SALEM, OR - EA has released a new Madden 27 title update focused on several gameplay issues along with an important fix for online Franchise leagues. For 2K OLF, the biggest news is the return of the Weekly Recap and a fix designed to prevent multi-user leagues from running into problems when advancing.
EA also made a number of adjustments to blocking, defensive alignment, receiver awareness and player ratings having a greater impact on individual matchups.
Weekly Recap and League Advances Fixed
The biggest Franchise Mode change is the return of the Weekly Recap, which EA says is now back online. More importantly, the update addresses an issue affecting multi-user leagues, which should now be able to advance without issue.
EA noted that it is continuing to work through additional Franchise Mode problems previously identified in its Gridiron Notes, so more fixes are expected in future updates.
Blocking Gets Several Adjustments
Blocking received some of the most significant gameplay changes in the update. Offensive tackles should now do a better job identifying and blocking defenders responsible for contain assignments, while tackles will also correctly recognize linebackers lined up in wider alignments.
Zone blocking assignments and targeting have also been improved. In addition, using Aggressive Blocking through Coach Adjustments will now result in more realistic holding penalties, adding more risk to leaving the setting enabled.
Ratings Should Matter More When Shedding Blocks
Higher-rated defenders have also received an advantage at the point of attack. According to EA, defenders with better ratings will now have a greater chance of shedding blocks when matched against lower-rated opponents.
The change should make mismatches along the line more noticeable and allow highly rated defensive players to have a greater impact against weaker blockers.
Defensive Adjustments and Hurry-Up Offense Improved
The update fixes an issue that could occur when flipping a defensive play. Defenders should now properly realign after the play is flipped instead of ending up incorrectly positioned.
Pre-snap defensive adjustments should also remain intact when facing a hurry-up offense. Adjustments made before the previous snap should now be correctly maintained as the offense quickly returns to the line.
Receivers Should Make Smarter Catch Decisions
Wide receivers received a smaller but potentially noticeable improvement as well. EA increased WR awareness to reduce unnecessary jump catches in situations where receivers would be better served making a normal catch.
Combined with the blocking and defensive fixes, the update appears primarily focused on cleaning up situations where players were behaving differently than expected based on the play call, alignment or ratings matchup.
More Franchise Fixes Still Coming
While the restoration of Weekly Recap and the multi-user advance fix are welcome news, EA says work on the remaining Franchise Mode issues is continuing. For now, this update addresses one of the more important concerns for online leagues while also delivering several gameplay improvements that should be noticeable on both sides of the ball.
