Late Sunday evening, the flagship radio station for the Baylor Bears (1660 AM ESPN Central Texas) tweeted out a report that former Baylor quarterback and 2011 Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III will be on the cover of NCAA Football 13 and it was officially announced & confirmed Monday morning on The Dan Patrick Show.
Beginning March 13, fans can visit the NCAA Football Facebook page to vote for one of former eight Heisman Trophy winners to join Griffin on the cover. This appears to confirm some role for former Heisman Trophy winners in the game.
...
The NCAA Playing Oversight Panel has approved new rules regarding kickoffs and touchbacks that - thanks to the NCAA Football dev team - The Gaming Tailgate can confirm will be in NCAA Football 13. "Our guys are already on it and these changes will be in NCAA 13," said NCAA Football producer Ben Haumiller in a statement via e-mail.
The Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) during its conference call on Tuesday approved moving the kickoff and touchback lines beginning with the 2012 football season.
Next fall, teams will kick off at the 35-yard line instead of the 30. Also, touchbacks on free kicks will be moved to the 25-yard line instead of the 20 to encourage more touchbacks. Touchbacks on other plays (for example, punts that go into the end zone, or fumbles that go out of the end zone) will remain at the 20-yard line.
The recommended changes came from the Football Rules Committee after that group examined NCAA data showing that injuries during kickoffs occur more often than in other phases of the game. (Click here for the full release.)
Let us know how you think this rule change will alter special teams and field position in NCAA Football as well as in real-life action.
...
Since February 1st, six different pictures have surfaced on twitter relating NCAA Football 13 and former Heisman winners. Players including Eddie George, Barry Sanders, Marcus Allen, Mark Ingram, and Archie Griffin have come up with either pictures of themselves with the Heisman Trophy or in photos that appear to be taken on a set. The latest (seen above) is of Griffin sitting in front of an NCAA Football 13 backdrop.
These pictures come from the Twitter accounts of Sanders and also Sandy Sandoval, Senior Director of Athlete Relations for EA Sports. Of course it's not uncommon to see photos of Sandoval with various athletes given his job duties, however these images have surfaced with descriptions tying them to NCAA Football 13.
Continue after the break to see the images as well as links to the tweets they were pulled from and let us know what you think this might mean for the next version of NCAA Football.
...
This is the first part of our series looking at the NCAA Football franchise as we enter the seventh year of NCAA Football on the next-gen consoles.
NCAA Football 07 kicked-off the next-gen revolution of college football in the summer of 2006 on the X-Box 360. The game is considered the “lost” next-gen game due to only being available on one console and being released at a time when many were just starting to make the switch to the 360.
The move to next-gen gaming saw both gamers and studios alike place a huge emphasis on the improved visuals that were now possible thanks to the new powerful technology at-hand. The majority of early previews of these consoles and upcoming titles focused on their visual capabilities with screenshots and CG movies touting the possibility that laid ahead in the years to come. Continuing with this trend, visuals would be an aspect that NCAA Football 07 focused heavily on.
...
Who do you want to see on the cover of NCAA Football 13? Each year, some of the first game-related info surrounding NCAA Football is of the cover athlete. Last year, fans voted for the NCAA Football 12 cover athlete and it seems logical to expect some sort of fan voting once again given the success of cover votes for NCAA 12, Madden NFL 12 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 13.
The Gaming Tailgate asked our Twitter followers and Facebook fans to tell us who they would like to see on the cover of NCAA Football 13 this coming July. Taking their requests, we have formulated a list of potential candidates for the NCAA 13 cover. Continue on to see who we feel are the favorites and vote for your pick, players on the radar and a brief look at players who are on track to grace the cover of NCAA Football in the future.
...
With the release of NCAA Football 12, many Online Dynasties fell victim to the "Transfer Failed" issue which helped end ODs and damper the enthusiasm surrounding numerous improvements to the mode, including Coaching Carousel. Rectifying the "Transfer Failed" issue has been a priority for the NCAA Football team in regards to both NCAA 12 and NCAA 13.
A now released server-side update will help alleviate additional "Transfer Failed" issues in NCAA Football 12. Currently, these "Transfer Failed" issues could be a result of a wide variety of issues making it difficult for the team to diagnose, even with details and information from the community. The cause of these transfer issues can be very random as, for example, some long file names were getting truncated, leading to the "Transfer Failed" message. Heading into July, the dev team is working on a significantly proactive measure to prevent a repeat of the "Transfer Failed" issue in NCAA 13.
With NCAA Football 13, the development team will utilize an (server-side) Online Dynasty Live Dashboard which will record all user actions, providing a clear idea of the issue and therefore a quicker resolution. Expect more news on NCAA Football 13 this spring.
...
Game Description: NCAA Football 13 continues the rich tradition and pageantry of gameday Saturday. Storm out of the tunnel with your favorite team and build a national powerhouse as you fight for your chance to win the National Championship. Make your mark and lead your team to glory with NCAA Football 13.
Cover Athletes: Baylor QB Robert Griffin III and 1988 Heisman Trophy Winner Barry Sanders.
