ESPN Video Games: A first-look preview at NCAA Football 14

[cdj]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8615567295_2e0246a389.jpg

ESPN's Jon Robinson provides us with the first-look at NCAA Football 14 (http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/tech/post/_/id/4526/ncaa-football-14-a-first-look-preview#more).

I’ve been running the virtual option since “Bill Walsh College Football” on the Sega Genesis. That makes me either a wishbone expert or just plain old (although I’ll settle for being an old expert).

So when I got my hands on “NCAA Football 14” for the first time at a special preview event in San Francisco, and some of the featured points of emphasis about the new game were all of the enhancements made to the option, I seriously spent the next 20 minutes reading the outside linebacker and either pitching the ball wide, or tucking it down and running as the Oregon Ducks. And I couldn’t get enough.

And for gamers unfamiliar with how to run the various option plays, EA Sports is ready to teach you, even designating icons above certain defenders’ helmets to alert the offensive player about positioning, and whose movements in particular they need to read. So while running the read option to the right, the left outside linebacker will have a No. 1 over his head, and if he cuts inside, you’ll learn to pitch the ball to your running back. If the linebacker plays outside, then it’s time for the quarterback to keep the ball himself, cutting up inside the linebacker as he tries to work his way into the open field. Other plays, the linebacker will be the first read, but a defensive back will be the second read, so depending on the call, you might keep the ball when you see the linebacker get blocked, but when the safety moves up to make a play, you pitch the ball to your running back at the last second and try to work the sidelines for a long run.

“We’ve gone crazy overboard revamping the option game this year,” said Larry Richart, “NCAA 14’s” central game-play designer. “There are 31 different option types in our game now, which include all the different veer options, shotgun full triple options, shovel options, the Pistol … any type of option play you can think of. We want to teach the user what they should be doing, because if you don’t know how to run the option, it can be complicated, it can be scary, and in years past, calling these plays, a lot of people didn’t know when to pitch, they didn’t know when to keep it, so now you’re going to see the defender you’re supposed to be looking at, and depending on what he does, you’ll either pitch it or keep it. The guys you’ll need to read will be indicated, and you’ll know the order you’ll need to look at them. We’ve even added new animations to the defense where you’ll see the defender shoot out or attacking the quarterback right away, so you’ll know right away what he’s doing in order to make the right play.”

The open-field targeting of blocking receivers has also been completely revamped, so now your receivers will actually block the right players from the right position on the field, opening up new running lanes that just weren’t there before. You’ll even see the offensive linemen making it to the second level and targeting the safeties, no longer content to simply block any player in sight.

“We went through every single option play and determined who every guy should block, and who they should leave unblocked,” Richart said. “We’ve totally revamped the logic to go with brand-new animations and plays.”

The option pass has also been boosted. Where last year you had to hit A to snap the ball, then A again to bring the icons up, and by that time, your quarterback was stuck in some drop-back animation, eliminating all hope of a bubble screen and most likely leading to a sack, in “NCAA 14,” the option pass is now simply a play-action pass, with the game automatically going through the option fakes, allowing you to set up your passing play more quickly. And with the enhancements made to downfield blocking, the bubble screens are increasingly effective this year, as your players finally block the appropriate defenders in front of you as you take off for the first down.

There’s even a new spread option playbook available that features all of these new plays and option types. That includes more than 20 new formations and 350 new plays to go along with a skill training practice game that will have you running the option like a champ. Then again, all of these improvements also carry over to CPU teams, so get ready to give up some yards on the ground this year if you’re not ready to defend all of these new option plays.

Added “NCAA 14” producer Ben Haumiller: “The computer is much smarter about using moves, getting to the outside, and timing the pitch.”

But the improvements to the option game aren’t the only big additions, as “NCAA Football 14” will finally reveal the enhancements made to the EA Sports Infinity physics engine. Last year, the new real-time physics system was left out of the “NCAA” series, angering fans who felt like it once again relegated the college game to “Madden’s” little brother status. But with Infinity Engine 2.0 debuting in “NCAA 14,” fans are going to see what another full year of tweaks can add to the game play, and the difference is downright staggering (not to mention, smooth). Gone are all the problems you saw in “Madden” with players randomly tripping over a foot and falling down (now they’ll actually step over random limbs), or teammates rolling all over each other, twisting their legs, and flipping around after the play was already blown dead.

