Is it finally safe to call “double mug” defenses with the Chicago Bears?
The day after Labor Day, Madden developers dropped more fruit of their labor in the latest title update. The newest Madden 25 patch touches every aspect of the game. I’ll post the notes below, along with some perspective.
The text from EA will be italicized.
Gameplay
Playbook Updates:
The Philadelphia Eagles’ playbook has received a major update ahead of Friday night’s Week 1 match against the Green Bay Packers.
Here are the additions to the Eagles’ playbook:
- WR Mid Screen, Slot Drive, RPO Q Stick Draw added to Gun Trey Open
- MTN Fork H Choice, MTN Hitch ‘n’ Go, MTN Y Post added to Gun Trips TE Flex
- Tackle Trap, Hammer Dagger, PA Jailbreak Screen added to Gun Tight Y Off Wk
- Y Flat Goalline, Z Mesh Goalline, Z Spot Goalline added to Bunch X Nasty
- 21 plays added to Gun Normal Y Off Close
These plays were added to improve the representation of what the Eagles ran last year and this past preseason in the Eagles’ playbook.
Before the update, multiple glitches would cause offside penalties. Here are some of the changes to gameplay, some of which should eliminate those glitches.
- Fixed an issue where a receiver would go offsides and run off the field caused by using a hot route on an auto-motion player
- Fixed an issue causing a man coverage defender to get caught out of position against Cheat Motion in Bunch Wide Nasty
- Fixed an issue causing the Left Tackle and TE to collide on Strong Jumbo PA Spot
- A variety of improvements to play-art in the play-call screen
- Revamped passing mechanic added as an additional passing setting, also added to Hospitality Suite
- Addressed an issue giving receivers a speed boost when using Custom Stems and then Smart-Routing
- Dev Note: We made this speed boost much harder to achieve and we’re working on a fix for a future Title Update. There’s also an additional change coming soon that will further balance which route segments will be able to be customized.
- Added a new Switch Stick delay option to the Gameplay Settings Menu:
- No Delay
- Slight Delay
- Large Delay
- Disable Switch Stick
- Update to make the online kick meter default to the new Multi-Meter, as well as the default in the Hospitality Suite
- Tuning to decrease pass speed when equipped with velocity-based passing abilities, Set Feet Lead and Pass Lead Elite
- Tuning to increase the Defensive Lineman chance to sniff out the HB Slip Screen play
- Addressed an issue where Kick Returners were not able to reach the ball landing spot within the Landing Zone allowing for a specific kickoff tactic.
- Dev Note: There are other variations of kickoff maneuvers in addition to this one that the team is working on getting addressed as soon as possible.
- Added new pursuit logic to further differentiate high-pursuit rated players, improving pursuit angles for better players
- Updated the placement of the ball to be at the 30-yard line after a kickoff goes out of the back of the endzone
- Added logic so that defenders will not be faked out by Double-Pass trick plays when using Pass Commit
- Fixed an issue sometimes causing an ‘effort’ catch to trigger on a catchable pass
- Fixed an issue allowing a free rusher on a specific blitz set-up out of Nickel 2-4 Double Mug and one out of Dollar 3-2 Overload
- Dev Note: Similar to the kickoff issue, there are other blitzes in addition to the ones fixed in this update that the team is actively working towards addressing as soon as possible.
- Tuning to WR blocking so that defensive backs are able to get off blocks quicker in ratings match-ups favoring the defender
- Tuning to WR/DB block interactions so DBs are able to get off of the blocks quicker when they have the appropriate ratings
- Fixed issues causing sideline characters to go through edge walls in Seattle, Miami and New Orleans stadiums
- Fixed a variety of minor animation issues in Physics Based Tackling
- Tuning to decrease Illegal Man Downfield penalties on RPO’s
- Fixed an issue allowing HB’s to be given backfield hot routes when aligned on the line of scrimmage
- Fixed a rare issue causing the QB to become frozen when being tackled during a specific handoff
- Fixed issues causing defenders to go offsides from pre-snap movement in a variety of defensive formations
- Fixed an issue allowing defenders to sometimes slip through double teams without the appropriate animation
- Fixed an issue allowing players to use the spin move when using the conservative ball-carrier coach adjustment
Gameplay Dev Note:
- We have clearly heard players’ desire for improvements to pass coverage, and the team is working on a significant set of improvements in a future title update. The incoming improvements being investigated include:
- Hard Flats
- Cover 3 Deep Zone
- Match coverage checks vs. bunch sets
- Press animations
- Pass velocity ability tuning
- Zone Drop Coach Adjustments
- In addition to pass coverage, we also have improvements on the way for kickoff exploits, blitzes, AI-play calling and spin-move tuning.
I can’t say that I experienced all these gameplay issues, but the offside issue was the most glaring one for me. I lost two games online because I didn’t recognize that Tremaine Edmunds’ automatic positioning put him offside in the “mug” formation.
