As an early Christmas present, the team at EA Sports has given us a relatively small update for December. This isn't as transformative as the November update, but it has a couple of things worth calling out.
Live Playbooks
The link between online play and the real world is getting closer and closer. We already have live updates to players abilities throughout the season, but this takes it to an even more dynamic level.
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Each playbook will have a standard version based on game launch, and then there will be a 'live' alternative that will update throughout the season as we see new plays and tendencies from each team.
LIVE: The new toggle is under playbooks as 'NFL Live Playbooks"
To access these playbooks, toggle on the ‘NFL Live Playbooks’ option in the Game Options settings from the main menu or via the Advanced Settings option in the Team Select screen. The Advanced Settings option in Team Select is how Franchise players will be able to access the alternate playbooks.
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This will really help to continue immersive sports fans into gaming, and blur the lines between gaming and reality. If your team has changed their style and started dominating in real life, you don't have to wait until the following year to recreate that in Madden.
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New X-Factor Players and Superstar Ability Changes
There are a raft of changes to X-Factor Players and Superstar abilities. Keep an eye out for Lamar Jackson with 'Escape Artist' and 'First One Free' - this could make the MVP favourite virtually unplayable.
New X-Factor Players:
- Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, replacing Chargers QB Philip Rivers
- X-Factor: First One Free
- Superstar Abilities: Escape Artist, Juke Box, Fast Break
- 49ers DE Nick Bosa, replacing Rams RB Todd Gurley
- X-Factor: Unstoppable Force
- Superstar Abilities: Strip Specialist, Finesse Specialist
- Jets SS Jamal Adams, replacing Cowboys CB Byron Jones
- X-Factor: Reinforcement
- Superstar Abilities: Enforcer, Under Pressure
- Patriots FS Devin McCourty, replacing Bears FS Eddie Jackson
- X-Factor: Zone Hawk
- Superstar Abilities: Lumberjack, Pick Artist
- Cardinals OLB Chandler Jones, replacing Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott
- X-Factor: Fearmonger
- Superstar Abilities: Reach Elite, Edge Threat Elite
- Updated Jaguars DE Calais Campbell
- Replaced Reach Tackle with Inside Stuff
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- Updated Superstar Players:
- Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin
- Route Technician
- Vikings DE Everson Griffen
- Power Specialist
- Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey
- Man Up
- Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley
- Secure Protector
- Saints RT Ryan Ramcyzk
- Secure Protector
- Vikings WR Stefon Diggs
- Cross Specialist, Post-Flag Specialist
- Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette
- Bulldozer
- 49ers DE Dee Ford
- Edge Threat
- Cowboys CB Byron Jones, downgraded from X-Factor to Superstar
- Acrobat
- Eagles TE Zach Ertz, downgraded from X-Factor to Superstar
- In-Out Elite
- Chargers QB Philip Rivers, downgraded from X-Factor to Superstar
- Pocket Lead, Arching Deadeye
- Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott, downgraded from X-Factor to Superstar
- Inside Zone Guru
- Bears FS Eddie Jackson, downgraded from X-Factor to Superstar
- Zoned Out
- Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin
- Downgraded Superstar & X-Factor players, no longer equipped with any abilities:
- Colts MLB Darius Leonard
- Chargers RB Melvin Gordon, III
- Jets MLB CJ Mosley
- Redskins SS Landon Collins
- Falcons FS Keanu Neal
- Rams RB Todd Gurley
- Browns DE Myles Garrett
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Along the December title update and all these changes to X-Factor stars, a new series in Ultimate Team is starting soon. For all the information about new challenges, programs, and cards click here!