“This is a much more mature version than what you played in ‘Madden,’” Richart said. “But the big thing is, it’s physics you can play. We put a greater emphasis on the ball carrier, and now with the Infinity engine, you can really emphasize stiff-arms. In the previous version, you’d run, and when you pressed the stiff-arm button, it was a dice roll whether you hit or not. This year, you can see the ball carrier really punch. We added all new animations, and now you can hit the defender in the face mask, you can hit him in the shoulder, and depending on where you hit him, you’ll see him react differently to the move. Also, with the Truck Stick, you don’t have to worry about that silly NFL rule with the crown, and you’ll notice much more forceful impacts where the ball carrier can deliver the blow and you’ll see the defender fall back in much more natural, organic reaction.”

Runners will also be able to fend off defenders, pushing and shielding their way past a would-be tackler, even if they don’t smack them in the chops. Running backs will have more contextual awareness than years past, avoiding blocking linemen in a game-play tweak EA is calling “ball carrier avoidance.” “Madden 13” suffered from running backs flying into the offensive line, then falling down because they ran into the back of their guard or tackle. In “NCAA 14,” the running back will stick his hand out and sidestep the blocker instead of making things easy on the defense by falling backward to the turf.

Also new is a stumble recovery system, where gamers can flick either up or down on the right stick when their ball carrier trips. Pull back on the stick, and you can try to recover and keep running, or if you feel like you might be in jeopardy of taking a vicious Hit Stick from a nearby defender, you can simply flick forward to dive ahead while protecting yourself and the ball.

Running locomotion has also been improved so direction changes will actually incorporate players making cuts as opposed to zigzagging their way down the field like past iterations. Auto sprint has also been removed in favor of an acceleration burst mechanic. So now, players won’t be running at full speed at all times. Using the right trigger, you’ll be able to burst when you feel like you need to hit that extra gear. But it’s not like you can turbo your way up and down the field at no cost, as EA has also added a fatigue meter at the bottom of each player, letting you know how much energy you have on every play based on individual player ratings, and the more you do jukes, cuts and sprint, the more you’ll notice your meter drop dramatically.

“At the end of a play, if you run out of energy, you’ll see it on screen in their running motion and style,” added Richart. “You’re basically out of gas.”

For hard-core fans, EA Sports has even added the ability to call plays based on personnel. This new play-calling type is based on the number of backs, tight ends and receivers on the field, and you’ll now be locked into calling audibles that match your personnel (gone are the days of audibling between goal line and five wide to gain an advantage over defensive matchups by having a receiver running routes from the fullback position). This will also take away the bug “NCAA” has had the past couple of years, where the CPU would come out in Wildcat, then audible into shotgun and try to throw a pass while the running back is locked in playing quarterback.

But don’t think all of the improvements are limited to the offensive side of the ball, as the EA Sports crew seems to watch Jadeveon Clowney hits on constant loop at the office, putting added emphasis on polygon smashing thanks to the evolution of the Infinity engine.

“The new physics also come into play on defense with the Hit Stick,” explained Richart. “There are a lot bigger collisions in the game this year, especially when you see a bigger defender square up on a little guy. You’re going to see train wrecks out there. The Hit Stick is back. I know people have felt that it has just been OK the past few years, and it wasn’t like it used to be, but with the new Infinity engine, you really feel the impact of the Hit Stick and dive tackles. Now when you dive at a runner, the force of the dive really exerts the momentum of the force, and the physics will take care of the rest.”

***

You can view the page at http://www.thegamingtailgate.com/forums/content.php?670-ESPN-Video-Games-A-first-look-preview-at-NCAA-Football-14

[I OU a Beatn]

The open-field targeting of blocking receivers has also been completely revamped, so now your receivers will actually block the right players from the right position on the field, opening up new running lanes that just weren’t there before. You’ll even see the offensive linemen making it to the second level and targeting the safeties, no longer content to simply block any player in sight.

“We went through every single option play and determined who every guy should block, and who they should leave unblocked,” Richart said. “We’ve totally revamped the logic to go with brand-new animations and plays.”

Have to love them getting excited over something that should have been in the game all these years. :D

As a constant complainer of how terrible the spread option has been, I'm glad to hear they've worked on it. I'm also glad that they FINALLY added the shovel pass. Whether or not it plays the way I envision it will remain to be seen, but I'm at least glad they're focusing on a portion of the game that has never worked correctly.

