Total College Basketball Demo

[HerRealName]

I was just checking for BBCF info and I saw that the TCB demo was released. Here's the link - downloading now...

http://72.29.67.246/GDS/TCBDemoinstall.EXE

[hoosiergoody]

Find me a lawyer to get the divorce papers ready... my wife won't see me for months now...

Typing while the game downloads. Who said Christmas was on the 25th?

[ThunderingHERD]

Excellent!!!

[vex]

Woooooooooo!

[vex]

Jeez, only 120 MB and it's saying 2 hours to d/l.

[ThunderingHERD]

Yeh, I'm only getting 55 kbps. Get off the server a-holes.

[Flasch186]

dont take this the wrong way but is this as buggy as the BBCF one? I still havnt gone back to BBCF until they fix the PBP and stuff. why would I when WWSM is so polished (except I cant get the f'n patch right now cuz im on digi-download!!)? Anyways, Im jonesin' to play BBCF but some of the PBP and things that happen are too wacky, right now....

so I ask again? What does everyone think of this TCB?

[HerRealName]

I've installed and started it up.

The game starts off with coach set up with several levels of head coach skill. When you go to choose your school, you're given a list of interested schools. I'm guessing this list of interested teams changes with the level of head coach skill chosen previously but I haven't checked to be certain yet.

After the initial set up you start off with the chosen team in the off season so you can hire/fire staff, choose recruiting services and start recruiting before the season even starts. I like this initial game set up a lot rather than the wasted first season in BBCF. I screwed up and used all my budget too fast and didn't leave enough for recruiting so I'm starting over. In addition to the scouting service, you can also choose to attend summer camps to watch recruits you are targetting. That's a nice touch that I haven't been able to utilize yet.

The interface is intuitive and looks great. This is nearing must-buy status and I haven't played a game yet.

[HerRealName]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

dont take this the wrong way but is this as buggy as the BBCF one? I still havnt gone back to BBCF until they fix the PBP and stuff. why would I when WWSM is so polished (except I cant get the f'n patch right now cuz im on digi-download!!)? Anyways, Im jonesin' to play BBCF but some of the PBP and things that happen are too wacky, right now....

so I ask again? What does everyone think of this TCB?

I haven't progressed enough to know for certain but I expect the PBP to be pretty solid right from the start. Gary has the advantage of using TPB as a base for this game so that is a huge built-in advantage over Arlie.

[SlyBelle1]

Great stuff so far. Simmed one season and all I can say is I'm ready to lay down my money. A great atmosphere and seems like pretty accurate stats with nothing really that odd yet.

I liked the college football game, but never really was able to get into it that much while playing the demo. For some reason, this seems much more interesting too me (nothing against the football game, just my pereference).

Hopefully can buy soon...

[vex]

Multiplayer, right?

[SlyBelle1]

Originally Posted by vexroid

Multiplayer, right?

Has options for it on the create league screen. No idea how it works, I mainly play solo.

[jbmagic]

Originally Posted by HerRealName

I haven't progressed enough to know for certain but I expect the PBP to be pretty solid right from the start. Gary has the advantage of using TPB as a base for this game so that is a huge built-in advantage over Arlie.

but how is the play by play log? is it in detail to read after? if you dont watch or coach your game but just sim.


Is the play-by-play recorded for every game for review even if just simulated?

[Gary Gorski]

Originally Posted by HerRealName

The game starts off with coach set up with several levels of head coach skill. When you go to choose your school, you're given a list of interested schools. I'm guessing this list of interested teams changes with the level of head coach skill chosen previously but I haven't checked to be certain yet.

Yes that is correct. If you want to start at the elite of the elite you have to go into custom mode and set all your ratings to 90-100.

Originally Posted by HerRealName

After the initial set up you start off with the chosen team in the off season so you can hire/fire staff, choose recruiting services and start recruiting before the season even starts. I like this initial game set up a lot rather than the wasted first season in BBCF. I screwed up and used all my budget too fast and didn't leave enough for recruiting so I'm starting over. In addition to the scouting service, you can also choose to attend summer camps to watch recruits you are targetting. That's a nice touch that I haven't been able to utilize yet.

One of the guys has set up a quick recruiting guide at the GDS forums. Its a system unlike ones used in other games and my team has told me they love how it works after they figured out that they couldn't just do the same things they did in other college bball games.

[Gary Gorski]

Originally Posted by vexroid

Multiplayer, right?

MP will certainly be a feature and work similar to how it did in TPB but you cannot create or access a MP league with the demo

[Gary Gorski]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

but how is the play by play log? is it in detail to read after? if you dont watch or coach your game but just sim.


Is the play-by-play recorded for every game for review even if just simulated?

No, at this time PBP logs are not kept. If its something that is really wanted they could be added in as an option either before release or shortly thereafter depending on how testing finishes up.