When does NCAA Football 13 come out? The release date for NCAA Football 13 is July 10, 2012. If you are a member of the EA SPORTS Season Ticket program, you can download the game on July 6.
Available Consoles: X-Box 360 & Playstation 3.
Pre-order Bonuses:
Amazon (360|PS3): 5 Nike Pro Combat Downloadable Uniforms - Army, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Oregon, & Michigan State (Pic)
Best Buy: Five Star Quarterback for Road to Glory
GameStop: Heisman Challenge 3-Player Pack of Mark Ingram, Tim Tebow and Matt Leinart
Demo Information: Currently available on X-Box Live & PlayStation Network. The demo features one Heisman Challenge match-up (of co-cover athlete Robert Griffin III) and several match-ups from Week 10: USC-Oregon, LSU-Alabama, Kansas State vs. Baylor. All match-ups consist of four three-minute quarters with Studio Updates, however the Heisman Challenge game features four five-minute quarters with defense supersimmed. Playing through the demo will unlock WR Tim Brown, RB Archie Griffin, and QB Jim Plunkett for use in Heisman Challenge in retail version. Sharing the demo with a friend will unlock five Nike Pro-Combat uniforms for use in the retail version of the game: LSU, Navy, Stanford, Boise State, Ohio State. (Pic)
Announced Features and Improvements (PS3/360):
Gameplay
Newly approved kickoff rule changes - Starting 2012, teams will kick off at the 35-yard line instead of the 30. Also, touchbacks on free kicks will be moved to the 25-yard line instead of the 20 to encourage more touchbacks. Touchbacks on other plays (for example, punts that go into the end zone, or fumbles that go out of the end zone) will remain at the 20-yard line.
All-new Pump Fake
All-new Shovel Pass
New Dropbacks (20+ new animations)
New Play-Action Abort Fake
New Play-Action Pick Up Blitz
Throw on the Run Animations: QBs can throw on run without setting up, but throws are more difficult across their body
Total Control Passing Mechanic: Multiple Pass Trajectories (20+ new; new zones/ball speeds); Added control with left stick
Receiver Route Awareness: Icons dim at snap, lit up when receivers looking/able to make the catch
430+ New Catch Animations
Enhanced Option Pitch
Improved Punt Coverage
Read & React Defenders: Both offensive and defensive players "have to see [the ball] before they can make a play on the ball." (No more 'Psychic DBs')
Dynasty
Online Dynasty Live Dashboard - New behind the scenes technology for dev team to assess, repair, or prevent "Transfer Failed" issues in Online Dynasty.
Dynamic Pitches - Some pitches change on a weekly basis. (New pitch: Playing Style, based upon stats and on-field performance.)
Scouting - Actual ratings and overall revealed via scouting
Breaking into Top Ten - If other schools do not show interest, team can move onto board. Prospects start with fewer teams on board. Any team has a chance at every recruit.
Triple Threat Athletes - Athletes able to play two or three positions
Phone Call
Search Improvements - Faster & optimized
New "My School" Screen - Showing current recruiting pitch ratings
Changes to Player Transfers - New reasons for leaving: Playing Time, Broken Promises, Coach Leaving, Homesick. Try and keep players from leaving by offering recruits. Broken promises can hurt Coach Prestige. Improved transfer logic and number of transfers.
Website Improvements: New Scouting on the Web, Complete offseason and preseason on the web
ESPN Bottom Line Ticker (Priority Alerts, Upset Alerts, Final Alerts): Games happen in real-time, upcoming game preview
ESPN Studio Updates: Live updates in all four quarters, updates will show one to four games. Will highlight: General & Top 25, Upset alerts, BCS updates, big days for players. Hosted by ESPN's Rece Davis.
New game open will feature "live look-in" from Rece in-studio and then sending it out to Kirk and Brad.
Nessler will give 'game impact' discussion based on Studio Update from Rece
Heisman Challenge
16 former Heisman winners
One season on any team
Specific goals and accomplishments for each player
Reaction Time - new gameplay feature. LT/L2 during gameplay
Over 64 video interviews with the Heisman winners; unlocked as you play. Different stories for each player: game specific interviews, Heisman questions, Recruiting questions, Reflections on their Heisman year.
Compete on new Heisman leaderboards
Bonus unlockables if you win the Heisman
Exact look from their glory days
3D Modeled player heads
Retro style
Modeled after winning year
Load screen for game will give player facts and history
Over 40 specific goals per player
Improved playcalling: More passes for QBs, more rushes for RBs, more passes thrown to WRs
Road to Glory
Difficulty Levels - Each level effects Gameplay difficulty, Coach Trust Points and XP Points (Time until starter: Freshman - 5 weeks, Varsity - 8 weeks, AA - 13 weeks, Heisman - 18 weeks)
Kick Return (KR & PR) - Depth chart determines whether you return or not. Positions that can return: WR, S, HB, CB. New camera angles for returns.
Reaction Time: React to the play by slowing down time and outperforming your opponent. Left Trigger activates, react to the action, release to return.
