understanding the game of football. At the end of the day this is a business and as long as people continue to buy products the improvements will remain subtle. I'm not talking about just games. It reaches across all genres. Look at the ipad the iphone cars music. My point is it doesn't matter how big or small of a leap something makes there's always going to be people that want more.
# 3
khaliib @ Jul 7
Nice write-up.
Not because it seems to bash EA, but as you ended, something is missings that is preventing it from being the "Best" Simuilation Football ever created on any system.
I haven't played NCAA 12 yet, but the lack of playing doesn't mean I need to be "Nieve" about what will be released on July 12.
Doesn't matter if your for or against EA Football Games.
No need to go extreme on either end of the spectrum.
It is, what it is with this game if this developers hands.
To be honest, in my opinion, what's missinng is another College Football title that would shed light on were EA's College version really stands.
ie. NBA Live Series vs 2K Series
Not just for the sake of another boring argument of EA vs 2k, but because it is fact that you can not judge the quality or improvement of something by comparing it to itself.
At some point your eyes will no longer see the blemishes on your face in the mirror because that reflection becomes the standard no matter what it looks like.
The only thing that matters in the money game, is if your piece of the pie is shrinking because someone else's piece is growing.
We just have to be honest with ourselves and accept that this developer will not be the one that push the envelope of Football Simulation.
That's just not who they are!!!
Look forward to playing NCAA 12 though.
Especially if they give us Recruit editing abilities.
Not because it seems to bash EA, but as you ended, something is missings that is preventing it from being the "Best" Simuilation Football ever created on any system.
I haven't played NCAA 12 yet, but the lack of playing doesn't mean I need to be "Nieve" about what will be released on July 12.
Doesn't matter if your for or against EA Football Games.
No need to go extreme on either end of the spectrum.
It is, what it is with this game if this developers hands.
To be honest, in my opinion, what's missinng is another College Football title that would shed light on were EA's College version really stands.
ie. NBA Live Series vs 2K Series
Not just for the sake of another boring argument of EA vs 2k, but because it is fact that you can not judge the quality or improvement of something by comparing it to itself.
At some point your eyes will no longer see the blemishes on your face in the mirror because that reflection becomes the standard no matter what it looks like.
The only thing that matters in the money game, is if your piece of the pie is shrinking because someone else's piece is growing.
We just have to be honest with ourselves and accept that this developer will not be the one that push the envelope of Football Simulation.
That's just not who they are!!!
Look forward to playing NCAA 12 though.
Especially if they give us Recruit editing abilities.
# 4
wallofhate @ Jul 7
Grwat write up I agree with you totally. I think maybe the higher ups may think not being able to turn on a dime or tecmo bowl running will turn off the "caaual" gamer. To me I always feel like playing a true simulation not only makes you respect the athletes for "actually" being able to play their respectful sports but also in small ways teaches you the real way to play. Example; I don't really watch baseball but I love to play The Show video game. Now I dont know a thing about when to lay a bunt down or double switching but I still enjoy it. I want to throw a no hitter and hit a homerun every swing (i usually fail miserably) but it teaches me to pace and patience at the plate will be rewarded like real baseball but a person who is more advanced than me can enjoy it just the same without feeling dumb downed
# 5
jWILL253 @ Jul 7
Best evaluation of Madden/NCAA Football I've ever seen on these boards.
The part about DB's not being able to move they're hips independently from the upper body not only applies to DB's, but all players on the field. To make a directional change without flicking the right stick, the whole upper body seems to change direction at a very sharp angle when you rotate the left stick. Not only is that physically impossible, but it looks very stiff and horrendous, in terms of how the game animates that directional change.
In FIFA, you can move freely and smoothly without compromising locomotion. The problem with Madden and NCAA right now, is that the game moves in sharp angles...
The part about DB's not being able to move they're hips independently from the upper body not only applies to DB's, but all players on the field. To make a directional change without flicking the right stick, the whole upper body seems to change direction at a very sharp angle when you rotate the left stick. Not only is that physically impossible, but it looks very stiff and horrendous, in terms of how the game animates that directional change.
In FIFA, you can move freely and smoothly without compromising locomotion. The problem with Madden and NCAA right now, is that the game moves in sharp angles...
# 6
C the Lyte @ Jul 7
i can respect your take on the latest NCAA Football installment. However, I must point out something.
In your, “The Good” section, you mention a lot of things that seem, well, fact based.
In your “The Bad” section, with the exception of maybe 2 paragraphs, I see a lot of “I believe” and “In my opinion”.
Not saying that’s a good or bad thing, just opinions are like belly buttons.