[CLW]

... And for gamers unfamiliar with how to run the various option plays, EA Sports is ready to teach you, even designating icons above certain defenders’ helmets to alert the offensive player about positioning, and whose movements in particular they need to read.

... The guys you’ll need to read will be indicated, and you’ll know the order you’ll need to look at them. We’ve even added new animations to the defense where you’ll see the defender shoot out or attacking the quarterback right away, so you’ll know right away what he’s doing in order to make the right play.”

Then again, all of these improvements also carry over to CPU teams, so get ready to give up some yards on the ground this year if you’re not ready to defend all of these new option plays.

Also, with the Truck Stick, you don’t have to worry about that silly NFL rule with the crown, and you’ll notice much more forceful impacts where the ball carrier can deliver the blow and you’ll see the defender fall back in much more natural, organic reaction.

For hard-core fans, EA Sports has even added the ability to call plays based on personnel. This new play-calling type is based on the number of backs, tight ends and receivers on the field, and you’ll now be locked into calling audibles that match your personnel (gone are the days of audibling between goal line and five wide to gain an advantage over defensive matchups by having a receiver running routes from the fullback position).

But don’t think all of the improvements are limited to the offensive side of the ball, as the EA Sports crew seems to watch Jadeveon Clowney hits on constant loop at the office, putting added emphasis on polygon smashing thanks to the evolution of the Infinity engine.

#1/#2 really there were people out there that cannot run the option? I don't want icons popping up showing me how to run a play if I cannot read the play by viewing the players on the field then the play should be blown up. also sounds like the AI for option run defense is going to messed up with the CPU going all out at the QB or the pitch man "right away" thank you 15-20 yards a pop on option run plays now. :smh:

#3 I'll believe it when I see it. EA has NEVER made the CPU even decent with the run.

#4 but I thought EA's moto was "if its in the game...." I cannot imagine the NFL would be happy with EA ignoring their rules to improve "player safety"

#5 Thank God this has finally been fixed/addressed.

#6 Yep we are going to see the "Clowney hit" 15 times a game now. Just flick the hit stick and watch the helmets go flying which will of course be the ONLY way you can tackle anyone this year due to the "improved infinity engine.

Time will tell but I'm concerned at the direction this year's title appears to be going in.

[I OU a Beatn]

#1/#2 really there were people out there that cannot run the option? I don't want icons popping up showing me how to run a play if I cannot read the play by viewing the players on the field then the play should be blown up. also sounds like the AI for option run defense is going to messed up with the CPU going all out at the QB or the pitch man "right away" thank you 15-20 yards a pop on option run plays now. :smh:

It's the trend in games nowadays, man. "We have to cater to the casuals." I realize the people on the forum and the "hardcore" fans of the game know how to run the option and what to read, but for the people that casually watch football and just want to occasionally play the game, EA wants to make them comfortable so they're more willing to cough up their money.

Personally, I hope it's optional. If I have to look at EA telling me how to run the option and what to read, that'll probably get on my nerves after awhile.

[Deuce]

It all 'sounds' great. We'll just have to wait and see how it's all executed. I'm iffy on the icons though...it would be nice to have the option to turn them off.

Even though real college football is, for the most part, about high scoring O's I hope you can still play D in 14. I do imagine there will be a slider set that allows me to enjoy the game so I'm not too worried.

[baseballplyrmvp]

It's the trend in games nowadays, man. "We have to cater to the casuals." I realize the people on the forum and the "hardcore" fans of the game know how to run the option and what to read, but for the people that casually watch football and just want to occasionally play the game, EA wants to make them comfortable so they're more willing to cough up their money.

Personally, I hope it's optional. If I have to look at EA telling me how to run the option and what to read, that'll probably get on my nerves after awhile.they said that it was in an all new practice skill mode or something.

i would guess, that you could turn it off, like the pre-snap play art.

[CLW]

It's the trend in games nowadays, man. "We have to cater to the casuals." I realize the people on the forum and the "hardcore" fans of the game know how to run the option and what to read, but for the people that casually watch football and just want to occasionally play the game, EA wants to make them comfortable so they're more willing to cough up their money.

Personally, I hope it's optional. If I have to look at EA telling me how to run the option and what to read, that'll probably get on my nerves after awhile.

I'd bet the farm you cannot turn it off. EA seldom (if ever) gives you the ability to turn off something new that "improves" the game.

