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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.
Tiger Woods 14 gets Country Club updates
EA Sports recently announced a number of updates for Country Clubs in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14. Not only will clubs see the 25-player limit raised to 100, but club members now earn a coin payout called the "Country Club Loyalty Bonus" for playing consecutive days in a row.Stats populated from club games will now be weaved into the whole game, so players enjoying a standard game online will be updated on their club's progress between holes. Other added features include a pervasive club chat option, for players that wish to talk with their club friends regardless of where they are in the game, and club versus club leaderboards for Connected Tournaments. Tiger Woods 14 will launch March 26 on PS3 and Xbox 360, and will be available March 22 for Season Ticket holders. %Gallery-179596%
Madden simulation picks Baltimore Ravens as Super Bowl XLVII winners
According to EA's annual Madden simulation, the Baltimore Ravens will beat the San Francisco 49ers by 27 to 24 in Sunday's Super Bowl XLVII. So now you know the score and the winner there's no reason to tune in, especially since EA also produced footage of the game's final moments, which sees a last-ditch play by the 49ers nullified by a trophy-winning Ravens interception.EA does have decent form in this department; its Madden simulations picked seven of the last nine Super Bowl winners. Interestingly, the two times EA got it wrong featured wild card teams as champions. So maybe, on the whole, these Madden simulations are onto something. Or maybe, as Sunday could prove, it's all a load of sportsball.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 steps onto the retail green March 26
The next installment in EA's annual golf simulation, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14, is expected to launch in North America on March 26; worldwide on March 28. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 will skip the Wii this year, focusing on the Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms and their respective Kinect and PlayStation Move functionality – Kinect support was introduced last year, while PlayStation Move has been in PS3 installments for a few years now.Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14's flagship mode is called 'Legends of the Majors,' a gauntlet of nine pro golfers from yesteryear that players must defeat – greats including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and, of course, Tiger Woods himself – and for the first time in series history, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 brings in the LGPA and some of its most notable female golfers. Players can also chase a Grand Slam for the first time in the series, achieved through winning all four of the sport's biggest tournaments: the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship.
Next Madden 13 title update lands Thursday, adds Ultimate Team features
The fourth title update for Madden NFL 13 is scheduled to go live November 29, and includes a few new features for Madden Ultimate Team (MUT). The ability to set multiple lineups for your MUT squad highlights the list of changes. Players will now be able to save up to five different lineups.Another change coming in this week's title update is described as "more nuanced roster management," and is also geared towards Ultimate Team. Instead of breaking down roster management by offense, defense and special teams in MUT, the update sorts teams by more specific positions, such as offensive line and defensive secondary. Each roster segment will show your team's starters as well as eligible players on your bench. The Madden team is also adding a boosts screen in this update, which will display every ratings boost equipped to your team.Among the other features being added to MUT are quick collections and the ability to play two minute quarters in the mode. Quick collections reward players that are among the first to finish a card collection in Madden Ultimate Team with special bonuses."What we're really striving for is aiming these title updates not just at bug fixes, but adding brand-new content so people feel like they're constantly getting a new game experience," an EA rep told Joystiq. Past title updates added server-side fantasy drafts and player editing in career mode. We've also been told that another announcement is due later this week. Click past the break to see the list of bug fixes included in the update. %Gallery-172015%
NBA assured by EA next NBA Live will meet 'mutual standard of excellence'
The NBA said it will "continue to work together with [EA] as we always have," when recently asked about the cancellation of NBA Live 13.John Acunto, VP of Marketing Communications for the NBA told Joystiq that the NBA has "had a great relationship with EA for more than 20 years. We are obviously disappointed that EA will not be releasing NBA LIVE 13 this year, but have been assured by EA that the next release of NBA LIVE will meet our mutual standards of excellence."EA's Executive VP Andrew Wilson said the team plans on "making next year's game great."Take-Two recently revealed record sales for the other major NBA licensed game this year, NBA 2K13, which sold 49 percent more in its first week than past games in the series.
