I think NCAA Basketball 09 did a commendable job overall with their presentation. However, I think this area of the game is extremely important to capitalize on--seeing as how EA owns the ESPN license--and can be greatly improved for NCAA Basketball 10.
I'm going to be blunt. I'm super bored of seeing the same graphical overlays and same music in-game whether it be the first game of the season, the Big East Tournament or the Big Dance.
How to fix: Game/Tournament-specific presentation VARIETY.
a) Graphical Overlays: In the calendar, there is an option to view the Daily Schedule. In the Daily Schedule, there is a TV section showing what games for that day are televised on ESPN, ESPN 2 or ESPN U. I like how there is no commentary in-game for non-televised games by why when I start one of these televised games is there no graphical overlay or commentary informing me of which network is broadcasting the game? On top of this, why are games in the regular season carrying the same presentational weight as Tournament games late in the season. Isn't is possible to have graphical overlays like the 30th Big East Championship one they showed at the start of each game and when they came back from commercial, and expand this to every conference tournament in the video game? Also for the NIT tournament. What's more, why is the NCAA Tournament intro music that of ESPN when it's on CBS and you have CBS's logo in the bracketology section of Dynasty?
b) Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9VW2Q_VS0k (listen to the whole clip, there are different variations throughout). I think it's key to only use the ESPN College Basketball Theme Song when games are televised by ESPN, ESPN 2 or ESPN U. Also, playing this song during timeouts of said televised games would exponentially increase the presentational value and user immersiveness within the game. I know you open the game with an :11 rendition of the ESPN College Basketball Theme Song (which feels rushed) and close the game with a longer version which is good, but I propose you take each one of these variations of the ESPN College Basketball Theme Song and take the presentation to the next level. I took the liberty and went through the above clip from youtube and broke down each variations length with ideal game situation:
Theme 1 - :44 seconds long, Intro/Full Timeout
Theme 2 - :32 seconds long, Intro/Halftime
Theme 3 - :20 seconds long, :20 Timeout
Theme 4 - :14 seconds long, :20 Timeout
Theme 5 - :33 seconds long, Intro/Halftime/End of Game
Theme 6 - :06 Ignore
Theme 7 - :04 Ignore
Theme 8 - :40 End of Game (this one must make it in). Also, during the latest Big East Tournament (and other conference tourneys too i imagine), there was some sort of 'epic' music they were playing on ESPN in conjunction with the above theme songs when coming back from commercial. I have no idea what it's called, but if you know what I'm talking about, add that too. In addition, when a game is about to end--perhaps during a late timeout or even after the game has already ended--why not have Nessler sound off those who brought you the game: "For Erin and Dick, I'm Brad Nessler. Goodnight from New York." In addition to the commentators, you can name some of the people who actually made the game--in place of where the camera man and producer might usually be named--from Executive producer Brent Nielson to Technical Artist Rany Auschart to Rigger Joe Andronyk. This could essentially serve as your credits for the game and just have a random set of say 5-10 names--in pre-arranged commentary packages of course--ready for Brad Nessler to read off at the end of the game. Over the course of a season of play, most people's names will probably have been mentioned and since they only get mentioned a few at a time, it doesn't become repetitive. I know, I always make sure to listen at the end of a broadcast to the people that made the broadcast possible. Without them it wouldn't have happened. I think this is a great way to receive awknowledgement for all your hard work, while in small doses, and all while delivering it within a more realistic presentational format. However, while we're on Nessler and Dicky V. Can Dicky V, Nessler isn't preferred but he can stay, and Erin Andrews is a must keep. Dicky V is just awful. Also, if you can get the CBS music in there for the Big Dance, do it. Otherwise, conduct something similar. For games not televised by any ESPN affiliate or CBS, introduce some generic college hoops music--perhaps Round Ball Rock (kidding). Make those games on ESPN channels special. If I'm a small school and I'm not good, why be rewarded with sweet presentation? I should have to work to improve my team so I can secure televised games in-season. When you have the same music for each game, it just makes the experience mundane. You know how people "get tired" of playing a sports game. The answer is because either the gameplay is lacking or the presentation from game to game is the same every time and it just gets boring. It's like sex with a wife or long-term gf, after awhile, the sex just becomes boring and routine. UNLESS, of course, different positions (i.e. presentation) are introduced to break the routine and keep things new and exciting. Thanks for your time and willingness to listen to everyone's ideas.
