Adam Thompson (NCAA Designer) Q&A Thread

[nxt]

Since my main questions regarding game art (Bowl Game Endzone Art, etc.) have already been asked several times, I'll just say, "Welcome to the OS community, and thanks for taking the time to start a dialogue with us."

[Village Idiot]

One last thing and then I'll go away.

Strategy - i.e., the CPU's playcalling: what goes into how they call plays and why? Is it simply a matter of ratio? Because what it should be doing, in my opinion, is looking for things that work and then stick to them until they don't work. The "chess on grass" side of things.

Take the example of a team that's running the ball very well against me. Why are they then turning to the pass for their next five plays? Why aren't they pounding and pounding until I prove that I can stop the run?

Another example, taken from the INT-riddled 08 game: if I've got the best pass-defense in the nation, and my team has 22 intereceptions over 7 games, shouldn't the next team I play attempt in some way to gameplan around this? At some point, the CPU needs to adjust to what my strengths and weaknesses are. If I play through five games and only rush for 67 ypg, I should be able to count on the sixth team I play dropping 6 and 7 consistently, forcing me to run.

So on and so forth.

[Adam_Thompson_EA]

Quote: Originally Posted by LHaze30

Adam: What is the reason that each school doesn't have their stadium in this year's version?

I figured I'd get this question! It really comes down to time and resources. There are 120 teams in this game and 30 something bowl games. The amount of detail that goes into each stadium is incredible. I am disappointed that 3 years in now, we don't have them all.
We also have to factor in changes to other stadiums. With so many stadiums out there, there are always new pressboxes, bowled in endzones, EVERYONE seems to be getting a jumbo HD video board these days. Looking at my stadium priority list, I have 32 things listed as "needs to be done," and 17 of them are authentic stadiums.

Quote: Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy

You guys do a great job and it's probably on your list but I would like to see bowl game endzone art back in the game as well as bowl game jersey patches.

Yep. It has been on my list since 2007. I can make no promises at this point in the development cycle, but I feel good about these for next year.

Quote: Originally Posted by ucfbreath

go knights! the stadium in this game looks incredible. perfect job. i do have one question though, i know a fair amount of knights work for EA, and with having the new stadium, helmets, logos, etc. in the game, how come its still the old knightro and not the new one?

We haven't touched mascots since NCAA 2007. Well, actually that isn't true. One of our artists made a handful in his down time after 2007 was finished (UCF, Air Force, and I think either Vanderbilt or Wake Forest). I told him the Knightro was old but he thought "it looked cooler" than the new one... and that isn't even the current Knightro that was introduced a couple years ago. The one we have in game is two Knightros ago! But to answer your question, I'd rather get mascots for more teams before redoing a team that has an old one. At least until the school itself asks us to change it.

Quote:

also, i noticed on the online dynasty blog will is doing that the screenshots of the ucf dynasty show pictures of the old uniforms and helmets in the background. just minor observations really, i have no real problem with it, just curious as to why they were included and not new pictures.

That sounds like an oversight. Do you have a link to this? I'm not sure what you are referring to. But I'll ask YOU a question... why is your avatar the old UCF logo?

Quote:

along with this, when can we expect other c-usa stadiums to be updated/included, i.e. southern miss expansion, tulsa's skelly stadium?

I'm hopeful to get them in this year. As far as expansion to The Rock, it will depend on when it is completed. Unlike PS2, we can no longer use mockups of planned renovations for updates. We actually have to send a photographer down to the stadium to take thousands of high resolution photos to have enough reference to recreate it. I try to send out the photographer as soon as it is completed.

Quote:

love all you're doing over there and thanks for the 93 rating on joe burnett and the great ratings on the rest of the defense. hope you'll make the drive across town to attend the games.

Of course! Got season tickets.

Quote: Originally Posted by RynoAid

First.. Are Texas A&M silver alternative pants in the game this year? Second.. do you know what/if any web support (statistics/standings etc..) there will be for online dynasties. I heard their might be a web interface for each league. Any info?

Nope, they aren't in there. That's my fault. I didn't even realize they had two sets of pants until I read your post. I went and checked my reference library and sure enough, silver and white pants! I totally missed that. They WILL be in the game next year (whoops.. not supposed to make promises).
I don't know about the web support. Ben Haumiller should be showing up in the next couple of weeks to a message board or two and can answer this.

Quote: Originally Posted by AuburnAlumni

1. the CPU quick snapping so soon that we can't adjust pre snap. 2. A severe lack of pass rush by both the HUM and CPU defensive lines, making the passing game WAAAY too effective. Can you let us know if both of these SHOULD be concerns for us and if they are, how you guys have gone about remedying potential issues?

