NCAA 14 to include physics engine, improved running game

NCAA Football 14 will feature the same physics engine seen in Madden 13, the Infinity Engine. EA Tiburon is calling the engine the "Infinity Engine 2" specifically, which certainly drives the point home about its expected improvements. The developer told Polygon that the engine will be tuned to the same level as its upcoming pro football game, Madden 25.

NCAA 14 will also include "ball carrier avoidance," which improves the AI of runners so they raise their arms to push off linemen instead of taking an awkward tackle in the backfield due to incidental contact, as seen quite often with the current iteration of the Infinity Engine in Madden 13. EA Tiburon says other physics-based movements will see marked improvement with NCAA 14's Force Impact system. The Force Impact system is expected to lend more realism to the process of moves such as stiff arms, which will now be targeted to specific parts of a defender and carry out all the way to the ground.

Other changes to the game include the removal of the sprint button, which is now replaced with a more realistic speed burst when runners hit the hole in the defensive line. Additionally, ball-carriers will be able to use the right stick to regain any balance lost when breaking tackles. The changes to the running game start with better block targeting for offensive line AI, which EA says is a priority for the NCAA 14 team this year. The publisher will also reveal details about the game's own Ultimate Team mode in May, which is new to the NCAA Football series, but a mainstay in EA's other sports franchises.

NCAA Football 14 will launch on Xbox 360 and PS3 on July 9, and will feature former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson on its cover.

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NCAA Football 14 Kicks Off First Game Details

Play True to Your Team with Physics-Based Gameplay, Enhanced Dynasty and the Introduction of Ultimate Team

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – April 3, 2013 – Today Electronic Arts Inc.(NASDAQ: EA), revealed the first details of the upcoming NCAA football game, set to launch on Tuesday, July 9. EA SPORTS™ NCAA® Football 14, will unlock the unpredictability and innovation of college football with the introduction of real-time physics tuned with the collegiate game in mind plus new Dynasty experiences and the inclusion of Ultimate Team.

"This year marks the greatest leap forward in a generation for the NCAA Football franchise," said Randy Chase, Marketing Director for EA SPORTS. "The inclusion of the Infinity Engine and several new gameplay features make this year's game feel incredibly fresh and authentic, and the introduction of Ultimate Team will give fans the chance to take the field with some of the most well-known players of all time."

New to NCAA Football 14 is the introduction of Infinity Engine 2, which unlocks the unpredictability and innovation of college football with the introduction of real-time physics and the new force impact system. The new engine creates a fresh experience, and opens up opportunities for user-controlled stumble recoveries and hard cuts. Furthermore, the force impact system enhances the power of truck moves and the Hit Stick, and creates more realistic and dynamic reactions when a runner attempts to stiff-arm a defender.

A renewed focus on the college-style option game allows you to play true to your team with over 30 new option types, all optimized for a true college football experience. Utilize the Spread Option, Zone Read and more to stymie defenses and put big points on the board. NCAA Football 14 highlights key defenders before the snap so fans can read their movements to know when to handoff, pitch or keep the ball. Play Action Option plays have also been evolved to make it easier than ever to fake the run, set up the throw and burn overly-aggressive defenders.

Additional information on NCAA Football 14 Playbooks will be released on the following dates:

· Presentation (to be released 4/18) – NCAA Football 14 gets you closer to the action than ever before and tells the story of every game. Feel the drama of college football from a whole-new perspective.

· Ultimate Team (to be released 5/15) – The much-beloved mode comes to the college game, allowing you to build up an unstoppable team.

· Dynasty (to be released 5/28) – There's no single path to success in college football, so build up your program into a powerhouse to fit your strengths and style of play by utilizing the brand-new Coach Skills.

· Play a Season (to be released 6/17) – Focus purely on the on-field action and take your favorite team to a bowl game.

Fans are encouraged to keep up to date by visiting the NCAA Football website, Facebook, and Twitter for 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.

NCAA Football 14 is developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon, with trademarks licensed by IMG College's The Collegiate Licensing Company on behalf of its partner institutions. NCAA Football 14 will be available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on July 9. For more information about NCAA Football, please visit http://www.easports.com/ncaa-football.

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, SSX™ and Fight Night boxing.

For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.