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NCAA Football 13 News Post



The NCAA Football 13 demo is out. Post your impressions here.

360 only right now, PS3 will be up later tomorrow!

**Update: PS3 demo is available now.**

Game: NCAA Football 13Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 60 - View All
NCAA Football 13 Videos
Member Comments
# 621 PowerofRed25 @ 06/07/12 05:09 AM
I decided I'd compile and organize all my observations from about 10 games into one post, organized by subject as well as positive/negative/neutral, unimportant, incomplete or basic observations.

Presentation/Atmosphere/Graphics

- Absolutely LOVE the new white text with black outline, makes it easier to pick out. Wish the ball indicator on passes got a similar treatment.

- The studio update for the USC-Oregon game was the exact same as from the Baylor-KSU game. Same score, same everything. The difference was that it had already gone FINAL at the start of the USC game. Guessing the studio updates are canned updates just set up for the demo but it will be interesting to see how time plays a factor, it would be really cool for things to be real time across all time zones.

- Already sick of Rece Davis. Same game got a studio update on back to back plays and somehow covered 6 minutes. I'm sure they'll be spread out more in a full game, but it was just so stale.

- Motion blur in replays and cut scenes has to stop. My QB was standing up and it was like watching Neo dodge bullets.

- Presentation is dull as ever. Could be because this is Baylor, but it is dead in here.

- Visually, looks just like NCAA 12. One difference is depth perception. For whatever reason, there seems to be a weird depth perception issue when you look down the field from one end to the other. It is almost like a fisheye lens effect. I just feel like there is distortion. I haven't played in Baylor's stadium much at all in recent years games, I'll check out the others eventually but wanted to run spread option for a while with KSU. Graphics are sub-standard all around though.

- The demo on PS3 looks worse and worse as I go. Slow down and lag is prevalent during every transition, the game seems to skip when breaking the huddle, horribly flickering in the stands and I'm still seeing a weird fisheye-like distortion looking down the field. Also notice some occasional button lag in the playbook and at the line of scrimmage.

- There are a lot of flickers in the stands as well. A little distracting, but not horrible. Probably just incomplete art.

- The ticker on the bottom of the screen looks like it gets very slightly cut off at the bottom. Then again, so does ESPN's ticker in real life for me.

- The ESPN ticker is even more cut off in the USC-Oregon game. The bottom half of everything is removed. Again, could be my TV since the real life ESPN ticker is cut off on my TV as well.

- Both Baylor and KSU's helmets seem almost mirrored in the game, they aren't like that in real life. EDIT: Noticed this for all teams, way too much mirroring in the helmets.

- Tackling animations don't seem any different. Still see a ton of two handed push attempts. EDIT: Noticed a couple interesting loss of balance type animations after a missed tackle.

- USC SPECIFIC: Half the crowd seems to be in a different shade of cardinal and gold, right about the 50 yard line and going around.

- USC SPECIFIC: The Song Girls which EA put "two and a half weeks" into look so god awful it made me have flashbacks to video games 10 years ago. They are literally the most embarrassing thing I've ever seen in a modern video game.

- Noticed some TERRIBLE sound quality at LSU. It was laggy and choppy. At first thought it was my wireless surround sound, but it was isolated to crowd noise only, nothing else. Wonder if anyone else has noticed this on the PS3.

Gameplay/Plays/Playbooks

Running/Option

- QB Blast is a LOT faster out of the shoot for the QB, unfortunately, still not very well blocked. Had a few decent gains, a few were blown up.

- QB Wrap worked well, but like Read Option, I am breaking off 15 yard runs every play.


- Read option is a lot better, but I'm more concerned about the read option out of Pistol than I am Shotgun. I'm playing as KSU right now so I'll address this later. Read in the gun almost seemed too easy, I broke off two HUGE runs with Klein and the DE never once stayed home. Still much more fluid.


- Pistol read option is improved. I gained 7 on a QB keeper and then a 17 yard TD run on a give. Although the next 3 times I ran it, the end man on the line was blocked by the play side tight end, giving me no read.

- Pulling linemen are improved. EDIT: Still had a few instances of them getting lost in no mans land like last year, but it was much less often.


