With Ncaa 11 just out as a very solid offering, there are somethings that have been left out that I have to get out (even though I doubt ea will even look at this).
1. Real time tackling- Backbreaker made an attempt at this. While it looked awesome, it wasn't perfect by any means, and wasn't that realistic. Players fall to easily, etc. Well, I'm tired of seeing the same tackling animations over and over in ea football games. It has really come to be a broken record with ea football games. Let's face it, the game hasn't really felt significantly different this generation. Natural or real time physics would significantly change the way the game looks and plays.
2. Presentation- Look, I'm sorry but a game that says 2k5 on it STILL has a game in 2010 beat. THAT IS PATHETIC. There has to be a presentation upgrade in which I won't want to press "x" to get through. I want College Gameday when I simulate to each Saturday previewing the games, making mascot head pics, full with a virtual desk, virtual Erin Andrews, Lee Corso, etc. For half time, I want to go back to the studio, have analysis, break down of what happened, full with video highlights and commentary to go with it, with perhaps scores of other games going on. Just like a game that is what, 6 years old? After all the games are played for that week, there should be a show with highlights of the key games with commentary. On the field, I want to actually see the commentators that are shown sometimes between plays, yes I said virtual announcers that can be shown in the booth. I can hear them, so what? It would add to the realism if a camera transition showed the commentators in the booth. Also, don't have them wearing the same suit every time. Now with commentary, it must be more dynamic. Make big plays feel like they actually mean something. It's pathetic, I break a 70 yard run, and the announcer is like "he scores a td". How boring! Does EA even watch football on Saturdays? I get chills down my spine when listening to real broadcasts which are full of excitement. Again we need Erin Andrews on the sideline, a virtual one which the camera transitions to, giving us an injury update, etc. Next, for half time and at the game, have a sideline reporter interview a coach or player. The camera should transition to the interview, and show it progress, with dialogue. 2k5's interviews sucked, but at least they have them! You can probably tell that I'm getting greedy, but I want my 60 bucks to be worth 60 bucks. I put 20 bucks to 2k5, and it was worth every penny. Cbs should also be incorporated with graphics and different commentary. I wouldn't care if the commentary wasn't as dynamic as espn's, but it would be refreshing to hear different voices for sec games and such. Also, it would be a nice touch for espn games, the little espn hd animation at the beginning of each game would be an awesome addition.
3. Equipment- I shouldn't have to say much for this, options. We need secondary color options. We should be able to apply whatever we want on top of something, like in the form of layers. The facemasks included in ncaa 11 are pathetic. I don't know anyone who wears Lt's face mask. Again does ea even watch real college football on tv? We need every face mask that is seen on Saturday.
4. Weather/Lighting- Weather needs to transition as the game progresses. For example, a game should be able to start at a down pour, and as the game progresses, have the rain stop and go. The sunlight should change as clouds progress in any direction, not just per quarter. The evening should have a smooth transition to night. The game should start on overcast, and by the fourth quarter, have rain drops. Basically, weather needs to have more meat on it.
5. Special Teams- Please make special teams matter next year. I swear it is impossible to block field goals or punts. I'm tired of players using robo kickers booting 58 yard field goals like it's nothing. When players use the low trajectory, make them pay by increasing the probability of getting blocked. It is just sad to see how bad the rate of blocked kicks or punts are in the game. Kicking NEEDS to be harder. There needs to be a pressure system or some kind. Real life kickers miss chip shots sometimes, because in crunch moments, their face sometimes look like they are going to poop in their pants. In ncaa, I make field goals like it's nothing, which shouldn't be the case. The field goal method just needs to be scratched and redone. I love how there is like a sky cam which wobbles behind the kicker in madden 11 as it gives a tv look. Take it a step further, use that sky cam, and right when the kicker is about to kick the ball, then have the camera transition behind the endzone like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLDEPKbtGm8 .
6. Little Things- First things first, the crowd is atrocious. It needs to be revamped. Fans need shakers (as found heavily in the SEC). The crowd in the game just looks flat out bad; I don't know how else to explain it. I hate how it always gets overlooked every year. Next, bowl patches, self explanatory. Coaching carousel needs to be included. Bring back the espn magazine covers from last generation, or was is SI? Whatever, use espn magazine, I loved the covers. Use the 3d grass the madden 07 used. Have the players' jerseys get more dirty as the game progresses. Give us the ability to use custom songs for entrances. Especially for VT's entrance, have the stadium jumping up and down for Enter Sandman before the hokies take the field. Replays, again do away with those make believe camera angles. I can't tell what is even going on. Again, watch a real televised broadcast and replicate it 100%. Replays are like after every play. The first replay is usually from the actual play by play broadcast angle, with the score overlay shown. Next, they take a closer replay angle from the sideline, etc. JUST WATCH A REAL TELECAST. Also, for the ea sports logo on the overlay scoreboard at the bottom of the screen, please ghost it a little or lower the opacity. I could care less about players expressions when they get hit. How am I even supposed to even notice that in game?
That's it for now. I think it's pathetic how espn 2k5 included so much more for a 20 dollar price tag then a 60 dollar "next generation" football game. Monopoly sucks.