EA SPORTS: Breaking Down NCAA Football 14 Gameplay

[cdj]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8639085402_e01a0a64f8.jpg

EA SPORTS has posted an official blog breaking down the gameplay improvements coming to NCAA Football 14 (http://www.easports.com/ncaa-football/news/article/ncaa-football-14-gameplay-blog), including the Force Impact System and running game improvements.

Continue on to read the blog and then share your thoughts with the community.


College football is unpredictable, and now so is NCAA Football 14.

The addition of Infinity Engine 2 allows you to play true to your team with gameplay tuned with the college game in mind, bringing multiple college play-styles to life. Players have been significantly tuned to balance based on position and size, which means you’ll also feel momentum as you run with the ball. You’ll also notice updated player behavior after each play is over.

Here’s a look at specifically what you can expect with the new Infinity Engine 2.

The Power of Force Impact


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8615572159_c948d42432.jpg
Use new stiff-arm to create your own space around the outside

As we continually evolve the Infinity Engine, we have more control to build physics-based features to create more realistic player interactions on the field. The Force Impact System allows us to create more realistic hits that take momentum, speed, and mass into account. You can now feel the big plays on offense and defense, which provide a more real feeling than ever before.Offense wasn’t the only side of the ball that got some love, this year in NCAA Football 14 you will find the Hitstick is much more powerful than ever before. Deliver bone crushing hits and tackles to the unsuspecting ball carrier.

Players can now recover from a near tackle with the new Stumble Recovery, which you can see a ball carrier put their hand down on the turf and keep trudging along for more yards. Based on a combination of player attributes and the impact of the hit, this is a real-life movement from the field that makes a huge difference in the open field. The stumble recovery will help assist in those frustrating moments where you run into a defender and watch your player fall to the ground without any way to recover.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8398/8615567333_577a43c63f.jpg
No longer at the mercy of the dice roll

With the Infinity Engine 2, things like dive tackles, trucks, and stiff arms are now driven by physics when timed correctly. All of these improvements to gameplay are made possible by the Infinity Engine 2, which allows for thousands of organic, unpredictable outcomes with some of the biggest hits we’ve ever seen in the NCAA Football franchise.

Swerve Not


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8615567311_b3285c1fa2.jpg
You could drive a truck through that cutback lane

Another significant improvement to gameplay in NCAA Football 14 is the running game. This year, we enhanced the running game by enabling you to make hard cuts on the field. The running game is an integral piece of college football, and in order to deliver the most realistic experience, we’ve emphasized changing the running game to eliminate inauthentic turning and running. With NCAA Football 14 you can make more hard cuts, which give better feeling of better weight and realistic running.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8615572119_561a9dcdf0.jpg
Follow your blockers and run to daylight

Building a Better Back

One thing we’ve learned over the years is that running backs are almost never moving at full speed the moment they take the ball, and need to be patient to allow blocks to develop and find the hole. While we’ve previously put an emphasis on getting the running backs up to full speed as quickly as possible, this year we’ve tuned the game to give users more control over running backs behind the line, as well as when making moves in the open field.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8114/8615572133_4effd74d17.jpg
Make the safety pay for taking a bad angle to the ball

We’re also aware that sometimes you need that extra burst of speed, so we’ve introduced an acceleration burst mechanic that allows you to hold the right trigger and reach top speed more quickly to get around the corner or evade a pursuing defender. There’s a tradeoff though, as running harder – as well as making moves like spins, jukes and cuts – drains your stamina faster, so you may lose your steam on long runs. We’ve included an on-screen stamina meter this year, so you’ll know exactly how much energy you’ve got left on any given play before you run out of gas.

Fans are encouraged to keep up to date by visiting the NCAA Football website, Facebook, and Twitterfor exclusive assets and unique insights into all this year’s new features. College football enthusiasts can also get involved in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #PLAYTRUE.

***

You can view the page at http://www.thegamingtailgate.com/forums/content.php?679-EA-SPORTS-Breaking-Down-NCAA-Football-14-Gameplay

[CLW]

They really keep hyping up the power of the hit stick.

