Category: MADDEN

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MADDEN

Tua & Dak Headline Newest Madden 24 Player Ratings Update

Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins put up “video game numbers” in Week 3 and his new Madden rating reflects as much.

The Week 3 roster update for Madden saw the Miami quarterback get a 2 point boost from an 85 rating to an 87. Tagovailoa was 23-of-26 for 309 touchdowns and four touchdowns in the victory.

Tagovailoa is now up to 1,024 yards on the season with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. He looks like a MVP candidate for the 3-0 Dolphins. Tua wasn’t the only player from the Dolphins to see a significant bump, as running backs Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane also saw a rise in ratings.

Mostert rose from an 80 to an 82 after a performance that saw him rush for 82 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries while also adding seven catches for 60 yards and a touchdown in the passing game.

Achane rose three points from a 75 to a 78 after a massive game that saw him get 18 carries for 203 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while also chipping in four catches for 30 yards and two touchdowns.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert also rose two points and now sits at a 90. He was 40-of-47 for 405 yards and four touchdowns in a 28-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings that saw the Chargers earn their first win of the season.

Defensively, T.J. Watt was a riser as he moved from a 96 to a 97 following a two-sack performance for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The most notable downgrade this week came to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who went from an 87 to an 85. This came after he went 25-of-40 for 249 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 28-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

You can find the full list of this week’s updates here.

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MADDEN

Tyreek Hill & Micah Parsons Headline Madden 24 Week 2 Player Ratings Update

Madden 24 Ratings Update Week 2

Following the Week 2 installment of ratings updates for Madden NFL 24, we have a new member of the 99 Club.

Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been elevated to the 99 Club. Hill actually received the honor following Miami’s victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football. He put up five catches for 40 yards and a touchdown, a decent follow-up to his dominant outing in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers where he had 11 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Dallas Cowboys star edge rusher Micah Parsons is on the edge of the 99 Club after receiving a one-point bump to an overall rating of 98.

Parsons made a living in the backfield in week 2, recording two sacks, four quarterback hits and nine pressures in a 30-10 victory. He also stripped the ball from Jets running back Dalvin Cook and recovered the fumble.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star receiver Mike Evans was given a one-point bump to 91 after dominating the Chicago Bears with six catches for 171 yards and a touchdown.

For a full list of this week’s ratings updates, click here.

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MADDEN

Madden 24 Gets First Big Title Update Of The Year

First Madden 24 Update

Madden 24’s first major title update has been released by EA Sports. Below is a list of the major changes in the most recent patch.