[psusnoop]

I'm still holding out hope that the Defense gets some love because right now it's already all offense.

[xMrHitStickx904]

Give me the full slate of pre-snap adjustments like Madden has, formation subs at the play-call screen, tone down ball-hawk on defense, but improve zone defense (especially yellow & purple zones), strafing needs to be improved because it was relatively worthless in NCAA, improve the defensive playbooks and I'll be fine. Additionally, I hope onside kicks are tougher to recover because if you kick 5 of them, you'll get back at least 3. It's going to be an offensively based game in my view, Madden 13 has high scores everywhere & it's to the point where I just have to ball-hawk somebody on defense to save a game sometimes. However, because of the ability to adjust you can still stop somebody. I'm okay with offensive upgrades, but I am interested to see how we'll be able to strategically play defense as far as adjustments go.

[Tako 715]

I like that they are focusing on option offense, but I don't need the reads to be numbered. Hopefully it's an option that can be turned off.

I've never mentioned it but I would like to see the option defense be overhauled as well. I find it random when my DE is going to dive or QB. It'd be nice to be able to assign DE's to dive, QB or pitch. I'd be the next step to really make the option game a chess match between users.

[Jayrah]

#4 but I thought EA's moto was "if its in the game...." I cannot imagine the NFL would be happy with EA ignoring their rules to improve "player safety"
It's not a rule in college dude. And he doesn't understand the rule. There isn't a play animated in the game that would draw a flag anyways.

[Jayrah]

I'm still holding out hope that the Defense gets some love because right now it's already all offense.
It's already all offense because that's what most people want to hear about first. If they started with defense people would go crazy with "Oh my god they didn't work on the option this year? They didn't improve the blocking downfield? WTH?" :fp:

It's ONE piece of news with 3 months remaining till release. Give it time.

[JeffHCross]

It's the trend in games nowadays, man. "We have to cater to the casuals." I realize the people on the forum and the "hardcore" fans of the game know how to run the option and what to read, but for the people that casually watch football and just want to occasionally play the game, EA wants to make them comfortable so they're more willing to cough up their moneyI understand why you dismiss this, but video games can be very useful as teaching tools. Screw the casual football fan, many hardcore football fans have no clue how an option is read. Worse if they do know but don't know how that translates to the game. There is nothing wrong with EA reducing the learning curve.

[GatorfanStovy]

I understand why you dismiss this, but video games can be very useful as teaching tools. Screw the casual football fan, many hardcore football fans have no clue how an option is read. Worse if they do know but don't know how that translates to the game. There is nothing wrong with EA reducing the learning curve.

I agree screw the normal football fan. What about us hard core fans who play the game year around.

[JBHuskers]

I agree screw the normal football fan. What about us hard core fans who play the game year around.

That hardcore fan "might" make up 5% of the total revenue driven by NCAA Football?

[GatorfanStovy]

That hardcore fan "might" make up 5% of the total revenue driven by NCAA Football?

I dunno possibly . What is numbers any how lol.

[JBHuskers]

I dunno possibly . What is numbers any how lol.

Numbers = Cash :D

Ultimate Team, not going to be played by many of us here. But will be played by a SHIT TON of people.

[GatorfanStovy]

Numbers = Cash :D

Ultimate Team, not going to be played by many of us here. But will be played by a SHIT TON of people.

That is true all them young kids still in school with all those summer free time . Sadly I won't be able to heck it out until Nov at the earliest .

[Kwizzy]

What's up everybody, haven't been around in a while. Love the focus on the run game. Couple things:

-First off while I agree that it would get annoying eventually if these icons stayed up the whole play, it wouldn't surprise me if theyre part of the pre-snap show play display. So I'd wait until you see the implementation until you get all up in arms.

-Second, if they really did implement all of the different type of read and option plays, even some of the hard core guys are going to need this feature, at least at first. I promise you that not everyone is going to know the difference between reading inside/outside zone (which is really all that has been in the game up to this point) and inverted veer. Not to mention if they also added midline reads...

-Finally, while I love that they have improved the way run plays are blocked, I am taking a wait and see approach before I get too excited. If these pays really are blocked correctly but they haven't made defenders play with good leverage and gap discipline then one of 2 things will be true: Either the offense will be unstoppable running the ball or defenders will magically get off/around those blocks in an unrealistic and frustrating manner. Either way, not good. Blocking and run fits go hand in hand, can't fix one without the other and expect to get a balanced game. Hopefully they realize this and are way ahead of me but I'll wait and see....

