NCAA Football 11

[Murph]

Tuning pack #1 is now available to download.

Here's an explanation of what it is: http://ncaafootball.easports.com/blog.a ... e%20Tuning

[jcalvert]

Based on what I read, I am now interested in the game. I was just going to go Madden this year, but if the developers are going to improve NCAA's gameplay and adjust some of the Dynasty issues, I may give NCAA a go if I can find a decent deal.

Would love to see some post tuning patch comments from you guys. When is the first gameplay patch due? Mid Aug? Anything more firm?

[MizzouRah]

I just had that glitch where the opposing team recovered a fumble for a TD and then I had to kick off to them.

Luckily, it was a weak team and didn't matter, but if it was a close game, I would really be pissed off.

NEED PATCH SOON!

[MizzouRah]

Wow.. barely beat Miami U, 45-41 crazy game that came down to the last 4 minutes.

I'm now 4-0, but from that last game, I'm a bit nervous.

[sportdan30]

Copied from OS

After the frenzy this morning, EA has posted details on the patch. This is the official blog that will be out soon on the EA site. LTP #2 is also needed for the patch to have the full effect. It is available as of 9:10am eastern.

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

Hello again NCAA Fans!

I'm Russ Kiniry and I'd like to welcome you to Client Update 2 for NCAA Football 11. You should be able to download the update now (it will automatically download when you start the game). Roy talked about this update coming a while back in his blog 'Thank You' and I brought it up again when we released Live Tuner Pack 1 last week. I am happy to finally say it is here, and we've got a long list of tweaks, tunes, and fixes. Many of these changes were requests straight from you, the fans of NCAA Football, so it was very important to us to get them in the update. Enough words, let's get to the list!


Graphics
Uniform degradation has been fixed.
Fixed a graphical issue with TeamBuilder sideline home uniforms.
Fixed several camera bugs (pulled back on field goals, blurry cameras, and replays after a change of possession)
Fixed helmet numbers for Rice and Wake Forest

Online
Resolved an issue with Season Showdown, allowing us to turn it back on, so you're upload failure message every time you go in/out of game is gone!
Fixed a couple freezes related to lobbies
Fixed voice communication in Online Dynasty Hub on PS3
Fixed an issue that could lead to a disconnect in online play during play calling

Offense
Fixed an issue on a couple plays where the QB would miss a hand off and run backward
Reduced the chance that the ball will be knocked out when a receiver is hit at the time of the catch
Tuned the CPU ball carrier so that they will break to the outside more often when appropriate
Tuned how the CPU ball carriers utilize leans and special moves so that they won't be used in situations when they shouldn't (e.g. a HB in the open field will not put his shoulders down when running forward)
Tuned pass accuracy and the ability to lead a receiver
Tweaked sideline catch animations in the end zone so that they have a bit more room to play
Fixed an exploit where backwards passes could be overly effective

Defense
Fixed defensive reaction to pump fake to be more balanced. Skilled defensive backs will not be as easily fooled by pump fakes.
Tuned the Aggressive Defensive Line Gameplan to have more risk of jumping offsides
Removed a hesitation from defensive lineman pass rush on screen plays
Improved flat zone and deep zone coverage
Tuned man coverage reaction to the run
Adjusted CPU pursuit angles in some specific cases where they weren't being aggressive enough

Special Teams
Tuned onside kicks to be less predictable
Fixed an issue where catching a kicked ball after hitting the goalpost would result in kicking team getting the ball back
Fixed an issue where the punter could line up out of place
Adjusted cross bar collision on field goals and extra points

Other
Tuned CPU clock management where they would let the clock run out in some cases they shouldn't
Fixed a bug with time of possession tracking
Adjusted substitutions to be more intelligent (previously would see some weird players in the game with lots of aggressive no huddle)
Fixed a couple places where the wrong custom stadium sounds would play
Fixed a bug that caused Road To Glory to be simulated day by day near the end of the season
Tuned Kick Power and Kick Accuracy of progression of kickers and punters in Dynasty Mode
Fixed a couple infrequent game lock-ups


Again, I want to thank you for providing us with all the feedback you have thus far, and encourage you to continue to do so. It's safe to say this is the biggest update in NCAA History. We wanted to be sure that we continue to improve your experience while playing NCAA Football 11, so this update touches almost every area of the game. You can look forward to more Live Tuner Packs for NCAA Football 11 in the near future.

