Q&A with NCAA Football 10 Designer Greg Heddlesten

Does that mean we won't get to see fans walking around the stands or standing around the sidelines? Playing yesterday, I realized just how empty Memorial Stadium feels when you realize that the spaces below the stands are empty. I'm pretty bummed about the lack of refs, but will we get to see coaches at least this year? If you can't say outright, just give us a sign, hehe...

xbox.bangpow wrote:Greg, speaking of the refs. Not that it really matters to me, but why is it that the refs aren't in the game, anyway?

Again, to me it's not a big deal, but I don't know if I've seen an official statement, for lack of a better term, as to why.

Basically, if we don't have something it's either because we didn't have enough time/resources or it wasn't high enough on the priority list to get it in the game. We would love to get everything into the game in a single year, but that is just not going to happen. And considering we iterate on the game each year, we are able add a considerable amount each cycle. I don't think there are many studios out there that can do what we do, and I truly believe that.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 03/24/2009 18:20:33

easw.EA_GregHeddlesten wrote:

xbox.bangpow wrote:Greg, speaking of the refs. Not that it really matters to me, but why is it that the refs aren't in the game, anyway?

Again, to me it's not a big deal, but I don't know if I've seen an official statement, for lack of a better term, as to why.

Basically, if we don't have something it's either because we didn't have enough time/resources or it wasn't high enough on the priority list to get it in the game. We would love to get everything into the game in a single year, but that is just not going to happen. And considering we iterate on the game each year, we are able add a considerable amount each cycle. I don't think there are many studios out there that can do what we do, and I truly believe that.

Oh, I wasn't questioning the time or effort or resources that are put into the game. I guess I was just wondering if putting refs in the game was more difficult than it seems.....which I would assume that it is.

I mean, I would much rather things like the defensive pass rush and pursuit angles get worked on before we see refs on the field.

I'm not taking you to task about the issue or anything, I'm just curious. Plus, if there were refs in the game, people would complain about their players running into them.

Also Greg, maybe you can't answer this question, but has the development team ever thought about using a licensed graphics engine to expedite development?

xbox.deusmortuus wrote:Does that mean we won't get to see fans walking around the stands or standing around the sidelines? Playing yesterday, I realized just how empty Memorial Stadium feels when you realize that the spaces below the stands are empty. I'm pretty bummed about the lack of refs, but will we get to see coaches at least this year? If you can't say outright, just give us a sign, hehe...

There is only so much we can add and keep our 60fps gameplay. Granted adding more NPC interaction would be nice, but I think we have more work to do on the field before we invest a ton of time on the sidelines/stands.

Thanks Greg, All I wanted to know is if you guys upgraded to the same gameplay as madden or just "tweaked" the ncaa 09 style. Since you stated that you "slightly" updated the running and are currently in the process of "updating" the passing I doubt I'll be buying this game for the first time ever. I am not trying to be a jerk about it, I just expect the best product for the $60 I'd be spending. I bought a PS3 just to play NCAA football and every other game was a bonus, but NCAA doesn't even come close to Madden or FIFA... and I don't even like soccer. I watched the EA FIFA team's video on this site and those guys are passionate about what they do and the product they put out. I can tell you are that type of guy, but I question some other's committment. Your interaction on here is awesome. I give you a 10/10 but I can't say the same about ncaa football. Hopefully by next spring EA will do everything in their power to release the very best college football game ever and not just an updated version of last year.

on a side note... gamers don't need refs or a mascot game. I think if the mascot game is so big it should be its own game. Dynasty mode is the real reason gamers get this game.

xbox.deusmortuus wrote:Also Greg, maybe you can't answer this question, but has the development team ever thought about using a licensed graphics engine to expedite development?

The studio uses various middleware, but I'm not involved in any of the decisions/conversations on tha topic. All of those things have a licensing fee associated to them as well, and it probably isn't cheap.

easw.EA_GregHeddlesten wrote:

xbox.deusmortuus wrote:Does that mean we won't get to see fans walking around the stands or standing around the sidelines? Playing yesterday, I realized just how empty Memorial Stadium feels when you realize that the spaces below the stands are empty. I'm pretty bummed about the lack of refs, but will we get to see coaches at least this year? If you can't say outright, just give us a sign, hehe...

There is only so much we can add and keep our 60fps gameplay. Granted adding more NPC interaction would be nice, but I think we have more work to do on the field before we invest a ton of time on the sidelines/stands.

What about dynamic crowd sizes?

