My first impressions...

[Magnum357]

I was actually going to hold off buying this game until later, but I guess I couldn't resist. [8D] I tried downloading and installing on my less powerful system (600 Mhz, Windows 98SE, 128 MB RAM, Intergrated Graphics card) but unfortunetly I could not even get the game too load. I would click on the Icon and I'd hear the Win98 chim sound and then nothing. [:(] So I decided to uninstall it and try loading it on my other more powerful system (1.4 Ghz, Windows XP, 256 MB Ram, Integrated Graphics card), Ahhh... success! [:D] It loaded ok, albiet a bit slow but seems to work ok. Only strange thing that occured while downloading it on my more powerful system is that indicated I had less then 256 MB of RAM but I'm pretty sure I have 256 on it. Also, the game did tell me that my Frame Rate was under 25 per second, but the game still runs and the Frame rate is not all that bad considering I'm just using a crappy Integrated Graphics card.

As for Game play, I like it overall and has a feel much more like Football Pro then Madden (which is a good thing in my opinion). The selection of plays is quite limited, but I'm sure people can come up with there own plays easily enough. Stats are not exactly coming out just like they do in real life (as I had not expected them too) but I'm sure with some tweaking of play designs, player ratings, and other things could really make this game quite impressive. The only real complaints I have had so far is that the QB and Running Backs/Fullbacks seem to run into each other a lot and its hard for the QB to get back far enough to aviod a Blitzer coming at him, but that might be a more of a play design issue then a bug of any kind. I might have found a bug already in the game, but I would have to check it again. I think I saw the clock run after an Incompleted passes (I was playing the American rules model) but I would have to try it again too see if this really occurs.

One of the things I do like about this game already is the ability to play on a 100 yard feild, but only use 8 players per side. I experimented with this and thought that was a neat option in game. [:)]

[Paul Vebber]

THere was an issue with the clock running on incomplete passes, but thought we had squashed it...

What was the down and situation?

[Magnum357]

You know, I can't remember now. I was playing PHI against CHI and I think it might have been either 2 or 3rd down, but not sure. PHI was on the 20 yard line threatening against CHI. Can't remember much more then that.

[Erik Rutins]

Magnum357,

Thanks for the feedback. Your powerful system is actually still under the minimum spec, so I'm impressed that it's working for you - it shouldn't be! [;)] Putting a decent graphics card in that system will make a big difference vs. the integrated video. Your integrated video may be using some of your system memory, thus leaving less than 256MB available.

I would suggest with your specs running the 800x600x16 mode with Basic or No Shadows and using the low res stadiums, hopefully that should help your frame rate.

Regards,

- Erik

[Paul Vebber]

OK, for others, keep an eye out for the situation when this happens. (incomplete passes not stopping the clock)

I believe in Canadian rules the clock keeps running. One of the things on the "needed improvements" list is to improve the clock management options. Where to draw the line between "getting each league's rules right" and innundaing the payer with scores of options is something we aim to improve, without it becoming too cumbersome.

[Magnum357]

Ya, I actually have much of the settings at what you indicated Eirk. I do have Basic Shadows on though, but it doesn't seem to effect my game play. I AM running into problems if I choose certain stadiums. A few of the Stadiums have quite a big more detail and poly count then the ones I'm using (usually the lower poly count stadiums). I want to try the Arena Stadium model, but I have a feeling that it is much higher poly count then the low poly outdoor stadiums, might have trouble loading that Arena Stadium model. Is there any low poly Arena models that come with the game? If not, not a big deal, I was planning to make some custom stadiums anyways with a 3d modeling program I have. [:)]

Ya, I think you might be right about the RAM issue. I bet the Integrated card is using some of my system RAM to compensate, but not biggie, at least it runs and doesn't run too badly really. [:)] I do have a GeForce2 card that I think I might install on my system. If the game can run with just a mere Integrated graphics card, surely a low powered G2 could help me out.

[Marauders]

I was actually going to hold off buying this game until later, but I guess I couldn't resist. [8D] I tried downloading and installing on my less powerful system (600 Mhz, Windows 98SE, 128 MB RAM, Intergrated Graphics card) but unfortunetly I could not even get the game too load. I would click on the Icon and I'd hear the Win98 chim sound and then nothing. [:(]

I would not have expected it to run. Those are way below specs, and with 3D games, specs mean a lot.

So I decided to uninstall it and try loading it on my other more powerful system (1.4 Ghz, Windows XP, 256 MB Ram, Integrated Graphics card), Ahhh... success! [:D] It loaded ok, albiet a bit slow but seems to work ok.

If you could push that RAM to 512MB, your results should be better.

Only strange thing that occured while downloading it on my more powerful system is that indicated I had less then 256 MB of RAM but I'm pretty sure I have 256 on it.

That is likely correct. The integrated graphics shares memory with your CPU, so some of your memory has been stolen by the cache of the graphics card.

Also, the game did tell me that my Frame Rate was under 25 per second, but the game still runs and the Frame rate is not all that bad considering I'm just using a crappy Integrated Graphics card.

For best results, I'd turn the shadows down. What resolution are you playing in? If your passes look to be way off, then drop the resolution down.

As for Game play, I like it overall and has a feel much more like Football Pro then Madden (which is a good thing in my opinion). The selection of plays is quite limited, but I'm sure people can come up with there own plays easily enough.

I agree. Hey, just jump in and make some plays in the PDS.

The only real complaints I have had so far is that the QB and Running Backs/Fullbacks seem to run into each other a lot and its hard for the QB to get back far enough to aviod a Blitzer coming at him, but that might be a more of a play design issue then a bug of any kind.

That happens often if there is a player that should go in motion, but you do not send him. When your quarterback sets, send your players in motion.

I might have found a bug already in the game, but I would have to check it again. I think I saw the clock run after an Incompleted passes (I was playing the American rules model) but I would have to try it again too see if this really occurs.

Was in an incompleted pass in front or behind the line of scrimmage?

One of the things I do like about this game already is the ability to play on a 100 yard feild, but only use 8 players per side. I experimented with this and thought that was a neat option in game. [:)]

Yeah, 8 man! It's like pick up game mode!

[Deft]

My first impressions:

Much more polished than I expected. I have an Athalon 64 (can't remember speed) with a decent graphics card. So I have been running it on top detail and it looks very nice (but again, I haven't been playing arcade games since 98).

There seems to be a lot of quick sacks from blown blocking assignments (may be something that can be tweaked). The menus are somewhat cumbersome to navigate. I like the external utility for league, team, and player creation. I watched a computer/computer game and the QBs seem to come out of the huddle quickly (snapping around 25 seconds left).

More impressions-
Passing game needs work, lob passes, and timing passes don't seem to be covered. I like the player biography pages, I think that will give the game some continuity. It seems to have lots of structure to make a great game but its really a kit at this point.

[Breeze]

I have a 2 Ghz Pentium 4 with 768 MB RAM and the dreaded GeForce 2 MX 400 video card.

I'm pleased to report that the game runs just fine.

It does force me to dial down my settings a bit, and I'm still tweaking with those because I'd like to be able to play with instant replay.

But it does work well, and it'll work a lot better once I figure out how to play. I did manage to score a touchdown on a kickoff return though!

[StampsFan]

You can set QBs to throw timed passes in the Play Development System. Pass options are timed bullet, timed lob and 'read'. You can also designate primary receivers.