LA Times: EA Game Fans Can Play Rain or Shine

[gschwendt]

http://www.ncaastrategies.com/images/ncaafootball08/latimes.gifEA game fans can play, rain or shine

The company will use real-time weather conditions in its new college football title.
By Dawn C. Chmielewski, Times Staff Writer
May 23, 2007

The real world is intruding on the fantasy of video game play — and that's exactly what Electronic Arts Inc. intended.

EA said Tuesday that the latest version of its "NCAA Football 08" game, scheduled for release July 17, would incorporate real-time weather conditions into the action. That means that if a violent rainstorm passed through Tucson, virtual players at the University of Arizona would have trouble keeping their footing, and strong winds reported in Ann Arbor would affect the passing accuracy of Michigan quarterback Chad Henne.

EA said its popular "Madden NFL 08" game also would get a boost of realism when it comes out Aug. 14: Players will be able to get real-world sports scores and "SportsCenter" radio clips from ESPN, plus video highlights from the National Football League.

The Redwood City, Calif.-based video game publisher has long taken pains to simulate reality in its popular sports titles, using techniques borrowed from Hollywood special effects to re-create Tiger Woods' golf swing and facial expressions.

With its NCAA college football game, EA dispatched people to 119 schools' stadiums, where they took photos at various times to authentically re-create lighting conditions. If the sun generally shines in a player's face at 3 p.m. as he approaches the end zone, that's what will happen in the video game.

The processing power of the new generation of video game consoles — Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 and Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation 3 — opened the door to bringing the real world into game play.

"It's definitely blurring the lines of reality," said Kendall Boyd, product manager for "NCAA Football 08." "With the 360 and the PS3, there's so much more memory, so much capacity, it enables us to do these things."

Raphael Poplock, general manager of ESPN interactive, said the partnership with EA would allow the Walt Disney Co. cable network to reach sports fans wherever they were looking for the latest scores and information. ESPN's first venture into the video game world was with EA's "MVP NCAA Baseball 07," when it provided a scrolling sports ticker along the bottom of the screen and "SportsCenter" radio updates every 20 minutes.

"The initial feedback from the gaming community was, 'Wow, this is great. Within my gaming experience, I can stay connected to the real world,' " Poplock said. "That was a glimpse of what we were going to do."

ESPN has since expanded its game offerings to include radio podcasts, ESPN.com news articles and video highlights for "NBA Live 07," "NCAA 07 March Madness," "Fight Night Round 3" and "NCAA Football."

Poplock said ESPN hoped to work with EA to provide real-time information about player injuries or trades that would immediately affect the outcome of the game. "If you play 'NBA Live' and Allen Iverson got traded to the Denver Nuggets, you'd love the ability to play real time with him on the Nuggets rather than the 76ers," Poplock said.

The Weather Channel partnered with EA to offer the real-time weather conditions for the college football game.

But not everyone may want Mother Nature to rain on their fun — players can choose to play under existing conditions or pick their own.

Source (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sports23may23,1,569135.story?track=crosspromo&coll=la-headlines-business&ctrack=1&cset=true)

[kidzer0918]

they sure are milking that weather channel feature..................[glare]

[Gatorguy91]

Just Wait until Hurricane Season..

[cdj]

they sure are milking that weather channel feature..................[glare]

To be fair, to most casual fans (& non-gamers) this probably sounds very intriguing. The LA Times likely doesn't care how the DBs play, but gamers can play in real-time weather?!? That probably sounds cool to them.

[gschwendt]

it is good that it confirms that you can choose not to use the real weather...

[husker_blitz]

To be fair, to most casual fans (& non-gamers) this probably sounds very intriguing. The LA Times likely doesn't care how the DBs play, but gamers can play in real-time weather?!? That probably sounds cool to them.
I think it is really a neat feature. But this is only for next gen isn't it?

[dawg_gone]

To be fair, to most casual fans (& non-gamers) this probably sounds very intriguing. The LA Times likely doesn't care how the DBs play, but gamers can play in real-time weather?!? That probably sounds cool to them.

It sounds fantastic to me, too. "Extreme Weather Dynasty", anyone? [laugh] I'm thinking Tempe in July, Boise in February, Norman in May, Miami in June... what else?