In your, “The Good” section, you mention a lot of things that seem, well, fact based.
In your “The Bad” section, with the exception of maybe 2 paragraphs, I see a lot of “I believe” and “In my opinion”.
Not saying that’s a good or bad thing, just opinions are like belly buttons.
# 7
RUFFNREADY @ Jul 7
Great post.
@Khaliib, i am 100% with you on that my good man.
"With some good competition comes great games...!" food for thought
cheers
@Khaliib, i am 100% with you on that my good man.
"With some good competition comes great games...!" food for thought
cheers
# 9
kingsofthevalley @ Jul 7
Good write up. You should take a look at the "Footplanting in Madden" thread by TheSportzGuru, or my "cleats not iceskates" thread in the NCAA forum. Those threads hit on the EXACT same thing you're talking about here, "the quick 90 degree turns", or the same thing jWILL mentions "the game moving in sharp angles". All of that leads to the "iceskating" which is the single most MAJOR problem that is keeping these titles from being true sims of the sport.
They removed the player locomotion and sprint animations from last generation and gave us this whole arcade tecmo bowl movement. Its horrendous and takes away what these titles are supposed to represent.
They removed the player locomotion and sprint animations from last generation and gave us this whole arcade tecmo bowl movement. Its horrendous and takes away what these titles are supposed to represent.
# 10
Galarius @ Jul 8
i don't understand ho wEA has mad such huge improvements in NHL and FIFA in recent years, and only marginal ones in football....i think the problem is the engine and they just won't gamble on a new one...are we still going to be using the PS2 engine on PS4?????the EA football games are good, but leave me with an empty feeling compared to NBa2k, MLB The Show, NHL, and FIFA
# 12
Eski33 @ Jul 8
NCAA 11 was a huge leap for football games. Outside of some AI issues the game played and looked fantastic.
NCAA 12 took the good and improved the bad. But again we are measuring a demo to a full retail release.
I think the demo played great. EA treated the demo somewhat like a beta. Put it out there and see the feedback so tuners can be implemented to fix some issues.
I understand the complaints regarding commentary but it doesnt take long for even newcommentary to get stale.
I am looking forward to the game regardless of what every nit-picker finds subjectively wrong with the game.
NCAA 12 took the good and improved the bad. But again we are measuring a demo to a full retail release.
I think the demo played great. EA treated the demo somewhat like a beta. Put it out there and see the feedback so tuners can be implemented to fix some issues.
I understand the complaints regarding commentary but it doesnt take long for even newcommentary to get stale.
I am looking forward to the game regardless of what every nit-picker finds subjectively wrong with the game.
# 13
Galarius @ Jul 8
it isn't nitpicking...i likeed NCAA11 too, but i stand behind my statement...EA football is empty and souless when compared to the Big 4 at this point(MLB The Show, NBA2k, NHL, and FIFA)....the fact that they got rid of Ian Cummings, a man who did a lot to keep an open line to the community and who looked at games like NFL2k and The Show as things EA needed to strive for cannot be a good thing..If anything it is aclear sign that madden at least is possibly heaeded for a more casual approach...A smart game can ALWAYS have a few options to dumb it down, but the reverse is not as easily achieved
I would love to be wrong about this, but i doubt i am...Both games will be enjoyable..NCAA will burn a little longer in my heart than Madden, but after a few months it will become repetitive..I play the other sports games from the time they are released until the new incarnation appears...I need EA to make something of this quality in the football realm.Until a new engine is made I am not sure that can happen
I would love to be wrong about this, but i doubt i am...Both games will be enjoyable..NCAA will burn a little longer in my heart than Madden, but after a few months it will become repetitive..I play the other sports games from the time they are released until the new incarnation appears...I need EA to make something of this quality in the football realm.Until a new engine is made I am not sure that can happen
# 14
Eski33 @ Jul 8
How can NCAA be empty? It is loaded with many modes and arguably the best online option in Online Dynasty. I am not arguing but more or less making a point that we havent played the retail version and you are calling it souless. The demo is because it doesnt really give reasons to go back to it.
As far as Ian Cummings leaving, no one really knows why except him. Maybe I missed an article that explained his departure.
Dont get me wrong, EA has a ways to go with bringing back Maddenites but the NCAA series is better than ever.
As far as Ian Cummings leaving, no one really knows why except him. Maybe I missed an article that explained his departure.
Dont get me wrong, EA has a ways to go with bringing back Maddenites but the NCAA series is better than ever.
# 15
rudyjuly2 @ Jul 9
I agree that that the game could use a real physics engine and different styles but I don't think 2K did a great job in the physics department either.
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