NCAA 09 Gameplay Issues (response from EA)

[AuburnAlumni]

Quote: Originally Posted by bucfan47

Well I'm going to say you're still not calling the correct coverages Diddy. In this year's game (crazy as it sounds) but you must attempt to force the cpu to throw deep. That means calling tons of Cover 2 and Cover 3 Zones that have multiple guys defending the short routes. I know this works...I've played over 10 games on Heisman and I'm yet to give up over 30 points in those 10 games. I promise!

Yadda yadda yadda, I promise you I will score at will on you with any team in the game. And no..that isn't me bragging that I'm an NCAA god.

That's me realizing that the Defense is so atrociously bad in this game that ratings don't matter. Simply go 4 and 5 wide, call short and intermediate routes, never panic because you'll have plenty of time to throw, and voila! Instant offense.

[SidVish]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

I'm with you bro. Looks like I'll be passing (no pun intended) on Madden again unless it gets GLOWING, RAVE reviews from guys HERE, not IGN... not GAMESTOP... certainly not METACRITIC. I bought NCAA knowing the issues but I see things that weren't a problem last gen with the AI. The CPU AI just let the clock tick away in a tied game with under 2 minutes and 3 full timeouts (at the 10). Instead of going for the stops and calling a TO to try and get the ball back knowing I'm going to try to score and win the game on a FG. Things like this really kill any enjoyment for me. At least they called a timeout to "ice the kicker." It's like I have to try and notice the little improvements or else I'll just give up on the game. I honestly can't see it when guys are like "OMG this is the best NCAA ever and I'm having the most fun!" Boggles me.

Things like the CPU not calling timeouts in a tied game to go for the win is just a game killer for me. I realize that they want to cater to the casual gamer and that's fine. The game is fun but I'm not looking for just a fun game. I'm looking for a fun but somewhat realistic representation of the game of football. I just wish I could tweak the game to my liking. I thought that was the point of sliders in the first place. I have no idea what the sliders even do this year.


I'm not one to go crazy bitching and complaining about things but I do speak with my wallet. I have yet to buy a next gen EA football game which is crazy because I've loved prior PS2 NCAA's. I'm still glad that I can enjoy other sports games that are pretty good representations of their respective sports. I'm sure you know exactly what games I'm talking about.

[Pared]

Yeah, I certainly do.

Try the sliders posted in the backwards slider thread. They have basically saved the game for me against the CPU.

There are certainly still issues but they are certainly lessened. I'll find you a direct link.

EDIT: Here you go:

The sliders that are reversed are:

[SidVish]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

Yeah, I certainly do. Try the sliders posted in the backwards slider thread. They have basically saved the game for me against the CPU. There are certainly still issues but they are certainly lessened. I'll find you a direct link. EDIT: Here you go: The sliders that are reversed are:

Thanks but I've already returned the rented game this morning to Blockbuster. I don't know I just wasn't feeling the game at all. It was a pretty game visually but just wasn't feeling the gameplay at all. I would play as a crappy team against a top 5 team and vice versa and the games didn't feel any different to me.

[Redskins Pride]

OK, why am I the only one getting blown up by the pass rush? Do you have to pinch your line presnap? I did however screw with the sliders in all of my house settings so that defensive awareness is set to 5. I found that with it set at that level the defense is pretty aggressive.

I also can't rush, even against the quarter, nickel and dime, unless I set my line to aggressive.

Also, I think I've figured out the defense's angles issue... and yeah, it's tied directly to speed. the angle of convergence is set literally out of bounds in most cases b/c otherwise they'll never catch the ball carrier. I think they simply need to set the defensive speed just a notch higher (is that even possible?) and the angles will sort themselves out.

[Quint75]

The return of the horrid pursuit angles is a real shame. Couple that with the CPU QB%, lack of pass rush from DL, broken kick (especially punt) returns, ineffective sliders, some really crappy play calling and time management issues and you have got some serious problems. I hope the patch will address some of these (without breaking other things!) but stuff like the pursuit angles is not gonna be fixed by a patch.

edit: and I didn't even manage the quick snapping CPU offense.

[therizing02]

EA has successfully made this an arcade game. I was worried when I heard that "wide open game play" was the new feature.

My worst fear has been realized.

[maddog75]

I have the game and while it is fun to play against friends, it is a nightmare against the computer. I am playing on dynasty as Nebraska and have played 3 games in my dynasty. I have tweaked the huskers up a little bit to be honest and can't get any pass rush what so ever. I move the game to freshman level, set there pass block to 0, and put mine all the way to 100 on defense. The run game is good on both sides but when they are playing offense no matter the QB no matter the team they will nickel and dime you to death with nearly a perfect completion percentage. I run all out blitzes, play as the linebacker, lineman etc.. The only time I get pressure is if you blitz the cb or safety. I like to play this game against friends but against the cpu it is very frustrating and makes me want to go back to NCAA 2008. The animations and graphics are great and I love the stadium sound although may I suggest next year adding a tunnel walk intro song as that is a big part of college football.

Issues that need to be fixed to make this a great non frustrating game

1. QB being an all star no matter the team
2. DL pressure
3. blitz effectiness
4. sliders making a difference
5. LB zone coverage AI
6. CB going for plays and batting balls more
7. kick and punt return being more realistic

And of course fixing the roster issue.

Fix those or the main 4 and you will have a great game.

One more question for Madden15, I don't play online I just like to play dynasties etc.. How will people that don't play online get the patch for the game so it is enjoyable?

[dregnus]

Quote: Originally Posted by SizzleLikeAStizzle

OK, why am I the only one getting blown up by the pass rush? Do you have to pinch your line presnap?

The computer likes to jump the snap on almost every single play. This means that they can, and will, blow past your O-linemen because they like to cheat. Really has nothing to do with the pass rush issues.

[Sausage]

Quote: Originally Posted by footballfanatic1

Don't know if the running game has been mentioned, but I think it's one of the main aspects of the game that needs fixing. There's no room to run at all, and breaking big runs is nearly impossible. Some of the problems in the running game include: holes close up way too fast, no push from the O-Line, tackles rarely broken, and pursuit is ridiculous when trying to bounce outside. A patch that can make the run game more effective and appealing would be awesome.

I believe the run game is one of the best aspects of the game. You must take your time and let your blocks develop. Also mix up your run plays often. I love the run game.

Quote: Originally Posted by sportyguyfl31

Ive been pressing "up " on the stick to pass commit, but see no indication that they are actually doing it. No icon, indicator, nothing. Is that normal?

Yes there is no indicator for "pass commit" or "run commit", but it is there. Remember you must make your decision within a second of the snap.

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

Thanks for the tip, Sausage! Can you specify just how much this feature has helped you (i.e. what kinds of completion percentages you're seeing when committing to the pass regularly)? This seems a better workaround than selling out with extra defensive help every play--still not ideal but better.

Playing between 5-7 minute quarters against A.I. and offline multiplayer, I have seen off the top of my head: 11 of 19, 13 of 27, 27 of 41 (Mizzou QB, went deep more then I was use to), and that is all I can remember.

I believe with "pass commit" activated the "LB"s spend less time staring into the backfield and move to there pass assignments sooner.