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

[psusnoop]

It's already all offense because that's what most people want to hear about first. If they started with defense people would go crazy with "Oh my god they didn't work on the option this year? They didn't improve the blocking downfield? WTH?" :fp:

It's ONE piece of news with 3 months remaining till release. Give it time.

I wasn't bashing this ONE piece of news we rec'd, I was merely hoping that over the course of the next few months we hear about some defensive upgrades. Hitsticks mentioned a few, I'd like also like to see line interaction revamped as well. I'd like to see Special Teams addressed more.

[Deuce]

The next piece of news I'm looking for is what they've done on D. Namely the zones...so far I'm really liking the news about enhanced AI, blocking updates, and option improvements. If they can fix those zones ill be a happy man. I still really enjoy 13 even with the crap zones!

[cdj]

#1/#2 really there were people out there that cannot run the option? I don't want icons popping up showing me how to run a play if I cannot read the play by viewing the players on the field then the play should be blown up. also sounds like the AI for option run defense is going to messed up with the CPU going all out at the QB or the pitch man "right away" thank you 15-20 yards a pop on option run plays now. :smh:

As kwizzy guessed/speculated, the option "icons" are only in pre-snap if you view with Coach Cam and press up on the right stick. It will indicate (when applicable) the read key and the pitch key. There are NO option icons during the play.

Even with the icons in the pre-snap Coach Cam telling you who to look at, you still have to make the right read, pitch at the right time, hope it doesn't get blown up, etc. There is no guarantee of success due to this feature.

When I initially heard about this feature, my thought was "I hope there is an option to turn it off." After seeing it, I don't think it is intrusive and that it will help new players and even experienced ones learn more ABOUT the option, not necessarily how to always get big yards with it. I understand the concern with it, but I don't think any explanation to this point has clarified what it does or how it works properly. IMO it's a good addition for both casual fans and more experienced players, without dumbing down or insulting veteran players. (In the past I have heard from a good number of experienced players who had trouble running the option - namely zone read - so I think more vets will like this than we realize.)


Here is more on it from TSO's Drifterbub (http://forums.traditionsportsonline.com/threads/ea-sports-ncaa-football-14-gameplay-improvements-what-it-all-means.97433/):

- Options/Running game
Everyone has their complaints with blocking logic. The flaws were especially apparent in the option game. Blockers consistently let the wrong defenders come free and often resulted in situations where you were going to lose yards regardless of the option taken. Richart's comments on reworking all of the option plays are true. Since the offensive line knows who to turn free and who to read, they can easily decide on where the 2nd level block is and get to it. EA took this to another level by adding in-game indicators that highlight the players that your offensive line will turn free and the players that you will need to read. It's a nice learning tool for users new to option plays (or new to running them properly).

[Deuce]

I already know the answer but ill throw it out there anyway. With the new emphasis on fatigue is there any way they expand the rosters? ...if not, I assume you're going to have to be a lot more careful about who you red-shirt.

[steelerfan]

I already know the answer but ill throw it out there anyway. With the new emphasis on fatigue is there any way they expand the rosters? ...if not, I assume you're going to have to be a lot more careful about who you red-shirt.

Not really. You can still sub a guy in mid-game, he just loses his redshirt if you do.

Enviado de meu SAMSUNG SGH I997 usando o Tapatalk 2

[Deuce]

Not really. You can still sub a guy in mid-game, he just loses his redshirt if you do.

Enviado de meu SAMSUNG SGH I997 usando o Tapatalk 2

Oh ya, I guess that's true.

[GatorBait06NC]

THE GATORS HAVE ORANGE CLEATS AGAIN!!!!!!! I took two years, but it finally got fixed. With the Florida Gators new uniform number fonts make it in game? Or will it have to be a uni storm add on that will take months to get?

[souljahbill]

THE GATORS HAVE ORANGE CLEATS AGAIN!!!!!!! I took two years, but it finally got fixed. With the Florida Gators new uniform number fonts make it in game? Or will it have to be a uni storm add on that will take months to get?

Congratulations!

[GatorBait06NC]

Flicking the stick down to dive and avoid a big hit? In previous versions, diving would HIGHLY increase the chance of fumbling. Let's hope that's fixed.

