The Blog for the Sports Gamer

About the interceptions in ESPN. The CPU is throwing INTs left and right. I read about this on a few forums before I started playing and now that I have about a dozen games under my belt, yeah, it’s without a doubt a bit much. I have only played exhibition games thus far but if the Browns have this many picks after 12 games hoo boy we’re gonna do well!

I have the CPU accuracy slider maximized and the Interceptions slider minimized but I still manage 3-5 picks per game (8 min quarters and I never control the DBs). I really have no idea as to what else I can do to “fix” this rather than to just accept it. It’s a shame too because this game does more RIGHT than any pro football game I have ever played. But it needs a healthy patch.

The problem is that most Sega Sports games have one or two doozie-sized flaws that really hamper their longtime play value for me. This could be the flaw that makes it tough for me to really fall in love with ESPN 2K5. I can’t have the Browns picking off 64 passes in a season. That’s just…loony tunes. I’m hopng that for some reason Franchise mode is different. We’ll see..

I often remember 1982, because I turned 11, and I was sick something awful, but at least I was able to get the Coleco version of Zaxxon for my Atari 2600 The game was ass. It made you want to get a ColecoVision, that’s for sure. There’s also my 1981 birthday present — Laser Blast, also for the 2600. I had to pitch in a game that day at Gorton Junior High School (What up, Warwick RI)…duh, I wasn’t in junior high, that’s just where the game was. All I wanted to do was play Laser Blast. I think I walked 3 in 3 innings and then got bumped to LF. Good times.

Anyway, the moral is, I still played sports and video games 22 frickin years ago. I just realized what a sad freak I am. Okay, I’m going to have cake and drink now.

Was Fox News too much talk and too less speakers at the DNC? Actually, if you’re watching Fox News, you probably didn’t care anyway, but that’s another story…anyway, ITunes has most of the DNC speeches available for download — and they’re free.

Wow. So much for the CPU never being able to pass. I’m using a modified version of Bill Harris’ sliders, and after several games of seeing the CPU QB complete 35% of its passes, Kurt Warner and the Giants pass for 412 yards on me while going 29/52. Toomer had *16* catches for 220 yards. I was doubling him, bumping him, trying to zone him..the guy was not to be denied.

As wild as that was, I’m just getting started. Lee Suggs (me) had 25 carries for 290 yards. Yep. 290 yards. He had 3 long runs of 65, 57, and 54. It was just insane. The Giants couldn’t tackle him.

What’s shocking about this is that I have played about 7 or 8 games and this is the first time anything like this has happened. I think that’s a good thing. (Well, Suggs breaking the NFL record is a tad over the top…but hey). Of course if I can do this every other game from now on, that’s gonna be a problem.

So anyway, the score is tied at 31-31 with 5 seconds to go. The Giants have the ball at my 45 yard line. Warner drops back and throws a 25 yard post to, who else, Toomer. Here’s my gripe: Toomer catches the ball and the Giants call time out with 1 second left. Let me say this as gentle as I can:

Total Bull Shit.

No way in HELL can you run a 25 yard post play and call a time out in 4 seconds. That’s inhuman. I’m bitter of course because they won 34-31, but still..4 seconds!?

Because we aim to please and listen to our readers (even the ones that say we are cock suckers or (gah) liberals), Dan Spezzano says you absolutely positively must check out the website for the guy game. Link: http://www.theguygame.com Oh yeah, it’s adults only. Duh.

One of the comments I read was that Bill and I were both immersed in the NFL experience. I admit it, it’s most definitely a fun game. Not perfect — I still hate the kicking animation that has been there since the original game (when the guy starts left and kicks right, it looks goofy) and the moving arrow is annoying, but aside from the one bug where the penalty on a run gives an RB negative yards I really am enjoying myself — don’t get me wrong — these aren’t throw the controller down, fuck this game issues, like another football game I’ve been playing — but I have to point out issues, ya know?

Oh yeah, and if you think you really like what Bill and I do, live in San Francisco or want to move there, GameSpot is looking for a Sports Editor. Of course, you have to enjoy working with men too. And forget about hooking up becuase you’ll just be playing games nonstop. Link: http://w01.appmail.com/candidatebench/jobdetails.jsp?reqId=4621&type=ALL Interesting to see that knowledge of sports games is a requirement, because there’s nothing I enjoy more than going to IGN or GameSpot and seeing “I hate soccer, but this is a fun game.”