GAMEPLAY:
  • Tuning to allow the defense more time to make adjustments vs. hurry up offense.
  • Fixed an issue causing edge pass rushers to shed to the inside too frequently.
  • Fixed an issue allowing users to draw defenders out of coverage on Gun Empty HB Wide RPO Stick Draw.
  • Fixed a broken route on Gun Bunch Y Flex Verticals.
  • Fixed a broken route on Gun Trips TE Pats Y In with the wheel route running to the boundary side.
  • Fixed a rare issue preventing the offense from snapping the ball after motioning a receiver on Shotgun mesh plays.
  • Fixed an issue allowing the incorrect signature celebration to trigger for Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle.
  • Fixed an issue causing a player to sometimes freeze on the ground after scoring a TD and diving into or getting tackled in the end zone.
  • Fixed an issue allowing a celebration to be selected from the celebration wheel when too close to the goalpost following a TD.
  • Fixed a rare issue causing players to see ‘Big Head Mode’ in other modes after leaving practice mode.
  • Fixed a rare issue preventing users from picking a defensive play after an offsides penalty.
  • Fixed an issue in the ‘Trench Battle – Long Hall’ mini-game that made it too difficult to tackle the QB.
  • Updated a play in the Bucs playbook referencing the Seahawks.
  • Abilities: Tuning and fixes to make the following abilities more effective:
    • Inside Shade/Outside Shade
    • Unstoppable Force
    • Double or Nothing
    • Jam Master
    • Press Elite
    • Return Man
FRANCHISE MODE:
  • Fixed issue with Franchise news where no news was being generated after Free Agency.
  • Fixed an issue where the Dynamic Momentum/Home Field Advantage setting was not working properly.
  • Fixed an issue where commissioners of a league were unable to edit the appearance of other CPU players.
  • Fixed an issue where non-commissioners could change the age of a player.
  • Fixed an issue where non-commissioners could edit the height and weight of a player.
  • Fixed an issue with several injuries that were causing inconsistent recovery times.
  • Fixed an issue where contract acceptance factors were sometimes not returning the expected values when a player’s first offered contract is during the Offseason Re-Sign week.
  • Fixed an issue where editing a player in the front end would cause issues with their Years Experience’ field.
  • Fixed an issue that would cause season icons to appear in the draft widget during the draft.
  • Fixed an issue where the weather could change when resuming a franchise game.
  • Fixed an issue where teams would be wearing default uniforms when resuming a franchise game rather than the ones selected to start the game.
  • Fixed an issue where players would sometimes appear in free agent uniforms and display ‘No Team Data’ in their player card.
  • Fixed a crash when entering the Scouts menu as a Free Agent coach.
  • Fixed an issue where newly hired coaches could appear in the Coach of the Year award.
  • Added a Controls option to the mini-games pause menu in Franchise Mode.
  • Fixed an issue where players on their fifth-year option would sometimes appear twice in the re-sign list.
  • Fixed an issue where the Edit Player option was not available when joining a league as a player.
  • Fixed an issue where the Season Experience setting was not affecting the Reorder Depth Chart option.
  • Fixed an issue where users were able to restructure contracts as a player.
  • Fixed an issue on the Team Select screen where the ‘Taken By’ text was difficult to read.
  • Fixed an issue where an incorrect message was displayed when reaching the maximum draft pick limit.
  • Fixed several UI and Font issues.
  • Various Stability Fixes.
MADDEN ULTIMATE TEAM:
  • Fixed an issue where after completing a challenge, selecting the next challenge no longer leads to an aerial view of the empty stadium.
  • Fixed an issue where entering settings from the new user experience no longer soft locks the game.
  • Xbox One and PS4 will no longer have text overlapping on coin rewards in Field Pass.
  • Fixed an issue that caused economic information to not show in the catalog.
  • Fixed an issue that caused stats not to track in Solo Battles if wearing an MCS uniform.
  • When completing the Ultimate Preseason the progress bar will now fill completely.
  • Various visual bugs.
SUPERSTAR MODE:
  • Fixed the issue where Online H2H users were shown different Color Curated Uniforms in online games.
  • Fixed Showdown squad desync when Party Leader previews the Top Rewards at Squads Ranked or Group Filling.
  • Fixed an issue in Superstar Showdown online allowing the celebration wheel to appear for the incorrect user.
  • Fixed an issue in Superstar Showdown preventing the celebration wheel to appear as much as it should for QB’s on First Downs.
  • Fixed an issue in Superstar Showdown preventing the chosen TD celebration from triggering on a game-winning TD.
  • Fixed issue where users that are not the Party Leader in Showdown could view and scroll events when returning to lobby post game.
  • Improved the visual look of the Blitz Timer in Superstar Showdown.
  • Fixed issue with Franchise news where no news was being generated after Free Agency.
  • Fixed a rare save file issue – including position in league changing to QB during the season.
  • Removed autoplay functionality for Social Media Reactions.
  • Fixed multiple top priority visual bugs.
  • Several Stability Bugs.
NFL AUTHENTICITY:
  • Added Lions and Browns new alternate helmets.
  • Branding Updated on Jaguars stadium.
  • Branding Updated on Jets center field logo.
  • Branding Updated on Giants center field logo.
  • New Gear added:
    • Jordan Fly Lock Gloves
    • Jordan Retro Low Cleats
    • Jordan 7 Low Cleats
  • Fixed an issue causing the shoulder numbers to be mismatched from the uniform number on the Vikings Alt. Classic uniform.
  • Fixed an issue causing the Jets Alt. Classic to populate as a dark uniform option rather than light.
  • Fixed an issue with the Eagles stadium walls not having collision enabled on all geometry.
  • New/Updated Heads:
    • Jets QB Aaron Rodgers
    • Eagles DT Jalen Carter
    • Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez
    • Texans SS Jalen Pitre
    • Bengals LE Myles Murphy
    • Packers LOLB Lukas Van Ness
    • Seahawks ROLB Boye Mafe
PRESENTATION:
  • Fixed static on-field players after exiting Super Sim.
  • Fixed gameplay camera sometimes being zoomed out after exiting Instant Replay.
  • Fixed shots of backwards referees appearing in specific stadiums.
  • Fixed missing NFL player portraits in player wipe.
  • Fixed QB running onto field after a safety, updated to kicking team.
  • Various fixes for jumbotron in Showdown.
  • Fixed pop in gameplay camera after QB throws ball in Target Passing mini game.
  • Updated NFL stadium exterior shots.
AUDIO:
  • Increased the volume of the collision sounds (blocking, tackles, etc.)
  • Increased the volume of the team specific SFX & crowd chants.
  • Variety of Commentary bug fixes and tuning.
  • Additional crowd logic and tuning.
  • Fixed issues with volume fluctuations with music and ambience in Superstar mode hubs.
  • Added 1,900 lines of new commentary from Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis.
UI:
  • Player Portraits – Various player portrait fixes
  • General – Various polish updates to UI.

