The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Register to take part in an upcoming closed beta test being held for NHL 21.
♦As expected 2K Sports officially secured the NFLPA license for future non-sim NFL games.
♦EA Sports has revealed all the Superstar X-Factor players to start Madden NFL 21.
♦With release just three weeks out the first trailer for the current-gen edition of NBA 2K21.
♦Developer blog goes into detail on the gameplay improvements coming to FIFA 21.
♦New trailer shows off those gameplay improvements to expect from FIFA 21.
♦The coming Custom Pennant Race mode is in final testing for Super Mega Baseball 3.
♦Details on the latest roster update with ratings changes for MLB The Show 20.
♦SCEA released a number of stats from in-game play for the month of July in MLB 20.
♦Details on the latest content additions to Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 20.
♦Changes based on feedback from the recent beta have been detailed for EA Sports UFC 4.
♦New developer blog goes over the Star Rating System utilized in EA Sports UFC 4.
♦New developer blog goes into detail on the big gameplay features for EA Sports UFC 4.
♦Trailer for EA Sports UFC 4 centers on the new Career Mode experience in the game.
♦The complete soundtrack has recently been revealed for EA Sports UFC 4.
♦2K Sports delivered a developer walkthrough video for the upcoming PGA Tour 2K21.
♦Another PGA Tour 2K21 trailer spotlights the course designer carry-over from The Golf Club.
♦RBI Baseball 20 was able to update with the 60 game season and other unique changes.
♦New Star Games is working towards a beta test for the upcoming New Star Baseball.
EA Sports UFC 4 can now be downloaded as a timed trial with EA Access on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Subscribers to the base service will get 10 hours of playtime after which it will expire requiring the purchased game to continue or a second EA Access account for 10 more hours. The timer is ticking down whenever the game is loaded regardless of whether it is being played, menus are being navigated through, or if there is any activity taking place at all. Because of that make sure to exit out and close the application from the respective home screens when not in use.
The 10 hours are there to play immediately but can continue to be used even beyond release. Any progress made in the various modes and online results will carry over if a full copy is purchased. The complete game is available during the trial period.
EA Access launched July 2014 on Xbox One and was later joined by Origin Access on PC. After being prevented by Sony from releasing the service on PS4 it was finally cleared to launch on the system just over a year ago. EA Access includes the “Vault” which offers unlimited play with nearly every game from the company’s catalog this generation, 10% off all digital purchases, and the ability to play games up to five days before they release with a limited timed trial. EA Access is $30 for a full year or $5 month-to-month.
Just over a month ago the Madden community stood up and together forced EA Sports to address Franchise Mode in the Madden which has largely been neglected throughout this generation. Referring to it as “Classic Franchise” signaled that was going to continue in the years ahead. The #FixMaddenFranchise movement was discussed in detail on an episode of the Press Row Podcast and already there have been significant developments that are encouraging though there is a long way to go to actually seeing them through. Read more
The beta held in early July for Madden NFL 21 generated feedback that will hopefully lead to a better game at launch. Much of the discussion around the game during the beta period centered on a divisive player ability called “Film Study,” an inexplicable change to controls, deficiencies in pass coverage, and sluggish user movement on defense.
In response “Film Study” is gone at least for release, controls have been switched back, coverage has received adjustments, and no changes are being made to user-controlled players on defense because it is as intended.
Additionally the company stated that an update on work being done/planned for Franchise Mode following the #fixfranchisemode movement will be coming in mid-August. Read more
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦First feature descriptions have been revealed on the official website for FIFA 21.
♦Kylian Mbappe has been chosen as the global cover athlete for FIFA 21.
♦EA Sports put together an FAQ regarding all the release details for FIFA 21.
♦Details on the various pre-order incentives being offered for FIFA 21.
♦Details on the free upgrade offered for current-to-next-gen with FIFA 21.
♦The full soundtrack can now be found on Spotify for the upcoming NBA 2K21.
♦An official “gameplay” trailer was released for the upcoming EA Sports UFC 4.
♦Details on the latest content added to Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 20.
♦The push back for NHL 21 will now put its release date as October 16.
♦PlayStation Store has a deal on PS4 MLB The Show 20 with the price down to $30.
♦Out of the Park Baseball 21 is on sale through 8/3 with the price down to just $20.
♦In addition to the 60 game season OOTP 21 is now working on new postseason format.
EA Sports has provided an update on NHL 21 given its absence from EA Play and lack of promotion since the event concluded. The release of the game is being moved to October though when it’ll land in that month has not been specified. NHL traditionally releases in mid-September.
In addition the company confirmed that there is no version of NHL 21 in development for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. However, with both new consoles featuring backwards compatibility, the game will be playable on those systems. It just won’t benefit from much of the new technology they offer.
The “first look” at NHL 21 is now planned for late August. Given that the current season won’t even be complete until October it makes sense to both push the game back and hold off on any significant reveals.
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦All the launch player ratings have been officially revealed for Madden NFL 21.
♦Another leaked screen shows more about The Yard mode in Madden 21.
♦All the work done for playbooks in Madden 21 was gone over in new dev blog.
♦EA confirmed a generic Washington Team will stand in at release of Madden 21.
♦Baseball games this season will be using crowd audio from MLB The Show 20.
♦Details on the latest content for Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 20.
♦Details on a minor patch that released recently in MLB The Show 20.
♦Konami will release an updated PES 2020 as PES 2021 on Sept. 15 for $29.
♦Full list of all the official licenses that will be found in the updated PES 2021.
♦Konami is developing a next-gen version of PES to release fall of 2021.
♦Details on the Summer Heat program for FUT live now in FIFA 20.
♦The 15 licensed courses are being slowly revealed for next month’s PGA Tour 2K21.
♦Latest update adds controller support and some fixes for mobile game Retro Bowl.
♦Reminder that NBA 2K20 is free on PS4 to PS Plus subscribers grab it this month.
♦Amazon is offering MLB The Show 20 for $40 while currently $60 on PS Store.
♦Maximum Football posted some details on Dynasty 2.0 for upcoming release.
How did Madden NFL get to the current place it is with Franchise Mode, why was there an uprising from fans now, and where does Madden go from here? Rich, Bryan, and Mills discuss everything around the #FixMaddenFranchise movement that trended on Twitter and forced a response out of EA Sports. Also: NBA 2K21 ushering in next-gen price increase and Konami skipping its annual release for the PES series.
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