NCAA Football 12 News Post

Building a Better NCAA Football 12

12:36 PM - January 13, 2011 by RaychelSnr

NCAA Football 11 gave thousands of eager fans the first quality HD college football experience during this generation of consoles. But now with January already upon us, and NCAA 12 deep into development, it is only a matter of time until the NCAA Football 12 details start emerging. January is also the month that I begin my coverage of the newest NCAA game.

This first article will focus on some of the things NCAA 11 did extremely well, as well as the areas that still need improvement in order to push the game to the next level.

Read More - Building a Better NCAA Football 12

Game: NCAA Football 12Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 104 - View All

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Member Comments

# 101 jth1331 @ 01/24/11 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHNNYP52


	The stadium atmosphere could be improved. The band doesn't play after EVERY first down. Gets very annoying! They need pre-game atmosphere too. For example, they play the Tunnel Walk VIDEO for Nebraska. That would really get me pumped in real life, could get me pumped in the game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUsouthpaw2013


	And at a lot of schools, the band does* play after every first down. Most schools down here have a "first down song" that the band does.*

A lot of schools do play something after nearly every good play, etc. Shoot, I know OU plays something for 1st downs, etc.

# 102 Fredonia @ 01/24/11 04:46 PM

Fix Zone coverage. I've been stuck playing man coverage for a pretty good while. I've yet to see a defense play strictly man coverage, but it's the only reliable defense in this game. Please fix defensive play.

Special Teams... I should be getting more than 10 return yards total per game. They kick the ball my way and I'm leveled as soon as I catch the darn thing. I can break off about a 20 yard return every now and then, but the kicking team unrealistically breaks down the field like they're a bullet train. In the demo, I can return kicks and punts a tad more realistically. Wth happened??? Also blocking field goals and punts should be a little easier, but not every kick. It happens way more often in real life than in this game.

FIX PLAYACTION PASSES! Good grief, insta-sack. Wildcat is useless in this game, and most option plays are too.

Supermen linebackers. Give them kryptonite... We shouldn't have to fix EA's mistakes with sliders. Things like this shouldn't even be there...

No more Robo QB's...

Actual dual threat QB's...

Team Builder could use an overhaul, but I think I've already mentioned some of that in an earlier post.

# 103 Bryzine21 @ 01/24/11 07:41 PM

NOW that Auburn has won the national title, can we PLEASE have our fight song "War Eagle" in the game???

# 104 AUsouthpaw2013 @ 01/24/11 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryzine21


	NOW that Auburn has won the national title, can we PLEASE have our fight song "War Eagle" in the game???

Yeah, there's nothing worse than hearing a very generic Tiger Rag played after I score in my Auburn dynasty.

# 105 tswiatkowski @ 01/25/11 01:24 PM

I think part of the problem is the rating system altogether. I think it would be so awesome if they scrapped everything they had now and did something like NBA 2K11, with four categories for players. (Offensive skills, Defensive skills, Physical, Mental)

OFFENSIVE SKILLS
-Throw Power
-Throw Accuracy
-Touch (Some QBs are accurate but throw a very ugly ball, making it tough to catch, Drew Stanton comes to mind)
-Break Tackle (Power)*
-Elude Tackle (Finesse) *
-Carrying or Ball Security
-Hands (Certain hands ratings would make player more likely to make a spectacular catch. Also, this would affect a player's ability to pick up a fumble, making lineman hands ratings not totally useless

)
-Catch In Traffic (Great addition to the ratings about 2 years ago, and it needs to be more noticeable)
-Route Running
-Run Block
-Pass Block
-Blocking Power**
-Blocking Technique**

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

-Wrap Tackle
-Shoulder Tackle
-Low Tackle
Tackling is the MOST important defensive skill, therefore it should come first, also, this fits with people's ideas of different tackling styles.
-Pass Rush (Should be boiled down to one stat, and tendencies should decide how the player actually plays)
-Break Double Team
-Pursuit
-Play Recognition (Some may think these are mental, but they are entirely defensive skills. Mental will be a different thing altogether. Big stat for a LB in terms of them finding the ball)
-Man Coverage (Coverage styles could also be added into the game, making Press Coverage unnecessary as a rating)
-Zone Coverage
-Locate Ball (Now there could be a rating responsible for a defender ignoring or not ignoring a pass)
-Defend Pass (would work in with a players "Catch" rating to determine likelihood of INT or Breakup)

