A recent Madden NFL 23 closed beta generated player feedback and introduced a number of exciting changes coming to the football simulation series. The yearly EA Sports franchise kicked off back in 1988, and since then each new entry has improved and expanded gameplay. This year, the box art for Madden NFL 23 will feature John Madden himself to honor the life of the late coach and color commentator, and the title will also make various changes to gameplay across the franchise's many game modes.

Since the release of 1988's John Madden Football the franchise has evolved to emphasize photorealistic graphics and immersive National Football League gameplay. Modern installments in the franchise include iconic players like Tampa Bay's Tom Brady and Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, allowing fans to live out their football fantasies in an interactive space. Last year Madden NFL 22 introduced a number of immersive new mechanics like a Home Field Advantage system, quick touch passes and upgrades to the Franchise team management game mode. These Madden NFL 22 upgrades pushed the boundaries of realism, and Madden NFL 23 is expected to be an even more robust and realistic football experience.

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While only a few lucky players have gotten to actually play the next entry in the series, Madden NFL 23 will apparently serve as a love letter to the franchise's namesake. The beloved EA Sports series was named after NFL coach and commentator John Madden, who led the Oakland Raiders to greatness between 1969 and 1978. Under Madden, the Raiders won Super Bowl XI and made eight playoff appearances, with Madden later moving on to a successful career as a beloved commentator. John Madden sadly died on December 28, 2021, with the football community joining together to mourn the loss and celebrate the football legend's impressive legacy. A petition to make Madden the NFL 23 cover appeared shortly after his passing, and Electronic Arts has gone through with the touching tribute.

Madden NFL 23 Is Making Massive Gridiron Changes

The reveal of the Madden NFL 23 covers comes on the anniversary of the original John Madden Football release on June 1, 1988

Player feedback from the recent Madden NFL 23 closed beta has been detailed by Electronic Arts along with some notable changes coming in the franchise's next installment. Gameplay balance has reportedly been adjusted, making it more difficult to succeed by simply repeating the same plays. Tuning and AI changes will make pulling linemen faster to react, pass rushing will also be a more powerful tactic and fumble chances have been reduced. Madden FNL 23's progression and skill systems have also been overhauled, with players now able to "re-spec" their players to reassign skills. Closed beta feedback will hopefully make the final version of Madden NFL 23 a particularly tight and polished entry in the long running series.

The Madden NFL franchise is known for its realism, with EA even using Madden NFL to make a Super Bowl prediction that typically comes true (one exception being the Bengals' loss last year). Many players were unhappy with the level of polish in Madden NFL 22, so the series' next entry looks to be putting extra care into every detail and mechanic. Using a closed beta to generate feedback is a great way to ensure that Madden NFL 23 is a fun and balanced experience that effectively honors the John Madden legacy.

Next: Madden NFL 22: How Home Field Advantage Will Change The Game

Source: Electronic Arts