Even Hitler hates EA Sports

Yet another YouTube gem. If you're like me, along with a few million other pissed off gamers who pony up $60 each summer, this is the best way to spend the next four minutes...



My personal favorites: 2:00 and 2:57

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NCAA 10 Simulation: Syracuse at Penn State

We continue the NCAA 10 simulations this week, with Syracuse visiting Penn State. I did adjust the rosters, depth charts, and starters for this week, for both teams. So, this is about as accurate you'll get with a video game.

The game was simulated (CPU vs. CPU - I had no involvement) 10 times, in cool, breezy, rainy weather. The widest margin was 59-14; the closest was 41-31.

Full results below the fold.

44-10 PSU
44-25 PSU
59-14 PSU
41-31 PSU
24-3 PSU
29-6 PSU
41-13 PSU
46-3 PSU
45-24 PSU
38-9 PSU

Next week: Temple at Penn State.

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NCAA 10 simulation: Akron at Penn State

I decided to have some fun and simulate this week's game on NCAA 10. The results were varied, but Penn State never lost. The game was simulated (CPU vs. CPU - I had no involvement) ten times, in cool, cloudy weather. The widest margin was 55-10; the closest was 30-15.

Full results below the fold.

44-17 PSU
41-0 PSU
34-7 PSU
34-10 PSU
33-7 PSU
30-15 PSU
42-10 PSU
55-10 PSU
41-3 PSU
34-17 PSU

I realize that this isn't exactly science. It's not a very good gauge on how the game will go. But again, it's fun. I'm sure it will be even more interesting when I simulate later games this season, when the teams are more evenly matched.

In other action...

Check out the interview I gave with Mike Rasor, Ohio.com Akron Zips blogger. Mike Hubbell of BSD also took part.

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Turnovers, the upset's main ingredient

I hadn't intended to write anything today, at least until much later. However, after ending the first quarter of an NCAA10 game against Michigan in the 2010 season, it was just too good to let go.

At the break, both the No. 1 Nittany Lions (4-0) and the No. 14 Wolverines (4-0) combined for 200 yards exactly, and the score was tied at seven. That would sound about right, until you look at the box score:

Total yards:
Penn State - 199
Michigan - 1

As you would have guessed from this posts headline, turnovers played a definitive role in that first quarter.

Turnovers:
Penn State - 2
Michigan - 0

Here's how things went down.

Penn State received the kickoff, and proceeded to drive down the field at breakneck speed. But inside the 10 yard line, Evan Royster fumbled and Michigan recovered. Drive halted.

Michigan goes three-and-out, including a sack of Tate Forcier by Devon Still. Punt.

Penn State fields the punt, and begins the drive inside its own 35. Again, Kevin Newsome connects with his receivers for huge chunks of yardage, including a 60-yard catch and run by Andrew Szczerba down the east sideline assisted by a great block by Derek Moye. In a three-wide shotgun set, Newsome takes the snap and releases a quick pass to a wide open slanting Brett Brackett. But the pass is tipped by a Michigan lineman, and picked off Donovan Warren. Warren returns the pick for a 94-yard touchdown. Michigan 7, Penn State 0

Michigan kicks off, and Stephfon Green returns the kick to Penn State's 40. Royster gains a few good runs, and Newsome connects on third down. At Michigan's 13, Newsome hits Moye on a slant for the touchdown. Michigan 7, Penn State 7

Michigan goes three-and-out on the next possession, and the quarter ends as Penn State takes the field.

Now, don't for one second think that I expect a video game to accurately simulate what will happen on the field in any given real-life game. But I thought this one example was worth mentioning here.

Turnovers in football are probably the most important statistic when trying to figure out a team. Remember Illinois in 2006? That team went 2-10, was -15 in turnovers, but actually out-gained its opponents by 36 ypg.

Michigan had tons of turnover problems* (see update below) in 2008, just as Penn State did in 2003.

And how can we forget the most famous turnover in Penn State history, on Jan 2, 1987 in Tempe, AZ?

Turnovers are just one ingredient of an upset, but it's more like High Fructose Corn Syrup than Red Dye No. 4 -- it always tops the list.

*Of course, Michigan's problems ran much deeper than just turnovers in '08, as we can see here:
But even with all the hilarity aside, that video just continues to show what turnovers will do to your team.

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Face off with ZN

I've spent the better part of my free time this weekend playing NCAA 10 (XBOX), and I'll stand by my claim that it's a very good game.

If you've purchased the game, you probably already know about the roster issues. Due to EA's massive screw up, and my unwillingness to play a dynasty with anything but the best rosters, up until today, I've been playing online only or exhibition games.

So, for all you out there looking for a game, search me out! My username is (surprise!) ZombieNationPSU

Look forward to seeing you all on the field!

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NCAA 2010 initial thoughts

Yeah, ok I didn't buy the game. But I downloaded the demo yesterday, just to make sure it was worth eventually (like, tomorrow?!) buying. Well, it is worth the money, for once. Let me run down a few things I noticed, good and bad.

