How to make High School Football USA work - thescoop's Blog

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How to make High School Football USA work

Posted on November 22, 2008 at 05:35 PM.

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OK, my last entry has had some people talking a bit. The idea for High School Football USA is one I have had for a long time. I'm sure people can tell I've put a lot of time and thought into the game.

One of the one things you hear people say is, "it wouldn't sell." Well, it most likely wouldn't be in the sell. I would if done right.

First off there are two ways to go about it. One would be the more unrealistic regional release. That one wouldn't work, cause while I'm sure those in Texas would line up for it, other states aren't as crazed about High School football. So that option I would call extremely unlikely.

But the one that would work would be the edit feature. Sure not everyone would want to take the time to edit every team, but several will. And some type of 2k share or EA locker room would be nice to for some how want their state's teams, but aren't willing to do the work.

The edit option should be very deep. Not just a bunch of generic logos. I would be awesome, but I know a bit of a stretch, to allow us to upload some logos, but who knows.

First off, if EA were to do this, they've got a deal with the NCAA, so make sure you're OKed to use all NCAA logos in the game. Why? Cause a lot of high schools use college logos. Make sure they are there. If not EA, make sure whoever it is tries to get several of these logos.

We'd also must choose what state we're going to use. Since high school football is all about that state, make it so. Also, stadium sounds will be a must so we can find the right fight songs, but have some generic and famous college ones already in there.

Also, we'd need to make sure we're able to edit everything from the name of the school on the front of the jersey, to nothing but numbers or a just a school logo on the shoulder.

Next, we must be allowed to edit everything from player's names to ratings. It should feel like our game. We create everything from uniforms, stadiums, to players. Let this be our game. Also allow us to create up to six different classes if we want.

I do like the idea too of having an all USA top 100 too and maybe adding a fictional USA tournament. Just something to bring in a few of the casual gamers. I would make it an optional part of dynasty mode, but you can only get in by winning your state championship and must be invited. Not a feature I'd really want, but could bring in casual gamers.

For High School Football USA to work, you'd need a top developer. 2k needs something to revive their football hopes and with EA having a stranglehold on the NFL and NCAA, this could be the gimmick that gets them back in the game.

Of course, I'd want Midway and the blitz engine as far away from this game as possible. This game wouldn't need to feel like a gimmicky game since it would be mainly geared to true football fans. So no to Midway. Sorry, Blitz fan, but High School Football Blitz edition isn't what I want or what most are looking for.

EA of course could keep its football dominance and make this title as well. If they did, like I said earlier, make sure you get those NCAA logos in the game, but there is more important issues. If EA makes this game, allow us to import our players into the NCAA game. That way our high school legends can be recruited along side those other states. Might help sell to the game to those hardcore football fans that must have NCAA if they are to own Madden for draft classes.

Also, the dynasty mode would have to bring something new to the table. That's why I like the idea of the focus on the head coach. As I said before, let us choose how the fan base is in our town.

I just feel the focus on being a high school coach and facing off a local media that loves you one week and things you're the dumbest person in the world the next week would bring a challenge. Also, we'd need to be forced to make touch decisions like if we should bench our star player due to trouble off the field and face the wrath of boosters or play him anyway and face loosing control of his team.

And the last thing this game would need to work is a great marketing push. I couldn't just be a game that they put in stories and only talk about in magazines. I would need to be on TV spots. Learn from the mistakes of MVP NCAA Baseball and make sure everyone knows it is out there. That could help make this game work.

Even if we only got it made one year, I'd be happy. I really believe in this idea. Just wish someone would grab that ball and run with it. Or go deep, whichever football metaphor you want to add.

This game is just a pipe dream, but hey, that's part of the fun of writing in this blog.