This update is for you Mr. Passionate-NCAA-Football-Gamer.

-Russ Kiniry
Designer NCAA Football

[MizzouRah]

Saw that today, excellent!

[Danimal]

So who has downloaded the patch and tried the lay action bootleg yet?

[TCrouch]

the lay action bootleg yet?

Sounds like a kinky new sex toy.

[Lancer]

Playing madden the last two days makes me want to get ncaa again (traded it in for madden).

Not saying madden is bad, just some things I like in NCAA.

I think the controls are better in NCAA - they're stiff in madden. The players feel more agile and athletic in NCAA when compared to madden, especially the CBs.

I also enjoy the running game some more in NCAA, maybe because locomotion is more noticeable in that game. Although the colors are better in madden, the NCAA player models seem bigger than maddens, and the hits are more violent in NCAA. And can't beat the NCAA replays.

question : do I need to buy a ncaa11 game where the online code wasn't used? Are the codes matched back with the discs or just the consoles? I already used the code for my old game and I'm sure it's still on my xb hd. So I can buy a used copy without a online code for this game?

[Rodster]

Lancer the code you previously activated for NCAA 11 is tied to your XBL or PSN account, so get the used game, no worries.

[sportdan30]

Dan,

How did the sliders work out for you?

Sorry for the late reply. I've only played one game thus far, but so far so good. Most of the changes are subtle, but increased my enjoyment of the game.

Thanks again.

[Rodster]

Care to share those sliders?

[sportdan30]

Care to share those sliders?

Copied from the post on page 16:

I've adjusted the sliders on All American the main ones being QB Accuracy and Pass Coverage.

I have both Pass Cov. at 40

I have CPU QB at 30 and Human at 35.

I bumped up CPU RB Ability to 55
I bumped CPU Run Blocking to 55

I put tackling on 60 for both .

Finally I adjusted the CPU FG Accuracy to 60 (missing too many FG's for my liking still tinkering with this)

As fars as penalities everything is at 100, except for Facemask, False Start, Clipping and Holding all of which are at 55.

[Rodster]

Thanks i'll give those a try.

[Lancer]

Anyone know where I can get this game cheap? I see ebay is selling for $40 but that's with the online code. Any used game places online that sell just the game w/o the code for cheaper?

[Rodster]

Anyone know where I can get this game cheap? I see ebay is selling for $40 but that's with the online code. Any used game places online that sell just the game w/o the code for cheaper?

The cheapest i've seen it is for $35. It's going to be tough finding this game on the cheap because Football season hasn't started. If you are a CAG member you could see if someone is willing to trade you for it.

[sportdan30]

After playing a game of Madden this evening, and then playing NCAA post patch, there is no doubt in my mind that NCAA is the better football game. To me it's not even close, and I've always been a bigger NFL fan. From my perspective, it's better graphically, runs smoother, has a better camera angle for pass plays, the atmosphere is hoppin', commentary while not spectacular just fits, animations look very nice, plays are more exciting, tackles are bigger and fiercer, etc. etc. etc.

[Lancer]

After playing a game of Madden this evening, and then playing NCAA post patch, there is no doubt in my mind that NCAA is the better football game. To me it's not even close, and I've always been a bigger NFL fan. From my perspective, it's better graphically, runs smoother, has a better camera angle for pass plays, the atmosphere is hoppin', commentary while not spectacular just fits, animations look very nice, plays are more exciting, tackles are bigger and fiercer, etc. etc. etc.

