NCAA Football 11 News Post

NCAA Football 11 Q&A: Designer Talks Playbooks, Blocking (ESPN Videogames)

08:42 PM - April 30, 2010 by Lava

ESPN Videogames has posted a Q&A session with Ben Haumiller, Game Designer of NCAA Football 11.

Quote:


	Jon: "You mentioned the running back reading the blocks. What adjustments have been made to option blocking?" Ben: "We call it real assignment A.I., and if you're playing an offline game, if you're playing a CPU game, you will see the offensive line and who they are assigned to block on the play. We don't do this in the head-to-head game because you don't want to give away to your opponent where you're going. But you can see the pulling guard and where he's pulling. You can see where a combo block is being done. If you're playing somebody who switches defensive tackles around, you can see on the fly as it changes who your players are supposed to block. If you move that tackle out way wide, it adjusts where the offensive linemen need to block. When you're running the option, it's all about leaving that play-side defensive end alone. So if you're running the triple option or a read option, it's all about reading that end and making your call. If you see that end crashing down, keep it and run that option. If he stays out wide, hand it off to the running back up the middle. It's the most authentic we've ever had the option in the game as now you really need to read the defense and the blocking schemes if you want to be successful."

Game: NCAA Football 11Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: iPhone / PS2 / PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 83 - View All

NCAA Football 11 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 T3B0W @ 04/30/10 08:45 PM

Quote:


	No joke, "NCAA Football 11" has that wow factor, maybe for the first time since it hit this generation of consoles.

This is promising, this is what I am expecting when the game drops.

Thanks for the link.

# 2 canes21 @ 04/30/10 08:50 PM

Nice, can't wait for summer to get here. So many great games!

# 3 duckfever8 @ 04/30/10 09:18 PM

May even beat NCAA 06 on PS2 as the best NCAA ever. My expecations are sky high, as are everyone else's, so NCAA 11 better not dissapoint.

# 4 TreyIM2 @ 04/30/10 09:33 PM

Another encouraging preview. Good stuff.

# 5 FroznYogurt @ 04/30/10 10:35 PM

Building my hopes and excitement up even more! I'm starting to believe this game will deliver more and more.

# 6 Pokes404 @ 04/30/10 10:42 PM

I'm encouraged more and more every week. It looks like EA is actually focusing on the important aspects of the game this year. I'm still in a wait-and-see mode, but I like what I'm seeing. If they've improved the pass blocking and fixed the pass speed/ball trajectory, this might be the game I've been waiting for.

# 7 khaliib @ 04/30/10 10:59 PM

Love what I'm seeing so far!!!

I'm still waiting to see what PS3 will look like because after all the nice vids that have been showcased in previous years, PS3 gamers quickly find out after buying that the smooth and vivid looks are from the 360 version. Please don't try and sell to me there's little difference between 720p and 1080p, because there is. With the PS3 version, colors aren't as crisp and sharp as the 360. So it would be nice to see what PS3 gamers are going to get, especially if presentation is going to be on of the big selling points.

It would be nice to what EA games would look like in 1080p for the PS3.

The blocking is awsome, I just wish the collision blocking would be more like the collision of runner/tackler and more guys hitting the ground (esp. OL vs LB's/DB's--smaller players getting mashed by OL happens alot) .

The blocking on the option is good to, but the animattion that would fit perfect would be last years leg tackle animation were the runners feet would be in the air. The crackback or cut-block is pivital to option blocking vs the drive block that's in all the vids so far.

I'm still buying to satisfy my itch for college footabll.

# 8 gator3guy @ 04/30/10 11:15 PM

Good to know more misdirection has been added to the flexbone offense. Last year I think there was only one play that had misdirection. 99% of the time the direction the wing back motioned was the direction the option was going.

# 9 MizzouBravesFan @ 04/30/10 11:44 PM

I really like how they're trying to give similar offenses their own identity.

For instance, a ton of teams run the Spread now but each implement differently and it appears we're going to see that reflected in 11.

Sounds awesome.

