Madden NFL 25 Releases New Update for November 2024

Key Takeaways

The November update for Madden NFL 25 introduces a unique animation inspired by Saquon Barkley’s performance.
The update adds five new X-Factor players and playbooks adjustments, offering more customization options.
The update also includes face scans for NFL players, new gear options, and numerous gameplay fixes.

As a die-hard Madden enthusiast with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the latest update for Madden NFL 23 is nothing short of a game-changer! The new features and improvements are not only impressive but also cater to the needs of dedicated gamers like myself.

In a recent update for Madden NFL 25, EA Sports has incorporated an exclusive animation, reminiscent of a remarkable display by one of the NFL’s top running backs, Saquon Barkley from the Philadelphia Eagles. This November update also introduces five new X-Factor players, significantly changes playbooks, and expands customization possibilities for gamers.

In August, the popular video game series “Madden” achieved a significant achievement within the gaming industry by holding the number one position in game sales for the 25th consecutive year when its games were first released, as reported by Circana’s statistics. Interestingly, even before its launch in July 2024, “Madden 25” was close to being among the top-selling games of that month, ranking just below EA’s football game, “EA College Football 25,” and tying for second place with it as part of the “EA Sports MVP Bundle.

Highlighting the November update, we have the innovative backwards hurdle animation, reminiscent of Barkley’s performance in the Eagles’ match against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 3. Barkley, who is already one of the top halfbacks in Madden 25, has been elevated to a Superstar X-Factor player with an overall rating of 92. This update introduces a unique move exclusive to Barkley that no other player can perform. One of the game designers, Spade, observed this impressive backwards hurdle during the second quarter of the Jaguars’ visit and felt it was necessary to include in Madden 25. To activate the Saquon Spin Hurdle, players must skillfully time the hurdle button while controlling Barkley, as a defender approaches at a 45-degree angle and is close range.

In an exciting turn of events, I, as a dedicated Madden fan, am thrilled about the November update that brings some changes to the league’s roster. This update introduces five new players who now have access to the Madden series’ X-Factor abilities, along with 21 others who have been promoted to Superstar rank, and unfortunately, 18 who have seen a dip in their status.

In the game Madden 25, the playbooks are undergoing modifications, specifically on the defensive side where new plays have been incorporated for Nickel Over, Nickel 2-4, and Nickel 3-3 Odd for several teams. Offensively, the Run & Shoot playbook receives five extra plays, divided between pistol and shotgun formations. The update also includes fresh likenesses for thirteen NFL players, introduces a couple of wintery cosmetic items in Superstar mode, offers seven more genuine equipment choices, and makes various gameplay adjustments.

Madden 25 November Update Notes

Gameplay

Triggering the Saquon Spin Hurdle – To trigger the spin hurdle the ball-carrier must be Saquon Barkley, the defender must be incoming from a 45 degree angle in front of the ball carrier, the defender must be within a close proximity to the ball carrier, and the user must press the hurdle button with the right timing.
Addressed an issue where users were able to create illegal formations by motioning the tight end after an audible
- DEV NOTE: This tactic was most effective when having the offense audible into formations like Trips TE or Bunch TE. Users could motion the tight end over to the same side as the trips receivers and create offensive overloads. The formations created were not legal formations and this functionality has been removed.
Fixed the QB walking through the center on QB Kneel plays. The QB now is in the correct position to start and walks into the correct position behind the center
Fixed the defensive end lining up in the same spot as the defensive tackle in the 4-3 Over Solid formation
Addressed an issue where no power kicks would land at spots in the front of the landing zone that were difficult for the kicking team to recover
- DEV NOTE: There has been a change made to kick power and ball placement so no power kicks will now fall short of the landing zone. There will need to be at 25% power for the ball to make it to the landing zone
Fixed an issue with outside deep fourth defenders biting down on return routes instead of staying deep
Fixed an issue where deep zone defenders would not keep depth when they had no receiving threat in their zone and would allow Post Routes from the other side of the formation to get behind them
Fixed an issue where deep third defenders in Prevent defense were not all staying deeper than the deepest across the field
Fixed an issue where the inside deep fourth safety would leave the slot receiver unguarded, going vertical in the Empty Bunch Verticals play
Fixed an issue where the inside deep fourth safety allowed the slot receiver in bunch formations on a streak to run past him for a TD
Fixed an issue where Seam Flat defenders in the Dime 1-4 FS Zone Blitz play were not covering the correct sides of the field against the Gun Bunch Str Nasty: MTN Curls play
Alignment improvements in Cover 4 Quarters, Palms, and Cover 6 where the outside Deep Fourth, Quarter Flat, and 3 Rec Hook triangulate their positioning against Bunch Receivers to handle first inside, and first to flat, and deep threat
Fixed an alignment issue where defenders were lining up in the wrong position on Nickel 3-3 Odd Pinch 0 allowing the middle slot receiver to be left unguarded in Empty sets
Fixed an issue where outside cornerbacks and inside cornerbacks would align side by side against a nub-set tight end (TE aligned next to the OT with no WRs outside of the TE)

