Madden NFL 20 Gridiron Notes: Title Update - August.

To ensure Madden is the best game possible, scheduled updates are deployed by the Madden Development Team to add features to the game after launch and to tune gameplay based on community feedback.

Our launch updates focus on many of the issues that Madden players report to us. We thank you for your feedback - you've helped us improve Madden NFL 20. We look forward to further feedback and are committed to continuing to meet your expectations.

Here is a detailed breakdown of what’s included in today's title update.

Key Highlights

Offensive Linemen have been added as Superstars, with new run blocking and pass blocking Superstar Abilities:

Edge Protector - Reduces edge pass rusher’s chance of successful rush move.

Superstars equipped: Packers LT David Bakhtiari, Redskins LT Trent Williams, Cowboys LT Tyron Smith, Chiefs RT Mitchell Schwartz.



Post Up - Improves blocker’s ability to hold double team blocks (both run & pass)

Superstars equipped: Eagles RG Brandon Brooks, 49ers LT Joe Staley, Rams LT Andrew Whitworth, Cowboys RG Zack Martin, Giants RG Kevin Zeitler



Run Block Elite - Holds blocks longer when run blocking
Not equipped to any player, but will available to earn in MUT & Franchise

Pass Block Elite - Holds blocks longer when pass blocking
Superstars equipped: Steelers LG David DeCastro, Eagles RG Brandon Brooks



Zone Blocker - Holds blocks longer on zone-blocked run plays

Superstars equipped: 49ers LT Joe Staley, Falcons C Alex Mack, Redskins LT Trent Williams, Cowboys RG Zack Martin



Power Blocker - Holds blocks longer on gap-blocked plays

Superstars Equipped: Eagles C Jason Kelce



Threat Detector - Detects/indicates extra blitzers on 3rd and 4th down plays

Not equipped to any player on the default roster, but will be available to earn in MUT & Franchise

All Day - Increases wait-timer between pass-rush move attempts by the defender when engaged on passing plays

Superstars equipped: Packers LT David Bakhtiari, Cowboys LT Tyron Smith



Nasty Streak - Frequently impact blocks smaller defenders when blocking in space

Superstars equipped: Colts LG Quenton Nelson, Eagles RT Lane Johnson, Eagles C Jason Kelce



Puller Elite - More effective at winning blocking engagements when pulling on run plays

Superstars equipped: Colts RG Quenton Nelson, Steelers LG David DeCastro



Secure Protector (already available in MUT/Franchise prior to update) - Significant reduction to pass rusher’s chance to use a quick shed move or edge rush on passing plays

Superstars equipped: Saints LT Terron Armstead, Raiders C Rodney Hudson, Rams LT Andrew Whitworth



New Pre-Play Mechanic: Pass Block Double Team mechanic added to Pass Blocking Adjustments, replacing the Pinch adjustment.

How it works: In the Pass Blocking adjustments pre-play menu, you can now target a defender aligned on the line of scrimmage for a pass-block double team. You can do this by opening the Pass Protection menu with R1/RB, and selecting the bottom option: ‘Double Team’ (this new mechanic is replacing the Pinch Adjustment, which has been removed globally).

Once in this state, you’ll be shown a ‘D2’ indicator that you can move around with the LS, and then lock in your double team target by pressing A/X. While this can be bluffed on running plays and play-action, it will only assign a double team on dropback passing plays.

DEV NOTE: We are thrilled to be able to deliver a mechanic that our community has requested, and we think it’s coming in at the perfect time - the double team mechanic is a great way to counter Superstar X-Factor pass rushers.

If there’s one really important note to know about this mechanic, it’s that it carries risk. No matter what, when you target a defender to double team, if he’s rushing, he will get double-teamed. So if the defense is rushing more defenders than blockers, you will likely leave one or more of those rushers unblocked to facilitate the targeted 2 vs. 1.