PHYSICAL SKILLS
-Speed
-Acceleration
-Quickness (If I rename this stat will you make it matter EA?)
-Jumping
-Stamina
-Durability
-Strength (Ah, Strength. The seemingly most useless physical attribute in the game. I really don't know how to make it work in the gameplay because it really is important in the game of football. Possibly a rating cap for power related attributes based on player's strength?)

MENTAL
-Offensive Awareness
-Defensive Awareness
(These would be a players ability to line up correctly, run the correct plays, and react to certain things like tipped passes, fumbles, etc.) NO MORE CHEESING BY LOWERING AWARENESS
-Clutch (A player's ability (or inability) to make plays in GAME CHANGING SITUATIONS (not just the 4th Q)
-Discipline (This would be not only a player's off the field stat in terms of them causing you trouble, but it would also work on the field. Penalties would come from players with low discipline much more often (true freshman anyone?))
-Emotion (Player's ability to play better based on Home Field Advantage or through positive momentum)
-Composure (Players ability to not play worse based on HFA or through a negative momentum swing)

*Side-note: I feel that the current rating system literally does nothing to determine the style of running back that a player actually is. In fact, I am willing to go deeper and go with a "play style" page after the ratings. I'll make another comment describing it. Also, the break tackle rating would affect all moves that have to do with that (stiff arm and trucking) while the Elude Tackle rating would deal with all moves that involve elusiveness (spin and juke, or even the overall slipperiness of the player).

OK That is all I have in terms of ratings. I will be posting a Tendency/Play Style comment later, but let me know what you all think about this. I would really appreciate constructive comments or new ideas. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION

# 106 tswiatkowski @ 01/25/11 02:57 PM

PLAY STYLE / TENDENCY SECTION IN PLAYER CREATION / PLAYER EDIT

Ok, so I see a LOT of people on this board talking about how they would like to "feel" the way their player is supposed to play on the field. This section of player editing should be in the game and would really improve the gameplay and overall feel of uniqueness for each team and player, which is very important in college football.

Ok, so first I will go with Play Styles. Play Styles need to be improved and the game is pathetic in terms of showcasing these. Example: HB (Power, Balanced, Speed)

QB Styles:

Pro-Style
All-Around
Spread Pass
Spread Run
Athletic (Different than Spread Run in that QB is a pure Athlete, lacking awareness or understanding of scheme.)

RB Styles:
All-Around
Athletic (Lacks RB Skills but has better physical Stats)
Scat Back
Contact Back
Receiving Back
Blocking Back (usually FB types)

WR/TE Styles:
Athletic
Deep Threat
Big Body
Possession (Differs from Big Body in that the WR/TE uses more receiving skill as opposed to physical strength or size to create completions on short routes. Route running and Hands will be higher but strength and veritcal will be lower.)
Blocking (more for a TE than receiver)

OL- Positions will be selected but styles will be the same (Need most help in terms of suggestions here)

Quick
Bulldozer/Roadkill
All Around
Smart (Lineman will be able to get to the assignments and know the assignments better than any other lineman. Very useful in a spread offense predicated on speedy backs that only need a crease.)

DL Styles

Big Body
Athletic (Ndamukong Suh anyone?)
Speed Rush
All Around
Power

LB Styles

Athletic
Run Stop
Pass Rush
Coverage
All Around
Tackler

DB Styles

Bump and Run
Ball Hawk
Hard Hitting
Athletic
All Around
Tackling (More for a S than CB)
Coverage

ONCE AGAIN SUGGESTIONS AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS APPRECIATED

THIS IS BY NO MEANS COMPLETE OR THE BEST IDEA, JUST THE BEGINNING OF AN IDEA

# 107 rollinphat @ 01/25/11 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryzine21


	NOW that Auburn has won the national title, can we PLEASE have our fight song "War Eagle" in the game???

the fight song isn't in the game, because Auburn doesn't own the rights to it.