Time Meter for Reaction Time: As you use it, your meter will drain. You auto get 20% of meter back after every play. Gain time back by completing good and great plays. (HS: 5 seconds, College: Awareness - Total Time. Cap: 10 seconds)
Reaction Time Progression: Can use boosts to improve. Top Skill Upgrade item only one that will give Reaction Time boost.
Unique cameras for each position
Tuning Update: Playcall - More plays focused on you, more playbooks in HS, better all around playcalling (More passing plays for QBs, more running plays for RBs, more passing plays for WRs)
Tuning Update: Recruiting Points - Harder to get Offensive Recruiting Points, Easier to get Defensive Recruiting Points
New Practice Features: Scouting Report - Learn everything about your opponent before you play them. Can play on scout team preparing team for upcoming week's foe.
Practice Facility: Offensive Field (Scout Team D & 1st Team Offense) & Defensive Field (Scout O & 1st Team Defense)
8 New High School Stadiums: Based on regions of US (11 total)
New Award System & Leaderboards: Goals (Position Specific Goals & New Point System) Records: School & NCAA Records
Leaderboards: All-American & Heisman, Varsity
Presentation
True Progressive Lighting
Motion Blur
New Generic Head Library: 100+ options
Broadcast Presentation 2.0: Incorporation of ESPN style graphics into Main Menu, new broadcast wipes (halftime, NCAA Football 20th Anniversary, ESPN College Football shield), ESPN replay wipe/transition.
Audio Improvements: New crowd mix (via ESPN and audio recorded from field), 24 new school specific chants.
Commentary Improvements: New non-linear system, new ad lib recording technique, new stitching techniques, more to be announced.
New trophy presentation & celebration cutscenes: rivalry, conference championship, bowl
New Practice Field
New stadiums: FAU, North Texas
Stadium Updates: East Carolina, Iowa State, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Rice, Tulane, UL Monroe, Wake Forest, more to be announced.
More traditions: Purdue authentic entrance, Texas cheerleaders, USC song girls, Texas A&M's Reveille, WKU mascot Big Red, Oklahoma State Paddle fans, Army/Navy/Air Force/mascot parachutists, more trophies (Heroes Game, Big Ten Championship, etc.), more to be announced.
New/updated uniforms: Arizona State, Baylor, Kentucky, Maryland, UL Lafayette, more to be announced. Over 230 new uniform pieces.
March 8, 2012: Episode #1 (MP3) - Host A.J. is joined by Community Manager Justin Dewiel and Producer Ben Haumiller. They reveal the first round match-ups in the NCAA Football 13 cover vote and also discuss a few recent NCAA rule changes that will make their way into the game this year.
April 5, 2012: Episode #2 (MP3) - Host A.J. is joined by Community Manager Justin Dewiel, Producer Ben Haumiller, and Designer Christian McLeod as they answer questions from the community surrounding presentation upgrades to the game. They also take calls via telephone from Tradition Sports' Rynoaid and The Gaming Tailgate's cdj.
April 19, 2012: Episode #3 (MP3) - Host A.J. is joined by Community Manager Justin Dewiel, Producer Ben Haumiller, and Gameplay Designer 'The Legend' Larry Richart. They recap the gameplay improvements coming to the title and also share some other changes not announced during the Gameplay Webcast.
May 11, 2012: Episode #5 (MP3) - Host A.J. and crew take a deep dive into NCAA Football 13 Dynasty improvements in a discussion with Presentation Designer Christian McLeod and Dynasty Designer Jordan Peterson.
June 18, 2012: Episode #6 (YouTube) - In Episode 6 of the official NCAA Football 13 Podcast, we talk to NCAA Football Designer Alex Howell about all the new enhancements to the Road to Glory game mode!
What features do you want to see in NCAA Football 13? Next month is the first NCAA Football Community Event with community members from The Gaming Tailgate, other community sites and members at large being brought in to help convey community requests for NCAA Football 13 and the franchise in general.
Before the event next month in beautiful Orlando, we want to hear more from you on what you want to see in the game. While we will be compiling info from your wish lists and the Community Wish List Tournament, we want to know your top requests in the following areas of focus:
Top 10 issues that you have with Dynasty mode
Top 10 issues that you have with Road to Glory
Top 10 gameplay issues that drive you crazy
Top 10 presentation issues that you have
Top 10 items that you’d like to see in NCAA Football 13
Courtesy The Omaha World-Herald: In the future, when football fans play the Madden NFL or NCAA Football video game series, they'll see the face and hear the voice of referee Clete Blakeman.
It's the first time an identifiable referee has been chosen for either of the popular EA Sports series, which have been played by millions on PlayStation and Xbox.
Creative Director Jeff Luhr said it isn't certain yet whether Blakeman will be featured in next year's games, which will be Madden 13 or NCAA Football 13. Both come out in the summer of 2012.
"It will definitely will be in (the games) at some point," Luhr said. "Both are considerations."
...
The Gaming Tailgate Video Podcast
Official Website: http://www.ea.com/ncaa-football