[jbmagic]

Originally Posted by Gary Gorski

No, at this time PBP logs are not kept. If its something that is really wanted they could be added in as an option either before release or shortly thereafter depending on how testing finishes up.

thanks Gary

i think PBP log is important to have for people that like to sim only for solo and online leagues.


it will be nice to read the play by play logs and see how the game play out.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

thanks Gary

i think PBP log is important to have for people that like to sim only for solo and online leagues.


it will be nice to read the play by play logs and see how the game play out.

i disagree. if i'm playing solo and simming all the games i will NEVER check a PBP log. If i want to see what's going on i'll watch a game. if i don't watch the game then I'm fine with the game assuming that I don't care. in my mind if you're simming games in solo play then you're just trying to quickly get through a season and the game shouldn't keep PBP logs for you. for MP i can understand certainly.


but don't kill yourself on it Gary.

And good to see the demo out, can't wait to DL it and give it a go (12% done)

[ScottVib]

FWIW the recruiting guide is right here:

http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum...ead.php?t=9747

[Gary Gorski]

Thanks Scott - I suggest you guys check it out while you wait for the download to complete

[HerRealName]

I liked what I saw out of recruiting so I played an exhibition game. My money is yours for the taking, Gary.

[Tasan]

I really like having the logs available BECAUSE I sim and don't play out the games. I love looking at the log of a close win or loss in FBCB to see who took the shot and if OT was involved I love to see how that broke down as well. Please have this as an option, so if we want it we can have it, and if not then just turn it off.

[DaddyTorgo]

so does watching multiple game tapes for the same player give you more notes and a better idea of how good they're going to be?? i sure hope so!

[ThunderingHERD]

First impressions:

You really need to lead the player through the process more. It literally took me 10 minutes to figure out that I needed to click the little arrow thing to move the game out of the first week. Also, I didn't realize that the budget it shows you for your recruit scouting reports is your entire recruiting budget, so I spent far too much.

I loaded the save it does right after league creation to go back and fix that. Forgetting that I was at an earlier stage, I hit the recruiting button and got a window informing me that recruiting is not available after the 26th--a window that apparently has no button allowing it to be closed. Had to close the game and restart.

[dubb93]

How the hell is going to say a player who likes prestige is more likely to go to Michigan State than Indiana b/c they have a more prestigous program?

Most NCAA Championship Titles

* 11 - UCLA
* 7 - Kentucky
* 5 - Indiana
* 4 - North Carolina
* 3 - Duke

Most Final Four Appearances

* 16 - North Carolina
* 15 - UCLA
* 13 - Duke
* 13 - Kentucky
* 12 - Kansas
* 9 - Ohio St
* 8 - Indiana

Most Final Four Wins

* 24 - UCLA
* 17 - Kentucky
* 13 - Duke
* 13 - North Carolina
* 12 - Indiana

Most Final Four Games

* 28 - UCLA
* 26 - North Carolina
* 23 - Kentucky
* 24 - Duke
* 23 - Kansas
* 15 - Ohio St
* 15 - Indiana

Something tells me that if a player was to narrow the choice down between Indiana and Michigan State prestige wouldn't be the reason MSU gets the kid over Indiana. And b/c of this, I won't even download this game to give it a chance.

[DaddyTorgo]

i'm going to assume you're kidding dubb. because the guy who wrote the recruiting tips is just a beta tester anyways.

[vex]

Originally Posted by dubb93

How the hell is going to say a player who likes prestige is more likely to go to Michigan State than Indiana b/c they have a more prestigous program?

Most NCAA Championship Titles

* 11 - UCLA
* 7 - Kentucky
* 5 - Indiana
* 4 - North Carolina
* 3 - Duke

Most Final Four Appearances

* 16 - North Carolina
* 15 - UCLA
* 13 - Duke
* 13 - Kentucky
* 12 - Kansas
* 9 - Ohio St
* 8 - Indiana

Most Final Four Wins

* 24 - UCLA
* 17 - Kentucky
* 13 - Duke
* 13 - North Carolina
* 12 - Indiana

Most Final Four Games

* 28 - UCLA
* 26 - North Carolina
* 23 - Kentucky
* 24 - Duke
* 23 - Kansas
* 15 - Ohio St
* 15 - Indiana

Something tells me that if a player was to narrow the choice down between Indiana and Michigan State prestige wouldn't be the reason MSU gets the kid over Indiana. And b/c of this, I won't even download this game to give it a chance.

Prestige also means recent history.

[dubb93]

Seriously, that is like saying a player from Georgia is more likely to go to Florida than Georgia b/c Florida has a more prestigous program(if he was interested in prestige). It's a stupid statement, and I wouldn't play a football that had Florida starting with a more prestigous program than Georgia.

[vex]

Originally Posted by dubb93

Seriously, that is like saying a player from Georgia is more likely to go to Florida than Georgia b/c Florida has a more prestigous program(if he was interested in prestige). It's a stupid statement, and I wouldn't play a football that had Florida starting with a more prestigous program than Georgia.

Florida won a title in '96, Georgia not since '80.

So your point?

[Jesse_Ewiak]

I'm betting because in recent years, Mich. State has been better than Indiana. (College B-Ball Experts help me out here) For example, using your list, why would a recruit choose Duke over UCLA? Oh right, because Duke has been better the last three-four years by far.

[dubb93]

Originally Posted by vexroid

Florida won a title in '96, Georgia not since '80.

