14 DAY TRIAL // EA Sports has just released the first screenshot from the upcoming American football game, Madden NFL 15, offering a teaser before the massive reveal expected at this year's edition of the E3 convention.
The screenshot features Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League, allegedly right after having signed his six-year contract extension through the 2020 season.
The image shows some of the visual changes made to the game, revealing Kaepernick's actual tattoos, a series first, along with a high-quality scan of his face, and showcasing the improved clothing wrinkling and lighting effects on the helmet.
Colin Kaepernick expressed his hope that he would get his tattoos in the next EA NFL game around a year ago, and it looks like he has gotten his wish.
EA Sports has yet to reveal whether they'll be incorporating other players' tattoos into Madden NFL 15, but, in any case, the authenticity it confers to the entire experience would be a very welcome addition.
Until now, NFL has prevented EA from putting tattoos on players, along with some other restrictions that have limited the potential authenticity of EA's products. The new contract between EA and the NFL seems to have included some different terms and allowed the developers more creative freedom.
Considering that EA usually attempts to render every blade of grass and that all of the next-gen sports titles have shown tremendous improvements in the graphics department, including an unexpected variety of models in the crowds, Madden NFL 15 is setting out to be the best American football game yet.
The vote for who is going to be represented on the game's cover is now down to the final bout, which pits Seattle Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman against Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
Voting will end this Friday, on June 6, and the winner of the popularity contest will be announced on ESPN's SportsCenter. If you want to cast your vote or see who's in the lead for now, head over to the ESPN Madden cover vote website.
Madden NFL 15 was announced in late April 2014 and is slated for release on August 26 in North America, and on August 29 in Europe, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One platforms.
More information regarding the upcoming EA Sports title is expected to be revealed during this year's edition of the E3 convention, taking place from June 10 through June 12 in Los Angeles, California.
First screenshot from Madden NFL 15 released pic.twitter.com/pxxUeMFC8x
— Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre) June 5, 2014