[psusnoop]

They've got to hype something and this is the start of it.

[Deuce]

I listened to CDJ on the game changer radio show and it all sounded 'balanced'. I was really glad Chris touched on the AI...this is what I'm most curious about since 90% of my games are against the CPU.

[Rudy]

I want to see if the running movements are indeed more realistic with weight and momentum. Big plus if true.

[Jayrah]

I want to see if the running movements are indeed more realistic with weight and momentum. Big plus if true.
Not watching the vids? :confused:

[Rudy]

Not watching the vids? :confused:

I just saw the one video they released but it's so cut up I need to see longer gameplay clips. I really need to play it myself. Are there more vids?

The new media gamelends to so many different sites publishing the same stuff all the time. I just tune it out. I wish there was just one thread with all the unique info in it.

I do like the new defensive targeting system. I've maintained that the lack of momentum makes jukes poorly done in the past but also defence. I'm just keeping my expectations in check as I've been let down by EA too much this gen.

[xMrHitStickx904]

Out of every NCAA game that has come out over the years, I'm really eager to get my hands on this for the sole reason of the improvements to the infinity engine. I'm a user based player, meaning that I try to make all of the plays myself( user catches, picks etc. ) & the engine that was introduced on Madden is very conducive to players with good user skill. However, that gap is made up because of the ridiculous ball hawk feature. I'm interested to see how the changes will affect how we play.

[TIMB0B]

Out of every NCAA game that has come out over the years, I'm really eager to get my hands on this for the sole reason of the improvements to the infinity engine. I'm a user based player, meaning that I try to make all of the plays myself( user catches, picks etc. ) & the engine that was introduced on Madden is very conducive to players with good user skill. However, that gap is made up because of the ridiculous ball hawk feature. I'm interested to see how the changes will affect how we play.

I didn't play the new Madden. What's the ball hawk feature?

[cdj]

The new media gamelends to so many different sites publishing the same stuff all the time. I just tune it out. I wish there was just one thread with all the unique info in it.


If only there were. ;)

You should check out NCAA Football 14 News & Information Central (http://www.thegamingtailgate.com/forums/content.php?665).

[cdj]

I didn't play the new Madden. What's the ball hawk feature?

IIRC, it was added to NCAA 13 in a patch but I don't think it was to the same degree as Ball Hawk in M13. (I've heard significantly more discussion regarding the feature in Madden than NCAA. In Madden, I am playing as a RB in CCM, so I have little experience with the feature there.)

From what I understand, basically as a defensive back just hold down TRI/Y when the ball is near to make a move/swat/INT. Timing is either not as important or no longer important. Someone who has played Madden 13 more than I have or who understand the feature more will have to clarify.

[Rudy]

If only there were. ;)

You should check out NCAA Football 14 News & Information Central (http://www.thegamingtailgate.com/forums/content.php?665).

Sometimes you can't lead a horse to water. :)





I didn't play the new Madden. What's the ball hawk feature?

People said it was way too easy to get picks in Madden but whenever I tried using the feature it never helped me lol.

[xMrHitStickx904]

IIRC, it was added to NCAA 13 in a patch but I don't think it was to the same degree as Ball Hawk in M13. (I've heard significantly more discussion regarding the feature in Madden than NCAA. In Madden, I am playing as a RB in CCM, so I have little experience with the feature there.)

From what I understand, basically as a defensive back just hold down TRI/Y when the ball is near to make a move/swat/INT. Timing is either not as important or no longer important. Someone who has played Madden 13 more than I have or who understand the feature more will have to clarify.

