NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?

Feature Article

Submitted on: 03/14/2008 by Chris Sanner

Did anyone catch that smell coming out of Orlando?

That smell is the smell of the "EA Hype Machine" getting its gears in motion for NCAA Football 09, which is still presumably 3-4 months away from hitting store shelves. In fact, last week during an interview with GameTap, Kendall Boyd, NCAA Football's product manager, revealed some information about the '09 version of NCAA Football.

After reading the interview, I am first off, very interested to see how the new tackling system works out for the NCAA franchise. As many of you who've followed my writings on MaddenMania/DigitalSportsMania may know, that's one of my biggest pet peeves with football games in general.

And the new system which is promised to make the tackling and on-field gameplay more dynamic and wide open sounds like it will be a step up if done right, which is always the key.

However, it also sounds like this year is the year of the manual controller -- assuming the initial talking points EA is pushing continue to be the emphasis moving forward. Playing online will be a test of who can dominate on the sticks since the animation system will be interruptible and dynamic. Good stick skills, of course, will never replace a sound football mind, but the folks who have great stick skills and even a modest mind for football might just dominate this year.

Another small detail to be gleaned from the interview is that the folks down at EA Tiburon are working on adding some depth as it relates to the little things this year. Hopefully they took a few notes from SCE San Diego's MLB '08: The Show and realized how effective the little things can be.

Also, the playbooks look to be tweaked and improved upon with some strategic depth added. I'm pretty sure these will be fairly solid, as EA Tiburon always seems to do a good job with the playbooks.

As far as the inaugural Wii version of NCAA goes, expect a lot of what Madden has been doing with Family Play integration. In other words, if you are a hardcore sports gamer and you only have a Wii, I kind of pity you because I'm not sure you'll be getting the "full package" so to speak. But if you have some children, then you will probably be pleasantly surprised by how well the Family Play option simplifies the game for the kiddos.

My personal take on the news so far is reserved, as I am sure most NCAA fans can attest to. I honestly expect to see the NCAA series continue to improve, but I don't think it's going to live up to the legacy the PS2/XBOX versions created for the game just yet.

So it sounds like EA Tiburon is tweaking the game and trying to refine how it plays, which is the right step if the other option is trying to pack it full of new features that fall outside the realm of gameplay.

But even though focusing on the gameplay is the most important goal, we better get Create-A-Team this year. I don't want to have to yet again hear a familiar phrase for the third year running in response to the, "Did Create-A-Team make it into the game this year?" question:

"Maybe next year."

NCAA Football 09 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 mva5580 @ 03/14/08 03:53 PM

Same stuff, different day.

An article full of words, but little actual information. My faith in this series actually improving upon the player's wishes is long, long gone.

The things that have actually been mentioned will be in '09. Has ANYONE mentioned wishing for that controller/juke/whatever crap to be in the game? Who freaking cares.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is all we're going to get from these companies as long as sports games are released every year. Ticky-tack stuff like this here and there, and a few of the things that people actually want to have. But only enough to keep people intrigued to buy next year's game.

Long ago, EA Sports saw the last of my money. Any game I buy now is used.

# 2 bgeno @ 03/14/08 04:01 PM

Why is the article entitled "NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?" when it's all about the upcoming changes and potential improvements to the series for 09?

# 3 Pared @ 03/14/08 04:31 PM

Boo. The title had the makings of a great article.

Sadly, it didn't tip-toe the sidelines but rather mind-numbingly juked the topic at hand. Everyone is concerned we will get a rehash of NCAA '08. Where is that next-gen innovation? We know it can be done.

Instead, the focus is on how the new direction has the potential to make this series a great one.

Completely mis-leading article heading, IMO.

# 4 bronco4434 @ 03/14/08 05:10 PM

The crap EA sells??? MLB 2K8 is not crap??? I dont understand how EA gets hammered year in and year out but @K throws out garbage and people dont say a thing

# 5 The GIGGAS @ 03/14/08 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco4434


	The crap EA sells??? MLB 2K8 is not crap??? I dont understand how EA gets hammered year in and year out but @K throws out garbage and people dont say a thing

Thing is... EA gets hammered because most of their franchises are filth. 2k puts out one and the EA fans want 2k hammered... but they forget about such great franchises as NBA 2k and CH 2k.

