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The Line Drive for October 25
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦EA is refusing comment on whether next-gen Madden/FIFA are being delayed.
♦Details on the latest patch affecting gameplay with other fixes for Madden NFL 21.
♦The latest ratings movement through roster updates for Madden NFL 21.
♦Another developer blog going further through gameplay for next-gen NBA 2K21.
♦NBA 2K21 strangely did a ratings reveal for a future update coming on Nov. 10.
♦2K Sports had to apologize for again adding unskippable ads to an NBA 2K game.
♦New fighters and other improvements from the latest patch for EA Sports UFC 4.
♦2K Sports has added some silly MyPlayer content in update to PGA Tour 2K21.
♦Patch details from earlier this month with improvements and fixes to PGA 2K21.
♦The improvements made to NHL 21 following the beta implemented for release.
♦Details on a new patch out for PC coming soon to consoles for FIFA 21.
♦MLB The Show 20 is currently on sale for $30 but likely down to $20 for Black Friday.
♦Details on the latest Diamond Dynasty program now running in MLB The Show 20. -
NBA 2K21 next-gen gameplay improvements
Of the sports games launching alongside the new consoles next month NBA 2K21 appears to be doing far and away the most to capitalize on the hardware capabilities provided by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. 2K Sports has started going into those improvements centered first on gameplay following the release of the first trailer last week. Read more
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Deal on Madden NFL 21 will get you next-gen for cheap
Thanks to the dual-entitlement offered by EA Sports those making the move from current-to-next gen with Madden or FIFA can get the game on the new systems for free. Those who own the game on the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One can upgrade without charge, though it can be a little confusing as to how that works.
PlayStation 4 copies only upgrade to PlayStation 5. Xbox One copies only upgrade to Xbox Series X or Series S. Digital will upgrade to digital. Physical copies will need to be inserted into a disc drive to get the new version. That’s important to keep in mind as anyone with a physical copy of Madden would not benefit with a digital PS5 or Series S.
Today Madden NFL 21 is on sale for just $30 for a physical copy (Xbox One – PlayStation 4). Even if you don’t care about having the game on the current system that’ll save you $30 on buying it for the new system when released next month. You can also get it digital for $40 on Xbox One. Anyone just looking for a deal on PS4/XB1 this is also worth considering as even Black Friday won’t beat this price by much if at all.
This may be the lowest-rated Madden ever made, and there is little reason to expect much different from the next-gen title except for some enhanced visuals and decreased loading times, but the first release on a new system is always exciting. Being able to get that now for just $30 makes for a phenomenal opportunity.
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10 hour trial for NHL 21 now available through EA Play
NHL 21 can now be downloaded as a timed trial with EA Play on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The EA Access subscription service was rebranded as EA Play back in August.
Subscribers to the base service will get 10 hours of playtime after which it will expire requiring a second EA Play account to get 10 more hours or the game to be purchased come release. The timer ticks down whenever the game is loaded regardless of whether it is being actively played, menus navigated, or if there is any activity taking place at all. Because of that make sure to exit out and close the application from the respective home screens when not in use.
The 10 hours are there to play immediately but can continue to be used even beyond release. Any progress made in the various modes and online results will carry over if a full copy is purchased. The complete game is available during the trial period.
EA Access launched July 2014 on Xbox One and later was joined by Origin Access on PC. After being prevented by Sony from releasing the service on PS4 it was finally cleared to launch on the system last year. EA Play includes the “Vault” which offers unlimited play with nearly every game from the company’s catalog this generation, 10% off all digital purchases, and the ability to play games up to five days before they release with a limited timed trial. EA Play is $30 for a full year or $5 month-to-month. Later this year EA Play will be included with Xbox Game Pass.
NHL 21 will not be releasing dedicated Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 versions however the current-gen title will be playable on those systems. Those who pre-order the game will receive ‘NHL 94: Rewind’ which features updated rosters for the throwback game.
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First look at next-gen NBA 2K21
2K Sports today unveiled the first trailer for the next-gen (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X) versions of NBA 2K21. It’s just a little over a month now until those consoles release and promotion for the upcoming games will now be picking up. While expectations for the sports games are generally low in the transition – some visual improvements and elimination of load times – 2K21 has the most potential for a significant leap and have promised more from it than EA.
Specific improvements to expect with next-gen NBA 2K21 gameplay have been highlighted below, however more on MyCareer, MyGM, MyLeague, and the Neighborhood will be shared in the weeks ahead.
♦An eye-popping leap in graphical advancements: next-gen lighting, textures, physics, animations, and more that push NBA 2K21’s visual presentation to the bleeding edge
♦Rebuilt player movement and player impact, driven by new on-court animation and collision engines that make for a smoother, tougher game
♦The entire arena comes to life, with more than 150 unique AI-driven characters interacting seamlessly to create a groundbreaking Lower Bowl experience
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The Line Drive for September 27
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Latest big issue for NBA 2K21 are modded controllers guaranteeing green releases.
♦Patch that affects gameplay and adds new abilities went out for Madden NFL 21.
♦That introduced a pass-catching bug that had to be fixed in a follow-up patch.
♦Details on roster update following week two with ratings changes in Madden NFL 21.
♦Changes that have been made to FIFA 21 following beta feedback received in August.
♦Developer blog goes into what’s new for the Volta Football mode with FIFA 21.
♦Complete list of all the leagues/clubs and the stadiums found in FIFA 21.
♦EA Sports introduced a new mode called HUT Rush for Ultimate Team in NHL 21.
♦The incredibly popular Rocket League has now converted into a free-to-play game.
♦Details on latest patch updating gameplay and adding fighters to EA Sports UFC 3.
♦Football Manager 2021 will be released on Xbox Series X but not PlayStation 5.
♦Season update is out turning PES 2020 into 2021 instead of regular annual release.
♦Details on the weekly roster update with ratings changes out for MLB The Show 20.
♦Details on the latest content program for Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 20.
♦Out of the Park Baseball 21 is being offered on sale for just $10 until October 8. -
Cross-Platform Online Leagues coming to Super Mega Baseball 3
Among the best sports games of 2020 is Super Mega Baseball 3 and it’s about to get a new feature with immense potential. A free update on September 29 will introduce Online Leagues which notably can involve users from all different platforms. That means it won’t matter whether someone owns the game on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch or PC as everyone will be able to play together in a league. Read more
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NBA 2K21 patch addresses shooting and more
2K Sports has just rolled out a major patch for NBA 2K21 that addresses community feedback across various modes in the game as well as gameplay. Most notable are the dramatic changes made to shooting which have been roundly rejected by consumers and a fix to 2K Share which had not worked at all since release.
Putting in a mechanic that changes maybe the most fundamental element of a basketball game without actually telling players about it or how to use it was a huge unforced error on the developer’s part. That along with the game feeling almost unnecessary with over three months before even the new season will begin has resulted in the lowest rated 2K game in series’ history and early indications are sales numbers are lagging behind 2K20 also. Read more
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