NCAA Football 14 Hands-On Preview (ESPN)

[jpdavis82]

ESPN's Jon Robinson has posted his NCAA Football 14 hands-on preview. Below are some nice nuggets of information pulled from the article.

• The game will teach you how to read the option
• 31 different option types (all the different veer options, shotgun full triple options, shovel options, the Pistol)
• Open field blocking has been completely revamped
• The option pass is controlled the same way as a play-action pass (no extra button presses)
• New spread option playbook includes more than 20 new formations and 350 new plays
• The AI is much smarter in the running game, including the option
• Infinity Engine 2.0, more mature than what you saw in Madden NFL 13
• Runners can stiff-arm the facemask or shoulder pads, showcasing various animations
• Runners can avoid lineman with the new ball carrier avoidance system, no more running into the back of an offensive lineman to get tackled, runners will stick their hand out and sidestep blockers
• The new stumble recovery system will help you in certain situations by flicking the stick up (to regain balance) or down to avoid collision
• No more zig-zag running
• No more auto-sprinting, speed bursts return, watching fatigue levels will be key
• Call plays based on personnel

[The_Wise_One]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

Revamped option and return of the true HIT STICK!

Hopefully they don't overdue it. I want some gameplay now please. It's starting to sound pretty good.

[HARTSTOPPER]

Crap! I REALLY didn't want to get excited about this game so early. Damn you ESPN!!

sent from the point of no return

[J-Unit40]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

Crap! I REALLY didn't want to get excited about this game so early. Damn you ESPN!!

sent from the point of no return

No kidding. This article has me AMPED! Shovel options too. I like thr work they put in to the option game. I want to see this in motion now.

[COACH WEBB]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

Not a bad article at all.

[HARTSTOPPER]

No kidding. This article has me AMPED! Shovel options too. I like thr work they put in to the option game. I want to see this in motion now.

For me, it was no more zig zag running, and the stamina meter.

sent from the point of no return

[Gap Integrity]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

Man, as a guy who loves to run the option, this gives me goosebumps! I'm pretty excited we got the updated version on the infinity engine. I know EA takes a ton of heat, but kudos to Ben and the team for doing this. Let's hope for the best. I'm pretty confident going forward that this is going to be a great foundation for them to build on as well.

[cuttingteeth]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

Every option, you say?

...sold, American.

[Hooe]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

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.

Uh, isn't the first read on the shotgun read option the strongside defensive end, and isn't it a handoff and not a pitch? I hope the writer is just confused here.

Nevertheless, it's cool to see Tiburon starting adding true teaching tools into the game.

The rest of the additions sound great as well, particularly the in-play fatigue system.

[SageInfinite]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

Sounds good, but this is Tiburon, so I have to see it, then play it to make sure it is all that is advertised.

[gharp14]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

Sounds very promising and finally we might get rid of the horrible canned animations

[Big FN Deal]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

The was a good sermon, felt like the writer was talking directly to me BUT need to see some video! lol

Kudos on the "runner avoidance" and the new fatigue meter, so I can finally shut up about it.

[moylan1234]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

good article this line has me excited that we're finally going to get some good Oline play

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.

[J-Unit40]

Re: Ncaa Football 14 First Look by ESPN

For me, it was no more zig zag running, and the stamina meter.

sent from the point of no return

So many great additions, I just don't know where to rank them! Haha.

I want this game now.

How about the CPU running "smarter"? That is huge if true. If the CPU version of Oregon, Texas A&M, Miss State, Auburn, etc can run the option game effectively, I will be in virtual football heaven with all these other improvements. I would love to fear going to College Station, facing a Manziel that has me stressing on 3rd and 4 wondering what CPU Sumlin is dialing up (give, read and keep, bubble, fake bubble, quick slant, etc).

I'll just stop now.

[jeremym480]

Sounds good, but my question is will the CPU be able to effectively run the option?

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