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MADDEN

How to Fix the Madden 24 Draft Class Glitch

The bugs and glitches in Madden 24 are starting to pile up, but the draft class glitch might be the worst.

Another year, another installment of Madden. Reports are that players are running into some strange errors, including the Madden 24 Draft Class glitch, which causes bizarre issues with your team’s appearance. Here’s how to fix the issue and get back in the game.

The Draft Class glitch appears when playing in Franchise Mode. It causes all your players to share the same physique and it sounds as if players are running into the bug on all platforms.

According to a post about the Draft Class glitch on the EA support page, “the physique slider does not affect characters.” The result is that “entire draft classes have the same body type and can not change.”

The report goes on to say that as you progress through Franchise Mode, the bug impacts the entire team.

“All the players look exactly alike. A 314lb lineman looks like a 240lb linebacker or 200lb running back. There is no difference besides the height of each player.”

Unfortunately, EA is yet to respond with a fix to the Draft Class glitch. There’s a strong possibility a patch will be required to get the feature working as intended.

How to fix the ‘Madden 24’ Draft Class glitch

There does seem to be a workaround, however, as some users are able to change player physique by moving the weight slider one slot to the left or right. Another user notes the issue could be tied to importing and downloading a draft class and avoiding those processes could save you from the Draft Class glitch.

EA has some work to do!

 

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MADDEN

Madden NFL 24 Devs Reveal Upcoming Changes Based on Closed Beta Feedback

Madden 24 Beta Updates

Madden NFL 24 developers have taken in the closed beta community feedback and released some of the upcoming improvements in the latest Gridiron Notes.

Note that certain features, including Superstar modes and specific Franchise mode elements discussed, will not be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Here are the notes:

Input latency – sometimes actions are missed or delayed

  • DEV NOTE: This issue was particularly noticeable by players who tend to make rapid pre-snap adjustments. Fixing this has been our top priority, even going as far as reopening the closed beta environment to get additional testing on the fix. Based on player feedback and internal testing, Input latency has been significantly improved. For PC players, this issue was often confused with general lag or hitching. That was a separate issue which we’ve also addressed.

GAMEPLAY

  • Pass Blocking Improvements  – Improved the Offensive Line’s ability to pick up Edge heat vs. pre-snap adjustments such as ‘Pinch’ DLine and user-defender stacking.
  • Man Coverage Win Chance Tuning – Increased Receiver cut-move win-chances to appropriately balance passing game vs. man.
  • Man Press Win Chance Tuning – Increased beat-press chance and Super Win animation chances to better reflect Receiver’s ability to beat the press.
  • Pass Rush Disengage Tuning – Addressed issues where Pass Rushers would disengage off of a block then re-engage instead of being allowed to pursue the QB escaping the pocket.
  • Match Coverage Fixes – Addressed issues where Deep Zone Defenders were letting a deep route go free to pick up shallow out breaking routes.
  • Catch Tackle Knockout Tuning – Decreased trailing defender knockout chances when trailing behind receivers. More receivers will hold on since the ball is not being directly affected when pulling in the catch.
  • HB Screen Coverage Fix  – Changed the Man Coverage behavior on HB Screen plays so defenders are no longer psychic, they will not charge into the offensive backfield to cover the screen back and the Defensive Tackle does not sniff out the play so frequently.
  • Fixed QB Stuck in Idle animation  – Addressed an issue where the QB would get stuck when snapping the ball during certain animations.
  • Fixed Camera Changing (PC Only) – Addressed an issue where bringing up Coach Cam during pre-play would change the camera if a user first controlled the game with Keyboard and Mouse.
  • AI Team Field Goal Attempt Logic – The AI team was attempting too many long field goals so we reduced the frequency so it would only happen in more appropriate last resort situations.
  • AI Clock Management & Field Goal decisions – Offensive Teams will be more decisive with their timeout usage in both halves.

