NCAA Football 12 News Post

Staff Roundtable: NCAA Football 12 Demo Impressions

12:49 PM - June 29, 2011 by ChaseB

Since the beginning of this current-gen console era, the NCAA Football demo has signified the start of the "summer of football" here at Operation Sports. In many ways it is the most loved and hated time here for many folks, including myself. This time of year spawns excitement, anger and rampant discussion about all things related to video game football, but the NCAA Football demo acts as the catalyst that makes all of it happen.

With that in mind, it only seemed right to dedicate this week's roundtable to talking about the NCAA Football 12 demo. Read on to find out what some of our writers think about the demo at this point.

Read More - Staff Roundtable: NCAA Football 12 Demo Impressions

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

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Member Comments

# 21 Bigsheen @ 06/29/11 03:21 PM

i like the othes agree with jayson.

# 22 khaliib @ 06/29/11 03:34 PM

I don't know how to do it, but could someone do a Poll to see which staff writers agreement the OS community seems to agree with the most.

This way, the Dev's can see/read how this Forums Community really feel after playing their Demo.

I agree with Jayson multiplied by 1,0000000.

This is not the best Sports Game out, period.
Interesting how the ESPN presentation was done good in their College Basketball, but is just simply absent in their Football version.

I've come to the conclusion that EA bought the ESPN rights only to prevent any other Developer from using, because they surely have not purchased it to enhance the "ONLY" College Sports game out, which of course is only produced by them.

This is the 2nd year that leaves you to question, why own it, if your not going to use it?
In it's current form, it's simply an "Imbarassment" to the ESPN Product!

Compared to NBA 2k 11, The Show, EA NHL/Fifa, NCAA Football is well behind were these products are at.
We've been saying they're getting there since '09 with every little "Baby Step" injection or Old-Reintroduced Feature they've been doing in every release since.

The Truth is that the Business side of this series has just "Milked" the gaming community for profits as the "Only" College Football Developer on the market going into it's 5th year.

It's not coincedence that features that should have been in the series back in '08, are slowly being introduced as "New Feature" today.
This because nothing 'Innovative" has been done through/with the NCAA Football Series. Not one thing!

If you break down each phase of this game and analyse it's progress since being on Next-Gen, I believe we would have a clearer picture of what we've been paying for.

Since being introduced on these Next-Gen consoles, how has these phases of the game faired?

Visuals: C
When I look at the Visuals in many of the Shooters, NBA 2k and the Show, their behind, plain and simple.

Presentation: D
Being that they purchased the Exclusive contract to be the sole user of the ESPN Package, it's an "Insult" with how they are using the package.

What they are finally doing on the Madden side (camara, cut-scenes etc...) should've been infroduce in NCAA as soon as they signed as Exclusive ESPN users.

Gameplay: C-
It's amazing, we are still hoping/asking for Gameplay issues that were done incorrectly and/or missing in prior year's releases.

For some reason, they have been running into a brick wall in trying to get Spread/Option teams to perform as they should.
The question becomes, how much more can they tweak/tune this area of programming/coding for this area of gameplay to perform correctly when the gamer is playing?

The limitations of this Engine seems to show more and more with each release.
As one gameplay aspect is tweaked/tuned, another area seems to always takes a hit.

Replay ability: C
For those that simply download Slider Sets and Edited Rosters from the long hours of others, this will probably be higher for them.

For me and probably others like myself, I found myself spending more time Editing Players Ratings, Tweaking Sliders and Testing, and testing to try and eliminate/minimize many of the Gameplay issues vs actually playing the game.

I have yet to get in a Full Dynasty season from any release since '08, because the process above has been required year after year to come close to the playing perspective I so desired.

I just decided to break down Jayson's statement a little more to make sure I'm not just agreeing with him or just sounding like I'm EA bashing.

After really looking at the areas above, I can honestly say he is 100% correct!!!

# 23 Pokes404 @ 06/29/11 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaliib


	It's not coincedence that features that should have been in the series back in '08, are slowly being introduced as "New Feature" today. This because nothing 'Innovative" has been done through/with the NCAA Football Series. Not one thing!

As disappointed as I've become with the series, I feel I have to correct you a bit on this statement.

EA deserves credit for Online Dynasties. That was a revolutionary feature, and in my opinion, is one of the big reasons this series has remained afloat. While I agree that the game is stale, and is largely just recycled features, EA really hit a home run with ODs.

