SALEM, OR — EA Sports has dropped a significant title update for Madden NFL 25 on October 16, 2024, packed with gameplay improvements, bug fixes, and new content. This update focuses heavily on refining defensive coverage, including updates to “Box Call” logic in Cover 4 formations, and adjustments to passing accuracy based on player traits. Franchise Mode also sees improvements to scouting reports and league leaders, while new Superstar X-Factor abilities are added for specific consoles.

Additionally, the update addresses visual enhancements, including stadium rebranding, new player likenesses, and updated uniforms. Audio bugs related to commentary were also fixed, enhancing the overall in-game experience. This comprehensive patch ensures smoother gameplay across several modes, catering to both casual and competitive players.


The full list of updates includes changes to gameplay, Franchise Mode, and presentation, alongside improvements to animations and camera angles. Below are the complete patch notes, which will provide further insight into the extensive changes.

Gameplay

Coverage

  • Improved ‘Box Call’ logic to Cover 4 Quarters and Cover 4 Palms to better defend passes out of bunch formations
    • DEV NOTE: The ‘Box Check’ is a zone-check made by the defense in Cover 4 Match plays vs. Bunch and Tight formations. It intends to have four defenders ‘box’ in three receivers. It is a zone match concept, so coverage defenders will initially read the play while they drop into their zones, and then match-up in man coverage on the receivers who enter their zone.
  • Fixed an issue causing Deep Zone defenders to react inappropriately to pump fakes, leaving receivers open deep
  • Fixed an issue causing the deep-third hot route to default to the right third by default, regardless of the player’s position on the field; when using a deep-third hot-route on the left, the hot route will now appropriately populate on the left
  • Fixed an issue causing some press animations to press the receiver too far up the field
  • Tuning to improve outside Deep Zone defender-positioning, cushioning and leverage vs. corner routes
  • Fixed an issue preventing the ‘Switch Stick Delay’ setting from saving correctly after changed in the Gameplay Settings menu

Passing & Catching

  • Tuning to reduce the passing accuracy on High Throw mechanic on Competitive Game Style
  • Fixed an issue causing the Revamped-Pass Meter to show red on a deadeye perfect throw
  • Tuning to decrease the pass accuracy of mid-tier Quarterbacks based on their ratings
  • Fixed an issue causing linebackers to appear to float in the air too long on jumping interceptions
  • Fixed an issue causing ball carriers to hold the ball in the wrong hand after making a lunging catch

Pre-Snap Alignment

  • Fixed an issue leaving the TE uncovered when using a Cover 3 shell on a Cover 1 coverage vs. Empty formations.
  • Fixed an issue leaving the TE uncovered when using a Cover 2 shell on a Cover 1 coverage
  • Fixed an issue leaving an inside receiver uncovered when using a Cover 0 shell on Cover 2 Man coverages vs. Empty formations
  • Fixed an resulting in a single-high safety alignment when using two-high shells on Double Bracket coverages
  • Fixed an issue allowing the DL adjustment ‘Slant Inside’ to put multiple rushers through the same gaps
  • Global tuning to DL shifts on Double A-Gap alignments to reduce unrealistic alignments leading to exploit blitzes
  • Tuning to pre-snap DL pinch assignment-locations in Nickel Wide
  • Fixed an issue causing the motion receiver to run into another player on Gun Bunch Wide Nasty Cheat Spot and Cheat Inside Zone

Settings & UI

  • Fixed an issue causing no clock run-off in Online Head-to-Head Ranked games with the Accelerated Clock option toggled ON
  • Fixed an issue where the controller would still vibrate after the vibration setting was toggled to OFF
  • Fixed an issue preventing the indicators from updating after subbing players into the game
  • Fixed a rare issue causing the Celebration Wheel to get stuck on the screen
  • Fixed an issue causing the pass block targeting lines to sometimes not appear when entering the pass block adjustment menu

