Have EA been playing us?

[merchant1874]

I'm far from being a tin foil hat guy. Honestly.

I'm so impressed with the NCAA Demo it has got me questioning.

Is this a sales strategy? Could EA have made this game all along? The last year before next gen they release what looks like two fantastic football games ( madden has been received well at E3) Has it really taken 7-8 years to perfect what was already really good on PS2 and Xbox?

Are we just at the end of anther EA cycle? put out two fantastic games just before next gen?

As I say I'm no conspiracy theorist but NCAA 14 has come out of the blue after years of mediocrity.

I look forward to seeing if this trend continues with the next gen games.......

[BigDofBA]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

I'm far from being a tin foil hat guy. Honestly.

I'm so impressed with the NCAA Demo it has got me questioning.

Is this a sales strategy? Could EA have made this game all along? The last year before next gen they release what looks like two fantastic football games ( madden has been received well at E3) Has it really taken 7-8 years to perfect what was already really good on PS2 and Xbox?

Are we just at the end of anther EA cycle? put out two fantastic games just before next gen?

As I say I'm no conspiracy theorist but NCAA 14 has come out of the blue after years of mediocrity.

I look forward to seeing if this trend continues with the next gen games.......

I noticed that with the final versions of NCAA on xbox and PS2. They were easily the best of the series.

[XxJustAguessxX]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

I'm far from being a tin foil hat guy. Honestly.

I'm so impressed with the NCAA Demo it has got me questioning.

Is this a sales strategy? Could EA have made this game all along? The last year before next gen they release what looks like two fantastic football games ( madden has been received well at E3) Has it really taken 7-8 years to perfect what was already really good on PS2 and Xbox?

Are we just at the end of anther EA cycle? put out two fantastic games just before next gen?

As I say I'm no conspiracy theorist but NCAA 14 has come out of the blue after years of mediocrity.

I look forward to seeing if this trend continues with the next gen games.......

I was thinking the same thing but didnt want the criticism that comes with stating certain things.

[fballturkey]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

Considering NCAA (and all EA sports games) are iterative series, and that they tend to scrap everything and rebuild on new consoles, it isn't surprising at all that the last one in any given console is the best.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

It is a possibility......

OR

The doubling the size of the dev team actually worked to their advantage....

OR

Cam Webber cracked that whip and set them to a new higher level of standard that their old boss might not have had.

========================================

Either way, what ever the reason, I am happy. Kind of funny though all the stuff I been screaming for, for the past 7 years is FINALLY done in the game. All that talk of RAM limitations, disc space limitations of the Xbox 360, not enough time in a one year cycle, etc just totally went out the window for NCAA 14.

1. They not only added infinity engine, but improved it.

2. They fixed locomotion. Now locomotion feels and plays out exactly how they described it would be in NCAA 11.

3. They got Real Assignment AI working correctly.

4. They got zones finally working correctly.

5. CPU ball carriers actually use their special moves now.

6. CPU can finally run the option. Not only the basic option, but even the shovel option correctly.

7. They made stiff arms actually matter and make it worth while doing.

8. Players actually plant their feet when they cut.

9. Acceleration has a way more gradual feel to it. No longer is it so instant that you get to top speed.

10. They over hauled dynasty.

11. Added a new mode to the game for the 2nd year in a row.

12. They added a training mini game.

13. Special teams is finally improved. Returners no longer run straight ahead head on into a wall of defenders.

So yeah, they did a lot in one dev cycle. Quite impressive. In a way it does make one wonder why they didn't do this before years ago. But hey, like I said, I'm happy. It is here now, so I am just going to enjoy it.

[mailman2]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

Considering NCAA (and all EA sports games) are iterative series, and that they tend to scrap everything and rebuild on new consoles, it isn't surprising at all that the last one in any given console is the best.

Yeah but this is SO MUCH BETTER than 13.

[tetoleetd]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

im not following what your conspiracy theory is. how would EA benefit from purposely waiting until the last year of the current gen to make a good game?

[sportscholar305]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

The way the game feels makes it 100x better in it self.

Now the bar is finally set! No going back because if they do NCAA 14 could be the game to stick with because it could have it all down.

[wiscowilz]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

Also they still release games for several years on the old gen game so if it is as good as people are saying and they dont change anything on it on the old gen consoles I'll be happy. I played NCAA and Madden on PS2 until 2 years ago when it was teh first year they weren't released on PS2. I will continue to play on PS2 until I absolutely have to upgrade my system. I didnt buy Madden last year because it had no importing draft classes but this year with it back I will buy both again and hope it really is this good.

[BadAssHskr]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

All everyones praise has me jonesing big time! I only played a quick bit of the game after dling it this afternoon, and all i can talk about is the learning curve, visually, but to every aspect of the game ive gotten so used to.

I wont get to get some time with it for a couple hours yet tonight, im stoked.

[PVarck31]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

No offense to to the OP, but I really think this could be attributed to a few things.

-Games will always been better late in a consoles life. Easier to program for every year.

-Cam Weber. Looks like EA footbal finally has a leader who gets it. And he's a former college QB so we know he is smart.

-Clint Oldenburg. Former NFL lineman. He's responsible for the upgraded line play.

-I think their tech is is finally getting to the place where it should have been years ago. Could be due to increase in developers.

-We also don't know anything about their programmer and engineer turnover rate. Maybe some more talented guys have filled open spots?

Its seems like there is just more of an overall better quality of leadership now.

This should prove that EA does care.

[Gap Integrity]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

I won't hide it... I'm excited as hell after playing this demo. I think they finally took care of so many gameplay needs we have wanted for a long time. Color/Presentation really pop out me compared to earlier installments. Dynasty improvements should be very nice. I honestly think the only thing lacking at this point from my view is improved player models and equipment updated. Not complaining at all, as much as I will cry about facemasks, eyeblack, long haig etc.... I've always said the gameplay should be numero uno. Very pleased with what I see thus far. I like how they let you tweak the sliders as well, will give our guys a head start on that!! I think this could be the best NCAA football game I've played in many years.

[boomersooner31]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

If the OP is correct, I shudder to imagine what the first edition of NCAA looks like on the PS4/Xbox1...If I recall, the first PS3 version of this series was good but lost so much (Especially equipment wise) from the PS2 days....I'm hoping the stronger performance of the PS4 will lead to not just better gameplay but every single piece of equipment worn, every updated uniform, every piece of unique presentation and a much better gameplay....for next year!

[westview33]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

im not following what your conspiracy theory is. how would EA benefit from purposely waiting until the last year of the current gen to make a good game?

I think it has something to do with sales to a certain extent and they hold out some years on aspects of the game that should have been done right away.

I do believe things like the option offense, running qb's and ultimate/classic players could have been things done 3-4 years ago but hey what do i know about making football games....people will always cut EA some slack anyway.

As someone else said it's finally done right now so I guess that's all that should matter but I still question the length of time it took.

[jwagner82]

Re: Have EA been playing us?

The way the game feels makes it 100x better in it self.

Now the bar is finally set! No going back because if they do NCAA 14 could be the game to stick with because it could have it all down.

I was thinking the same thing. If the full game plays like the demo, they will have to keep this standard up or people are going to be reeeeeal harsh. That said, I love this demo, and if the full game is the same, I could deal with playing this one for a few years.