NCAA Football 14's "More Mature" Madden Physics

Madden NFL 13 was great – “amazing,” actually, if you agree with my review – and it was the brand new physics engine that defined the experience. Players crashed into each other more realistically, balls popped loose, and the game just felt more alive. But that’s not to say EA perfected the addition. Post-play, players fell over each other or laid there with intertwined legs. Backs ran into their blockers and collapsed to the ground.

NCAA Football 14 is looking to fix all that.

See, EA considered putting the physics-producing Infinity Engine in last year’s NCAA game, but there just wasn’t enough time. Thus, NCAA Football 13 shipped without physics and Madden NFL 13 shipped with physics that were awesome but flawed.

This July, NCAA Football 14 debuts with the new and improved Infinity Engine. What’s that mean to you? Well, if you’ve watched the interview above, you’ve already seen it in action. Players have contextual awareness in what EA is calling “ball carrier avoidance.” If a player is seemingly about to run into his blocker, he’ll now step around the blocker – make a move rather than crumble to the ground. When you stiff arm, where you make contact and how much force you use is going to matter – it’s going to allow for knockback and knockdowns. The Hit Stick, dive tackle, Truck Stick: they’ve all been tweaked to make the most out of physics.

I'll tumble for you.

I was fortunate enough to take a few snaps, and it’s the physics mingling with the motion that speak the loudest to me. For years, I’ve scrambled out of the pocket in these arcing moves – rounded corners. NCAA Football 14 is all about the 45-degree angle cuts. Players plant their feet, shift their weight, and head off in the other direction. It’s sharp, pointed.

Now, as you’re playing, you’ll notice a meter at the feet of your ball carrier. This is your stamina for the current play. Using spin moves or hurdling is going to drain that meter. When you’re in the fourth quarter, you’re going to have less juice in that meter. This is all pretty important as NCAA Football 14 adds in the sprint button once again. If you want to let the game ramp up your player’s speed naturally, you can, but if you want the jets turned on ASAP, you’d going to need to hold down that run button.

Look at him shift his weight! AWESOME!

And as always, this is just the tip of the NCAA Football iceberg. Blocking’s been overhauled and now allows for improved open field blocking. There are more than 30 new option types, 20 new formations, and 350 new offensive and defensive formations.

I haven’t played much of NCAA Football 14, but what I’ve seen has me ready for another game on the collegiate gridiron. Too bad it’s only April.

Greg is an executive editor at IGN, cohost of Podcast Beyond and host of Up at Noon. Follow IGN on Twitter, and keep track of Greg's shenanigans on IGN and Twitter. Beyond!

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