So your point?

That there is no prestige difference between the 2 schools, ala Michigan State and Indiana. There is no difference.

[vex]

Originally Posted by dubb93

That there is no prestige difference between the 2 schools, ala Michigan State and Indiana. There is no difference.

You're the one that used it as an example.

EDIT: I would say there is a difference, and as someone else said, you are basing this on past history, not recent results. Most players don't truely know about a schools tradition until their official visit IRL.

[ThunderingHERD]

Huh? WTF are you going on about? Michigan State is much more prestigious to any kid coming up today. They probably can't remember a time when Indiana was elite. Hell, I barely can.

[Jesse_Ewiak]

You do realize there's a distinct chance the guy who wrote up te recruiting FAQ was choosing two teams at random, right?

[Galaril]

Outlaw77 has his file up on his site for real conference names and teams and is working on the courts which look great.

http://www.totalsportssimulations.co...on_view&idev=3

[dubb93]

Originally Posted by vexroid

You're the one that used it as an example.

Well, you mistook my example. What was meant by it, is that Michigan State isn't an elite prestigous basketball program. Indiana has fallen in recent years, but in my mind they are around where Michigan State is.

Michigan State is no Duke or North Carolina, and Indiana is no Vandy or UTEP in terms of prestige. They are both inbetween those levels.

[ThunderingHERD]

FWIW, the default prestige has Indiana at a generous 85 and Michigan State at 94.

[Zippo]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

First impressions:

You really need to lead the player through the process more. It literally took me 10 minutes to figure out that I needed to click the little arrow thing to move the game out of the first week. Also, I didn't realize that the budget it shows you for your recruit scouting reports is your entire recruiting budget, so I spent far too much.

I loaded the save it does right after league creation to go back and fix that. Forgetting that I was at an earlier stage, I hit the recruiting button and got a window informing me that recruiting is not available after the 26th--a window that apparently has no button allowing it to be closed. Had to close the game and restart.

The arrow direction is in the email I believe and why did you have to close the game to restart? Why didn't you just click any other buttons to move to the other screens? I don't think the recruiting screen being disabled locks up the game.

[dubb93]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

FWIW, the default prestige has Indiana at a generous 85 and Michigan State at 94.

BAH, I'm just biased. Who knows, I'll probably end up giving it a try sometime this week.

[DaddyTorgo]

okay...so i've got a "thing"

i really do like the "customize your coach and get job offers based on how you set him up" thing.

but i'm wondering if there isn't a way to add an option that will like...allow the user to apply for a job at any of the team. because otherwise i think there'll be a bunch of complaints from people who just want to play with one team and don't want to poke around and create several coaches till they can get a job at that school...

[ThunderingHERD]

Originally Posted by Zippo

Why didn't you just click any other buttons to move to the other screens? I don't think the recruiting screen being disabled locks up the game.

Oh. Duh. It looked like a popup window that had taken focus. I kept trying to click it off, never even thought of hitting something else.

[ThunderingHERD]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

okay...so i've got a "thing"

i really do like the "customize your coach and get job offers based on how you set him up" thing.

but i'm wondering if there isn't a way to add an option that will like...allow the user to apply for a job at any of the team. because otherwise i think there'll be a bunch of complaints from people who just want to play with one team and don't want to poke around and create several coaches till they can get a job at that school...

I think the splash screen when you clsoe the game mentions that you can take control of any team in the full version.

[MrBug708]

I think MSU is considered elite strictly because of Tom Izzo.

[timmynausea]

I was curious about the Michigan State vs. Indiana thing so I looked up some tournament results. Here they are since 2000:

Michigan State
2005 - Final Four
2004 - 1st round loss
2003 - Elite 8
2002 - 1st round loss
2001 - Final Four
2000 - NCAA Champs

Indiana
2005 - Did not make tournament
2004 - Did not make tournament
2003 - 2nd round loss
2002 - Lost in final
2001 - 1st round loss
2000 - 1st round loss

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

I think the splash screen when you clsoe the game mentions that you can take control of any team in the full version.

oh.

well i didn't bother to look at that...i was too busy firing up another demo.

[ThunderingHERD]

Haven't actually got to the season yet, but I notice that there's not a single player in the ACC with a GPA under 2.8. The vast majority are 3.2+.

[Groundhog]

Wow, good news! Downloading this sucker right now... If it's even in the same ball park as FBCB this will be a must purchase.

[ThunderingHERD]

Anyone notice the coaching legacy thing? Look cool, hadn't heard about it before.

[Zippo]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

okay...so i've got a "thing"

i really do like the "customize your coach and get job offers based on how you set him up" thing.

but i'm wondering if there isn't a way to add an option that will like...allow the user to apply for a job at any of the team. because otherwise i think there'll be a bunch of complaints from people who just want to play with one team and don't want to poke around and create several coaches till they can get a job at that school...

If you create the coach with the highest ratings model, I think all the schools will become available.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Zippo

If you create the coach with the highest ratings model, I think all the schools will become available.

nope. i tried that. with custom and custom for the attributes and "average" for everything else, and there were certainly schools missing (Duke and BC for two).