Three Features In NCAA '14 We Should Be Excited About - BenGerman's Blog

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Three Features In NCAA '14 We Should Be Excited About Stuck

Posted on April 15, 2013 at 11:55 AM.

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With EA releasing the first gameplay trailer and blog for NCAA Football 2014, the inevitable "hype train" is in full force. It's not exactly without merit, as the trailer shows off a few features that give us fans a few things to be excited about.

In a year where there has been a lot of concern over whether or not EA will give a full effort for NCAA -- due to the next generation of consoles being right around the corner --, there's actually a few new additions that should help breath fresh air into the game. Here's three additions that should have you cautiously boarding the game's hype train:

1. Infinity Engine 2.0

This one is easy to get psyched about. After Madden's first effort with the Infinite Engine, one thing became heavily apparent: at least it was different. There were a ton of issues with the new engine, but it gave the game a new look that it drastically needed. Fans of the NCAA series have even more to look forward to with the engine getting a nice upgrade.

A lot of the post-play kinks within the Infinity engine have been worked out, according to EA, which will definitely give 2.0 a better overall feel than 1.0. The best part about 2.0? No longer will we see our running backs -- or the CPU's for that matter --, run right into the butts of our O-Line and go flailing backwards. This was the key issue with Madden 13's running game, which most will remember to be the game's biggest disappointment.

2. Foot Planting

It seems ridiculous that such a thing has taken so long to exist, but I'm not sure anyone actually realizes how much this would mean to the series. For years now (especially in my Online Dynasties), players have been able to exploit the CPU by swerving back and forth, seemingly without losing a hint of speed. This should add an all new sense of difficulty for users, and give a much needed kick of realism into the open field game.

3. Improved O-Line/D-Line Logic

This is something the NCAA fanbase needs to be extremely cautious about. EA has promised such improvements for years now, and it's hard to tell whether or not this is just some tweaks or a complete overhaul in logic. My guess is that it will be somewhere in between. If that's the case, we will likely see nice improvements to the spread-option, pistol, and triple option playcalling styles. Nothing is more frustrating than lining up in the I-Formation and having your full-back pull off the line and leave you stranded on an iso play. If this is fixed, it will easily be one of the best additions to NCAA '14, if not the best.

With all of that said, I think the key phrase for the next couple of weeks will be "cautious optimism". There is a lot of things still up in the air, and until we see some actual gameplay, it's hard to really praise or condemn anything at this point. For now, we should just enjoy the hype train for what it is and see where it takes us.

What do you think OS? Are these features anything to get excited over, or are we in for another year of disappointment?

Comments

# 1 DJ @ Apr 13

I want to see some changes to recruiting in Dynasty. As for on-field gameplay, I don't expect huge changes. The Infinity Engine should freshen the game up. The biggest thing is CPU AI. It has to be better, especially running spread or option offenses.

# 2 BenGerman @ Apr 13

I think we are in for some nice surprises, as far as Dynasty is concerned. Having coach skills would go a longggg way in making Dynasty a deeper experience. I'm interested to see the changes they've made to recruiting. I may be the only one, but I like recruiting as it is on NCAA '13. The only problem being that a lot of the ratings are useless, so recruiting a good O Line or D Line becomes arbitrary. I'm hoping that's fixed this year.

Whatever system they use to incorporate ratings in the blocking game, they need to amplify them 2 or 3 times the current amount.

# 3 Valdarez @ Apr 15

Have to see to believe on the footplanting, and how many times have we been told by EASports that there will be better O/DLine logic in their game? Only one year since '10 have apparent changes/fixes truly been evident.

# 4 The_Wise_One @ Apr 15

^^^
Agree with that. Unfortunately, EA doesn't get the benefit of the doubt from anyone. Gotta see to believe.

# 5 N51_rob @ Apr 15

Nothing to get excited over. "Improved" OL/DL logic, isn't what was needed or asked for. "Revamped" OL/DL interaction is what people have been asking for, for years. Will have to see this "foot-planting" before I can believe it.

# 6 phantomremix @ Apr 15

As I hope this is not the case, but based on the switch from the previous Gen console to the Current Gen Console, they wiped the whole game out and it was just something that looked better than the previous game but had zero options in comparison. Having said that, i truly hope this is the best NCAA game they have put out complete with human coach vs human coach mode because i will likely be playing it for the next 2 years.

# 7 Reed1417 @ Apr 15

I'm with most of you on the "wait and see" approach. We will see just how "improved" the OL/DL logic is and if the foot planting is real. I really hope so. I really really do.

# 8 ggsimmonds @ Apr 15

They better not have left coaches untouched again. I want individual coach ratings similar to what we saw in CHoops. It shouldn't be that hard EA.

# 9 PRAY IV M3RCY @ Apr 15

1. Infinity Engine 2.0
-first off i dont believe that this will give the game a fresh New look. We have already seen what the infinity engine looked and felt like in Madden for almost a year now. It won't be fresh come july even if it is slightly tweaked.
2. Footplanting
-as far as Im to believe according to EA is that footplanting only applies to hard cuts and juke moves. That apparently still means people can abuse the left stick and not even bother with having to plant their feet realistically. This is about as small of an approach they could have taken in implementing a footplanting system. If it only applies to hard cuts and jukes than i will be disappointed.
3. OL/DL Interaction [BLOGIC][/b]
- case closed

# 10 BenGerman @ Apr 15

Pray, it will most certainly give NCAA a new feel. However, I'd agree that if you played Madden a lot next year the Infinity Engine 2.0 may not be a huge upgrade. We'll have to wait and see.

As far as foot planting goes, I'm 99% sure someone on EA's side mentioned that it will impact everything in the game, not just hard cuts. They said players will no longer swerve, and I've read as much from the reports of Game Changers. Does that mean by the time we get the game foot planting will be perfect? Absolutely not. But it should be a step in the right direction.

# 11 Sportsguru101 @ Apr 15

I feel it's worth getting excited for....plus you know everybody no matter what they say will be out in front of gamestops on the night of the launch hahaha

# 12 HiTEqMETHOD @ Apr 15

It seems to me that this entire console generation has been one long beta test for something bigger. EA never quite got into a steady stride with Madden and NCAA Football. They've advertised these "improvements" that have turned into deficiencies year after year.

I hadn't bought Madden since '07 until I gave in and bought '13. It was fun for a couple of weeks until my gaming time was focused on newer releases, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth knowing how many years it took for me to have a remotely enjoyable time with the game again.

Here's to hoping two of my favorite childhood franchises return to their former glory next gen. Until then I take everything EA touts as improvements with a grain of salt.

(I just want to sit in my dorm at The U while listening to Atomic Garden again. Is that too much to ask for EA!?)

# 13 cusefan74 @ Apr 16

Quote:


	1. Infinity Engine 2.0 -first off i dont believe that this will give the game a fresh New look. We have already seen what the infinity engine looked and felt like in Madden for almost a year now. It won't be fresh come july even if it is slightly tweaked.

I think you missed the point. It will give NCAA football a new look. Yeah we have had the Infinity Engine since July, in Madden not NCAA.

# 14 rcp225 @ Apr 16

Better OL/DL interaction? Yeah, just like they promise gang tackling every year. And while the line-play and tackling AI has gotten a little better each year, they still have a long way to go

# 15 BenGerman @ Apr 16

rcp, I think you misread. There won't be much of an upgrade as far as interaction goes. The logic is what they are saying has improved.

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