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Madden NFL 18 will be using DICE's Frosbite Engine when it launches later this year, EA confirmed in an earnings call today.

It will be following on the heels of FIFA, which made the move last year. It was largely successful, though it did have some issues with input delay. It should be a nice visual bump for Madden, already one of the better-looking sports games around.

EA's sports games initially transitioned into the current generation using EA Sports Ignite—an in-house engine. It was a perfectly serviceable engine, but EA has recently been moving to unite under the umbrella of the Frostbite engine.

While Madden transitions to a new engine, FIFA 18 will be introducing The Journey Season 2, which will feature new characters and storylines. I liked The Journey back when it was introduced on the FIFA 17, mostly because it told a fun, digestible, sports movie-like story in the form of a single-player campaign. I'll be interested to see how EA builds on their initial foundation.

Outside of Madden and FIFA, EA confirmed that NBA Live is indeed still alive and kicking, and that it's being delayed from this quarter to coincide with next season. That will once again put it in direct competition with NBA 2K, which has eaten its lunch over the past few years. But maybe basketball fans are ready for something new?

The usual slate of sports games will start arriving around the end of August and will continue into September. Expect more info on Madden and FIFA around E3. Head eleswhere for everything we know about Madden 18 and FIFA 18.