Note: FieldSENSE™ Gameplay System, SAPIEN Technology, and other associated gameplay features are not available in Xbox One and PlayStation®4 versions.
Last season, the response from players to the added control that FieldSENSE™ delivered in gameplay was extremely positive. Our team continues to focus on our core player in Madden NFL 24 especially in three key areas:
Enhanced Realism with the next evolution of FieldSENSE™ .
Smarter AI with dozens of improvements to Foundational Football especially in opposing QB’s, Run Blocking and Pass Coverage.
Deeper Immersion through the introduction of new SAPIEN Technology and upgrades to Gameday Emotion.
Hit Everything 2.0
Catch Tackles:
Expanding on our mid-air catch tackle system from Madden NFL 23 – We can now branch to swats, catch tackles, and hit sticks in all contested catch situations, not just jumping catches.
Players now have more control to defend curls routes, slants, and streaks with a variety of realistic outcomes. We included new animations to compliment and make interactions between receivers and defenders look and feel more authentic.
Tackling control and variety:
You’ll feel more control with greater differentiation of tackle types based on defender size and strength matchup against the ball carrier. The New Defender Advantage formula chooses tackles more dynamically based on the players’ ratings, size, speed, and momentum. Which results in the following:
Removal of the concept of ‘Conservative Tackle’ A (On Xbox)/X (On Playstation) is now Wrap tackle and the outcomes are based on our Tackle Advantage Algorithm.
Smaller defenders will now take out the legs of bigger ball carriers.
Big Man Wrap tackles that wrap and drive the ball carrier back.
Ex: Think of Vita Vea grabbing a running back trying to run up the middle.
All new scoop tackles are high-impact form tackles that pick the ball carrier off the ground.
We added and adjusted 1700+ tackle animations to hit everything!
Blocking:
Dev Note: Run Blocking got a significant upgrade because of both FieldSENSE and Foundational Football upgrades in Madden NFL 24. The run game is more physical due to Hit Everything 2.0! Keep reading below to learn how we made foundational football upgrades to make our blockers even more intelligent and devastating in the run game.
We have implemented the Hit Everything technology into blocking, enabling a new level of versatility for blockers. With the ability to chip block, enter and exit double teams on the fly, blockers can seamlessly navigate through defenders and blocking interactions, preventing blockers from getting stuck on ongoing interactions or having to re-target away from their intended targets when colliding with an adjacent defender.
We’ve also extended the stand-up tackles system from Madden NFL 23 to the offense which now unlocks blockers’ ability to join in on a gang tackle and push the pile forward. This happens contextually by AI-controlled blockers when in the proper position to push the ball carrier forward relative to the position of the pile up
Skill Based Passing 2.0
Upgraded Passing System:
Madden NFL 24 introduces an upgrade to our passing system. New Jump and Dive passes for players like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen to improvise when they need to get a clear passing lane.
We added more no-look pass animations. On top of that, we’ve improved our pass animation system for better visuals and targeting. We’ve also done more work with our pass accuracy percentages to reflect real NFL accuracy rates.
We’ve modified the placement of slightly inaccurate passes so they aren’t so far out of range and have a chance to be catchable with dives or tough catches.
Dev Tip: While rare, the dive pass can lead to exciting moments for top tier stars like Patrick Mahomes.
Players can attempt a dive pass when rolling out to the sideline and throwing short passes with a defender closely trailing (we made this update based on Beta Feedback). Our team is able to tweak and tailor these throws to ensure they only happen in proper situations. Jump passes happen when standing in the pocket and throwing short with a defender in front of you.
Catching Improvements:
Madden NFL 24 introduces a revamped catching system with hundreds of new animations designed to significantly reduce the frequency of missed catches and improve on areas like maintaining speed and momentum when catching the ball.
This year, players will be able to hit a receiver in stride and maintain speed; more easily catch and get open across the middle; get the appropriate catch on a curl; or check down to a running back in the flats to get upfield faster.
Dive catches are back in full force so you can see players lay out for the ball when they can’t otherwise make the catch. Dev Tip: The best way to see dive catches in action is with Free Form passing and leading the receiver to the border or just outside of the ellipse.
Dev Tip: The best way to see dive catches in action is with Free Form passing and leading the receiver to the border or just outside of the ellipse.