Madden NFL 19 October Title Update

EA_Roger

This update is a heavily influenced by your community feedback. Make sure to give us more feedback on this thread.

Nike 99 Club Gear enters the game in Franchise and Play Now. Make sure to try Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski and Luke Keuchly to see the swag in action.

Key Highlights

• Gameplay:
  1. Added new celebrations for both player signatures and team celebrations
  2. Tuning to address a Field Goal Block exploit

• Franchise:
  1. Retractable roof stadiums can now open in Franchise
  2. Commentary is now available for players edited in the Draft Class creator

• Madden Ultimate Team:
  1. New ability called 'Route Specialist' that gives receivers unique hot routes based on their position and ratings. Please check out our Route Specialist breakdown

Change Log

• Made general stability improvements

Franchise Updates

• NOTE: All changes will be available to existing Cloud and Offline Franchises.
  1. Added ability for Atlanta, Houston, Arizona, Indianapolis, and Dallas to have an open roof when the weather is within acceptable NFL standards
  2. Added ability for the commentary to reference edited Draft Class players if the name has been recorded
  3. Fixed issue where Formation Subs would not save for 4-3 Wide, Nickel 3-3-5, Nickel 3-3-5 Wide, and Nickel Double A Gap
  4. Fixed the issue in Cloud Franchise where draft feedback incorrectly states “You Reached”
  5. Fixed an issue where body appearance settings were not saved when editing a Draft Class
  6. Fixed an issue where Field Goal stats weren't tracking when a Punter starts as KOS
  7. Fixed the issue causing the game to not proceed when starting a Cloud Franchise
  8. Fixed an issue where snapshots won't save when the game time is long
  9. Fixed alignment of Team Success menu when rendering in 4K
  10. Fixed situations where text can overlap in the News menu
  11. Fixed overlapping text issue on Staff Changes menu
  12. Fixed overlapping text issue on Re-Sign Staff menu
  13. Added team color to the Team Salaries menu

Visual Updates

• More than doubled the number of Team Celebrations available after Touchdowns via the user-celebration mechanic
• Added new signature TD celebrations for Cowboys HB Ezekiel Elliot
• Added the 'Billionaire Strut' to the 'Swagger' user-celebration option
• Fixed an issue sometimes causing the Passing Feedback text to stay on the screen too long
• Fixed an issue causing the Jumbotron in the Eagles stadium to have an incorrect display image
• Added new helmets and facemasks:
  1. Schutt F7 Helmet shell
  2. Schutt Vengeance Z10 Helmet shell
  3. Xenith Epic Helmet shell
  4. Six new Schutt F7 Facemasks:
     1. 2-bar
     2. 3-bar
     3. 3-bar rb
     4. robot
     5. robot rb
     6. fullcage

• Updated player likeness for the following players:
  1. Saints HB Alvin Kamara
  2. Packers CB Jaire Alexander
  3. Packers QB Deshone Kizer
  4. Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin
  5. Buccaneers HB Peyton Barber
  6. Ravens HB Alex Collins
  7. Ravens CB Tavon Young
  8. Saints CB Ken Crawley
  9. Saints RT Ryan Ramczyk
  10. Saints FS Marcus Williams
  11. Falcons TE Austin Hooper
  12. Cowboys P Chris Jones
  13. Redskins SS Montae Nicholson
  14. Steelers QB Mason Rudolph
  15. Browns CB Denzel Ward

Gameplay Updates

• Tuning:
  1. Tuning to increase the frequency of Facemask penalties when setting the Strip Ball coach adjustment to 'Aggressive'
  2. Tuning to allow QB's a chance to fumble when tackled with a hit stick, even when holding down the Cover-Ball mechanic on RT/R2 - this applies to Competitive and Simulation game styles
  3. Tuning to improve the running animation used when a ball carrier makes slight direction changes while holding the Acceleration Burst mechanic
  4. Tuning to decrease disenage angles for defenders vs. the run game
     1. DEV NOTE: A disengage is different than a block shed and is dictated by the STR rating of the two players involved in the block. By decreasing the angles, defenders will have to wait longer to disengage away from blockers as the ball carrier runs through the line. When looking at game data, we have seen that scoring and yards gained are below our target ranges, which led to this tuning change - this applies to all game styles and difficulty levels.
  5. Added logic to prevent extremely late Fair Catch calls on kick returns
     1. DEV NOTE: When catching on a kick or punt return, there will now be a limited time window open to call for a fair catch. When the window closes, you will see the receiver 'Lock' icon inside the player indicator to tell you that a fair catch can no longer be called. This aligns with NFL rules around fair catch calls, and also solves problems when catching the kick with an extremely late fair catch that would interfere with the catch animation
  6. Tuning to stamina when holding down the acceleration burst mechanic to better align defensive players with offensive players. This applies to Competitive and Simulation game styles