EDIT: Upon looking at that youtube clip closer I found this:
0:00-0:45 Main Theme
0:45-1:15 Alternate Main Theme
1:15-1:36 Sponsor Theme
1:37-1:50 Heavy Mix
1:50-2:25 College Gamenight Theme
2:25-2:30 Main Theme (Electronic Mix)
2:30-2:35 Dramatic Theme
2:35-3:05 Championship Theme
[Reply]
This is a SIMPLE Interface fix for next year.....get rid of the guy playing around the campus, then the court before the game loads. Just load the matchup or the dynasty home page. The guy wears thin after a few times and it now adds an extra layer of load time delay and screen clicking to get where you want to go....it really adds no value after a few times.
I'd much rather see an ariel flyby outside the college campus of the home team or just the exterior arena, if a load screen is needed to divert someone's attention. That at least would be more nostalgic and educational to allow video game players to see all the scenic college campuses around the country
Also, allow for the ability to jump in and out of SIMMED games. So if I'm blowing out a team or just dont want to play anymore, I can SIM the REST of the game if I want.
More loose balls and fighting under the boards for rebounds and positioning. Also fix the velcro one handed interceptions and add more shooting styles and ball to rim physics (as mentioned in the little things thread)
50 Brian Bersticker C/F 6-11 210
11 Michael Brooker G/F 6-5 1/2 193 Fr.
15 Vince Carter G/F 6-6 208 Jr.
5 Ed Cota G 6-1 177 So.
35 Brad Frederick F 6-5 195 Jr.
00 Brendan Haywood C 6-11 265
33 Antawn Jamison F 6-9 222 Jr.
32 Orlando Melendez F 6-7 190
4 Makhtar Ndiaye C/F 6-9 245 Sr.
21 Terrence Newby G 6-2 207 So.
13 Ademola Okulaja F 6-9 231 Jr.
24 Max Owens G 6-4 190
3 Shammond Williams G 6-2 1/2 180 Sr.
94-95 UNC also
PG: Jeff McInnis (NBA 1st rounder and productive NBA player)
SG: Donald Williams (former Final 4 MOP)
SF: Dante Calabria (lights out shooter)
PF: Jerry Stackhouse (lottery pick and NBA superstar, SI Player of the Year)
C: Rasheed Wallace (lottery pick and NBA superstar)
and while you are at it, may as well get that 93 UNC team right:
PG 14 (Phelps) had super short hair, almost bald, not a 'fro
SF 31 (Reese) and 34 (Lynch) were both black (or African American, depending on your political correctness orientation "PCO"), not white (or Caucasian, again, depending on your PCO)
[Reply]
miami01 12:09 AM 06-30-2009
The players better be more muscular, because in 09 the players were sticks.
[Reply]
RayAllen20 12:33 AM 07-07-2009
Heres a few things to add (although it may be too late)..
I should be able to play any game during my dynasty. If i'm UConn. I should still be able to play Syracuse vs. G'Town...just because I want to. Plus I always want to play the Final 4. I WONT BUY ANOTHER GAME WITHOUT IT.
Team Builder...Therefore I could create a school, jersey, team type, court, arena, coach, and then my players.
Add a season preview show, and college gameday, pregame, halftime, and postgame show.
Tempo is a big thing but it doesnt necessarily decide the game. Add a feature where the crowd can affect your teams performance. If you have a big dunk then your crowd will go crazy and your team will do better.
