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NCAA Football 2009 - Cal-related thoughts

Tedford_south_park_sml_tiny by calbearz24 on

I've only played one game vs. stanfUrd on Varsity/normal difficulty on X360.  Interesting note: I picked Cal as my favorite team (obviously) and the "Play Now" option opens with a rivalry game of $C at Cal, instead of Cal-stanfUrd.

- I wasn't a huge fan before but the new unis look great.  I played with the gold jerseys/blue pants.  The paw on the back of the helmet with the number inside it is a nice touch and so is the script California on the lower rear part (see the picture), but I could do without the stripe/spike.  I can't think of any other school with similar unis.  The claw marks on the shoulders stand out in the game, but we'll see how they are in real life next month.

- NO OSKI!  After scoring a TD, I ran around looking for him to celebrate, but he's nowhere to be found.  Unthinkable.

Star-divide

- I was 2 for 2 in the red zone, with 1 TD and then 1 FG just before half, for 200% efficiency.  That isn't a typo, it said 200 after I made the FG.  Later it correctly said 100%.

- I think this is the same as last year, but the Memorial crowd mostly wears gold and it looks great.  Yet another example of what a gold out would look like (I'm looking at you, Cal Athletic Dept.).  Let's make it happen!

- The player animations seem smoother than last year.  On a few of the tackles, the ballcarrier had his leg pinned underneath him for what looked like a sure knee or ankle injury, but he was fine.  The animation for a ballcarrier getting his legs taken out from under him is good.

- You can only select the jersey color.  The Cal options are: blue with gold pants, white with blue pants, gold with blue pants.  No white pants at all.  I would've liked to have blue on blue and white on white as options.

- Cal has male cheerleaders (as in previous versions w/cheerleaders) and no Cal logos on the unis.  They also ran across the end zone after a TD with flags spelling out BEARS.  What?

- Tavita Pritchard is far too accurate and the 'fUrd o-line's pass blocking is fantastic.  In other words, the AI sliders need adjusting.

- The Cal roster has problems.  I used an in-game downloadable roster from Gamertag EARosters.com, which I think only named the players and did not adjust any ratings.

1. James Montgomery is the #1 RB in front of Best.  I changed him to Slocum, since he isn't in the game.  Vereen and Deboskie are #3 and #4.  I changed Montgomery/Slocum's ratings to be slightly lower than Vereen, so Vereen moves up to #2.

2. Calvin is the worst-rated WR, even below all of the incoming freshmen.  Did EA not do any research at all?

3. Cunningham is the highest rated WR.  Boateng is #2.

4. Ross isn't even on the roster.  I changed Satchell (sp?), one of the freshman WRs, to Ross and made him a Soph.  You can edit the player's year so that helps.  You still can't add duplicate numbers for offense/defense.

5. Ladner is the #1 TE with Morrah #2.  Curran isn't in the game.

6. Somehow Nate has a higher Break Tackle rating than Riley.

7. Syd and Hagan are rated equally.  Conte was the 5th or 6th best CB.

8. Anger's ratings don't reflect the reviews I've been reading.

9. They made Mike Mohamed black.

10. Incoming QB Sweeney is rated higher than Mansion.

11. (Every kick begins with) Kay is the only kicker.  The walk-on (forgot his name) isn't there.  I guess I'll be editing that one later.

 

That's all I can think of at 2:45 AM.  What did you notice/enjoy/dislike?

The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!

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Play Now

I jumped in and out of the Play Now option a few times and it gave me either $C or the ‘fUrd, so it swaps between your rivals. Nice to see $C as a rival, but I thought fUCLA would be one also.

by calbearz24 on Jul 16, 2008 2:55 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

break tackle ratings

It actually makes sense that Longshore would have a higher rating in that category than Riley; while it might be easier to get to a statue in the pocket, it’s not necessarily easier to tackle one.

I remember reading an article a while back about big-time sack players in the NFL being asked who was the hardest quarterback to bring down, and one of them (forgot who) said the King of NFL Immobility, Drew Bledsoe. That’s a head-scratcher initially, until that player went on to clarify that he meant literally bring down. And while it’s probably infinitely easier to reach a guy like Bledsoe or Longshore, it’s probably much tougher to actually get him to hit the ground.

I'm still wondering why the Nets didn't draft Leon Powe.

by yellow fever on Jul 16, 2008 5:11 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Yeah

I totally agree with that thinking and don’t think it’s incorrect to give Longshore a higher break tackle rating.

I <3 Longshore

by HydroTech on Jul 16, 2008 7:36 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You wouldn’t think it incorrect to give Longshore a higher Divinity rating, Hydro!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 16, 2008 7:43 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Oh, burn!

