Comparisons videos on EA Sports NCAA 08 site.

Wow, I didn't realize any of the videos were up on the EA Sports site. I'm officially salivating.

A list of all of the ratings players will have on the 360 and PS3 (with new ones from last year underlined.) This has been posted on a few sites, but I thought I'd share for anyone who has missed them:

Global Ratings
Speed
Strength
Acceleration
Agility
Jumping
Awareness
Injury
Stamina
Toughness
Importance


QB
Throw Power
Throw Accuracy
Elusiveness
Trucking & or Break Tackle

RB&FB
Carrying
Catching
Ball Carrier Vision
Juke Movie
Spin Move
Stiff Arm
Trucking & or Break Tackle
Elusiveness
Impact Blocking

WR&TE
Route Running
Release
Catching
Carrying
Catch in Traffic
Spectacular Catch
Ball Carrier Vision
Juke Movie
Spin Move
Stiff Arm
Trucking & or Break Tackle
Elusiveness
Kick Return

OL
Impact Block
Run Block
Pass Block
Run Block Footwork
Run Block Strength
Pass Block Footwork
Pass Block Strength

DL
Power Moves
Finesse Moves
Block Shedding
Pursuit
Play Recognition
Tackle
Hit Power

LB
Block Shedding
Hit Power
Tackle
Pursuit
Play Recognition
Power Moves
Finesse Moves
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage

DB
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Press
Power Moves
Finesse Moves
Block Shedding
Hit Power
Pursuit
Play Recognition
Tackle
Kick Return

K
Kick Power
Kick Accuracy

I had planned to wait on this and Madden but the damn dynasty mode for NCAA looks like it might be worth the pricetag.

Courtesy of MadScientist, from the MaddenMatrix site, this is a link to a video of the final of the tournament they had at the community day. All you lucky 360ers, it's worth checking it out...

Looks good. Thanks for the link.

Wow, thanks!

Every year I say I'll wait for impressions, but I'm going to reserve NCAA once again via Gamestop on Monday.

Not to rain on the parade (and it doesn't matter to me much), but I did see some hitching in Emiliano's video.

Just preordered mine at Gamestop today. :)

I did as well.

I'm right behind you. ;)

I have 3 GameStop stores and one EBGames store very close to me, and I haven't yet decided which one is going to get my preorder. I think I'm going to find out if any of them are doing a midnight release, and that will determine it for me. :D

Strip stores are much more likely to do a midnight release. The stores should have posted what time they're opening with their marketing update that went up today. It's either a midnight opening or 8 AM on the day of release.

Are any of you guys preordering fearful of it not living up to expectations? After Head Coach and Madden '07, I'm worriesome.

This is the year they'll get it right!!!! ;)

Head Coach? There is only one game worse than that one and there's a HUGE thread about it here at FOFC. :D

I'm strangely confident that it will be good.

I actually thought last year's game was a lot of fun and played it for several months straight. It's good to see they might have fixed one of the most frustrating issues for me which is the DBs running into WRs and not making a play. I'm going to wait for the demo before I decide between this and the other football games.

I just hope this years version doesn't freeze nearly every game on me.

There are some new screen captures from the media day up at OS and other places. Korupter, TazFTW and other Hawaii fans should like them quite a bit. I'm just happy to see that the Heisman winning player has believable stats. Hopefully, the rest of the simulated stats look as good:

http://forums.operationsports.com/vB...d.php?t=208965

Nice screens. Thanks for the link, EF.

Hmm, apparently I have to register to view that link. Oh well.

bah those stats are garbage. only 51 TD's and only 4400+ yards. lol

I'm just playing, good to see an *acceptable* sim engine

zzzzzz...I'll pass, thank you.

No, thank you!

Every year I feel that it is the best console game I pick up, so I'm pretty confident in my pre-order. That being said there are always flaws, they just never seem to ruin the game for me.