- Collin Klein has God mode and it is divine. I never ran for less than 15 yards on a run with him in any game I played. I had three long TD's on QB Wrap or Read Option keep including one with a filthy spin move. I decided to do one full half of him QB'ing the wildcat and just abused Baylor's run D. Blast, Blast, Jet, Counter of the Jet for an 83 yard run. He exploded up field and was GONE. 14 runs, 190 yards and 5 TD on the ground in the most recent game. Down side of this was he was in red stamina after 3 good runs most of the time.

- Unfortunately, that Wildcat experiment yielded a glitch. When I substituted Klein in as the quarterback in Wildcat (as opposed to the default RB), home field advantage kicked in and caused the controller to rattle and play art to shake uncontrollably. I was only calling runs so it wasn't a big deal, but a problem none the less.


- One of the new animations completely screwed me out of a first down. The WR inexplicably jumped about 10 feet trying to get to the pass, and it took him out of bounds. The throw was low enough that it didn't even require a jump.


- Ran I form Slot - Triple option the final 7 plays of the LSU game. FB give on the first 3, pitch to the HB on the next 4. Covered about 70 yards before the clock ran out. Option defense is god awful. No one runs up to fill assignments.


Passing

- Passing game is much more fluid, guys catch it on the run more and it just feels better. Also feels MUCH easier.

- Human passing is insanely easy. I could throw into traffic on the run to a crossing WR and no one would attempt to make a play. Sidenote though, I love the auto-rollout on Z Spot. I used to have to do that manually. My favorite pass play in NCAA 12 was QB Sprintout in Ace Y Trips because it was just an easy boot and throw to the flat or curl because it had the auto-rollout. EDIT: While the passing game is easier for me, it feels so much better.


- CPU passing is atrocious. Again, could be ratings on the Baylor QB, could be gameplay level. But I ran straight man to man for an entire drive and they completed 1 pass before getting picked off on an out route floated into no mans land. The player who picked it off had his back to the play and was man to man on a different receiver at the time. Next drive, two drops including one on a HB screen ruined the drive.

- The CPU takes an insane amount of time to throw the football. Sit, sit, sit launch. Worse: CPU drops more passes than they complete. I have called Cover 2 Man every play in this game and USC has yet to complete a pass in the game, it's the third quarter. Barkley had a GREAT scramble one play though. EDIT: No telling how much of this is tied to game difficulty and sliders, but CPU play calling and execution was as bad as last year.

- Converted a 4th & 11 from the +39 by throwing the out route on Flood. I had space deep and threw it up and away and somehow the WR adjusted and it ended up being a corner route. That seems incredibly unrealistic to me. I can see total control passing turning into chuck n duck. If you were a good passer before, you'll be an incredible passer now.

- Curl routes are wide open. Defenders aren't even close. Been that way in every game.

Defense

- Really like how man coverage aligned/rotated against unbalanced sets. Want to see what the 425 and 335 look before I make a final judgment on that though. Unfortunately, when I went Quarters vs an unbalanced set (Y-Trips), the game didn't adjust the man coverage and actually took a defender off the man he was assigned to (the TE) and put him in a spy, leaving the TE uncovered.

- CPU pass defense is downright awful. They may be reading but they sure aren't reacting. I've noticed on broken plays when a WR in the flat works upfield, the CPU defender covering him just simply stops covering him.

- Option defense is poor if not terrible. Reminded me of the option glitch from last year. Just ran speed option three times in a row and watched as the LB ran 10 yards up field past the HB and the CB stood there and didn't attempt to make a play until the ball advanced beyond the line of scrimmage.

- CPU defenders run like they were shot out of a cannon, especially in pursuit on run plays off the edge. DT's and DE's FLEW after me and linebackers shot the gap and ran me down almost every time. Surprising given Baylor's bad defense and the game play level.

- USC finally completed their first pass, on a play after the WR released upfield after finishing his route. My defender didn't even attempt to continue his coverage. That's becoming more and more of a glaring problem. I've picked Barkley thrice though, including one to end the game.