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Jul 16, 2008 8:11 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

New post-joke saying:

COUNT IT!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 16, 2008 8:14 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

man

You totally got that from the Superficial. Doesn’t make it any less awesome though.

I'm still wondering why the Nets didn't draft Leon Powe.

by yellow fever on Jul 16, 2008 10:16 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yknow what? It’d be easier for you to go through this blog and create a list of things I didn’t steal from the Superficial.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 16, 2008 10:25 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'm guessing you also stole

That one apostrophe too.

I'm still wondering why the Nets didn't draft Leon Powe.

by yellow fever on Jul 17, 2008 1:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

i see what you mean. i guess i was thinking more in terms of escapability. that’s what i get for trying to write at 2:45 am.

by calbearz24 on Jul 16, 2008 7:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

What you’re thinking of is the “elusiveness” rating. I would think Riley would have a higher elusiveness rating than Longshore.

I <3 Longshore

by HydroTech on Jul 16, 2008 8:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

“9. They made Mike Mohamed black.”

That is HI-larious!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 16, 2008 7:28 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

3rd Party Roster problems

There was a news post on the gaming blog Kotaku about that. Personally, I think the roster uses the old roster architecture from last year. There could have been changes to the roster code since last year’s game, hence why in-game rosters are messed up in some cases.

Anyway, the game is still awesome as usual. And yes, the animations are really well done this year.

by Swamphunter on Jul 16, 2008 9:17 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

I'm still debating if I should get this...

I have 08 and that game pissed me off to no end and from all the reviews it looks like this game is not much different.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 16, 2008 10:03 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

once some updated slider settings for the AI come out, it should be better. the ‘fUrd d-line should not be able to tackle Best when he’s bursting through a gaping hole in the line, but it happened more than a few times. the touch passes are much better this year, though. last year was horrible in that respect.

by calbearz24 on Jul 16, 2008 7:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I don’t think I’m going to get it. The thing that bothers me about this game is that EA fails to fix basic problems while putting new bells and whistles into the game. I mean, before they put in fancier modes, mini-games, replay angles or whatever, they should be fixing gameplay. Gameplay first and foremost should be their #1 priority yet gameplay is always sub-par when compared to Madden. Madden is always a year ahead of NCAA Football in terms of gameplay. I just can’t persuade myself to buy NCAA when the gameplay in Madden is just so much better.

I <3 Longshore

by HydroTech on Jul 16, 2008 8:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Sweet Icon calbearz

I don’t play any video games other than Mario Kart, but wanted to say I dig the ‘con.

by CalBandGreat on Jul 16, 2008 11:54 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Also

Where are they playing in that screenshot? It looks like a random park in the Alameda Navy Base.

by CalBandGreat on Jul 16, 2008 11:55 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

It’s practice mode

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 16, 2008 12:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

thanks. i saw some article, last season maybe, that had the south park version of every pac-10 head coach. for some reason i only saved tedford.

by calbearz24 on Jul 16, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I got the PS3 version, has some of the same problems, though the game play is pretty fantastic. There’s supposed to be a patch coming out within the next week to take care of the roster problems, and a 2nd patch by early August. I don’t seem to have any problems with Bryan Anger (mostly 50 yard punts, but I shanked a couple playing that special teams challenge).

I believe everybody is noticing the AI completing passes at a really high rate, even I was completing around 80% on All-American, using a combination of Riley/Longshore, though thats partially a product of my style of play, throwing some 15-20 passes a game to RBs/TEs..

Some of the roster problems might be taken care of via the 3rd parties, some of worked of dev kits. There are name updates for PS3 yet, people are waiting for the first patch release

All in all, if you’re planning on buying it, wait until the patches get released, unless you’re just desperate for football like I was.

by 408 on Jul 17, 2008 8:25 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

I should add that the pass rush also seems to be generally weaker in this game than in years past, at least it seems that way to me. I generally take 5+ sacks a game in both Madden and NCAA, but in the 3 games I’ve played so far(‘Furd, MSU, Wazzu), I’ve only taken 5 sacks total.

by 408 on Jul 17, 2008 8:31 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

as a former employee of the video game industry

i really hate that it’s acceptable practice to put out buggy software and then plan on releasing several patches to fix the bugs you should have fixed before you put the software out in the first place. what’s worse, people accept this and even expect it. i know the whole thing is driven by marketing people and sales people and not software people, and sports games in particular are on annual schedules, but it still sucks that people are willing to shell out $50 for what is essentially broken and incomplete software.

demand better, people!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Jul 17, 2008 9:19 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

No, I think I’ll demand less.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 17, 2008 9:27 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Less is more! Less is more!