Yep. I have read the threads. These are gameplay issues and I will send them onto Ian's team. I will also make sure they are brought up as issues to be potentially fixed if we put out a patch.

Quote: Originally Posted by ODogg

I think one of the most obvious questions that I'd like to ask is why are there no team entrances for Next-Gen NCAA? In my opinion it's something that really is a huge letdown year after year for the NCAA series. Especially because most of us were used to at least some generic entrances (and some custom) on the past-gen games. It just doesn't get you fired up for the game to start with an open field and a disembodied coin toss. Also, what Hawai'i alternate uniforms are in the game?

I believe those were removed from PS2 around 2006. We actually replaced them with the "Virtual Gameday" desk where Corso puts on the head and all that. And the only real entrance was the Notre Dame one.
This is definitely something we want to do. It is quite the task, indeed. And we don't want to just copy what we did on the old consoles. When we do it, we are going to do it right and make it cool.
Hawai'i will get alts next year, just like in real life.

[countryboy]

Adam....welcome to the Lion's Den. Its hell, but hey together, we can get things done.


And before I go any further.... thank you for opening the lines of communication with the NCAA fans.


Two questions to start:

1) What are the chances of making any changes to the game for this year?

2) How come there is still no team specific endzone art during bowl games?

I know my 2nd question is not as hardcore as some of the others, but my fellow OS NCAA fans will keep you busy with those questions.

Again, thanks for opening the lines of communication

[davin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Undefeated

One last thing and then I'll go away. Strategy - i.e., the CPU's playcalling: what goes into how they call plays and why? Is it simply a matter of ratio? Because what it should be doing, in my opinion, is looking for things that work and then stick to them until they don't work. The "chess on grass" side of things. Take the example of a team that's running the ball very well against me. Why are they then turning to the pass for their next five plays? Why aren't they pounding and pounding until I prove that I can stop the run? Another example, taken from the INT-riddled 08 game: if I've got the best pass-defense in the nation, and my team has 22 intereceptions over 7 games, shouldn't the next team I play attempt in some way to gameplan around this? At some point, the CPU needs to adjust to what my strengths and weaknesses are. If I play through five games and only rush for 67 ypg, I should be able to count on the sixth team I play dropping 6 and 7 consistently, forcing me to run. So on and so forth.

I like that. One time Michigan was giving me all I could handle with Hart, he had over 40 yards on the drive. Next series, 7 straight passes. Henne ended the game with 45 pass attempts, Hart ended the game with 12 carries and 80ish yards. It was not due to score either. They had me if they just kept running.

I also get frustrated by cpu playcalling. My guys lead the league in INTs and pass defense, why does Wisconsin throw the ball 45 times against me?

[ODogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by OMT

Hawai'i will get alts next year, just like in real life.

So that's a lot of typing man.. thanks a million for all those answers! Am I correct in understanding that Hawai'i will only have the home and away uniforms and no alternates at all then? I did see from a post STEVE_OS made that they do have their new uniforms in the game which is great!!!

[beau21]

glad to see you here

two questions from me.

1) what is the likelihood that we could be given an option to choose uniform tops and bottoms seperately? therefore giving us many more options if we choose to mix and match. (i know alot of people have been asking/wondering about this)

2) what is the likelihood we see either team specific entrances or the Corso/Herbstreit pregame with the team choosing and putting on of the head?

that'll do for now



thanks for doing this though!

[ODogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by beau1221

glad to see you here two questions from me. 1) what is the likelihood that we could be given an option to choose uniform tops and bottoms seperately? therefore giving us many more options if we choose to mix and match. (i know alot of people have been asking/wondering about this) 2) what is the likelihood we see either team specific entrances or the Corso/Herbstreit pregame with the team choosing and putting on of the head? that'll do for now thanks for doing this though!

I'll expand on your first one - when can we expect to see an actual picture of a player wearing the uniform when we choose our uniform (like on the PS2 version) instead of the game just saying the color (like it is now)?

[BrianFifaFan]

Is there a possibility to have Corso and company back in the game as animated characters? Next-gen level, of course. I loved that, ugly oversized hands and all.....

P.S. I forgot, Welcome to "the Jungle!"

[Skyboxer]

Welcome to OS and thanks for coming to listen to us!

For the most part I know graphics etc.. are important but for me the gameplay issues need addressed first. So you (EA) really need to make sure the gameplay issues above are indeed addressed via a patch if necessary.
All the pretty in the world won't help flawed gameplay.
Don't get me wrong I appreciate everything the graphics/visual departments do and I know this area is also important.


Thanks and again, Welcome!