NCAA Football 12 News Post

Staff Roundtable: How Are We Feeling About NCAA Football 12 Now?

04:42 PM - July 22, 2011 by ChaseB

It should come as no surprise that the community has found some issues with the game -- I really do feel like the folks here really are the best testers money can buy, even if that is not really what they set out to do -- and it has begun to split the community a bit.

That being said, I wanted to ask some of our writers how they were feeling about NCAA Football 12 at this point. Even knowing about some of the bugs and issues we know about now, how are they liking the game and the experience it is bringing to the table.

Read More - Staff Roundtable: How Are We Feeling About NCAA Football 12 Now?

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 canes21 @ 07/23/11 02:46 AM

Well, outside of the tendencies bug, the playbooks bug, the awareness of WR's and DB's on passes, and the amount of high rated coaches in dynasty, I am really liking this game.

If they could fix the tendencies and custom playbooks bugs, then I'd never stop playing the game. It is frustrating to see Ray Ray Armstrong(best FS in the game) in perfect position to pick the ball off, but instead he never even tries to swat or catch the pass and it sails 5 inches over his helmet for a 30+ yard pass. I could honestly live with that since it affects both me and the CPU, but it does need to be fixed.

If EA can fix the CPB and tendencies bugs along with the awareness of WR's and DB's on some passes, then I'd could honestly say this is the best football game I have ever played.

# 102 dubz @ 07/23/11 03:30 AM

I think the graphics and lighting are amazing. The running game is very fun. However, the psychic DB's and the super jumping LB's are starting to grate on me. Also the AI seems to blitz way too much.

# 103 btemp @ 07/23/11 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by statum71


	Glitches? So that kills a game for you? Every sports game that comes out has bugs, somewhere. That's why its good patches are an option on these next-gen systems. I mean...all due respect. I'm not being ugly with you. But good luck buying a sports video game thats not "buggy."

Sure, if there was an odd glitch then fine. NCAA 12 for me, and many other people, is broken, read: unplayable. Just one example, there's an animation problem on deep balls causing the defence to frequently not contest deep balls. Should I not throw the ball deep? Should I accept that I consistently give up 3rd and Long when my corner and safety stand beside the WR jumping for the ball? How about coaching progression, supposed to be a perk for this year, messing up dynasty mode?

If you don't care about these things, fine, but for many of us any improvements are overshadowed by these problems.

# 104 Dazraz @ 07/23/11 05:19 AM

No mention of the shocking sound quality. For me that's the most annoying aspect to this game. I think with any game there will be a few bugs & glitches along the way but I can't believe anyone would release a game that sounds so bad.

# 105 LambertandHam @ 07/23/11 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerseySuave4


	it doesn't matter if its a $10 game. Fact is its a product. And a product with a lot of defects. Luckily for me i can spend $60 and not have it hurt me but what about kids out there who save up and spend their money on this game? Fact is if you're paying for something it shouldn't come with as many bugs and glitches as this game does. Again you play it off like not a big deal because its relatively inexpensive and only a video game and pretty much excuse EA for any problems the game has and assume they'll fix everything with a patch. Well they had a patch day 1 and that patch did more harm to the game than it did good. The game actually plays better without the patch but then you lose the ability to edit ratings which was the big thing they advertised with the patch. So again they talk about something great and new theyre adding and it doesn't even work right. EA is lucky they have exclusive rights so no one else can make a college game because they've pissed enough people off over the past few years to the point where people are just begging for another college football option to become available. They know they are the market on college football games and that alone will sell the game so there doesn't seem to be any accountability for the product they put out. Just because its a video game for entertainment purposes doesn't excuse them. If any other company hyped up new technology in their product only to have it not work, people wouldn't just overlook it and say well its good enough if you can look past the fact that the stuff they hyped doesn't work right.

I've enjoyed my time playing the game so far. Thankfully I haven't run into any freezing issues, but was hit by the roster bug. What hurts NCAA this year is that there are so many other games coming out within the same time frame. With the appeal of NCAA limited for most until Madden comes out, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bunch of copies at my local Gamestop.