It’s a good start!

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MADDEN

Madden 99 Club Update

Madden 99 Club

In last year’s edition of Madden, just four players received the 99 overall rating from EA Sports: 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams, Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, Browns EDGE Myles Garrett and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Will more players rate a 99 this season?

The first player to be announced as a 99 overall player was Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson in 2022 led the NFL with 128 receptions and 1,809 receiving yards while adding eight receiving touchdowns.

It was Jefferson’s first selection to the 99 Club, probably not the last.

Who’s Else in the 99 Club So Far?
Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

Donald was unveiled as the second member of the 99 Club on “Madden 24” on Tuesday, marking his seventh straight year in the 99 Club and giving him the most all time, surpassing Peyton Manning. It’s unsurprising, considering Donald earned Pro Bowl status in 2022 even amid a “down year” for one of the all-time great defenders in NFL history.

Donald in 2022 missed six games, marking a career high for him in his nine-year NFL career. While he was still a force on the interior, he also experienced career-lows in sacks (five) and quarterback hits (11). That clearly wasn’t enough to sway EA from giving him one of the top ratings this year.

Zack Martin, G, Cowboys

Six-time first-team All-Pro selection Zack Martin became the third member of the 99 Club on Wednesday, as announced on ESPN’s “Get Up!”

Martin is now the first offensive guard to join the club since another former Cowboy in Larry Allen (2003).

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs

Kelce became the fourth member of the 99 Club on Thursday, as revealed by ESPN’s “Get Up!” It is is his fourth time receiving a 99 rating, most all time among tight ends in the Madden franchise.

Kelce in 2022 earned his fourth first-team All-Pro nod, setting career highs in receptions (110) and touchdowns (12). He also had 1,338 receiving yards, the second-most of his career.

Patrick Mahomes is sure to join the club when Quarterback rankings are revealed July 21st, but will anyone else?

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MADDEN

Madden 24 Closed Beta Returns Until July 17th – How To Sign Up

Madden 24 Beta

The Madden 24 Closed Beta has returned and will remain active until July 17th. The release comes with a patch that addresses an issue concerning lag input when playing online. Unfortunately, the only modes available for this beta test are Play Now, Play A Friend, and Mini-Games. Franchise is no longer an option.

Madden 24 is newest installment of EA Sports’ NFL simulation franchise. The game’s cover features Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, the first Bills player to grace the cover.

The game utilizes SAPIEN Technology to create accurate endoskeletons of NFL players to allow for more tackling animations and realistic player models. FieldSENSE also returns to try and bring a more realistic experience to the game.

To enrich the experience, Mini-Games are returning, as well as improvements to Franchise mode.

How To Sign Up For The Madden 24 Beta

If you previously had access to the beta, then there’s nothing you need to do. Just simply start the app and you can play. Additionally, players can leave their feedback on the official Madden 24 Closed Beta Forums.

For those of you who didn’t take part in the beta’s first run, here’s how to sign up:

  1. Go to EA’s website
  2. Login/Create An Account
  3. Visit Account Settings
  4. Go To E-mail preferences
  5. Under “Manage Your E-mail Preferences” Tick the box that says “Yes, e-mail me about EA’s products, news, events, promotions, consistent with with the EA Privacy and Cookie Policy”

This doesn’t confirm you’ll receive the Madden 24 beta code, but you’ll have a chance. Just keep checking your mailbox and spam folders daily to see if they send you a code.

Once the code is received redeem it on the platform and start playing!

 

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MADDEN

When is the Madden 24 ratings reveal?

Madden 24 Player Rating Release

With Madden 24 now officially revealed, EA has been revealing more and more details about the upcoming release. From the recent gameplay deep dive to the franchise overview, there’s a lot to be excited about. One of the most anticipated releases every year is that of the player ratings.

In recent years, EA has made a week-long event of Madden’s player ratings reveal. For Madden 23 and Madden 22, the publisher teamed up with ESPN for Madden Ratings Week. The sports network offered programming dedicated to the discussion of Madden’s ratings. It’s a big deal, and not just for fans but for the players too.

