IGN: 3 Current Gen NCAA Football 08 Videos 6-4-2007

[gschwendt]

http://www.ncaastrategies.com/images/ncaafootball08/ign.gif IGN added 3 new current gen videos (4 counting the offensive controls we've seen elsewhere).

http://media.xbox.ign.com/media/890/890438/vids_1.html

The Kicking game as well as the Campus Legend appear to be very similar to last year with seemingly only minor additions. However, on defense, they've added new defensive hot routes including QB contain for DEs & Smart Zone for LBs & CBs. These are definitely going to be great additions IMO.

[CaneBone]

anybody else concerned yet as to how WIDE open everyone was on the fake field goals - including the holder himself?

[cdj]

The additions to defensive play are VERY welcome, IMO. To me, my two biggest gripes in previous current-gen editions was the inability to stop QBs from rolling out and the deep ball. If these work even half as well as intended, the game should be improved dramatically.

[redandblack]

Thank God the momentum meter is gone.

[Keith1212]

Thank God the momentum meter is gone.
LOL its definitely still there.

[redandblack]

LOL its definitely still there.
I didn't see it.

[cdj]

I didn't see it.

In the beginning of the special teams clip, you can see Boise's meter at about 1/8 full.

[redandblack]

In the beginning of the special teams clip, you can see Boise's meter at about 1/8 full.
Well then I most likely won't be buying this piece of shit game unless momentum is turned way down.

[BDawg35]

Thank God the momentum meter is gone.
My guess is it'll be toned down to a more acceptable level this year. That's the lifecycle for all EA features: Overblown to insane proportions the first year, toned down to a fairly realistic level the second year. Even at that, we'll get Lead by Example this year, which I fear will turn your 65 OVR defensive end into a raging beast because your 98 OVR outside linebacker made a few user tackles.

[wvfan14]

Special teams are the same.

The thing that pisses me off the most is that Campus Legend mode is exactly the same. [evil] No high school playoffs, just the same old same old.

The defensive additions look good, and will help my game greatly, but unless dynasty mode is something great, I will probably be disappointed. (With all the hype of the next-gen version)



Fuck EA. [evil]

[husker_blitz]

The additions to defensive play are VERY welcome, IMO. To me, my two biggest gripes in previous current-gen editions was the inability to stop QBs from rolling out and the deep ball. If these work even half as well as intended, the game should be improved dramatically.
Agreed.

[talon owl]

Defensive additions are certainly welcome and should help online play.

However, the offensive additions will most likely be disastrous for online play, so not much real progress made by EA. I mean, really, the QBs did not need anymore help breaking tackles or completing passes outside of the pocket.

[talon owl]

Special teams are the same.


Is abort kick in '07?

[JeffHCross]

Is abort kick in '07?Current gen, yes.

[kidzer0918]

the special teams video also showcases how much Oklahoma got screwed this year. They made the Onside Kick examples against Oregon, and the field goal fake against BSU.

I also noticed that Campus legend is the same so i wonder what other features got left out of current gen. when playing Legend mode do we play as the whole team or just the player.(or is that just next gen) do we get to simulate parts of the game where we are not playing? come on EA toss us a bone we can chew.

[JeffHCross]

the special teams video also showcases how much Oklahoma got screwed this year. They made the Onside Kick examples against Oregon, and the field goal fake against BSU.Well, at least the onside kick was Oregon vs Oregon St ... but good catch, I didn't notice that.

[rhombic21]

I'm a pretty cynical guy, but the QB Contain and smart zones = sweet, ESPECIALLY for online play. QB contain has me especially excited, because they do what has been lacking thus far. It's like a spy route, but the DE will actually attack the QB when he breaks the pocket. Looks really good to me.

Smart zones also look pretty good, but I'll have to see how they work to pass a judgement. If the deep zones are still useless at covering downfield (streaks and corners in particular), then smart zones will be pretty worthless. If the deep zone coverages actually work, then this feature could be pretty sweet.

