EA released a lengthy Gameplay Deep Dive article today for Madden NFL 26, along with a video trailer on YouTube featuring Kurt Benkert, who highlights some of the new features coming in the next installment of the series. In today's article, we're going to summarize the new notes a bit, but if you would like to see the full notes from EA, see below:
*For the original Gridiron Notes from EA, click here.
Signature Identity
QB DNA
- New in-pocket behaviors including nine unique ball holds at launch, with two-hand and one-hand variations, allow a QB's complete throwing motion to be more authentic.
- More in-pocket idles allow a QB to bounce on their feet more, pat the ball, and move their head around more often when searching for an open target, all based on the QB's DNA and how they actually play the position.
- On-the-run throwing animations will now have full animation coverage from every arm angle.
- Improvements have been made to QB hip and shoulder direction related to their target when throwing on the run.
- New QB signature run cycles for Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes.
- New Signature Off-Platform Throws that can only be triggered by specific players, such as jump passes on the run by Caleb Williams; no-look passes by Mahomes and Matt Stafford; and explosive crossbody throws by Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
- Three unique base arm slots (Over-Top, 3/4 High, 3/4 Low) are assigned to each QB, but QBs who frequently change their arm slot based on the throwing lane will dynamically switch their arm slot throughout the game, like Matt Stafford.
- Field Vision is back, sort of. Instead of a cone showing direction like the old version, the new version will be based on the QB's height, forcing shorter QBs to throw in windows over the line, while taller QBs will have an easier time throwing over the line, as they would in real life.
- QBs will be able to perform ball carrier moves, like spin and juke, while behind the line of scrimmage using the right analog stick and no modifier (Playmaker requires LT/L2 to activate).
- Improved logic and authenticity for AI-controlled QBs, and better differentiation between high and low-rated QB performance.
- The full route tree is available by default in passing hot routes, meaning every QB should now have access to the same hot routes.
Player Traits
EA provided a total of 50 player traits we can expect to see in M26 at launch:
- Look For Stars - QBs with this trait will look to throw to their star receivers more.
- Risk Taker - QBs with this trait will tend to force the ball downfield and throw it into tight windows.
- Conservative - QBs with this trait will tend to throw shorter passes and avoid forcing passes into tight windows.
- Cannon - QBs with this trait will have a higher tendency to throw bullet passes.
- Up and Over - QBs with this trait will have a higher tendency to throw lob passes.
- Snap Mischief - QBs with this trait often perform fake hikes, especially on late downs in short-yardage situations.
- Seeing Ghosts - After a sack, QBs with this trait will tend to force a pass to their first read for the next three plays, resetting at the end of a drive.
- Quick Trigger - QBs with this trait will quickly attempt throws to their check down, not waiting for the play to develop.
- Throw Away - QBs with this trait will have a higher tendency to throw the ball away when facing pressure.
- Panic Button - QBs with this trait will have a higher tendency to force passes when facing pressure.
- Double Back - QBs with this trait can scramble away from the sideline to keep the play alive.
- Eyes Up - QBs with this trait will keep their eyes up when moving towards the LOS, waiting longer for plays to develop before scrambling.
- Set Up Time - QBs with this trait will tend to set their feet before attempting a pass.
- Hero Ball - QBs with this trait will attempt to scramble for yards if they think they can get the first down.
- Quick Clock - QBs with this trait will tend to escape the pocket after making their first read.
- Happy Feet - QBs with this trait will almost always be moving.
- Paranoid - QBs with this trait react more to nearby defenders, feeling pressured even in less intense situations.
- Oblivious - QBs with this trait remain calm near defenders, feeling less pressure even in intense situations.
- Highlight Reel - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt Spectacular catches.
- Possession Receiver - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt Possession catches.
- RAC Receiver - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt RAC catches.
- Aggressive Receiver - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt Aggressive catches.
- Red Zone Jammer - DBs with this trait will tend to attempt a jam press on press plays in the red zone.
- Play Ball Defender - Players with this trait will be riskier and try for interceptions they may not be able to reach.
- Play Receiver - Players with this trait will be safer and won't try for interceptions they may be not able to reach.
- Steering Clear - Players with this trait will attempt to avoid hits by performing slides, give-ups, or running out of bounds.
- Showboat - Players with this trait will be able to use Celebration Loco on breakaways.
- Cannonball - Players with this trait will be able to do Celebration Dives into the endzone.
- Run Over - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a truck, and if they are a QB, they are less likely to slide.
- Strong Arm - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a stiff arm, and if they are a QB, they are less likely to slide.
- Whirlwind - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a spin move.
- Elusive Instinct - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a juke move.
- Cover Ball - Players with this trait will attempt to cover the ball on all big hits.
- Big Hitter - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt Hit Sticks.
- Safe Tackler - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt Conservative tackles.
- Punch It Out - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt Strip tackles.
- Knee Biter - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt Cut Sticks.
- Finesse Rusher - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a Finesse Move.
- Power Rusher - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a Power Move.
- Twister - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a Spin Move.
- Bullish - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a Bull Rush.
- Bouncer - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a Club Move.
- Fly Swatter - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to raise their hands to disrupt shallow passes.
- Gas Guzzler - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to use Effort on pass rushes.
- Freestyler - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to attempt a Swim Move.
- Undisciplined - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to commit penalties.
- Disciplined - Players with this trait will have a lower tendency to commit penalties.
