NCAA '09 impressions
Moderators: Bill_Abner, ScoopBrady
I wonder if there's a bug in Pasta's roster file to prevent some of the pay sites from taking that file, making a minor edit, and selling it?Danimal wrote:I'm not sure what the cause is but apparently if you edit the rosters then teams will disappear. I don't think that anyone knows the exact cause, of course this raises the question on how Pasta created the rosters. The theory is he got them from EA because their are characters in the names that no one editing could put in.
As long as I can get a working file from someone, I'll be happy.
Ok, I will get the 360 version of this game and get wii later I think.
But this thing w/ the disappearing teams. So it only happens if you edit rosters? If I just want the computer to generate names I should be fine?
is that been tested and verified?
I like the cpu naming rosters for me so I hope no teams disappear.
But this thing w/ the disappearing teams. So it only happens if you edit rosters? If I just want the computer to generate names I should be fine?
is that been tested and verified?
I like the cpu naming rosters for me so I hope no teams disappear.
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Danimal
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Apparently there was a base roster file that was corrupt and people were passing it around and trying to make changes, sort of like passing a virus around. At least that is the theory right now because the devs had posted last night they were editing rosters off the base roster all day yesterday with no issues.
I don't know it's like anything you need to give it a few days to shake out and see what the real issue is. The mob mentality is one person has an issue and post a video so the sky is falling. Maybe it is, but I don't think anyone knows at this point.
I don't know it's like anything you need to give it a few days to shake out and see what the real issue is. The mob mentality is one person has an issue and post a video so the sky is falling. Maybe it is, but I don't think anyone knows at this point.
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I agree it may be blown out of proportion, but it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence when teams start disappearing from a game that hasn't even been released yet. They have patched these sorts of things in the past but it's usually taken them at least two months. And I also saw a bad bit of AI when I flipped my defensive formation and all of my CBs shifted to one side. I don't know if they hired 2k's QA department, but there have been problems with EA football games on the 360/PS3 every single year. We're off to a bad start again in 2008.Danimal wrote:Apparently there was a base roster file that was corrupt and people were passing it around and trying to make changes, sort of like passing a virus around. At least that is the theory right now because the devs had posted last night they were editing rosters off the base roster all day yesterday with no issues.
I don't know it's like anything you need to give it a few days to shake out and see what the real issue is. The mob mentality is one person has an issue and post a video so the sky is falling. Maybe it is, but I don't think anyone knows at this point.
So looks like you can dl anyone's roster using EA LOCKER like how you can dl other people's cars in NASCAR? I may just dl the roster if it's out there free. But I won't be making any changes to it since I really don't know any college football players this year. If that still messes things up, then I'll let the cpu do the rosters. Sort of old school feel when you do that like in those older games where you had made up players.
I've been watching more and more of the ncaa vids and the game looks exciting for the first time on the next gen machine. It's also cool that FINALLY EA is incorporating user experience ala the EA LOCKER and how you can take replays of your games and turn them into videos for everyone to see on easportsworld.com.
I've been watching more and more of the ncaa vids and the game looks exciting for the first time on the next gen machine. It's also cool that FINALLY EA is incorporating user experience ala the EA LOCKER and how you can take replays of your games and turn them into videos for everyone to see on easportsworld.com.
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dbdynsty25
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Except that you could do that last year. So saying FINALLY EA is doing this, is about a year late.Inuyasha wrote:It's also cool that FINALLY EA is incorporating user experience ala the EA LOCKER and how you can take replays of your games and turn them into videos for everyone to see on easportsworld.com.
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dbdynsty25
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EA Locker, by name, wasn't in it, but the ability to take pics and videos and share them online was.Inuyasha wrote:I didnt play ncaa last year, so I didn't know they had this. I did play madden last year but I don't remember they having a ea locker for it. First I seen of it was in Nascar this year.
(This is posted on the blog with working videos...for some reason, I haven't been able to figure out how to get the embedded video from EASW to work on the forum. That, and I've got a screaming baby to contend with right now... To see videos, go to the blog post. Hopefully I can get this figured out soon...)
