EA Sports today debuted the first look at Madden NFL 21 with the release of a trailer and some feature details. Hopefully something more substantial will come out of EA Play on Thursday because this is a shallow and arcadey introduction to Madden NFL 21. Additionally the publisher confirmed owners of the PS4 version will be upgraded for free when moving onto PlayStation 5 matching the offer for those on Xbox One to Series X.
Face of the Franchise – Rise to Fame
Face of the Franchise returns! Create yourself and begin your career as a quarterback in high school where you’ll attempt to lead your team to a State Championship. We should mention while your career starts in high school, that doesn’t mean you’ll be the starting quarterback. Don’t worry, no story spoilers here.
Next, you’ll start your college career on National Signing Day where you’ll pick between ten Division 1 schools. You’ll be able to play two seasons of the College Football Playoffs where you’ll attempt to win not one, but two NCAA Championships. While in college you’ll have the chance to stay as a quarterback or switch positions to a running back or wide receiver.
After your college career, you’ll be attending the NFL Combine where you’ll have the chance to test your skills and run the iconic 40-yard dash.
When you finally enter the NFL, your career doesn’t stop. You’ll have the chance to experience different storylines each season as you make your case for the Hall of Fame.
New Gameplay Features
Skill Stick – You’ll be able to combo together all your evasive moves on the right analog stick, including Juke, Spin, Hurdle and Dead Leg. The Skill Stick brings more fluid, athletic movement to the field and gives you more control over the moves you want perform.
Pass Rush Moves – All your pass rush moves and block-sheds for Madden NFL 21 will now be on the right analog stick. You’ll have full control to choose the exact rush-move you want and when you want to do it. Be sure to use your rush moves strategically though, as each pass rusher has a limited amo›unt of available moves per play, and blockers will start to build resistance against repeated moves. This will give you more control and it adds a layer of strategy to one of the most important aspects of defense.
Location-Based Tackles – These are tackles where both the ball carrier and defender are aware of the first-down marker, end zone, and pylon. What this means is you’ll see ball carriers reach out with the ball while getting tackled to score a crucial touchdown or clutch up a first-down. You’ll also see the tackling defender struggle but successfully deny the ball carrier these reach-out moments.
X-Factor 2.0
New X-Factor abilities, fresh out of the lab, are designed to elevate the stars of a new generation in Madden NFL 21.
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦The annual EA Play event will be held digitally this Thursday evening at 7ET/4PT.
♦EA Sports will debut the previously delayed “first look” at Madden NFL 21 this Tuesday.
♦2K Sports debuted a CGI teaser trailer for NBA 2K21 at the PlayStation 5 event.
♦PlayStation 4 Days of Play sale running through June 17 includes MLB The Show 20.
♦Details on the latest content added to Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 20.
♦List of known issues and progress on fixes has been updated for Super Mega Baseball 3.
♦2K Sports revealed the predictably underwhelming list of pro golfers in PGA Tour 2K21.
♦New MMA game teased on Twitter by the founder and CEO of ONE Championship.
♦Arcade-style indie soccer game Super Soccer Blast has launched on Xbox One and PS4.
♦Amazon is offering NBA 2K20 through digital code for Xbox One priced at $19.79.
♦Sony unveiled the PlayStation 5 and several of its upcoming games at their big event.
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦The upcoming EA Play event has been delayed a week and now airs June 18.
♦EA games have made it to Steam and EA Access is coming later this summer.
♦EA Sports will be taking stronger action against racism and toxic behavior online.
♦Details on the second patch w/ improvements and fixes for Super Mega Baseball 3.
♦The free update adding UEFA EURO 2020 content to PES 2020 has gone live.
♦New episode of the Sports Anomoly podcast goes BTS on Madden 18’s Longshot.
♦No word yet on whether NBA 2K21 will be delayed due to later start of next season.
♦Sony delayed a planned PlayStation 5 reveal event with no new date yet announced.
♦PlayStation Store sale offering up to 60% off a number of games runs until June 10.
♦Everybody’s Golf is on sale on PlayStation 4 priced down to just $10.
♦Amazon offering NBA 2K20 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 for just $20.
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦The extension of the NFL exclusive licence with EA Sports was made official this week.
♦Plans for first reveal of Madden NFL 21 tomorrow have understandably been scrapped.
♦Details on the latest patch that has released for MLB The Show 20.
♦Details on the latest content released for Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 20.
♦Details on a post-release patch that has released for Super Mega Baseball 3.
♦Konami will be releasing the UEFA Euro 2020 update for PES 2020 this Thursday.