GameSpot’s Gord Goble has a very informative piece over at GameSpot about the history of Papyrus and their racing games. It’s a bathroom read but well worth the investment — click this link: http://www.gamespot.com/features/6103365/index.html

Back in ‘98 or ‘99, I was able to check out Papyrus first hand. (One of the very few times living on the East Coast was an advantage). Myself, along with Craig Tompkins and GA-Sports defector Scott Bedard (who had just reprogrammed Operation Sports and launched a little known metasite called Game Rankings — believe me, it was little at the time) were able to check out everything and anything about what I believe was the launch of NASCAR Racing 3. I remember the big news was that it was running on Direct 3D and all of the voice overs were redone, like the pit crews. We had done a nice article, but it’s no longer there at OS. I think Steve had to delete it so that 34,043 people could bitch about “reading defenses” in NCAA. It’s all about priorities. LOL.

Anyway it’s great news that the original owner of Papy now has acquired the technology in the games. Let’s all hope for more good things. Because I have zero faith in EA ever coming close to Papy’s games — even if you can create a sign.

In other news my ’standard’ 6800 showed up yesterday, and I promptly installed it. Haven’t played any games with it yet, I’m hoping Doom 3 ’shows up’ this weekend :).

Until then, it will be an NCAA and NFL fest this weekend. Oh and it’s my birthday. 33. Should be a good year, after all, it’s Larry Bird’s number!

…that bug the hell out of me

1) Why can’t I see the opposing team’s player ratings during a game? Can I do this? I don’t see how. I have to look at the rosters before the game and make a cheat sheet? Surely I’m missing this, right? I mean I HAVE to be able to see the difference between the left corner and the right corner…right? I noticed this actually after Andre King (A WR for Cleveland) caught a pass and went 72 yards with it and was caught from behind by a safety; I wanted to see the safety’s speed rating and couldn’t see how to do it.

2) Has anyone played a game where the CPU has completed over 50% of its passes? I don’t think I have. Right now, in the exhibitions I have played, I get at least 2 picks per game and the CPU hovers around 35-40%. I can’t make the sliders go in favor of the CPU anymore than I already have.

Anyway, just some observations.

I’ll be doing a semi-daily (this actually means I’ll post it when I have the time) Dynasty report using NCAA 2005. I have finally found settings that combined with some important house rules, allow me to at least enjoy the game. I haven’t changed my tune about NCAA 2005 being a disappointment because hoo boy it is certainly that, but I can also play a Dynasty without wanting to shoot myself. I don’t think NCAA 2005 is really a bad game more than it is not at all what many of us expected. Well, that, and parts are just plain bad. Who to use? I’m not goint to use Ohio State because that’s:

A: Too Easy

B: I get even MORE upset when a Buckeye player drops a pass I know he should catch
C: I like taking small schools to the Promised Land

I’ll post my settings and whatnot when I start the reports.

So…who to use? I’ll have to think on that a bit.

The point of the Dynasty report is to showcase what the game does well and what it doesn’t, not just on the field but also off the field. Plus I like doing it.

At the same time I’ll start up my Cleveland Browns ESPN 2K5 Franchise report. Same reasons. I’m using the Browns because:

A: It’s not easy (ain’t that the truth..)

B: I hate every other team in the NFL

C: See A and B

I’ll post my setting for that, as well, as soon as I get started.

So as soon as I pick my NCAA team I’ll get started on it.

Ok I really like ESPN 2K5. The more I am learning the control scheme (that right stick does wonders for the running game), and I’m having some highly enjoyable games with it. I played an exhibition last night as the Browns vs. Miami and I lost 27-17 and Ricky Williams (no comment) had a monster game on me, capping it off with a 20 yard run to seal it late in the 4th. There are things I don’t like, but I want to play some more before I come right out and say, “This is screwed up.” I also need to edit some player ratings because some of the Browns ratings are just plain goofy. Still, so far so good. Sigh, of course I keep trying to enjoy NCAA 2005 because I’m a sadistic dope, but hey..

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A good friend of mine, Todd Brakke, has a new blog called Sense Uncommon. Right now the talk on his blog is about the DNC, but I’m sure he’ll venture into other stuff as well. (Hey that Kerry speech was pretty darn good.)

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Got a few emails about why I do not review console sports games. Just to clarify this– I don’t have a console that plays gold masters or beta copies of games and thus I cannot review the games fast enough for the websites. Sucks, yeah, but I do understand why the editors want to have reviews online as soon as a game ships or shortly thereafter rather than 2 weeks after it ships. So I’m left to review PC games and rant about console games here on the blog.

