kpholmes Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 (edited) http://www.easports.com/nflheadcoach/home.jsp Just another terrible scheme for EA Sports to suck my money while I sit bored out of my mind waiting for the off-season to end? (i.e. arena football) Don't get me wrong... I like doing the offseason dynasty/owner stuff on Madden... I enjoy scouting and drafting, and free agents and contracts, but I think this is a bit too much to make a full on game out of it... Not to mention we all saw how well "Superstar" mode went last year... I could see how this could have the potentiol of being fun, but Its hard to imagine that standing on the side calling the plays for more than one season would be entertaining... especially because the whole time I would be thinking to myself "wow... in two months Madden comes out, then I won't have to stand on the sidelines, I can throw and run the ball myself..." I don't know, maybe these something crucial I'm missing. Edited April 23, 2006 by kpholmes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Wonder if you have to give a press conference after every game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I'm looking forward more to this than Madden. I don't really care about the in game stuff, as I just call the plays and let the cpu sim it. I for one think that this proves that EA knows what the fan wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip_Side Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I think it will be an interesting game, I'll rent it to see how it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarryTheRock Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I do miss the old Franchise Mode in Madden. You could create yourself as a coach and move from team to team when there were job openings. I like the Owner mode but I wish the old Franchise Mode was offered as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egret Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I do miss the old Franchise Mode in Madden. You could create yourself as a coach and move from team to team when there were job openings. I like the Owner mode but I wish the old Franchise Mode was offered as well. 1432967[/snapback] Word. I dig Franchise mode. I'll give this game a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I think it looks great !!!!! However, it isn't being made available for the 360 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I heard an interview on the radio with someone from EA Sports talking about this game. The level of detail that you can control sounds absolutely amazing (maybe overwhelming). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted April 23, 2006 Author Share Posted April 23, 2006 The level of detail that you can control sounds absolutely amazing (maybe overwhelming). 1433050[/snapback] Read this at IGN Kirk Herbstreit, bigger than he looks on TV, and Lee Corso, a bit smaller, leaned closer to the screen, their eyes wider than the football fans in the room preparing their digital cameras for photo opportunities with the football celebrities. "Wow," said Herbstreit, known better as an ESPN college football analyst than a former Ohio State quarterback. "Did you work with real NFL head coaches on this?" "Yes." "Wow, that's amazing," Herbstreit said, peering closer. "You got the draft in there?" chimed in Corso, lesser known as the former Indiana head coach than ESPN analyst. "We have 40 different draft classes and Mel Kiper recorded facts on each class so every year you get new, updated information on incoming players." "You got Mel in the game?" Corso said. "How'd you get his hair to fit on the screen?" The laughs and the questions continued from the duo, the same questions that the Madden Nation contestants and two journalists had been asking the Tiburon development team all morning about EA's upcoming football simulation title, NFL Head Coach. You don't control the players? How do you motivate players? How do you gameplan? But above all, how do you play? Tiburon invited us all to their studio in Orlando, Fla., to answer these questions, beginning with a lengthy explanation of the concept of Head Coach that raised even more questions than answers. Finally we got our hands on an early build of Head Coach. As soon as we started navigating the deep menu system, we were all stunned at the package Tiburon had put together. It wasn't so much that the game is the greatest thing since, well, Madden -- it's not. Head Coach is a new way to play videogame football, a new way to play any sports videogame, for that matter, and it took us all by surprise. The idea behind Head Coach is simple. It capitalizes on EA's NFL license, adding another dimension to the NFL-lineup of Madden and NFL Street. Alongside Arena Football and NCAA Football, EA has a strong grip on the entire football videogame universe, outside the unlicensed Blitz: The League. More importantly, Head Coach is a new kind of "football RPG," akin to the European soccer manager titles but a game that goes deeper and wider, from the draft to scouting to general management to meetings with the owner to practice to blustery Sunday afternoons. "We wanted to actually put you in the role of an NFL head coach," said Jeremy Strauser, senior producer at Tiburon. "We give you visual representation of the coach and we put you in all the positions where coaches make decisions: on the sideline, in the office, on the practice field and in the draft war room." There's only one catch: you don't control the players, which is really the whole point of the game. Where Madden focuses on utilizing your playmakers, Head Coach gives you the opportunity to create for your playmakers, by drawing up your own plays, practicing off the field and using good old-fashioned football know-how. NFL Head