Just now checking this thread again, but TIMB0B ballhawk is a feature that is much more effective on Madden than it is NCAA. In past games, you had to time your user skills in order to catch interceptions, and learn how to time the strafe as well. Ball hawk allows you to basically cover about 20-25 yards & catch picks easily with a ridiculous animation. You can literally control a safety, run around the field & if the ball is thrown anywhere near you, just hold down Y/Triangle & you'll jump a good 10 feet in the air & take the ball out of the air. For example, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a 6'2", 98 SPD CB that I always put at safety & control him on every player. Ball hawk makes him the best safety in the game. Just yesterday I user controlled a drag, saw that a 25 yard post route was open & I ran back there, caught a one-handed INT & took it to the house. Ball hawk at its' finest.

[Jayrah]

Just now checking this thread again, but TIMB0B ballhawk is a feature that is much more effective on Madden than it is NCAA. In past games, you had to time your user skills in order to catch interceptions, and learn how to time the strafe as well. Ball hawk allows you to basically cover about 20-25 yards & catch picks easily with a ridiculous animation. You can literally control a safety, run around the field & if the ball is thrown anywhere near you, just hold down Y/Triangle & you'll jump a good 10 feet in the air & take the ball out of the air. For example, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a 6'2", 98 SPD CB that I always put at safety & control him on every player. Ball hawk makes him the best safety in the game. Just yesterday I user controlled a drag, saw that a 25 yard post route was open & I ran back there, caught a one-handed INT & took it to the house. Ball hawk at its' finest.
And people wonder why they score 50+ points per game and get bored easily... :fp:

Yes, the feature is rotten, but if you want a good game, you have to play SIM football. Clearly, that is not sim. Seriously, if you play Sim (meaning playing without using exploits to your advantage) you can get a good game.

[cdj]

Here is a screenshot of the pre-snap option keys:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8659876637_c1c87f0aec_o.jpg

The design of it has changed since we saw it in early March. Previously it was a white shape around the player and the word Read or Pitch.

[JBHuskers]

That design definitely looks a lot cleaner than what we saw.

[CLW]

Here is a screenshot of the pre-snap option keys:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8659876637_c1c87f0aec_o.jpg

The design of it has changed since we saw it in early March. Previously it was a white shape around the player and the word Read or Pitch.


Well that's not as bad as I thought as long as it only shows up when you pull up Coach Cam (which is my understanding) then its not a bad addition.

[psusnoop]

That is how I would have thought EA would have implemented this. When everyone was jumping on their desks about this I honestly had a good laugh about it. It had to be in the play art thus allowing you to either bring it up manually or set your play art to appear every pre-snap. I'll be honest I have my play art show every snap. It does two things for me, it allows me to slow down and read the defense for a extra second and it allows me to be sure of my quick reads as well.

[PDuncanOSU]

Here is a screenshot of the pre-snap option keys:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8659876637_c1c87f0aec_o.jpg

The design of it has changed since we saw it in early March. Previously it was a white shape around the player and the word Read or Pitch.

I like the pitch keys, but it doesn't look like the o-lines blocking assignments are showing. I liked in NCAA 12 (or maybe it was back in 11) when the blocking assignments were included in the play art.

[Jayrah]

I like the pitch keys, but it doesn't look like the o-lines blocking assignments are showing. I liked in NCAA 12 (or maybe it was back in 11) when the blocking assignments were included in the play art.
Personally I like the cleaner look. I'm not really sure the blocking assignments mean anything other than make me think everybody is going to get picked up when in reality there are not. I like just seeing the 2 guys I have to read.

[Jayrah]

Chris and Tommy is that what the "wide" screen version looks like for camera angle? Where you can see the entire field?

[psusnoop]

Chris and Tommy is that what the "wide" screen version looks like for camera angle? Where you can see the entire field?

That's my guess to but I'll wait for confirmation to be 100% sure.

[gschwendt]

I didn't do anything with camera angles I'm March... I'm honestly not sure they were in at that point or not.

[JBHuskers]

I didn't do anything with camera angles I'm March... I'm honestly not sure they were in at that point or not.

Yeah I don't remember if they were, or if they just showed us mocks.

[Rudy]

So are there multiple playable camera angles this year then?

Edit: Doh! Just saw the answer in the other presentation thread.

