EA Sports College Football 26 First Update Released as Version 1.004
The first patch for EA Sports College Football 26 is now available on all platforms, and this will show up as download 1.004 (version 1.004.000).
Given that we’re in Season 0 of the football sim, don’t expect this update to introduce any new content beyond fixes.
College Football 26 First Update Released on July 15
Update: Here’s what’s new per EA:
Gameplay:
- Addressed an issue causing linebackers to run slower than intended when defending running plays.
- Addressed an issue where a blocked kick wouldn’t play out when using a left-footed kicker
- Note: This is mentioned in our College Football 26 Launch & Updates post.
- Addressed a rare issue where you were unable to snap the ball occasionally after inputting a specific button combination.
- Note: This is mentioned in our College Football 26 Launch & Updates post.
- Addressed an issue where the WR would get a speed boost when calling specific Reverse Pass plays.
- Tuning to reduce size of timing window for ‘Perfectly Timed’ stiff-arms; we are investigating a more comprehensive fix to better balance the stiff-arm mechanic in a future title update.
- Tuning to increase catch chance for INT’s; we are investigating additional improvements for catch drops in a future title update.
Road To Glory:
- Reduced the positive/negative impacts of team Per Play Grading events for MIKE and CB.
- Increased the positive/negative impacts of user Per Play Grading events for MIKE and CB. (coverage, interceptions, forcing a fumble, touchdowns, etc.)
Unfortunately, it seems EA is keeping up with tradition by not releasing any official changelog for the game, even if the download is already hours old.
Some of the bugs that are confirmed to be fixed include:
- Play art glitch fixed
However, there are still a good amount of bugs that haven’t been squashed with today’s patch.
- Team Builder Dynasty crashing issues
- Random freezes (happens at various situations)
- Unable to snap bug (acknowledged by EA)
When it comes to gameplay, the developers have been keeping tabs on feedback. The latest acknowledgement comes just a few days ago, as the dev team talks about Field Goal issues and more.
Field Goals – “We have seen some players encounter a rare issue with being unable to kick a field goal. We have confirmed this rare issue only happens if your kicker is left-footed and if the kick was going to be blocked. We’ll get this one addressed for you in a future Title Update.”
Stiff arms being overly effective – The devs are currently gather more data on effectiveness of the stiff arm. The studio comments, “We always want ball carrier moves to be fun and effective and for the stiff arm in particular, you can always flick the right stick down to counter with a “Cut Stick” which takes out the ball carrier’s legs. While we see the sweet highlights and conversation – in the background we’re gathering the data, but there is a built-in counter to the stiff arm, so try that out for us. Head into practice mode and hit one hundred cut sticks before bed!”
Pass protection – Here are a few key reminders from the dev team about the changes made to this mechanic and how the pass pro now works:
- Authenticity: All pass plays now come set up with unique pass protections on a per play basis. If you’re calling plays and feeling like your line is sliding to a side without you doing any inputs, that is intended. That is how pass protection would be set by default for that specific play call. Lets roll through some examples:
- Under Center: Set to base protection by default.
- Gun: ‘Empty’ protection if all pass eligible targets are out on a route.
- HB on a Check & Release: Default is set to half-slide away from HB
- PA Pass: Half-slide away from play fake
- Responsiveness: Protection on the Fly
- Protection on the Fly lets you quickly set your pass pro with a flick of the right-stick. Flick left once for a half-slide left and double flick left for a full slide.
- Control: Un-Target Defender
- With our pass protection mechanics, you can also just flick up on the right-stick to un-target a defender. Why would you ever do this? It’ll allow you to strategically leave a defender unblocked that’s optimal for your play call vs the formation front. Maybe you’re playing against another user and they’re mugging the gap or maybe you find a gnarly screen play and don’t want your line to chip a specific player. After all, you are the shot caller of your pass protection scheme.
If the development team releases an official changelog, we’ll add it to the article for reference.
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If they didn’t fix random freezes, then the online dynasty is nearly unplayable for me. I have a first generation Xbox Series X and I’ll have to play a game three times to advance to the next week. Incredibly frustrating for me and those in my online dynasty. Also a huge waste of my time, which is important for a gamer with a family. I was beating a team 30-0 and it froze in the third quarter. Played the team again, winning 24-13, froze in the second quarter. Third try? Got demolished by 3 TDs. Sucks all the joy out of dynasty because losing to an inferior school affects everything – school grades, recruits, etc. And apparently the solution is to buy a new console. Frustrating.