One of the good things about having had minor surgery is that you get to take a few days off work to rest. And it's even better when the day off coincides with the release of NCAA 2009. Some quick impressions (with videos) after my first game:
The controls and animations are much better. Player control seems tighter and more impressive. More importantly, the animations work much, much better than in NCAA 2008. This is especially evident in tackling, as group tackling seems to work much better. Furthermore, some of the annoying animations from 2008 (e.g. the fall forward five yards on a run up the middle) weren't apparent in one game of gameplay.
Miami's QB went 34-45, with 305 yards passing, 0 TDs and 3 INTs. He basically tore the defense to shreds on crossing routes and curls, and I'm afraid that crossing routes (at least on AA) will be too easy both for human and CPU offenses. However, the Miami QB was much poorer on any passes over twenty yards or so. I returned two INTs for TDs, one a 106 yard return, the other a 73 yard return. In both instances, the QB threw deep curls late where the corner had ample time to make a break on the ball and make the interception.
There has been no evidence of "psychic" defensive AI. In fact, what I've seen is the opposite. In one instance, a linebacker had a pass fly right past his earhole and didn't even attempt to make a play on the ball. I fear that they've neutered the defensive AI a bit too much in 09...but it will take more playtime to tell.
Punt returns are broken. I had two returns for 91 yards. Here is one example.
GO TO BLOG FOR VIDEO
4th down logic is odd. On the first drive of the game, Miami had a 4th and 1 on about the 20 and decided to go for it instead of kick the field goal. I can see this happening every now and then on the road, but I will be looking to see if this happens consistently.
A much worse example occurred later in the half. Down 10-6 late in the 2nd half, Miami lined up for a 55 yard field goal. Fearing a fake, I called a standard Cover 2 Man in a 4-3. Even in the face of a 4-3, the AI went for a fake where the holder pulled the ball away from the kicker, Charlie Brown style, and attempted to run for the first. Not only did he not make it, but he <b>slid</b> about a yard short of the first down. Simply absurd.
Also, the complaints about sideline logic are completely justified. Twice, Miami had a chance to either get a first down or score, and (for some reason) decided to run out of bounds. Here is one example where Miami had a clear <b>touchdown</b> and failed to score. Inexcusable.
GO TO BLOG FOR VIDEO
Option defense seems <b>much</b> improved, as defensive players seem to have better positioning and decision making. However, I haven't tested this with a wishbone offense yet.
I'd put up more videos, but I got the red ring of death while uploading a third video! Fortunately, I let the 360 rest a bit, restarted it, and everything is working fine. Will play more (and post again) later this afternoon.
One of the good things about having had minor surgery is that you get to take a few days off work to rest. And it's even better when the day off coincides with the release of NCAA 2009. Some quick impressions (with videos) after my first game:
The controls and animations are much better. Player control seems tighter and more impressive. More importantly, the animations work much, much better than in NCAA 2008. This is especially evident in tackling, as group tackling seems to work much better. Furthermore, some of the annoying animations from 2008 (e.g. the fall forward five yards on a run up the middle) weren't apparent in one game of gameplay.
Miami's QB went 34-45, with 305 yards passing, 0 TDs and 3 INTs. He basically tore the defense to shreds on crossing routes and curls, and I'm afraid that crossing routes (at least on AA) will be too easy both for human and CPU offenses. However, the Miami QB was much poorer on any passes over twenty yards or so. I returned two INTs for TDs, one a 106 yard return, the other a 73 yard return. In both instances, the QB threw deep curls late where the corner had ample time to make a break on the ball and make the interception.
There has been no evidence of "psychic" defensive AI. In fact, what I've seen is the opposite. In one instance, a linebacker had a pass fly right past his earhole and didn't even attempt to make a play on the ball. I fear that they've neutered the defensive AI a bit too much in 09...but it will take more playtime to tell.
Punt returns are broken. I had two returns for 91 yards. Here is one example.
GO TO BLOG FOR VIDEO
4th down logic is odd. On the first drive of the game, Miami had a 4th and 1 on about the 20 and decided to go for it instead of kick the field goal. I can see this happening every now and then on the road, but I will be looking to see if this happens consistently.
A much worse example occurred later in the half. Down 10-6 late in the 2nd half, Miami lined up for a 55 yard field goal. Fearing a fake, I called a standard Cover 2 Man in a 4-3. Even in the face of a 4-3, the AI went for a fake where the holder pulled the ball away from the kicker, Charlie Brown style, and attempted to run for the first. Not only did he not make it, but he <b>slid</b> about a yard short of the first down. Simply absurd.