# 10 PantherBeast_OS @ 04/30/10 11:47 PM

The only thing that keeps bugging me about these interviews is they keep saying they took the sprint button out of madden this year. The fact is they only turned it off by default. The sprint button is still in madden 11. I wish these people would get it through their thick skulls. But other then that. Nice interview.

# 11 sportzbro @ 04/30/10 11:51 PM

Quote:


	...the results for this early in the cycle simply blew me away. If EA Sports keeps on track from what I just played, we could be talking about a classic.

Those are some pretty big words..

# 12 moylan1234 @ 04/30/10 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdmo9999


	Really? I remember hearing every year that this year's version of the game is the best ever put out...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

we've been over this. last year's reviews didn't say anything close to that and certainly didn't praise the game like we're hearing so far this year.

# 13 TreyIM2 @ 05/01/10 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaliib


	Love what I'm seeing so far!!! I'm still waiting to see what PS3 will look like because after all the nice vids that have been showcased in previous years, PS3 gamers quickly find out after buying that the smooth and vivid looks are from the 360 version. Please don't try and sell to me there's little difference between 720p and 1080p, because there is. With the PS3 version, colors aren't as crisp and sharp as the 360. So it would be nice to see what PS3 gamers are going to get, especially if presentation is going to be on of the big selling points. It would be nice to what EA games would look like in 1080p for the PS3. The blocking is awsome, I just wish the collision blocking would be more like the collision of runner/tackler and more guys hitting the ground (esp. OL vs LB's/DB's--smaller players getting mashed by OL happens alot) . The blocking on the option is good to, but the animattion that would fit perfect would be last years leg tackle animation were the runners feet would be in the air. The crackback or cut-block is pivital to option blocking vs the drive block that's in all the vids so far. I'm still buying to satisfy my itch for college footabll.

While I love 1080p, I just want EA to go deeper into the PS3 power but of course they won't. I don't know if they have 2 different teams to work on PS3/360 games but if they don't, they should yet I know current gen dev costs could prevent this. Playing to the strengths of each system would be a plus, especially for the PS3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by moylan


	we've been over this. last year's reviews didn't say anything close to that and certainly didn't praise the game like we're hearing so far this year.

That's him and it isn't going to change. He's more of a critic than anything. I think in light of the fact that MULTIPLE sights are reaping praise on this game, the forever pessimistic mindset of many will never come to grips like how my boy STILL thinks Dr. J is the greatest of all time and used to constantly crap on Jordan. Lol.

# 14 khaliib @ 05/01/10 12:36 AM

In a nutshell Trey, that's what I'm saying. I'm just wondering when the PS3 will be able to display the beauty and concept of movement of their new gamees. Also, with PSN being free and Xbox Live charging along with 360's still having issues, at some point , there will be a transition.

I'm curious when/if we might get a visual of the crowd to see what advancements have been made to go along with the other visual upgrades

# 15 stoncold32 @ 05/01/10 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConVick


	Hoping to have a game I can play till the season ends. The past 2 NCAA games I owned were done by September

Yep, October for me.

# 16 stoncold32 @ 05/01/10 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaliib


	In a nutshell Trey, that's what I'm saying. I'm just wondering when the PS3 will be able to display the beauty and concept of movement of their new gamees. Also, with PSN being free and Xbox Live charging along with 360's still having issues, at some point , there will be a transition. I'm curious when/if we might get a visual of the crowd to see what advancements have been made to go along with the other visual upgrades

At this point, I could care less if the PS3 version looks better....I just want them to at least be equal.

# 17 SageInfinite @ 05/01/10 01:42 AM

It's becoming harder and harder to resist being hyped this year.

# 18 PantherBeast_OS @ 05/01/10 01:51 AM

Yea it is looking better and better by the week. I wonder what they will show us next week. Can't wait.

# 19 da ThRONe @ 05/01/10 02:04 AM

I still want to know if QB's will scramble. This is a simple concept that is important but has yet to find its way in any NCAA.

# 20 da ThRONe @ 05/01/10 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConVick


	Are you sure it's not there?? Maybe you should try playing on Heisman

Well considering Heisman is the only level I play on maybe I should play on another.

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NCAA Football 11 Q&A: Designer Talks Playbooks, Blocking (ESPN Videogames)