Next Madden 13 update lands October 16, adds career mode features
When the folks at EA Tiburon told us they were "committed to post-launch support" of Madden 13 back in August, we weren't told just how often the game would see that support. As it turns out, the next update is scheduled to release October 16, about a month after the previous update.This update, the third one for Madden 13, fixes some gameplay and presentation issues while focusing on the game's career mode. Connected Careers mode is getting some noteworthy updates this month with the addition of player editing for online leagues, the ability to use custom rosters offline, and the option to change offensive and defensive coaching schemes. Aside from new features, Connected Careers is also receiving a number of fixes for some of its glaring issues, including a fix for the online mode's broken accelerated clock.
Madden 13 gets server-side fantasy drafts
EA Tiburon detailed the inclusion of fantasy drafts for online Connected Careers franchises for Madden 13 in a recent blog. The feature, which now allows players to run a 54-round fantasy draft when starting an online franchise-style league, was not initially included in the game's feature set, much to the dismay of many players.EA Tiburon is "looking into adding similar functionality into offline Connected Careers in the future," so the fantasy draft feature is currently locked to online Connected Careers leagues, which can still be played as a single-player franchise.
Madden 13 getting Ultimate Team 'key packs,' complete player ratings revealed
EA's Madden team detailed new card packs for Madden Ultimate Team this week called "key packs." By completing full sets of solo challenges and card collections in the Madden NFL 13 mode, players earn one random key card, one of 38 rare collectible player cards available at the game's launch. Those addicted to the series' card-collecting mode will be happy to know that these ultra-rare key pack cards can be traded and auctioned away in the game.Also, for the accountant in all of us, EA Sports revealed a spreadsheet that contains every rating of every player in Madden 13 this week. After seeing a gradual reveal of specific ratings for individual positions over the last few weeks, this wealth of information should be beneficial for those starting their own leagues in Connected Careers mode when Madden 13 launches Tuesday.
Metareview: Madden NFL 13
As the latest in EA Sports' ongoing pro football series, Madden NFL 13 introduced the hard-hitting Infinity Engine and Connected Careers mode this year as noteworthy additions among a fair amount of issues. Our review saw the game as "the foundation for eventual excellence." Here's what other critics around the web had to say about this year's Madden: GamesRadar (4.5/5): "It's not often that a stalwart franchise like this reinvents itself so significantly, but Madden NFL 13 has pulled this off with aplomb. Brimming with innovation on the field and off, it's the best Madden of the generation." EGM (8/10): "All in all, it's clear the team at Tiburon took a hard look at ways to bring the franchise back to its former glory. Some annoying bugs persist here and there, but overall, Madden NFL 13 stands as one of my favorite football experiences of this generation." Polygon (8/10): "Madden 13 gives players a ton of options without explaining them in detail, and that's an issue. But Madden NFL 13 represents a giant leap over its predecessors. It's easily the best Madden title of this console cycle, and it's notable for the ways in which it clearly sets the stage for Tiburon to make a graceful transition into the next generation." OXM (7.5/10): "The engine shows a great deal of promise, and Connected Careers features a lot of interesting ideas, but there's no question that this is a rebuilding year. The best news is that EA finally seems to be on the right track. Give it another year, and Madden may at last be a true contender."%Gallery-157686%
Madden 13's top ten defenders, more receivers ratings revealed
With Madden NFL 13 launching in less than a week, EA Sports unleashed its latest category of player ratings for the game. The video above details the top ten overall defenders in the game to start the season.Notably missing from the top ten list are defenders from the Super Bowl champion New York Giants team, such as Jason Pierre-Paul. Even considering his offseason injury, it's a curious decision to leave the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year winner Terrell Suggs out of the top ten list as well, while putting his fellow Baltimore Ravens teammates Haloti Ngata and Ed Reed in the mix.As usual, EA Sports began casting votes for the top-rated defenders in speed, tackling, hit power, and man coverage on their Facebook page this week. Currently, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson is winning in the speed category, Patrick Willis of the 49ers has a slim lead over Ray Lewis of the Ravens in the hit power category and also is in the lead for the tackling category. Darrelle Revis, New York Jets cornerback and number one defender in the game is leading the vote for the highest man coverage rating.Lastly, EA Sports recently released a complete list of ratings for every receiver in the game. Take a look at a more thorough breakdown of the top ten wide receivers and tight ends in Madden 13 and their overall, speed, acceleration, strength, awareness, and catching ratings after the break.
Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support, first update in September [Update]
The first title update for Madden NFL 13 is scheduled for September 11, two weeks after the launch of the game on August 28. While we have no details yet on what the update will include, post-launch support for the game is expected to increase compared with last year's game. Madden 12's first title update came roughly seven weeks after the game's launch.The game's "tuner sets" feature, which was included and hardly used in Madden 12, gives the development team the opportunity to issue small gameplay tweaks without the use of a full title update. EA Tiburon's team plans to "closely monitor community feedback and will quickly release tuners based on any major issues reported." The same can't be said for Madden 12, as its lack of consistent updates became a glaring issue in sports gaming communities such as Pastapadre and OperationSports."The team is absolutely committed to post-launch support, and we will make it a point to keep you updated on title updates, tuner sets, roster updates, new Madden Moments Live and more," EA said in a statement to Joystiq. Providing the Madden team sticks to its goals, Madden 13 is likely to receive more post-launch support out of the gate than last year's game had entirely.Update: EA has reached out to say it is unable to confirm the first update to Madden 13 will arrive on September 11 until the date is approved by console holders. While it is anticipated for that date, further testing could push the date back.
Madden 13's top ten receivers, more running back ratings revealed
The video above video shows the top ten receivers in Madden NFL 13. Like last week's ratings reveal, EA Sports has hall of fame running back Marshall Faulk gushing over (what EA Tiburon perceives as) the NFL's best receivers.This year's cover athlete Calvin Johnson Jr. of the Detroit Lions makes an obvious claim for the top spot, but is joined by an interesting crew of top talent. While the 15-1 Green Bay Packers have no receivers on the top ten list (no Jordy Nelson or Greg Jennings?), the New England Patriots boast the second and eighth spots with tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Wes Welker, respectively.EA Sports continued its voting process this week on its Facebook page to determine the best receivers in the speed, agility, route running, and spectacular catch categories. As of this writing, Chicago Bears receiver Devin Hester will have the highest speed among receivers in the game, Calvin Johnson Jr. will have the highest spectacular catch rating, and the Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald is winning the vote for the best route-running skills in Madden 13.Additionally, EA Sports recently unveiled a full list of ratings for nearly every running back in the game. Check out a more thorough breakdown of the top ten runners and fullbacks and their overall, speed, acceleration, strength, trucking, and elusiveness ratings after the break.
Madden 13's top ten running backs and quarterbacks revealed
Leading up to the release of Madden NFL 13 on August 28, EA Sports started a campaign to reveal the oh-so-important player ratings last week. The developer at EA Tiburon has released a video featuring hall of fame running back Marshall Faulk, who discusses the game's initial top ten-ranked running backs.Over the course of the week, fans can vote for individual players to receive the highest skill ratings in the speed, acceleration, trucking, and elusiveness categories on EA Sports' Madden NFL Facebook page. As of now, Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) and Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) received the most votes for the speed and trucking categories, respectively.
No Infinity Engine, Ultimate Team in Madden NFL 13 on Wii U
While the Wii U version of Madden NFL 13 will have some unique features by virtue of the console's unique touch screen controller, it won't have all the features seen in the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. Specifically, the game will not feature the much-vaunted Infinity Engine, producer Yuri Bialoskursky told ESPN. The Infinity Engine is one of the hallmarks of Madden NFL 13, imbuing it with dynamic animations that promise to make the action more realistic.Furthermore, while the Wii U version will feature online play and the new Connected Careers mode, though it will not feature Madden Ultimate Team. According to Bialoskursky, the Infinity Engine was "just something we weren't able to achieve for this first year on the new hardware," a sentiment he echoed regarding Ultimate Team.Still, while these features won't make it this year, the Wii U version of Madden NFL 13 will have features that aren't available elsewhere, notably the ability to draw routes on the fly and select plays directly via the touch screen.%Gallery-161848%
Madden 13 on Wii U features touch play-calling, hot routes
A Wii U version of Madden NFL 13 was briefly detailed at EA's Summer Showcase event today. Developed by EA Tiburon, the game will include many of the same features to be seen in the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, including Total Control Passing and the game's improved "read and react" defensive AI. The much-touted Connected Careers mode will also find its way to Wii U, along with commentary by Jim Nantz and Phil Simms. The Madden 13 Wii U demo at the event demonstrated new touch-screen play-calling methods, player management, and pre-snap adjustments on the GamePad controller. Additionally, players will be able to draw hot routes for their receivers on the controller's screen, not unlike the series' "call your shots" modes on the Wii. Madden 13 will launch with the Wii U later this year.