Coach is not about a juke stick. In fact, the only on-the-field action, other than calling audibles at the line, is switching camera angles. There's a Coach Now mode, where you jump right into a game with your favorite coach, unless you're a Dallas or New England fan. Parcells and Belichick are the only two coaches not signed on, so you'll have to get by with Coach Dallas and Coach New England. But the guts of NFL Head Coach are in the deep career mode, starting out the day after Super Bowl XL. NFL Live host Trey Wingo follows your career, making appearances in cutscenes and updating your status as either the next Don Shula or the next Dennis Erickson. So you're a head coach, primed for your first job. After selecting your favorite team, you get a call from the owner who's ready to start the interview process. He starts quizzing your football knowledge. Do you like bump or soft coverage? Blitz or read? Pass rush or hold the line? Are you a Shula-inspired strategist or a Lombardi-inspired motivator? There are no wrong answers here; after you answer each question, your coaching attributes increase in categories depending how you answer. There's a Coach Now mode, where you jump right into a game with your favorite coach, unless you're a Dallas or New England fan. Parcells and Belichick are the only two coaches not signed on, so you'll have to get by with Coach Dallas and Coach New England. But the guts of NFL Head Coach are in the deep career mode, starting out the day after Super Bowl XL. NFL Live host Trey Wingo follows your career, making appearances in cutscenes and updating your status as either the next Don Shula or the next Dennis Erickson. So you're a head coach, primed for your first job. After selecting your favorite team, you get a call from the owner who's ready to start the interview process. He starts quizzing your football knowledge. Do you like bump or soft coverage? Blitz or read? Pass rush or hold the line? Are you a Shula-inspired strategist or a Lombardi-inspired motivator? There are no wrong answers here; after you answer each question, your coaching attributes increase in categories depending how you answer. From there, you accept one of a few different job offers and get right to work. Head Coach uses a calendar system to work your way through day-to-day football operations. At your first staff meeting, you talk to each of your coordinators and assistants, and they basically grovel for their jobs. Do you keep the current system in place or make one all your own? You work your way through a conversation tree. In one interesting exchange, coordinator Marty Morningwheg said, "Hi coach, I'm M. Morningwheg. Nice to meet you." From there, you can choose to say hi back or fire Marty on the spot. Of course, we said, "You're fired," and he comically disappeared through the conference room floor. Trump would be proud. EA is scheduling a "you're fired" animation in which assistants shake their heads in disgust and storm out of the room. For the next month, you re-sign players and work deals with other GMs for trades as the draft approaches. As the new coach of the Dolphins, I spent an hour alone trying to get the second pick from the Saints so I could suit up Matt Leinart in a Miami jersey. (Updated rosters with Culpepper hadn't been included yet.) I ended up getting rid of Ricky Williams, ranked surprisingly high at 89, to make room for Ronnie Brown, and my No. 15 pick in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick. Sure, it's a lot to ask, maybe, but not for a franchise quarterback and ridding your team of a guy that will be out of the league soon. Sure enough, the draft was approaching. I sent my scout to the Combine to take a look at the incoming talent. Studs like Leinart, Reggie Bush and Vince Young are already scouted because everyone already knows how good they are. Others are question marks with ranges from 45-99. An unscouted player is a big gamble and could mean the difference between the next Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf. Finally, it's draft day. Mel Kiper has plenty of info on each class, going over the strengths of the entire incoming class as well as the top picks. Kiper recorded information for 40 draft classes, so each season you'll hear new, updated info on fictional rookies. In the war room, the mood is tense. The clock ticks down ominously, especially when it's your pick and another team just drafted a guy you wanted -- a fun re-creation of the event, all the way down to the final rounds. Your scout will have recommendations, but sometimes he'll go with a good player like a half back but you need a center. Do you gamble on the HB now and pray the C is still there next round, or do you address your immediate needs and give up the better athlete? Eventually you get to the practice field and you can choose one-on-one drills, skeleton drills and full pads. There's different risks and reward for each; full pads, for example, have more reward but you risk injury. As a head coach, you need to make the right decisions to motivate your team, earn trust and keep your players healthy. You can practice plays here, improving your proficiency each time. Eventually, good plays will become money plays, the calls you make when it's third and long and you need to make something happen. If you run a play in a game that you have not practiced, you're more likely to miss the handoff or a receiver could run the wrong route. As you can see, there's a lot to do as a head coach, and you haven't even played your first game yet. Thankfully, there's a checklist of goals to go through that acts as a roadmap for success. There are things like re-signing a key player or going out and getting a new quarterback coach or running a specific kind of practice. Then, finally, there is the game. On the