Have the coach call plays or tell you to get the ball to #23 because he has the hot hand.
Originally Posted by ehh:
Here's what I have so far....
GAMEPLAY
Increase offensive rebounding
Improve analog passing (should be able to point in general direction with L-stick)
Names under CPU player with ball at all times
Improve ball physics
Fix the "high arch is always a make" on jumpshots
Long rebounds
Lose ball fouls, deadball fouls, over the back, illegal screens,flagrant fouls, technical fouls (maybe something similar to what baseball games do, if there is a questionable call have a cutscene to the coach where you can press a button to increase the intensity of your argument. If you get T'd up or tossed it will either give your team a boost or hurt them).
On-the-fly subs that show fatigue, also the ability use situational subs from on-the-fly menu
TV/Media timeouts (adds to realistic fatigue)
Ability to chose when you want to press in coach settings (after a made basket, after a made FT, rarely, desperation) See 2K8
Find a way to incorporate traveling into the game and not just via user error. Maybe a footwork slider or have the offensive awr/ability slider determine this. If I'm dribbling with speed burst and try to come to a quick stop, have me drag my pivot foot sometimes. If I'm trying to do post moves constantly with some scrub big man, have me travel on occasion. You already do offensive fouls very well in the post, some traveling would be awesome to see in there. Incorporating this into layups and things like that would be very tough I imagine, but it'd be nice to see an attempt as no basketball game has ever gotten this right
ANIMATIONS
Improve/tighten up current animations
Expand signature shot database (should be able to import all sig-shots from Live '10)
More FT routines
Subs walking to the scorer's table to check in
Improve net animation on made shot (still looks a little funky, it is perfect in 2K)
FEATURES
Unlockable alternate jerseys and classic teams
Put All-Time teams back in the game, as well as other annual teams (1998 Kentucky, 2000 Michigan State, 1998 and 1995 North Carolina, etc)
Create-a-school
Ability to edit a school, including their court (see 2K8)
Practice mode
Create-a-play
DYNASTY
Less 5-star recruits (40 at the most)
Add generic/fake tournaments for preseason tourneys not in the game (see 2K8)
Let us pick any area for any game (neutral or otherwise)
Let us play any game in the dynasty, even if it's not our user-team
Export dynasty team feature
ROSTERS
Greatly improve roster editing and management for default rosters. Cut/delete players, move them to other teams, be able to edit class, redshirt players, mark them as transfers, etc. This makes dynasties much more enjoyable. For example, if I can redshirt a guy who is sitting out this season, he will be eligible after one year in my dynasty just like IRL.
Make the rosters sortable by any attribute.
Include a player overview when a guy is highlighted on a roster, saying name, height, weight year, hometown and a headshot.
Give each player tendency ratings. This allows us roster editors to make the game play more realistically on an individual basis.
Let us edit signature shots/jump shots. Again, see 2K8
Improve ratings and accuracy of rosters. This is better than MM08, but there is no way Blue Ribbon was used for every team in the game. Some low-majors are completely fictional. Some high-majors have incorrect years (which wouldn't be an issue if we can edit class next year).
Clean up the classic teams. Use OS to your advantage, we are coming out with classic roster projects that have tons of corrections from the default rosters. Several teams are completely fake in terms of number, height, weight, appearance and year. We are correcting ALL OF THIS FOR YOU! Well, except for year/class because we can't. Download our projects and please incorporate these corrections into NCAA '10! There is no excuse for classic teams to be a mess next year.
GRAPHICS
Add tons of player accessories
- Black socks
- Add color options for current wristbands. (black, white, team, team 2)
- Knee pads/braces (black, white, team, team 2)
- Jumper's Knee wraps (black, white, team, team 2)
- Full length arm sleeves (black, white, team, team 2)
- Elbow pads/braces (black, white, team, team 2)
- Tattoos on players in the default roster
Add the conference patch on the shorts or jersey (eg: Big East logo on UConn's shorts)
Complete home and away accessories, not just sneakers
Go back to the MM08 stye of selecting sneakers (thumbnail of each sneaker), it takes a while to go through each shoe and let it load just to preview it in NCAA09.