- Anchored - QBs with this trait will have a lower tendency to leave the pocket or scramble for yards.
- Throw It Up - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to target outside receivers on deep or contested throws.
- Fortifier - Players with this trait will have a higher tendency to audible into Max Protection against potential pressure.
Coach DNA
- Data-Driven Coaching helps train the AI to respond to repeated plays more intelligently and better mimic the playcalling and style of each NFL coach.
- Adaptive Counters will be recommended via Coach Suggestions throughout the game which are based on your opponent's tendencies.
- An all-new Coach Speak feature explains why certain playcalls are being recommended, and the explanation is delivered in the style of the coach you have selected.
- Real-Time Coaching AI (RTC), which was in CFB 25, is coming to Madden and introduces delayed safety rotations, pre-play defensive front adjustments, and precisely timed blitz packages.
- Nearly 1,000 new plays have been added to M26 for launch, including motions and shifts, stunts and twists, exotic defensive pressure, and new coach adjustments, with additional playbook updates throughout the year.
Football Weather
- New weather types like heavy snow with fog and heavy rain with fog will be in M26 and require the right gameplan for the conditions.
- Kicking, throwing, and player ratings such as COD, SPD, and ACC will be more affected by weather conditions.
- Cold weather teams like Buffalo, Chicago, Green Bay, Cleveland, and Philadephia will respond better to cold weather conditions. Warm weather teams such as Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Jacksonville will suffer greater penalties in cold weather. The opposite applies to cold/warm weather teams in warm conditions.
Foundational Football
Player Movement
- Player movement in Madden NFL 26 will more resemble the faster movement speed in College Football.
- Top-end speed players should have a more noticeable difference in speed compared to lower-rated players.
Depth Chart Positions
- New depth chart positions in M26 include Long Snapper, Edge, Sam, Mike, Will, Nose Tackle, and Gadget for players such as Taysom Hill and Deebo Samuel.
- Certain depth chart restrictions have been lifted for M26, most notably the one that will allow Travis Hunter to start at both WR and CB if you choose (along with any other WR/CB). Wear and Tear will negatively impact players starting on both sides of the ball, but Travis Hunter comes with a special ability that reduces the effects of the penalty.
Custom Zones
- Similar to the new route stems we saw in M25, this year will introduce custom zones that allow more control over exactly where you want a player to cover.
- A new Route Commit feature offers an even higher risk-reward mechanic to defend against receivers than shading already does. Using both Route Commit and Shading can either increase or decrease the risk-reward involved with the coverage you've assigned against an individual receiver.
Physics-based Gameplay
- Improvements have been made to tackle alignments and ballcarrier physics.
- 700 new tackle animations have been added to M26 including catch tackles, stiff arms, and trucks.
- Timing-based skill mechanics will now apply to all one-on-one tackle interactions, strip-ball tackles, cut sticks, lunge tackles, wrap tackles, swatting catch tackles, wrap catch tackles, truck sticks, and stiff arms.
- A new Wear & Tear system tracks contact made by players throughout a game and forces coaches to consider workload management for their players.
- Block steering gives users more control over the direction of one-on-one block engagements on the defensive side of the ball.
- The leverage system that determines which blocking animations are triggered has been tuned, resulting in more realistic outcomes.
- Half slide, full slide, empty, and base protections are now applied appropriately to passing plays based on the original design of the play.
- A new "untarget defender" tool allows an offense to ignore a player on defense, which is especially useful for players who hover a user linebacker in the box to throw off the count, only to drop back into coverage.
- Improved blocking to play-action passing.
- All-new Hot Spot animations across the field for unique post-touchdown celebrations.
- A new Skills Trainer with 130 tutorials meant to help teach game mechanics.
Superstar Abilities
- Passive abilities in M26 will no longer come with guarantees, but with increased chances instead, close to 50% when conditions have been met. Here's a list of the abilities that have been changed:
- Tank
- Edge Threat Elite
- Edge Threat
- Goal Line Stuff
- Inside Stuff
- No Outsiders
- Out My Way
- El Toro
- Interior Threat
- Matador
- Edge Protector
- Post Up
- Secure Protector
- Nasty Streak
- Puller Elite
- Pass Protector
- Run Protector
- Pick Artist
- Short Route KO
- Flat Zone KO
- Mid Zone KO
- Deep Out Zone KO
- Deep In Zone KO
- Deep Route KO
- Medium Route KO
- Outmatched
- One Step Ahead
- Outside Shade
- Inside Shade
- Lurk Artist
- Deep Zone KO
- Tackle Supreme
- Enforcer
- Secure Tackler
- Unfakeable
- Strip Specialist
- Lumberjack
- Enforcer Supreme
- Route Technician
- Slot-O-Matic
- Short Out Elite
- Short In Elite
- Mid Out Elite
- Mid In Elite
- Deep Out Elite
- Deep In Elite
- Red Zone Threat
- Matchup Nightmare
- Honorary Lineman
- 3rd Down Threat
- Short Elite
- Mid Elite
- Deep Elite
- Backfield Master
- Backfield Mismatch
- Return Man
- Sleight of Hand
- Anchored Extender
- Agile Extender
- Fearless
- Gutsy Scrambler
**For Release Dates and Pre-Order information for M26, click here.
What are your thoughts on the Gameplay Deep Dive Notes and Trailer?
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