Madden NFL 20 January Update Updates 'Run Commit' Among Other Fixes
The January Madden NFL 20 game update (1.22) is now available and includes changes to run commit, commentary updates, Franchise stability, additional players in the Superstar KO pool, and more.
According to patch notes, the changes made will cause the "Updated 'Run Commit' mechanic to be more effective at stopping running plays when used toward the correct side of the run on all game styles." Some of the reactions to the Run Commit changes have been less than ideal.
Also worth noting is that the patch notes state that the disallowed player list name within Face of the Franchise: QB1 have been updated. Some names will not be allowed within the College Football Playoff, but can be edited back once the player is drafted.
Continue on to see the full patch notes released by EA SPORTS. ...
Join the '19-20 TGT Bowl Mania Group
Think you know how bowl season will shake out? Prove it and join The Gaming Tailgate's Capital One Bowl Mania group on ESPN.com.
This game challenges you to select the winners of each of the NCAA college football bowl games with a Confidence scoring system (assign confidence points to your picks). Best of all, the game is FREE to play!
Get in the action now! Group: The Gaming Tailgate
The winner - provided they are a member of TGT in good standing - will receive their choice of a $25 PSN/XBL/Nintendo card. It is free to enter, so feel welcome to invite family and friends. Good luck!
MLB Extends MLB The Show License; Title Coming to More Consoles
SmoothPancakes
In a joint statement, MLB, the MLBPA, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and San Diego Studio have announced a multi-year extension for development and distribution of MLB The Show. More noteworthy however, is the announcement that the title will now developed for additional consoles beyond PlayStation starting as early as 2021 with 'complete details announced at a later date.'
Following the release of this news on social media, both the Nintendo and Xbox Twitter accounts responded, implying (confirming?) that the title will be coming to those consoles. While the possibility - or seeming likelihood - of MLB The Show coming to more platforms (read: no longer a PlayStation exclusive) is great news for sports gamers, it also raises a bevy of questions to be answered at a later date:
Will the game be cross-platform? Will the San Diego Studio be the lone developer on non-PlayStation versions of the title? Will San Diego Studio no longer make PlayStation exclusive titles? Will there be some exclusive game aspects to keep PlayStation as the preferred console for the title? Did the title need to make this move to help cover expenses such as licensing costs or did MLB push them towards it?
Continue on to see the press releases and tweets previously mentioned. ...
NCAA Clears Way for Athletes to Profit from Names, Images and Likenesses
NCAA Football 14
Following legislation in California (and with more states likely to follow) allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, the NCAA's Board of Governors board 'voted unanimously to permit students participating in athletics the opportunity to benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness in a manner consistent with the collegiate model.'
The working group will gather feedback through April and then refine its recommendations on the principles and regulatory framework. The board asked each division to create any new rules beginning immediately, but no later than January 2021.
Should the NCAA's ultimate legislation allow for the use of players in video games, it could not only open up for a return of the NCAA Football franchise, but also perhaps NCAA Basketball, College Hoops, and MVP NCAA Baseball, among other titles. It could also provide a boost to existing games such as Doug Flutie's Maximum Football.
Continue on to see the official press release from the NCAA as well as an article from ESPN on this news. ...
Madden NFL 20 October Update Adds Franchise Improvements & Bug Fixes
The October title update is now available for Madden NFL 20 and contains a sizable number of improvements and fixes for the game.
Among the highlights: Chargers WR Keenan Allen has been upgraded to Superstar X-Factor from Superstar, replacing Free Agent WR Antonio Brown, Franchise News Story updates and New game-day stories and challenges, updated player and coach likenesses, extensive Franchise updates, and much more. The bug leading to a missing kick meter in Franchise Mode has also been remedied.
Continue on to see the lengthy patch notes courtesy EA SPORTS. ...
Madden NFL 20 Update Adds Superstar KO Legends & Bug Fixes
Another game update is now available for Madden NFL 20. This game update adds new legends to the Superstar KO player pool, includes tackle animation improvements, bug fixes, and more.