Global Updates

General stability and connectivity improvements

Updated player likenesses for the following NFL players & Coaches:

Titans WR AJ Brown
Patriots DE Chase Winovich
Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins
Broncos DT Drew Lock
Eagles WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside
Patriots WR N’Keal Harry
Colts LG Quenton Nelson
Panthers CB Donte Jackson
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs
Panthers OLB Brian Burns
Bengals HB Trayveon Williams

Cardinals HB Andy Isabella
Packers DE Rashan Gary
Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew
Redskins HB Bryce Love
Broncos HB Philip Lindsay
Chargers WR Keenan Allen
Steelers HB Benny Snell Jr
Broncos TE Noah Fant
49ers DE Nick Bosa
Lions TE TJ Hockenson
Falcons CB Desmond Trufant
Cardinals WR Hakeem Butler
Browns CB Greedy Williams

Panthers QB Will Grier
Seahawks WR DK Metcalf
Bills DT Ed Oliver
Saints WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Vikings TE Irv Smith
Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett
Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians
Saints Head Coach Sean Payton

Franchise Updates

Scenario Engine:

Fixed an issue causing characters added to the league during the Fantasy Draft from re-triggering the Preseason Scenario

Fixed a pre-season scenario causing the player to get negative coach feedback after achieving a QB rating of 95 or higher in pre-season game 2

Fixed an issue causing the user to get a ‘Dev Trait’ increase scenario while still having a hidden Dev Trait

Fixed an issue causing a player created on the Front End and then imported into Franchise to get cut before the regular season

Fixed an issue causing ‘Total Yards’ to not be calculated correctly in some scenarios

Fixed a scenario referring to the user’s character as ‘third rookie to start a season 3-1’

DEV NOTE: We have made some improvements to scenario selection criteria and these will be applied to existing franchise leagues.

The team is also evaluating which scenarios are being seen by users too often, not seen by users enough and we're responding to feedback. Future updates will include new content as well as changes to existing scenarios and their corresponding goals and rewards.

Face of the Franchise: QB 1/Player-Locked Franchise (these updates will apply to existing save files):

Changed the label of the default skin tone to be consistent with the skin tone values in Player Creation

User-created characters will no longer have the Hidden Dev Trait

Fixed an issue when super-simming into OT during a college game could lead to incorrect ball-spot placement

Fixed an issue preventing the college OT rules from being respected after using Supersim during the CPU’s possession

Fixed an issue preventing the created player portrait from appearing for the opposing player in a Head to Head game

Fixed an issue preventing a second created character portrait from appearing in the Franchise hub

Fixed an issue sometimes causing X-Factor Vision to invert in pre-play after a few plays while player-locked

Global Franchise (will apply to existing save files, unless otherwise noted):

Fixed an issue causing the Draft Pose animations to giveaway the drafted players’ development traits

Fixed an issue preventing scrambling QB’s from accruing the appropriate amount of rushing yards when using Supersim

Tuning to decrease the frequency of injuries for running backs

Fixed an issue causing the hidden Dev Trait ‘snaps played’ progress to be lost after quitting out of Franchise

Patriots QB Tom Brady will now be prevented from retiring at the end of the first season, based on his recently signed contract

Menu Narration for Accessibility - fixed an issue when the user changes the team filter in the My Team:

Injuries menu to a different team it no longer reads the player name

Fixed an issue preventing the ‘away team’ user in a Head to Head game from making changes to the depth chart

Fixed an issue causing a drafted player ranked low on the board to be displayed as a ‘Good Pick’

Fixed an issue causing high-rated players to sometimes be recommended to be cut, and/or being cut by CPU-controlled teams

Tuning to increase the number of Improviser QB’s generated in Draft Classes

Fixed an issue where the user could get Drive Goals for injured players

Updated Panthers & Jets defensive schemes to reflect latest team information - this will NOT update in existing save files

Financial Mogul Owner description had incorrect starting funds value

Fixed an issue preventing drafted offensive linemen from unlocking their Dev Traits through downs played

