Madden 21 December Title Update Adds New Superstar Players

EA Sports has released a new title update for Madden 21 on the PlayStation 4, XBOX One, and PC.

This update fixes some gameplay issues, adds 4 new Superstar abilities as well as changing the players who currently have Superstar/X-Factor abilities based on their play so far in the NFL.

The update is 3.783 GB on the PlayStation 4 with the XBOX One update being a similiar size.

Here’s what to expect.

Fixed an issue causing the ball velocity to not always reach the desired speed on some specific QB passing animations.

Tuning to improve deep zone defenders reaction to crossing routes from a single-receiver side for highly rated defenders.

Tuning to slow down cut-reaction time for linebackers in man-coverage facing away from the QB.

Fixed a run-block targeting issue with the Gun Wing Flex Wk Inside Zone play.

Fixed a rare issue causing QB’s to appear to use an under-pressure pass while not actually being under pressure.

New Superstar Abilities and Superstar X-Factor update, based on NFL Player’ performance up to this point in the 2020 NFL Season.

Fixed an issue causing defenders in man coverage vs. a ‘block-and-release’ RB to sometimes instantly switch their assignments to blitz when seeing the RB start to block, resulting in the RB being left uncovered once he would run his route thereafter.

EA Sports has also added back in the “Film Study” Superstar ability that was in the Madden 21 Beta. It looks like they have made the ability much harder to activate, “Defenders with this ability will have full vision of plays the offense has run 5 times each quarter; via coach cam.”

A developer note was also included that said, “Based on the feedback received from the Madden 21 beta, we re-worked this ability to provide more balance across our multiple game modes. One of those adjustments is based on players telling us it was too easy for the ability to activate, making it too powerful. In response, the ability will now require a variable number of repeated offensive play calls before activating. This number will scale up or down based on the current quarter as well as the game’s quarter length settings, with the required amount always being displayed via X-Factor Vision in pre-play. Additionally, defender knowledge of these repeated plays will be wiped out when a quarter ends, giving the offense a bit more leeway with how they run their play-calling.”

The other 3 new Superstar abilities are:

Backlash – Ball carriers with this ability will cause increased fatigue penalties against their tackler when tackled via a non-conservative tackle.

Recuperation – Players with this ability will recover from the effects of fatigue at an increased rate between plays.

Honorary Lineman – Non-offensive linemen with this ability will frequently win Impact Blocks when blocking defensive backs in the open field

There are 3 players that have been upgraded to X-Factor in Madden 21.

Alvin Kamara, Saints:

• Satellite X-Factor
• Juke Box

Lavonte David, Buccaneers:

• Run Stuffer X-Factor
• Deflator

DeForest Buckner, Colts:

• Unstoppable Force X-Factor
• Inside Stuff

There are also a handful of players that made the jump from Normal/Star to Superstar. Those players (and their new abilities) can be found below.

DK Metcalf, Seahawks:

• Deep Out Elite
• Red Zone Threat

Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team:

• Deep In Elite
• Outside Apprentice

Aaron Jones, Packers:

• Backfield Mismatch
• Recuperation

Calvin Ridley, Falcons:

• Mid Out Elite
• Outside Apprentice

Darren Waller, Raiders:

1. TE Apprentice
2. Short Out Elite

Jamison Crowder, Jets:

• Mid In Elite

Brian Burns, Panthers:

• Speedster
• Strip Specialist

Myles Jack, Jaguars:

• Outmatched
• Deflator

Jessie Bates III, Bengals:

• Deep In Zone KO
• Acrobat

Ali Marpet, Buccaneers:

• Post Up
• Secure Protector

Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team:

• Inside Stuff
• Run Stopper

Josh Allen, Bills:

• Quickdraw
• Escape Artist

The new players becoming Superstar/X-factors means that some other players have to lose their abilities.

The following players have been downgraded from X-Factors to Superstars.

• Drew Brees, Saints – Pro Reads Ability removed
• Calais Campbell, Ravens – Unstoppable Force and Edge Threat Abilities removed.

The following players are no longer Superstars, losing all abilities.

• • Demarcus Lawrence, Cowboys
  • Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers
  • Zach Ertz, Eagles
  • TY Hilton, Colts
  • Justin Simmons, Broncos
  • Matt Ryan, Falcons
  • Julian Edelman, Patriots
  • Carson Wentz, Eagles
  • Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Football Team
  • Courtland Sutton, Broncos

What changes do you want to see in the next Madden 21 update? Let us know in the comments!