Madden NFL 24 Revealed: Top 9 Things To Know

Madden NFL 24’s Reveal Trailer has been released, and there are many of headlines going around, such as many updates as well, the return of mini-games, expanded relocation options, and more, which took an appreciable step forward. So in this article, let’s take a look and see what we can find.

Josh Allen Is Madden 24 Cover Athlete

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been announced as the cover athlete for the upcoming EA Sports Madden 24 video game, making him the first-ever Buffalo Bills player to feature on the cover of a Madden game. Last season Allen once again posted impressive numbers as he led the Bills to the postseason. He recorded 4,283 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. The two-time Pro Bowler also ran for 762 yards and seven touchdowns. The question now becomes whether he will be able to avoid the well-publicized ‘Madden Curse’ that has plagued so many previous cover athletes.

Mini-Games Are Back

Many years after their disappearance, the popular mini-games from previous iterations return in full force in Madden NFL 24. These games allow you to focus on specific areas of the game of football to try and achieve the highest score. At launch, Madden NFL 24 will feature at least 25 mini-games, with more to come through the game’s live-service roadmap. At launch, players can compete in games like Target Passing, Rushing Attack, Close Quarters, Option Attack, and more.

Superstar Mode Is back

After a long break from the series, EA is bringing back Superstar mode and it will make its debut in Madden 24. The Madden 24 Superstar mode here is a little different from what you may remember depending on when you jumped into the series. But, it does look to retain the spirit of the mode after it switched from controlling an entire team to a player. The mode has two variations:

 Superstar: The League – Achieve greatness in your NFL career with game-changing control thanks to FieldSENSE. Customize your avatar and build your legacy, progressing from the combine to draft pick to 99 OVR. Navigate all-new mini games and live player grading across a variety of positions.
 Superstar: Showdown – Show off and show out in this all-new atmosphere. Progress your avatar and play with and against friends in 3v3 matchups. Call your plays on the fly like a dominant superstar, get realtime player grading, and do it in style sporting the hottest gear in the game.

The Yard Has Been Transformed Into Superstar Showdown

Like The Yard, Superstar Showdown will be a team-based multiplayer mode where you team up with friends against the AI or other players. The format has been heavily reworked, with each side now playing to 21 instead of getting a handful of possessions apiece. For the team that gets the ball second, a “Last Stand” mechanic will be in play to offset the advantage offered by going first. Characters will continue to be united between Showdown and Superstar Showdown, with XP and currency earned in one mode being usable in the other.

Franchise Mode’s Relocation Options Are Being Expanded

In the meantime, Madden’s most controversial mode brings with it a solid slate of improvements this year, chief among them being updated relocation mechanics. You no longer have to be an owner to move the Titans back to Houston, though the option is still available. You can play as a coach and move them on day one if you so desire. This makes relocation less cumbersome than in the past, and new uniforms, updated stadiums and other enhancements further buoy it.

Elsewhere, EA is addressing Madden’s troubled free agency mechanics with “Free Agency 2.0,” which adds fifth-year options, contract restructuring, improvements to the trading system, expanded draft class generators, and additional coaching skill trees. Online league commissioners are also getting many new options, including the ability to adjust XP allocated to older players, turn off the controversial homefield advantage mechanics, adjust the impact of player motivation, change up the fantasy draft order, and more. Add in the addition of training camp, and it seems like Franchise players have a decent amount to look forward to.

Madden 24 Crossplay Confirmed

After many years, players have finally been listened to with Madden 24. Madden 24 does have crossplay and cross-progression, meaning that you can play with your friends on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in online Head-to-Head, Ultimate Team, Superstar KO, and Superstar Showdown. Unfortunately, you aren’t able to enjoy crossplay between PS4 and Xbox One platforms.

Additionally, crossplay won’t be available in Franchise Mode at launch owing to a “unique set of complications,” and MUT profiles will remain separate in order to avoid upsetting the in-game economy. Like FIFA, Madden will include a toggle to filter by platform or turn off crossplay entirely. One way or another, Madden fans will have a lot more options this year, and that figures to be a good thing for online play overall.

Madden 24 Have Brand-New Skeletons

Madden 24 characters are getting brand-new skeletons based on real-life NFL players, with player models being split between standard, thin, muscular, and heavy players. EA claims this update will bring with it meaningful changes to the animation, and sure enough this year’s version feels far smoother and more natural than the last. The new system extends to coaches – the create-a-coach system is being blessedly overhauled – and even members of the crowd, which means they may actually look like real people rather than the vacant dolls of years past.

Catching And Tackling Are Also Getting Major Improvements

Skill Based Passing makes throwing and catching feel more fluid. An overhauled catching system ensures that receivers consistently maintain their momentum when catching the ball. It feels better than ever to hit a receiver in stride, giving you more control to get loose and get up-field after the catch. A variety of new passing and catching animations capture the authenticity that players expect – dive catches, no-look passes and some game-changing moments never before seen in Madden.

Other Things To Expect

There are plenty more updates and improvements to Madden 24, some more interesting than others. Blocking has been revamped for the hundredth time, with linemen better able to lock in and blow up defenders, further strengthening Madden’s powerful running game. EA also claims that the AI is significantly smarter in this version and is capable of adjusting in realtime to repetitive playcalling. Finally, making a big play will elicit more realistic reactions and celebrations, where previously they would shuffle robotically back to the line.