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

Over two months since release now and Madden NFL 19 has received it’s fourth substantial patch. The first update for Madden NFL 19 was based on beta feedback and included a major change to the Hit Stick, second one had numerous upgrades for Franchise Mode and a number of gameplay adjustments, and the last one that went out earlier this month was heavy on gameplay and visual improvements.

This latest patch has added tattoos to Mike Evans (joining Odell Beckham Jr. and Martavis Bryant as the only ones who’ve gotten the proper clearances from the artists to allow for their recreation), makes injured players available to be used in online H2H games, increased the differentiation of player speed, and much more for Franchise and gameplay. 

Gameplay Updates

Tuning
♦Tuning to prevent the WR icon from disappearing sometimes on HB Screen plays when the HB would run into a blocking interaction while running his route
♦Tuning to increase the frequency of broken tackles when attempting to strip the ball from behind the ball carrier

Real Player Motion
♦New default setting added for the Player Speed Parity Scale
DEV NOTE: To address a common piece of feedback from our community about slower players being too successful at chasing down faster players in the open field, we have stretched out the “Player Speed Parity Scale” to increase the discrepancy between players of different speeds. The scale has been expanded to almost double its default value. The goal of this tuning is make a 5-point difference in Speed feel more like a 10-point difference. If you have been playing on the default value already and would like to continue playing on that value, simply reset this value to 75 instead of 50 via the Gameplay Settings menu. However, the new value will be the default setting for online play.
♦Fixed an issue preventing the QB from finishing the handoff on some Singleback Bunch Ace End Around plays
♦Fixed issues with gang tackles that would result in rare cases of the ball carrier not being ruled down or not being given the proper spot for forward progress
♦Fixed rare issue causing receivers to get stuck running up field following specific diving catch
♦Fixed issue causing kick returner to sometimes have a small hitch after catching a kickoff
♦Fixed an issue sometimes causing ball carriers to fall down inappropriately after a broken tackle

Pre-Play
♦Fixed an issue to allow the Sub Linebacker player to be subbed into the Nickel 3-3-5 Formation
♦Added some clock time to the available time left when using “Chew Clock” or “Accelerated Clock” to give auto-motion players enough time to get set before a delay of game penalty will be triggered
♦Fixed an issue allowing users to grieve other users online by repeatedly going offsides

Pass Coverage
♦Added zone coverage logic for Linebackers in a Quarter Flat zone to properly cover route combos that include a vertical and a running back to the flat
♦Fixed an issue causing a failed catch animation to be ruled as a Touchdown incorrectly after the ball had been knocked out of the receiver’s hands in the end zone
♦Added functionality for receivers who are not user-controlled to trigger sideline catches without having to hold the Possession Catch mechanic
♦Fixed an issue causing the HB to fumble the pitch on I Form Tight HB Pass

Blocking
♦Added animation coverage for blockers disengaging from double teams to move to the second level of the defense
♦Updated run-block targeting logic to account for some defensive looks using Nickel, Dime, and Dollar alignments to effectively defend inside running plays
♦Fixed an issue causing the Fullback to sometimes run into the QB on Weak I Pro HB Dive
♦Added blocking animation coverage for pull blockers pulling to the outside of the formation
♦Added blocking logic to pick up an exploit blitz using the 46 Normal Fire Zone 3 play

Franchise Mode Updates

♦Improved CPU drafting logic so teams will draft better players for their team
♦Added functionality to allow injuries in Franchise leagues using the Competitive Game Style setting
DEV NOTE: This is a similar update to one we did last year, as we made a mistake by not bringing that update over from Madden 18 into Madden 19. While late, we wanted to make sure to give this functionality back our Franchise players this year.
♦Added hint to Instant Replay menu so you can adjust Depth of Field (DoF)
♦Fixed filter in the Regression menu so you can view CPU teams
♦Added more variety to news stories for the Draft, Pro Bowl, Coach Contracts, End of Season, and Awards
♦Fixed issues in news when referencing record-breaking players
♦Fixed formatting in Members menu popup
♦Fixed player marketing logic when using imported rosters
♦Added team logos to the Draft Recap menu
♦Addressed stability issues when using Snapshots
♦Added more variety of facemasks and helmets to generated rookies (Revospeed 808 for QBs, Speedflex cage for LBs, Speedflex 2 bar for QBs, etc.)
♦Updated the post-game Coach Upgrade screen to be more visually appealing
♦Updated colors on the Draft Stage “On the Clock” area to be more visually appealing
♦Added owner portraits for the Chargers, Bills, Saints, and Bears
♦Fixed issue where the team OVR and player count didn’t display when loading a Franchise
♦Fixed issue where proper player portrait was not used when playing as a Player character
♦Fixed issue where development traits would not import properly when using a custom roster
♦Fixed issue where community files would not populate properly on pages other than the first one
♦Fixed issue where players were not removed immediately when managing your draft board

Visual Updates

Updated player likeness for the following players:
♦Buccaneers WR Mike Evans
♦Steelers SS Terrell Edmunds
♦Bills MLB Tremaine Edmunds
♦Cowboys WR Michael Gallup
♦Bears FS Eddie Jackson
♦49ers TE George Kittle
♦Packers MLB Blake Martinez
♦Redskins DE Daron Payne
♦Falcons OLB Duke Riley
♦Cowboys QB Cooper Rush
♦Falcons HB Ito Smith
♦Saints WR Tre’Quan Smith
♦Dolphins CB Cordea Tankersley
♦49ers WR Trent Taylor
♦Giants DE Dalvin Tomlinson
♦Cowboys MLB Leighton Vander Esch
♦Chargers WR Mike Williams
♦Cowboys FS Xavier Woods

Ultimate Team Updates

♦Added server functionality that allows the Madden Development team the ability to toggle on/off the Previous Play feature for all MUT modes, without deploying a Title Update.
♦Increased leader board and online tournament integrity to give us more control of our online competitive environment
♦Modes that Previous Play will be disabled in:
♦MUT Draft Ranked, Salary Cap Play-A-Friend, Salary Cap Ranked
♦Added the ability to search the auction house for specific items from the player upgrades screen
♦General stability improvements

PC-Specific Updates

♦Added the ability to disable voice chat separately from other audio settings
♦Fixed an issue that would greatly slow the progressive install speed while the client was open
♦Added additional mouse click support to various UI elements
♦Fixed an issue that would sometimes cause stadium geometry to display behind the edges of loading screens