Of course, it does me no good because I simply can't stand the gameplay anymore. I've grown tired of waiting for them to change basic problems that have not only been pointed out by the community, but have actually been done much better by EA in the past.

# 24 Tecmo Bowl @ 06/29/11 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaliib


	I don't know how to do it, but could someone do a Poll to see which staff writers agreement the OS community seems to agree with the most. This way, the Dev's can see/read how this Forums Community really feel after playing their Demo. I agree with Jayson multiplied by 1,0000000. This is not the best Sports Game out, period. Interesting how the ESPN presentation was done good in their College Basketball, but is just simply absent in their Football version. I've come to the conclusion that EA bought the ESPN rights only to prevent any other Developer from using, because they surely have not purchased it to enhance the "ONLY" College Sports game out, which of course is only produced by them. This is the 2nd year that leaves you to question, why own it, if your not going to use it? In it's current form, it's simply an "Imbarassment" to the ESPN Product! Compared to NBA 2k 11, The Show, EA NHL/Fifa, NCAA Football is well behind were these products are at. We've been saying they're getting there since '09 with every little "Baby Step" injection or Old-Reintroduced Feature they've been doing in every release since. The Truth is that the Business side of this series has just "Milked" the gaming community for profits as the "Only" College Football Developer on the market going into it's 5th year. It's not coincedence that features that should have been in the series back in '08, are slowly being introduced as "New Feature" today. This because nothing 'Innovative" has been done through/with the NCAA Football Series. Not one thing! If you break down each phase of this game and analyse it's progress since being on Next-Gen, I believe we would have a clearer picture of what we've been paying for. Since being introduced on these Next-Gen consoles, how has these phases of the game faired? Visuals: C When I look at the Visuals in many of the Shooters, NBA 2k and the Show, their behind, plain and simple. Presentation: D Being that they purchased the Exclusive contract to be the sole user of the ESPN Package, it's an "Insult" with how they are using the package. What they are finally doing on the Madden side (camara, cut-scenes etc...) should've been infroduce in NCAA as soon as they signed as Exclusive ESPN users. Gameplay: C- It's amazing, we are still hoping/asking for Gameplay issues that were done incorrectly and/or missing in prior year's releases. For some reason, they have been running into a brick wall in trying to get Spread/Option teams to perform as they should. The question becomes, how much more can they tweak/tune this area of programming/coding for this area of gameplay to perform correctly when the gamer is playing? The limitations of this Engine seems to show more and more with each release. As one gameplay aspect is tweaked/tuned, another area seems to always takes a hit. Replay ability: C For those that simply download Slider Sets and Edited Rosters from the long hours of others, this will probably be higher for them. For me and probably others like myself, I found myself spending more time Editing Players Ratings, Tweaking Sliders and Testing, and testing to try and eliminate/minimize many of the Gameplay issues vs actually playing the game. I have yet to get in a Full Dynasty season from any release since '08, because the process above has been required year after year to come close to the playing perspective I so desired. I just decided to break down Jayson's statement a little more to make sure I'm not just agreeing with him or just sounding like I'm EA bashing. After really looking at the areas above, I can honestly say he is 100% correct!!!

Couldn't agree more with jayson and this post.

# 25 teamnolesfanfsu @ 06/29/11 04:39 PM

I was really disappointed by the demo

it doesnt seem to be anything more than a big ESPN ad. Even stuff like dreads looks weird (N64 Carnage hair from spiderman) commentary is flat, presentation seems boring and scripted, gameplay is way to fast and the speed differences between players are way to big. Tackling seems shoddy and the zone stuff is nothing new. In the meantime QB ai is horrible. anyway this seems to be worse than NCAA 11 so Im just sticking with that

# 26 teamnolesfanfsu @ 06/29/11 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsmallwood


	The players seem to slide and glide more than actually having the foot planting in the grass. This bothers me because it makes the game seem very arcadish. I never get the feeling the players are ever really running. Other than the the game looks GREAT, but the commentary is so stale and awful at times. It still does not show (at least in the demo) any true TD celebrations with teammates mobbing (esp for game winners) no crowd noise differentials...etc. they have work to do. The demo seems like NCAA 11.5

absolutley agree ! its like skating on grass plus presenatation is flat and boring.