[cdj]

I think it is really a neat feature. But this is only for next gen isn't it?

I believe so. :( It is a really cool feature...I imagine next-gen gamers will fire up the systems more when its stormy outside due to this feature. ;)

I'm glad this article confirms the option to use real-life or custom weather. Good find, gschwendt.

[gschwendt]

It sounds fantastic to me, too. "Extreme Weather Dynasty", anyone? [laugh] I'm thinking Tempe in July, Boise in February, Norman in May, Miami in June... what else?

I didn't realize they were expanding football seasons to year-round... [rock]

[husker_blitz]

I believe so. :( It is a really cool feature...I imagine next-gen gamers will fire up the systems more when its stormy outside due to this feature. ;)

I'm glad this article confirms the option to use real-life or custom weather. Good find, gschwendt.
Once we know for sure, let's be sure to tag this file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JOHNSC%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpgNextGen tag.

[gschwendt]

Once we know for sure, let's be sure to tag this file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/JOHNSC%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpgNextGen tag.

I don't have rights to that folder... [laugh]

[husker_blitz]

I don't have rights to that folder... [laugh]
Hmmm...that's interesting. Anyway, I meant the NextGen tag on the post icons.

[gschwendt]

Hmmm...that's interesting. Anyway, I meant the NextGen tag on the post icons.

It's because you're pointing it to your local machine; [file:///C:] instead of [http://]

[husker_blitz]

It's because you're pointing it to your local machine; [file:///C:] instead of [http://] (http://%5D)
Ah...This is why I leave the computer nerd stuff to the experts. :p

j/k Thanks :)

[Cdenz]

real weather=Off on my PS3 or 360 which ever I buy the game for, I have no need of playing Auburn in my Alabama Dynasty (which is in Nov.) on a real life Hot august day. But it does seem like a cool feature.

thanks for the info gschwendt.

[gschwendt]

I'm wondering if the weather feature, at least for dynasties actually uses weather based on the weather patterns of that particular day over recent years. That is, if it's been a rainy day the past 3 years, it will be a rainy day EVERYTIME you play on that day.

Just a thought but obviously we'll not likely find out for 1 month, 24 days

[Wooly]

It sounds fantastic to me, too. "Extreme Weather Dynasty", anyone? [laugh] I'm thinking Tempe in July, Boise in February, Norman in May, Miami in June... what else?

Actually, just to set the record straight and be anal, Boise has mild winters for the intermountain west region. ISU, Wyoming, Utah, BYU, USU, CSU, CU, Montana, MSU, all have worse conditions during football season. Idaho might too, but I don't know their valley as well.

[gschwendt]

Actually, just to set the record straight and be anal, Boise has mild winters for the intermountain west region. ISU, Wyoming, Utah, BYU, USU, CSU, CU, Montana, MSU, all have worse conditions during football season. Idaho might too, but I don't know their valley as well.

I've never seen it snow inside a barn or at the very least a former aircraft hanger.

[Wooly]

I've never seen it snow inside a barn or at the very least a former aircraft hanger.

Good point![laugh] Actually, ISU plays in one too. Isn't that the worst football stadium of all time? It's bad enough they are afraid to play outside, but their "dome" is the ugliest thing ever. A hanger is a good description.

[gschwendt]

Good point![laugh] Actually, ISU plays in one too. Isn't that the worst football stadium of all time? It's bad enough they are afraid to play outside, but their "dome" is the ugliest thing ever. A hanger is a good description.

yeah... "I know... let's build walls around this thing and make it so that we can't get any more than 15k inside the building. It's not like 15k will actually show up"

Thankfully I never made the trip up there when Idaho played in the SunBelt... good riddance to their team and their stadium.

[WKUsSledgehammer]

I just wonder how this will affect the dynasty players that really move through there schedule. There are guys who play a season's worth of games in a couple of weeks. With the game coming out in July, they will likely play an entire schedule in 90+ degree weather if they use, say, LSU, UCLA, Miami, FSU, etc. And then when winter comes and they have Buffalo, Air Force, Michigan, etc. in their 2022 season, they could possibly play an entire season in the snow if there happens to be a nice "real life" blizzard in that area. Seems like you're almost going to have to toggle that option off. Am I reading the way this is going to work correctly?