[GatorBait06NC]

I just hope a good defense can still shut down all this crap. Im hoping that every simmed game isnt 45-35. The SEC still plays smash mouth football. I'm just praying that defense still exists in this game and we aren't seeing basketball scores. Are they going to reveal any changes made to defense, assuming they made any?

[bdoughty]

Im hoping that every simmed game isnt 45-35. The SEC still plays smash mouth football.

Might want to look at the average score in an SEC game. A&M, Bama and Georgia had plenty of SEC games scoring putting up 30/40/50 points a game. SEC Championship game was 32-28, a fairly high scoring game and one did it on the ground and the other in the air. Running the ball does not mean you can't put points up on the board.

They just need to throw in a parameter than any game played against Florida or LSU should be limited to no more than 40 points (total), unless the opponent is in the bottom half of the standings.

[dhook27]

the big ten is the TRUE smashmouth football where u get scores like 10-6!

[Rudy]

the big ten is the TRUE smashmouth football where u get scores like 10-6!

Only if those teams offenses are horrible. Why do people think having terrible offenses in your conference is like having a badge of honour? The Big 10 isn't the three yards and a cloud of dust conference anymore. A lot of teams run the read-option and spread now. People need to stop pretending that football is this defensive oriented sport where it's the only way to win. It's not and hasn't been for awhile. Most BCS bowl games are high scoring and most conferences feature high scoring with the average BCS team scoring 29 points a game.

Big 10 stats alone the average Big 10 team IN conference was 26 points per game with a median score of 28.9. So if you see a 10-6 B1G game that means there was a 50-40 game somewhere. How quickly we forget that 101 points were scored in the Big 10 Championship game. Michigan led the Big 10 with the best scoring defense at 16.6 points allowed per game. Wisconsin was next at over 18 points a game. Michigan won one game in a low scoring fashion last year. They beat MSU 12-10. They didn't win a single other game where they scored less than 31 points. Nebraska gave up 70 in the title game and they used to be known for defense.

Every year I read that the "hardcore" fans want NCAA to feature low scoring games and they want to downplay speed. Both are unrealistic claims imo. The great teams in college football score a lot of points now. Great defense is holding someone to under 20 points now, not 10. And speed kills. Everyone wants it and fast players ARE dangerous in both real football and video game football. That's why college coaches recruit speed at the skill spots and the NFL obsesses over it at the combine and in the draft. I think the hardcore fans need to come to grips with this.

On a different not here is an interview from EJ Manual on the new blocking, playbooks and running moves:
http://www.operationsports.com/features/1624/ej-manuel-talks-ncaa-football-14s-gameplay/

[souljahbill]

Only if those teams offenses are horrible. Why do people think having terrible offenses in your conference is like having a badge of honour? The Big 10 isn't the three yards and a cloud of dust conference anymore. A lot of teams run the read-option and spread now. People need to stop pretending that football is this defensive oriented sport where it's the only way to win. It's not and hasn't been for awhile. Most BCS bowl games are high scoring and most conferences feature high scoring with the average BCS team scoring 29 points a game.

Big 10 stats alone the average Big 10 team IN conference was 26 points per game with a median score of 28.9. So if you see a 10-6 B1G game that means there was a 50-40 game somewhere. How quickly we forget that 101 points were scored in the Big 10 Championship game. Michigan led the Big 10 with the best scoring defense at 16.6 points allowed per game. Wisconsin was next at over 18 points a game. Michigan won one game in a low scoring fashion last year. They beat MSU 12-10. They didn't win a single other game where they scored less than 31 points. Nebraska gave up 70 in the title game and they used to be known for defense.

Every year I read that the "hardcore" fans want NCAA to feature low scoring games and they want to downplay speed. Both are unrealistic claims imo. The great teams in college football score a lot of points now. Great defense is holding someone to under 20 points now, not 10. And speed kills. Everyone wants it and fast players ARE dangerous in both real football and video game football. That's why college coaches recruit speed at the skill spots and the NFL obsesses over it at the combine and in the draft. I think the hardcore fans need to come to grips with this.

On a different not here is an interview from EJ Manual on the new blocking, playbooks and running moves:
http://www.operationsports.com/features/1624/ej-manuel-talks-ncaa-football-14s-gameplay/

Dropping knowledge bombs all over your face! Great post!

