EA has revealed the cover player for the yearly Madden game and this year the honor goes to NFL MVP and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Along with this announcement, EA released a new trailer showcasing the game’s new gameplay controls and mechanics such as brand-new ball-carrier and D-Line mechanics, Realistic Open-Field Tackling, new celebrations; among other new features. Madden NFL 21 will be available on August 28th. While the game won’t be eligible for Microsoft’s Smart Delivery feature, players will have until the release of Madden NFL 22 to claim the next-gen version of Madden NFL 21. EA refers to this as Dual Entitlement.
Madden NFL 21 will offer players an improved ball-carrier mechanics for all-out control in the running back and receiver positions and enhanced D-Line mechanics that make the pass rush positions more responsive. Additionally, Realistic Open-Field Tackling will allow for clutch defensive stops, and new player-controlled celebrations after each play to make the gridiron experience even more true to life. Along with new controls, the game features some of the biggest changes in the overall authenticity and presentation with new on-field camera shots and improved player awareness of their positioning and surroundings on the field.
Here’s what said Lamar Jackson had to say about being the chosen one for Madden NFL 21:
“I grew up playing Madden and owned every copy I could get my hands on, so to be on the cover of Madden NFL 21 is a dream come true, especially when the cover represents so much of my story. The welcome to the Madden family from around the league and from fans has been phenomenal and I think people will have a lot of fun with the new features coming in this year’s game.”
Seann Graddy, Executive Producer of Madden NFL 21 adds:
“Our players are some of the most passionate in the world. They love Madden and we want to make sure we’re fulfilling what they’d like to see most in the game and delivering new features to up level each iteration. In Madden NFL 21 there are a range of authentic new gameplay improvements that both our most engaged players and any fan of football will enjoy, plus unique experiences that will allow every player to live out their NFL fantasy with more still to come.”
Also new to Madden NFL 21 is Face of the Franchise: Rise to Fame which will be a playable documentary career campaign where players create themselves and play through their rise to fame from high school as a quarterback, to college where they can choose to pivot to running back or wide receiver, before experiencing the NFL Combine, NFL Draft, and cementing their legacy in the League.
Gamers can now pre-order the Madden NFL 21 MVP edition which includes a bunch of perks such as 3-Day Early Access, Lamar Jackson Elite Item with Power Up, 17 Madden Ultimate Team Gold Team Fantasy Packs, one Large Quicksell Training Pack, Madden Championship Series Ultimate Champion Pack, 1 of 32 Elite Players from Team Elite Pack and one “Your Choice” Uniform Pack.