Spotlight on the Deuce NCAA 13 Edition

I sit down with the Deuce commissioner Drifterbub to give an updated spotlight on the Deuce NCAA 13 Online Dynasty.

So it has been a little over a year since the last Deuce interview, what has changed in the league from then to now?

We unfortunately had a member step down due to life, which happens. However, we were lucky enough to get a member back that was here when we started it all for NCAA Football 09. Flo is a good guy and it’s good to see that his life situation has calmed down enough to allow him to join back up with us.

Now that you are an EA Gamechanger has that changed your perspective in how you play the game or run the OD?

I think I can say it has definitely changed my perspective on the game. Obviously I’m privy to a lot of information, but visiting Orlando and getting to see the mechanics of how everything worked was definitely eye-opening. I learned a lot. The guys at EA are truly passionate about what they do and their dedication to the community was really transparent during my time with them. They genuinely were interested in what I had to say. I wouldn’t say it has changed the way I run The Deuce. I think we found a formula that works a long time ago and continue, along with the rest of the TSO community, to drive that bar higher and higher.

Are you pleased overall with how NCAA 13 has turned out so far? What is the biggest aspect of it that needs to be updated?

Pleased? Not really the word I would use I guess. To be completely fair, I’m probably a bit biased since I’ve seen a lot of this stuff since January. I’m disappointed a little in some of the annoyances with the retail version of the game, but most of that will be fixed soon. I think some of the new features are blissful additions to the game. Realistic passing trajectories are awesome and combined with the new catch system utterly revive the passing game. Scouting adds a whole other layer to dynasties that enjoy recruiting and the battles that go along with it. I do feel like some logic with CPU schools and who they offer scholarships or decide to target is wacky. It really depletes the challenge and that is unfortunate. I’m hoping to see a fix for that come down the pipeline, among other things.

Can you give us an example of a feature or mechanic in NCAA that you as a Game Changer had a direct impact on?

Personally, I did a lot of work with the new recruiting body types. You can read more about that here NCAA 13 Recruiting Database. I was more focused with the dynasty aspect of things, so I spent a lot of time talking with the devs about the new scouting mechanism, recruiting in general and online dynasty stability. Also, I was a prominent voice among the guys at the NCAA community events for fixing custom playbooks and re-working the recruiting board functions.

What challenges did the Deuce face in NCAA 12 and how do you think the league will surpass those now as we go into NCAA 13?

I think we had a really solid year in The Deuce for NCAA Football ’12. Obviously the game had some pretty annoying problems with online dynasty functionality. We’re veterans at this, though. We found workarounds and got good at executing them to keep the league moving. We also had to abandon coaching carousel half-way through. It ended up working out for the best, though. I haven’t seen a successful league use coaching carousel without doing some serious restrictions and modifications. Personally, I think it’s more of a feature for people to utilize in your offline dynasties. Leagues that allow users to roam about from school to school will eventually lose engagement. From there, it’s a sad, downward spiral to low activity and eventually the league falls into a coma.

We learned a lot during the NCAA ’12 cycle and I think you see that in this years league for NCAA ’13. We have decided to forgo the coaching carousel feature and stick with the schools we selected from the beginning. I think you will see a lot of guys focus in on what we are doing this year and be a little more involved. As long as stability with online dynasty is not an issue, I don’t anticipate much standing in the way of a really good year.

The Deuce looks to be running a 2 conference set up in the Big XII and SEC. Can you explain why this set up and teams were implemented?

I like the two conference setup for leagues that like to stay geographically close and prefer the challenge of an extra user game or so. We settled on the Big XII and SEC after doing some testing. I think a good portion of the league wanted to do smaller conferences, but after we were able to test the retail version, the consensus was that it was going to be too easy to rise in prestige and talent level. That kills most of the fun for the majority of the group.

What one feature or what change do you wish for most in NCAA 14?