# 27 rudyjuly2 @ 06/29/11 06:09 PM

It's a refined NCAA 11 imo. I think it could be really good with slider adjustments but the default settings are no good for me. The one big concern I have is the OL/DL interaction. I see way too many pancakes on the Heisman level and the black and white nature of the OL battles needs work.

I don't know how long I will play the demo. The cpu offence is horrible on AA and my passing game sucks on Heisman. My run defence also struggles on Heisman while the cpu OL runs around pancaking my DL all the time.

# 28 tre614 @ 06/29/11 06:22 PM

This maybe the best ncaa game, but there is still room for improvement

# 29 sparkdawg777 @ 06/29/11 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tecmo Bowl


	Couldn't agree more with jayson and this post.

You know the more I look at it, the more I agree. The ESPN comment was completely true, it really is an insult the way their presentation is setup. In all honesty the reason I still like this game is because I love college football, I am starting to realize THAT is the reason I buy the game, THAT is the reason I even like the game. I think the dev team really try, and I don't want to bash them but I'm sorry, I am just starting to feel they are making the wrong decisions to push this franchise forward. I just feel they don't think everything through and a lack of football experience on the team may be the cause. Again I don't want to insult the devs but I'm willing to bet not many actually played football, Alex is the first one I have seen hired that we know of college football experience and RTG already looks like the best mode in the game to me (or at least most improved).

Now I don't want to bash them if they do have football experience, because I really don't know but I notice things right off in the demo that should be fixed with the AI, that to me if you have football knowledge and control of this game you would want it fixed ASAP. (i.e. CPU timeouts, playcalling, techniques, etc)

Gameplay needs to be the #1 improved thing in 13, if they need to the devs should talk with coaches, read books, or whatever it takes for them to completely understand the game and insert it into the game so NCAA can not just be a fun experience but a learning experience as well. I know it's just a video game but people need to know there is A LOT more to football than just running 4 verts, or having 15 step drops, they should have to pay for not doing things realistically or "cheesing". Unfortunately there are only a few who will play the right way which makes online no fun and even harder to find a solid online dynasty. You shouldn't have to make up rules to make the game realistic, they should not be able to execute these cheese plays in the game.

Again, I don't mean to offend anyone, especially the devs because they are trying, but I just had to express how I felt.

# 30 209vaughn @ 06/29/11 06:57 PM

Why the hell does LaMichael James have dreads in this year?

Im a hardcore NCAA fan, but for some reason I just cant get pumped about this years game... I think it's because the Madden developers have "tipped" there hand at what lies ahead in Madden, which has me excited about the NFL again... It will be my first current-gen Madden purchase.

NCAA hits a nice double every year, but nothing that ever makes you say "wow" like NBA 2k11 or MLB The Show or even FIFA. The spread option is just so broken in the NCAA franchise, that you just have to ignore this glaring defect to enjoy the game.

Madden should be a much better game this year... 1: They've dumped more resources into relaunching the Madden brand. 2: They dont have to code confusing spread offenses into the game.

# 31 Sabredj @ 06/29/11 06:57 PM

Everyone needs to keep in mind that the demo is always sub par to the shipped game and especially in NCAA's history. This is an old build and with the tuner able to handle some things I'm expecting something that is head's above the demo.

# 32 statum71 @ 06/29/11 06:58 PM

I've enjoyed it myself.

The main problem I have is the 3D grass not looking 3D in most cases (on PS3). It takes away from the overall appearance.

Other than that really liking the new tackling.

# 33 jmik58 @ 06/29/11 06:59 PM

How many chances do you give someone to make a change before you walk away?

I'm in the boat that I love college football so I buy the game, but I'm tired of the same broken gameplay that isn't fixed.

Presentation and graphics always sells, unfortunately, so money and time isn't spent on much needed gameplay issues.

Something needs to be done so that the physics of the game takes into account the anatomy of the humans that play it. I feel like the players are just torso's with graphic representations of arms and legs.

Fifa address this issue for 12 by adding animations that involved arms and legs, pushing the game in a direction where you don't have the canned animations.

I think this does much more for the game though.

If the legs are part of the movement, then a linebacker can't be in mid-shuffle and then leap 48" into the air in the opposite direction.

I also would like to see eyes matter. If you can't see the ball or the play you can't react. Or at least for dbacks, if you don't see the receiver look for the ball, then they shouldn't be reacting.

If the player isn't looking at it, he shouldn't be able to interpret what's going on.