"We have been given the green light to discuss/announce Alternate Camera Angles. There are four camera angles to select: Regular, Zoom (closer behind ball-carrier), Wide, Broadcast (overhead/blimp but will dynamically zoom in on action based on result & is basically a hybrid between Blimp and Sky cam)."

[oweb26]

Can you turn the pre-snap option keys off? I understand what they are for, but I dont want to see them or anyone else in my OD, kinda make it a skill thing even though its not really that hard anyway.

I would assume the answer is no BTW.

[psusnoop]

Can you turn the pre-snap option keys off? I understand what they are for, but I dont want to see them or anyone else in my OD, kinda make it a skill thing even though its not really that hard anyway.

I would assume the answer is no BTW.


Just my guess but if someone brings up the play art they are going to get the reads. And we've never been given an option for that to be turned off so I doubt that will be the case here as well.

[Jayrah]

Can you turn the pre-snap option keys off? I understand what they are for, but I dont want to see them or anyone else in my OD, kinda make it a skill thing even though its not really that hard anyway.

I would assume the answer is no BTW.It's just bringing up the playart. You don't have to bring it up if you don't want. In OD, if you do bring it up, the other player won't see it.

[TIMB0B]

Did anyone test the Flexbone option?

[JeffHCross]

I like the pitch keys, but it doesn't look like the o-lines blocking assignments are showing. I liked in NCAA 12 (or maybe it was back in 11) when the blocking assignments were included in the play art.It was a new feature for 11 but was removed by one of the patches for 12 after 12 had issues with it.

[ram29jackson]

are cornerbacks now a realistic distance from the line of scrimmage instead of 10 yards off on every play unless you show blitz ?

if theres some aspect of football knowledge I dont get, dont hassle me about it. But I know cornerbacks arent that far off on every single play by design unless for certain circumstances and I shouldnt have to show blitz to bring them down.

I did abuse drag routes for guys who never adjusted to it..LOL still do all year.

..its weird..no one else ever did it to me but i got countless TDs this year throwing a quick drag and then simply getting passed the CB because they were always too deep

[baseballplyrmvp]

are cornerbacks now a realistic distance from the line of scrimmage instead of 10 yards off on every play unless you show blitz ?

if theres some aspect of football knowledge I dont get, dont hassle me about it. But I know cornerbacks arent that far off on every single play by design unless for certain circumstances and I shouldnt have to show blitz to bring them down.

I did abuse drag routes for guys who never adjusted to it..LOL still do all year.

..its weird..no one else ever did it to me but i got countless TDs this year throwing a quick drag and then simply getting passed the CB because they were always too deep

never thought about this. cb depth could be something added to the gameplan option

[Rudy]

never thought about this. cb depth could be something added to the gameplan option

This was a HUGE issue in Madden last year. The CBs would change their depth but they were obvious all the time. Many times you started with a big cushion and that meant a curl route was open all day. If they came up and pressed you could hot route deep and if you had a good WR he would beat the jam and it was an easy pass between CB and S. There was no variation. I had to ban myself from using hot routes to avoid abusing this. In the NFL a CB can start with a cushion and then come up or they can start in press and then back off just before the snap. I'd like to see them disguise their coverage more - at least on the hard difficulties. I know most college teams don't change coverages as much as NFL guys and the PAC 12 seems to play loose all day but we need variety.

[baseballplyrmvp]

This was a HUGE issue in Madden last year. The CBs would change their depth but they were obvious all the time. Many times you started with a big cushion and that meant a curl route was open all day. If they came up and pressed you could hot route deep and if you had a good WR he would beat the jam and it was an easy pass between CB and S. There was no variation. I had to ban myself from using hot routes to avoid abusing this. In the NFL a CB can start with a cushion and then come up or they can start in press and then back off just before the snap. I'd like to see them disguise their coverage more - at least on the hard difficulties. I know most college teams don't change coverages as much as NFL guys and the PAC 12 seems to play loose all day but we need variety.

