BOOM Tech Unlocks Physics-Based Tackles in Madden NFL 25
EA's Frostbite and Madden teams deliver physics-driven impacts and increased gameplay variety where players create countless collisions.
August 21, 2024
Physics and animation techniques work together as BOOM Tech to spark crushing dynamic tackles in Madden NFL 25 on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The Frostbite™ team worked closely with Madden NFL 25 developers to revamp tackling via physics-based gameplay. FieldSENSE™ upgrades powered by BOOM Tech* give players more agency over hits on the field thanks to the following technical innovations:
- A physics-driven selection of tackle animations that allows for increased variability in collision results.
- An emphasis on the preservation of momentum that affects the outcome of one-on-one tackles like hit sticks, trucks, and stiff-arms.
- The combination of some of the largest and most complex EA technologies in physics and animation like Driven Ragdoll, N-Teract, and PTM.
Revamping Tackles with BOOM Tech in Madden NFL 25
BOOM Tech is a series of upgrades to the FieldSENSE gameplay foundation, including in-depth physics tracking and character balancing. These additions come with new capabilities provided by physics systems and Physics-Driven Ragdoll animation integration, giving players new levels of control over their tackling.
These features can change the outcome of one-on-one tackles with fewer predetermined results. Every hit “hits different” with physics-based tackling powered by BOOM Tech.
BOOM Tech consists of three main gameplay features:
- Physics-based tackles
- A physics-driven ball carrier balance and recovery system
- The Reloaded Hit Stick mechanic
Physics-based tackles in Madden NFL 25 — like hit-sticks, trucks, or stiff-arms — play out in three unique stages: pre-impact, moment of impact, and tackle resolutions. Resolutions unfold as dynamic animation selections informed by real-world physics. It’s this combination of physics and animation technology that makes BOOM Tech collisions more authentic and unpredictable.
Check out this Gameplay Deep Dive for further details on how BOOM Tech turns up the intensity and immersion of Madden NFL 25.
Kicking Off With the Fusion of Physics and Animation
The introduction of FieldSENSE in Madden NFL 23 with animation-branching technology paved the way for innovations like BOOM Tech. Introducing a new tech stack, including a new physics solver, allowed Frostbite and Madden developers to work together in a way that wasn’t possible previously.
As the series adopted Frostbite's latest Driven Ragdoll technology, which integrates character physics and animation, Frostbite was able to build new features including updates within the BOOM Tech package for Madden NFL 25.
“Frostbite and Madden have long wanted to do more with physics. Bringing Madden up-to-date with the latest Frostbite physics and Driven Ragdoll animations was a good opportunity to do so. BOOM Tech is a result of bringing teams together to get the most out of Frostbite.” – Jacob Close (Physics Software Engineer, Frostbite)
BOOM Tech in Madden NFL 25 aims to create an environment where nothing is visually scripted. This goal starts with two initial pillars: more user control by focusing on the ball carrier in particular (but not exclusively), and variability in results to subvert long-term player expectations.
Combining animation technologies, motion matching, and physics provides a solution for both of these objectives.
The Technology Behind the Tackles
BOOM Tech combines innovations like Driven Ragdoll, the N-Teract multi-character interaction system, and an extension for collision constructions known as scenario n-PTM. These technologies work together in the following sequence of events:
- N-Teract selects an appropriate animation to start playing based on the position of the player, where they’re going, and the players around them.
- Driven Ragdoll drives the character via physics in an effort to perform the maneuver.
- A physics-based interaction takes place as players collide.
- PTM selects new animations to play like a fall, stumble, or recovery depending on the physics-driven collision.
- The PTM reselection of animations can happen multiple times during an interaction.
This process allows animations involving multiple players to rely on a physics-based resolution for glancing blows. Appropriate follow-up animations are selected that take into account the players’ body position and momentum.
Focusing on the preservation of momentum and the physics-based selection of tackle animations provides increased variability in collisions. Players will notice these changes when performing hit sticks, cut sticks, trucks, stiff-arms, and dive tackles on the field.
Benefits of BOOM Tech Integration From Concept to Controller
Ultimately, the Madden NFL 25 team was able to push forward the physicality of this year’s game with initiatives powered by Frostbite.
“Physics-based gameplay gives us more insight into how we can utilize EA technologies in different ways and inspire exciting features for our fans. BOOM Tech allowed us to expand the involved animation Frostbite technologies, as well as discover more nuanced moment-to-moment gaps in our Madden animation coverage.” – Justin Rogers (Senior Animator II, Madden NFL 25)
Players have more agency and control over their gameplay as a result of this joint effort. Dynamic gameplay features like the Reloaded Hit Stick, ball carrier balance and recovery system, and physics-based tackles are enhanced with the introduction of BOOM Tech.
In previous titles, it was possible to end up seeing the same tackle animation and outcome repeatedly, but that’s no longer the case in Madden NFL 25. Keep the stick pushed forward when you’re running with the ball and you might find yourself breaking tackles you couldn’t push through previously!
Looking ahead, the Frostbite team remains committed to working closely with developers to introduce exciting new features across various titles. Dive into Madden NFL 25 to experience the revamped tackling mechanics with BOOM Tech firsthand and feel the dynamic enhancements in gameplay.
*FieldSENSE, BOOM Tech, and associated features described here are not available on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One versions.
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