The update also fixes an issue causing the hidden dev trait snap-count to reset when using active rosters to start a Franchise league, however a later fix will need to occur to resolve this issue in existing franchises. Another significant issue resolved is an issue where Face of the Franchise QB1 decisions were presented to non-QB1 users in Franchise.
Continue on to see the patch notes courtesy EA SPORTS. ...
Madden NFL 20 Game Update Includes a Hilton Upgrade
Another game update is now available for Madden NFL 20. This update builds upon the previous September game update in correcting game issues, most notably using the standard 'general stability and connectivity improvements' terminology.
The most notable change is the addition of Colts WR T.Y. Hilton as a Superstar X-Factor to replace the recently retired Andrew Luck. Hilton will possess the RAC 'em Up, Double Move Elite, and Route Technician abilities. It is worth noting that this upgrade will not be included in existing Franchises; it will only occur in Franchises created after this game update.
Continue on to see the blog from EA SPORTS detailing this game update. ...
Madden NFL 20 Update Adds New Mode: Superstar KO
September's Madden NFL 20 game update is now available and adds in a new mode, Superstar KO.
Superstar KO is a quick mode that allows users to customize their roster and play style in competing either solo or in squads online. Each team gets one drive from their own 25 yard line to score and stop their opponent. Whomever scores the most points wins, but in the case of a tie the game will then decided via Tug of War. View the Superstar KO developer's blog here.
This update also adds two new abilities: New Pat Tillman Superstar X-Factor Ability and New Superstar Kick Return Ability. Other aspects of the update include updated player likenesses and fixes/improvements to gameplay, presentation, and MUT. View full details of the game update here.
Continue on to see the Superstar KO press release from EA SPORTS and a look at Tug of War utilized to determine the winner. After you've tried the mode, let us know your results and thoughts on the mode here. ...
Join the 2019 TGT College Pick 'Em group on ESPN.com!
Think you know who will win each week in college football? Prove it in the annual TGT College Pick 'Em group on ESPN.com.
Every week throughout the college football season, ESPN will select 10 evenly matched games. It's then up to you to do your research (or go with your gut) and select the winners of these games while also ranking them from 1-10 based on your confidence level.
The winner (who must be in good standing at TGT to claim their prize) will receive their choice a free game, MSRP of $60 or less. It is free to enter, so feel welcome to invite family and friends.
Continue on to see more info. ...
NBA 2K20 - MyTeam Developer Blog
NBA 2K20 continues their game reveal by detailing the numerous changes and improvements coming to MyTEAM.
Among the improvements: Card Evolution (special cards that can be upgraded), redesigned Triple Threat, daily login prizes, prize wheel, Today in MyTEAM (Limited Time Events & The Agenda), new Ball Drop Prizing, Community Hub, Positional Restrictions, and more. The blog also gives the first info on some of the collections coming to MyTEAM in 2K20.
Continue on to read the developer blog and see the MyTEAM trailer. ...
Madden 20 Update 1.10 Adds OL Superstar Abilities, Pass Block Double Teams, & More
Game update 1.10 is now available for Madden NFL 20.
This update is sizable, adding Superstar abilities to offensive linemen, adding Pass Block Double Team mechanic to pre-play, updated player and coach likenesses, franchise fixes, presentation updates, and more.
Continue on to see full details of this update. ...
gamescom 2019 Opening Night Live - Monday, August 19 (2 PM ET)
At 1 PM CT Monday afternoon, gamescom's Opening Night Live will be available to watch via stream from Cologne, Germany.
Hosted by Geoff Keighley, there will be world premieres and game info from the following studios: 2K, Activision, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bungie, Capcom, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Google Stadia, Koch Media/Deep Silver, Private Division, Sega, Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, THQ Nordic GmbH, Ubisoft, Xbox Game Studios, as well as announcements from independent game studios.