Also, did anybody notice that the dreaded kick return camera appears to be gone, at least according to that special teams video? I sure hope that we're done with that thing. It was almost impossible to return kicks, punts, and INTs last year if a defender had an angle on you and you needed to make somebody miss.

[JeffHCross]

Also, did anybody notice that the dreaded kick return camera appears to be gone, at least according to that special teams video?Current-gen video. Kick camera is next-gen.

[Keith1212]

Current-gen video. Kick camera is next-gen.
The kick camera is in current-gen. At least it was last year('07).

[rhombic21]

Jeff, kick camera was current gen last year.

I'm talking about the special camera that happened on returns in current gen last year. See the punt return in this video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zaYB7CMtL10

[JeffHCross]

Sorry guys, I meant "kick return camera", not kick camera.

Strange, I just looked at several vids from NCAA 07 on current gen and the kick return camera wasn't there. My mistake.

[wvfan14]

This has gotten disappointing, as said before. I feel like a rant is coming on.

Campus Legend mode was all hyped up on next-gen, but then was not even different on current-gen. Dynasty mode hasen't been revealed yet, but since it's my favorite game mode I'll wait for info.

The defensive changes look great, while the offense are sub-par (aside from the highlight stick, which can either be good or disasterous).

Hopefully they will unveil new info or the Leadership control will be amazing or this will be a slightly improved version of 07 to me.

[JeffHCross]

this will be a slightly improved version of 07 to me.Place your bets on this one. Same thing happened when they moved from PS to PS2.

[Fluff E Bunny]

Wow...they implemented DE contain in the dumbest way possible. Even in contain, a DE is still responsible for rushing upfield and attacking the QB. Not rushing out wide and just standing there like a fucking idiot.

[DVALLEY]

Wow...they implemented DE contain in the dumbest way possible. Even in contain, a DE is still responsible for rushing upfield and attacking the QB. Not rushing out wide and just standing there like a fucking idiot.

Actually, I would rather them sit. Attacking a faster QB, while taking on a block, will lead to poor containment most of the time.

[JeffHCross]

Actually, I would rather them sit. Attacking a faster QB, while taking on a block, will lead to poor containment most of the time.Agreed. While it may not make the most sense from a play calling standpoint, I would rather see DE Contain implemented that way than try to emulate true "DEs, you have contain" logic. Hell, when real life players try to do contain properly I see them failing more than succeeding, so I'm happy with this hot route. It'll at least cut down on the scramble and chuck so many have complained about on here.

[rhombic21]

Actually, I would rather them sit. Attacking a faster QB, while taking on a block, will lead to poor containment most of the time.

This is indeed what happens.

http://www.zshare.net/video/2120745618b79c/

Several times on that video, I spread and looped the DL, and the DE still ends up getting locked up with the OT and losing contain.

[rhombic21]

This has gotten disappointing, as said before. I feel like a rant is coming on.

Campus Legend mode was all hyped up on next-gen, but then was not even different on current-gen. Dynasty mode hasen't been revealed yet, but since it's my favorite game mode I'll wait for info.

The defensive changes look great, while the offense are sub-par (aside from the highlight stick, which can either be good or disasterous).

Hopefully they will unveil new info or the Leadership control will be amazing or this will be a slightly improved version of 07 to me.

I never quite understand this mindset. The real area for improvement isn't with new modes or new control options, but rather with gameplay. Personally, I'm hoping that the leadership mode will be as toned down as possible, and that some of the other "features" will be toned down as well. I will tend to agree that we're not likely to see revolutionary changes this year, but if they somehow manage to improve gameplay, I don't think you can call it a "slightly improved version of 07."

