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Guys, I only have a quick second, but I did get a chance to get a bunch of the questions you asked answered. So, these should hold you over for the night. However, this only pertains to Next Ge thus far. Gameplay
What new improvements are being added to the on-field gameplay?
Basically, the game feels like a nice combination between current gen and next gen. The branch animation is fantastic and the players are really responsive. I really felt like I had control of my players on the field. Also, they totally rewrote the blocking AI and it’s REALLY nice.
Tell us about the new "Motivation" system, and how it will work.
Didn’t really get too into it, but it’s basically the next gen version of the dynamic ratings system where a players attributes can change throughout the game.
Will NCAA and Madden be sharing the same improved engine across the board, as well as defensive hot routes, etc... etc.
YES. Both games feature the branch animation, gang-tackling, and improved blocking system. NCAA does have defensive hot routes this year as well. It finally feels like both teams for Madden and NCAA are definitely working together.
In the current gen new video they show the QB evade feature. Will that make the cut for next-gen?
No, that did not make it in, but from what I saw of the Current Gen version, it’s just an animation. I don’t think we are missing that much in the next gen.
How many new formations have been added on offense and defense?
I can’t give an exact count, but there are definitely more plays. I am happy because I have my Fake FB, HB Toss back. ;) What has been done this year to tone down the effectives of scrambling QB'S in last years game?
QB’s are slower in general. Plus, the defense contains them quite well. If you don’t have a mobile QB, he definitely won’t be running around. Also, the QB accuracy definitely goes down if he throws on the run. It’s very noticeable. Also, You can’t run your QB straight back and just chuck up the deep ball without turning around. Either the ball ends up very short or very inaccurate.
Are there formation specific subs in the game?
Honestly, I didn’t notice. I mean, you can change out your HB and all that jazz, but I didn’t check to see if you can save different packages and what not.
Will we see sustained double team blocks? Like for NT in the 3-4 defense
HELL YES!!! The blocking is absolutely spectacular. I talked to VJ Leblanc today and he’s the one the rewrote the blocking engine. He took the time to show me exactly how it works, and man, it’s sweet. Blockers actually block like they have a purpose and have specific assignments. Not only that, but they adjust their assignements to the defensive front. They create blocking lanes and they aren’t the same every time. You can run the same running play against the same defense and not always have the same hole open up. The interaction is fantastic.
Can you trigger possession catches in NCAA like you can in Madden this year?
I’m not 100%, but I don’t think so. There’s pretty much just a “catch” button.
Could you explain how the new fatigue system works?
Not really sure, guys seemed to get tired and it showed on the field. It even shows in their running animations.
Is he kicking game harder last year it was way to easy to nail long FG’s and coner punts?
Kicking seems to be unchanged.
Are smart routes in the game?
No.
Will we feel a difference between a LB and a CB when using them on the field?
I couldn’t really feel that much of a difference besides speed, but you can tell by looking at them. Some DL and OL have some serious beer guts.
What has been done to discourage people from sprinting back 20 yards and throwing a bomb?
Very risky. The QB won’t throw the ball more than 20 yards or he will be very inaccurate. I don’t think that will be a problem at all this year.
Is there still button lag on playcalling screen?
A little, but it’s more responsive than last year.
Do players run into each other and get stuck during plays?
Yes, but it doesn’t happen quite as much. It’s still annoying, though.
Have the ball physics improved?
Yes, to a point. They are still weird after the ball gets batted away, but the way the ball wobbles during throws and kicks are very nice.
Is there still too many back to back encroachment penalties?
No, but I saw a lot of false starts.
Has Pass Interference been smoothed out and corrected?
I’m not quite sure. I got one called on me that was rather cheap, but I didn’t really see to many PI calls in general.
Franchise/Dynasty
Will there be online dynasties/online season play this year?
No.
Do the next gen systems have the recruiting feature called "create-a-prospect" in other words can you create a player that you can recruit?
Will it be possible to transfer schools with a created player?
No.
Will we get to participate in off-season drills to better a players attributes.
No, they don’t have off-season drills, but you do run drills during the season.
Has player progression been tweaked? As it stand now in 3 years there are way to many 99 rated players.
Not sure. We didn’t really dive into the franchise.
Since gang tackling has now geen added have tackle assists and sack assists been added to the tracked stats as well?
No, there are no assists in the game.
How will weight gain be handled in dynasty mode?
I’m not really sure. I didn’t get into Franchise all that much.
Create-a-Player/Player Editing
Is editing players in the game?
Yes.
What are all the new ratings and what do they mean?
They have a bunch, but I didn’t get a chance to jot them down.
Are clear visors in the game?
No clear visors.
How many new pieces of equipment has been added?
I can’t answer that because I never really paid attention to it in the previous games.
Presentation
What can we expect in terms of ESPN integration for NCAA 08?
Um, ESPN integration? I didn’t see anything special really.
Tell us about the new "saving your replay" system. I see the 10 gigs left on my 360 hard drive disappearing...fast.. Especially after saving replays of my ND squad crushing Bangpow's East Lansing Underachievers In Green.
It’s really nice. You can view every play of the game afterward and save it on your hard drive. Apparently, will be able to download those to our computers and do what we want with them. So, space on the HD might not be that big of a problem. But man, those highlights are sweet!
Are there custom camera angles in the game?
No.
Are there any new camera angles in the game?
No.
Has the opening sequence been smoothed out?
Yes, it’s smoother, but still very uneventful.
Online
Are we going to be able to see player names when playing online this year?
Unfortunately……no.
Will EA ever be implementing an "online locker" concept whereby players can share rosters (i.e. edited rosters) online without having to buy a 3rd party device. (They did this for a while with Madden next gen, would be quite handy in next-gen.)
Not yet.
Can we save depth charts for online usage?
Don’t know.
Any new options to online mode? Like playing ranked games on Heisman? Is spectator mode in the game this year?
We didn’t really get into online play.
Have load times been reduced?
They seem to be about the same.
What will the differences be between the 360 and PS3 versions?
Not sure. We only had 360s, but I guess not much…if anything.
Is there 4-player Co-Op?
Nope, but there is 2-player.
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