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Finally, if you don’t watch The Daily Show, you should. It’s easily one of the best shows on TV and if you have Tivo it deserves a season pass. Last night’s show was a true classic. The website has some clips that are certainly worth watching. Jon Stewart is the man.

Funny stuff today at the OS forum. I just need to make something clear to those that read this blog as well as the Dubious Quality blog written by my friend Bill Harris.

We are not the same person.  He lives in Texas. I live in Ohio. We both have a passion for sports games. We both love to run laborious tests on sports games to find out what’s broken (and something always is).  The biggest difference between the two of us is that it’s rumored that he likes to hump grey squirrels while I find that kind of thing deplorable. Although that’s just rumor. Nothing substantiated.

Anyway.

In the ESPN Football thread at Operation Sports there is an “ESPN Trade Analysis” topic where people are giving me credit for all the work Bill (Harris) did on the trade stuff in ESPN Football. As much as I love to tweak and test stuff, this was a Bill HARRIS project, not a Bill ABNER project. Two Bills. One test. A test I had nothing to do with.

You still love me the most, though, right?

OK I know we don’t really DO a funny link of the day, but a good buddy of mine sent me this and it’s really, really funny. Also understand that I’m a big fan of role-playing games, so I can relate to this kinda thing. D&D is indeed the devil’s workshop. El Diablo!

And yeah, we’ll get back to regular postings ASAP. Been busy guys, sorry.  

eVGA has shipped my 6800, which I should point out only cost me $80 thanks to the Step Up program, so I think I’m ready for Doom 3. My 2 year old Gateway P4 2.2 with 1 GB of ram should still be up to the challenge, even if it doesn’t have hyperthreading. At least I hope so……

I can’t wait for that card. I can’t wait for Doom 3 either. LOL.

From the ESPN Videogames board:

“Thank you for playing ESPN NFL 2K5 online!

Due to the large number of online users, we are currently experiencing a few play-affecting issues.

Xbox Users: If you are having difficulties getting another user to accept your challenge or if you are not receiving challenges once you’ve created a match, power down your Xbox and restart. Currently, users must reset their Xbox if they initiate or receive four or more challenges if they wish to send or receive game invites. We are working hard to address this by August 6, 2004. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. We will continue to keep you updated. Thanks, ESPN Videogames Staff.”

You’ve got to love console patches!!!

EA Sports offers these words of wisdom for Xbox slowdowns:

“Some people have noticed a few slowdown issues with NCAA Football 2005 with certain screen settings, both in offline and online matches.

To solve this issue, please set your XBOX to the correct video mode:

Power on the XBOX without a disc in the disc drive

Select “Settings” to go to the Settings menu

Select “Video” to enter the Video Settings menu

Select the top option “Normal” from the menu, also, if the option is availible, enable “480i” and disable all other numeric settings. 

Press the B button until you are back at the main menu.

Now that the Video settings are properly set, launch NCAA Football 2005

At the NCAA Football 2005 Main Menu, select “MY NCAA”

Select “Settings”, then enter “Visual Settings”

Once in Visual Settings, change the camera view from the default “NCAA” to the “Classic” camera view.

This should clear up your slowdown issues.

Note: If you are playing online, and your opponent has incorrectly set their Video and Visual settings, you may notice the same slowdown. In these cases, it is best to either find a different opponent, or explain that they should properly set up their Video and Visual settings.”

I rented NCAA for the XBox, after selling it. Like Bill, I couldn’t resist. Maybe I had been a little hasty. Well the graphic slowdown is still there, even with the ’settings’ EA provides. Hey, how about a patch to fix it, huh?

In other news, I havent been playing as many sports games as work has taken over my life, and I’ve been watching the Democratic Convention. No matter who you support (I hope you’re supporting somebody), it makes no sense to see the crap that’s on network TV when a lot of America is missing some very good speeches (then again, if you watched Howard Dean, maybe you wanted to miss that–what a total disappointment). Last night Barack Obama spoke, and boy that guy is going places.

Believe it or not, I’m looking forward to the Republican convention as well. Both of them have some great drama!

Yeah, I’m still messing around with NCAA 2005. I can’t help it. I’m at the love/hate stage with the game and I don’t see it veering away from that. I say I’m done playing it; I then take two days off and then get flustered with the fact that I have a new NCAA game in my game library and force myself to try it again. “THIS time, it’ll be better.” (That’s me talking to myself.)