[JeffHCross]

I never quite understand this mindset. The real area for improvement isn't with new modes or new control options, but rather with gameplay.I'm sure you've noticed this by now rhombic, but a lot of people don't understand this mindset. I'd bet that the majority of NCAA players, particularly the majority of the online subset, find NCAA's overall gameplay just fine. So, while to you and I "enhanced realism and gameplay" would be a great feature to tout, for the majority of players it'd be "I payed $60 for the same features? Wtf?"

[rhombic21]

I'd bet that the majority of NCAA players, particularly the majority of the online subset, find NCAA's overall gameplay just fine.
I'd disagree there pretty sharply. Almost everybody in the online community agrees that gameplay is horrible, with the slight exception of SOME east room cheesers. But those guys are actually the minority in online mode. I have actually talked with several east room guys that don't play sim style ball, but still recognize that gameplay is pretty bad. They cheese because they want to win, but that doesn't mean that they think gameplay is great.

Online mode exposes more of the gameplay flaws than any other mode out there. When you're playing against the computer, as dynasty players do, you're more likely not to notice things as much because your opponent isn't exploiting things all game. Also, the computer is easier to beat, and as a result the games are a lot less frustrating.

[talon owl]

I'm a pretty cynical guy, but the QB Contain and smart zones = sweet, ESPECIALLY for online play. QB contain has me especially excited, because they do what has been lacking thus far. It's like a spy route, but the DE will actually attack the QB when he breaks the pocket. Looks really good to me.


Too bad they also added the ability for the QB to break 8 sack attempt tackles, then roll out of the pocket and redirect a receiver to the hole in the coverage. We shall see which way the cookie crumbles between the offensive/defensive additions.

[Fluff E Bunny]

This is indeed what happens.

http://www.zshare.net/video/2120745618b79c/

Several times on that video, I spread and looped the DL, and the DE still ends up getting locked up with the OT and losing contain.

The problem, though, is that the game doesn't implement shedding blocks properly, as would happen in real life. Even worse, it doesn't reflect what in real life would be a holding call when the OT and DE get in that stalemate block animation (because in real life the DE would shed away from the OT and the only way they'd be stuck like that is if the OT was holding).

If they just give the DE's proper technique, they don't need what amounts to a hack.

[rhombic21]

Fluff, you are right, but I'm guessing that doing what you describe is fairly complicated. You'd have to design a completely new pass rush logic, and a new pass protection logic.

They really need to add a whole slew of speed rush moves by DEs. Right now DEs all basically use power moves (spin moves, bull rush, etc...), and you don't really see a lot of speed rushing off the edge be very effective. Part of the problem with DEs getting sucked inside is that they're trying to use a swim/spin move to get inside the OT, instead of trying to rush around him. So as the DE is spinning/swimming back to the inside, the QB is sprinting to the outside.

In the interim, I'm pretty happy with this as a solution.

[adder30]

Some of that stuff seemed cool, but when Nessler said "now you'll be more likely to go the distance on any play.... I hope to see you in the end zone more often in '08" I died a little inside.

But you can never tell too much from these videos.

[durd2817]

Who was that in the punt rooskie clip for Oklahoma and what kind of speed does he have?

I'm asking because I'm hoping the speed cheat is gone.

[Fluff E Bunny]

Fluff, you are right, but I'm guessing that doing what you describe is fairly complicated. You'd have to design a completely new pass rush logic, and a new pass protection logic.

They really need to add a whole slew of speed rush moves by DEs. Right now DEs all basically use power moves (spin moves, bull rush, etc...), and you don't really see a lot of speed rushing off the edge be very effective. Part of the problem with DEs getting sucked inside is that they're trying to use a swim/spin move to get inside the OT, instead of trying to rush around him. So as the DE is spinning/swimming back to the inside, the QB is sprinting to the outside.

In the interim, I'm pretty happy with this as a solution.

The combination of a DE sitting out on the perimeter passive and alone with a fast QB and the new QB evade feature does not, IMHO, bode well for stopping scramblers.

