The first patch for Madden NFL 19 has arrived in the final preparation ahead of the game’s official launch, with those playing through EA and Origin Access getting to benefit already. The patch reflects a number of improvements and fixes but most notably it makes multiple changes based on the feedback that came out of Madden’s first ever beta that was held in June.

The changes primarily benefit gameplay and Franchise Mode, while the visuals have also been improved with updated likenesses for some players. The track that had been edited to remove a reference to Colin Kaepernick has been addressed as well.

Key Highlights

Authenticity

Updated various stadium exteriors, player likenesses/bodies, rosters and coaches

Real Player Motion

Improved Pre-Play QB Signatures, Players’ Acceleration rates and AI-controlled ball carriers’ usage of the One-Cut mechanic

Franchise

Tuned rookie generation to better match the base rosters & skill point progression for better league balance

Commentary

Added additional commentary for Franchise, MUT Solo Challenges, and more player specific content for the Legends and Rookies

Soundtrack

YG “Big Bank” track updated

Franchise Mode

♦Tuned generated rookies to now have traits that are similar to base rosters

♦Tuned the frequency of high OVR rookies generated in the draft

♦Increased regression for some positions to maintain more realistic league turnover rate

♦Increased XP cost for younger players, reduced XP cost for higher OVR players

♦Tuned XP earned from training, awards, and goals to increase XP gain for rising stars

♦Reduced frequency of injuries

♦Reduced simulated game score results during the preseason for better realism

♦Tuned post game Snapshot logic to reduce shots of idle players and empty space

Visual Updates

♦Resolved a bug where the camera POV would exit the stadium

♦Updated various stadium exteriors, player likenesses/bodies, rosters and coaches

♦Updated face likeness: Jimmy Garoppolo, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Lamar Jackson, Sam Darnold, Saquon Barkley, Tyreek Hill, Jake Elliott, Alex Anzalone, Hayden Hurst



Madden NFL 19 has updated the likenesses of at least 10 players, and that group includes 4 of the first round QBs taken in the 2018 Draft. pic.twitter.com/qV1U3qW59l — Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre) August 4, 2018

Gameplay Updates

♦Tuned Acceleration rate so players can hit their top speed faster

♦Fixed an issue to make QB Pre-Play audio when using hot routes to bluff on running plays

♦Fixed Pass Interference penalties not being called when a defender would use the cut stick mechanic vs. a receiver while running his route – applies to all Game Styles/difficulty levels

♦Added ability to view Team TD Celebrations when playing online

♦Added coverage logic to better defend passes to the flats

♦Fixed an issue causing AI-controlled ball carriers to repeatedly use the one-cut mechanic during the same play

♦Fixed an issue to make the Audibles on the Fly interface update dynamically

♦Fixed an issue that was preventing users from loading into game with their selected playbook when not using an active profile

♦Fixed cases of players giving up on the play after a failed attempt at a fumble recovery

♦Fixed fumbled tosses on the following plays: I Form Pro FB Fake HB Flip, Gun Trips TE Speed Option, I Form Pro HB Toss

♦Tuned to decrease the frequency of defensive wins vs. double team blocks on zone plays

♦Fixed a missed handoff on Wildcat Trips Over Jet Sweep

♦Fixed issues with pass blocking adjustment interface casuing players to get stuck in menu

♦Fix for blockers on kick return sometimes forming an illegal wedge, per new NFL kickoff rules

♦Fixed an issue causing players to repeatedly knock the ball out during fumble recoveries

♦Fixed an issue around the camera pointing in wrong direction during Extra Points/Field Goals

♦Fixed an issue that caused receivers to go into a pass block assignment when running curl routes or after being sent in motion

♦Fix for defensive linemen constantly shifting back and forth when using defensive line adjustments in pre-play

♦Fix for receivers and/or defenders warping out of catch interactions

♦Fix for receivers running backwards after catching WR Screen passes

♦After watching you play the game and listening to your Beta feedback, we increased the speed of the QB pre-play animations and added some more clock-driven context around them while maintaining the integrity of our new approach.

♦Tuned to make player transitions smoother from the huddle break to the line of scrimmage

♦Added functionality for QBs’ pre-play animations to speed up when there is either 10 seconds or less on the play clock, or the game clock when it’s running – under these circumstances, all QB adjustments will use Hot Route animations only

♦Tuned to increase the speed of QB pre-play animations

♦Added functionality for one free pre-play adjustment when breaking the huddle – the QB will not use an animation if an adjustment is called right after the huddle break