Hands On is coming later this week
http://www.pastapadre.com/2541/ncaa-football-09-hands-on-time-this-week - http://www.pastapadre.com/2541/ncaa-...time-this-week

A couple new screens of alt-unis

Quote:

We do not have any sort of NDA, so everything I see is fair game. Currently there is no access to any online features, which is understandable. This means that info on online features will have to be asked with producers or tested on a later build of the game. We are unable to take pics or video.

Here are some quick things I've noticed. My plane was an hour+ late arriving to NYC as the pilot confused a problem with the brakes with just being stuck in a pothole. I've only been in long enough to get two games in, one versus Dave from psu.com and one versus Pasta Padre. We will be playing this some more tonight and most of tomorrow. This is just a list of quick impressions.

(This on 360 version)
- Depth Chart Bug fixed.
- Menus a lot smoother.
- No FCS or CAS, however Western Kentucky is in the game.
- HFA = More composed your QB is, the more icons he sees on the road. Seems a lot easier to call audibles/hot routes on road as compared to last-gen.
- After INTs, there is an optional "Quiz the QB" mini-game. You have three choices in which to guess the play the defense was in. Get it right to regain some composure, answer wrong and lose composure.
- There is also an optional "Ice the Kicker" mini-game, but we haven't tried it yet.
- This build of the game does not have the 'choose random play' in practice mode built in yet. (It is from April 18th.)
- Playcall selection method is different. You can use the 'highlight a play' method from 08 or hit one of four buttons to select the play.
- Player stats (last play and game) show up in lower right of screen, above the score box.
- Facemasks are in the game.
- After a TD, players can celebrate with mascot or (if available) do a team celebration. IE: Currently, Will is playing using UCF and after a TD his player looked to the crowd and made a "U" - "C" - "F" signal with his arms and appropriate crowd response.
- After a timeout, you can choose what to have your team focus on. (Similar to last-gen, but different options. I will record these down later.
- Animations are pretty good and lots of new ones added. Run animation a lot better, but their backs are still a little stiff at times. I really like the animations in terms of how they look and work. A cool one we just saw was a KR muffing the ball, picking it up, stumbling, and then falling down unable to regain his balance.
- Two new mini-games: HORSE (with kickers) and Special Teams Challenge (Keep punting back and forth until you get a TD return or in position for a FG). Not really excited about either.
- Oregon has 2 alternate jerseys.
- Player models look really good.
- Post-Game Show consists of replaying the big plays of the game. This is just like the Pontiac Game Changing Play of the Game from 08, but it shows more plays.
- We haven't replayed any plays to analyze AI, but there have been some big running plays (none to the house, however). It's weird....I feel like the game favors the offense, but the two games I played were low scoring. I'll need to play some more games to get a real feel on this. I may just be slow on figuring out what I need to do on defense.


Some big things:
- Still too many completions - whether it be to your own receiver or other team. Not seeing over or under throws. Definitely needs addressed before release.
- Gamers will want to use the Customizable Stadium Sounds & Music. There are 23 different situations that can be edited. Full list coming later.


General thoughts after two games:
- Trying to summarize what I think of NCAA 09 two games in: Imagine NCAA 08 Next-Gen and Last-Gen being locked in a room with some champagne and Barry White playing. Check back nine months later and we have NCAA 09. This game definitely seems like it has combined the two (in terms of gameplay). My initial statement won't make much sense until you guys get the game - then you'll know exactly what I mean.
- I feel more optimistic about 09 after a few games than I did about 08 after the same timeframe. However, I am concerned about the completion percentage by QBs. That's the first big red flag that is standing out. However, I think people will find this one much more enjoyable than 08.

- If I get more games in later tonight, I'll add to this thread. I hope to replay some plays to look at AI changes to the OL in greater detail and to also get into Campus Legend and Dynasty eventually as well.

Quote:

Online dynasty. Those are the two words that have been ringing in our ears since the moment we found out about the feature that looks to be the focal point of EA Sports' upcoming college football game, NCAA Football 09. Of course, the game is going to feature plenty of gameplay and visual tweaks that will present a more atmospheric and, well, collegiate atmosphere to the college game; and, yes, EA Sports did talk about all of those features and more during its unveiling of the game at tonight's press event in New York City. However, the details that have our ears perked are those that deal with the online dynasty mode, so let's just start there, shall we?

Up to 12 people will be able to compete in an online dynasty in NCAA 09, and users will be able to organize their competitive dynasties in a variety of ways: You and your buddies can play teams in the same conference, or mix it up and play teams from various conferences. Games against CPU-controlled teams will play out as they do in the offline dynasty mode; however, when your schedule has you facing a team controlled by another player, you'll be playing it against one another, either playing it normally or using the supersim feature to quickly get through the game.

Because each team's schedule will consist of games against other players and CPU teams, a commissioner will be assigned in each league to make sure that the dynasty league keeps moving, as well as to monitor players who are taking advantage of the system. For instance, if one player decides to restart his game against a CPU-controlled Mississippi State a number of times, the commissioner will be aware and will be able to take the action against that player. More than a judge, jury, and executioner, the commissioner looks to serve the important role of the engine that will keep the dynasty moving from week to week, over a maximum of 60 seasons.

As in the offline dynasty, when playing online, you'll be able to play a week's worth of activities leading up to that Saturday's game during the regular season, as well as the full lineup of offseason activities. The difference here will be that everyone in the dynasty league will need to complete all their week's actions before the league moves on to the next week. Naturally, the commissioner will be able to force the league to move forward if he or she sees fit. What's interesting about the weekly gameplay is that all of the players taking part will be able to play simultaneously. So while your two buddies are playing USC vs. UCLA, you'll be scouting players, while two other friends are recruiting against each other.

Yes, that crucial element--simultaneous recruiting--will be part of the online dynasty in NCAA 09 and it looks to be--with its strategy and gamesmanship--one of the highlights of the game. Though we haven't seen the actual interface, it sounds like recruiting will be very similar, if not identical to last year's game; you'll be able to pitch your school's strengths against the desires of the various players in the recruiting class, then sync up all of the recruiting results once everyone has finished the week in the online league. By the sound of it, player commitments will be made only after the week is up, so while you might get out-recruited by a rival, it probably won't come as a surprise. One more bit: All 12 players will be able to voice chat simultaneously with one another while taking care of their various in-game tasks for that week of the dynasty.

NCAA 09 Videos http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=11001964&postcount=1 -

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/142/14233291/vids_1.html - http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/1...91/vids_1.html

4 of them

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/872/872441p1.html - http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/872/872441p1.html

preview and screens

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ncaafootball09/news.html?page=1&sid=6190588 - http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/spor...=1&sid=6190588

Also they have 3 new videos.

and

http://www.ncaastrategies.com/utopia/showthread.php?t=57374 - http://www.ncaastrategies.com/utopia...ad.php?t=57374




Utopia: Can custom rosters be used as part of the Online Dynasty?

Haumiller: Whatever roster the commish has loaded when the Online Dynasty is originally created is what will be used for the dynasty. Everyone will be using the same exact roster file and that file will be contained inside of the dynasty file.


Edited rosters seem to be allowed? Woo Hoo!

NCAA 09 Full Drive Video in the snow http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=11193452&postcount=1 -

http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14233291/ncaa-football-09/videos/ncaa09_051508_1.html - http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/1..._051508_1.html


it appears that footprints are exclusive to Madden. 

NCAA 09 Player ratings for Top 25 Teams http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=11484632&postcount=1 -

http://easports.com/downloads/easports/ncaa09/ratings/top25_roster_info.xls - http://easports.com/downloads/easpor...oster_info.xls