NCAA Football 12 News Post

NCAA Football 12 Preview

10:17 AM - April 21, 2011 by ChaseB

At this point in a console generation, it feels like sports games are at an advantage and disadvantage. On the one hand, developers should have an immense amount of understanding of the consoles they are working on now. This means adding those extra little elements of joy and polish can be more easily worked into the development of a game. However, it seems like it would be almost crazy to talk about installing an all-new physics engine or something else along those lines at this point in a console's life cycle. Changes like that just seem to happen more often than not at the start of a new console generation.

And NCAA Football 12 might epitomize that double-edged sword. Some of the tweaks that I was shown and was able to mess around with are immediately noticeable and mostly positive, but for folks wanting widespread change, a new engine or some masterful stroke of development genius that will create this all-new football game should probably reel in their expectations a bit.

Read More - NCAA Football 12 Preview

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

NCAA Football 12 Videos

Member Comments

# 121 ChaseB @ 04/21/11 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chen_sc


	is the grass degenerated during the game?

I would think so. Not sure if it's based on real-time degradation or not, but the wear and tear should be there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShizNo1


	Chase, What was your experience with running out of the shotgun and play action passes?

Didn't really do many Shotgun plays, but were you looking for out of the play action?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomymac23


	Chase I think he's referring to them being on the sidelines. In the shots I've seen I don't see the chain gang working the sidelines either. Can you remember if they were even there? Thanks man. TMAC

Yeah, I mean if you didn't see them in the screens, then I would say assume they are not there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuat8210


	chase can you tell me or did you even notice if they added a madden version of a accelerated clock? or if they have one in this yr? thanks man and thanks for your article

Sorry, no idea here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonsco28


	Is the lighting progressive, or did they just make it pretty? Hopefully it doesn't stay the same all game long.

No, it's progressive. The shadows change during the game, and part of the focus was on making sure the game doesn't become so "dark" during these points in the game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by labguy


	Chase I am very excited to hear about the improvements in pass defense. Any improvements for defense in regards to the run game? Counters and stretch plays were virtually money last year even if you ran them multiple times in a row or continually throughout the game.

Fair question but one I really couldn't answer at this point. Feel like I was really running more on the inside to see how blocking was going in there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31


	Chase, Did you notice or were you told about any line play upgrades? In the trailer it looked like they formed a better pocket, but the animations looked the same as in the past. Thanks.

Yeah, I'm not sure about the addition of animations, but with the adjustments to the player interactions, the hope is the player engagements make sense and improve the line. As far as the pocket, I did feel like it was enveloping me a little more, and since I was under pressure much of the time, I really tried to step up into the pocket to avoid the rush.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkdawg777


	So Chase, did you notice about how much longer the pre-game presentations were? Last year it showed pretty much showed the team entrance, and then a quick spotlight on 1 player. Also it seems like they may have added the away entrance, did you notice?

It's funny, I take a ton of notes and try to write everything down more completely as soon as I leave an event, but even so I still sort of blank or forget some things. They definitely spotlighted at least one guy, and obviously it's dependent on the team, but they start from the locker room all the way to the field. As far as away teams go, I saw Uga snap at an opposing player as he entered, so maybe some teams will have away entrances depending on the stadium?

Quote:

Originally Posted by fb121


	you mentioned the floating feel of the players while running and moving around. In the video, i also noticed the sliding around and the running animations are HORRIBLE. did they mention anything about those fields or did you point this stuff out to them? because everything looks good except the running animations and the floating around!!!

Mention anything about the fields? Not sure what you mean there. As far as the players feeling a little floaty still, I assume I probably mentioned it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gogators


	Please answer first haha. I heard FGs were basically the same. I just want to know if there is any chance of actually blocking punts/FGs without "cheating" the game?

Yeah, you know I did not ask about it and none were blocked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotmadskillzson


	Excellent video, some concerns I haven't seen answered yet though. 3. Screen plays actually working. 5. Punt returns. Last year punt returns was awful because the gunners all had 4.2 speed and were always in your grill as soon as you caught the ball. Didn't matter if it was a high arching punt or direct low punt. 6. Bad snaps due to center or QB being rattled or low awareness. Last year it didn't matter at all, they were never bad snaps. 9. Are dual threat QBs truly dual threat. Meaning they should at least have 15 running attempts per a game.

