Details on the third post-release patch for Madden NFL 19

Madden NFL 19 has now been out for nearly two months and today the third substantial patch for the game went live on all platforms. The first update for Madden NFL 19 was based on beta feedback and included a major change to the Hit Stick while the second one had numerous improvements for Franchise Mode and a number of gameplay adjustments.

This third post-release patch is heavy on various gameplay and visual improvements. Among them are new equipment options, new player and team celebrations, at least 15 more player likeness updates, the ability for retractable roof stadiums to open in Franchise, and the introduction of a new player ability in Ultimate Team. 

Visual Updates

Updated player likeness for the following players:
Saints HB Alvin Kamara
Packers CB Jaire Alexander
Packers QB DeShone Kizer
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin
Buccaneers HB Peyton Barber
Ravens HB Alex Collins
Ravens CB Tavon Young
Saints CB Ken Crawley
Saints RT Ryan Ramczyk
Saints FS Marcus Williams
Falcons TE Austin Hooper
Cowboys P Chris Jones
Redskins SS Montae Nicholson
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph
Browns CB Denzel Ward

♦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 Elliott
♦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
♦Schutt F7 Helmet shell
♦Schutt Vengeance Z10 Helmet shell
♦Xenith Epic Helmet shell
♦Six new Schutt F7 Facemasks:
♦2-bar
♦3-bar
♦3-bar RB
♦Robot
♦Robot RB
♦Fullcage

Gameplay Updates

Tuning
♦Tuned to increase the frequency of Facemask penalties when setting the Strip Ball coach adjustment to Aggressive
♦Tuned 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
♦Tuned to improve the running animation used when a ball carrier makes slight direction changes while holding the Acceleration Burst mechanic
♦Tuned to decrease disengage angles for defenders vs. the run game
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.
Added logic to prevent extremely late Fair Catch calls on kick returns
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.
♦Tuned 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
♦Improved zone logic for Cover 3/4 vs multiple crossing routes, such as PA Boot Over plays
♦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
♦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
♦Improved zone logic for Cover 6 and Cover 4 Quarters coverages vs. Trips formations
♦Tuned to decrease the frequency of defenders playing the ball when covering routes well in front of the intended receiver

Real Player Motion
♦Addressed an issue causing kick and punt returners to sometimes use different running animations than when they were playing in their regular positions
♦Fixed a rare issue causing players to shuffle and/or run off the field after the end of a play
♦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
♦Fixed issue causing the QB to sometimes fail to hand the ball off on HB Blunt Dive plays
♦Fixed issue causing the ball to appear in the wrong hand for punters on Safety punts

Pre-Play
♦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
DEV NOTE: If a user with an existing custom playbook attempts this exploit moving forward, the offensive line will huddle up by the ball and the offensive user will be penalized.
♦Tuned to improve jog animations after huddle breaks
♦Addressed an issue allowing offensive players to reset defensive player’s adjustments by using audibles in pre-play
♦Addressed an issue causing defensive linemen to move into each other when using audibles on Field Goal block plays
♦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
♦Tuned to improve defensive back movement animations when getting set at the line in a press or man coverage position

Catching
♦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
♦Made improvements to animation coverage for fumble recoveries

Blocking
♦Tuned to improve pass block targeting for running backs in the backfield
♦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
♦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
♦Addressed an exploit around Field Goal blocks

NFL Rules
♦Fixed issue preventing Illegal Block in the Back from triggering in Sim Game Style

Ultimate Team Updates

♦Added new MUT ability – Route Specialist – which gives receivers unique hot routes based on their position and ratings, such as Post, Corner, Angle, and Stick ‘n Nod routes
♦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 issue preventing MUT Under Pressure ability from applying proper bonuses
♦Addressed issue preventing MUT Out My Way ability from applying proper bonuses
♦Addressed issue preventing MUT Stiff Arm Specialist ability from applying proper bonuses
♦Addressed issue preventing WR Off the Line release mechanics (Footfire and Change-Up) from working properly in MUT Squads
♦Added the ability to post auctions with a specific value

Franchise Updates

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