Also, the complaints about sideline logic are completely justified. Twice, Miami had a chance to either get a first down or score, and (for some reason) decided to run out of bounds. Here is one example where Miami had a clear <b>touchdown</b> and failed to score. Inexcusable.
GO TO BLOG FOR VIDEO
Option defense seems <b>much</b> improved, as defensive players seem to have better positioning and decision making. However, I haven't tested this with a wishbone offense yet.
I'd put up more videos, but I got the red ring of death while uploading a third video! Fortunately, I let the 360 rest a bit, restarted it, and everything is working fine. Will play more (and post again) later this afternoon.
Saw wii and 360 versions. They were both up but didn't get to try them out.
360 looks terrific. It was nice to see the game w/o that dusk time like in the demo.
Wii : yikes, it looks really really bad, but maybe because it was next to the 360 version. The field textures are really bad, can't really tell a difference between a grass or turf field. But it seemed like the guys playing the game were having more fun with it trying to figure out how to throw the ball etc.. It comes off more cartoony and looks gimmicky on wii.
360 looks terrific. It was nice to see the game w/o that dusk time like in the demo.
Wii : yikes, it looks really really bad, but maybe because it was next to the 360 version. The field textures are really bad, can't really tell a difference between a grass or turf field. But it seemed like the guys playing the game were having more fun with it trying to figure out how to throw the ball etc.. It comes off more cartoony and looks gimmicky on wii.
(Another C&P from the blog...videos are up there...)
Temple 52, Army 36 (Heisman)
I started an offline dynasty using both Temple and Florida, default sliders, Heisman level. I think this is probably the first time I’ve ever scored 52 points with Temple, on Heisman no less. There were a lot of big plays…I had two runs over 60 yards, and two interceptions for touchdowns. I scored 52 points with crossing routes, crossing routes, and more crossing routes. The AI is piss-poor at covering anything over the middle. Of course, the AI tore me up with crossing routes and curls…but they didn’t have as many big plays. I didn’t keep many stats for this game, but one interesting thing to note was that the Army kicker went 3/6 on field goals, with makes from 47, 55, and 55, and misses from about 48, 52, and 55. Basically, when they didn’t score or turn the ball over, they’d take the kickoff to the 35, advance to about the 30, stall, and then attempt the field goal.
UF 73, Hawaii 29 (Hawaii)
In the second game of my Heisman dynasty, I took Florida against Hawaii in their season opener. This gaudy score is to be expected, but I’m surprised that I scored 73 on Heisman. I’ve never had this much success at the Heisman level, ever. (BTW, I’m playing with eight minute quarters.)
This game was all about passing. Here are the passing lines for Florida and Hawaii:
Florida 29-33, 505 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs
Hawaii 54-68, 505 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs (2 returned for TDs)
Hawaii’s passing attack was impossible to stop until it got near the red zone. When they were successful (between the 20 yard lines), it was a stream of passes to wide open receivers, over and over again. I tried just about every defense I could think of, but nothing consistently worked. However, once they got into the red zone, they would often stall with poor passes into coverage or turnovers.
Playing this game now has me officially worried about the NCAA engine, for two reasons. First, it was yet another example of how bad passing defense is in this game. Secondly, the defensive AI takes some of the worst pursuit angles I’ve ever seen in a football game. Here are a few video examples:
In the first video, it’s a long TD pass from Tebow to Harvin. When Harvin makes the catch, there is a defender coming at Harvin who looks like he is ready to make a big hit on Harvin when he catches the ball. But the instant Harvin catches the ball, the defender’s pursuit angle changes to where he’s now angled to run upfield with Harvin (you may have to watch a few times, this is a subtle change), not to make the hit. Then he changes his angle again, to cut more towards Harvin, and ends up taking himself out of the play and leaving Harvin a clear path to the end zone.
SEE VIDEO AT BLOG
In the next video, the Florida defensive back makes an interception and is off to the races with one man to beat, a lumbering offensive lineman for Hawaii. At first, the lineman is clearly taking an angle to meet the Florida DB at about the 25 yard line and attempt a tackle. Around the 25, I changed my angle slightly more towards the sideline, hoping to get past the lineman and into the end zone. When doing this, the Hawaii lineman then briefly changed his pursuit angle to run parallel with my DB. Instead of meeting my DB at the sideline, this took him out of the play, allowing Florida to score unmolested.