- CPU pass coverage is bad. The fears I had from the gameplay videos and kept trying to bring up are coming true. CPU defenders in zone seem to get attached to players running through their zone and it turns into man coverage, while simultaneously leaving an entire side of the field uncovered.


- DT sacks are going to be a problem this year, just like last year. Not good, but not a huge deal to me.

Special Teams

- Kickoff return holes were HUGE.

- Some new defensive special teams plays, didn't notice much of a change in effectiveness though.

- Alabama punt coverage man ran into my returner and no flag was thrown.

Plays/Playbooks/Play-calling

- CPU defense still calls some flat out ridiculous defensive plays. I got Engage 8 on 3rd and long and completed an easy first down pass.

- First play of the game for Alabama was a 4 WR speed option, the pitch was intercepted and returned for a TD. Yikes. Their next three plays on the next drive were all out of Empty with a TE and HB. Next drive: was a read option loss of 5, followed by Quads, followed by a HB Sweep out of Trips which was blown up leading to a fumble. This is supposed to be power running Alabama?!

- Alabama has dropped 4 passes. They have completed none. Two interceptions and an INT on an option pitch. They've only run four times: Option pitch intercepted for a TD, read option loss of 5, sweep fumble turnover, draw gain of a couple.

- Didn't see any new plays. Only one playbook though. If there aren't playbook changes, I'll be sick.

- Apparently the playbooks are the same no matter who you play with in the demo. Oregon and KSU are the same and neither are like what they run in real life.

- Editing a previous observation, apparently each team has the generic playbook for their offense type. That's why the two spread teams were the same. LSU's book is very cool.

- Tying the above comments together: Since these teams have been assigned the generic playbook for their offense type rather than their team specific playbook, I'm hoping more plays will have been added to the real books.

Controls/Other Observations

- Got called for a hold on a broken play where I had to scramble. Really liked that and the ensuing cut scene of Chip Kelly and the ref talking in an animated fashion.

- They MUST re-map the buttons to the same configuration they are before. L2 not being pitch is just wrong. That is EA's "if it ain't broke, let's completely shatter it" mindset at work.

- Please God change the pitch button back to L2. I couldn't get the fake pitch to work once. Why the hell isn't this L2 pitch, L1 fake pitch?


- Been sacked a few times trying to throw to L1. Why did all these buttons get changed?!

- Motion blur in cut scenes and replays make my eyes want to bleed. Like 3D grass, this is truly pointless.

- CPU clock/game management is horrid. On 4th and 2, they ran a speed option, the QB stopped mid-play and was tackled for a loss.

- Decided to just call plays and let the CPU play defense for me and got mixed results. The CPU still makes incredibly poor decisions, but they also converted a few 3rd down pass plays, including a beautiful comeback route tip toeing the sideline. That all ended when they ran 4 verticals on 3rd and 2 and launched a hail mary, which was dropped.

- QB Fatigue is going to be a major issue in option and spread offenses. After one scramble with Bryan Bennett, he was in the red. After getting back to orange, he returned to red on a play where he simply handed the ball off.

- The CPU ran a draw and there was a weird graphics hitch right at the handoff. Don't know if this is part of the graphics problems and slow down on PS3 or intentional to create more misdirection on a draw.


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

That is the full turn through each game for me. I have to say, I like the feel of the game but there are some glaring problems. Keep in mind I generally do not play a ton of games against the CPU, only the ones scheduled in my online dynasty and the ones I do play, I dominate no matter the sliders or settings and I frankly never get joy from it. These games were no different, despite some really nice things, it was very stale and the CPU was not good at all.

I know it is a demo and I know it is on Varsity (why?), but there was no atmosphere and no challenge and it just seemed like a dull and stale game. I'm sure I'll continue to love user vs user games though.

I'll stop with the Demo for now just to clear my mind and come back fresh tomorrow and play a few and see if I notice anything different.
 
# 622 PowerofRed25 @ 06/07/12 05:11 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bruinkid626
Guess which glitch made its comeback? Pay attention to the linebackers. I've tried to test this with different formations, but got the same results. Haven't tried with the shotgun yet, but I'm assuming that it's fine.