3. I ran a WR screen that went for a nice amount of yardage.

5. Ben ran one back a nice distance on me, I was not as fortunate.

6. Did not see any during my time.

9. Like the other AI questions, it's just not something I played with since it was human versus human. I mentioned earlier that the team does have a focus on trying to make players go to their strengths more though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playmakers


	Tweaking the Zone coverage is great but if they just stopped there and didn't bother to fix AI QB logic or CPU being a threat to return a punt or kick off how much does zone coverage really being tweaked help the overall gameplay? I just think they (EA) are trying to sale the game this year more on cosmetics as opposed to actual gameplay fixes..... I'll take a CPU QB scrambling or a CPU AI running the option correctly over team entrances any day of the week..... The review mentions those who are expecting major gameplay improvements will be dissapointed......i wasn't expecting major gameplay improvements but i was expecting gameplay improvements in more area's than just Zone Coverage being TWEAKED!

I respect a good high-horse statement as much as anyone but let's pump the brakes a bit. It's a preview not a review, and I don't want to be misrepresented here. I mentioned more than zone coverages as well. Again, I think I outlined what the philosophy is behind the game this year, and I don't think it should really come as a surprise.

Beyond that, again, why would I talk about certain CPU aspects if I had no exposure to it myself. I played a human, so I will talk about stuff that pertains more to that area of play. It does not necessarily mean the CPU was not improved.

----------------

I've been checking other threads and it jogged my memory a bit for a couple other things. The Jon Robinson ESPN preview highlights the montages for players having big days and so forth. I saw one of these for a Texas d-lineman because he had sacked by QB a couple times in the first half. It cut to replays of my QB basically getting mauled. Also, yes, the coaches do get shown more in cut scenes. You'll see them clapping and so forth. As far as player emotions, there is more of a focus on gauging excitement. My player swatted away a ball on third down and got more of a tame high five than a more excited play. And, in general, it seems like the emotions will not be riding as high in every game. A big conference game might lead to more excited player reactions, while an early-season cupcake might not get the players going as much after plays.

I read about Erin Andrews highlighting some big plays coming out of the half. Unfortunately, I only played to the half, so now I wish I had stuck around to see the start of the third quarter to see what that's all about.

# 122 Gotmadskillzson @ 04/21/11 06:43 PM

Bam I just posted the video instead.

# 123 SteelerSpartan @ 04/21/11 06:59 PM

Chase.....Did they switch to the Strategy Pad

Specifically can we do our DLine/DBs Shifts with the left analog???

# 124 statum71 @ 04/21/11 07:46 PM

Was there still a blog coming today? They said Thursday right?

# 125 statum71 @ 04/21/11 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playmakers


	I'm not saying i'm not happy about the sound and graphics upgrades.... I'm just saying i wish more time would have went towards the actual gameplay in several area's Tweaking the Zone coverage is great but if they just stopped there and didn't bother to fix AI QB logic or CPU being a threat to return a punt or kick off how much does zone coverage really being tweaked help the overall gameplay? I just think they (EA) are trying to sale the game this year more on cosmetics as opposed to actual gameplay fixes..... I'll take a CPU QB scrambling or a CPU AI running the option correctly over team entrances any day of the week..... The review mentions those who are expecting major gameplay improvements will be dissapointed......i wasn't expecting major gameplay improvements but i was expecting gameplay improvements in more area's than just Zone Coverage being TWEAKED! We all know EA has a way of showing us FLUFF in their football and basketball games then on the field or court when actually start playing there are issues that make you scratch your head because the videos don't show that before release

I think by the look of things they did a good amount of improvements to gameplay. Unfortuantely, there are some people who think EA should've put their ENTIRE development team on just gameplay.

Gameplay is number one, yes. But if thats all they had to sell it would be pretty shallow.

# 126 Rules @ 04/21/11 07:59 PM

How can they go another year without updating the commentary????????? This is getting ridiculous having to hear the same stuff for 8 years straight if not longer.

# 127 Solidice @ 04/21/11 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by statum71


	Was there still a blog coming today? They said Thursday right?

there were 3 blog by EA today. Presentation, Gameplay, and a community events blog.

# 128 statum71 @ 04/21/11 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solidice


	there were 3 blog by EA today. Presentation, Gameplay, and a community events blog.

Yeah I found 'em Sol. Thx man.

I was looking for 'em here on OS. They're on EA's website. I guess nobody's posted it yet.

# 129 geetarguy @ 04/21/11 08:22 PM

Hate to be a negative Nancy, but did anyone notice that horrible touchdown at :37 on the second vid?