EA Sports partners with UCF to create Innovation Lab program
EA Sports partnered with the University of Central Florida's FIEA (Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy) to create an "innovation lab" for students to work on projects in the games industry. EA Sports will offer additional internships for students, in which they will work on "the latest products for the latest platforms, using the latest tools and technologies." "By establishing pipelines directly into existing Orlando-based digital media businesses, including our local EA SPORTS studio, EA-Tiburon, we can keep creating jobs in the state of Florida," EA Sports VP and COO Daryl Holt said in the announcement. Florida Governor Rick Scott echoed Holt's sentiments. "Preparing Florida students for high-tech jobs, along with our state's competitive economic incentives, gives Florida an advantage over other states and ensures high-value businesses open their doors in our state, instead of somewhere else," he said. The relationship between EA Sports and FIEA dates back to March 2005, when former EA VP and COO Ben Noel became the executive director of the academic program.
PixelFoundry founded by EA Tiburon vets, first game is PC title BlackSpace
EA Tiburon vets Volga Aksoy and Jerry Phaneuf have established new studio PixelFoundry down in Orlando, Florida. The two-man team is currently working on a PC title called BlackSpace, which they plan to launch on digital distribution platforms "as soon as possible.""I personally am a huge fan of games like the Wing Commander series. I also am one of the few that still think RTS when someone mentions Warcraft. If it's done properly, many elements of those two games can be melded," Phaneuf told Joystiq. "We see this as a great opportunity to make the game that we can't wait to play. So we're pretty excited about getting it done soon, but also growing it over time as well."At its core, BlackSpace is a real-time strategy game, with action elements and an emphasis on economic and "defensive efficiency within the context of a intergalactic mining operation." Players control surface and orbital operations on an asteroid through a low-gravity support vehicle."The game has been a long standing project of mostly various tests and snips of art cobbled together with bits of code. We decided to wipe the project clean, get serious, and start working on it full time at the beginning of this year," Aksoy explained when asked how long they'd been working on BlackSpace.They plan to launch the game, receive "insights on the experience from the community" and build on the core game to make it generally more expansive. "Story line, the macro game, and social portal connectivity" are all targeted for expansion after the initial release.
NFL Blitz is like a trip back in time
I should preface this by saying I love NFL Blitz. I dumped tons of quarters into the original arcade machine and when it came to N64, I was the guy going to the arcade with his memory card. Those were good times. Now I know Blitz: The League and its follow-up left a bad taste in your mouth, but EA's NFL Blitz is exactly what you've been waiting for -- well, it's what I've been waiting for, anyway. The only difference in gameplay from the original is that there are no longer any post-play interactions. I'll admit I was sad to hear about the game's entire lack of elbow drops, but it's such a small thing when you consider how much EA has put into this $15 package. %Gallery-139787%
Metareview: Madden NFL 12
You already know how we feel about Madden NFL 12. But did the rest of the gaming press feel the same way about this year's virtual tailgaiting-enabler as our reviewer did? In short: kinda. GameTrailers (8.5/10): "Despite the bugs and quirks, Madden NFL 12 still manages to play a convincing game of pigskin. Your tolerance for the gaffes will be directly proportional to how much you have on the line in each game. It doesn't always function realistically, but we like the idea behind dynamic player performance." IGN (8.0/10): "If you're worried that EA has fumbled among the rough and tumble of sports politics, relax. Madden NFL 12 is a solid, tighter football game, even though it's a largely similar one." Game Informer (7.5/10): "Like a desperate team that has stocked up on high-profile free agents thinking it's on the cusp of a championship, Madden NFL 12 looks good in practice, but where it counts it's a jumbled mess of frustration, unmet expectations, and sloppy play ... Past Maddens either delivered new features or fixed old problems, but this year you get neither. In too many instances Madden 12 takes you down promising paths that only lead to dead ends. For more discussion, you can listen to a podcast roundtable of Madden NFL 12 reviewers featuring Mike Suszek (Joystiq), Kat Bailey (GamePro), and Rich Grisham (GamesRadar). %Gallery-131740%