The Good

• Drive summaries: This might seem minor, but in '09, after kicking a field goal, the drive summary would include the distance of the field goal in the total drive length. So if my guys drive 34 yards to the 17 yard line, and my kicker boots a 34-yard score, the drive summary would say Yards: 68! That pissed me off so bad, it almost made the game unplayable. Those are the things that make me wonder just who play-tests these games.

In 2010, that problem is fixed.

• Passing motion: In '09, quarterbacks looked more like they were competing in the shot put whenever they'd launch a throw. It was terrible.

In 2010, the quarterbacks drop back and release much more like the real players do.

• Tackles/player movements: One thing I must say EA does well is animate tackles each edition. But this season is very, very good. Shoestring tackles, all-out pops over the middle, and ball carriers running through traffic are all much smoother this season.

Not that this was a problem before, but in 2010, the fluidity of player movements is much improved.

• Game strategy: I haven't been able to fully utilize this feature, but from what I've done so far, it makes the game a bit more interesting. From telling your guys to play really aggressive (strip the ball more, super-tight coverage, but more risks), to just keeping the other team in front of you (sure tackling, playing softer coverage, but not giving up big plays), it's a very nice addition.

The Bad

• There are always problems, but this year's aren't too bad. Like the commentators: Lee Corso, Herbie and Brad Nessler. First of all, they don't even do games together anymore!!! Not only that, but only Herbie works with Erin Andrews (new to the game). Not only this, but their comments HAVE NOT CHANGED since I first got the game in 2004. Sorry, but that's pathetic.

If EA really wants to 'wow' its audiences, have multiple broadcast teams. Honestly, if EA is going to suck up to ESPN so much, why not just go all out and have Brent Musberger, Herbie for the big night games, Nessler, Todd Blackledge for the big afternoon games, and Pam Ward... JUST KIDDING... someone like Mike Patrick, Sean McDonough or Ron Franklin for the day games? I also think it would be a hoot to hear Craig James on there (even if he's a douche sometimes).

• The fans/sidelines: From what I've seen, the crowds are still pretty poor. I liked the 2004 version, where if a player started our a short run, but broke it big, the crowd would actually "get up" from their seats and act more wild. In the last few versions, on XBOX at least, the crowds are in a constant state of gyration.

Also, would it kill EA to make more than four or five different movements for the fans?

In terms of sidelines, the players' shoes are still a sticking point for me. Of course, because Penn State wears BLACK shoes. I'm not sure, and would love it if someone came forward to give us a heads up, but do the Penn Staters on the sidelines still have white shoes?

When I played the demo, I picked (depends on the team) black shoes for Oklahoma, but their sidelines were clad in white shoes. Terrible.

Overall

Not bad this season. I'm 99 percent sure I'm going to buy it by this weekend. The graphics, animations, and overall game play is markedly improved from even last year's edition, which actually begs the question: why are there so few improvements each season?

But otherwise, it's a great game, and worth the money.

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NCAA Football 2010 out today

Even if you're not a die-hard video game player, you're probably aware that today is a big day for college football fans, particularly those under the age of 40. EA Sports' NCAA Football 2010 is right now selling in stores, and according to a lot of people at EA (what else would you expect), this year's game finally (as it supposedly does every year) gets it right.

But that's all besides the point.

I noticed that there are a lot of you visiting this site, probably for the first time, in search of NCAA '10 "accessories," like Penn State rosters, depth charts, and most of all, THE BEST custom stadium sounds anywhere for Beaver Stadium.

Well, you've come to the right place. For rosters and depth charts (projected depth chart will be updated again later today), just click on the tabs at the top of this page. And for the most accurate, and best-sounding custom stadium sounds for Penn State, click on the link below and enjoy!

Updated 2009 Penn State Depth Chart, Roster, and Eligibility Breakdowns

ZN Exclusive: Custom Stadium Sounds (for Penn State!)

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NCAA 10 update: Pursuit angles

I don't know about you, but when I played NCAA 09 for the first time last year, the biggest issue was the AI's pursuit angles. They... sucked... ass. But apparently, the folks at EA decided it was high time they actually put out a product that mimicked real football, and not just some arcade-style crap made for the whole family to play. (All-Play? Worst idea, ever!)

Most of the time, the computer would just follow your ball carrier's every move, including the thing they now call "twitching," where you just run in a zig-zag to slow down the defender that's zig-zagging with your player. Well, that's gone now, and not a moment too soon.

Here's the old pursuit angle problem, and the biggest single issue I had with the game last year: (recognize the ball carrier?)


NCAA Football 09 Sideline Pursuit Angles from easports on Vimeo.

And here's the supposed fix for this year's game. So far, it looks much, much better:


NCAA Football 10 sideline pursuit angles from easports on Vimeo.

The guys over at EA are saying that there are a lot of great improvements this year. (um, like the ones we were supposed to get last year?) But if the pursuit angle fix is any indication, they might be on to something... finally.

*Have something to say about this post? Let your voice be heard, in the ZN Message Forum!

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