With Madden 24 set to release in a little over a month on August 18, it’s only a matter of time before EA begins its player ratings reveal for this year. So when can we expect player ratings to start releasing?

When is the Madden 24 ratings reveal?

EA hasn’t announced when they will begin revealing player ratings for Madden 24 but it will take place in July. ESPN’s Madden 23 Ratings Week kicked off last year Monday, July 18, 2022, while Madden 22 Ratings Week started on July 23, 2021.

Assuming EA follows a similar schedule for Madden 24, then the third week of July for 2023 runs from July 17 through July 21. It’s likely that the ratings for Madden 24 will be revealed around then. At worst we should see the ratings reveal coming between July 24 and July 28.

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MADDEN

Madden 24 Release Date & Early Access Info

Madden 24 Release Date

Whether it’s building your dream team or tackling opponents in the game’s competitive multiplayer, Madden 24 aims to deliver adrenaline-fueled entertainment.

For those that can’t wait until the game launches on August 18, there are a couple of ways that enable you to play early.

So, without further ado, here’s how you can join Madden 24 early access and play the game ahead of its worldwide release.

How to get early access to Madden 24

There are two ways to get Madden 24 early access. The first option is by pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition of the game, which will enable you to play the game three days before the worldwide release date. Simply purchase the Deluxe edition and you’ll be able to play on August 15, 2023. Madden 24 Deluxe Edition also comes with a number of exclusive in-game items that are not present in the standard edition.

If you don’t wish to purchase the Madden 24 Deluxe Edition to gain early access, then you can gain entry through EA Play or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions. However, it’s important to note, that you’ll only have access to a 10-hour trial. So, if you’re itching to play Madden 24 early, you’ll need to pay for the Deluxe Edition.

Stay tuned for more Madden 24 news!

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MADDEN

Madden 24 Beta Early Impressions

Madden 24 Beta

On June 8 EA Sports revealed the first trailer for Madden 24 along with this year’s cover athlete, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. We were fortunate enough to get our hands on a beta code and have been checking this years installment out.

There’s still a lot EA has promised to add to the beta, but here are our early impressions on franchise mode and the return of mini-games.

Franchise Mode

One of the most critical game modes for any sports video game is its franchise mode. If you’ve been following Madden for the last few years, you know that Franchise Mode has arguably been one of the titles biggest disappointments for the series.

One of the most frustrating things, but not a deal breaker, is the lack of customization options for coaches and players. For decades, there have been the same generic faces for coaches and created players. Madden 24 doesn’t seem much different. With how powerful systems are nowadays, there’s no reason why Madden can’t implement face scans for one of its most popular game modes. A minor change like this would make being a coach or GM even more rewarding.

The layout of Connected Franchise is similar to last season. It essentially looks copy and paste.

More options are now available if you’re into trading and improving your team. There are now six trade slots instead of three, and teams can trade draft picks up to three years down the road. It also appears that the trade logic has improved, computer teams seem much more eager to send trade offers. For example, I started my franchise as the Miami Dolphins and had trade offers from three teams for veteran defensive end Malik Reed. Each trade is similar but adds some depth to the experience.

Weekly strategies are back and that also looks to be essentially copy and paste.

EA has added a ton of new locations and team names for gamers to choose from. Each place has a unique market size and personality that could sway owners on where to relocate to. A ranking system also shows your fan interest in that area. In addition to the laundry list of new locations, EA has added several new team names to this year’s game.

Other changes to franchise mode include contract restructures and a feature that fans have been asking for over the last few years, the ability for all players, not just quarterbacks, to have up to four X-Factor abilities. The NFL Draft still feels underwhelming, but EA promises that draft classes will be more dynamic, with many superstar players drafted out of college. Some may even debut with key stats maxed out. Besides more superstar-quality talent, EA has promised that some players may need to switch positions to maximize their potential. For example, taking a quarterback and moving them to wide receiver could unlock an entirely different set of skills.

Mini Games Are Back!

Mini-games like rushing and passing attacks were part of the reason a lot of us loved the series in the first place.

The good news for those of us who feel that way is that EA not only brought back a bunch of the classics, but have added a bunch of new options that are sure to make some people very happy. This year, there are 14 mini-games ranging from the classic rushing attack to WR/DB battles and everything in between.

More to come!

 

 

 

 

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