EA is set to release a brand new update for Madden NFL 21 that will address another longstanding issue with Franchise mode, making player trades easier to understand and more realistic. Since its launch last year, the latest edition in the NFL sim has been met with a mixed reception from critics and fans. Some have even called for the NFL to drop EA and put another company in charge of video game adaptations due to a perceived lack of improvement in the series over the last few years.
This is not the first time that EA has released an update to improve the Franchise mode in Madden 21. The developer has made a number of significant changes to the signature game mode following fan feedback and criticism. Many users felt like the latest installment not only failed to improve on its predecessors but that it was lacking important features. So far, EA has altered the QB draft logic to make drafting quarterbacks more realistic and given users the ability to add X-Factor and Superstar traits to players in their squads.
The final update for Madden 21's Franchise mode is launching today, with EA detailing how it will simplify the player trade process and make it fairer for users. The main change comes to the player-trading logic used within the game. Previously, valuations for stars would be based on how far up the depth chart they were for their current team. But a change in the system will mean that they will be valued according to valuable they will be for the squad they are being traded to. A similar modification has also been made so that the value of players also takes into account their suitability for the schemes used by teams. All in all, EA says that it hopes these changes will make Madden 21 "closer to what we’ve seen [in real life] based on changing perceptions of ‘realistic’ trades over the years.”
Those who want to try out Madden 21 for the first time might be in luck this week. Microsoft and EA announced a few days ago that Madden 21 would be coming to Xbox Game Pass from March 3 via EA Play. The sports sim will be joined by Star Wars Squadrons and several other titles from EA's back catalog, alongside a host of other Xbox games over the coming weeks.
Seeing EA update Madden 21 this much, especially in regards to its single-player Franchise mode, is unusual. However, it is refreshing to see the developers attempting to regain some of the trust it had lost with players over what was largely considered to be a roster update rather than a true sequel when the game released last year.
Madden 21 is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia, iOS, and Android.
Source: EA