Madden NFL 25 - Formation Audibles (UPDATED)

[ShopMaster]

It looks like Kolbe already posted but I was notified today after my article released that they have changed it up a bit and making it based on personnel and not formations.

Here is what I updated my article with:

In my article below I talk about how the Audible system was in when I played it in early May and how it was explained to us in February. Shortly after the article was published I was in deep conversations with community members who liked it and some that didn't. I mentioned in my article that I felt a better system was for them to audible by personnel and not by formations and passed that information on back when I was in Orlando giving feedback. While I understand that it would stop people from audibling from 5 WR to Goaline, it would also limit the offense and keep them in the same formation. Well after writing the article and discussion with the community on my Twitter (@Shopmaster) I was contacted by EA SPORTS on some of the changes that have been made since I played it in May.

1. The audible system is now based on personnel and not formations. Meaning if you are in a Weak I formation you can audible to a Strong I formation. You can audible (shift) to any formation that contains the same personnel grouping that's currently on the field that is in your playbook. When you hit audible it will look like this above the top < Singleback - Normal >

2. You can only set audibles to plays that are already in your playbook. So you don't have access to all of the plays in that formation from other playbooks. (Another reason why I think Custom Playbooks will be a big deal this year.)

3. Also heard that you can set quick audibles in-game. I'm not quite sure how this works but I was told that while playing someone you can set any of the quick audibles for your formations without hitting the pause button. There was a way to do this on the PS2 and XBOX, forgot what version. I'm sure someone will remind me.

4. Same rules apply to the defense. No audibling from Nickel to to 4-3.

[ZAN]

Exactly, Shop.

If I come out in Gun Doubles with the "TE Slot" package, I'm not in Posse personnel like the game is currently programmed to think. I'm in Ace personnel, and should be able to audible out to any formation that utilizes Ace or 22 personnel (since the #2 TE will go to H-back).

[infemous]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kolbe

Really glad you guys are digging the new audible system! I do however, have one small(ish) correction: While on the field, you CAN audible to any Formation and Set combination that shares the personnel group you have on the field. For example - lets say you're the Cardinals, because everyone wants to be the Cardinals. You're on the field in Shotgun Bunch (11 personnel) - you complete the previous pass and no huddle. You then bring up the audible menu and you have audibles for: Shotgun - Bunch, Y-Trips HB Wk, Normal HB Wk, Split Close, Trio Singleback - Tight Doubles, Z-Trip In this case, that's a total of 28 audibles at the line - Congratulations, you're Peyton Manning. -Kolbe

This is fantastic news.

Now only if QBs with awareness of over 85 are allowed to do that many shifts, while lower awareness QBs can only hot route, it'd make it perfect.

I still would like to see an ability to hot route without changing the route, basically telling the WR or TE or RB that there is a blitz and they are the hot read, look for the ball ASAP, not 15 yards into your route. It'd be like a little highlight feature that just announces to the receiver to be en guard... If their ratings mean they ignore it.. C'est la vie!

[PSUEagle]

Quote: Originally Posted by ZAN

Exactly, Shop. If I come out in Gun Doubles with the "TE Slot" package, I'm not in Posse personnel like the game is currently programmed to think. I'm in Ace personnel, and should be able to audible out to any formation that utilizes Ace or 22 personnel (since the #2 TE will go to H-back).

No: by definition you'll have a WR aligned as your second TE if the H-Back moves to fullback in 22 personnel. Now if you meant to say 21, though, you would be correct.

The bigger news to me how custom playbooks function: do you still have to jump through a byzantine maze just to get a semi-functioning one? Or is it more like NCAA in terms of interface/ease of use?

[ZAN]

Yes, 21 personnel. iPhone typing ftw!

[ZAN]

The interface is easier this year. You'll see.

[ShopMaster]

Quote: Originally Posted by PSUEagle

No: by definition you'll have a WR aligned as your second TE if the H-Back moves to fullback in 22 personnel. Now if you meant to say 21, though, you would be correct. The bigger news to me how custom playbooks function: do you still have to jump through a byzantine maze just to get a semi-functioning one? Or is it more like NCAA in terms of interface/ease of use?

Yes, the UI is friendlier and the important thing is you'll be able to set your audibles.

[PSUEagle]

Quote: Originally Posted by ShopMaster

Yes, the UI is friendlier and the important thing is you'll be able to set your audibles.

Do you know if you can control what order your formations are in (i.e. in singleback Ace goes first, the Ace Pair, then Doubles, etc.)? In that same vein, can you control what order the families are in (i.e. I want Ace first, then I, the Strong, then Weak, then Gun, and finally goalline)?

Thanks for the feedback: this system sounds like an overall improvement on what's been in place seemingly forever. One more quick question though: are there still personnel packages available that you can play with (i.e. Backup HB, TE slot, etc)?