Christmas has arrived!!!

[BrutuStrength]

Got to the store at 7pm and they said it was delayed 'til 8pm. Then a guy came running in with several boxes and we got our games.

I raced home, helped the wife give the kids their baths and sequestered myself in the basement for the following several hours.

First I named the OSU and scUM rosters (this took a long time with some interuptions, the expanded roster size, and the lack of a keyboard for the Xbox. Then I simmed a dynasty until the game at the Shoe. Both teams were 7-3, and scUM was #15 and tOSU was #21.

The controls are the same but the game definitely has a different feel to it. The running physics and "agile" running style are smartly implemented, but definitely take some to adjust too. I finally beat them (after about 3 restarts, lol) 10-6. It appears as though there will be a lot of low scoring games against evenly matched teams this year.

The ratings fluctuation is another neat feature, and I've already learned that I have to be aware of it throughout the game. Also, the OVR ratings adjust throughout the season, and Sims started the year as an 88, but was a 90 by the scUM game. Great gameplay, very much improved over last year. The background/sky graphics are amazing. Crowd response is excellent and the HFA is a great feature. I'm almost worried about playing a game at another site.

Clarity, if you're still planning on naming all 119 teams, that I would question your sanity. Grant Gagnon at MaddenPlanet.com has said that he might release the rosters he's been working on this morning. Here's his post:

I can probably do that. I'll try to post some tomorow morning. I need to make sure my Action Replay is working anyway so you guys can test it out for me. Here's some of the teams I have finished (that I can think of)...

All of the ACC, SEC, CUSA, Notre Dame, Navy, Florida Atlantic, Florida International and some others. In total I think I have close to 50 complete right now. Its killing me with these larger rosters. Every team has at least 65 players it seems.

PS- I think that PS2 rosters are already completed and available from www.maddennation.com

 

[Clarity]

Clarity, if you're still planning on naming all 119 teams, that I would question your sanity.

Lol, question away, I have no real defense. It comes down to a few things;

1 - I know it's all dead on.
2 - I come away with a pretty intimate knowledge of every I-A team. At least from a roster and depth standpoint.
3 - I don't really have much more, so this is pretty much just padding.
4 - This too, but if people don't really read the whole post, it's going to appear like I've really got my position down well.
5 - GOOOOOOLLLLDEN RIIIIIIIIINGS!
6 - It's something different to break up the routine. I shot past "cabin fever" a few years ago.
7 - There's something oddly satisfying about it.
8 - See 3.

I think this is the 4th year doing it. That first year Vince and I named OSU, then we tried to play and seeing numbers made us angry. So we named the Big Ten, and everyone on our schedule. But we still saw numbers, and they were bad. So we named the top 25, and all schools with high profile players. That too was no good. So we named everyone else. It's just sort of stuck since.

I know I can send my card to one of a couple different people, I've traded emails with DT at ps2rosters.com and I know he's precise on his, and expects the same from the guy he endorses/uses for XBox. If you ask me how I feel about my decision to do it myself later today after I've started, or any day between now and when I'm finished, I'll probably let loose a litany of expletives that would make George Carlin blush. But, ah, the sanity thing -- no defense. If the site goes down before I'm done, you're all screwed.

I never really stop editing them either. I update depth charts during the season, et cetera, et cetera. "Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum," et cetera, et cetera. "Memo bis punitor delicatum". It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal. You stole fizzy lifting drinks. You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and sterilized, so you get nothing. You lose! Good day sir.

 

[BrutuStrength]

I never really stop editing them either. I update depth charts during the season, et cetera, et cetera...

:crazy:
I continually edit them too, but I like to start by having them all named. I also have no problem letting a hardworking guy do the grunt work for me. With 2 small kids (both < 5) I'm lucky enough to have time to play a few games, let alone name 119 rosters.

Also, you can edit the 1AA and historic teams this year too. If anyone names all 3 sets of rosters then they should get a t-shirt, a hat, and deserts for the kids (like in The Great Outdoors when John Candy ate the huge steak, including the gristle and fat. Hmmm... maybe that's what led to his heartattack.)

 

[Clarity]

:crazy:
I continually edit them too, but I like to start by having them all named. I also have no problem letting a hardworking guy do the grunt work for me. With 2 small kids (both < 5) I'm lucky enough to have time to play a few games, let alone name 119 rosters.

Also, you can edit the 1AA and historic teams this year too. If anyone names all 3 sets of rosters then they should get a t-shirt, a hat, and deserts for the kids (like in The Great Outdoors when John Candy ate the huge steak, including the gristle and fat. Hmmm... maybe that's what led to his heartattack.)

1AA and the historic teams? Wow. 119*65 = a really big number, +another relatively large number because of IAA and historic, carry the 3 = a lot.

Huh... Maybe there's something to this "use someone else's" deal.

 

[OilerBuck]

Who would you recommed getting ahold of to set up my rosters for me? I have a couple spare memory cards and can send one through the mail. I just didn't know how to go about doing it, what kind of cost is involved and what the time period to expect it back is.

Thanks for the info...I too hate the numbers!

 

[BrutuStrength]

Huh... Maybe there's something to this "use someone else's" deal.

Do you have an Action Replay? I thought I remembered you posting on BN a year ago that you might (or maybe you were considering getting one at the time.) Anyways, they're slick devices. They might have been replaced by something called a Max Drive though, I'm not certain. They're about $30 and well worth it even if you only use it for downloading/uploading NCAA roster files.

Who would you recommed getting ahold of to set up my rosters for me? I have a couple spare memory cards and can send one through the mail. I just didn't know how to go about doing it, what kind of cost is involved and what the time period to expect it back is.

Thanks for the info...I too hate the numbers!

For which system, PS2 or Xbox?

 

[Clarity]

Do you have an Action Replay? I thought I remembered you posting on BN a year ago that you might (or maybe you were considering getting one at the time.) Anyways, they're slick devices. They might have been replaced by something called a Max Drive though, I'm not certain. They're about $30 and well worth it even if you only use it for downloading/uploading NCAA roster files.

Nope, don't have one. You're tempting me horribly though. Must stay strong. I want to name the rosters!

 

[OilerBuck]

I've got a PS2...What should I buy to download roster files off the internet? I don't have any subscriptions for online play or anything.

 

[BrutuStrength]

Oiler- You can pick up a sharkport or Max Drive for the PS2 from EB, Gamestop, etc. I think that the Max Drive is the newest thing and people seem to like it. I think that it's easier to use. Either device will connect to your PC (USB port needed) and allow you to take a game save file (ie. roster file) that you downloaded from the Internet and put it onto a PS2 memory card. Then you put the card into your system and voila!

The PS2 rosters are currently available at MaddenNation.com. I think you have to register (free) to download the files/access their forums.

 

[osugrad21]

Boys I just got it....and I have to go to minicamp in 20 minutes dammit

 

[BrutuStrength]

I feel for ya Grad. I've been at work all day and I still have 4+ hours until I can resume play. To top it off, it's a slow day at work and I probably wouldn't be missed if I weren't here.