Any chance that you will see the numbers of fans lower during the game while things like blowouts are going on? Or if your school doesn't have a lot of popularity due to a history of poor performance/

cem_ea_id.timberwuf wrote:Thanks Greg, All I wanted to know is if you guys upgraded to the same gameplay as madden or just "tweaked" the ncaa 09 style. Since you stated that you "slightly" updated the running and are currently in the process of "updating" the passing I doubt I'll be buying this game for the first time ever. I am not trying to be a jerk about it, I just expect the best product for the $60 I'd be spending. I bought a PS3 just to play NCAA football and every other game was a bonus, but NCAA doesn't even come close to Madden or FIFA... and I don't even like soccer. I watched the EA FIFA team's video on this site and those guys are passionate about what they do and the product they put out. I can tell you are that type of guy, but I question some other's committment. Your interaction on here is awesome. I give you a 10/10 but I can't say the same about ncaa football. Hopefully by next spring EA will do everything in their power to release the very best college football game ever and not just an updated version of last year.

on a side note... gamers don't need refs or a mascot game. I think if the mascot game is so big it should be its own game. Dynasty mode is the real reason gamers get this game.

I'm sorry you feel that way. Our goal is to create the best product every year and we put a ton of hours and money towards doing that every product cycle for the enjoyment of our consumers.

We're in our alpha phase, which means fixing bugs and features are being tweaked and tuned. I can tell you the game is going to feel totally different in July than in March. A ton of things will have changed by then. I think it's unfair to make a decision on something without playing it and from just the little bit I can post... But you're entitiled to your opinion.

What about dynamic crowd sizes?

Any chance that you will see the numbers of fans lower during the game while things like blowouts are going on? Or if your school doesn't have a lot of popularity due to a history of poor performance/

I agree... its a must. If your going to implement camera flashes then you should have different crowd sizes. The 2 kinda go hand in hand. Small crowd, no camera flashes... Big crowd, flash bulbs everywhere.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 03/24/2009 19:01:37

cem_ea_id.timberwuf wrote:Thanks Greg, All I wanted to know is if you guys upgraded to the same gameplay as madden or just "tweaked" the ncaa 09 style. Since you stated that you "slightly" updated the running and are currently in the process of "updating" the passing I doubt I'll be buying this game for the first time ever. I am not trying to be a jerk about it, I just expect the best product for the $60 I'd be spending. I bought a PS3 just to play NCAA football and every other game was a bonus, but NCAA doesn't even come close to Madden or FIFA... and I don't even like soccer. I watched the EA FIFA team's video on this site and those guys are passionate about what they do and the product they put out. I can tell you are that type of guy, but I question some other's committment. Your interaction on here is awesome. I give you a 10/10 but I can't say the same about ncaa football. Hopefully by next spring EA will do everything in their power to release the very best college football game ever and not just an updated version of last year.

on a side note... gamers don't need refs or a mascot game. I think if the mascot game is so big it should be its own game. Dynasty mode is the real reason gamers get this game.

timber, I would advise you to at least wait to play and see the game and it's features before deciding whether you are going to buy it or not.

Secondly, I kind of think it's unfair to question the dedication of the game designers. Making video games is no easy task and they are as big of sports gamers, if not bigger, than any of us on here. I'm just sayin'

Thanks for the reply Greg, I hope you read my entire rant... haha. Anyway, if you can pull a few strings and get Pat White on the PS3 cover I won't worry about the gameplay or n e thing else for that matter cuz Pat White deserves to be the cover man of NCAA FOOTBALL 2010... and I will definately buy a copy and cherish it. And it will probably be my favorite college football game of all time. Goodnite

Greg, thanks for answering all these questions
its definitely getting me pumped for the game this year
I have a lot of questions, but the one that is bugging me the most is the one i am going to ask you:

Will there be a create-a-play feature?
If so:
Will you be able to make "option" pass routes?
Will you be able to make pre-snap motion?
Will you be able to make detailed blocking schemes?
Will you be able to make defensive lineman do "stunt" routes?
Will you be able to create new formations then put them into a playbook?
Will you be able to use them online?

Thanks so much...
If you can't answer in this much detail its fine...

xbox.bangpow wrote:

easw.EA_GregHeddlesten wrote:

xbox.deusmortuus wrote:Does that mean we won't get to see fans walking around the stands or standing around the sidelines? Playing yesterday, I realized just how empty Memorial Stadium feels when you realize that the spaces below the stands are empty. I'm pretty bummed about the lack of refs, but will we get to see coaches at least this year? If you can't say outright, just give us a sign, hehe...

There is only so much we can add and keep our 60fps gameplay. Granted adding more NPC interaction would be nice, but I think we have more work to do on the field before we invest a ton of time on the sidelines/stands.

What about dynamic crowd sizes?

Any chance that you will see the numbers of fans lower during the game while things like blowouts are going on? Or if your school doesn't have a lot of popularity due to a history of poor performance/

We had dynamic attendence in NCAA 09; it will carry over into 10.

Actually doesn't 09 have a slightly interactive crowd level system in place? I seem to recall that when I'm blowing out a team, the crowd begins to dwindle...

I would love to see more crowd interaction, though. That's just me. If we can't have refs or a more fleshed out NPC presence in the game, will we at least see an increase in crowd sound reaction in this year's version, Greg?

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NCAA® Football 10