Only months before the expected release of NCAA Football 11, we finally have some information on what will be included. Most of the changes are features that should have been included in previous versions that they are finally addressing. Here’s the short list:
Referees
Gang Tackles
Auto save
Autoloading of rosters from one mode to the next
Formation subs
New equipment including the “Revolution Speed Helmet”, knees braces, and more
Bowls are a single week in online dynasty
Dynamic conference logos
Numbers on helmets
There’s nothing too big here to get excited about. However,I’m impressed that they’re finally addressing some of the most wanted features. This could be the year that NCAA Football 11 becomes the true “next-gen” game that we have all expected.
Here in the NCAA Football community, we’ve seen our fair share of lawsuits from has-been players trying to make a buck off of EA and the NCAA. However, it’s been a while since we’ve seen a case get as much press as the one below:
Being that EA’s exclusive license will run out sometime during 2010, it’s hard to say what will happen to the game. Sales have been down over the past few years despite a better gaming experience. Will EA start shipping games with base rosters and ask the community to make updates to the rosters / ratings? Please voice your opinion in the comments.
Wow! Where in the world have I been? According to the guys over at ncaastrategies.com, a third patch has been released for both PS3 and XBOX 360. Please see this link for more information.
One of the biggest complaints about the NCAA Football series is the lack of emotion, drama, storyline, and presentation. With the article below, I have detailed several items that could make the overall experience with NCAA Football ‘11 more unique.
***All of the below was seen only a few plays into the BCS National Championship between LSU and Ohio State:
Show an upclose shot of the 2 returners fixing their gloves, pointing at the sideline, or jumping up and down.
Show an upclose shot of the cheerleaders.
Show the kicker setting up the tee and backing up while the referee blows the whistle (if it’s windy, have the ball fall over and watch the kicker reset it).
When the kick is in the air, show a panning shot of the entire stadium from left to right. Right before the player catches the ball, swing the camera behind the return man.
After the kickoff presentation:
Show the entire offensive team huddled up with the coach or the coordinator
Display the “This Season” stats as the QB walks up to the line:
Before a play begins, show a tight view from the sideline that includes a graphical 1st & 10 marker on the field (yellow line & red arrows):
After the first play presentation:
Show a graphic of the offense:
After the second play presentation:
Show a graphic of the defensive players
After a first down presentation:
Show a pan and scan of the band
After a touchdown:
More team animations (players run from up the field & celebrate with the player)
Pan and scan the band
Pan and scan the fans celebrating (preferably up close…just a few fans)
Show the opposing coach getting pissed off and angry at his coordinators (alternatively, show him throwing his clipboard, standing there with his arms folded, just shaking his head…there’s a million things here…)
Show the player that got the touchdown running off of the field with a stat overlay:
After the play presentation:
Show the players slapping each other’s helmets (butts for that matter)
Helping each other dig themselves out of a pile
Show the QB looking at the sideline for the next play
Show the QB looking at his playbook wrist chart
Split screen presentation:
Show opposing quarterbacks, show opposing coaches, show a DB and WR. This is common when the announcers are talking about specific matchups.
Here’s what I envision when there’s a really good LB facing off against a good QB:
(On one side of the screen, show the QB in the huddle with his team. On the the side of the screen, show the LB talking to his players about assignments.)
Brad: “We’re really going to have to watch this matchup between the linebacker and the quarterback. These two guys are some of the best in their positions.”
Kirk: “That’s right Brad. Quarterbacks really hate worrying about getting sacked by the defensive line. Now, the Quarterback also needs to be conscious of the linebacker at all times. You never know when this team will throw a blitz into the mix.”
If the defensive player made a good play on the ball, then show them getting up and celebrating. In NCAA Football ‘10, the camera always sticks to the offensive player with them “struggling to get up”.
This is by no means a “cumulative” list of what should be added to the presentation. Rather, this is essentially the ideas I got after watching about 10 minutes of the BCS Championship game. There’s no reason why any or all of these items shouldn’t be added to NCAA Football ‘11. Do you have more ideas? Sound off in the comments!