Tuning to prevent a Signing Bonus from counting against the salary cap beyond the 5th year of a contract extension

Fixed an issue preventing the Formation Subs screen from updating after changing the playbook on the Schemes menu

Fixed an issue rarely causing the Play Call screen to go blank in Franchise

Fantasy Draft:

Fixed an issue where players had the same True Talent Rank in the Draft Analysis Feedback

Removed OVR from draft feedback text descriptions

Fixed an issue causing an out of sync Draft Counter

Fixed an issue displaying message ‘You have no picks remaining’ after reaching Round 6

Fixed issues with players displaying the same True Talent rank as other players

Superstar Abilities (these updates will apply to existing save files):

Added support for the new Offensive Line Superstar abilities:

All OL positions have had their ability slots increased to two, that will unlock at 70 OVR & 80 OVR

Fullbacks and Tight Ends in Franchise will also have access to the blocking abilities

Quarterbacks will now have access to the Brick Wall X-Factor ability

Quarterbacks will now have access to the Threat Detector Superstar ability

“Double Me” had incorrect knock out information inside of Franchise mode

Franchise X-Factor database now displays only active abilities

Fixed an issue with Lions CB Darius Slay causing his ability loadout to display a duplicate ability

Fixed an issue causing players to display abilities they haven’t yet unlocked

Fixed an issue preventing players with Superstar abilities from showing their Superstar icon in Franchise rosters

Presentation Updates

Fixed an issue causing gamertags to appear in post-play presentation of MUT Squads

Fixed an issue causing player indicators to overlap in MUT Squads

Fixed an issue causing a created characters face to appear orange or red when quitting during a creation save

Updated cameras in the Packers stadium so that they will remain in the front of the official when calling a penalty

Updated Jumbotron message in the Ravens stadium

Updated cameras in the Chiefs stadium

Updated Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger’s X-Factor loading screen to reflect his correct Zone Ability

In-Game text and Banner improvements

Gameplay Updates

New Features & Mechanics:

Pass Block Double Team Mechanic







Superstar X-Factors:

Added Offensive Line Superstars & Abilities

Tuning to increase the effectiveness of double-move route cuts for double-move abilities

Added the fade hot route to the criteria to activate the ‘Streak Specialist’ ability

Fixed an issue preventing X-Factor zone progress from populating correctly on the first play after a restarted game session

Tuning to decrease blocking boosts on ‘Pin & Pull Guru,’ ‘Inside Zone Guru,’ Outside Zone Guru,’ ‘Fastbreak,’ and ‘Protected’ by 50% to provide proper balance for the new Offensive Line abilities

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has been updated so his new Superstar X-Factor Zone ability is 'Brick Wall'
Brick Wall - When in the zone, will break the first sack attempt as long as he’s in the pocket.

This ability will be available in both Ultimate Team & Franchise

Tuning & Balancing:

Tuning around fumble rates and stiff-arm strength

DEV NOTE: We have heard our players’ voices relative to the frequency of fumbles and the power of the stiff-arm move. While this tuning will decrease some of the frustrations around fumbles and stiff arms globally, this is just the first step in a series of planned updates that will bring more exact situational tuning.

One important note regarding fumbles: the fumble rate for QB’s is higher intentionally, especially on Competitive game-style, in order to provide balance for scrambling QB’s.

You can avoid fumbling with your QB by using the QB Slide mechanics: either tap the dive button while NOT holding down the Acceleration burst button; or hold both Acceleration Burst AND the Precision Modifier and tap the dive button to slide with your QB. A similarly useful counter to the stiff-arm move is the cut stick tackle, which can be activated by flicking down on the tackle stick.