I want crappy graphics, and flawed gameplay. Take away franchise mode and give me only exhibition games. Take away. Take away the hit stick and bring back Tecmo Bowl and it’s two button and d pad controls.

No, no, seriously bring back Tecmo bowl. Bo knows.

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Jul 17, 2008 9:44 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Every once in a while I’ll play the original NFL Blitz. I still maintain that its the greatest football video game ever, in spite of all the players having identical sizes and the rubberband AI.

by 408 on Jul 17, 2008 10:22 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

HUGE FREAKIN PROBLEM

So far in the menus “Fight On” has played twice. My ears have yet to stop bleeding.

by 408 on Jul 18, 2008 10:39 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

RETURN THE GAME IMMEDIATELY AND RETAIN A LAWYER FOR A PERSONAL INJURY CASE.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 19, 2008 7:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I tried to

But apparently Satanic possession of my game disc isn’t a valid reason for return

by 408 on Jul 19, 2008 11:58 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

oh god i just picked up this game and also have had to hear ‘fight on’ 3 times in 2 minutes. also, during the first quarter of the michigan state game, a tree sitter managed to lob some poop onto one of my waterboys.

by Itchy25 on Jul 19, 2008 12:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Well, it should!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 19, 2008 4:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Dear god this game pisses me off

I bought it as an impulse buy today

1) Roster glitch.
2) Cal depth chart sucks balls
2) No oski
3) Where the eff is the pass rush? Up EA’s ass?
5) Human offense/defense sliders control the CPUs!
6) The CPU defense is more retarded than comic book henchmen. They just sit there and wait for the WRs to run by them.

When they say “Wide Open Gameplay” they mean “the WRs are always wide open gameplay”.

Fuck EA.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 20, 2008 1:17 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Harumph!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 20, 2008 7:59 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

nice!

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 20, 2008 11:29 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Did you get it for 360 or PS3?

I got it for PS3 and had no problems editing the rosters myself, but I’m waiting for a reliable full file to pop up on EA Locker. The rest of the concerns, I share as well. Though I think the sack numbers have actually stabilized to a more realistic 2-3 sacks a game.

by 408 on Jul 20, 2008 10:22 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

360. I have all systems but EA once again decided to screw over us poor Nintendo fans with a crappy Wii port and I have more friends on the 360 than a PS3.

As for sack numbers it always seems like I can jump the snap and get close to the QB before a guard holds me down and the QB dumps the ball for another 5yd gain. I only got one sack and that was because the MSU QB was stupidly waiting when he had 3 WRs open.

As for the CBs and SSs if you take a look at the replay you can see them let their assignments walk right by them with no movement at all by the defenders.

I do love the Stadium sounds though. And the Cal stadium finally has the “BOOM” sound from the canyon after every TD.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 20, 2008 11:32 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yeah there are AI problems, and it always seems like whenever I drop my Linebackers in zone, especially with Worrell Williams, they seem to get drilled in the back of the head with the ball. I don’t know if the 2nd patch will come out before I have to head back up to Berkeley, but I’m hoping there will be some corrections.

by 408 on Jul 20, 2008 2:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

im having an interesting time just controlling the players on defense. To me it almost feels as though my defenders are on ice skates…

by Itchy25 on Jul 20, 2008 3:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You aren’t playing EA NHL Hockey, are you? You might want to check into that.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 20, 2008 3:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

it turns out i was playing world of warcraft!

by Itchy25 on Jul 20, 2008 5:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

How embarassing!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 20, 2008 5:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

on so many, many levels.

by Itchy25 on Jul 21, 2008 11:11 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

NCAA Football used to be my favorite game. But I’ve slowly come to dislike it. The gameplay just isn’t what I know EA is capable of thus it frustrates me to no end.

I <3 Longshore

by HydroTech on Jul 20, 2008 4:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I’ve been following the game industry for too long that I’ve built up a connection of numerous skeptical and tired industry folks that tell me stories of EA that make me wonder why they haven’t been hit with a anti-trust suit yet.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 20, 2008 11:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

EA hatewagon, HO!

To tell the truth, most of those stories are out of date and blown out of proportion.

They have become a better company overall, but the sports field needs better developers.

by Swamphunter on Jul 21, 2008 5:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

still, as long as such stories persist, EA will have trouble hiring better developers. besides, compared to other software gigs, video games companies pay terribly.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Jul 21, 2008 5:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

No, they don't, but whatever.

I’m not gonna get into an argument over this, so you can go ahead and think what you want to think.

