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EA Sports Outlines Second Madden Update
The NFL playoff race is just heating up, and to celebrate the stretch run EA Sports is prepping the release of the second title update to Madden NFL 10. As detailed on the Inside EA Sports blog, the update will feature many changes clammored for by the rapid Madden fan base. See our list of notable enhancements with quotes from the developers after the break.
- Tuned Flat Zone Defenses
"Defenders will not chuck a WR if another receiver is running a route towards their zone. This will help the defender be in better position to react to a quickly throw flat route and allow him to make a play. The flat zone defenders will also play the ball better if a pass is thrown behind the line of scrimmage as well as taking better pursuit angles after the catch to prevent the ball carrier from being able to get around the corner. This has been one of the top complaints that we have heard about and realized it was definitely something that we needed to address."
- Tweaked Quarterback - Defender Interactions
"We scaled back the height of which the ball is released when throwing out of a sack. By randomizing the trajectory of the ball to be lower, it helps cut down the number of interceptions thrown when trying to throw out of a sack. We have also added better arm tracking to determine if it should be an inaccurate or uncontrolled throw. For example, the further you are in your passing animation when you get hit, the more likely you will get an inaccurate pass versus an uncontrolled pass. Inaccurate passes are just like they sound, and will more than likely be passes that go lower and right into the ground towards the receiver you are passing towards. However, uncontrolled passes are more likely to go higher in the air and have a better chance of being intercepted. The final part of our Throw out of Sack tuning focuses on the CPU QB. We have heard several people mention how difficult it is to sack the CPU QB, so we increased the chance of the CPU QB to hold the ball longer and actually take a sack instead of being able to get a throw out of sack pass off before he is brought to the ground."
- Exploit Fixes
"The first one we made is adding an initial move to the RB on the HB direct snap plays so he can’t immediately take off after receiving the snap. We also forced a QB drop initial move to force him to set up for a pass on Shotgun play action plays when you canceled the play action by hot routing the running back. This will keep the QB from being able to take off running right after getting the snap. Another change is not allowing the user to be able to move any front line players forward on kickoffs to keep them from being able to actually block the kickoff. We also resolved the exploit of being able to motion a receiver after flipping the play which caused the defender to go the other way. This allowed the receiver to be wide open against man coverage. You will now have to wait until the receiver is set before you can motion him. And finally, we fixed the bug where the QB could drift through the center when you repeatedly hot routed with certain quarterbacks."
- Uniform Changes
"The uniform updates include updating the Seattle Seahawks' home uniform to default their home pants to be blue instead of white, as well as adding in their new eye popping Neon Green uniforms that they wore in Week 3 against the Bears. We've also added tribute stickers to the Titans' helmets for Steve McNair and the Eagles' helmets for former defensive coordinator Jim Johnson."
- Longer Instant Replays
"We've doubled the amount of time a replay could be recorded so longer plays, such as kick/punt returns or long interception/fumble returns, would not have the beginning part of the play cut off. We have also increased the frequency of auto instant replays (especially after touchdowns), based on your feedback that told us they weren't appearing enough."
- Franchise Mode Stat Tuning
"Franchise guru Josh Looman has been working hard at tuning stats for Franchise mode. He has increased the number of touchdowns HBs score in a season, decreased QB passing yards and touchdown passes per season, and increased sacks for 3-4 OLBs while decreasing sacks for MLBs and DTs. He has also decreased the injury chances for players with high injury ratings...None of these Franchise updates will force you to have to restart an existing Franchise. We know that was a major concern, so we tried our best to make these updates that would allow you to continue any existing Franchises."
EA still hasn't revealed the release date for the update, but as soon as we hear anything we'll pass it along. What do you think, does this address your biggest gripes with Madden NFL 10?
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