Latest Next-Gen Madden NFL 25 Q&A Focuses on Improvements to Blocking and Pass Rush
by 
EA Sports today held their second Q&A on Twitter relating to next-gen Madden NFL 25, this time with responses behind handled by gameplay designer Clint Oldenburg who has led the effort to dramatically improve the play in the trenches. Late last week descriptions of what has been worked on with respect to blocking and pass rush accompanied a few video examples from gameplay and proved to be the most effective display of how next-gen will stand out compared to the product already on the market provided by the company so far.
The latest Q&A touches on subjects that include how much player ratings will actually matter for offensive and defensive lineman, the frequency of penalties, the formation of the pocket, and how the pass rush will in turn help the secondary.
.@deepakmaroke The QB now must step up into the pocket rather than extend his drop which fundamentally changes the way Madden is played.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
.@ovfd55 This year, physical ratings will have greater impact than intangible ratings up front.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@brza37 Targeting is tied to the defense's movement, so physical ratings will naturally have a larger impact in such a dynamic atmosphere.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@brza37 @ClintOldenburg ratings have a very high impact on pass rush animations.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
.@SoCalMike85 Pass rush has been improved and ratings will have a heavy impact on 1v1 battles up front.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@GChisolm @ClintOldenburg yes. When a defensive lineman is fatigued his ratings start to drop.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@jpdavis1982 there is more user defensive line moves and more they will be more effective at establishing a good pass rush
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@sheltg Yes, that's now balanced and ratings will determine pressure.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
.@bgage97 For pass blocking, O-Linemen calculate the location, speed, direction and angle of pass rushers to the QB.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@TJL1993 @ClintOldenburg when blockers out number rushers you are going to see double teams when available.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@eXpertize_ when you add a TE and RB to the protection scheme, they will determine targets as well as the offensive line.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@bgage97 yes what we call sorting, due to our calculation power in gen 4, they are able to dynamically evaluate threats to the target
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@ovfd55 In run blocking, OL will be more likely to block for the design of the play.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@sheltg They have gap assignments based on each play they run.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
.@tariqmma Yes, overload blitzes aren't as effective as they used to be but lineman will definitely miss assignments from time to time.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@JLinton84 @ClintOldenburg nano blitz are less prevalent and w/ enhanced pass rush you won't need to based on the amount of organic pressure
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@FlybOyKaH5 @ClintOldenburg yes, you feel more heat with blitzes which also improved all coverages.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@Tehbest13 Coverage has been improved and enhanced pass rush will make the defensive secondary's job easier.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@DirtyJerz32 @ClintOldenburg that is a great suggestion an something that's already on our radar. Thanks
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
@HUBlackstar #Madden25 Next-Gen supports defensive pass interference.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013
.@WhoIsDo Holding animations will be slightly increased on Next-Gen.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) October 21, 2013