SEE VIDEO AT BLOG
I’m starting to think that a lot of the “wide-open gameplay” being touted in NCAA 09 is simply the product of poor coverage combined with terrible pursuit angles by defensive players.
Will try and get one more game in tonight.
Temple 52, Army 36 (Heisman)
I started an offline dynasty using both Temple and Florida, default sliders, Heisman level. I think this is probably the first time I’ve ever scored 52 points with Temple, on Heisman no less. There were a lot of big plays…I had two runs over 60 yards, and two interceptions for touchdowns. I scored 52 points with crossing routes, crossing routes, and more crossing routes. The AI is piss-poor at covering anything over the middle. Of course, the AI tore me up with crossing routes and curls…but they didn’t have as many big plays. I didn’t keep many stats for this game, but one interesting thing to note was that the Army kicker went 3/6 on field goals, with makes from 47, 55, and 55, and misses from about 48, 52, and 55. Basically, when they didn’t score or turn the ball over, they’d take the kickoff to the 35, advance to about the 30, stall, and then attempt the field goal.
UF 73, Hawaii 29 (Hawaii)
In the second game of my Heisman dynasty, I took Florida against Hawaii in their season opener. This gaudy score is to be expected, but I’m surprised that I scored 73 on Heisman. I’ve never had this much success at the Heisman level, ever. (BTW, I’m playing with eight minute quarters.)
This game was all about passing. Here are the passing lines for Florida and Hawaii:
Florida 29-33, 505 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs
Hawaii 54-68, 505 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs (2 returned for TDs)
Hawaii’s passing attack was impossible to stop until it got near the red zone. When they were successful (between the 20 yard lines), it was a stream of passes to wide open receivers, over and over again. I tried just about every defense I could think of, but nothing consistently worked. However, once they got into the red zone, they would often stall with poor passes into coverage or turnovers.
Playing this game now has me officially worried about the NCAA engine, for two reasons. First, it was yet another example of how bad passing defense is in this game. Secondly, the defensive AI takes some of the worst pursuit angles I’ve ever seen in a football game. Here are a few video examples:
In the first video, it’s a long TD pass from Tebow to Harvin. When Harvin makes the catch, there is a defender coming at Harvin who looks like he is ready to make a big hit on Harvin when he catches the ball. But the instant Harvin catches the ball, the defender’s pursuit angle changes to where he’s now angled to run upfield with Harvin (you may have to watch a few times, this is a subtle change), not to make the hit. Then he changes his angle again, to cut more towards Harvin, and ends up taking himself out of the play and leaving Harvin a clear path to the end zone.
SEE VIDEO AT BLOG
In the next video, the Florida defensive back makes an interception and is off to the races with one man to beat, a lumbering offensive lineman for Hawaii. At first, the lineman is clearly taking an angle to meet the Florida DB at about the 25 yard line and attempt a tackle. Around the 25, I changed my angle slightly more towards the sideline, hoping to get past the lineman and into the end zone. When doing this, the Hawaii lineman then briefly changed his pursuit angle to run parallel with my DB. Instead of meeting my DB at the sideline, this took him out of the play, allowing Florida to score unmolested.
SEE VIDEO AT BLOG
I’m starting to think that a lot of the “wide-open gameplay” being touted in NCAA 09 is simply the product of poor coverage combined with terrible pursuit angles by defensive players.
Will try and get one more game in tonight.
Ok, this game is really nice looking. Very smooth and bright, great grass textures, and smoooottthhh gameplay. The look, the feel, the controls really remind me of the greatest football game ever NCAA 2004.
Gameplay is wide open, like ncaa 2004. I only played one game, but the flow of the game is great. It's big plays, maybe like Jared says, a little overdone, but I will have to play more to decide. But this finally feels like a next gen title from EA. I just wish they had in game saves and create a school.
Gameplay is wide open, like ncaa 2004. I only played one game, but the flow of the game is great. It's big plays, maybe like Jared says, a little overdone, but I will have to play more to decide. But this finally feels like a next gen title from EA. I just wish they had in game saves and create a school.