Changing this will be significant as that defensive look is as effective for me when I could escape the penalty.
Franchise
Franchise mode has taken massive leaps this year, but there will always be issues to address as usual.
Here is a look at what changed with the latest update.
- Fixed an issue where the option to “Import Draft Class from Download Center” was removed from within the Franchise League
- Fixed an issue where the wrong player model would display during an Online Draft after pausing and resuming the Draft
- Tuned some areas with our logic to address the issue surrounding our simulation stats to get them more inline
Quite honestly, the only major issue addressed in this update to franchise mode is the simulation stats.
For years, EA has struggled in this area, one way or another. I’ll need to test these changes out in a separate franchise mode from my primary one to see if there are any noticeable differences.
Superstar Mode (PS5, Xbox Series X|S & PC only)
EA updated the profanity filter to recognize profane or offensive language more accurately. The other touches to Superstar mode are light.
- Updated the profanity filter flow when importing players from EA Sports College Football.
- Fixed an issue where the camera would freeze during gameplay in The League.
- Fixed text issues in Draft cinematics.
Online H2H Ranked
The leaderboard issues were one of the most significant issues up to today. EA introduced a new system for online play, which is exciting conceptually. However, the Top 100 wasn’t updating correctly, with several sorting issues.
It appears those issues have been addressed.
- Fixed an issue where leaderboards could not be sorted by rank or player name.
- Fixed an issue where the rank summary screen was not being displayed properly when a user concedes the game.
- Fixed an issue where incorrect rank icons were being shown in ranked leaderboards.
- Fixed an issue where the top 100 leaderboard did not update to the correct rank icons.
- Fixed an issue where users were set to Bronze or Silver in the Division Leaderboards despite being in placement matches or unranked.
Dev Note: These Online H2H Ranked updates apply to both Online H2H with NFL teams and Ultimate Team’s H2H Ranked mode.
Presentation
Anytime a new stadium is added, that’s a plus, but I’m not sure how much play it’ll get with most users. The biggest fix is the addition of cameras used during the Super Bowl celebration cutscenes.
- Added São Paulo Stadium in celebration of the NFL’s annual International Games making its debut in Brazil
- Added cameras to Super Bowl celebration cutscenes
- Fixed timing for the player grade summary at the end of Superstar – The League games
- Fixed incorrect helmet appearing in cutscenes with a Team Builder team
- Fixed post play stat milestone banners triggering too frequently in a single game
- Fixed player warping that could occur after a broadcast wipe when the Team option was selected for a touchdown celebration
- Fixed incorrect text on broadcast wipe that said “End of Regulation” at the end of an overtime period
- Fixed broken broadcast wipe if a player is tackled for a safety
- Fixed missing replay after a fake punt
- Fixed coin toss result being displayed before the coin is tossed by the referee in overtime
- Fixed ‘Coaching’ option in pause menu within Practice Mode
- Resized the Celebration mechanic wheel to be smaller and moved away from the center of the screen
Art
A nice set of player likeness updates is coming, including blonde Joe Burrow and an updated look for Kansas City Chiefs’ speedy rookie Xavier Worthy.
Here are all the players with updated likenesses and the new equipment added.
Player Likeness Updates:
- Xavier Worthy (WR – Chiefs)
- Adonai Mitchell (WR – Colts)
- Brock Bowers (TE – Raiders)
- Ricky Pearsall (WR – 49ers)
- Quinyon Mitchell (CB – Eagles)
- Kenny Clark (DT – Packers)
- Joe Burrow (QB – Bengals)
New Gear
- Adidas Electric+ 2 Cleats
- Jordan Retro Cement Cleats
- Visual Bug fixes
- Stadium Texture and Enlighten Improvements
- Sideline Jersey number fixes
- Gear color fixes (shoes, headbands, undershirts, etc)
- Texans Uniform Updates
- Fixed some head, uniform, and gear clipping issues
- Updated NFL uniform fonts
Audio
Don’t sleep on the audio fixes.
I’d written about Kate Scott and Brock Huard’s commentary being a step behind the other teams. Thankfully, it seems like EA has added more depth across the board.
Here are the audio updates.
- Adjusted the in-game mix levels to make the commentary teams more audible, especially Mike Tirico & Greg Olsen.
- Fixed an issue with music stuttering/skipping as the users load into different modes.
- Added over 6,000 newly recorded lines from Kate Scott & Brock Huard, Mike Tirico & Greg Olsen, and Brandon Gaudin & Charles Davis.
- Bug fixes for commentary speaking incorrectly about the previous play.
- Dev Note: We’re aware the Washington Commanders renamed their stadium to Northwest Stadium. Replacement commentary will come in a future update.
It’s going to be a busy month for gaming. The latest update will help ensure Madden stays in rotation.