Madden on the other hand is a wait and see because sometimes it just hasn't been fun to play, this year I'm cautiously optimistic, but still wait and see.

As craptacular as most EA games are, I think that the NCAA football game has always been the one game that they make that does provide a pretty good gaming experience. I would note that I'm only speaking from a single player or gaming with friends at home perspective. Online is brutal, but that could be said for nearly all sports games with the number of cheesers online anymore.

Madden is becoming an excellent game to pick up after a few months used for $20 when the slower release months like February come around. It's just not worth $60 in any way, shape, or form.

A new gameplay video up on youtube. I like the run blocking (even though the guy playing seems to be slow in his use of the lanes):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWDHN_gaRRc

Correction, that is the CPU that is being slow to use the lanes as the guy is playing in campus legend mode and only controlling the QB. I wonder what the HB's ratings are.

One more video that looks AMAZING (I love the blocking) but takes a long time to load:

http://www.gametrailers.com/player.p...20685&type=wmv

Oh my. Looks so much better than last year's - the movement and tackles are great.

Probably pretty good considering it's Darren McFadden

Anyone see the TE miss the block on the last play of the gametrailers video? He let a guy run right by him (who incidentally made the tackle). Is this a flaw that will always be in football games?

Looks great in HD.

No update today?! Sigh.

There are some new gameplay videos up on maddenmatrix.com. The gameplay appears to be vastly improved from last year. These videos are the best ones yet. I particularly like #3.

Yes, unfortunately. It'll probably be in football video games as well.

Very nice.

Touche salesman. Everyone be sure to say every word in every sentence you write on FOFC or else it will get taken out of context :rolleyes:

There are some videos up on operationsports.com and everytime I play a video football game in bad weather (in the videogame not IRL :)) it seems the same as playing in perfect conditions. Maybe they choose this route because it would be to time consuming to create new models for players falling down or not being able to cut and just general mayhem. Weather can be a huge factor IRL but it never seems to translate into these games.

New IGN piece about motivation, along with a couple of new videos as well (one about recruting).

Well I think those two videos have sold me.

I think his point was that TEs in real life miss that block, too, so how can you blame the video game for being realistic? I actually think it's a factor not well played up in these simulations: what about receivers that cut off their routes? Blockers that get confused on who they are supposed to block? Coverage breakdowns in the secondary?

Of course, it could be a bug, too.

That relates to one of my favorite new ratings if it works well - Route Running. From reading interviews, it seems like players with lower route running will make sloppier cuts and generally run less precise routes. If it is too low they'll even run the wrong routes. It remains to be seen if TE's with good block ratings will make that block or if it will be a bug where all TE's will miss it. However, I suspect it is the former from watching the videos and reading the reviews.


The biggest flaw that still seems to be in the game (from the previews) is that the QB pitch on the option can come too late and it is too accurate. If that is really the biggest flaw, I can deal with that by just giving myself a simple house rule or two when I run the option.

Dola -

I just watched the first of the two IGN videos that are new. Very nice blocking and some good looking new plays. There were plenty of plays where the TE made a good block and one where he missed it.

Not even sure I'll get Madden because I'll be playing the heck out of this game. Recruiting finally looks interesting.

This is ridiculous. I'm glad I have so many family and work obligations to occupy my time, otherwise it's going to be a lot of time NOT well-spent on the MaddenMania forums. 25 days and counting...

I just watched the recruiting video. One thing I've noticed in this video and the other recruiting videos out there is that they have a much more realistic variety of body shapes for HS seniors. I've seen many more underweight recruits and a few that are overweight including a 6'4 265 pound QB in one video.

As well as linemen with guts!

It's funny, this is the only game of the year (console or PC) that keeps me awake nights, that makes me send my wife into Toys R' Us to coyly see if they have it in the back (how lame am I?) and yet, when I get it, I get about 70% through a single year of a dynasty and then put the game away until next year.

Makes no sense to me, but I love this game...

