NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

[Steve_OS]

Tommy Gschwend, from The Gaming Tailgate, has posted a solid NCAA Football 14 pre-release Q&A on gameplay.

[carvis#15]

Will the foot planting play out on the defense as well? It would be terrible for just the ball carrier to plant his feet but then the defense is sliding to position everywhere to make the tackles. Also will more catching animations play out? Last year you guys said there were 430 catch animation. I personally did not see that many of them play out. I'd say about 30 at best and I played the game a lot.

[gschwendt]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

Guys, if you have any questions to add, feel free to ask them over at TGT. That said, I did want to stop in and clear up some of the misunderstandings that were in the original thread.

Still bad CPU play calling......

Option game still not good.......

As mentioned, yes, while we were there in March CPU playcalling was still very bad in late game situations. However, also be sure to note that after leaving and having conversations with the devs, it sounds like it should be considerably better. Our focus was on late game situations just because those are absolutely the worst and easy to pinpoint as "atrocious". Obviously time will tell but I feel confident that we should at least no longer see the HB Draw with 5 seconds left in the game and needing to score.

For the Option game, as I mentioned, the overall option game is better. The CPU should run it more effective and after pointing out some of the problems with it in March, it should be even better by release. As well, the new blocking decision making logic should improve as well... I didn't test specifically but based on what has been said, I would assume we should see less of the MLB blowing through the line untouched against the triple option.

*Punters will still be effective blockers if subbed in along the line.

Just want to make sure that this is clear... it's not that they're "effective" but rather that essentially any player most likely will still engage in a blocking interaction. I didn't specifically test putting in a P/K at OL but based on how interactions work, they'll essentially always play out an engaged animation. Obviously that could just be the animation that the DL bull rushes through him or quick swim move, but as well I'm sure there will also be times where the P/K would more than likely hold the block for more than a second or two.

Then, people who have played the game say none of the glaring issues from the past 6 versions are fixed. Then, people say, it's an early build, they can tweak, just wait for the demo. The demo comes out, same issues are still present, people are up in arms about how it's just a demo on a low difficulty level and that retail will be much better.

I just want to clarify here... there is still time to tweak and adjust things, however you're right, there certainly isn't enough time to do any major overhauls at this point.


In general, I do want to make the point that NCAA14 played better overall than NCAA13 but then again it should. It's not the major leap that everyone wants to see each year but it is a better NCAA13.

Again, feel free to ask questions over at TGT and we'll do our absolute best to answer anything that comes through there... obviously at this point it's restricted to Gameplay.

[BezO]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

How about a GCer on the OS staff? Seems like most only post here to say they don't post here.

[GetReal]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

Thanks for clear it up. I'm still a little hesitant and I'm hoping EA keeps their word

[DorianDonP]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

As mentioned, yes, while we were there in March CPU playcalling was still very bad in late game situations. However, also be sure to note that after leaving and having conversations with the devs, it sounds like it should be considerably better. Our focus was on late game situations just because those are absolutely the worst and easy to pinpoint as "atrocious". Obviously time will tell but I feel confident that we should at least no longer see the HB Draw with 5 seconds left in the game and needing to score.

Appreciate all the info, but this falls into the "believe it when I see it" part of my consciousness. They "say" things will be better all the time, but until it's actually playable in-game and not just a concept on the blackboard, then I think it's fair to say it hasn't been fixed.

Thanks for really answering everyones questions with honesty. Breath of fresh air when so many others just blow smoke up everyones butt.

[roadman]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

How about a GCer on the OS staff? Seems like most only post here to say they don't post here.

An OS person can apply if they want to.

RGiles is a GCer for Madden.

[Tyler_Bullard]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

Sucks about the OL/DL interactions.

[Gosens6]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

Guys, if you have any questions to add, feel free to ask them over at TGT. That said, I did want to stop in and clear up some of the misunderstandings that were in the original thread.


As mentioned, yes, while we were there in March CPU playcalling was still very bad in late game situations. However, also be sure to note that after leaving and having conversations with the devs, it sounds like it should be considerably better. Our focus was on late game situations just because those are absolutely the worst and easy to pinpoint as "atrocious". Obviously time will tell but I feel confident that we should at least no longer see the HB Draw with 5 seconds left in the game and needing to score.

For the Option game, as I mentioned, the overall option game is better. The CPU should run it more effective and after pointing out some of the problems with it in March, it should be even better by release. As well, the new blocking decision making logic should improve as well... I didn't test specifically but based on what has been said, I would assume we should see less of the MLB blowing through the line untouched against the triple option.


Just want to make sure that this is clear... it's not that they're "effective" but rather that essentially any player most likely will still engage in a blocking interaction. I didn't specifically test putting in a P/K at OL but based on how interactions work, they'll essentially always play out an engaged animation. Obviously that could just be the animation that the DL bull rushes through him or quick swim move, but as well I'm sure there will also be times where the P/K would more than likely hold the block for more than a second or two.



I just want to clarify here... there is still time to tweak and adjust things, however you're right, there certainly isn't enough time to do any major overhauls at this point.


In general, I do want to make the point that NCAA14 played better overall than NCAA13 but then again it should. It's not the major leap that everyone wants to see each year but it is a better NCAA13.

Again, feel free to ask questions over at TGT and we'll do our absolute best to answer anything that comes through there... obviously at this point it's restricted to Gameplay.

Thanks for taking the time to come in and address some of the posts here. We always appreciate good insight from some of the guys who got to play the game early.

[Madwolf]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

Well guys, if the offensive and definsive lines aren't fixed I'm afraid I'm not buying this year. The issues should have at least been addressed a little. This is sad because I've never missed a title since the PS2 days

[UMhester04]

I thought they said they totally reworked how the lines function this year???

[Rodimus13]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

So pass blocking is still the same as last year and still no pass interference penalties that the writer says? It's been 8 years, what in the world is so hard that EA can't get double-team pass blocking and pass interference calls By the CPU in there game???!!!!! Why is this so hard EA????

[BezO]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

An OS person can apply if they want to.

Is that how it works?

RGiles is a GCer for Madden.

Russ, get your gaming resume up to date. We need a rep.

[roadman]

Re: NCAA Football 14 Pre-Release Q&A: Gameplay (TGT)

Is that how it works?

Yes, there is a application to fill out on the GCers website.

[JerseySuave4]

Sounds like i'll skip it again this year and hope for a drastic change on next gen.