Playbooks

  • Tuning to AI play-call tendencies to make AI-controlled teams more balanced between run and pass, based on real-life tendencies
  • Fixed an issue preventing Custom Audibles from working correctly when resuming a saved game
  • Fixed an issue that allowed the same play to be set for multiple custom audibles
  • Updated various typos/inconsistencies in play names
  • Fixed an issue showing a defender with the wrong gap assignment on 4-3 Under Sam Crash 3

General Gameplay

  • Fixed a rare issue causing a blocker to sometimes warp backwards on Play-Action pass
  • Fixed a rare issue causing players to awkwardly slide across the field when trying to get up after two consecutive physics-based hit stick tackles
  • Added logic to prevent defenders from instantly disengaging to the outside when given a ‘Slant Inside’ DL adjustment, meant to force them to play the gap they have been assigned

Franchise Mode

  • Addressed an issue where non-commissioners could edit the height and weight of players.
  • Resolved an issue where the in-game ticker displayed incorrect game stats
  • Resolved an issue where league leaders in stats were not generated correctly on their respective lists.
  • Fixed an issue where trading for a player and then editing them could update the player’s portrait and model to a generated one
  • Resolved an issue where names of players created on a Teambuilder team were announced incorrectly during in-game presentations
  • Resolved a PC-related issue where leagues were not generating mock drafts during the season
  • Fixed a PC issue where the scouting report grade screen briefly appeared after making a pick during the draft
  • Resolved an issue where the “change focus player” filter went out of view on the Weekly Strategy Training screen
  • Resolved an issue where Primetime game logos did not appear on the Franchise hub after the first season.
  • Resolved an issue where users were taken back to the onboarding “Select Roster” screen after backing out from the “Customize Coach” screen before creating a new league
  • Addressed issues where the draft timer continued to operate even when set to “Off” in league settings, after pausing and resuming a draft
  • Resolved an issue where Team Builder uniforms failed to load after a disconnection and resuming the previous game
  • Removed instances where wrong messages could fire in the Messages panel surrounding: Players winning Player of the Week, John Coachman, Player Sacks, and Player Rushing Attempts
  • General stability improvements

Superstar Mode (PS5, Xbox Series X|S & PC only)

  • Fixed an issue where Free Agent contracts were not renewed correctly
  • Fixed Draft projection logic
  • Fixed issues with Animations in the Featured Deals store
  • General stability improvements

Online H2H Ranked

  • Custom playbooks have been re-enabled in Online H2H
  • The ability to choose amongst different commentary teams is now supported

Presentation

  • Fixed location of broadcast camera for Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium
  • Fixed camera angle for Player of the Game in Superstar Showdown
  • Fixed various issues with camera obstructions

Art

  • Browns Stadium rebranded to Huntington Bank Field
  • Added additional NFL Player Likeness Heads
    • Daron Bland – Cowboys – CB
    • Danielle Hunter – Texans – DE
    • Kyren WIlliams – Rams – HB
    • Rashid Shaheed – Saints – WR
    • Bryan Anger – Cowboys – P
    • Jessie Bates – Falcons – FS
    • AJ Cole – Raiders – P
    • Miles Killebrew – Steelers – SS
  • Added new gloves
    • Nike Vapor Jet 8.0
    • Nike Superbad 7
    • Jordan Fly Lock 2.0
  • Added new cleats
    • Adidas Impact 2
    • Adidas Electric 1
    • Jordan Mid 11
    • Jordan Retro Cement
  • Misc. Visual bug fixes
  • Adjusted some captains patches on a few teams that didn’t have them
  • Fixed an issue causing all three Flak Jacket options to appear the same in the Player Editor

Audio

  • Fixed various commentary bugs where speech can sometimes fire incorrectly for:
    • Timeouts, Incomplete passes, TD Analysis, player names on imported Team Builder Rosters, Post fumble in Overtime, Field Goal
  • Updated commentary to reflect the following changes: Browns Stadium was rebranded to Huntington Bank Field, and also there was a rebranding of Commanders Stadium to Northwest Stadium
  • All songs are now on by default in the EA Music playlist for new players. This includes stadium music, the new Madden theme, and the new Super Bowl theme song.

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