If I Were Developing the NCAA Series - jsquigg's Blog

jsquigg's Blog

If I Were Developing the NCAA Series

Posted on June 24, 2009 at 11:59 PM.

If I were the lead developer on NCAA 10, I'd have a different set of priorities than have been shown so far. Rather than continue posting my displeasure in the NCAA forums, I've decided to organize my developing priorities in blog form.

First Gameplay:

Ignored for so long has been any strategy on the offensive, and even defensive, lines. I would use OL/DL interaction as a foundation. Included would be a true option blocking system that would allow the user to "read the defense." The offensive line would have more realistic zone blocking, and the guards would pull a lot more.
In pass protection, gone are the days of rolling your quarterback out the wrong way 15 yards (at least) behind the line of scrimmage and bombing the ball down field on the opposite side with laser like precision. If you are out of the pocket, DEs and LBs will be able to disengage flawlessly (like real life) and pursue, leading to a sack party. If you are able to throw from this position, passes will be horrendously inaccurate when your feet aren't set and/or you try to throw across the field.
Obviously another priority would be getting the animations and locomotion down to a tee with realistic speeds for different types of players and a better fatigue system while the play is going on so different players can't maintain top speed forever, but tire at different rates.
Formation subs!
In dynasty, different teams will change strategy over time to fit talent and will recruit realistically to their systems.

Presentation:
Every FBS and FCS (D1) team with their stadiums in game.
More diverse commentary (adding pages upon pages to the script).
Team entrances along with mad stat overlays, a halftime and post game show.
Situational reaction AI-Players react realistically to different situations on the field displaying different celebrations and disappointments relevant to game situation.
Elimination of the mascot game.

I know developing a game is difficult and I know next to nothing about code, but even though I'm sure I forgot something, these would be minimum requirement before shipping. I would add as much customization as possible with as many sliders as possible all tweaked to max effectiveness by ship date.

Now that I've gotten this all out, what would you prioritize as lead dev of NCAA?

Comments

# 1 aimiami @ Jun 25

i agree the post game would be cool
love the formation subs
create play book would be nice and they should add some addons after the game is relased idk what but better idea then making ppl wait another year when then can just download it

# 2 TJdaSportsGuy @ Jun 25

I think NCAA just needs more "little things" added to it. I'm not that picky when it comes to gameplay. I was fine with 09. But I think developers of ALL sports games need to spend some quality time with MLB 09 The Show. That series does everything right. Adding all the sorta neat little nooks and crannies that that franchise has is what every single sports game needs to do.

# 3 jsquigg @ Jun 25

It may be a pipe dream, but games had these things LAST GEN, so I don't know exactly what you're getting at henriw. From what I've seen, you just blindly accept whatever game they make, which is fine, but that doesn't mean things have been done right.