Have players wear warmups in the pregame cutscene.
Open up editing of the face for each player, not just preset faces/hair/etc
Allow us to put all/any style of T-shirts on classic teams
PRESENTATION
ESPN overlays during games
Please put in the ESPN College basketball music at the start of games and even the graphic/intro that we see on TV every night, it is very cool and many gamers would love it.
If you are ranked in the Top 25, show it on the score overlay throughout the game, not just the opening overlay
Pop-up of all subs entering the game at once, the one at a time thing in NCAA09 is poor.
Show cyber Dicky V and Nessler before the game and/or at halftime.
TV timeouts where it fades to black and announcers say "we'll be right back from Chapel Hill" or wherever.
Cheerleaders/guys mopping the floor during timeouts (see 2K8)
Increase name database and have commentators say players' names more often.
Show cutscenes of the fans/crowd
More cutscenes in general, show the coach after a bad turnover or forced shot.
Real-time stat updates on bottom line for every play. If a guy scores a bucket for his 18th point, flash "Jones: 18 pts" on the bottom line. Same with all stats, rebounds, blocks, assists. This really helps you stay in tune with what's going on, who you need to stop on the other team, who needs to stop shooting on your team, etc (See 2K8).
The biggest thing is simple: customization. Let us customize as much as possible, even if it's not realistic. It's our game, we pay $60 for it so if we want to play every single game for 20 years in a dynasty at Madison Square Garden then let us. If we want to start a UNC dynasty and play every Duke game and make them lose on purpose to try and get Coach K fired then let us. Customization is the key these days and what made CH2K8 so great off-the-court.
This. The game would be awesome if these changes would be made.
[Reply]
oairtucks 10:52 PM 10-06-2009
Team Builder More Classic Teams (Stop using recent teams as great teams they would get smoke by alot of teams back in the day that didn't even when the championship) All-Time teams Campus or something like it Export to NBA live Conference Refs (Dynamic Refs; diff crews ACC, Big East, Big Ten etc.) been asking for this in all sports games it would add more to dynamic gameplay and strategy)[Reply]
jaosming 11:45 AM 10-07-2009
An alternate control scheme to let us shoot with B instead of X would be amazing to include if there is still time.
[Reply]
Koolie G 03:39 PM 10-08-2009
Originally Posted by jimwtaylor:
PRESENTATION. PRESENTATION. PRESENTATION.
I think NCAA Basketball 09 did a commendable job overall with their presentation. However, I think this area of the game is extremely important to capitalize on--seeing as how EA owns the ESPN license--and can be greatly improved for NCAA Basketball 10.
I'm going to be blunt. I'm super bored of seeing the same graphical overlays and same music in-game whether it be the first game of the season, the Big East Tournament or the Big Dance.
How to fix: Game/Tournament-specific presentation VARIETY.
a) Graphical Overlays: In the calendar, there is an option to view the Daily Schedule. In the Daily Schedule, there is a TV section showing what games for that day are televised on ESPN, ESPN 2 or ESPN U. I like how there is no commentary in-game for non-televised games by why when I start one of these televised games is there no graphical overlay or commentary informing me of which network is broadcasting the game? On top of this, why are games in the regular season carrying the same presentational weight as Tournament games late in the season. Isn't is possible to have graphical overlays like the 30th Big East Championship one they showed at the start of each game and when they came back from commercial, and expand this to every conference tournament in the video game? Also for the NIT tournament. What's more, why is the NCAA Tournament intro music that of ESPN when it's on CBS and you have CBS's logo in the bracketology section of Dynasty?
Uhhhhh.....I think they read your post. :-)[Reply]
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