They just need to have the DE's shed blocks (ie, get rid of the suction blocking we've all been complaining about for years now) and take proper attack and pursuit angles.

Yes, the rare Mike Vick's of the world will still be able to get around most DE's. That's life. But the Chad Henne's of the world will be toast, as they should be.

[rhombic21]

Chad Henne's aren't the problem. The problem is that fast QBs with mediocre arms are way too effective throwing the ball.

[wvfan14]

I never quite understand this mindset. The real area for improvement isn't with new modes or new control options, but rather with gameplay. Personally, I'm hoping that the leadership mode will be as toned down as possible, and that some of the other "features" will be toned down as well. I will tend to agree that we're not likely to see revolutionary changes this year, but if they somehow manage to improve gameplay, I don't think you can call it a "slightly improved version of 07."

Yes, but it seems as if the new running game is only for next-gen, which I found as one of my problems. They haven't mentioned wether deep streaks would be fixed either.

I play dynasty mode alot, so naturally I want to see something new each year on it. With all the hype of new features on next-gen, these little features such as QB evade (which I can accomplish without a button doing it for me) seem small compared to the next-gen improvements.

[wvfan14]

From looking at the Campus Legend video, it looks like some of the ranked teams are:

#9 WVU
#10 Louisville
#11 Miami
#12 FSU
#13 Penn State

BTW, what is a formation bonus?

[Raagers]

A huge mistake on EA's part is putting that big-ass notification on the bottom left of your screen, letting everyone know that you have just called a defensive hot route. It is better than not having this stuff, but when you have selected a defender and then "Defensive hot route" pops up in yellow on the screen, the other person knows exactly what you are doing. I hated this last year and they are doing it again. They should just make your controller slightly vibrate to affirm your hot route.

Did anyone notice the new player rating graph at the LOS? They have 3 colors now: Green, Orange, and Red. It looked like the players had one of the three colors as their aura. The old system was good but you could hardly discern a 89OVR from a 99OVR. I don't see how this will be any different. It will just look different.

Random thought: One thing I don't like about the NCAA ratings is that tall WRs are 1000 better than the shorter ones. A short guy may have the same OVR as a taller WR, but the taller guy will be a lot better.

[JeffHCross]

A huge mistake on EA's part is putting that big-ass notification on the bottom left of your screen, letting everyone know that you have just called a defensive hot route. It is better than not having this stuff, but when you have selected a defender and then "Defensive hot route" pops up in yellow on the screen, the other person knows exactly what you are doing. I hated this last year and they are doing it again.Regarding graphic notification in general: The only issue I have with this is that it doesn't show for the defense. It's OBVIOUS to me that the CPU knows when I've called an audible. Hot Routes not so much ... but audibles, definitely. How else can you explain the defense changing formation when I call an audible from the same formation I'm currently in? I don't mind the notifications, as long as they're even.

Oh, and they can't just do vibrate. PS3 would lose out completely.

Random thought: One thing I don't like about the NCAA ratings is that tall WRs are 1000 better than the shorter ones. A short guy may have the same OVR as a taller WR, but the taller guy will be a lot better.Not always. I've used several shorter WRs in the slot and it's worked very well. Tall slot receivers don't work nearly as well as short quick ones.

[Raagers]

Regarding graphic notification in general: The only issue I have with this is that it doesn't show for the defense. It's OBVIOUS to me that the CPU knows when I've called an audible. Hot Routes not so much ... but audibles, definitely. How else can you explain the defense changing formation when I call an audible from the same formation I'm currently in? I don't mind the notifications, as long as they're even.

Oh, and they can't just do vibrate. PS3 would lose out completely.

Not always. I've used several shorter WRs in the slot and it's worked very well. Tall slot receivers don't work nearly as well as short quick ones.