Superstar X-Factor Updates:

New X-Factor Players
- C.J. Stroud
- Nico Collins
- Aidan Hutchinson
- Antoine Winfield Jr.
- Quinnen Williams

New Superstar Players
- Jayden Daniels
- Baker Mayfield
- Alvin Kamara
- Malik Nabers
- Xavier McKinney
- Chris Olave
- Nnamdi Maduibike
- Jaylon Johnson
- L’Jarius Sneed
- Christian Darrisaw
- Joe Thuney
- Alex Highsmith
- Chavarius Ward
- Rashawn Slater
- Trey Smith
- C.J. Mosley
- Jordan Mailata
- Trent McDuffie
- Brandon Aubrey
- Garrett Wilson
- Tariq Woolen
Downgraded Players
- Tre’Davious White
- Jalen Hurts
- Darius Slay
- Mark Andrews
- Keenan Allen
- Mike Williams
- Jordan Poyer
- Trevor Lawrence
- Za’Darius Smith
- D’Andre Swift
- Kyren Williams
- Raheem Mostert
- Aaron Rodgers
- Josh Jacobs
- Tyron Smith
- Chase Young
- Stephon Gilmore
- Austin Ekeler

New Face Scans

Charvarius Ward
Rhamondre Stevenson
Jake Ferguson
Tyson Campbell
Paulson Adebo
Martin Emerson Jr.
Nick Bellore
Jaylen Warren
Tee Higgins
Joey Porter Sr.
Quinnen Williams
Charles Woodson
Ryan Kelly

Playbooks

Added plays to Nickel Over in the following playbooks: 4-3, 46, Cover 2, Multiple D, 49ers, Bears, Bengals, Browns, Chiefs, Colts, Commanders, Jaguars, Jets, Packers, Saints, and Texans
- Nickel Over – Edge Blitz 0
- Nickel Over – Edge Blitz 3
- Nickel Over – FS Will Blitz 0
- Nickel Over – Cover 3 Buzz Mable
- Nickel Over – Sim Pressure 3
Added plays to Nickel 2-4 in the following playbooks: 3-4, Broncos, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Chargers, Dolphins, Falcons, Giants, Lions, Patriots, Raiders, Rams, Ravens, Seahawks, Titans, and Vikings
- Nickel 2-4 – Edge Blitz 0
- Nickel 2-4 – Edge Blitz 3
- Nickel 2-4 – FS Will Blitz 0
- Nickel 2-4 – Cover 3 Buzz Mable
- Nickel 2-4 – Sim Pressure 3
- Nickel 2-4 – Double Bracket
- Nickel 2-4 – 1 Double WR1
- Nickel 2-4 – 1 Double WR2
DEV NOTE: We unintentionally omitted some new plays from the previous gridiron notes; these plays were added to Nickel 3-3 Odd in the previous update.
- Hot Blitz Bail
- Double Bracket
- Cover 6 Willie
- 1 Double WR1
- Cover 4 Palms
- 1 Double WR2
- Tampa Sim Pressure
- Tampa 2 Drop
- Cover 9
Added New plays to the Run & Shoot playbook
- Pistol Spread – Speed Option, Wide Zone, Wide Zone Wk
- Pistol Trips Open – Houston, Houston Mesh
- Gun Spread – 90 Cube, RPO Alert WR Screens, RPO Alert Bubble
- Gun Trips Slots Close – Blast, Georgia, Georgia Mesh, Speed Option
- Gun Trips – Blast, Georgia, Georgia Mesh

Franchise Mode

Addressed a crash when users are creating a new offline league using the Active Roster entry point
Fixed an issue where the Hub Timeline doesn’t display final scores during the Playoffs
Resolved mismatches between Player Traits on the Player Card and Edit Player screen
Corrected commentary errors and presentation issues when using a Teambuilder team that referred to an incorrect Bears vs Bears matchup
Addressed Franchise settings issues with the Draft Timer and Adjusting Depth Charts when both settings were set to “OFF”/“Manual.”

Superstar Mode (PS5, Xbox Series X|S & PC only)

Fixed an issue where the CAP would not be present in some plays.
Updated default difficulty settings
Vanity
- Snowman Helmets (3)
- Candy Cane Capsule

NFL Authenticity

Gear
- Xenith Orbit Helmet and Masks
- Light Gladiator Helmet and Masks
- Vapor Edge 360 Untouchable Cleat
- Nike Vapor Knit 4 gloves
- Jordan Vapor Knit 4 gloves
- Nike DTack FG gloves
- C Patch updates for multiple teams

2024-11-23 21:44