As per tradition, EA Sports’ ramps up development for its next Madden release following the NFL Draft. Draft night features screenshots of the new additions to the NFL and creates a great amount of anticipation for Madden fans as well. This week saw the big announcement of the game’s cover athlete and we may be looking at one of the biggest covers of all time.
EA Sports announced that New England Patriots quarterback and five-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will be on the cover of Madden NFL 18. Now while many will groan at Brady being the cover athlete this year, since the Patriots and Brady are so hated, it says a lot that a player of Brady's stature agreed to appear on the cover of the game.
“The Madden NFL 18 cover is a great honor for me,” said Brady. “Especially since I have been playing the game since growing up next to EA headquarters in the Bay Area. I'm not one to believe in curses, so I'm ready to take the challenge head on like always! It doesn't stand a chance!!!”
In addition to the cover reveal, EA Sports also announced many of the new features that will be included in Madden NFL 18 . The biggest addition that has been discussed is the game’s move to the Frostbite game engine, the same engine that FIFA uses in their games. The first glimpse of the game trailer looked amazing and if that is what the new game on the Frostbite engine will look like, fans will be in awe. FIFA’s biggest asset has been its presentation and the Frostbite engine stands to give Madden a complete makeover.
Here are a few other features that were announced for Madden NFL 18.
GAMEPLAY
- Target Passing: For the first time ever, no longer are you tied to throwing at your open wide receiver. Throw to who you want, in the exact spot on the field with all-new Target Passing, giving you, ultimate control over where the ball is thrown.
- Play Styles: Play the game you want by selecting from three new and unique play-styles catering each matchup to your specifications:
- Arcade - Action packed excitement filled with spectacular plays and scoring with limited penalties.
- Simulation - True to player and team ratings using authentic NFL rules and gameplay.
- Competitive - Your stick skills are key, earn big rewards for your skill or receive bigger penalties.
- Coverage Assignment: Know your job in pass coverage with an on-screen, real-time UI system informing you of your coverage assignment in pass defense.
- Coach Adjustments: Customize the AI to fit your game plan and make situational changes to your strategy on the fly as the game demands it.
Favorite Ways to Play
- MUT - Build, play, and win with your ultimate team of today's' NFL stars and legends. Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) is the complete NFL team-building mode using your favorite NFL players from the past and present. Play games, collect rewards and upgrade your team with daily, fun and engaging content updates including legendary NFL players exclusively found in MUT. Continuously craft your squad to elite status on the road to building your Ultimate Team dynasty.
- FRANCHISE - Create your Dynasty. Play weekly full game matchups or get through a season quickly by playing as just the offense, defense, or key moments from the game. Grab the reins and control your team's' operations from signing free agents and making trades, to scouting and drafting players, your decisions build your dynasty. Join up with other players and battle through the season in a fully connected league experience. Choose to play and manage your Franchise from your smartphone using the Madden Companion App.
This is all just the tip of the iceberg in regards to information about Madden NFL 18. EA Sports will be releasing more information throughout the remainder of the spring and the summer, including EA Play on June 10 in California.
Madden NFL 18 is set to be released on Aug. 25. How excited are you about the release of Madden? Let us know in our comment section.
