Madden 19 Title Update 1.16 Improves Ice the Kicker, Increases Spin Move Fumbles, & More

Matt Couden 6 years ago
madden 19 title update 116 defensive playcalling cover 3
madden 19 title update 116 defensive playcalling cover 3
Matt Couden 6 years ago

EA Sports released a new Madden 19 title update for the football game on Thursday, December 6. Gamers will see some improvements within the gameplay in key aspects for gameplay including defense and strategy. In particular, gamers are going to love or hate the updates for Ice the Kicker or spin move fumbles, depending on which side of strategy they were on. There are also helpful updates for Madden Ultimate Team and Franchise modes. Here are the latest details on the Madden 19 title update 1.16 which is now available for the game.

Madden 19 Title Update: Gameplay improvements for defense

Within the past few weeks, gamers saw probably the biggest Madden 19 tuner update since the game’s release. This latest 1.16 title update drops more tweaks and improvements to gameplay in terms of fumbles, defensive strategy, and more. According to EA’s update notes, there are helpful improvements for the gameplay when it comes to playbooks, tuning, pass coverage, blocking, and special teams logic.

The playbooks received a nice update for those gamers who take on CPU-controlled teams in Madden. Basically, the AI will reflect play calling based on how NFL teams have been calling their defensive plays up to now in the actual season.

Gameplay tuning updated the fumble aspect just a bit. If a player is using a “steerable” spin ball carrier move and is hit by a Hit Stick tackle, there is now a greater chance for a fumble. They also tuned things to fix a QB fumble issue that occurred as the QB broke free of a sack to throw the ball. Basically, the issue was causing a fumble in that instance, but now it will be an incomplete pass.

Madden 19 Title Update: Cover 3 logic, Ice the Kicker

Gamers who like to switch up their defensive pass coverage strategy by using Cover 3 will find new logic and tuning applied there. These may not be noticeable by a majority of gamers on Madden 19 but will help those who like to change it up. They’ve updated logic on Hook-Curl and Seam Flat defenders within the Cover 3 in particular. There is also a fix for Cover 4 Quarters in terms of improper coverage for the inside-most receiver on a Hail Mary Trio play.

Another improvement comes for game strategy in terms of special teams play calling in the game. Basically, there was a loophole in the game where a team would apply “Ice the Kicker” and then the team planning to kick would get rid of the mode. They were able to do this by calling a timeout or even running a wasted play so that “Ice the Kicker” would no longer apply. Not now, as the developers have made sure “Ice the Kicker” stays on for the entire drive.

Madden 19 Title Update: Franchise & Ultimate Team

Franchise mode has a number of updates which mostly fix issues inside the mode (a save file crash, missing Career Stats data, etc). They also took community feedback to heart and have put the previous Franchise Player-lock Camera back into this mode. It will now use the “legacy player-lock camera” which will give a better view of the backfield.

For Madden Ultimate Team, gamers now have the option to play Squads vs. Friends. This will be available as a new tile on the Squads hub where gamers can choose a 2v2 or 3v3 game to participate in. Gamers will need to provide a password to get into the Squads vs. Friends, so it will be one that is set up amongst friends or known competitors. Matchmaking will occur only against other teams with that same password.

Check out the complete 1.16 title update notes here at EA’s website. What do you like most/least about the new update?

Also, make sure to check out more of the latest news about the game at our Madden news section.