Madden 21 Title Update Version 1.22 Adds Zone Coverage Improvements, SpongeBob to The Yard
As of Thursday, January 7, a new Madden 21 title update went live. Yesterday, we reported on what was coming to Franchise Mode. In Thursday’s version 1.22 update notes, more was revealed about what this particular update has. That included a number of gameplay updates and adding SpongeBob SquarePants to The Yard mode.
Madden 21 Title Update Version 1.22 Gameplay updates
The big gameplay fixes in Madden 21 Title Update version 1.22 involves developers fixing zone coverage issues. Based on EA’s notes about what that includes, there’s quite a bit they adjusted or updated. This was based on feedback they’d been getting from players about defending in zone coverage, and they mentioned they’ll continue to monitor how it’s going.
Here’s what that all specifically included, per EA’s notes:
- Tuning to Deep Zone defender logic to focus more on deep threats in their zone and less on shorter routes approaching their zones
- Tuning to Deep Zone logic in Cover 1 to react quicker to Deep Over, Post, and any other deep crossing routes.
- Updated the facing direction of Deep Zone players so they’ll face the ball rather than just the line of scrimmage, which will help Deep Zone defenders turn in the appropriate direction when covering deep routes.
- Tuning to fakeout logic on Inside Release Post Routes (S-Posts). There was significant separation resulting from this release and cut when close to the line of scrimmage. This change prevents defenders getting faked out during this early segment of the route.
- Added Gen 5-specific Change of Direction animations to locomotion which will improve a defender’s ability to transition from strafe to run quicker and smoother to help defenders get into position to play the ball quicker.
- Tuning to improve ‘turn and run’ to better anticipate vertical speed threats
- Tuning to allow faster top-end strafe speed for defenders in Deep Zone
- Extended the distance that a Deep Third can look inside when anticipating Deep Crossing routes coming from the opposite side of the field.
- Fixed an issue causing outside Deep Third defenders to leverage the No. 1 (Outside) Receiver too long even when the receiver was no longer a deep threat.
Kickoff Play Clock and Fair Catch exploits fixed
Two other areas they fixed in gameplay involved specific exploits. One was a kickoff play clock exploit where the kicking team could stay on the Play-call screen indefinitely without having to call any play. They basically set it up so the kicking team has a running play clock. Once the play clock runs all the way down, it will force the kickoff to be called.
Another exploit involved fair catches. In this exploit, a ball carrier was able to field a kick or punt off the ground after signaling for a fair catch and then was unable to be tackled. Now that won’t happen, and the player recovering the kick or punt will be able to be tackled.
In addition to the above gameplay updates, check out what’s new in Franchise mode with Madden’s 1.22 release.
SpongeBob SquarePants joins The Yard mode
Nickelodeon star SpongeBob SquarePants has officially joined Madden’s newest mode, The Yard. There’s now a new SpongeBob Reef-Top location to play games at for The Yard. In addition, gamers can earn exclusive SpongeBob-inspired gear in the mode by racking up points or completing specific challenges.
EA released a trailer for the promo and SpongeBob himself tweeted it out.
Several new game modes also joined The Yard as part of the SpongeBob promo. They are The Flying Dutchman’s Ghostly Grab, Sandy’s Rocket Arm Rally, and The Goo Lagoon Bowl. More details about SpongeBob in the Madden 21 title update are available here via EA’s website.
SpongeBob is one of the latest “celebrities” to join The Yard that isn’t a traditional football player. Previously we saw the NBA’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers added to the mode, along with former NFL stars.
Gamers should be able to get the new update upon logging onto their specific game platform on Thursday, January 7, and thereafter.
Visit our Madden news page to catch up on more updates about the current and next-gen game.