If it wasn't for the 20$ credit I got from Amazon, I'd probably return it and use the money elsewhere. Still have BC3, Assassin's Creed Revelations, Skyrim, and Mass Effect 3 to to try to buy.

# 106 kingsofthevalley @ 07/23/11 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerSpartan


	^^^ugh None of them notice the spectacular fail of the CPU Pass Rush and its backwardness??? http://www.operationsports.com/forum...id-inside.html And it appears this isn't due to the Roster Editing glitch as its been reported that with even default Rosters CPU OLBs/DEs don't use any pass rushing moves I can work with most other areas of gameplay, but this is driving me crazy

I'm right there with you man. Some people can overlook it I guess. I just cant do it. ****s just not playing out correctly. My RE is my highest rated DLinemen and he does nothing.

# 107 dkrause1971 @ 07/23/11 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambert&Ham


	I've enjoyed my time playing the game so far. Thankfully I haven't run into any freezing issues, but was hit by the roster bug. What hurts NCAA this year is that there are so many other games coming out within the same time frame. With the appeal of NCAA limited for most until Madden comes out, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bunch of copies at my local Gamestop. If it wasn't for the 20$ credit I got from Amazon, I'd probably return it and use the money elsewhere. Still have BC3, Assassin's Creed Revelations, Skyrim, and Mass Effect 3 to to try to buy.

You still would get to keep your credit. Trading in the game is a different transaction. I am mailing mine in today to amazon.com.

# 108 dkrause1971 @ 07/23/11 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingsofthevalley


	I'm right there with you man. Some people can overlook it I guess. I just cant do it. **s just not playing out correctly. My RE is my highest rated DLinemen and he does nothing.

The DTs clearly overperform getting into the backfield and like stated here- the DE underperform. They really need to fix that, it would make a world of difference.

# 109 Equinox831 @ 07/23/11 08:56 AM

Does anyone think it's a little bit too early for this thread? To get true feeling on a game, you need to put at least 1 month or 2 in the game.

# 110 LambertandHam @ 07/23/11 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkrause1971


	You still would get to keep your credit. Trading in the game is a different transaction. I am mailing mine in today to amazon.com.

It's still a 25$ hit, as Amazon only gives 33$ for it.

# 111 ZoneBlitz @ 07/23/11 09:04 AM

I borrowed the game from a neighbor. It's a good game. Yet, I found it dull and boring. It just feels stale.

# 112 dkrause1971 @ 07/23/11 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambert&Ham


	It's still a 25$ hit, as Amazon only gives 33$ for it.

The $20 original credit, plus 33.75 is only a $4.23 loss based on the original $57.98 cost. Its only a $25 loss if you didn't get the original $20 credit.

And for the $4.23 loss i got to play the game for 2 1/2 weeks and if i wanted to re-buy it i would still have the EA access activated. So i could buy it used at a lower cost and it would still have the benefits of the new game.

# 113 LambertandHam @ 07/23/11 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nakeja71


	What does it say about all the people on gaming sites who gave this game such rave reviews? It seems to me people are more concerned with relationships with EA and making sure no one hurts their feelings. I am not buying another EA game until people with no relationships with EA play the game.

I wouldn't jump on the conspiracy train, but as the IGN and Gamestop reviews have showed, put faith in your own judgement.

# 114 Illustrator76 @ 07/23/11 10:54 AM

I did not buy NCAA 12 on release day because I did not like the demo at all. It honestly felt like NCAA 11.25. After 3 days worth of coaxing from my friends (stating that the retail game was indeed a lot better than the demo), I decided to go ahead and buy the game (there is NOWHERE to rent games in my immediate area, and the new games aren't usually in anyway). After picking the game up, finding some sliders and playing a few games against the CPU, I must admit that I was kind of starting to like the game, it did feel more polished than the demo; Tackling IS improved from last year, run blocking seemed improved, and you could actually play zone defense this year. I am not the type of guy to buy a game and then be so happy to be playing football that I just "look past" certain issues so that I can proclaim the game as the greatest football game ever. I was kind of enjoying NCAA, and it felt like a step in the right direction. The game wasn't perfect, but I felt if a patch/tuners could fix the few things I was seeing at the time, that I could possibly enjoy NCAA 12 for an entire year. I then decided to scrimmage a few friends online, and everything went to H-E-double hockey sticks really quickly.