# 108 ovillarr13 @ 01/25/11 04:41 PM

Wish List

1. Record pancake blocks

2. Have Dynasty History (When playing my Dynasty I always wonder who has been my best and the nations best QB, RB, WR... and so on, during my dynasty.)

# 109 AuburnChick @ 01/25/11 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollinphat


	the fight song isn't in the game, because Auburn doesn't own the rights to it.

This is correct.

# 110 SHORTxDOG @ 01/25/11 10:12 PM

i love the idea of the in depth build-a-coach, but what i miss from the last gen editions is your custom playbook being tied to your profile. give me 8-10 formation slots and let me build my own offense based on the plays that are already here (no i dont like the idea of creating you own plays).

# 111 Xx_JP_VHS_xX @ 01/26/11 01:56 AM

Does anybody remember like in NCAA '05 or '04 the tournaments they used to have online?! You could create one or join one and i had a blast playing them, maybe it was just because i was younger but i would really like to see a little more emphasis on online play, it seems like they have completely shunned it the past 5 years. Oh and also like the trophies you could get and the ability to look at other peoples past games and also your past games.

# 112 stcloudgopher @ 01/26/11 02:44 AM

Got a bit behind on this thread. Thoughts:

@Dr Death: Good post. All I can add is a coaching carousel.
___________________
OpusX910: "Something else I thought about that some people may hate, because it takes a lot of control of the passing game away, is this:

Instead of the user being able to control where to throw the ball ( back shoulder, over the top, etc ) and how hard to throw it. Let the QB's AWR rating determine what he thinks is appropriate. I feel this would separate the good QB's from the bad a lot better. As it is, anybody can make a 75 ovr QB look as good, or just about close to as good, as a 90 ovr QB, because the user is choosing where to put the ball and how hard to throw it."
You said it: "People may hate..." They cannot, I repeat, CANNOT start taking more control away from the controller. If that is to be the case, they need to make "NCAA Head Coach '12." Between the canned animations for tackling and sideline catches, adding another way to wrest control from my hands is going to be a guaranteed No Sale.
___________________
lesco543: "Dreads dreads dreads dreads. And also a little bit higher of mid socks, and the spats r a bit too fat..."
Seriously? I... I just... I, uh, umm, hmm... You're kidding, right?
___________________
jbrew2411: "6) Dynasty mode, add more depth: This starts with my #2 & #3 request. Bring back the spring game. Add a high school all-American game. Add a training feature so we can finally get rid of the random progression(see Choops2k8 for an idea on this should be done). Add a national signing day and no player is hard committed until that day. This would allow players to switch right up until the end like we see all the time in real life."
Love this idea, especially the signing day/hard commit part. I've always had that nagging issue as well. Not a game-breaker, but, man, nice call.
___________________
44drob: "1. Dreads; 2. True Power backs; 3. Throwing Animations; 4. True Dual Threat QB'S; 5. More Diverse player engine; 6.Creation of ATH recruits; 7. Brands On logos 'gloves socks cleats bands etc..."
Good god.
___________________
@tswiatkowski: Fantastic stuff.

A thing I'd like to add: It's not really that the LBs can jump, it's that the QBs have little to no arc on certain throws.

Also, I'd like to see an actual roughing the passer penalty called. I didn't really care about the obvious lateness of the hits, but I just lost two Qbs in an Offline Dynasty yesterday -- both on hits that would easily warrant 15-yards. I mean, I have the slider at 100 and it makes no difference. For all that is broken or near-broken, for all of the legacy issues and stale game modes, it still amazes me that people actually care about jerseys and dreads. Apparently I don't pay that much attention to the appearance part of football. Maybe that can be an attribute in '12. Call it "sexy." The higher the rating, the more likely the player is to have dreads, 19 wristbands, glittery cleats and tattoos.

# 113 AUsouthpaw2013 @ 01/26/11 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuburnChick


	This is correct.

