Can PC and Xbox play Madden 23 together?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

The short answer is no, crossplay is not enabled in Madden NFL 23 between PC, Xbox and PlayStation. You can only play with others on the same platform as you.

As a long-time Madden player and content creator, I‘ve done extensive research into the crossplay situation for the newest edition of EA‘s NFL series. Read on as I break down the technical challenges, business decisions and gameplay implications that have led to the continued segmentation of the Madden community across platforms.

A Tale of Two Versions

First, it‘s important to understand that the PC edition of Madden 23 is not the same as the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 release. The PC version is equivalent to last-gen‘s Madden 22 on Xbox One and PS4, which dates back to 2013 architectures.

Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X/S and PS5 enjoy new features like enhanced physics,更真实的物理引擎 advanced tackling systems and overall smoother performance thanks to the power of new-gen hardware.

This means that even disregarding crossplay between PC and Xbox, the games are mismatched. An Xbox Series S player couldn‘t even play with an Xbox One owner online. Cross-generation play is non-existent, let alone crossplay between console and PC.

Under the Hood Restrictions

From a technical perspective, fully enabling crossplay between the PC and Xbox ecosystems poses challenges. Servers and netcode would need to be unified to allow smooth online interactivity.

Player progression and account systems would likely need overhauls to merge Xbox Live and EA accounts. There are also differences in how PC and console games are patched and updated that could cause synchronization issues if not handled carefully.

Based on EA‘s responses, these hurdles were too high for the initial launch of Madden 23. While not insurmountable in the future, it would require significant engineering efforts that the developers could not justify.

The Walled Gardens of Sony and Microsoft

Of course, the platform holders themselves also have a say in this crossplay conundrum. While Microsoft has been more proactive in allowing Xbox / PC cross-functionality, Sony has generally been more resistant.

Their stances seem to be thawing, with titles like Fortnite and Rocket League demonstrating the massive popularity of crossplay. But enabling it requires cooperation between the console rivals.

With EA needing to maintain strong relationships with both sides, they may have avoided pushing the issue without a clear mandate. The path of least resistance was keeping the status quo.

Competitive Imbalances

Another argument made is that mixing PC and console players together could upset the competitive balance. The precision of mouse and keyboard setups gives PC gamers and edge versus their controller-wielding console peers.

If a top Xbox Madden pro was annihilated by a decent PC player, there would surely be outrage and demands for separate matchmaking pools.

While input-based matchmaking could remedy this, it‘s another issue that EA likely didn‘t want to deal with for Madden 23‘s launch.

Strategic Business Considerations

Of course, there are also financial incentives for the major players that may influence their eagerness to embrace crossplay. For Sony, keeping PlayStation as the definitive place to play Madden retains its console competitive edge.

Microsoft benefits by encouraging Xbox / PC interplay to support its Windows and Azure ecosystem. And EA/Madden simply wants to maximize engagement and microtransactions on all platforms.

With contradictory goals, finding alignment on business strategy isn‘t easy. The safe status quo of siloed communities, despite fan complaints, avoids rocking the boat.

The Developer Perspective

Per EA community manager KylerPierson on Reddit:

Our team is heads down focused on building the best possible Madden experience on each individual platform. While we would like to have crossplay for everyone to enjoy, it is not a focus for the team this year as we continue improving core gameplay and new features across the game.

This aligns with the sense that truly robust crossplay support simply wasn‘t feasible given the other demands during development. Maybe further down the roadmap, but not for Madden 23 at launch.

Community Outcry

With crossplay becoming commonplace, particularly after COVID lockdowns increased online gaming, Madden fans have not taken kindly to its omission. As HardcoreGamer93 posted on Operation Sports:

"This is absolutely unacceptable in 2022/2023 not to have full crossplay included. The only reason I buy this on PC is to play Franchise mode which doesn‘t require reflexes."

Others have complained they can‘t play with friends who own the game across PC and consoles. The fractures are apparent and frustrating to longtime players.

Imagining the Crossplay Future

As someone who enjoys Madden across both console and PC, I dream of a future where the platforms unite. Friends could match up for co-op Ultimate Team without worrying about their choice of Xbox or PlayStation.

PC players could take on console gamers in head-to-head with balanced matchmaking adjusting for control differences. The community would be brought together, able to play Madden how and where they want.

Benefits of Unified Progression

With full cross-progression, your Madden career could span platforms, taking your Ultimate Team or Franchise anywhere. No need to re-grind unlocks when switching between PC and console.

Players less invested in competitive play would still enjoy the accessibility benefits of crossplay. For example, I could play local multiplayer on the couch with Xbox, then resume on PC later to manage my franchise.

Cross-platform lobbies also increase matchmaking speed and availability for those seeking online opponents in niche modes or at odd hours.

Workarounds Exist

Until official support arrives, there are some workarounds for achieving a shared Madden 23 experience across PC and Xbox:

  • Remote access applications like Parsec allow you to stream your PC gameplay to a friend on console. You could virtually "share" a match session.

  • Traditional screen sharing through Discord/Zoom is lower quality but allows spectating and commenting together.

  • Create a Twitch stream and have a console pal watch your PC gameplay with commentary on a shared voice call.

Identifying Other Players

To find Madden 23 users on the same system, check forums like Operation Sports and subreddits for gamertags. The platform icons by names also help identify fellow Xbox/PlayStation/PC fans.

Matchmaking lobbies indicate platform too. And on console, look for the Xbox/PS logo by Madden 23‘s logo when joining sessions.

The Final Whistle

While inconvenient for players, Madden NFL 23‘s lack of crossplay exists due to various technical and business constraints. As a passionate football fan myself, I remain hopeful that these barriers get tackled sooner rather than later.

For now, we can voice our desire for change and find inventive ways to connect with fellow players. But the ultimate goal is having unrestricted, unified multiplayer that brings all fans together on the virtual gridiron.

Here‘s to a future of limitless gameplay and community-building that crossplay enables. Let‘s keep pushing until we score that touchdown.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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