• Pass Coverage:
  1. Improved zone logic for Cover 3 and Cover 4 vs. multiple crossing routes, such as PA Boot Over plays
  2. Finished the fix from previous title update so that Cover 3 will correctly cover both the flat and the wheel routes on Fake Screen Wheel plays
  3. Fixed an issue causing deep zone players to sometimes not react to deep routes when using Man Up 3 Deep out of the Quarter formation
  4. Improved zone logic for Cover 6 and Cover 4 Quarters coverages vs. Trips formations
  5. Tuning to decrease the frequency of defenders playing the ball when covering routes well in front of the intended receiver

• Real Player Motion:
  1. Addressed an issue causing kick and punt returners to sometimes use different running animations than when they were playing in their regular positions
  2. Fixed a rare issue causing players to shuffle and/or run off the field after the end of a play
  3. Fixed a rare issue causing the QB to throw a very inaccurate pass either sideways or backwards when throwing a short route to a receiver making a sudden change of direction
  4. Fixed an issue causing the QB to sometimes fail to hand the ball to the back on HB Blunt Dive plays
  5. Fixed an issue causing the ball to appear in the wrong hand for punters on Safety punts

• Pre-Play
  1. Addressed a rare online exploit being used with custom playbooks that caused the offensive team to leave the field, forcing the defensive user to quit the game and take the loss
     1. DEV NOTE: If a user with an existing custom playbook attempts this exploit moving forward, the offensive line will huddle up by the ball & the offensive user will be penalized.
  2. Tuning to improve jog animations after huddle breaks
  3. Addressed an issue allowing offensive players to reset defensive player's adjustments by using audibles in pre-play
  4. Addressed an issue causing defensive linemen to move into each other when using audibles on Field Goal block plays
  5. Removed ability to motion the inside TE in the I-Form Wing formation due to targeting issues it would cause that could lead to a fumble
  6. Tuning to improve defensive back movement animations when getting set at the line in a press or man coverage position

• Catching:
  1. Addressed an issue preventing a catch animation from triggering if the user had 'Bad Ballhawk Timing' on an Interception attempt - now a catch animation will trigger, even if the button is pressed too early, but will still result in a drop
  2. Made improvements to animation coverage for fumble recoveries

• Blocking:
  1. Tuning to improve pass block targeting for running backs in the backfield
  2. Fixed some issues causing blocking fullbacks on toss plays to obstruct the toss and cause a fumble vs. heavy defensive fronts, such as vs. Field Goal block formations
  3. Improved logic for pass rush exploits dealing with defenders placed in a coverage or QB Spy assignment who would then quickly rush up the middle of the formation
  4. Addressed an exploit around Field Goal blocks

• NFL Rules:
  1. Fixed an issue preventing Illegal Block in the Back penalties from triggering in Simulation Game Style

Madden Ultimate Team Updates

• Added new MUT ability - 'Route Specialist' - this gives receivers unique hot routes based on their position and ratings, such as Post, Corner, Angle and Stick 'n Nod rotues
• Fixed an issue causing players in MUT equipped with the 'Situational Pass Rush' ability to lose stamina too quickly
• Fixed an issue preventing the MUT 'Footsteps' ability from applying the proper penalty to receivers on Competitive game style
• Addressed an issue preventing the MUT 'Under Pressure' ability from applying the proper bonuses
• Addressed an issue preventing the MUT 'Out My Way' ability from applying the proper bonuses
• Addressed an issue preventing the MUT 'Stiff Arm Specialist' ability from applying the proper bonuses
• Addressed an issue preventing WR Off the Line release mechanics (Footfire & Change-Up) from working properly in MUT Squads
• Added the ability to post auctions with a specific value

jalblurr

Why has the quarter back play action getting sacked but no sack getting rewarded to the defender not been patched yet. This happends in Cloud and Offline CFM. This is beyond ridiculous. Its been happening since the Beta.

tylerhartling12

Day time games are still completely dark using xbox X on a 4k TV. Fix the game please! You guys are not utilizing the 4k graphics like fifa, 2k and every other game!

Please refrain from using bad language. Thanks.

C4geron

1. Mobile QB Rushing Numbers In the SIM are still non-existant. Lamar Jackson will finish the season with less than 50 rushing yards for example, more often than not.
2. Custom Draft Class Randomizer. For those of us who spend countless hours creating draft classes, it'd be nice not knowing the overalls of every player. Like break it off into tiers or something so the elite players of the class remain elite, but their overalls could change 1-3pts, or dev trait change up/down to keep things fresh for everyone who uses/creates draft classes.
3. The Dolphins/Redskins ruin free agency by overbidding for the top players every off-season...every season. I get their front offices are jokes but still, makes the FA bidding process boring.
4. Tune down Regression or add regression sliders. MVP winner going down 3-5 overall points because they turned 32 certainly nukes any sense of accomplishment earning those awards with older players.