That grumpy old woman needs to sell us the rights already and stop being obstinate.

# 114 44drob @ 01/26/11 12:28 PM

Dang tswiatkowski put a serious list i agree to some extent

# 115 ohiostate330 @ 01/27/11 02:44 AM

I love the small things that make great sports games. NCAA 12 multi collisions like if u hit a guy u should be able to continuing to hit him until he hits the ground. They need to put all bowl patches, heisman trophy ceremony (just like NCAA 06), allow the cpu to scramble even put in a scramble rating for qb's that would help, More dirt on jerseys like if your playing in a nice day game with green grass have grass stains instead of black dirt, have mouthpieces, eyeblack, more helmets and facemask, even more nike,adidas,and underarmor apperal(gloves,spikes) more jersey combinations( team color socks would be nice). and long hair like casey matthews long hair and dreads! not like maddens ponytail dreads because no one wears they're dreads like that

# 116 khaliib @ 01/27/11 01:21 PM

How about some type of communication from the Dev Team like the Madden community is getting.

C'mon, Madden is comming out a month later and the communication between Ian with the community is some type of weekly interaction consistantly. Did I mention it's comming out a month "After" NCAA and they're talking/gathering feedback?

So the response that it's still too early can't be used anymore.

If these two things are not in NCAA 12, something is up!!!
I say these two, because they are in two separate EA Sports Titles and the community has asked for them for two years, yet nothing.
They have no reason for not being included this year. None!!!

(I list these two not because they're things I want, but as a notation about their statement that they "Listen to the Community". 2 years asking, 2 years nada)

- Broadcast Camara that's in all EA's other sports games, except NCAA.
- Use of the ESPN/CBS Exclusive License they've purchased and used, except NCAA.

I have a sneaky feeling we're just going to get NCAA 11 with a couple of gameplay tweaks and some added fluff.

Quote:
"There's a watery substance hitting my shoe. Let's just hope it's rain"

# 117 bry422 @ 01/27/11 05:26 PM

I've read every post. I agree with just about all of the gameplay stuff. I'll add one online request that I have not seen.

Unranked online games... just terrible (and this may be the same for ranked games, but I don't play those). You cannot change the Time of Day, the stadium, or the weather. It just KILLS the atmosphere. Every game is high-noon and sunny. If you play against friends, in a tournament environment, like I do, this really kills the fun. It would be nice to have games at night and in bad weather, and finally, have the tournament championship game at a neutral site, like the Rose Bowl.

# 118 rudyjuly2 @ 01/27/11 08:10 PM

You are dead on about the CPU offenses. They suck and the ai needs to be much better, particularly for mobile qb and the spread. This is a huge need for NCAA 12.

They really need to add more animations and increase the player momentum. Locomotion didn't go nearly far enough (could we get some options for this) and players still don't look or feel right. Plus the weak locomotion makes pass coverage extremely hard as CPU receivers cut on a dime and burn you repeatedly. Playing defense needs a fun upgrade as it hasn't been very fun this ten.

# 119 stigs007 @ 01/28/11 03:39 PM

I'll being copying what others have already said, but oh well.

1. Coaches need to be more involved and coaches should change jobs, we need a true coaching mode. Madden used to have something like this where your HC, OC, DC, and ST's coach would have contracts and could retire. Wasn't a true coaching mode but still.

2. Weight needs to mean something, which will lead into #3

3. Your players should match your system. You shouldn't be able to plug in a 4-3 DE to play DE in a 3-4 and so on. I've wanted this for years in both NCAA and Madden, and we have yet to get it.

4. #3 would make recruiting more fun b/c you wouldn't just target the top guys, but the guys who fit your system the best.

5. Give you the ability to modify conference members so if I wanted to move Nebraska to the Big Ten after one year, I could.

6. Someone pointed this out, but the menus respond so slow.

7. Please fix the player progression.

# 120 AuburnChick @ 01/28/11 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaliib


	I have a sneaky feeling we're just going to get NCAA 11 with a couple of gameplay tweaks and some added fluff.

way off

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