# 6 Cardot @ 03/14/08 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco4434


	The crap EA sells??? MLB 2K8 is not crap??? I dont understand how EA gets hammered year in and year out but @K throws out garbage and people dont say a thing

People don't say a thing? You obviously haven't read much of the MLB 2K8 forum or the NHL 2k8 forum. 2k gets roughed up when they deserve it.

Does 2k get a little bit more of a break than EA does? Well yeah probably. But that is because they are the underdogs. They don't have near the resources or time in the Marketplace that EA does. So people are a little more foregiving. But to say that "people don't say a thing" is simply inaccurate.

# 7 eDotd @ 03/14/08 05:51 PM

I will wait until the game comes out to make my judgement...just as I have for the past 2 years.

# 8 SportsTop @ 03/14/08 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgeno


	Why is the article entitled "NCAA Football 09: More of the Same?" when it's all about the upcoming changes and potential improvements to the series for 09?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MassNole


	Because this is just another bell to help dilute the smell of the crap EA sells.

I think you're being a bit harsh here.

I read the title of the article to mean more of a guarded optimism about the next title in their football series.

Maybe I'm a glass is half full kind of guy.

# 9 SportsTop @ 03/14/08 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MassNole


	I don't think I am being harsh here, this is a replay of the past few years. EA will fail to actually focus on improving game play but come up with some feature to pander to a 13 year old. I completely agree with the assessment from the Waiver Wire this week about this feature, it could destroy online play and there are plenty more glaring issues that needed to be addressed.

Actually, I was referring more towards your response as to the title of the article.

# 10 SportsTop @ 03/14/08 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MassNole


	I was actually referencing the feature the article discussed, the topic of the article was perfect.

Ah, your post was confusing because of the way it read and the fact you quoted the other response.

# 11 ChaseB @ 03/14/08 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	Boo. The title had the makings of a great article. Sadly, it didn't tip-toe the sidelines but rather mind-numbingly juked the topic at hand. Everyone is concerned we will get a rehash of NCAA '08. Where is that next-gen innovation? We know it can be done. Instead, the focus is on how the new direction has the potential to make this series a great one. Completely mis-leading article heading, IMO.

I guess a more of the same followed by OR blah blah could have made it a bit more clear.

Anywho, yea I think everyone is concerned about the innovation or lack thereof but you should know how early EA press works, and I think it would be unfair to put forth some sort of scathing editorial this early in the process about doom and gloom/fear about '09. EA gets out some of the easiest features to pimp -- in this case a chance to tout a new animation system and the new right-stick controls (I whined about how I'm tired of right stick "innovations" on the podcast this week I think) but yea once again I see your point somewhat. This article I think serves the purpose of just getting the gears back in-motion, get people back talking about the game -- as well as being a tie-in to the first bits of information...And now we go from here. Once we get hands-on time is really when it becomes fair to start being more critical of the product, at least in my opinion.

# 12 mastershake88 @ 03/14/08 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardot


	People don't say a thing? You obviously haven't read much of the MLB 2K8 forum or the NHL 2k8 forum. 2k gets roughed up when they deserve it. Does 2k get a little bit more of a break than EA does? Well yeah probably. But that is because they are the underdogs. They don't have near the resources or time in the Marketplace that EA does. So people are a little more foregiving. But to say that "people don't say a thing" is simply inaccurate.

2k is fast to fix their problem. ea isnt..i assure you when 2k says they messed up they will fix it lol they will send a patch. EA messes up you contact them they shut you up. and their patch is another game another year. While 2k screws up. while mlb 2k8 controls are cripple..they will fix it..with EA your playing consumer russian roulette.

so they will be refining the game eh? thats nice and good or ncaa 09. looks like ill be refining my wallet and not getting anything EA.