There is a new interview up this morning at Operation Sports with two of the producers including Ian Cummings (who has quickly become my favorite producer in the series.):

http://features.operationsports.com/...me=ncaafb08int

Man...that sums me up to a tee. I don't know what the deal is but I've yet to make it through a season. As good as the recruiting looks this year, I'm thinking this may be the version that prompts me to go further (even if that means simming through some games).

Also...I think the lack of ingame saves is a big reason I never make it far. I like to play out games but know I'm making an hour and a half commitment everytime I start a game. Like I said above...this year there may be more simming of the games and more attention to other facets.

Exactly. If a TE with 99 Run Blocking, 99 Agility, 99 Offensive awareness miss their blocks even 10% of the time, you can chalk it up to bad AI. But if a player with 50s in those ratings (Well, I guess in Madden and NCAA it would be 80s) is missing that block a few times each game, than that's pretty realistic and good AI (just a bad player).

Not sure if this has been discussed anywhere: last year you couldn't have the CPU play itself on the 360 (though you could do this on current gen all you wanted). Anyone know if you can have the CPU play and you just watch as in the earlier versions of the game?

Not in the classic sense, I don't believe. You can "Supersim", then go back and look at the plays you simmed.

So, in a roundabout way, I guess you can.

Nuts, I was hoping to just be able to set up two teams and watch them duke it out.

You would think that would be really easy for EA to do, but for whatever reason I don't think they have that implemented.

No in game saves still piss me off.

Very impressive looking new trailer:

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21084.html

FYI,

Gamestop/EB Games are doing NCAA 07 tourneys (on 360) the Saturday before NCAA comes out. Tourneys are at 2 PM. Also, select stores will be open at either midnight/8 AM to sell NCAA 2008, and some, of course, will be open at the regular 10 AM release time on launch day. Check with your local store to find their open time (they got official word on it this week).

2.5 weeks to go!

Work and NCAA 08, sorry kids. :)

I am thinking about going ahead and getting a 360, and this game would be a big reason why. For people who made the jump to next gen last year, did you notice a big difference in the challenge the computer provider during dynasty mode?

Not really. But then I'm too old to play on the hardest level anymore.

Same here. Heisman gave me a real challenge, but it frustrated me too much. From the videos, it looks like the CPU runs it more effectively this year which would hopefully will make the All American level more challenging.

I can't even look beyond the primary receiver during a play. I'm the classic, "I have one target, and if he's not open I get sacked" QB.

I add my own special blend of 38 year old, out of shape guy, to the NCAA platform.

A new trailer is up that highlights the Campus Legend Mode. I like the new position specific camera angles and they have fixed my biggest gripes from previous years. You'll now have to work your way up the depth chart, you'll have no control over the play calling, and the super sim will quickly handle when you aren't on the field. This will be the first year that I'll actually play that mode. Also, playing the senior year HS playoff games seems like a nice touch, rather than some stupid random genetic roll determining the player's skills:

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21198.html

Heh, I was about to ask and see you added the link :)

Visited my local Gamestop today and said, "I'd like to preorder NCAA 08 and Madden 08." Freaking goofball clerks almost killed themselves trying to get to the cash register. :)

VERY temped to preorder NFL 2k8, but I don't think I'll have hard time finding it if it gets a good review. Plus, I think I'll wait a bit and maybe rent it or pick it up used at some point. I'm sure NCAA and Madden will keep me busy.

Are there any deals anywhere for pre-ordering this puppy?

Two more weeks. I'm still excited. :D

Maybe Madden is going to be good this year as I was surprised the Gamestop didn't have any deals for pre-ordering either game.

I wonder when they stop taking pre-orders for this puppy?

Probably the day of release. :D

Costco is another good site for pre-orders.

Did they fix the problem about being able to download rosters for the 360?

Yes, Fairdale Kings has gotten his 360's ID cleared and his rosters will work again. Not sure about others, but I've always used his anyway.

