Today, EA Sports released another edition of Gridiron Notes for Madden NFL 20. Today’s entry covers the changes EA has made to the game since the closed beta back in June. Gameplay, franchise mode, and presentation were all altered for the release of Madden 20, which will be available on PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 2. Here is a complete breakdown of today’s Gridiron Notes.
SUPERSTAR X-FACTOR VISION AND DATABASE
A major complaint from the beta was that not enough information was presented about players’ X-Factor abilities, or that the information wasn’t presented thoroughly enough. This has been addressed with the all-new Superstar X-Factor Vision.
Below are two screenshots, one as the offense and the other as the defense. This is what Superstar Vision will look like in Madden 20:
By creating Superstar X-Factor Vision, the pre-play adjustment button mapping has been altered. Here is a list of all the changes:
- RT/R2 in pre-play is now Superstar Vision AND play-art
- LT/L2 in pre-play is now Coach Cam with the Match-Up wheel
- LB/L1 is now defensive keys (which previously were on LT/L2)
- Defensive Line adjustments are now Left D-Pad (which previously were on LB/L1)
- Linebacker adjustments are now Right D-Pad (which previously were on RB/R1)
Below are the updated game controls for both pre-play offense and pre-play defense.
There is also now a Superstar Database. Here, gamers can identify and read about the superstars on each team, and each of their abilities. This can be found when selecting teams, when the game is paused or when loading into a game.
GAMEPLAY ADJUSTMENTS
The biggest gameplay change since the beta is the new tight end block-and-release mechanic. According to EA, “Blue route/Block and Release TE’s will now pass block until the user presses his receiver icon to release him into his route – the higher the TE’s awareness, the more responsive he will be to the button press.”
Three separate quarterback bugs were fixed. Quarterbacks not handing off, getting tackled immediately after the snap and not being able to throw following a play-action fake are all problems that were patched heading into the release of Madden 20.
Stiff arms were found to be a bit too powerful in the beta, so a stamina penalty has been added to help balance them.
Pass leading and extended pass leading have both been tuned to result in more accurate passes.
Man coverage was slightly altered after the beta. Wide receivers with Post and Corner Specialist abilities will have slightly more effective cut moves against man coverage, and man defenders will now respect receiver cuts more following a press animation.
Fumbling for quarterbacks was addressed, but only on simulation style games. The fumble chance has been reduced by 50% for scrambling quarterbacks, QB run plays and ball carrier special moves vs. hit sticks.
No changes were made to the pass rush, quarterback passing animations or zone coverage.
FRANCHISE ADJUSTMENTS
Franchise mode wasn’t the main focus for EA following the beta, but it sure sounds like they are committed to giving franchise players a better experience this year. For those wondering, Superstar X-Factor abilities can be earned in Franchise mode. By developing players and earning accolades, their abilities will naturally upgrade.
PRESENTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Per EA, below is a list of presentation improvements in Madden 20.
- More variety of pre-game runouts, spread out across more stadiums
- New wipes leading into Quarter-end, Timeouts, Two-Minute Warning, as well as at the conclusion of Ultimate Team challenges
- Signature cut scenes highlighting Superstar players, including pre-game run-outs, pre-game hype and after-play reactions
- QB user-celebrations added for player-locked QB’s on touchdown passes, accompanied by supporting presentation
- A variety of new stadium beauty shots and cut scene camera angles
- Augmented UI to highlight when X-Factors enter the Zone
- New logic for postplay presentation that focuses on showing reactions that matter most while reducing the time spent watching general, less exciting reactions
You can read more about the Madden NFL 20 gridiron notes here.
What do you think about these notes for gameplay, franchise and presentation in Madden NFL 20? Do you think this will lead to more realistic gameplay in this year’s Madden? Let us know in the comment section below, and don’t forget to subscribe to SGO on YouTube.
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