:+1:

seems like it'd be an easier thing to do, especially with those new plays that were added last year, that started out as cover 2 type coverages but evolved into cover 3 types. if they added "press->off coverage disguise plays" and "off->press" disguise, it'd be great.

[countryboy]

do we know if NCAA '14 will at least have individual coverage assignments ala the Madden series?

Ex: Press the outside receiver and shade the slot receiver to the inside.

[psusnoop]

do we know if NCAA '14 will at least have individual coverage assignments ala the Madden series?

Ex: Press the outside receiver and shade the slot receiver to the inside.

I haven't heard it addressed to be honest, we probably won't know for a little while longer. The guys here won't be able to say no or yes I'd imagine :dunno:?

[Jayrah]

do we know if NCAA '14 will at least have individual coverage assignments ala the Madden series?

Ex: Press the outside receiver and shade the slot receiver to the inside.
I've been clamoring for this for a couple years now. Much needed improvement to the passing game that would change everything in a positive way imo. Subtle change that would benefit the series immensely

[ram29jackson]

did they get rid of players just falling on loose balls ? because of college rules that means the play is over and cheesers use it to an unfair advantage like squib kicking deep and it results in bad field position or freakish safeties

[countryboy]

I've been clamoring for this for a couple years now. Much needed improvement to the passing game that would change everything in a positive way imo. Subtle change that would benefit the series immensely

Same here. You can actually set up a "scheme" on defense if they allow individual coverage assignments.

[Jayrah]

did they get rid of players just falling on loose balls ? because of college rules that means the play is over and cheesers use it to an unfair advantage like squib kicking deep and it results in bad field position or freakish safeties
I wish they went back to the pileups on fumbles that aren't clearly recovered. I loved that, but maybe it was only in Madden. Either way I wish it for NCAA

[xMrHitStickx904]

I hate to constantly be "that guy" that refers to Madden PS2 adjustments so often, and fondly ... but I'm going to copy and paste the defensive adjustments from Madden 07/08 that need to be in NCAA 14 desperately.

Individual Player Assignments(highlight the player)
http://www.gamefly.com/images/controller/PS2_r_ana.gif
Up (x1) = Hook Zone (Yellow).
Up (x3) = DBs in Deep Zone (Dark Blue).
Down = Blitz.
QB Contain Blitz (Press Twice).
Left = QB Spy Coverage (Orange).
Right = Play Flat Zone (Light Blue).
Right (x2) = Play Curl Zone (Purple).

Smart Zone (Zones cover the first down marker): Square Button + D-Pad Up (Twice)
Triangle Button + Offensive Player Button + D-Pad Down or Up = Bump or play off the receiver.
Triangle Button + R2 Button= Disguise coverage by sending Defenders back to their default positions.
Triangle Button + Offensive Player Button + D-Pad Right = Double team the receiver with the highlighted defender.

Offensive Adjustments : Formation Shift. This video will explain one of many breakdowns of how it used to work.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QZICOIHbFM

[ram29jackson]

I wish they went back to the pileups on fumbles that aren't clearly recovered. I loved that, but maybe it was only in Madden. Either way I wish it for NCAA

nah,that was more video game bullpucky that was unnecessary button mashing

[souljahbill]

did they get rid of players just falling on loose balls ? because of college rules that means the play is over and cheesers use it to an unfair advantage like squib kicking deep and it results in bad field position or freakish safeties

If you have people just falling on the ball then you're lucky. The computer recovers at least 2/3 of the fumbles I have in my games. I have offensive players trying to scoop the ball up instead of falling on it and I have defensive players literally flying over the ball. When I played as a DC, I would pass the interception goal easily but always fail the fumble goal by a lot.

[Jayrah]

nah,that was more video game bullpucky that was unnecessary button mashing
Without the button mashing. I don't want to have to fight for it, I just want some suspense before finding out who has it. That's my favorite part of a fumble. While we're at it, we could make pileups for goal line/short yardage situations and qb sneaks.

[Sinister]

after listen to gamechanger radio , is there things not yet discussed in ncaa from a gameplay perspective especially on defense.