Tapping the stiff arm button a second time before making contact with a defender will now cancel the stiff arm

Defenders with the “Secure Tackler” or “Tackle Supreme” abilities will no longer allow broken tackles due to the stiff-arm move

Tuning to remove a speed burst when canceling a play-action fake

Tuning to improve the read-defender’s reaction when running Inverted Veer plays to make the play easier to read

Tuning to increase the frequency of successful catches by offensive linemen on Fake Field Goal plays

Tuning to decrease the frequency of AI-controlled players diving at the pile or ball carrier late into or after the play

Tuning to avoid accurate passes getting thrown too low on RPO plays

Bug Fixes and Animation:

Fixed an issue causing a receiver to warp off the ground into a tackle following a possession catch

Fixed an issue making it difficult to tackle the ball carrier during a standing hurdle

Fixed an issue causing the first tackle to be missed vs. a precision hurdle

Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented a ball carrier from being tackled while getting up off the ground

Fixed an issue preventing the QB from fumbling during a specific hit stick tackle

Fixed an issue causing the QB to sometimes get frozen on the ground after a sack-fumble

Fixed an issue causing AI-controlled QB’s to sometimes drop back too far and take big losses on sacks

Fixed an issue causing a defender to warp off the ground into a sack animation

Fixed an issue sometimes causing missed tackles vs. receivers right as the ball is being caught

Fixed an issue sometimes causing a man coverage defender to run forward when defending a streak route

Fixed an issue causing the ball to warp from one hand to the other when throwing on the run with a left-handed QB

Fixed an issue with the button-mapping of Run Fit play art - you can now view the run fits in Coach Cam by holding down LT/L2 and pressing either Square/X or Circle/B in pre-play

Fixed an issue preventing ball carriers from dropping the ball after the play is over

Fixed an issue preventing the Block and Release icon from appearing in Head to Head offline matches

Fix to prevent HB’s from entering the QB ball carrier state on HB Passing plays to prevent exploits

Made improvements to the pump-fake mechanic so that the QB will pass the ball quickly after pump-faking if spamming is detected

Playbooks:

Added Patriots Hoss-Juke concept plays to the Patriots playbook

Fixed an issue causing blank sections in the Play-Call screen for the formation Singleback Wing Flex Close

Fixed an issue causing the receiver to run backwards after the play-fake on Singleback Ace Pair PA End Around

Fixed an issue with play-art where the WR had no assigned route on Singleback Doubles Y Off Close PA Fly Sweep

Fixed an issue causing the QB to keep the ball during the handoff on West Coast Far Pro HB Sweep

Fixed an issue sometimes causing the offense to leave the field when removing the Hail Mary set from custom playbooks

Fixed an issue causing the Read Key to be on the wrong side of the field vs. Gun Doubles Y-Flex Offset RPO Read Flat Slant

Fixed an issue causing the defensive play to reset after flipping the play in Play Call screen when defending No-Huddle

Fixed the Primary Target for Wildcat Slot Flex Jet Touch Pass to be correct

Fixed pre-play alignment issues in the Big Nickel Over G defensive formation when aligning vs. Trips formations

Madden Ultimate Team Updates

Fixed an issue preventing OVR’s from displaying correctly on the Top Players section of the Lineup Tab

Fixed an issue causing the ‘Top Players’ to only show their default position

Fixed an issue causing players to sometimes kick off to begin both halves in some MUT Solo Battles

Fixed an issue preventing the user from being rewarded the appropriate star when scoring exactly 14 points during a ‘Score more than 14 points’ bonus objective

Fixed an issue causing ‘Play Next Challenge’ to display the incorrect team

Fixed an issue causing the left analog stick to lose functionality after entering the ‘Adjust Lineup’ screen and moving through the tabs

Updated the MUT Squads Leaderboard to display the correct ranks in the ‘Friend Leaderboard’
Multiple menu & interface improvements

PC Updates

Fixed an issue preventing pre-play Coach Cam art from appearing when using a 4K Dual monitor set-up

Fixed a wide variety of issues preventing users from interacting with Franchise menu’s via Mouse input

https://www.ea.com/games/madden-nfl/madden-nfl-20/news/gridiron-notes-title-update-august-20