Playing on All-American (with no slider adjustments online) I threw 11 interceptions in 2 games, most of them because of the "super reacting" linebackers in zone coverage and the "legacy issue" of poor pass trajectory. It was ridiculous. On one play, my friend sold out on the blitz (sent like 7 or 8 guys) and dropped his secondary in to short zones. I had a guy WIDE open running an out route behind one of the zones, so I throw a bullet pass with a little loft on it (laughing in joy at my awesome "read"), only to have the linebacker jump up and intercept a pass that was meant for a guy 7-10 yards behind him. This proceeded to happen to me many more times in two online games. Don't get me wrong, about 4 of my 11 INT's were just bad reads on my part and I can accept that, but the other 7 INT's were complete BS by the CPU.

From now on I refuse to play any NCAA 12 online games without a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's next my controller, because I am constantly seeing nothing but pancakes. Even on All American, my ENTIRE Defensive Line is being completely pancaked on both running and passing plays. I don't care if you are playing with some 1,000 member D-III school, Defensive Linemen are not going to get mauled straight to the ground on EVERY play, it just doesn't happen. Along these same lines, 4-3 defensive ends are still worthless. Even in offline play, 4-3 Ends have zero ability to rush the Quarterback AT ALL. This pretty much makes recruiting and using 4-3 Defensive Ends totally useless, as their main job is to kill the QB first and stop the run 2nd. If you are running a 3-4, then they do their job perfectly well, in that they simply tie-up blockers and don't do much else. I ran numerous tests with Florida State's RE (95 overall, 95 Finesse Moves) against Troy's Left Tackle (can't remember overall, 75 Pass Block Footwork). Florida State's RE got NO pressure on the QB until I literally dropped the LT's Pass Block Footwork down to 0. That shouldn't have to happen. Period.

On top of these issues, there are still way too many unrealistic dropped balls by WR's online. I have no problems with drops if Receivers/TE's have a bad catch/CIT rating, but dropping balls on streak routes where the receivers are WIDE open, catch the ball, take 2 steps and then get tripped up are ridiculous. The old "last minute option pitch" when you are basically on the ground is still alive and well, as well as the option pitch where the opposing CB runs up and intercepts the ball. Others have touched on this as well, but DB's have eyes in the back of their heads and break/make plays on balls they have no business even being around. WR's and DB's alike still routinely go for the wrong type of catch animations in the wrong situations, and the DB's still swat the ball when they should intercept it, and vice versa. While run blocking is improved, I had a run with Denard Robinson where ALL my WR had to do was block the CB directly in front of him and I was home free, but instead the WR decided to leave the CB to tackle me, and run back to the LOS to block a guy who was completely out of the play. Needless to say, I didn't score on that play.

I have yet to see one of these new "diving catch" animations, and I have played well over 30+ online/offline games. The CPU AI quickly gets very boring, predictable and the play-calling can be downright atrocious and nonsensical at times. The game's overall sound is way too low and the "dynamic crowd noise" is sporadic and pretty much a complete joke. At the end of the day EA (yet again) has failed to fix numerous legacy issues (I mean, really, how long have we been complaining about ineffective DE's, super reacting LB's and incorrect pass trajectory?) and deliver a product not riddled with bugs and glaring issues. I understand that no game is perfect and that games will always ship with bugs and glitches, but when it gets to the point where finished games begin to feel incomplete or like Betas, then that is a huge issue. Sliders can somewhat correct (or better yet mask) some of the issues in this game offline (psychic coverage, suspect run blocking, D-Line pancakes), but it still doesn't make the games mechanics function correctly, and what about the online community? In my opinion, it would take a huge patch and a few tuners to get this game playing right online, and I just don't see that happening.

For the people that like the game and are enjoying it, good for you. I am glad that you have found a football game that you find fun. There is nothing wrong with that. I personally refuse to let numerous fundamental "football" issues with NCAA slide that other games licked and surpassed years ago. I am really getting tired of the people with legit gameplay complaints being labeled this or that, when the facts are glaringly clear. EA has failed year after year to listen to their community and fix legacy issues that are severely hampering their gameplay. Couple that with the introduction of what seem to be new legacy issues every year and people have the right to be upset and demand better. Period.

