Details on a third patch coming down the line for Madden NFL 21

With the chatter around Madden NFL 21 the most negative in series’ history EA Sports has provided details on an upcoming patch a full week and a half in advance of its targeted Sept. 10 release, with some intent likely about altering the discussion taking place.

A pair of patches already tackled some of the early technical issues but much still remains on the table to be handled. This next one will not deliver promised new Franchise Mode features with the publisher now teasing info on plans to come in the near future.

Gameplay

Pass Rush

♦Fix to an issue preventing defenders in contain from staying in contain when being blocked by a running back in the backfield. The rusher will keep their contain behavior when blocked by any blocker on the line or in the backfield

♦Fix to an issue causing the initial pass-rush move of contain players to take them to the inside gap instead of their assigned outside gap.

♦Addition of logic to support QB Contain vs. play-action passing plays

♦Fix to ‘On-Field Trainer’ issues related to pass rush

♦Addition of logic so that defenders without the Strip Specialist Ability will no longer cause fumbles on QBs standing in the Pocket with Normal Sack animations on Competitive game-style only. Only defenders with the Strip Specialist ability will be able to force a fumble on a QB standing in the Pocket on Competitive

Defensive Coverage

♦Fix to an issue when using motion in a Twins/Slot formation vs. Nickel/Dime/Dollar defenses, defenders inappropriately swap assignments, leaving the receiver uncovered

♦Addition of logic to Cover 4 Quarters to better handle plays like PA Crossers

♦Fix to an issue preventing defenders in press-alignment from backpedaling appropriately

♦Fix to an alignment issue when flipping Nickel 2-4-5 SS Reno Zone

Tackling

♦Fix to some tackling issues sometimes preventing tackle animations from triggering vs. Juke and Hurdle moves

♦Fix to issue causing receiver to warp up off the ground into a tackle during possession catch

♦Fix to an issue causing the QB to not react after throwing an INT while being hit by a defender

♦Fix to issue allowing ball carriers to fake-out defenders behind them when using Spin Move

Throw out of Sack

♦Addition of new logic for when a defender is hitting a QB on his throwing arm the QB will no longer be able to throw the ball. The QB will be forced to tuck the ball or the ball will be fumbled

♦Increase to the fumble chance for QBs throwing out of a sack that are hit significantly before they have started their forward arm movement.

♦The greater the Defender’s Tackle vs Quarterback’s Strength rating discrepancy is in favor of the defender, the higher the fumble chance

♦Fix to a throw out of Sack animation where the ball was not getting released by the Quarterback

Blocking

♦Fix to an issue preventing the left tackle from blocking the correct defender when running HB Zone Weak plays against Nickel 3-3-5

♦Fix to issue with graphical distortion occasionally displayed over blocker-resistance bars

General Fixes

♦Tuning to RAC-catch win-chances to reduce frequency of low-rated coverage defenders getting catch-knockouts vs. higher-rated receivers

♦Fix to an issue where Hitting RT/R2 + A/X at the snap would sometimes result in the Quarterback instantly throwing to the A/X Receiver

♦Tuning to give user control a little sooner after an interception

♦Fix to an issue causing Quarterbacks to use drastic turns on subtle movements

♦Fix to the run-speed for ball carriers on Triple Option and Speed Option, allowing sprint speed earlier

♦Tuning some celebration animation issues to clean up some minor hitching

♦Tuning to QB’s front elbow when inside the pocket to improve visual quality

Ultimate Team

♦Improvements to the speed in the menus of Madden Ultimate Team and returning from game modes

♦Improvements the speed when interacting with your players and items including upgrades

♦Address an issue where items in the lineup screen would initially show as 50/50

♦Numerous miscellaneous improvements to MUT Menu UI

♦Fix to an issue in MUT Squads where roles were not properly respected

The Yard

♦Addition of “Frienderboards” to The Yard. These are leaderboards populated by your friends list that will display the Highest Score per event

♦Addition of a pop-up to remind those playing VS CPU events that they need a full group to play

♦When a user is offensive captain, control will now default to the QB even if their CAP is in another position group

♦Fix to an issue where location icons may not appear

♦Fix to an issue where full list of house rules may not appear

♦Fix to an issue where users may erroneously see “Finding Teammates” after leaving a session

♦Fix to an issue where Coach Cam always showed a CAP as being QB #12.

♦Fix to the pass leading for the Slot receiver’s Drag Wheel Route in Crossfire

♦Fix to a minor camera issue where the view was blocked by objects

♦Fix to an issue allowing an extra play after a fumble that went out of bounds on the last play of the game

♦Fix to an ‘On-Field Trainer’ issue displaying “Flick” above the ball carrier after catching a pass

♦Online stability improvements

♦General menu and interface improvements

Superstar KO

♦Fix to an issue in Superstar KO where roles were not properly respected

Face of the Franchise

♦General stability improvements

♦Fix to an issue with users selecting “Let Fate Decide” option when getting drafted

♦Fix to an issue with the user’s difficulty setting reverting to Rookie after every game

Franchise Mode

♦Tuning X-Factor abilities for users who select the “Active Roster” option when starting a new Franchise save

♦The next franchise update blog will be released around the start of the NFL season and will outline current plans and target timing for the first of three planned franchise mode updates for Madden NFL 21