Greetings, NCAA Football fans! My name is Chris Jacobs and I am a member of the EA SPORTS Game Changers Program, an NCAA Football 13 Community Event attendee and owner of The Gaming Tailgate, an NCAA Football community site. You’ve been waiting patiently for info on gameplay, so let’s talk about some of the numerous improvements you can expect in NCAA Football 13.

At the heart of the gameplay changes coming to NCAA Football 13 is one simple mantra: “If the player can’t see the ball, they can’t catch it.” When it comes to passing the ball, you will need to have your timing down between the quarterback and routes, hitting the receiver once he is in a position to actually look for the ball. This also affects defenders, as they must see the ball before they can react.

The pass icon above receivers will be ghosted by default and will light up once they are looking at the ball and in a position to make a play on a pass. However, keep in mind that a solid icon does NOT mean they are open – just that they are looking for the ball! You will still need to read the defense and make an on-target throw.  If you want to throw to a receiver whose icon is not lit up, you can, but you will have to attempt a user catch.

One of the biggest requests from the community was for NCAA Football 13 to feature a new pass trajectory, and I’m glad to say that it is in the game – over 20 of them to be exact! Along with the new trajectory, users have the additional ability to control passes with the left stick to lead receivers or to place the ball where they want it. With defenders needing to see the ball and improved pass trajectory, these two improvements have helped to end the phenomenon known around the community as ‘Super Linebackers.’ (Feel free to read that last sentence again just to let it soak in!)

Some of the other gameplay improvements include a new catch animation system (400+ new catch animations), 20+ new dropback animations, play-action upgrades (including faster QB animations) and improved receiver control.

On the defensive side of the ball, NCAA Football 13 features improved defensive alignment and defender positioning, disguised coverages and more realistic reactions by defenders while the ball is in the air. From pre-snap through the whistle, defense has been significantly improved in NCAA Football 13.

The final improvement I want to highlight is overhauled punt coverage and punt return AI. In NCAA Football 13, the coverage team will stay in their lanes while the return team attempts to set up a wall. Will your teammates deliver blocks to slow down the gunners? Can you make a move and get free? These changes have helped to make punt returns exciting and a potential game-changer each time out.

Make sure you check out the gameplay webcast and read the blog from EA SPORTS to learn more about all of the gameplay improvements coming to NCAA Football 13. Also, mark your calendars for May 7 to learn about the cool new features and improvements coming to Dynasty Mode. The dev team has been hard at work to make the mode more immersive than ever before.

Thanks for reading, everyone!