EA Sports will be launching Madden NFL 23 on August 19, which will be accessible to EA Play members and will be compatible with various platforms, including PS4, PS5, XB1, XB Series S/X, Google Stadia, and PC. EA conducted a private beta program to obtain player feedback on the pre-release version to ensure the game’s success upon launch. The purpose of this program was to fine-tune the game and ensure that it delivers an exceptional gaming experience for players.
After gathering feedback from the closed beta program for Madden NFL 23, EA has addressed the concerns raised, with game balance being the primary issue. EA has assured the Madden community that they have taken their input into account and that their vision for game balance aligns with the feedback received during the beta program.
The gameplay mechanics present in the beta version will be maintained for the game’s final release. While addressing the bugs and improving certain aspects of the game based on player feedback, EA ensures that the overall gaming experience will remain consistent with what players experienced during the closed beta.
EA has received feedback from fans of NFL 23 who want referees to return to the in-game action visually. While EA cannot deliver this feature in Madden 23, they acknowledge the importance of referees and plan to bring them back in a future update. EA wants to ensure that the visual quality of the referees matches that of the other characters on the field, and they have prioritized this feature on their roadmap. Despite being unable to implement it right now, EA shares the fans’ enthusiasm for the return of referees and is committed to making it happen.
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As a lifelong Madden player, the lack of officials on the field has never been a big deal for me. While I understand that it could add some authenticity to the game’s visuals, I need to prioritize it in terms of presentation.
However, approximately 300 fans have voted to add virtual referees to the game. In response to player feedback, EA has promised to make various adjustments to the gameplay to ensure balance before the launch. One issue highlighted during the beta was the “Insta-shed” mechanic, which caused the pass rush to feel overpowered. EA has assured players that they are working to address this issue before the game’s release.
In response to feedback from the beta version of Madden NFL 23, EA has made several adjustments to the game mechanics. These changes aim to make the experience more authentic and enjoyable for players. One area of focus was the offensive and defensive line play, which has been modified to provide a more realistic experience for quarterbacks who faced an excessive amount of pressure.
Furthermore, EA has addressed the issue of frequent fumbles in the game by implementing four specific fixes. These fixes aim to reduce the likelihood of fumbles occurring in various situations, such as when quarterbacks are hit inside the pocket or during the early stages of a throw. Non-quarterback players hit with hit-sticks or strip-ball attempts are also less likely to fumble.
Lastly, AI-controlled defenders have been fine-tuned to significantly reduce the occurrence of “punch-out” fumbles during stand-up tackles in the Competitive game mode. These changes should enhance the overall gameplay experience for Madden NFL 23 players.
EA’s approach to balancing running quarterbacks in Madden NFL 23, which involves increasing their fumble chance, has been met with some criticism. Some argue that this concept needs to be better received since fatigue and injury are more realistic ways of checking and balancing running quarterbacks in the NFL, which should also be the case in Madden.
While injuries may not be a significant concern in Ultimate Team mode, which is predominantly played online, they could serve as a balance factor in franchise mode. Instead of making quarterbacks fumble more frequently on hits that would not typically result in a turnover, a more realistic approach would be to implement a fatigue system. This system would force a substitution or affect the quarterback’s performance if they run too often, which would provide a more realistic and balanced experience.
– The article is an opinion-based piece by one of our authors