[CLW]

Only if those teams offenses are horrible. Why do people think having terrible offenses in your conference is like having a badge of honour? The Big 10 isn't the three yards and a cloud of dust conference anymore. A lot of teams run the read-option and spread now. People need to stop pretending that football is this defensive oriented sport where it's the only way to win. It's not and hasn't been for awhile. Most BCS bowl games are high scoring and most conferences feature high scoring with the average BCS team scoring 29 points a game.

Big 10 stats alone the average Big 10 team IN conference was 26 points per game with a median score of 28.9. So if you see a 10-6 B1G game that means there was a 50-40 game somewhere. How quickly we forget that 101 points were scored in the Big 10 Championship game. Michigan led the Big 10 with the best scoring defense at 16.6 points allowed per game. Wisconsin was next at over 18 points a game. Michigan won one game in a low scoring fashion last year. They beat MSU 12-10. They didn't win a single other game where they scored less than 31 points. Nebraska gave up 70 in the title game and they used to be known for defense.

Every year I read that the "hardcore" fans want NCAA to feature low scoring games and they want to downplay speed. Both are unrealistic claims imo. The great teams in college football score a lot of points now. Great defense is holding someone to under 20 points now, not 10. And speed kills. Everyone wants it and fast players ARE dangerous in both real football and video game football. That's why college coaches recruit speed at the skill spots and the NFL obsesses over it at the combine and in the draft. I think the hardcore fans need to come to grips with this.

On a different not here is an interview from EJ Manual on the new blocking, playbooks and running moves:
http://www.operationsports.com/features/1624/ej-manuel-talks-ncaa-football-14s-gameplay/


I'd KILL for a game where the average team/user could only muster 29 points per game. Football is most definitely getting more offense friendly with the rules changes and evolution with the spread option etc.... but it doesn't matter what team I start out with coaching I'm putting up 50 points per game on offense on Heisman with sliders in favor of the CPU. Started out my coaching career at :UTSA: as an OC in 13 put up 50 points per game (and could have easily been more if I wanted to run up the score) before getting a HC job.

Your simply confusing/missing the point people are making about EA being to wide open. The game certainly has more points being scored than there were back in the day but EA has taken that concept and put it on steroids to where NO defense can even slow down ANY offense by any decent HUM. The only way you don't score points in this game right now is you screw up or you get hit sticked for a fumble.

[oweb26]

A 10-6 game would put me to sleep until around like the last 5 min of the game, so I would at least get a good nap out of it.

[Coachdenz]

Is hate the game already just getting my 2 cents in....😉...lol

[Rudy]

I'd KILL for a game where the average team/user could only muster 29 points per game. Football is most definitely getting more offense friendly with the rules changes and evolution with the spread option etc.... but it doesn't matter what team I start out with coaching I'm putting up 50 points per game on offense on Heisman with sliders in favor of the CPU. Started out my coaching career at :UTSA: as an OC in 13 put up 50 points per game (and could have easily been more if I wanted to run up the score) before getting a HC job.

EA has screwed the football games up the last few years with regards to difficulty and sliders. They have never done a good job with the sliders which need to be FAR more effective than they are. I can't speak for NCAA 13 but in Madden 13 I would play on All-Madden with human run block at 0 and cpu block shedding at 100 and I could still average well over 5 yards a carry (and often close to 6) with Lamar Miller on Miami. And that's without running any double stacked TE Ace Stretch plays which were money if the cpu overloaded the weak side for some stupid reason. Five years ago if I played All-Madden or Heisman default I got my ass kicked. Now I'm kicking the cpu's ass on those levels (at least Madden 13). I'm a decent player but nothing special so me winning that easy was ridiculous. Go back to NCAA 08 (horrid game) and All-American default was tough.

EA does not care enough about sliders. Maybe it's because I love sliders that I take issue with this but EA has done a bad job with them. The sliders aren't powerful enough to fine-tune the game properly and the default settings are the worst of any sports game out there imo. The cpu running game is always beyond awful on default and the cpu QBs are far, far too stupid on the lower levels. I truly wish that EA committed themselves to either offering more sliders or giving us access to tuning files. Every year a community event comes and goes and I get next to no information about sliders. There is never any time is what I hear. EA needs to make time and a commitment to this area! I can live with default settings being terrible as usual. But you better give me the tools to fix them. Madden's coverage sliders were broken and the blocking sliders were so watered down they couldn't fix enough things. NCAA still failed to add sliders for fumbles, stamina or injuries I believe. Why? Why not have new sliders for QB awareness so the cpu isn't so stupid on Varsity or All-American? Why not have a kick return blocking slider? The cpu is always AWFUL on returns so give me a tool to fix it. W hy not split pass coverage up between man and zone to help cover up issues there? If they would give me 5 sliders to add and fine-tune the others ones right the games would be so much better.