# 13 J-Unit40 @ 03/14/08 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mastershake88


	2k is fast to fix their problem. ea isnt..i assure you when 2k says they messed up they will fix it lol they will send a patch. EA messes up you contact them they shut you up. and their patch is another game another year. While 2k screws up. while mlb 2k8 controls are cripple..they will fix it..with EA your playing consumer russian roulette. so they will be refining the game eh? thats nice and good or ncaa 09. looks like ill be refining my wallet and not getting anything EA.

Or you get a patch that doesn't really do too much when the season is over or near over, a la NCAA Football 08.

# 14 mastershake88 @ 03/14/08 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Unit40


	Or you get a patch that doesn't really do too much when the season is over or near over, a la NCAA Football 08.

yep

# 15 countryboy @ 03/14/08 08:49 PM

Did someone mention EA??

# 16 LingeringRegime @ 03/14/08 09:44 PM

More of the same? Yes. Never again EA, Never again.

# 17 Hawaii_Stars @ 03/14/08 11:41 PM

As usual I will keep close tabs on this game, but nothing said has me waiting at the edge of my seat on new news.

# 18 DLaren @ 03/15/08 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Scanner


	Another small detail to be gleaned from the interview is that the folks down at EA Tiburon are working on adding some depth as it relates to the little things this year.

Good article, more specifically I certainly agree that this seems to be a year in which Tiburon will finally begin to focus on the "little things" again.

If these screenshots of NFL Headcoach'09 are any indication of a company wide focus on detail, then I'd expect NCAA'09 to deliver on that front; hopefully to the tune of team specific intros and crowd participation to better player interaction and booth commentary.

# 19 Pared @ 03/15/08 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slizeezyc


	I guess a more of the same followed by OR blah blah could have made it a bit more clear. Anywho, yea I think everyone is concerned about the innovation or lack thereof but you should know how early EA press works, and I think it would be unfair to put forth some sort of scathing editorial this early in the process about doom and gloom/fear about '09. EA gets out some of the easiest features to pimp -- in this case a chance to tout a new animation system and the new right-stick controls (I whined about how I'm tired of right stick "innovations" on the podcast this week I think) but yea once again I see your point somewhat. This article I think serves the purpose of just getting the gears back in-motion, get people back talking about the game -- as well as being a tie-in to the first bits of information...And now we go from here. Once we get hands-on time is really when it becomes fair to start being more critical of the product, at least in my opinion.

I hear what you're saying... just felt the article title gave way to a tone completely different than the content therein.

Deep down inside we're all looking for more from EA. With the new staff writers I was hoping they would hold their feet to the fire. I've read time and time again that MaddenMania had become one of EA's harshest critics and their inability to capitalize on what could be the premier football games... but then I read this.

Personally I don't feel it's ever too early to hold EA accountable for '09. Because if you don't, what's going to happen is the same thing that happened last year. By then, it will be too late.

Some of you may think my perception is a bit negative and that's ok; Doesn't matter to me much. What matters is I have a football game to enjoy that does things next-gen games are supposed to do, not re-add in features I was utilizing 4 years ago on my PS2 and calling it the second coming.

You may claim it's early, but you never know when it will be too late.

# 20 SportsTop @ 03/15/08 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	I hear what you're saying... just felt the article title gave way to a tone completely different than the content therein. Deep down inside we're all looking for more from EA. With the new staff writers I was hoping they would hold their feet to the fire. I've read time and time again that MaddenMania had become one of EA's harshest critics and their inability to capitalize on what could be the premier football games... but then I read this. Personally I don't feel it's ever too early to hold EA accountable for '09. Because if you don't, what's going to happen is the same thing that happened last year. By then, it will be too late. Some of you may think my perception is a bit negative and that's ok; Doesn't matter to me much. What matters is I have a football game to enjoy that does things next-gen games are supposed to do, not re-add in features I was utilizing 4 years ago on my PS2 and calling it the second coming. You may claim it's early, but you never know when it will be too late.

So you're going to judge the stance all of the former MM staff writers and even this author in particular off of one article?

I can tell you first hand from talking to all of them that they, in fact, are some of the harshest EA Sports and more specifically Madden and NCAA critics I've seen on these boards.

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