Known reveals and premieres include Need for Speed Heat gameplay from EA, Illfonic debuting Predator: Hunting Grounds gameplay, Kojima will give exclusive previews into Death Stranding, and Microsoft will have an exclusive look at Gears 5 gameplay.
Continue on to see the gamescom Opening Night Live stream. ...
Madden NFL 20 Update 1.09 Focuses on Stability
Game update 1.09 is now available for Madden NFL 20. This game update does not include gameplay, presentation, or PC aspects; but rather focuses on stability and usability issues. Improvements in those game areas will come in future title updates.
Continue on to see the update notes courtesy of EA SPORTS. ...
NBA 2K20 to Feature WNBA Play Now & Season Mode
NBA 2K20 will include the WNBA as both Play Now and Season Mode options.
Among the players mo-capped for 2K20 were Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, Amaya Valdemoro Madariaga, and Maite Cazorla. The development team focused on specific AI, playbooks, and defensive schemes for each WNBA team as well as player specific details such as tattoos, shorts length, shoes, hairstyles, faces, and more.
One year ago, Parker was a member of the 'NBA LIVE Squad,' presumably paid to help market LIVE 19's female create-a-player feature. Now it would seem she is part of 2K's marketing efforts. After adding the WNBA as part of Play Now in NBA LIVE 18 and female CAP in 19, it is worth watching to see if or how the WNBA expands in NBA LIVE 20 or if 2K20 will surpass EA's efforts in just one edition.
Continue on to see the WNBA reveal trailer and excerpts of the developer blog. ...
EA Taking 'Different Approach' to NBA LIVE 20; Launching After Oct. 1
Today's financial report from Electronic Arts has disclosed that NBA LIVE 20 will be moving from its original and traditional Q2 FY20 release window to Q3, meaning it will be released after October 1. For comparison's sake, NBA 2K20 will be released on September 6, 2019 and NBA LIVE 19 launched September 7, 2018. The move may be one to get the title out of NBA 2K20's launch tsunami, allowing LIVE 20 to get some attention of its own.
Polygon reached out to EA and received the following statement: "We're planning a different approach to NBA LIVE this year, and will have more to share in the quarter ahead." ...
Continue on to read an excerpt of the blog and click here to read the entire entry. ...
NBA 2K20 Reveals Game Soundtrack
2K Sports has released the track listing for the NBA 2K20 soundtrack. Artists on the soundtrack include Cardi B, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Drake, and Run The Jewels.
This year, UnitedMasters is the official curator of the soundtrack and is giving their artists a chance to be added to the soundtrack at a later date.
You can listen to the soundtrack on Spotify. Continue on to see the full track listing. ...
FIFA 20 - Official Gameplay Trailer
EA SPORTS has released an official gameplay trailer for FIFA 20 highlighting some of the improvements coming to the game.
Among the new gameplay features highlighted: Set Piece Rewrite, Dynamic 1v1s, new ball physics, and Composed Finishing.
FIFA 20 is currently available on Amazon for preorder; $50.94 for the Standard Edition and $79.99 for the Champions Edition. ...
NHL 20 - Official Gameplay Trailer
Narrated by Gameplay Producer Ben Ross, the NHL 20 Official Gameplay Trailer showcases some of the gameplay improvements coming to NHL 20, including RPM Tech 2.0, Signature Shots, Contextual Shots, Explosive Transitions, and Intelligent Saves.
NHL 20 will be available September 13 and is currently available for preorder for $50.94 on Amazon. ...
NASCAR Heat 4 to Feature Harvick & Stewart on Cover; Releases This September
704Games has announced that Kevin Harvick will be the NASCAR Heat 4 cover athlete when the game releases this September. The cover will also include NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Tony Stewart on the cover.
Among the first game news and features revealed are a deeper career mode, upgraded graphics, track maps and the addition of the 2019 rules package. Those who pre-order the game will get early access to the new Martinsville Night race.
The game will include ...