And anyone who looks to the “horror stories” from four years ago is just looking at them as an excuse to keep hating. :P

by Swamphunter on Jul 21, 2008 6:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

not trying to hate, dude

perhaps things have changed since i’ve worked in the industry. it’s been awhile, i’ll grant you that.

and if EA is indeed a better company, i’m sure it will show up in the games they produce. personally, i’ve wasted entirely too much of my life already playing Tiger Woods ‘08 for the Wii, so i gotta give them props for that.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Jul 21, 2008 6:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Not trying either, friend.

I’m just tired of wherever NCAA or Madden goes, there’s always someone saying, “OMG EA IS TEH WORST GAMES COMPANY EVAR.”
They clearly weren’t around during the LJN-SNES or the Atari 5200 eras.

by Swamphunter on Jul 21, 2008 6:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hey! What do you have against Atari 5200??

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 21, 2008 7:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Personally?

Nothing.

My work friends said that they hated it, though. I only used it as an example.

by Swamphunter on Jul 21, 2008 7:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Dude, allow me to let you in on a little secret round here. Stick to Atari 5199 or 5201. You do NOT mock Atari 5200. Got it?

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 21, 2008 8:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

oh man LJN

They made the God awful WWF games in the early 90’s. Though I do have to say I enjoyed WWF Raw for SNES…even though it was basically the same game as WWF Royal Rumble for SNES with finishers.

I'm still wondering why the Nets didn't draft Leon Powe.

by yellow fever on Jul 22, 2008 10:12 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Protip:

Blame Tiburon. Not the entire company.

Dead Space and Mirror’s Edge look awesome.

by Swamphunter on Jul 21, 2008 5:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Mirror’s Edge is DICE. EA fucked up DICE and BF2142. EA fucked up Westwood studios. EA fucked up my beloved Harry Potter license. EA has an exclusive contract on NFL and NCAA games which are good for no one. My informant worked for EA until last year so it’s not an old “horror story”

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 21, 2008 9:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Bawwww.

And yet they make more money than you ever will.

Your “informant” is probably some teenager posing as someone who actually works hard to put in nine-to-five work hours a day.

by Swamphunter on Jul 22, 2008 12:02 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Of course they make more money I’m no corporation ;)
And yes my informant is the son of an EA janitor (am I joking? Maybe. There’s something I want to say but I think it’s better if this discussion is stopped)

I still hate NCAA09. Even more so that Temple beat me (Texas – I was trying to achievement whore) yesterday :|

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 22, 2008 9:53 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

First awesome game I had

I was playing as Cal against Missouri (in the Holiday Bowl) in my dynasty. Difficulty All American, sliders default.

I start Nate Longshore.
First quarter Nate throws a pick six. I run back the kickoff. 7-7
Second Quarter I stop Missouri at their 40 and they nail a field goal. I decide to go for it on 4th down and Best gets stopped inches away from the 1st down marker. They punt. Nate gets sacked in the end zone for a safety. 12-7 Missouri
Third Quarter they start out with a 3 and out and punt. I put Riley in who throws a 45yd pass to Jones for the lead. Missouri comes back strong with their own TD. Riley throws a pick. Missouri punts. Riley fumbles on an option play. Missouri punts. 19-14 Missouri
Fourth Quarter Riley starts by throwing a pick six. I bench Riley and put Longshore back in who responds with a… fumble on the 2yd line. Thankfully Follet sacks the Missouri QB (my first sack yay!) on their 7yd line. Next play Best takes it in for a Cal TD. 2 minutes left. Missouri runs the ball well and gets to their 40. Tries for a field goal and misses it. I get the ball with 45 seconds left on the clock and all time outs remaining and Best gets injured on a screen pass (and drops the ball). Longshore converts a 4th down. With 10 seconds left on the clock Longshore throws a 40yd pass to Boateng who makes a diving catch in the endzone for the lead. I kick off the Missouri who nearly take it all the way back but I stop him at my 30 to preserve victory.

Cal wins 28-26

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 22, 2008 10:07 AM PDT reply reply   0 recs

I suck at this game. Way too many interceptions and fumbles lol. And Missouri had no turnovers. I just got lucky they missed their FG and Boateng made that catch.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You had me on the edge of my seat!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jul 22, 2008 10:39 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Unlike you I can’t write. That’s why I’m doing EECS :p

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Jul 22, 2008 11:33 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

well, EECS is one way to avoid writing...

but as an EECS graduate myself, i hate to see it used as an excuse. writing is a craft that can be improved with practice. writing for this blog has been a fantastic way for me to improve my own writing; it can work for you, too!

besides, i also like to think that somewhere down the line, someone will appreciate all the well-written documentation i’ve done for the software i write. not to mention all the email i send. it’s getting harder and harder to avoid writing in this world.

oh, and i was on the edge