♦Details on a minor visual-related patch that has released for FIFA 20.
♦HB Studios answered some questions on Reddit about the upcoming PGA Tour 2K21.
♦New trailer has been released for NASCAR Heat 5 which is due out in July.
♦Details on the latest major update to have released for mobile game Retro Bowl.
♦Out of the Park Baseball 21 is on sale for 25% off down to $30 until Tuesday.
♦PlayStation Store sale offering up to 60% off a number of games runs until June 10.
♦Amazon offering NBA 2K20 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 for just $20.
Exclusivity for the NFL video game license on consoles is on the table yet again with a new agreement in place to continue on with EA Sports. The league’s owners will vote on the proposal next week where it is all but certain to pass carrying the exclusive license for sim games through Madden NFL 26.
This was always an inevitability despite some who may have viewed the recent 2K news as a sign that they would be slipping in to create a competing product or take over the license after Madden NFL 21. That was never a realistic expectation and instead 2K will be relegated to producing the likes of arcade-style and mobile games.
Since 2005 this has always been about the money. Exclusivity is far more lucrative for the league than having multiple partners and no other company would be in position to step in and replace what EA provides. While sales of Madden have dropped significantly since the agreements began Ultimate Team is generating billions of dollars in revenue more than making up for those losses. The NFL doesn’t seem to be too bothered by the perception that the game does a poor job of representing their product (even when on national display) and would rather go forward with what they know delivers for them rather than risking uncertainty in the years ahead.
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦EA Sports should be embarrassed yet again by the game from the Madden Bowl.
♦The winner never passed once, used a lefty punter at QB and lineman at receiver.
♦Super Mega Baseball 3 is out and generating rave reviews as would be expected.
♦New Press Row Podcast episode features an interview with the SMB3 lead.
♦Devs are collecting feedback and noting reported issues for Super Mega Baseball 3.
♦Free demo for Super Mega Baseball 3 is also available across all platforms.
♦Details on the latest patch that has been released for MLB The Show 20.
♦Details on the latest content added to Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 20.
♦FIFA 20 is now available in the EA Access Vault for all console and PC subscribers.
♦Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2 are being remastered for release in September.
♦Five screenshots have been officially released for the upcoming PGA Tour 2K21.
♦Amazon has a $20 deal on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One copies of NBA 2K20.
♦Blu-ray releases this week headlined by Sonic the Hedgehog and The Way Back.
Last week brought the news that The Golf Club franchise was being rebranded as PGA Tour 2K and now the details on what to expect from the upcoming game in terms of features and release date have rolled out.
PGA Tour 2K21 will come out on August 21 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC. For the first time the series will include real golfers with 12 licensed including cover athlete Justin Thomas. These golfers however are not actually playable but act as competitors given the series’ focus on MyPlayers instead. Also new this year is broadcast style presentation with commentary from Luke Elvy and analyst Rich Beem.
PGA TOUR 2K21 is designed for players of all skill levels. Rookies can take advantage of real-time tutorials, tips and shot suggestions, while veterans can master their games with Pro Vision, Distance Control, Putt Preview and other innovations. Social gaming is at the core of the experience, as players can hit the links with friends in local and online matches, including Alt-Shot, Stroke Play, Skins and 4-Player Scramble. In addition, Online Societies will encourage players to invite their squad to hit the clubhouse and run full seasons and tournaments with unique entry rules and requirements, as well as handicap and event settings.
Of course the main concern with any title that comes from 2K Sports is the influence of in-game currency through microtransactions. Thankfully based on the wording in the press release it appears as though purchases will remain solely cosmetic.
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Big new online mode Custom Pennant Race was revealed for Super Mega Baseball 3.
♦Franchise Mode in SMB 3 will see player skills and appearance change over the years.
♦EA Sports showed off just brief moments of the next-gen edition of Madden NFL 21.
♦EA Play is being held virtually this year with full Madden reveal and more on June 11.
♦After cancelling NBA Live 20 it appears that NBA Live 21 has also been scrapped.
♦EA Sports has said they’ll have a fourth game in 2020 but that is likely to be UFC 4.
♦NHL 21 looks to have been pushed to Oct-Dec quarter from it’s normal Sept release.
♦Even with no real sports the NBA 2K League can’t get anyone to watch its broadcasts.
♦Details on the latest content for Diamond Dynasty out in MLB The Show 20.
♦Franchise Hockey Manager 6 is on sale for half off down to just $20.
♦Complete list of deals on PS4 games currently under $20 in a PlayStation Store sale.
♦Blu-ray releases this week Birds of Prey while Scoob! gets its release on digital.