I was mainly talking of when you are playing UservsUser (not online.) The other person can see your cursor on a player and then a def hot route notification sign to the left. I think he knows what is going on. Do they have a reset audible button, kind of like the reset audible :ps2_sq: :ps2_l2: I believe is the combo. :ps2_tri: :ps2_l2: would be the hot route version. I'm not sure if you can do that. If you could do that and they def hot route notifier came up, then they would give you enough to guard against the other player knowing what is going on. I'm not sure you can do that though.

Why would PS3 lose out on vibration?

Some of the shorter WRs work well in the slot because they are typically fast. However, EA pretty much gives high SPD ratings indiscriminately, especially to the top programs, so some 84OVR tall WRs become ultimate weapons on offense and play like 93OVRs. Toss'em a few bones with HFA on and their rating can go up a potential +10 and add another possible +5 for momentum and you have about 80% of the reason as to why I get frustrated with this game.

[JeffHCross]

Why would PS3 lose out on vibration?Because PS3 controllers don't have it.

Toss'em a few bones with HFA on and their rating can go up a potential +10 and add another possible +5 for momentum and you have about 80% of the reason as to why I get frustrated with this game.Ah. One thing to keep in mind is that I got so frustrated by 07 that I've gone back, yet again, to 2004. So I don't have to worry about NFA or momentum.

[Raagers]

Because PS3 controllers don't have it.

Ah. One thing to keep in mind is that I got so frustrated by 07 that I've gone back, yet again, to 2004. So I don't have to worry about NFA or momentum.

PS3 has no vibration? Why in the world is that the case?

[Fluff E Bunny]

PS3 has no vibration? Why in the world is that the case?

Because Sony was too cheap to pay the patent holder for it (it would have made the console even more expensive). They have since settled the issue with the patent holder so they can release rumble in new controllers.

[JeffHCross]

PS3 has no vibration? Why in the world is that the case?Haven't followed PS3 much, have you? (Not meant as an insult, just observation ... the lack of vibration was a pretty big controversy before release) No, standard PS3 controllers do not have vibration (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/09/new-ps3-controller-loses-dualshock-vibration/).

There's reportedly a new revised controller coming out that will have vibration, but the standard PS3 controllers do not. As such, no game made for the PS3 could rely on vibration being there.

[WKUsSledgehammer]

Good for PS3. I always turn that off. It adds nothing to the game for me, and eats through wireless controller batteries like you can't believe.

[Fluff E Bunny]

Good for PS3. I always turn that off. It adds nothing to the game for me, and eats through wireless controller batteries like you can't believe.

I turn it off when it isn't implemented well in a game. Meaning, if they rumble for the sake of rumble, that shit gets turned off (NCAA is one of the games I turn it off for, it adds nothing).

But, for games where they have made it an additive part of the experience, I will leave it on. Its all about execution.

[collegesports]

I always hated the damn vibration.

[JeffHCross]

Personally, I like the vibration just because it adds that one extra sense. But then again, I don't really miss it when it's not there.

Rez is the only game I'm going to miss it for. Don't know what I'm going to do to play Rez on my PS3.

[Raagers]

I turn it off when it isn't implemented well in a game. Meaning, if they rumble for the sake of rumble, that shit gets turned off (NCAA is one of the games I turn it off for, it adds nothing).

But, for games where they have made it an additive part of the experience, I will leave it on. Its all about execution.

On Current-Gen they use the vibration to confirm your selection of a new audible on the play call screen. I believe if you hold R2 (maybe it is L2?) and the button of the play you want to assign as one of your audibles (can only do [], X, and /\, not L1 or R1) it does the trick. That is a great feature and a great way to set up your 3 main audibles at any time in case your opponent is audibling his defense constantly or for many other reasons.

I had no clue the PS3 has no vibration. It's not a deal-breaker, but clever programmers have found some cool ways to implement it.

[Tony 4 MVP]

I'm not too sure you guys are gonna like the highlight stick , if they do it like they did madden's highlight stick then its going to be very unrealistic.