This game has potential, but I just do not see EA being willing to put the necessary work in to make NCAA 12 what it could be (if they were, they would have shipped it that way). I should have stuck with my first mind and stayed far away from NCAA 12.

# 115 roadman @ 07/23/11 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illustrator76


	I did not buy NCAA 12 on release day because I did not like the demo at all. It honestly felt like NCAA 11.25. After 3 days worth of coaxing from my friends (stating that the retail game was indeed a lot better than the demo), I decided to go ahead and buy the game (there is NOWHERE to rent games in my immediate area, and the new games aren't usually in anyway). After picking the game up, finding some sliders and playing a few games against the CPU, I must admit that I was kind of starting to like the game, it did feel more polished than the demo; Tackling IS improved from last year, run blocking seemed improved, and you could actually play zone defense this year. I am not the type of guy to buy a game and then be so happy to be playing football that I just "look past" certain issues so that I can proclaim the game as the greatest football game ever. I was kind of enjoying NCAA, and it felt like a step in the right direction. The game wasn't perfect, but I felt if a patch/tuners could fix the few things I was seeing at the time, that I could possibly enjoy NCAA 12 for an entire year. I then decided to scrimmage a few friends online, and everything went to H-E-double hockey sticks really quickly. Playing on All-American (with no slider adjustments online) I threw 11 interceptions in 2 games, most of them because of the "super reacting" linebackers in zone coverage and the "legacy issue" of poor pass trajectory. It was ridiculous. On one play, my friend sold out on the blitz (sent like 7 or 8 guys) and dropped his secondary in to short zones. I had a guy WIDE open running and out route behind one of the zones, so I throw a bullet pass with a little loft on it, laughing in joy at my awesome "read", only to have the linebacker jump up and intercept a pass that was meant for a guy 7-10 yards behind him. This proceeded to happen to me many more times in two online games. Don't get me wrong, about 4 of my 12 INT's were just bad reads on my part and I can accept that, but the other 8 INT's were complete BS by the CPU. From now on I refuse to play any NCAA 12 online games without a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's next my controller, because I am constantly seeing nothing but pancakes. Even on All American, my ENTIRE Defensive Line is being completely pancaked on both running and passing plays. I don't care if you are playing with some 1,000 member D-III school, Defensive Linemen are not going to get mauled straight to the ground on EVERY play, it just doesn't happen. Along these same lines, 4-3 defensive ends are still worthless. Even in offline play, 4-3 Ends have zero ability to rush the Quarterback AT ALL. This pretty much makes recruiting and using 4-3 Defensive Ends totally useless, as their main job it to kill the QB first and stop the run 2nd. If you are running a 3-4, then they do their job perfectly well, in that they simply tie-up blockers and don't do much else. I ran numerous tests with Florida State's RE (95 overall, 95 Finesse Moves) against Troy's Left Tackle (can't remember overall, 75 Pass Block Footwork). Florida State's RE got NO pressure on the QB until I literally dropped the LT's Pass Block Footwork down to 0. That shouldn't have to happen. Period. On top of these issues, there are still way too many unrealistic dropped balls by WR's online. I have no problems with drops if Receivers/TE's have a bad catch/CIT rating, but dropping balls on streak routes where the receivers are WIDE open, catch the ball, take 2 steps and then get tripped up are ridiculous. The old "last minute option pitch" when you are basically on the ground is still alive and well, as well as the option pitch where the opposing CB runs up and intercepts the ball. Others have touched on this as well, but DB's have eyes in the back of their heads and break/make plays on balls they have no business even being around. WR's and DB's alike still routinely go for the wrong type of catch animations in the wrong situations, and the DB's still swat the ball when they should intercept it, and vice versa. While run blocking is improved, I had a run with Denard Robinson where ALL my WR had to do was block the CB directly in front of him and I was home free, but instead the WR decided to leave the CB to tackle me, and run back to the LOS to block a guy who was completely out of the play. Needless to say, I didn't score on that play. I have yet to see one of these new "diving catch" animations, and I have played well over 30+ online/offline games. The CPU AI quickly gets very boring, predictable and the play-calling can be downright atrocious and nonsensical at times. The game's overall sound is way too low and the "dynamic crowd noise" is sporadic and pretty much a complete joke. At the end of the day EA (yet again) has failed to fix numerous legacy issues (I mean, really, how long have we been complaining about ineffective DE's, super reacting LB's and incorrect pass trajectory?) and deliver a product not riddled with bugs and glaring issues. I understand that no game is perfect and that games will always ship with bugs and glitches, but when it gets to the point where finished games begin to feel incomplete or like Betas, then that is a huge issue. Sliders can somewhat correct (or better yet mask) some of the issues in this game offline (psychic coverage, suspect run blocking, D-Line pancakes), but it still doesn't make the games mechanics function correctly, and what about the online community? In my opinion, it would take a huge patch and a few tuners to get this game playing right online, and I just don't see that happening. For the people that like the game and are enjoying it, good for you. I am glad that you have found a football game that you find fun. There is nothing wrong with that. I personally refuse to let numerous fundamental "football" issues with NCAA slide that other games licked and surpassed years ago. I am really getting tired of the people with legit gameplay complaints being labeled this or that, when the facts are glaringly clear. EA has failed year after year to listen to their community and fix legacy issues that are severely hampering their gameplay. Couple that with the introduction of what seem to be new legacy issues every year and people have the right to be upset and demand better. Period. This game has potential, but I just do not see EA being willing to put the necessary work in to make NCAA 12 what it could be (if they were, they would have shipped it that way). I should have stuck with my first mind and stayed far away from NCAA 12.

