End of season Madden NFL 20 patch updates X-Factor players and adds new feature

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Posted January 30th, 2020 at 9:15 am

Just in time for the Super Bowl and the imminent move of the game to the EA Access’ Vault is another significant patch for Madden NFL 20. The final update of X-Factor players is joined by the introduction of a significant new feature and the fixing of an issue introduced with a change made through the last patch.

The debate is already raging over Play Cooldowns and Limits which for now will debut in Ultimate Team’s House Rules. The potential is there for it to expand as an option for other modes should it be received well. While it addresses a long-running issue of plays being exploited unrealistically over and over, it could also be perceived as a band-aid to the problem which would better be addressed by not limiting play calling but instead punishing those who overuse certain plays, routes, and concepts.

New X-Factor Players and Superstar Updates

Titans RB Derrick Henry, replacing Jets RB Le’Veon Bell
X-Factor: Freight Train
Superstar Abilities: Arm Bar, Outside Zone Guru

Steelers OLB TJ Watt, replacing Bengals WR AJ Green
X-Factor: Unstoppable Force
Superstar Abilities: Edge Threat, Strip Specialist

Browns RB Nick Chubb, replacing Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
X-Factor: Freight Train
Superstar Abilities: Arm Bar, Bulldozer

Bills CB Tre’Davious White, replacing Browns WR Odell Beckham, Jr.
X-Factor: Shutdown
Superstar Abilities: Pick Artist, Acrobat

Vikings DE Danielle Hunter
X-Factor: Unstoppable Force
Superstar Abilities: Edge Threat, Reach Elite

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
Additional Superstar Ability: Gunslinger

Lions WR Kenny Golladay
Red Zone Threat

Panthers WR DJ Moore
Streak Specialist

Broncos FS Justin Simmons
Pick Artist

Bengals RB Joe Mixon
Arm Bar

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton
In/Post Elite

49ers MLB Fred Warner
Zoned Out

Steelers FS Minkah Fitzpatrick
Pick Artist

Bears WR Allen Robinson II
Out/Corner Elite

Steelers DE Cameron Heyward
Reach Elite

Raiders RB Josh Jacobs
Bulldozer

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
Escape Artist

Packers OLB Za’Darius Smith
Edge Threat

Ravens RG Marshall Yanda
Post Up

Bengals WR AJ Green, downgraded from X-Factor to Superstar
Browns WR Odell Beckham, Jr., downgraded from X-Factor to Superstar
Steelers WR JuJu Smith Schuster, downgraded from X-Factor to Superstar
Jets RB Le’Veon Bell, downgraded from X-Factor to Superstar

Giants RG Kevin Zeitler no longer equipped with any special abilities
Browns CB Denzel Ward no longer equipped with any special abilities
Falcons MLB Deion Jones no longer equipped with any special abilities
Cowboys CB Byron Jones no longer equipped with any special abilities
Lions DT Damon Harrison no longer equipped with any special abilities
Bears FS Eddie Jackson no longer equipped with any special abilities

Gameplay Updates

♦Added logic to prevent ‘Pressure Inaccurate’ throws vs. Run Commit defense. DEV NOTE: This will NOT impact ‘Quick Throw Inaccurate’ passes, as that is in place to prevent exploits around throwing to receivers who are not realistically expecting the ball so early in their route.
♦Added ‘Out of Position’ fumble penalty to wide receivers playing running back
♦Fixed an issue causing the wrong snap receiver when using audibles in the Saints Taysom Hill Slot formation
♦Fixed an issue sometimes causing shovel pass animations to release from the wrong hand

Ultimate Team Updates

♦Added new functionality with Playcall Cooldowns & Limits. DEV NOTE: This feature will be introduced via House Rules. Madden Ultimate Team now has the ability to configure a playcall cooldown or limit. After selecting a play with cooldowns, that play will not be selectable again until X amount of plays have been run. With limits, a play will have a configured number of how many total times that play can be called for the rest of the game. Cooldowns and limits can be combined together. We’re excited to hear your feedback when this House Rule launches, likely the end of January/early February.