VitaminKG21's Blog
While the teams working on Madden, NHL and FIFA seem to innovating and moving things forward in terms of not only gameplay but presentation and detail work for the hardcore players, the NCAA team seems to be spinning it's wheels.
Forget for a second the two major errors (rosters, sliders) that inexplicably made it onto the final retail version of the game, the bottom line is that this game is basically 09 with some gameplay tweaks. Yes, that's an oversimplification as there are other "new" things in the game, but several years into the PS3/360 age you would think that the people at EA would have a better idea of how to better utilize the technology at hand.
I truly don't mean this as disrespect for the guys and gals at EA because as stated, I know they aren't actively trying to screw things up. But clearly there is a lower level of attention being paid to this title when compared to the rest of EA's lineup. Now I'm not sure if that's something that has come from the top, and perhaps it is something that is out of the control of the people who have their hands on the development of this game. Either way, it's more than frustrating for someone like me who up until last year around this time counted NCAA as easily my favorite game year-in and year-out.
The worst part about all of this is that it seems (and note that I said "seems") like there is an almost total lack of passion for college football when it comes to the dev team. I know they push themselves out there from time to time and say they love the college game, and even take the time to hang around these forums (which is great). But clearly something is missing in terms of making sure things are right, and if they can't be just right then they are as close as they can possibly get them. I know they do, but sadly it doesn't feel like they really (really) care about this game anymore, and that's a shame.
Now I'd love to hear from the community on this one in a serious tone. Maybe I'm way off and if you think I'm out of line, please feel free to say so, but just keep it civil if you can. I'm willing to admit if I've made a mistake, so if you feel like you can convince me otherwise, I'm all ears.
Thanks.
# 2
rspencer86 @ Jul 14
TJ is right on the money about the "typical" consumer of the game. My question is, if this type of player is also the "typical" consumer of Madden, why did that development team decide to take a massive change of direction and gear all of this year's improvements and additions towards the more demanding but less plentiful "simulation" players? If both titles have roughly the same target audience, what caused such a difference in direction?
I think NCAA in its current state is playable and can be fun, especially in online dynasties. But the thought of where it could or should be is pretty frustrating.
I think NCAA in its current state is playable and can be fun, especially in online dynasties. But the thought of where it could or should be is pretty frustrating.
# 3
VitaminKG21 @ Jul 14
TJ,
First off, thanks for responding. Nice to hear the opinion of some as well respected around here as you.
As for your point, it's clearly a good one. I understand completely the need for EA to appeal to the masses and not just the hardcore gamers, but it feels like they are taking that approach to the extreme the past couple of years.
As I stated in my post, it just feels like the passion for college football is missing and that because this game isn't Madden and isn't high up on the pecking order at EA, they aren't giving it its due.
EA have done a fantastic job of making the actual playing of the game a great experience for the casual gamer, and I'm all for that. But I have a hard time believing it's impossible for them to appeal to you and I as well when it comes to getting the rosters right, finding innovative ways to update dynasty mode and bringing the overall presentation into the "next-gen" world.
First off, thanks for responding. Nice to hear the opinion of some as well respected around here as you.
As for your point, it's clearly a good one. I understand completely the need for EA to appeal to the masses and not just the hardcore gamers, but it feels like they are taking that approach to the extreme the past couple of years.
As I stated in my post, it just feels like the passion for college football is missing and that because this game isn't Madden and isn't high up on the pecking order at EA, they aren't giving it its due.
EA have done a fantastic job of making the actual playing of the game a great experience for the casual gamer, and I'm all for that. But I have a hard time believing it's impossible for them to appeal to you and I as well when it comes to getting the rosters right, finding innovative ways to update dynasty mode and bringing the overall presentation into the "next-gen" world.
# 4
VitaminKG21 @ Jul 14
rspencer86,
Spot on comment there. I look around at all the other games like Madden and FIFA (which I love) and so on and see all these great improvements aimed at the most passionate players and I wonder why they can't do that for NCAA.
No game is ever perfect, but the perceived lack of effort here is what is most troubling, despite the fact that I know they do indeed work hard at EA.
Spot on comment there. I look around at all the other games like Madden and FIFA (which I love) and so on and see all these great improvements aimed at the most passionate players and I wonder why they can't do that for NCAA.
No game is ever perfect, but the perceived lack of effort here is what is most troubling, despite the fact that I know they do indeed work hard at EA.
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My buddy James...he's the mass consumer. He doesn't even know OS exists. Didn't know about named rosters until I told him how to do it last year. But he buys and plays NCAA Football religiously, even going so far as to stress about finishing up his 27th (!!!) season in his dynasty mode before the new game came out.
He plays 5 minute quarters, All-American, doesn't touch sliders, beats every team he plays by 50 points, and loves every damn second of it.
THAT is the mass consumer for this product. THAT is who is buying this game. And as long as the number of people like my buddy James outnumber you and I, I doubt things will ever change.