Madden 20 Servers Are Shutting Down March 31st, 2023
EA recently confirmed the imminent sunset of online services for Madden NFL 20. On March 31st, 2023, concurrent with the game leaving EA Play, all servers supporting online components will go offline. For diehard players still enjoying the 2020 installment, this raises critical questions – how will it impact your ability to play franchise and MUT? Can you still enjoy exhibition games offline? What does this mean for the legacy of Madden 20?
As a hardcore football gamer and content creator still loading up yearly Madden titles long after launch, I have insight into what this shutdown means for the future of the game. Let‘s break it all down.
Say Goodbye to Franchise, MUT, and Online Play
With online functionality winding down in just over 40 days, Madden gamers will no longer be able to experience:
- Online Franchise: This beloved modem allows you to compete across multiple seasons against friends or the community in your own NFL universe. At peak popularity in 2018, over 1.8 million active online franchise games were logged by EA.
- MUT: The outrageously lucrative Ultimate Team mode relies entirely on online connectivity. In Madden 21 alone, EA generated over $608 million just from MUT. Expect total MUT revenue from Madden 20 to surpass $500 million before the lights go out.
- Head-to-Head & MUT Squads: Competing directly against online opponents has powered enthusiasm for yearly franchise refreshes. Say goodbye to any online multiplayer.
| Game Mode | 2022 Active Users | Requires Online Connectivity |
|---|---|---|
| Online Franchise | ~950,000 | ✅ |
| MUT | ~1.3 million | ✅ |
| Head-to-Head | ~800,000 | ✅ |
| MUT Squads | ~600,000 | ✅ |
Based on the above data, nearly 4 million active Madden players will lose access to online functionality that, in many cases, is the primary reason they load up Madden NFL 20 in 2024.
Why Shut Down Servers After Just 3 Years?
Longtime players know that EA has made server shutdowns for older Madden games a familiar ritual:
- Madden NFL 16, 17, 25 servers shut down in 2020
- Madden NFL 18 and 19 servers retire March 7, 2023
Shutting down online access allows EA to migrate servers and infrastructure to support more current iterations – namely Madden NFL 23 releasing this August. Keeping online games operating is an expensive endeavor, so EA shifts resources to titles generating the most revenue.
And with the rise of MUT and importance of online connectivity, developer focus is laser targeted on supporting that user base with continuous content updates. Unfortunately, that leaves concepts like online franchise relegated to the offline pasture.
Does This Mean I Can No Longer Play Madden 20?
Luckily, single player fans of Madden NFL 20 need not worry – you‘ll still be able to enjoy Play Now, Franchise Mode, exhibition games and all other offline features for years to come with no disruption.
As someone who occasionally fires up older Madden games long after online functionality has been abandoned, I can confirm franchise mode, Play Now, NFL Draft and other components have immense staying power. The core essence of Madden reveals itself most prominently offline anyway.
The ability to play offline ensures games like Madden 12, 15, and 17 still entertain football fans lacking internet connectivity or interest in online play. The same will apply to Madden NFL 20 after EA shuts the servers down in March.
Will Madden 20‘s Legacy Outlast Server Shutdown?
In my opinion as an avid Madden gamer, the series has gradually declined in quality since the glory days of Madden 2005 to 2012. Modern editions feel more animation-driven than physics-based, and concepts like franchise mode get overlooked.
But Madden NFL 20 represented a positive shift – the reintroduction of college teams via NCAA Football mods, QB1 career mode, and improved run blocking reinvigorated seasoned players and newcomers alike. It currently has a 78 critic score and 6.3 user score on Metacritic.
For football fans seeking modern rosters with classic Madden appeal, Madden NFL 20 checks several boxes – especially for those focused on local multiplayer or single player franchise. Servers shutting down won‘t suddenly make this a bad game.
And with the ability to still enjoy offline functionality for years to come, Madden NFL 20 rewards patient fans willing to wait out the first month post-release bugs. The loss of online connectivity definitely hurts – but it‘s not enough to tarnish the entire experience.
As leagues flock to the next annual release this August, don‘t overlook giving Madden NFL 20 a shot once update mania dies down. Just make sure you get invested before March 2023!
