NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

[BTG]

I didn't like the demo at all when I first downloaded it. I thought there the game was still crap and didn't feel right. My biggest problem, though, was that I just wasn't used to the controls. I adjusted them last year so they were more like the PS2 version, and that screwed me in the long run. Now that I'm used to the controls, I am really having fun with the demo. I put a whooping on LSU last night 28-10.

All I can say is I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the new dynamic where the safeties shift and move around before the snap. It's great to be able to make presnap reads and adjust the player's routes to exploit where I think the weakness is going to be.

EXAMPLE:

Last night I had the ball close to the right hash and had called a pass play - ace formation with two receivers and a TE on the right side. The free safety lined up like normal, then started creeping back and over towards the middle of the field. The strong didn't move. Immediately two things came to mind: cover 1 or cover 3. I already had my tight end running a quick out, so I hot-routed my two receivers on the right side to a 10 yard out route and a streak. Sure enough when I snapped the ball the free backed into his deep zone and the strong stepped up into the hook/curl zone while the linebackers all dropped into coverage. Cover 3.

Let me explain some basic football really quick. Because it's cover 3 the streak route is almost completely taken away by the deep corner on that side, so I'm left with the high/low option of the ten yard out and the quick out. In real life, this is a gimmee throw, because the linebacker has to choose one guy to defend. If he steps up you throw over him. If he backs out you throw under him.

NOW COMES THE TEST OF THE GAME.

In previous versions this linebacker was able to miraculously cover two receivers at the same time. On this game, however, he dropped back, I dumped it down to my TE no problem, and ended up with a nice six yard completion. That one play made me so happy....it finally works the way it's supposed to.

This doesn't always work, of course (meaning presnap reads). Many times the CPU will disguise their coverage or shift around like crazy trying to bait you into doing something. But that makes it even more fun, IMO. Also, the slip screens are things of beauty. Simply gorgeous when run correctly. The linemen finally block downfield for you and the back sells that he's blocking first. Bravo, EA. You finally got screens right (it only took 10 years).

-----

One major major problem: I HATE THAT THE CPU IN SUCH A HURRY ON OFFENSE! They routinely snap the ball with 16 seconds left on the play clock. I can't even make any sort of defensive adjustments. BigWill33 over at MM told me "The producers addressed the cpu snapping the ball so quickly, they said they did research and the majority of the gamers didn't like waiting for the cpu to snap the ball. And that they would rather have a faster paced game."

Well la-de-da. Basically we're penalized because "the majority of gamers" have ADD. Fantastic.

[BTG]

And by the way, I've said for years that there needs to be a CPU QB Awareness slider. That would make things so much better.

[stoncold32]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jistic

Doesn't almost every rookie in the NFL talk about having to adjust to the speed of the game?

Quote: Originally Posted by rspencer86

Yes, I think there's little doubt that the NFL is played at a much faster speed than college ball.

It doesn't really matter b/c you're only playing up to your level of competition. When watching college football, to me, stuff happens at the same speed as the NFL. Sometimes the NFL seems even SLOWER b/c everything is so pick apart and studied these days, players know what's going to happen on every play.

For example, if you watched that Texas vs USC game a few years back, you can't say it was slower than an NFL game. You only play up to your level of competition.

[shaunlmason]

I think the step up in speed for rookies is largely a mental one.

Quarterbacks make quicker reads in the NLF.

Defensive players are more aware, etc.

The flip side of that is the premium on speed in the NFL.

In college, you may have a few really fast guys one each team.

The NFL is loaded with them.

[babyfat9]

So I was playing a game, everything went fine in the first half. Second half comes around and i don't get a kicking meter or no play windows to choose from for the entire 3 and 4th quarter. Dunno if it was something I did or the game itself !!!!!!

[HustlinOwl]

Quote: Originally Posted by babyfat9

So I was playing a game, everything went fine in the first half. Second half comes around and i don't get a kicking meter or no play windows to choose from for the entire 3 and 4th quarter. Dunno if it was something I did or the game itself !!!!!!

Had this happen to me as well, definitely the game

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by BTG

I didn't like the demo at all when I first downloaded it. I thought there the game was still crap and didn't feel right. My biggest problem, though, was that I just wasn't used to the controls. I adjusted them last year so they were more like the PS2 version, and that screwed me in the long run. Now that I'm used to the controls, I am really having fun with the demo. I put a whooping on LSU last night 28-10. All I can say is I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the new dynamic where the safeties shift and move around before the snap. It's great to be able to make presnap reads and adjust the player's routes to exploit where I think the weakness is going to be. EXAMPLE: Last night I had the ball close to the right hash and had called a pass play - ace formation with two receivers and a TE on the right side. The free safety lined up like normal, then started creeping back and over towards the middle of the field. The strong didn't move. Immediately two things came to mind: cover 1 or cover 3. I already had my tight end running a quick out, so I hot-routed my two receivers on the right side to a 10 yard out route and a streak. Sure enough when I snapped the ball the free backed into his deep zone and the strong stepped up into the hook/curl zone while the linebackers all dropped into coverage. Cover 3. Let me explain some basic football really quick. Because it's cover 3 the streak route is almost completely taken away by the deep corner on that side, so I'm left with the high/low option of the ten yard out and the quick out. In real life, this is a gimmee throw, because the linebacker has to choose one guy to defend. If he steps up you throw over him. If he backs out you throw under him. NOW COMES THE TEST OF THE GAME. In previous versions this linebacker was able to miraculously cover two receivers at the same time. On this game, however, he dropped back, I dumped it down to my TE no problem, and ended up with a nice six yard completion. That one play made me so happy....it finally works the way it's supposed to. This doesn't always work, of course (meaning presnap reads). Many times the CPU will disguise their coverage or shift around like crazy trying to bait you into doing something. But that makes it even more fun, IMO. Also, the slip screens are things of beauty. Simply gorgeous when run correctly. The linemen finally block downfield for you and the back sells that he's blocking first. Bravo, EA. You finally got screens right (it only took 10 years). ----- One major major problem: I HATE THAT THE CPU IN SUCH A HURRY ON OFFENSE! They routinely snap the ball with 16 seconds left on the play clock. I can't even make any sort of defensive adjustments. BigWill33 over at MM told me "The producers addressed the cpu snapping the ball so quickly, they said they did research and the majority of the gamers didn't like waiting for the cpu to snap the ball. And that they would rather have a faster paced game." Well la-de-da. Basically we're penalized because "the majority of gamers" have ADD. Fantastic.

Wonderful post!

I hate that posts like yours get overlooked and people would rather discuss how the game seems dull or other negative items when they can't even dissect the improvements!

I look at the evolution of games in a similar manner and always can appreciate it when others do the same.

[Rocky]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

Wonderful post! I hate that posts like yours get overlooked and people would rather discuss how the game seems dull or other negative items when they can't even dissect the improvements! I look at the evolution of games in a similar manner and always can appreciate it when others do the same.

So we should applaud when a terrible feature gets fixed? I thought that was supposed to happen.

NCAA gets so many free passes(especially compared to Madden), it's ridiculous.