I mentioned it in a couple of my observations posts and it both by linebackers and defensive backs. Just horrible. Exact same as last year's post-patch.
 
# 623 AussieChiefsFan @ 06/07/12 06:11 AM
I've gone to the PS Store and the demo isn't showing up! I thought it was meant to be up by now.



 
# 624 LastExit @ 06/07/12 06:24 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieChiefsFan
I've gone to the PS Store and the demo isn't showing up! I thought it was meant to be up by now.



That's odd.

Did you try searching for it? Use the full name "NCAA Football 13"
 
# 625 sportzbro @ 06/07/12 06:39 AM
Finally got a chance to play it on PS3. First went with the Heisman mode as RG3 on Bama. I played that for maybe 2 or 3 minutes and had to quit... The default camera angle combined with this bullet-time nonsense was just too much. From there I played all 3 match-ups as USC, K-State, and LSU. Although I won in all of them, they were close games and it was a good mix of challenging/fun which is nice.


Likes:
  • Passing is so much better. It really changes the feel of the whole game in comparison to previous NCAA's.
  • Crowd is a little bit louder and more responsive to on-field happenings.
  • User controlled catching.
  • ESPN bottom-line ticker is an awesome touch. Really completes the ESPN look.
  • Saw some great catch animations.

Dislikes:
  • Although the crowd has been improved, it still needs a boost. I really want that feel like last gen of a stadium being deafening (camera shake as well).
  • Replay angles are a complete joke.
  • No momentum, weight, etc. AKA Infinity Engine - tweaky player movement as well.
  • The football is still a watermelon.
  • Reece Davis updates are too frequent. Maybe two a quarter, but it felt like every 3 plays.
  • Motion blur is overdone.
  • DL-OL play is still pretty rough.
  • No new equipment...

I felt this is close to being pretty good as far as gameplay, but it's still just isn't quite there. Further tweaking to player movement and passing along with implementation of the Infinity Engine will make NCAA 14 the game to get. EA also needs to do as Madden does, and go in-depth with ESPN game producers to get all their camera angles, cut-ins, transitions, etc. The camera replays currently are so arcady - I want to see the play from multiple authentic ESPN-angles. The studio updates were cool, but overdone... I'm sure this will be worked on, as well as the commentary and stitching everything together.

All-in-all, NCAA 13 is a slight upgrade over NCAA 12. It was fun to pass again, and the game seemed pretty balanced. Givn what's been added and what wasn't (Physics), along without being able to sync up with Madden - it's not worth it this year. Will probably look to rent first and possibly buy used somewhere though. They set a nice foundation and it's an improvement, just not worth buying new.
 
# 626 sportzbro @ 06/07/12 06:41 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieChiefsFan
I've gone to the PS Store and the demo isn't showing up! I thought it was meant to be up by now.
The demo showed up on the big side bar to the left for me.

Just let it cycle through until it's one of those larger menu options.
 
# 627 Cubfan @ 06/07/12 06:42 AM
I liked the score board update from other games. Nice to see psychic DB gone! Will test the game out more since i have season pass. Game sees solid enough.
 
# 628 AussieChiefsFan @ 06/07/12 07:08 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LastExit
That's odd.

Did you try searching for it? Use the full name "NCAA Football 13"
Yea it isn't working. Maybe it's because I'm in australia?

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk
 
# 629 LastExit @ 06/07/12 07:26 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by BORN4CORN

Dislikes:

Although the crowd has been improved, it still needs a boost. I really want that feel like last gen of a stadium being deafening (camera shake as well).
Agreed. Ever since they attempted to make "small stadiums sound like small stadiums and big stadiums sound like big stadiums" they have messed up how rowdy a crowd gets on defense especially in a close game. I'm done with the tepid "d-fense" chant and waiving my player's arms in the air and having nothing happen.


Quote:
Originally Posted by BORN4CORN
All-in-all, NCAA 13 is a slight upgrade over NCAA 12. It was fun to pass again, and the game seemed pretty balanced. Givn what's been added and what wasn't (Physics), along without being able to sync up with Madden - it's not worth it this year. Will probably look to rent first and possibly buy used somewhere though. They set a nice foundation and it's an improvement, just not worth buying new.
Well said - a definite improvement over '12 but not something makes me excited to add it to my collection. I'm going to wait and see what EA has to say in regard to the demo and what we can expect with the final product before canceling my pre-order but they either rushed out the demo or this years' version of the game will be a solid step forward in some areas and either stagnant or backwards (new bugs/glitches) in others.