I am a big madden fanboy so this is really hard for me to admit but yes, xxxxxx is the better game than mad... See, I can't even get the words out of my mind and onto the screen.

Maybe with a few patches here and there Madden may be the better game, but right now it's not. That feel the game had last year is gone, it's just too sluggish. I agree with what you said about NCAA above.

[HipE]

After playing a game of Madden this evening, and then playing NCAA post patch, there is no doubt in my mind that NCAA is the better football game. To me it's not even close, and I've always been a bigger NFL fan. From my perspective, it's better graphically, runs smoother, has a better camera angle for pass plays, the atmosphere is hoppin', commentary while not spectacular just fits, animations look very nice, plays are more exciting, tackles are bigger and fiercer, etc. etc. etc.

After spending the last three nights playing mostly Madden, I would agree with pretty much everything on your list. I'd like to add that the player control in NCAA is much better as well.

I'm wondering if this is because NCAA always seems to be a tweaked version of Madden from the previous year. Madden 10 was excellent after the final patch (although it came out so late most people never got to try it), and NCAA 11 seems to have tweaked that gameplay. I had been playing on AA with sliders slanted heavily in the cpu's favor (25 human run block, 85 cpu run block mainly) and winning all of my games in my franchise, although they were close games. I even had a comeback from down 24-0 to Penn State to win 31-27. But after the second tuner file came out this week, the cpu is no joke. I played two games last night on AA default, losing 24-13 to Wisconsin and 19-14 to Michigan St in what were probably my two best NCAA 11 games I have played yet.

The presentation really stands out to me after playing quite a bit of Madden. The lighting is brighter, the replays much easier to follow, and the band playing after each play really fills the gaps in commentary well. While I like the Madden commentary much more than in the past, there is way too much time where there is complete silence. About the only advantage Madden has in presentation is the stat overlays that are constantly updated during each game (which I really enjoy).

Without a doubt, this is the best playing NCAA I can remember, better than NCAA 2004 even due to the improved cpu running game.

[vinny-b]

sportdan:

very well stated.

have to admit NCAA 11 is the best football vidgame, to date. And am a 2k5 guy

the game has a similar feel to 2k5, except much advanced in the simulation department (ie replicating the game of football)


_

[matthewk]

Did either the patch or the tuning file fix the dynasty issues of teams all becoming creampuffs after a year or two? I held off on NCAA and got Madden because of this.

[vinny-b]

I had been playing on AA with sliders slanted heavily in the cpu's favor (25 human run block, 85 cpu run block mainly) and winning all of my games in my franchise, although they were close games. I even had a comeback from down 24-0 to Penn State to win 31-27. But after the second tuner file came out this week, the cpu is no joke. I played two games last night on AA default, losing 24-13 to Wisconsin and 19-14 to Michigan St in what were probably my two best NCAA 11 games I have played yet.

Eric: thankful to know the CPU is fairing better then the demo did, with you

I believe you're right RE: tuner file #2. Because in my first Syracuse dynasty (before the tuner update) i dominated Toldeo and annhillated a Division II team, in my first two weeks. That said, after the tuner update, i started a new Syracuse dynasty and lost to Toldeo and had a competitive game with the Division II opponent. At this point i expect West Virginia will destroy me in week 8. Which is the way it should be

by the way: with the tuner updates, recruiting is much more competitive. Despite knowing what am doing, i literally lost 40-50% of the recruits i had targeted and which had my school listed in their top 5/top 3. It was disapointing. solid SIM, for Syracuse fans

[ScoopBrady]

Whoops, wrong thread.

[MizzouRah]

Well, I lost my first game last night.. to Colorado in a defensive battle 17-13.

I haven't played Madden much yet, but the more I play NCAA 11, the more I love it.

[Teal]

Lost a heartbreaker today in my online dynasty to Arkansas in OT. VERY tight game. Very exciting. I was just as jacked as I would've been had I been watching the game for real. Never felt like that in a EA football game before.

I love this game.