NCAA Football 09 Video w/ Dave Ross: GameSpot

[mva5580]

Quote: Originally Posted by Moostache

The cycle of pre-release and post-release comments is as predictable as having a game released every year. For those who expect revolutionary gameplay and simulation changes, you will always be disappointed. If you have not figured that out by now, you are either 12 or have an IQ around that number.... The biggest change we will see in NCAA has already happened in NCAA 2007 - the addition of a new engine version of the game for "next-gen-PS3/XB360" Until the next console hardware revision, sometime between 2010 and 2012, the only thing possible on an annual release schedule is a tweaked version of the game. The solution to this would have been easy enough - simply offset the releases of Madden and NCAA each year to allow for 2-year cycles between "new" releases. Offer up sponsored roster downloads or upgradeable rosters (something that I believe IS in NCAA 2009 on XB360 finally) and call it a day. Allow people who NEED accurate rosters to use file sharing to update the game (similar to the way NFL2K5 is still alive and kicking 4 years after release). If you make a good enough game, that can work, although it is very hard to profit from such an arrangement... The problem is exactly as others have already pointed out - as long as people BUY THE GAME, then there is NO FINANCIAL INCENTIVE for EA to change business-as-usual. For veteran player like myself, who are on their 4th console generational shift (Sega/Super-NES --> PS1 --> DC/PS2/XB --> XB360/PS3), this is old hat. The pattern plays itself out EVERY TIME: 1) new console released 2) "new" version of Madden / NCAA is developed on new engine 3) annual re-releases come out and tweak gameplay, player models and re-hash old features as "new" by bringing them over for the first time over a series of years. 4) new elements and gimmicks (HFA, Impact Players, Mascots/Cheerleaders) are added and subtracted each year 5) the game "peaks" after 3-4 years on a console and then backslides at the tail end of a generation. 6) lather, rinse, repeat... THAT'S reality...the only way the status quo changes is when external forces necessitate a fundamental change in strategy. The only way THAT happens is when large percentages of people stop buying the product. Arguing about it, complaining about it, even being involved in the Community program and TELLING EA about it directly does not have anywhere NEAR the impact that a 25% drop in sales year-over-year would have. Its business...we will always get the bare minimum possible to keep people from not buying. Anything more than that costs money and eroded profits... I have been to EA Community Days in the past. I have sat with the producers and developers and even the marketing people. The schism is that marketing holds sway at EA. They seem to have final say on budgets and staffs and time lines; and as a result, the developers and producers (so frequently savaged as "lazy" or "incompetent" on message boards) face a constricted time line, a limited budget and staff and an expectation to release the game on time without question. It is simply not possible to do much better than they already do. They live on the Kobayshi Maru - the famed "no-win scenario" from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan... Anyone who thinks EA does not know about these things that people want in game (better presentation, more realistic settings to allow for simulation play, added online functionality) is living under a rock...they know. I have told them about it personally and face-to-face. I have written huge wish lists and detailed ways to improve the game. Nearly 2 years ago (at the Community Day for Madden NFL 2007) I asked them point-blank during a producer Q&A session about the inclusion or licensing of Natural Motion's Euphoria engine for use in Madden and / or NCAA. The discomfort of the producers that day was palatable. It was obvious that they a) knew what it was, b) wished they had a similar tool and c) were under company orders to not really discuss it too much. What we have seen since then nicely fills in the blanks as to why - licensing the engine was going to mean cutting in someone else on the Madden / NCAA pie (don't ever underestimate the fact that Madden is ANNUALLY in the top-5 selling games period - that's a BIG pie and EA as a business is very dependent on it for profits). Either EA could not or would not license the product from Natural Motion, so we see the tech-demo "Backbreaker" becoming closer to reality (due to release this year). IF NM's Euphoria engine can be adapted to deliver a fluid and dynamic 11-on-11 football experience, that MAY just finally force EA's hand. For people advocating true "change" in place of annual refinement, I would recommend that you stop reading NCAA / Madden forums, start reading BackBreaker forums and out your money where your mouth is....otherwise, accept the situation for what it is - annual refinement of varying degrees of success to a game you either find enjoyable on some levels or do not.

This is the only post on this ENTIRE WEB SITE that needs to be read. Period end of story. if you people TRULY want change in this series, you TRULY are fed up with what's going on, then read this and follow it. Period.

[J-Unit40]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheGamingChef

No, it's not. I love NCAA football. More than any other sport there is. Guess which game I have to get if I wanna play my favorite sport on my 360.

I'm caught in the same situation. Pretty sad isn't it?

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by jdr4693

EA doesn't care about you the consumer!!! they care about their wallets. The CEO is laughing in his big *** house while he keeps cutting the sports gaming budget so he increases his profit. Did'nt you guys notice that HUGE Coca Cola sponsor on the coin flip.LOL thats typical EA right there. Getting deals done for their sponsors and not focusing on gameplay.I dont know why you guys continiue to justify this game. Dont even try to bother defending this game. EA doesnt care about what you guys think,as long as you buy the game. They arnt gonna change **** beccause they know people are still gonna buy their crappy product. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. and maybe if EA sees this drop in purchases they will change their ways.

you should join a few others on this site and go to EA's headquarters and pickett outside their offices.


Me, I am going to buy the game and enjoy it.

[spit_bubble]

Quote: Originally Posted by J-Unit40

NCAA 2005? Maybe.

For some reason I'm thinking for 2004... But that wouldn't make sense because there's usually a three year output... So yeah maybe 2005...

Anyways...

I should add that EA isn't the only company that does this. It's pretty much standard practice for games, software... Or just about anything that requires extensive core work.

[Cardot]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

you should join a few others on this site and go to EA's headquarters and pickett outside their offices. Me, I am going to buy the game and enjoy it.

Country, I don't think the comments were directed at you. If you enjoy the game, it is well worth the money.

But there are many who post complaints about the game. They complain that nothing will change the following year, but they go ahead and buy it again anyways....and the cycle continues. For those of us who think the game could be much better if EA was pushed economically, it is worth reminding people of the power of their wallets.

[Soonerd2]

Would love to boycott it. Just not possible though.

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cardot

Country, I don't think the comments were directed at you. If you enjoy the game, it is well worth the money. But there are many who post complaints about the game. They complain that nothing will change the following year, but they go ahead and buy it again anyways....and the cycle continues. For those of us who think the game could be much better if EA was pushed economically, it is worth reminding people of the power of their wallets.

Great post and you did it with tact.

[FlyingFinn]

Players look like they are on ice. Haven't seen this much gliding/sliding in a football game in a long time.