DB/WR Interactions Are Vastly Improved in Madden NFL 16, According to EA

It's finally happening! Defensive back and wide receiver interactions are going to be a big thing this year, according to a new blog on EA Sports website. Also being introduced this year are new pass catching mechanics, which will allow you to consider how you want your receiver to go after passes.


What This Means: The big thing is, this introduces another small layer of strategy on the field -- where you have to make an important decision during a play on whether to play aggressive or conservative. There's nothing wrong with that. Even better, playing as a WR in connected franchise just got a lot more fun. Again, a positive thing.

There are three ways to catch passes this year:

1. RAC Catch (X/Square) - A run after catch, allows you to catch the ball and turn up field during the catch with the intent to gain yards. These catches have higher drop and knockout chances, and can be susceptible to interceptions if thrown into traffic.
2. Aggressive (Y/Triangle) - This drives the receiver back to the ball to go up and catch the pass at the highest point possible. These catches have lower catch chances and higher knockout chances, but with guys like Calvin Johnson -- well they may work pretty ok.
3. Possession (A/X Button) - The Possession catch is what it sounds like. It's safer to do, can help your receiver both catch the ball and stay in bounds. You lose RAC yards with this almost always, but ensures the reception. Good for those goal line plays or first-down conversion attempts.

New WR AI Traits, DB/WR Interactons


What This Means: The enhancements we've been waiting on in the passing game look to finally be here. Not only will there be new animations, there will be new tools to use (as detailed above). Also, Madden is adding hundreds of new receiver/defender interaction animations -- including press interactions, zone chuck interactions, and hand fighting during route running.

Also included in the enhancements are new enhancements to the defensive pre-play alignment system. Think of this as trying to force the receiver inside or outside -- you can now strategically try to do that based on what you are expecting your opponent to do. Obviously lining up on the outside of the receiver forcing him in when he's running a slant won't work out well.

There will now also be 'shot plays' added into this year's game. There are 100 new shot plays (600 new plays overall), which will include team-specific shot plays in their playbook.

Finally, there will be new in-game feedback systems. These were developed in response to the success of Madden 15's pass rush and tackling feedback. This new system will be built around passing and catching. The feedback will tell you if the pass was under pressure, on the run, or off the back foot to provide context for why passes weren't accurate (if they aren't).

When a pass is released, there will be a catch UI that displays what kind of catch the AI is looking for. You can override that at any time by choosing the catch button you'd like.