[steelerfan]

NHL has done sliders the right way for years. FIFA didn't even have them until FIFA 12, but they have a bunch of them and they give you a ton of things to tweak.

I agree, Rudy, NCAA and Madden don't give me enough to work with in that department. It's a big part of why I can play FIFA year-round and only play NCAA very sparingly these days. I won't even touch Madden because they won't split special teams sliders into User/CPU.

Enviado de meu SAMSUNG SGH I997 usando o Tapatalk 2

[SmoothPancakes]

NHL has done sliders the right way for years. FIFA didn't even have them until FIFA 12, but they have a bunch of them and they give you a ton of things to tweak.

I agree, Rudy, NCAA and Madden don't give me enough to work with in that department. It's a big part of why I can play FIFA year-round and only play NCAA very sparingly these days. I won't even touch Madden because they won't split special teams sliders into User/CPU.

Enviado de meu SAMSUNG SGH I997 usando o Tapatalk 2

Yep, I've loved the amount of sliders and different things I can customized in FIFA, NHL and NBA2K. They all have sliders done right. NCAA and Madden are still in 1st grade when it comes to sliders. It really is disappointing and something they SERIOUSLY need to work on.

[steelerfan]

Yep, I've loved the amount of sliders and different things I can customized in FIFA, NHL and NBA2K. They all have sliders done right. NCAA and Madden are still in 1st grade when it comes to sliders. It really is disappointing and something they SERIOUSLY need to work on.

Hopefully, next gen.

Aside from a special teams overhaul, sliders and injuries would be at the top of my wishlist. Of course, realism in the injury department would necessitate expanding rosters too.

I don't accept the "we can't have bad snaps because it will piss people off" thing either. Give me blocked kicks, bad snaps, fumbled snaps etc and let me decide what I want to shut off.

Otherwise, take away penalties because if I ever get a holding call that costs me a game I'll be angry. ;)

Enviado de meu SAMSUNG SGH I997 usando o Tapatalk 2

[baseballplyrmvp]

Hopefully, next gen.

Aside from a special teams overhaul, sliders and injuries would be at the top of my wishlist. Of course, realism in the injury department would necessitate expanding rosters too.

I don't accept the "we can't have bad snaps because it will piss people off" thing either. Give me blocked kicks, bad snaps, fumbled snaps etc and let me decide what I want to shut off.

Otherwise, take away penalties because if I ever get a holding call that costs me a game I'll be angry. ;)

Enviado de meu SAMSUNG SGH I997 usando o Tapatalk 2

:+1:

imo, their decision to keep some kind of control over the game is harming the product. if they let us tune the game to our liking, by putting a slider/on-off switch in for nearly situation possible, the game would be a ton better.

[SmoothPancakes]

Hopefully, next gen.

Aside from a special teams overhaul, sliders and injuries would be at the top of my wishlist. Of course, realism in the injury department would necessitate expanding rosters too.

I don't accept the "we can't have bad snaps because it will piss people off" thing either. Give me blocked kicks, bad snaps, fumbled snaps etc and let me decide what I want to shut off.

Otherwise, take away penalties because if I ever get a holding call that costs me a game I'll be angry. ;)

Enviado de meu SAMSUNG SGH I997 usando o Tapatalk 2

Exactly. I WANT bad snaps in my game. I want blocked kicks, bad snaps, fumbled snaps, the works, the whole enchilada. Like you said, put it in, then give users a way to turn it on or off so THEY can decide whether or not they want to use it. Then those of us that want it and want to use it will be able to, and understand going in that it may and probably will cost us games. And those that don't want it don't have to worry about it at all. It's SIMPLE. Apparently too simple for EA.

[Rudy]

I still can't understand why Madden has global special teams sliders. It's so stupid but it just goes to show how little EA's football teams care about sliders.

I agree with all you guys above. Give us more sliders and let us fix or improve the broken things in the game. Almost everyone would agree that baseball (The Show), Fifa, NHL and NBA are better representations of the game than football. If they can't get the game right let us get the game right.