Madden NFL 24 has unveiled its first trailer, offering players a glimpse into the upcoming NFL simulator tentatively set to release on August 18, 2023. As opposed to its predecessor, the new Madden game will forgo an Xbox One and PS4 launch. The cover athlete for Madden 24 will be Josh Allen, the star quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, and the first Bills player to make the cover. While fans have long clamored for meaningful changes to what they believe is a stagnant franchise, Madden titles have regularly sold well for Electronic Arts, and the expectation is that Madden 24 will enjoy comparable success.
Given that Madden 24 is make or break for EA, it is becoming clear that the years of continued negative reception have opened up the possibility of a major leadership shake-up depending on how fans of the franchise take to the new game. To that end, Madden 24 will feature extensive changes to Franchise Mode by adding highly requested features such as contract restructuring, trade improvements, and even the return of a more in-depth training camp.
The trailer features snippets of in-game footage, from Patrick Mahomes pulling off some of his iconic side throws, to the Philadelphia Eagles lining up for a celebration. Though fans have appreciated a glimpse of training camp, many have pointed out that player models in Madden NFL 24 still give certain athletes a disservice, such as Baltimore's Patrick Queen or Los Angeles' Austin Ekeler. While the listed features coming to the new Madden give the community a glimmer of hope, most have resorted to taking a cautious "wait and see" approach.
Among an overhaul to Madden's Franchise Mode, the moment-to-moment gameplay of Madden 24 is being enhanced with improvements to FieldSENSE and SAPIEN, intended to make passing, tackling, and player motion appear more fluid compared to the frequently critiqued stiffness from past Madden titles. In addition to improved AI for defensive backs, Madden 24 will also be bringing better control to receiver roles, allowing situations like contested catches to play out with more agency and accuracy.
Superstar Mode in Madden 24 is also getting a revamp, modernizing the experience for players to live out their NFL Fantasy (either solo or with friends), from the NFL Combine and all the way to the Draft itself. Ultimately, Madden 24 certainly promises plenty of improvements that sound good on paper, but the community remains apprehensive about how well Electronic Arts will implement them. At the very least, fans should expect to see player ratings for Madden 24 to release in the coming weeks.
Madden NFL 24 will launch on August 18 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.