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NCAA Football’s Facebook page awakens, possibly teasing something to come
After nearly a year and a half dormant, the last post being made in July 2014, the EA Sports NCAA Football page on Facebook woke up today and only hours in advance of the College Football Playoff National Championship. A short video of a pulse was posted which could mean a lot of things, but at the very least something would seem to be going on regarding the series given that they have not posted to social on any NCAA accounts in such a long time.
NCAA Football of course was cancelled in 2014 after EA Sports agreed to a settlement in the O’Bannon class action lawsuit regarding the improper use of likenesses. Its return has depended on eventual finality from the legal process which is still realistically a year or two away from happening. Unlikely, but theoretically possible, is NCAA Football 14 being made backwards compatible on the Xbox One. It could also relate to new content being added to Ultimate Team though even that seems improbable given the time that has passed since it released.
A tease of this nature, especially given the timing and craving from consumers for the series to return, is going to result in wild speculation. Hopes should probably be tempered but the intrigue will be there until a definitive statement from the company is made.
Though EA is now saying the post means nothing, and they’ve edited in text to suggest it’s referencing the game tonight, it’s hard to believe that something isn’t happening, as the company obviously knows the emotions of consumers they are toying with by making such a post. That, or whoever is responsible for the post has created a storm of completely unnecessary backlash for them to deal with as the news is hitting everywhere.
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The Line Drive for January 10
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦This is the final day to get votes in for the Pastapadre Community Awards.
♦Check out the best in sports gaming from 2015 put together for Sporting News.
♦Simulated the College Football Playoff National Championship with NCAA Football 14.
♦An announcement is expected as early as tomorrow regarding an EA Sports UFC 2 beta.
♦MLB The Show 16 did not end up having a presence at this year’s CES.
♦Pre-order bonus of 10 item packs and highlight player rookie card for MLB The Show 16.
♦A new course and unannounced feature will be coming soon to Rory McIlroy PGA Tour.
♦Short video on the making of the original NBA Jam with Mark Turmell.
♦Details on the latest roster update to go out for NBA Live 16.
♦Blu-ray releases for this coming week include The Martian. -
Madden NFL 16 Roster Update – Week 17
The roster update following the final week of the regular season is now available to download in Madden NFL 16. This update incorporates adjustments primarily based on performances in both week 16 and week 17 so the movement is a little heftier. It also appears punters and kickers have been reevaluated as a whole. Check out all the details of the update with the spreadsheet here. 26 players end the regular season with a rating of 97 or higher.
Notable players on the rise include Julio Jones (+1 to 98), Geno Atkins (+1 to 97), Tamba Hali (+2 to 96), Russell Wilson (+1 to 95), Odell Beckham Jr. (+1 to 95), Drew Brees (+1 to 94), Josh Norman (+1 to 94), Eric Berry (+3 to 93), Johnathan Joseph (+3 to 91), Allen Robinson (+1 to 90), and Kirk Cousins (+4 to 85).
Among the players taking a hit to their ratings are Andrew Whitworth (-1 to 96), Calvin Johnson (-1 to 95), Richard Sherman (-3 to 93), Patrick Peterson (-2 to 93), Kawann Short (-1 to 93), Marcel Dareus (-2 to 91), Vontae Davis (-4 to 89), Desmond Trufant (-2 to 89), Aqib Talib (-2 to 89), NaVorro Bowman (-3 to 88), and Charles Clay (-3 to 86).
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Pre-order incentive for EA Sports UFC 2
The first EA Sports UFC struggled with its identity, as the publisher not only marketed the game but tailored its gameplay to attempt and attract consumers who were simply never going to be interested in it. One of the first indicators of that ill-advised decision was the announcement of Bruce Lee as the pre-order bonus and a major marketing push centered around the legendary martial artist and actor who of course never actually had any association with the UFC.