# 130 TheShizNo1 @ 04/21/11 08:56 PM

Chase,

As far as PA passes, where you able to get the pass off with the defense breathing down your neck? Or were you sacked as soon as you faked the hand-off

# 131 georgiafan @ 04/21/11 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShizNo1


	Chase, As far as PA passes, where you able to get the pass off with the defense breathing down your neck? Or were you sacked as soon as you faked the hand-off

another site said that was fixed and worked great

# 132 sportzbro @ 04/21/11 09:34 PM

Interesting... sounds like we are continuing in the right direction with what they started in NCAA 11. The presentation is going to be unreal... As far as gameplay, "momentum" mattering is great, but I hope we can actually "feel" the players weight/speed influencing outcomes - if you get what I mean.

I've been pretty harsh on the series in the past, but this is looking good, even with no news of Dynasty improvement yet. The only cons I see so far:

I have to assume commentary is going to be the same ol' same ol'
No chain gain from all vids/pics released.
Boring sidelines still.
No College Gameday (but sounds like this will be a main goal for 13)

I can live with that. They have a good thing going here, and I'm looking forward to more info.

# 133 jmik58 @ 04/21/11 09:50 PM

Good info.

I think the presentation/gameplay would take a huge leap forward if the developers would work to create a lifelike sideline.

The field should be SURROUNDED by players, press members, visiting recruits, celebrities, etc.

There's something about playing a game without this realism that makes the game feel less "real" and more like a glorified practice.

# 134 Mr_Riddick @ 04/21/11 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	At this point in a console generation, it feels like sports games are at an advantage and disadvantage. On the one hand, developers should have an immense amount of understanding of the consoles they are working on now. This means adding those extra little elements of joy and polish can be more easily worked into the development of a game. However, it seems like it would be almost crazy to talk about installing an all-new physics engine or something else along those lines at this point in a console's life cycle. Changes like that just seem to happen more often than not at the start of a new console generation. And NCAA Football 12 might epitomize that double-edged sword. Some of the tweaks that I was shown and was able to mess around with are immediately noticeable and mostly positive, but for folks wanting widespread change, a new engine or some masterful stroke of development genius that will create this all-new football game should probably reel in their expectations a bit. Read More - NCAA Football 12 Preview

First let me say, good review Chase, this looks promising. Now that I have that out of the way here's MhO.
At this point the shananagains of previous versions shouldn't JUST be LIMITED, they should be eliminated. We shouldn't see any tumbleweeds at this point. And I'm sure many would agree.. Overall I must admit, I like what I've seen so far. Crowd atmosphere, new gameplay mechanics... Let's pray this pans out like it should. I give the team a thumbs up so far..

# 135 Dazraz @ 04/21/11 10:56 PM

Hopefully the menu navigation is alot slicker than last years effort. The commentary needed attention to so I will looking for upgrades there too.

# 136 baufan2005 @ 04/21/11 11:05 PM

"And NCAA Football 12 might epitomize that double-edged sword. Some of the tweaks that I was shown and was able to mess around with are immediately noticeable and mostly positive, but for folks wanting widespread change, a new engine or some masterful stroke of development genius that will create this all-new football game should probably reel in their expectations a bit. "

Too late to overhaul the engine? The game is basically using the same engine as last gen. NCAA games. I predict we will actually see some good engine overhauls when either A)They clean house and put a whole new staff working on the game or B) Xbox 900 is out in about 20 years.

# 137 COACH WEBB @ 04/21/11 11:15 PM

Great news for AUB fans from one of the EA GameChangers over at The Gaming Tailgate

Quote:


	As well, we also saw Auburn's War Eagle as part of their entrance, however it was still a work-in-progress when we saw it so they didn't really want us to capture any images of it.

# 138 sonn @ 04/21/11 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baufan2005


	"And NCAA Football 12 might epitomize that double-edged sword. Some of the tweaks that I was shown and was able to mess around with are immediately noticeable and mostly positive, but for folks wanting widespread change, a new engine or some masterful stroke of development genius that will create this all-new football game should probably reel in their expectations a bit. " Too late to overhaul the engine? The game is basically using the same engine as last gen. NCAA games. I predict we will actually see some good engine overhauls when either A)They clean house and put a whole new staff working on the game or B) Xbox 900 is out in about 20 years.

I agree its quite obvious that the Devs aren't trying to improve the game at all and just come in to work for their paycheck.

# 139 sparkdawg777 @ 04/21/11 11:24 PM

Does anyone know if there is any new info/videos being released tomorrow?

# 140 illwill10 @ 04/21/11 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkdawg777


	Does anyone know if there is any new info/videos being released tomorrow?

Maybe a pic. I think this is what we are getting till next week

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 678 9 10 11 Next »

More Links

NCAA Football 12 Preview