CoachGlass debuted with Madden NFL 25 as a way to assist users in playing defense by presenting information on what opponents were doing on offense through a tablet or smartphone. It was exclusive to the Xbox One through the SmartGlass app but this year it’s also available on the PS4 by utilizing the PlayStation app and its second screen functionality.
The value of the feature has expanded significantly with Madden NFL 15. CoachGlass includes data for both offense and defense and numerous resources to mine for potential advantages over the course of the game. Read more
With just five weeks until release EA Sports appears finally ready to begin promoting NBA Live 15 with a debut trailer focusing on the visuals and the first feature details. Improvements in visuals are just about the only thing the company discussed this summer and until now they didn’t show much to try and back it up. Even still this first substantial news on features is only accompanied by 39 seconds worth of trailer. With zero credibility and having let down the few who were actually willing to spend $60 and give Live 14 a shot, EA will have to show a lot more in the coming weeks to be at all convincing that this is a product to consider. Read more
While EA Sports has apparently fixed the problem with head-to-head games in Madden NFL 15 Connected Franchise mode not reporting results, another issue seemed to arise at the same time (but may have been happening all along) relating to desyncs occurring in online franchise games. Many users were failing to even get through the first quarter without having their games disconnect due to a “desync” error thus stalling progress in their franchises. Read more
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Madden 15 strategy guide still available for less than value of UT packs included with it.
♦Check out one of the funnier glitches you’re going to see from Madden NFL 15 this year.
♦Operation Sports discusses how EA has broken more promises with NBA Live 15.
♦Damian Lillard has been named the cover athlete for NBA Live 15.
♦Three Damian Lillard screenshots have been added to the FB album for NBA Live 15.
♦John Wall and James Harden screens have been added to the FB album for NBA 2K15.
♦2K Sports posted short video to Instagram of some dancing mascots from NBA 2K15.
♦2K Sports posted short video to Instagram of some mo-cap dance routines in NBA 2K15.
♦EA Sports released a new trailer highlighting the “Living Worlds” found in NHL 15.
♦Some aren’t happy with the “sexist selfies” seen in that NHL 15 trailer.
♦EA Sports detailed the bonuses being granted to returning HUT players in NHL 15.
♦Special Press Row Podcast features some of the developers behind Madden NFL 15.
♦The very popular ‘Breaking Madden’ series got a teaser trailer for its return this year.
♦Microsoft has revealed all of the music that will be found in Forza Horizon 2.
♦The demo for Forza Horizon 2 will be out on September 16.
♦Check out the features in the latest Xbox One update that rolled out last week.
♦Report states four cities will be receiving NHL expansion teams by the 2017 season.
♦UFC continues to struggle putting together viable cards with an awful PPV last night.
♦The biggest Blu-ray/DVD release of the week is Draft Day which had the NFL’s backing.
♦Twitch has officially been sold to Amazon with the transaction clearing later this year.
EA Sports has made another crucial server-side update to Connected Franchise mode in Madden NFL 15. Following one a few days ago that addressed some minor issues the latest alters the simulation stats in the mode which had been way out of whack. Read more
Always one of the most anticipated Press Row Podcasts of the year is here as the latest Madden goes under the microscope! The full panel discussion runs for nearly two hours and even then there was no way to get to everything Madden NFL 15 has to offer.
The variety of opinions on this year’s product, and breakdowns of what it has done well and where it still needs vast improvement, will make it a compelling listen for anyone that has interest in the series and where it needs to go in future.
Check out the podcast through iTunes for iOS, Stitcher app for Android, and subscribe while there to help support the show! You can also listen in the streaming player below.
NHL 15 looked as though it was going to contend for “Sports Game of the Year” status and it even pulled in some awards from its showing at E3. Extra development time was said by EA to be of benefit due to the ability to focus more on features. Unfortunately that turned out to be false as EA Sports Hockey League, GM Connected, and some other features won’t make it over to the Xbox One and PS4 version this year.
Over 7200 people chimed in by responding to the poll on how this will affect their purchase plans and the results suggest that NHL 15 is going to struggle to regain traction due to the decisions made during development. Read more
Having spent considerable time now with both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of Madden NFL 15 there are some slight differences of note between the two. Last November at the launch of the two systems I discovered a slight preference with the XB1 for Madden NFL 25 despite settling on playing PS4 for the long-term.
That hasn’t changed with Madden NFL 15 in either regard. The games are practically identical but the Xbox One version gets the nod in a couple areas that wouldn’t really be identified without trying to make judgments between the game on one system vs the other. Read more