Xbox and PS2, you can plug in a headset and call plays using voice recognition category. The plays are situational, so you'll have a group of first-down plays, third-and-long plays, two-point conversion plays, etc. Each group is assigned a color, and each play is numbered, so all you have to do is say "White 2 go," and the second play in the white category is sent in. On the field, it's about playing to your strengths, getting your key players the ball, working for field position. If a receiver drops a pass, you'll have to turn your back on the action, let a coordinator call plays, and give him some motivation. You can go aggressive or passive, each with their own degree of risk and reward. If receivers are beating you deep, you'll need to back up your secondary for the next play, the next series or the rest of the game. Is the blitz getting to you? Tell your quarterback to start looking short or to scramble more often. It's all one big dynamic chess game out there. Still, it all comes down to how you prepared that week, the plays you created to exploit your opponent, the motivation you give to your team and every single move you made in the offseason. A great coach once said that 90 percent of games are won or lost before you ever take the field and that's what NFL Head Coach is going for. Head Coach ships this June, so we'll see then if the preparation Tiburon put into creating a completely new genre pays off. Stay tuned for a developer interview tomorrow. After reading this, I am definetly a lot more excited then I was before. Should be fun. Another thing; why is it Belichick and Parcells never sign to EA?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Another thing; why is it Belichick and Parcells never sign to EA?? 1433210[/snapback] Because they're humorless turds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Scorp Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 This may actually be a game I might go and buy, sound like it's more mental than joystick skill (of which I have very little) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 This game seems out of this world. My favorate part of Madden is the Franchise mode.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted April 24, 2006 Author Share Posted April 24, 2006 (edited) This game seems out of this world. My favorate part of Madden is the Franchise mode.... 1434188[/snapback] Agreed, I spend more time in the offseason of Madden's franchise mode then playing actual games. But, I do like having the option to play the games... However I suppose I could sacrafice that option for a more indepth franchise mode... After reading a lot, I'm definetly stoked. Edited April 24, 2006 by kpholmes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Considering how horribly EA "managed" Front Office Football and how grossly overrated Madden is, I'll pass. Might mess w/it if given for free at most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 No way it should be incorporated as a 2nd disk with Madden I'd never pay for that BS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 I just hope there isn't an "EA Sports - NFL Head Coach" curse..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Considering how horribly EA "managed" Front Office Football and how grossly overrated Madden is, I'll pass. Might mess w/it if given for free at most. 1435123[/snapback] I guess you didnt get the memo... Madden is the greatest game ever made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGrunt Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 I guess you didnt get the memo... Madden is the greatest game ever made. 1435537[/snapback] ...With a curse lingering that will be stopped with Alexander! Seahawks to the Superbowl, and Alexander's gonna take 'em there! 15 rushing TD's and 1,500 Yards seems about right to me. :crossfingershopeimright: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 (edited) ...With a curse lingering that will be stopped with Alexander! Seahawks to the Superbowl, and Alexander's gonna take 'em there! 15 rushing TD's and 1,500 Yards seems about right to me. :crossfingershopeimright: 1435541[/snapback] I think we're going to see 1,100 yards rushing, 8 touchdowns... No slouch by any standards, but the curse is real. Blame the Vikings. Edited April 25, 2006 by piratesownninjas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godtomsatan Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 This is bad news for people that expected a productive summer from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted April 25, 2006 Author Share Posted April 25, 2006 ow grossly overrated Madden is, I'll pass. Might mess w/it if given for free at most. 1435123[/snapback] Um. Thanks for the positive comments. But pirates is right, Madden is the best game ever. In the universe. Period. Welcome to the Huddle, rookie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Really, if Madden isnt good, then what football game since Tecno super Bowl was any good? Think about all the things that first appeared in Madden... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted April 25, 2006 Author Share Posted April 25, 2006 Think about all the things that first appeared in Madden... 1435582[/snapback] umm... everything! Excellent point! And that is why Madden (the game) rules the world of video games. Unless BeeR has an argument for that as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfv87 Posted April 26, 2006 Share Posted April 26, 2006 Side note: Last year we used EA Sports online hosting for our league and it was FREE if you bought Madden, I found it to be pretty good and more money went into the prize fund that way. Just another point... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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