EA Sports dropped its first Gameplay Trailer for Madden NFL 24 on YouTube today, highlighting some of the improvements coming to the next iteration in the series like new animations in different gameplay situations, more realistic player skeletons, new formations and plays, referees can now be found on the field, and more! Continue reading for a brief summary of key highlights from the trailer and Gridiron Notes or for the full Gridiron Notes from EA on Gameplay, Click Here.
*Today's Gridiron Notes apply to next-gen versions of the game only.
FieldSense Improvements
Hit Everything 2.0
The Hit Everything system from M23 is back in 24 but with more tackling control and variety. The mid-air catch tackle system from 23 is being expanded to include swats, catch tackles, and hit sticks in contested catch situations, instead of only being applied in jump-catch situations like before.
An all-new Defender Advantage formula better utilizes players' ratings, size, speed, and momentum in tackling interactions, and includes wrap tackling, scoop tackling, and the addition/adjustment of more than 1,700 tackle animations!
Skill-Based Passing 2.0 and Catching
Like Hit Everything, Skill-Based Passing is back in 24 with some improvements. All-new jump and dive pass animations have been added for improvising quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes to better showcase their creative playmaking ability. The pass animation system has been updated to include better visuals and targeting, as well as more no-look passing animations. Pass accuracy percentages have been tweaked to better reflect real NFL accuracy rates as well.
New catching animations have been added in an effort to reduce the frequency of missed catches and place a greater emphasis on a player's momentum for running after the catch or turning upfield with a HB in the flats. Diving catches have been added too!
Sapien Technology
A new system for building player skeletons in M24 called SAPIEN Technology seeks to not only make players look and feel more realistic but also create more dynamic and fluid animations on the field as well, resulting in a smoother gameplay experience. Check out a side-by-side comparison of Quenton Nelson below:
Another benefit of having the new SAPIEN Technology skeleton system is it has been applied to non-players as well, including fans, coaches, and refs. That's right. The NFL officiating crew can now be found in Madden 24, just like you see on the field each Sunday. Check out examples of the new refs below:
Foundational Football
Blocking Improvements
Blocking has received some tuning in 24 that focuses more on threats closer to a player with a blocking assignment in relation to the ball carrier. By making decisions earlier and engaging threats in closer proximity, setting up blocks and anticipating when and where your blockers will be has become even easier. If you've played the beta, you may have noticed that your blockers are smarter than they were in 23 in similar situations. Chip blocks, moving in and out of double teams easier, pin and pull, toss crack, and pushing the pile are a few new added wrinkles to the blocking game in 24 as well.
Ball-Carrier Pathfinding
Frostbite Navigation Grid Capabilities have been added to Madden NFL 24 for the first time, allowing ball carriers to make better decisions when navigating through tight gaps in the line or in the open field.
Quarterback AI
Adjustments have been made to the QB AI in Madden NFL 24 to better reflect QB tendencies in real life. Meaning, conservative quarterbacks will check down more often, ideal decision-makers know when to throw into tight windows, and aggressive QBs come with more high-risk, high-reward tendencies.
DB Improvements
New read steps and cross-over footwork in 24 allow DBs to react better to quick throws. A greater emphasis has been placed on making your DB see the ball first before reacting, as opposed to previous years where the DB would react instantly even when his head was completely turned away from the QB.
Onside Kicks & Fumble Recoveries
If you've played Madden at all in previous years, you've probably noticed issues with fumble recoveries. In Madden 24, new animations have been added to make these situations more realistic, including crowded pile-ups and scoop-and-scores. All-new ball physics have been added to make onside kicks more realistic and exciting too.
Playbook Variety
Over 70 new offensive formations and 500 new plays have been added to Madden NFL 24. New team-specific formations can be found that take into account real-life personnel alignments and help create a more authentic gameplay experience.
Post-Play Emotion
Improvements have been made to the post-play engine in 24 by adding thousands of new celebrations and frustrations. One example EA provided in their Gridiron Notes was a crucial 3rd-down reception where the receiver will let you know he just made a big play, while your DB reacts in frustration or disbelief after the play.
What did you find to be most interesting from today's gameplay trailer for M24?
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