Gamestop/EB Games are just offering an early opening for people who pre-order. Some stores will be open at midnight while others will just be 8 or 9 AM (normal is 10 AM).

Does this mean we will be able to download them off the live marketplace?

No, you will need to download them to your computer and use a data transfer device (I believe it is Datel that made mine) to transfer the roster from your computer to your 360. You'll also need a memory card for the data transfer device. It'll cost you 50-60 dollars I believe to get those two things. I think it has been well worth it for me with College Hoops and NCAA Football rosters the last few years.


Edit: Alternatively, Fairdale Kings will put them on a memory card if you send him one, however, the data transfer route is much faster.

I'm so getting this game now.

Hail to thee Park High, we're bringing home a Panthers' championship!

That video does look pretty sweet. Hopefully the gameplay can match all of the new features in this year's game. 12 more days!

Wow!!!! I have been salivating for this game as it is....the new additions to legend mode ensure a few sleepless nights once I get it.

Xbox Live has like 4 new videos of the game. I'm a big EA critic, but this game has the *potential* to be an all-time great sports game. If the features deliver as promised and the gameplay is solid then this title will be a must-have.

Hopefully the sim engine will be good too.

PANCAKES!

Just pre-ordered, this is a release Day must have.

Pre-ordered from Best Buy. I know, I hate giving Best Buy money, but when work decides to pick up $55 gift certificates from them as a July 4th surprise, you've got to spend it on SOMETHING. Went the web route so I didn't have to actually walk into the store, and then have them refuse my payment for the $10 or so I've still got out-of-pocket like they've done in the past. Jerks.

Best Buy will usually have it on sale within a month after release.

If its been month or less you can get an adjustment. Just bring ad and receipt. The same if you do a price match from another store.

Pre-ordered mine today. EA is evil.

I'm probably going to reserve tomorrow. EB/Gamestop has 20% added to trades towards Madden or NCAA (expiring Sunday) which would give me $36 for Forza.

preordered mine yesterday. i need something to hold me over until Madden. hey, i might even wind up keeping this one if the career mode shapes up to be as awesome as everyone makes it sound.

No new news, but Gamestop has a preview of the top 25 teams in the game and their impact players:

http://www.gamespot.com/features/617...om_clk=topslot

I smell EA High School Football 2009.

Dola:

Now, I can't find a clear reading. What are the differences, as far as gameplay, that PS2 will have opposed to the other boxes?

The PS2 version won't have the expanded recruiting that is being done in the next gen versions. It doesn't have the new game engine with double team blocking, gang tackling, branching animations, etc. It doesn't have the new ratings for catch, route running, man coverage, zone coverage, etc. Those are the main differences that I can think of at the moment.

I'm having a hard time pre-ordering simply because the one and I only game I ever pre-ordered was Head Coach! Seeing the Campus Legend mode and the recruiting though....wow. Just hope the gameplay is good as well and this could be the best sports game on 360.

I just pre-ordered and I don't own a 360 yet. Thankfully the fateful paycheck I am going to use to buy it will be depositied thursday.

I assume that the game will not come with real players. Do the players in the game have actual names or are they just numbers? And are the ratings based off of real players?

Ratings are based off real players. Of course, you may disagree with some, but there is full player editing in this year. The game will ship withoiut real player names but will have their real player numbers. If you buy a data transfer kit and a memory card, there are several places where you can download a "real names" player file that will give all of the player their real names. The game also offers the choice to have fake names assigned to all players.

EF27 - On the 360 what do you need to DL the roster names? I'll be getting XBL but I don't recall if you DL it off that or something else.

No, you download it to your computer off a website (I use Fairdale kings roster site.) You need a Datel 360 Xbox Data Transfer kit which costs 15-20 dollars depending upon where you look. You'll also need a memory card which costs about 30 dollars. I've used mine for the last 2 years to download all of the college hoops and college football rosters. The data transfer kit and memory card will allow you to transfer the file from your computer to the 360.

How long is it generally until the rosters are up?