So today, that’s what I did. I took a break from playing games on Noggin.com with my daughter and since I just got done with a big real life work project I decided to take the day off (granted working from home…that’s not a huge stretch). I played some ESPN and I’m REALLY digging that game and I’ll go into a lot more detail on ESPN in a later blogging, but there was NCAA 2005. Staring at me. ‘Come on, Bill..you LOVED me last year. You posted slider settings, house rules, you went above and beyond the call to love me last year. You can do it! I need your attention, Bill. I’m NCAA FOOTBALL 2005 for crying out loud. Love me!!”

I caved.

I fired up my Ohio State dynasty and took on the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Shoe.  We’re 7-0, and ranked #1 in the nation, after a very good game vs Wisconsin that I won 24-23.  (It was by far the most fun I have had with NCAA 2005 so I figured hey, let’s give it another go.)

Well, NCAA isn’t going to make it easy, that’s for sure. The Penn State game had all of them. All of the reasons this game drives me INSANO–it had them all.  Here’s a list, and I know this is all old news but this is all very theraputic for me, so cut me some slack.

1) The Penn State KICKER was suspended for SEVEN games, and so they used their backup QB to kick field goals. He went 0-4, missed an extra point, and Penn State lost 14-13. The guy could not kick it over 20 yards with the slider maxxed out for CPU distance. What fun!

2) OSU WR Santonio Holmes, an extremely talented WR for the Buckeyes, dropped 5 passes.  TE Ryan Hamby dropped 4 passes and Roy Hall bobbled only 2. So QB Justin Zwick goes 12-31 but could have easily went  23-31, but hey–drops DO happen so let’s say it’s a realistic game and let’s say the OSU receivers drop 4 passes total. Zwick goes 19-31 for a little over 200 yards with a TD and an INT and everything looks just fine. But no. My receivers like to drop passes that hit them right dead square in the hands even when there isn’t a defender within 3 strides of them. Man I’d be ok if they’d drop these passes because they get HIT, but ARGH. Surely EA Sports can do better than this to just make them drop these passes for no reason at all is infuriating.  When this happens in real football fans give a collective “Ahh!! No!” while in NCAA you say, “Sigh. Another one..”

If these were bad players I’d be more understanding but Holmes is GREAT. Hamby is GREAT. Hall ..well Hall is good. But you get the idea.  And spare me the bullet pass/you need more touch/ you just can’t play the game right rhetoric. It’s bunk.  

3) Penn State QB Zack Mills was on fire! He was throwing darts all around the field and managed to go a BLISTERING 9/30 for 195 yards. 

Right when I think I have this game figured out, right when it flirts with being a good game—it shows that in fact, it’s not.  The real kicker is that I know that I won’t stop playing it, fiddling with this or that trying to make myself have fun with a game that is fighting me every step of the way.

OK I finally played a full game, and not just practice, with ESPN Football. I used Bill Harris’ slider settings and I have a few questions for the ESPN-ites out there. I fully realize that one game is by no means any kind of barometer to how a game really plays, but I just have a few questions, regardless. 

Before I ask them, I just gotta say, are those halftime and post game Berman notes outstanding or what? Damn that’s cool.

OK, my general questions:

1.) Is it too easy to pass for big yardage? Not too easy in terms of completion % but yards. I played with the Browns against Pittsburgh and Garcia was something like 21/42 for 326 yards. Out to lunch stats? No, not really. But if this is an every game thing…yeah, that’s an issue.  A lot like last year, the flag route is the bread and butter play for me, and the Steelers really struggled to stop it.  Quincy Morgan logged 9 catches for well over 100 yards, most on flags.  Again this is just ONE game and on its face that means nadda–which is why I’m asking.

2) Can the CPU pass? Yes, Tommy Maddux kinda stinks, but 6/17 is pretty damn bad. A one game flop? Or does the CPU have issues with this?

3) What is up with the safeties? Duce Staley took an off-tackle about 76 yards on me, which was GREAT to see the CPU be able to do. Then I watched the replay. My safety, Robert Griffith, pretty much stood in place and walked in a circle, allowing Staley to run for daylight.  Later in the game, Jeff Garcia (me) called his own number on a bootleg from the 3 yard line and walked into the end zone. On the replay, the Pittsburgh safety, who was in a zone, let my WR go free (smart) but then turned his back and ran to the back of the end zone to guard…nobody. It was truly bizarre and was the reason Garcia scored so easily.   Anyone else see this kinda thing?

Anyway, I lost 26-14, and enjoyed myself. Even after one game you can see and feel the fluidity of this game. Oodles of potential, but if anyone can answer these questions for me I’d appreciate it. 

Oh, and yeah, hoo boy these rosters are bad.