Thanks for the hard work on the first two title updates. They've been great and have improved the quality of franchise mode and the gameplay. I look forward to Novembers and hopefully seeing some of the changes I have mentioned.

Morri1187

This stuff sounds interesting and I’m sure people won’t love what I’m about to say. However, I just feel Madden is basically just banging in a cheat code to get your player unblocked for a blitz. I just wish there was a way to counter everything. Fighting games are wildly popular in the world of e sports and as someone who plays them I believe the transparency is huge. You know what works against what. In madden you really don’t. Like i understand that that knowledge should come with labbing but they should at least provide the player a starting point. Let us understand why when we do X it results in X. Fighting games do this and still have a huge skill gap. If madden can figure out a way to make that possible it can be special

Naslundx19

Add a button to pick up fumbles !

BeefyStingray

I like that you added the F7 to the game but can y’all add the 808 face mask to the speedflex? Mariota wear the speedflex with it so why can’t we get it in the game?

ESGN_Dallas

If not this year, please make online head to head better next year. Like FIFA online friendly matches. Ex.Playoffs and superbowl with a rings stat. Online should be competitive however we still need rewards not tied to ultimate team.

wisepegasus9585

User in my league states "I got Colts in another league and roof been open every game. Never been closed. I always be complaining about the wind lol... Maybe they meant it can be closed now. They really need weather reports and give team option in pregame"

wisepegasus9585

Thanks for the update... Much appreciated since I run the ball a lot. I'm still wondering why we never see the cpu change of direction like ours outside ball carriers, but hopefully in the future updtlate I guess.. Personally I just want to be able to reset online franchise games as a commissioner...

TMKTMK

Hope to see something in the future in regards to the franchise practice squads. Not a big fan of having to use the live rosters in the cloud to get accurate practice squads, some of which are still missing players..

rollinelbows

Bring back injuries online that's all I want

Alshon98

Add force ties in cfm

DeathValleyLSU

Franchise trade values during the draft seem out of line - for example with the 16th pick in the first round when I was interested in trading it for picks in the next year’s draft I couldn’t even get the equivalent 16th pick. For a current first round pick one should expect to get at least a couple of picks the following year with a first rounder being the starting place for any trade.

DeathValleyLSU

Also I thought the last update was supposed to fix the returner pausing before beginning their return (something I hadn’t even noticed as an issue until reading the fixes from the last update); but now I notice it all the time. Seems like it’s worse now in my gameplay - anyone else still noticing that issue?

Bethypoppins

Please update the bengals, I am a die hard fan and you some how also seem to screw us over. I'm not a huge Dalton fan he is good but not clutch, however him being below an 80 at the start of the season and being rated lower than Baker Mayfield and other rookies WHO HAVE NEVER PLAYED IN THE NFL is absolutely ridiculous. I mean where do you guys come up with this stuff literally every year you make the players worse than are for some reason? Now we are 3-1 and putting almost 30+ a game on offense yet dalton is an 77 and looks like might become a 79 like what hell still cant break 80? He should be 85-87 minimum, and our offense is just as low, below 80.... oh and our line average in the low 70s except Dalton has been one of the least sacked QBs in the lesgue, oh ya we are top of the divison too........ but it's cool keep us under an 80 overall or whatever you have us and I will keeping winning with them and they will keep winning in real life and you keep hating on them like you always do........ Seriously be better

lildtrain

Please add the ability to do specific value for contracts in CFM. Also if you could also add the new hot routes (post, flag, etc) into CFM would be great. One relocation suggestion, let teams move to the same city, or if a team moves to a city then moves again, allow that city to become available with the two teams that weren't used. There needs to be new team names, locations, uniforms, they have been the same the last 5 years. Also would be great if you could customize your stadium and bring back potion coaches. thanks.

MrWhitedogg

Compare stats h2h still not working!?!?!

legitnickel

First off great addition with the new Helmets especially the Schutt F7, your work is very appreciated, but some equipment requests I think everybody can agree on, Alvin Kamara Tape is nice addition but make it available to as a option any player, create a player etc, baggy sleeves and or undershirt coming from under the jersey, teams like the Bills or the Broncos to edit the socks that go to the ankle like real life, and create a player face scans have been the same since madden came to current gen consoles, Throwing motions sya we have at least 35 plus but in reality they are all the same motion just with different names except for a select few, [ Slinger 7/4 etc) just to make known of these issues / Requests either in the next title update or even next years madden but at least on the devs radar

djmarsella13

Could you please fix Joe Mixon's player likeness? I know he is currently injured but he looks nothing close to real life.(headband, hair etc)
real life
vs
currently in madden

hiltionburke

Can u guys add more statistical commentary for cfm especially for the quarterback's league leaders td and fix the passing yards stat please