I agree with you Illustrator on the online aspect of NCAA.

Offline, I've found sliders that doesn't show the issues that online players are seeing.

It shouldn't be that way, though. EA needs to fix it so both online and offline players have a good experience.

# 116 crabcola @ 07/23/11 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SECElite3


	WTH??? What do you even say to this? Speechless...

Lol, I was thinking that, too.

Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk

# 117 Smoke6 @ 07/23/11 11:28 AM

Havent played or bought NCAA in years, I was in love with the relationship it had with madden in regards to importing of draft classes back on the early days of the PS2.

I found that same feeling in this years version and was killed off by going online and testing the waters. I should have never done that!

Its like that "you cant unsee, what you have already seen" type of feel I have now. I think reviewers and others who get early hands on with the game are just overwhelmed and excited to be that first or one of the few who get that chance and just overlooks these glaring issues in the game.

Maybe they need more than just a day or few hours of playing the game to get a better feel or something. But the Super abilities of players and no real physical reactions of others on the field has killed my enjoyment i was having along with the antics that go on online.

# 118 Retropyro @ 07/23/11 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	Indeed. Same here. Besides the NCAA forums have just turned in to the same 5 guys repeating themselves with the same complaints and same hyperbole over and over again. A few of whom I dont even believe have the game. Which is a shame because they are drowning out the guys making actual points and actually trying to figure this out.

Have to agree with the two of you. The whining and compaining on the forums is crazy.

# 119 marshmont @ 07/23/11 12:29 PM

I'm so glad I didn't buy this game. I almost did. It's unaaceptable that they would release a game with so many bugs. If I buy a brand new sports game the first month it comes out I'm paying $60 and then I have to wait another month or two for all the bugs to be ironed out? They are releasing an unfinished product and they know it. When you buy that game in July you become a game tester for them, except you are paying them to test the game. In the past I always needed the game the day it came out but now I wait it out a few months. If I'm patient I can get the games for $30 or less and the bugs are worked out. In the meantime I have several games I can catch up on. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 40 times, shame on me. I'm not getting fooled anymore.

# 120 Cj7298419 @ 07/23/11 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	I agree with you Illustrator on the online aspect of NCAA. Offline, I've found sliders that doesn't show the issues that online players are seeing. It shouldn't be that way, though. EA needs to fix it so both online and offline players have a good experience.

Couldn't agree with this more. Defenses online are insane.

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