Polygon: NCAA Football 14 looks to catch up to Madden

[CLW]

Every year, the designers of the NCAA Football franchise at EA Tiburon set out to make a game that simulates football — just like its more popular older brother, the Madden NFL series — except they have to differentiate their game by ensuring that it plays like college football instead of pro football.

Part of that differentiation is, in a sense, forced on the NCAA Football developers. These days, publisher Electronic Arts launches Madden seven weeks after it releases NCAA Football — the college football title typically comes out in early July, while Madden launches at the end of August. While the games are developed on an annual cycle that means Madden doesn't get extra development time, per se, innovations often come to Madden first.

We don't know yet what the Madden team has in store for Madden NFL 25, but this year's entry in the NCAA Football series, NCAA Football 14, is catching up in a few key respects when it comes to gameplay.

Follow the link to read Polygon's full preview.

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You can view the page at http://www.thegamingtailgate.com/for...h-up-to-Madden

[GatorfanStovy]

It looks interesting but I just wish they were push forth effort into Road To Glory mode and make it great like MLB the show has. It could be that good if time was put into it instead of just throwing it all together.

[ram29jackson]

they cant make some huge leap. You play both games this year its obvious how lacking NCAA is. It looks like a kids drawing in comparison to Maddens fluid oil painting. It will never be as fluid or tight as madden. I can accept it on it own merit though because theres still more action in it than mlb13 and ncaa has the greatest online creation tool still even though its behind in and of itself.

[Jayrah]

Few people care as much about RTG. Be surprised if they don't work on it some though again. They had a guy specifically for that mode last season

[GatorfanStovy]

I agree not everyone cares about the RTG mode. But it is fun IMO. Except for when I throw dumb INT down field trying for a big play or a fumble. I just wish more was done with you being the recruit and visiting teams and signing day is all etc. Also more work outs for the team as well like a practice deal for each team. Madden had in like 05/06 where you do pro work outs for different positions. It was fun they even had sprints /40 time.

[ram29jackson]

I agree not everyone cares about the RTG mode. But it is fun IMO. Except for when I throw dumb INT down field trying for a big play or a fumble. I just wish more was done with you being the recruit and visiting teams and signing day is all etc. Also more work outs for the team as well like a practice deal for each team. Madden had in like 05/06 where you do pro work outs for different positions. It was fun they even had sprints /40 time.

mom disagrees with your choice mode, click -x- to tell her who you chose

[Jayrah]

mom disagrees with your choice mode, click -x- to tell her who you chose

[JBHuskers]

It's sad that I'm starting to become as old as their moms.

[xMrHitStickx904]

they cant make some huge leap. You play both games this year its obvious how lacking NCAA is. It looks like a kids drawing in comparison to Maddens fluid oil painting. It will never be as fluid or tight as madden. I can accept it on it own merit though because theres still more action in it than mlb13 and ncaa has the greatest online creation tool still even though its behind in and of itself.

Only recently has this been the case though. Arguably, NCAA and Madden were at their best on PS2 when they both played the exact same - same animations, same game play engine. The only things that were different that Madden had over NCAA back then was Hardcore Ranked Matches, more defensive hot routes, formation shift, make any play a play-action play, QB Vision, your adjustments for plays could be saved, smart zones( zones that defended receivers to the first down marker), right stick audibles, and man lock.

[GatorfanStovy]

Why is my choice mode so wrong? Doesn't everyone at least do one RTG guy just to see how well they will do?

I do also play dynasty mode a lot more though.

[SmoothPancakes]

I don't play it. I'm exclusively dynasty.

Only in a year or two when I decide to achievement whore the game and get the 1000 gamerscore out of it will I play RTG, but in the simplest settings so I can pound through it and get the achievements and move on.

[Deuce]

Man, I've tried to play RTG but I just can't get into it. I can never get past my freshman year in college. I guess I'm so used to playing and being able call plays on both sides of the ball that I get bored quickly.

[souljahbill]

I wish they had kept the Erin Andrews "documentary" part. It was cool when you were player of the week and Kirk would comment on how awesome your week was.

[GatorfanStovy]

I wish they had kept the Erin Andrews "documentary" part. It was cool when you were player of the week and Kirk would comment on how awesome your week was.

I agree that part was interesting and new to NCAA.But damn it didn't last long . Now RTG is just ugh play ur game nothing happens until u win the Heisman. I did my junior year playing on All American . fun season but all done for now. Gonna go back and work on my Gator dynasty to getting them being number one again for 5 years or what ever.

[dhook27]

why did they ever take goin to class, studying, drills and erin andrews out the game ...... ncaa 11 arguably had the best road to glory to date

[illwill10]

I miss the old RTG. I actually prefer the old PS2 version.

I cant even get into it anymore, especially since locked to 5 min Qs. I am mainly a Dynasty guy in NCAA.

[JBHuskers]

why did they ever take goin to class, studying, drills and erin andrews out the game ...... ncaa 11 arguably had the best road to glory to date

Well Erin Andrews is because she works for FOX now, not ESPN.

[CLW]

So when can you all powerful community day guys comment on the stuff that has been released to date? I know usually you are under a NDA but that usually you can comment on stuff as it is released.

[gschwendt]

Actually, we're free to comment on anything gameplay related. I've been swamped lately so I haven't been very active on the forums but I'll put together a Q&A thread that you guys can ask. I'll also try to throw together some thoughts sometime this week but probably not until later in the week.

[JeffHCross]

Why is my choice mode so wrong? Doesn't everyone at least do one RTG guy just to see how well they will do? .

I think he was saying that they could add a mode where your mom disagrees with your college choice. Though I read it the same way you did the first time.