[dawg_gone]

I didn't realize they were expanding football seasons to year-round... [rock]

They don't - but I do. It could have a major impact on when I fire up my dynasty mode games. Lubbock: August.

The more I think about this, the more I realize my son needs that Xbox 360 he's been asking for.

[JeffHCross]

Personally, I'm not expecting to see this in Dynasty mode. We may, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't. Picking the weather isn't an option now in Dynasty Mode, though I suppose they could easily add "Weather Channel: Yes/No" to the options menu or that little extra menu where you pick your uniform and playbook.

But otherwise wku, yes, you're reading it right. I'm just predicting it'll be limited to online and Play Now.

[WKUsSledgehammer]

Personally, I'm not expecting to see this in Dynasty mode. We may, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't. Picking the weather isn't an option now in Dynasty Mode, though I suppose they could easily add "Weather Channel: Yes/No" to the options menu or that little extra menu where you pick your uniform and playbook.

But otherwise wku, yes, you're reading it right. I'm just predicting it'll be limited to online and Play Now.

That makes sense to me. I don't move anywhere near that fast in my dynasties ... 2 games/week tops, usually. But it's October right now in my WKU dynasty, and I really wouldn't want to play my week 9 game against Northern Illinois in 80+ degree weather (high of 86 in Dekalb today :D). So even if it is in dynasty mode, I'll probably switch it off.

[jobob]

On the lone gameplay note mentioned in the article... so high winds will affect passes now? I've never really noticed the wind's impact on the passing game in previous years... maybe this year it will actually be more of a factor (and hopefully not overdone).

[bruce wayne]

On the lone gameplay note mentioned in the article... so high winds will affect passes now? I've never really noticed the wind's impact on the passing game in previous years... maybe this year it will actually be more of a factor (and hopefully not overdone).

The article also mentioned that players would have trouble keeping their footing in the rain. This could be an interesting dynamic as well.

[jobob]

The article also mentioned that players would have trouble keeping their footing in the rain. This could be an interesting dynamic as well.

True, but that is (at least to some extent) already in the NCAA series. It doesn't happen often but I notice my players falling down more when going for a pass in the rain. I never see the ball flight affected by wind (except for kickoff/punt distance)

[gschwendt]

Might be in my head but I think in games with like 30mph wind passes do tend to drift off course more. Again, might be in my head but I think I remember some game in which I had really strong winds in which my QB couldn't throw it on target.

[bruce wayne]

True, but that is (at least to some extent) already in the NCAA series. It doesn't happen often but I notice my players falling down more when going for a pass in the rain. I never see the ball flight affected by wind (except for kickoff/punt distance)

Really, I don't remember ever seeing that. Do you only notice the receivers falling or do other players have problems with their footing as well? What platform are you playing on?

[BigOrangeCountry]

Good point![laugh] Actually, ISU plays in one too. Isn't that the worst football stadium of all time? It's bad enough they are afraid to play outside, but their "dome" is the ugliest thing ever. A hanger is a good description.

Come on cuz. Don't be hatin on Holt Arena. Tis da home of da pimps and playas.

[husker_blitz]

Really, I don't remember ever seeing that. Do you only notice the receivers falling or do other players have problems with their footing as well? What platform are you playing on?
The only issue with footing I have noticed is during games with snow. The players will not cut or accelerate as they would normally. As for the wind, in very windy games the long ball does seem to be effected.

[bruce wayne]

The only issue with footing I have noticed is during games with snow. The players will not cut or accelerate as they would normally. As for the wind, in very windy games the long ball does seem to be effected.

I have yet to have a game in the snow in two different dynasties that span over 10 seasons. One of the Dynasty teams was Buffalo. [down]

[JeffHCross]

I've definitely seen deep balls get affected by the wind the past few seasons. Bullet passes don't realy, but deep balls do.

[dawg_gone]

Personally, I'm not expecting to see this in Dynasty mode. We may, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't. Picking the weather isn't an option now in Dynasty Mode, though I suppose they could easily add "Weather Channel: Yes/No" to the options menu or that little extra menu where you pick your uniform and playbook.

But otherwise wku, yes, you're reading it right. I'm just predicting it'll be limited to online and Play Now.

Ah! You're probably right. [down] Damn.