Madden 16 will feature a new handoff system, quarterback locomotion and passing mechanics as well as plenty of other improvements.
There are also new types of catches, tackling improvements, 600 new plays, and many problems from Madden 15 have been fixed. We have so many details on the game, it will blow you away.
But first, check out the E3 Madden 16 trailer below.
WIDE RECEIVER AI TRAITS
Each WR has a new series of traits that determine which types of catches they look for when under AI control. This includes the RAC, Aggressive, and Possession traits. Throwing the right route to the right receiver and using catch mechanics linked to traits is a critical strategic component in Madden NFL 16.
MULTIPLAYER CATCH SYSTEM
The Multiplayer Catch System is based on technology in development for more than two years, and allows receivers and defenders to go up for a catch simultaneously and battle for the ball in the air while using ratings, mechanics and positioning to deliver the appropriate outcome
The team added more than 400 new multiplayer catch outcomes, which includes knockouts, tip ball, simultaneous possession catches, offensive/defensive PI, interceptions and more.
The system also account for double coverage situations. We have spent countless hours tuning and balancing this system extensively to ensure players cannot exploit the system.
ADDITIONAL WR/DB INTERACTIONS
The team also added hundreds of new receiver/defender interaction animations, including new press interactions, zone chuck interactions and hand fighting during route running.
This includes a complete overhaul to our defensive pre-play alignment system, as defenders now align to the inside or outside of the receiver based on the coverage and where they want to force them.
Catching Passes in Madden 16
1. RAC CATCH
A RAC (run after catch) is a catch where the receiver turns up field during the catch with the intent to gain yards. RAC catches drive the receiver up field, to catch the ball in stride.
Players perform the RAC catch by holding X/Square once the pass is released. RAC’s have a higher drop and knockout chance, and are susceptible to interceptions when the pass is thrown into traffic.
RAC’s are primarily used when a receiver is open in space or has several steps on a DB with a vertical route.
2. AGGRESSIVE CATCH
The aggressive catch, or high-point catch, drives the receiver back to the ball to go up and catch it at the highest point possible. They can be used to fight back to the ball and challenge a defensive back going for an interception.
Players perform aggressive catches by holding the Y/Triangle button once the pass is thrown. Aggressive Catches are best utilized in combination with the high throw mechanic.
Aggressive catches have lower catch chances and higher knockout chances, but can be a formidable weapon when thrown to an elite high point receiver like Dez Bryant or Calvin Johnson.
3. POSSESSION CATCH
The possession catch is where the receiver protects the ball with his body and secures the catch at the expense of looking to gain yards after the catch. Possession catches are best utilized in traffic, and can also be used to force receivers to perform “get the feet down” catches near the sideline or back of end zone.
You can perform a possession catch by holding the A/X button once the pass is thrown. They are most effective with the low throw mechanic, and when thrown to slot/possession trait receivers.
They come at the expense of RAC yards, as receivers frequently go down immediately after the catch.
Passing Mechanics
One of the big additions in Madden NFL 16 is the “body relative” throw, which allows players to throw a high jump ball (like on a fade or streak route) or a low throw where only the receiver can make a play on the ball.
We have also re-worked the new touch pass (now double tap receiver icon) for easier execution of dropping the ball behind linebackers and in front of safeties.
New Playbooks and Shot Plays
Working in concert with Madden NFL 16’s Air Supremacy theme, we met with legendary coach Tom Moore to work on a new addition to our playbooks, authentic NFL “Shot Plays.”
In the real world, a shot play is primarily play-action based and usually keeps backs and tight ends in to block, while receivers go deep.
We have added more than 100 new shot plays (600 new plays overall), including team-specific shot plays in each team playbook.
Offensive Line Improvements
The passing game isn’t the only thing that got love. We added two mechanics to help move through the line as a ball carrier. The first is “get skinny” (hold RB) when running through the line, as well as context sensitive ‘cut step’ juke (LS left/right) performed behind the LOS to cut off blocks.
Ball Carrier AI has been completely overhauled with new “hit the hole logic,” resulting in a real and tangible running game from the CPU. Ball carrier locomotion and True Step have also been revisited to ensure responsive controls that are still grounded in the realm of authenticity.