1. Expand the importance of the human anatomy within the gameplay engine.
2. Make the eyes matter by installing a code that incorporates and read-and-react concept to the game. For as many specific situations as possible in a video game.

Then we could enjoy the greatest football video game in terms of on-field performance.

# 34 demon19000 @ 06/29/11 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeld1


	For everyone that says the game is great, I would like to know what they are comparing it to. NCAA 06? Compared to the other sports games like NBA 2k11 or NFL 2k5, This game suck!! ........ people are out of their mind or don't know football. I can't believe what i am reading. No wonder people like Sarah Palin has a voice.

I'm actually comparing it to NCAA 11. I played a ton of NCAA 11, pretty much up until the demo for 12 came out. They fixed a good amount of the issues I was concerned with. With that said, I expect to play a ton of NCAA 12 in the coming months. I'd never compare it to NFL 2K5, cause 2K5's gameplay is old, stale, and completely last gen (but enough about 2K5). That's sort of why I disagree with Jayson. Sure, FIFA has unscripted animations, but there's alot that NCAA does well that FIFA doesn't. Also, IMO, even with the unscripted animations, Backbreaker is a totally broken game. There are things that need improving in NCAA, for sure. But to say that this is an awful game, in my opinion, is a large stretch, especially if you enjoyed NCAA 11. Now if someone is looking for a completely different game from 11, then you won't like this game.

Also, as far as your last couple comments, that's a joke. I'm no Palin fan, but this isn't a political forum. Please read your posts before you lash out in a 3rd grade fashion.

# 35 Manslaughterin9 @ 06/29/11 07:15 PM

agree with jayson young. not buying this game again untill i get physics and better animations. gonna play 2k and mlb the show for my sports fix.....

# 36 statum71 @ 06/29/11 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manslaughterin9


	agree with jayson young. not buying this game again untill i get physics and better animations. gonna play 2k and mlb the show for my sports fix.....

I'm surprised so many of you guys are so blind-sided about the game not being physics based. They've said time and again that they weren't going to that system for a few years until they felt it was right. So I wasn't expecting physics in the first place. They never said that.

Yes....Backbreaker has it, I know. But Backbreaker is a funny looking game in my opinion. I don't wanna see EA model after that.

# 37 xITSxDAWKINSx @ 06/29/11 07:38 PM

the game feels so much better i just might have to get madden and ncaa this year

# 38 Eski33 @ 06/29/11 07:50 PM

I found the graphics from a distance to look similar to last year's game. However the game in motion looks awesome. The players move much smoother with the tackling as impressive as advertised.

The lighting may not jump at you but FSU's helmets look outstanding especially as the dynamic lighting kicks in.

The area that impressed me most was blocking. Seeing lineman get to the second tier and cut block LB's is a thing of beauty. Also screen plays work great. Two years ago screen plays were money. Last year they were impossible. The few I ran looked more realistic where you had to find lanes which closed fast. No big gainers but it felt effective enough to where it isnt money at the same time where it doesnt discpurage you from using it.

# 39 BA2929 @ 06/29/11 07:53 PM

I agree with Dustin the most. The CPU AI bothered me some, but it has for the past 14 years I've bought this game. I guess I've come to terms with the fact that a video game player will never make the same "common sense" decisions a human would in a majority of situations. The play-calling could be tightened, but it isn't that big of a deal to me really. Unless this demo looked like a SNES game, it wasn't going to have any impact on whether or not I was going to buy the game. It's a must buy for me each year. The only video game that can say that anymore.

# 40 TreyIM2 @ 06/29/11 08:10 PM

Only played most of one game of the demo last night on the PS3 but here is my lil take:

-Graphics seemed to have more 'POP' to them. Maybe it's the lighting bit the players almost looked 3D....bit by the same token, the jaggies stood out S well. The PS3 NCAA demos, and usually Madden, never look as optimized as the retail versions...usually. Last yr's demo seemed to be pretty much on par wit the retail version
- Feels SMOOTH and I could feel the difference from previous versions because of ERADICATED suction so now I gotta learn a bit of newness wit how I control thangs.

- TACKLES, TACKLES, TACKLES!!! WOOO, my reactions to good hits is unlike ever before. Pops are really pops, now. I feel dem ishes, mon! Lol.

More on it later. Got a phone call and I beez typing and commuting...

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