We have some brand new info on Madden NFL 18 today and additional details on a few things already known. It was previously revealed that Madden 18 was powered by the Frostbite engine, the same engine used for FIFA 17 last year. If you watched the Madden 18 trailer you could see the power of frostbite in the improved graphics, lighting and smoke effects. Frostbite will also allow for the exteriors of stadiums to be shown when zoomed out and realistic weather elements.
A brand new feature called Target Passing makes it into Madden 18. For the first time ever, no longer are you tied to throwing at your open wide receiver. Throw to who you want, in the exact spot on the field giving ultimate control over where the ball is thrown. This similar to Quarterback Club’s passing attack where you could throw to the spot and not the WR. In the NFL top QBs don’t always “see” the WR open and then throw it they anticipate him breaking open and deliver the ball before his break. There are passing windows in each zone and it’s up to the QB to deliver the ball into those windows and for the WR to be there, Target Passing looks to replicate this.
With Coverage Assignments you can now assign you BEST Cornerback to the offense’s best WR and he will shadow him the entire game! One of the MOST requested features has been brought back for Madden 18. Matchup your to cover corner on the offense’s best wide receiver or tight end
With Coach Adjustments you will be able to customize the AI to fit your game plan and make situational changes to your strategy on the fly as the game demands it. This new feature will be similar to the old NCAA strategy changes on the fly where you could have your players focus on one aspect of the game that gave you pluses or minuses depending on what you chose. When tackling do your guys go for the ball more and risk giving up a big play? Offensively have your line hold their blocks longer with the increased risk of a holding penalty called. The coaching adjustments will add another level of strategy on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
In Madden 18’s new story mode we have been able to confirm actor JR Lemon is the voice and actor for Madden 18 story mode. Lemon was raised in Atlanta, GA, is best known for his work in “The Night Shift”. He received a BS degree in Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University before being signed as a running back to the Oakland Raiders. Having experience as a trained actor as well as being an ex football player Lemon seems like a great fit for the role.
Since we now know it will be one set actor like FIFA 17’s story mode there will no adjusting characteristics or voice other than choice of position.
In the trailer you can see the character looking at Lucas oil Stadium…is it because he plays for the Colts? Not exactly. Lucas Oil Stadium is where the NFL combine takes place. Can you say return of something similar to the training drills in madden 09??! Will the combine be in story mode only or will it become apart of the Franchise draft process? Guess we will have to wait and see for sure on this one.
Last but DEFINITELY NOT LEAST Online Team Play returns to Madden NFL. By taking a look at the PSN description for Madden 18 you can see “network players 2-6”. Now if you go back to the same description for Madden 17 you see network players 2-2.
This was further confirmed by Rex Dickson on Twitter by posting 3 fingers up in the air! So 3 vs 3 Team Play will be included in Madden 18 you heard it here 1st. One of the most requested features is now back in the game. Stay tuned for more details on this.
— Rex Dickson (@Rex_Dickson_) May 12, 2017
Madden NFL 18 will be released on Friday, August 25 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. If you pre-order the G.O.A.T edition of the game, you will gain access to it three days earlier on the 22nd. We will have Madden 18 gameplay for you guys after EA Play so be sure to check back to SGO daily and Subscribe to our Youtube channel.