On a side note - have they done away with penalties spare the occasional holding calls? I had a receiver running a post route and as the ball was in transit the CB almost tackled him before the ball got there and no flag.
 
# 630 JerzeyReign @ 06/07/12 07:39 AM
I don't know how you guys are getting close games -- I'm up by at least 28 points every game.
 
# 631 JerzeyReign @ 06/07/12 07:40 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieChiefsFan
I've gone to the PS Store and the demo isn't showing up! I thought it was meant to be up by now.



Does your store update at the same time the US store updates? You being international may be the cause.
 
# 632 AussieChiefsFan @ 06/07/12 07:41 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerzeyReign
Does your store update at the same time the US store updates? You being international may be the cause.
Yea I guessed the same. Ill wait 'till tomorrow and report back.
 
# 633 ABR173rd @ 06/07/12 07:48 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerzeyReign
Does your store update at the same time the US store updates? You being international may be the cause.
I couldn't find it anywhere even using the search function when it was released. I had to actually cycle through the menus to the sports genre and for some reason that was the only place it would show up!
 
# 634 pdiehm @ 06/07/12 08:40 AM
I haven't downloaded, but I had concerns about the default rosters being too powerful (ie: DT's with acceleration ratings far higher than they should have), and it appears that this is still the case.
 
# 635 DickDalewood @ 06/07/12 08:41 AM
The passing game feels SOOOOO much better... It's actually fun now!

Overall, from the passing, to the added animations and smoothed out gameplay, the whole experience was a pretty good upgrade to me.

Commentary does still need some word (though the crowd sounds great), and the visuals aren't on Madden's level, but I'm happy with what I played and will definitely enjoy my purchase.
 
# 636 Armor and Sword @ 06/07/12 09:07 AM
The only impression I can give at this time....is.....jeez louise this thing is taking forever to DL.

I will go to work and then get home and it still may be DL.

Holy crap!

And I have high speed DSL. This thing is huge.

Can't wait to play.
 
# 637 JoBo513 @ 06/07/12 09:51 AM
My overall impressions are positive and this demo makes me want to keep my preorder. a few things stood out:

1. O line blocking seems improved. I saw one instance where the center helped the guard with the DT and then chipped off and got to the second level and blew up the MLB.

2. Cpu hb screens are hit and miss.
Baylor seems to run them pretty well. Their qb didn't get sacked at least.

3. The espn t ticker adds alot to the game for me. Especially when there is a priority score alert.

4. Rece Davis didn't sound bad to me. A little choppy but its a nice addition.

5. Running the ball with K state was pure fun.

6. Reaction time is not what I expected. I find it useless.
Sent from my cheap *** phone
 
# 638 rufusone @ 06/07/12 10:39 AM
I have played a bunch of games on the demo, has anyone heard Erin Andrews say anything?

Also what about the drive summary after a touchdown, it just shows the drive summary in the box info and no comment from Brad, in previous versions he said what the drive summary was, I miss that.

Also what is up when someone scores a touchdown it goes to screen wipe saying TOUCHDOWN, then shows a reply then that TOUCHDOWN wipe again. You hardly get to see anything regarding the touchdown because that wipe comes in.
 
# 639 TDenverFan @ 06/07/12 11:08 AM
How do you get the ticker to appear? It doesn't show for me. Is there some TV setting that must be changed?
 
# 640 jonskinny12 @ 06/07/12 11:08 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LastExit
On a side note - have they done away with penalties spare the occasional holding calls? I had a receiver running a post route and as the ball was in transit the CB almost tackled him before the ball got there and no flag.
I know they have some penalties. I've seen a couple offsides and I got called for defensive PI accidentally nudging the WR while going for an uncatchable pass. Earlier in this thread somebody else mentioned they saw an illegal touching penalty.
 


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