More Offense Improvements
The passing game isn’t the only thing that got love. We added two mechanics to help move through the line as a ball carrier. The first is “get skinny” (hold RB) when running through the line, as well as context sensitive ‘cut step’ juke (LS left/right) performed behind the LOS to cut off blocks.
Ball Carrier AI has been completely overhauled with new “hit the hole logic,” resulting in a real and tangible running game from the CPU. Ball carrier locomotion and True Step have also been revisited to ensure responsive controls that are still grounded in the realm of authenticity.
ORGANIC GANG TACKLES
Forget everything you remember about Pro-Tak. Madden NFL 16 delivers the most dramatic tackles in franchise history with a fully organic, physics-based gang tackling system. We now have fully realized momentum-based organic interactions on tackles that support a limitless number of defenders attaching to the ball carrier.
The system is complemented by new dynamic gang tackle animations that can “go organic” based on additional defenders in proximity.
We also worked on the stat-tracking side – Assisted Tackles and Half-sacks are now being tracked appropriately in the stats screen. It all adds up to the most authentic tackles ever seen in Madden NFL. Gang tackling is back!
Quick Adjustments
Defensive quick adjustments give users the ability to adjust any of their defenders on the field without having to manually switch to the defender. Simply select the group (DL, LB, DB), choose individual adjustment, select the defender and set the assignment.
This addresses a long-standing legacy issue that put the defense at a disadvantage when it came to pre-play adjustments.
More Tackling Improvements
While most players raved about the changes to tackling in Madden NFL 15, some users complained about feeling too much “suction” in the conservative tackle system. The team took this feedback to heart and tuned both the tackle cone and match distance to eliminate warping (or suction) from the tackling system without sacrificing control or responsiveness.
Aggressive tackles were also improved so that defenders always dive towards the ball carrier instead of just at his facing direction.
Play The Wide Receiver Instead Of The Ball in Madden 16
New this year is the Play Receiver DB mechanic. Hold the A/X button once the pass is thrown to play the receiver. This drives you towards the receiver as opposed to driving you to a catch point. Hit receiver can be used to dislodge the ball during the catch, but comes at the expense of not being able to trigger interceptions.
Other Defensive Improvements in Madden 16
- QB Spy logic has been updated to be more effective at stopping rushing QB’s
- Contain Defenses and logic have been improved to help counter the new rollout and scramble mechanics
- New mechanic where users can now make their defenders in spy assignment abandon the spy and chase the QB at any point in the play. This is done by clicking in R3 once he ball has been snapped.
- Resolved an issue where users would not have time to audible to onside kick recovery when their opponents caught them in normal return vs. onside kick.
- The offense can no longer use no huddle to consistently cause AI defenders to be called offsides.
In Game Feedback System
Building off the success of Madden NFL 15’s pass rush and tackling feedback, the team created a new feedback system around passing and catching.
Pass feedback tells players if the pass was under pressure, on the run, or off the back foot in order to provide context as to why the pass came out the way it did.
Issues From Madden NFL 15 Fixed
- QB Spy logic updated (QB swerves the spy exploit)
- Flip the Play to speed up huddle break issue has been addressed
- Out of position subs causing exploitable routes has been addressed
- Rocket Catching / Mossing / DB Glitches have been significantly reduced and/or eliminated
- A large percentage of the known “nano-blitzes” have been removed
- The PA End Around exploit play has been addressed.
- Route swapping exploits have also been resolved.
- A variety of ‘money plays’ have been revised or altered.
- Resolved the friendly quit glitch for Madden NFL 16
New extra point System is in game
As we mentioned earlier, after scoring a TD, players can kick the PAT from the 15-yard line, or attempt the two-point conversion from the 2. The new rules also allow the defense to score two points on returns. Penalties are fully supported on these plays, so teams can change their decision if a penalty occurs.
You can also check out information on all of the new penalties added to Madden NFL 16 here.
“Organic, physics based tackling system” That is the most misleading and deceptive load of garbage I’ve heard in a long time. Those rag doll qualudes tackles are utterly ridiculous and literally make the game unplayable.