I naturally have a ton of ideas for NCAA Football ’14. You can read most of them on the EA Sports Game Changers website. I think I want to see some work done with recruiting next season. I have an idea up on the site for adding a signing day, verbals and LOIs that I think would add a lot of depth. I also want to see some more throwing motions and different running styles.

How do you see predict the competition shaping up for this year’s release? How does it compare to how owners did last year?

I think the users that are good on the sticks will really shine this year. The passing game allows you to get guys into space and can really open up the field. User catch is more powerful than ever as well. We grouped the users in the league by skill, so I think the divisional battles are going to be really tight. I wanted to see us get back to that and really flare those old rivalries back up. Should be a fun year.

TSO Members (by JrRawlins and Jmustang1968)

Drifterbub - Texas A&M - Drifter is the Deuce commissioner and one of the founding members of the Deuce. Drifter helps run TSO while also an EA Gamechanger. Drifter has won national titles at Iowa and Texas A&M. On the Field Drifter is known as a tactician but his real prowess is on the recruiting trail.

BringBackJimmy - Kansas State - BringbackJimmy, aka BBJ, is an original Deuce member. BBJ has had great success in the Deuce he has won national titles at Georgia. While his play has been rock solid for years, BBJ is well-known for his off the cuff rants in which he threatens to leave the Deuce, while fully knowing he loves us and could never truly leave.

OMLawdog - Iowa State - Lawdog is one of the original members of the Deuce. He has the most national titles in Deuce history and loves to boast of his 40+ game winning streak. He is known as the game genie and others have referred to playing him as being treated to the “Lawdog” experience.

EmmdotFrisk - SMU - Frisk is an EA gamechanger, and a member of the Deuce since the end of NCAA 2011. Frisk has captured a national title during his Deuce run at Iowa in NCAA 12. Frisk is known for his ground game and is constantly a threat to make a run and win a title… Emmdot is also known as Mr. Swag aka your favorite half-african…

Shaun Mason - Missouri - Shaun is an EA gamechanger, who joined the Deuce in NCAA 2010. Shaun has won a few national titles at Duke in NCAA 11. He is the enforcer at TSO and is known on the sticks for his ability to destroy an opponent’s backfield with his play along the defensive line.

Khaalis - Kentucky - Khaalis is an original Deuce member from 09. Khaalis loves tall receivers… hands are optional… 6’6 or taller. Khaalis had to take some time off during the 12 campaign, but he is back with a vengenance this time around.

Bondzai - Tennessee - Bond is an original Deuce member or near enough to be an original member. Bond had some great success at Texas in 2011 but that quickly changed as that Longhorn program went from title contender to an after thought. This fall of grace was coined by Lawdog as “Bondzaing” a program.

Cowboy Flo - South Carolina - Flo is an original member of the Deuce. Flo has won a national title at USC ( University So. Calfornia) during the NCAA 2010 run in the Deuce. Flo had to take some time off to attend to his family but he has returned with his wife as his offensive coordinator.

TimpeGoose - Ole Miss - Goose joined the Deuce at the end of the 2011 run… Goose had some success at Stanford making the national title game only to run into the Lawdog Dynasty. Goose has his work cut out for him at Ole Miss due to the loaded division/conference he is in.

Jmustang - Houston - Mustang joined the Deuce in NCAA 2011 when a member had to leave due to family issues. Mustang has been rock solid and is always a title contender. Mustang is known for racking up a ridiculous amount of sacks and get a ton of pressure on opposing offenses.

BobJr - Texas Tech - Bob is still the newest member of the Deuce when he took over midway into NCAA 2012. Bob is also the commish of the rock solid PS3 Madden Franchise Hard Knocks. Bob has had his struggles on the recruiting trail, but can win any game.

JrRawlins - Kansas - Jr is an original Deuce member who is well known for developing struggling teams into contenders. Jr is always a tough game and is great usering the FS on Defense. He is regarded as one of the better ‘stick’ guys in the Deuce.