Post-release EA Sports UFC was handled in a much different manner as developer EA Canada appeared to recognize what had to be done as major changes were made to transition the game to more of a simulation that would satisfy MMA fans. The announcement of the EA Sports UFC 2 pre-order incentive is another hopeful sign of a shift in philosophy. Read more
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First NBA 2K16 roster update of 2016
Early on during the season NBA 2K16 was updating its rosters several times a week. The pace has slowed considerably however since then, particularly in the last month due to the holidays, and today the first update since Christmas arrived.
Kawhi Leonard has moved up a point to 92 Overall, making him the third highest rated player in the game. He began the season at 87 but has climbed due to performance that would have him in an MVP conversation if it weren’t for Steph Curry. He’s averaging 21 points and 7 rebounds on 52% shooting from the field and a league-leading 50% from three-point range for the 31-6 Spurs.
Meanwhile Paul George, who rose all the way to 92 less than a month ago, has been dropped two points now down to 89. A handful of really poor games (9 points on 3-14 shooting, 7 points on 1-14 shooting, 12 points on 5-19 shooting) look to be the primary culprits. He’s still averaged 20 points and and 7 rebounds since that high rating point of 92 was achieved but that has been on only 37% shooting from the field.
Other players of note moving in the latest roster update are James Harden (+1 to 90), Anthony Davis (-1 to 90), Blake Griffin (-1 to 89), Draymond Green (+2 to 87), DeMarcus Cousins (-1 to 87), Dirk Nowitzki (-1 to 85), Tim Duncan (-1 to 85), Dwyane Wade (-1 to 85), Hassan Whiteside (+1 to 84), Pau Gasol (-1 to 84), C.J. McCollum (+2 to 83), Nikola Vucevic (+2 to 83), Rudy Gay (+2 to 82), Kenneth Faried (+2 to 81), Giannis Antetokoumpo (-2 to 80), Tyreke Evans (-2 to 80), Will Barton (+2 to 80), and Boban Marjanovic (+4 to 77).
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Video game legend Ken Griffey Jr. inducted into MLB Hall of Fame
He’ll be remembered as one of the best baseball players of all-time, but also as a video game icon. Ken Griffey Jr. was today inducted into the Hall of Fame becoming the 51st player to make it in on their first ballet. Though not unanimous as three voters inexplicably left him off, he goes in with over 99% of the vote, the highest percentage in history.
Between 1994 and 1999, Griffey was the face of four different Nintendo games: Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball (1994), Ken Griffey Jr.’s Winning Run (1996), Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey Jr. (1998), and Ken Griffey Jr.’s Slugfest (1999). The first game did not have the MLBPA license which meant Griffey was the only real player included. Based on the Twitter poll from today it’s the final game that is being remembered as the favorite.
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2015 Pastapadre Community Awards Voting Ending Soon
The period of voting for the 2015 Pastapadre Community Awards will be coming to a close later this week, with results being announced shortly thereafter. Over 23,000 votes have already been cast across the 10 categories.
Vote For: Best Gameplay – Best Presentation – Best Post-Release Support – Best Career Mode – Best Team-Building Mode – Best Online Play – Best Franchise Mode – Best New Feature – Best New or Non-Yearly Sports Game – Best Sports Game
NBA 2K16 leads the way in nominations with eight – only missing out on one category in which it was eligible. MLB 15: The Show and Madden NFL 16 are close behind with six. Rocket League, NHL 16, and FIFA 16 all have three nominations while Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 received two.
Over at Sporting News this week I also went over the best of sports games in 2015, recognizing the greatest achievements in many of the same categories that are now being decided upon by the community here.
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EA Sports UFC 2 release date and new trailer
EA Sports UFC 2 will be arriving sooner than expected. Today the official release date was confirmed as being Tuesday, March 15. That means it technically will land in winter rather than the spring window which was announced initially.
New features include an Ultimate Team mode, Knockout Physics System, Custom Event Creator, Knockout Mode, Practice Mode, ability to create female fighters, and a much larger roster. Check out all the details known so far on the game and enjoy the new trailer below.
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