A new update has arrived for Madden NFL 23, bringing a host of new X-Factor players to the game as well as several balance changes and bug fixes. The most notable new feature, however, is Madden NFL 23's new Madden Ultimate Team practice mode.The newest game in the long-running Madden NFL franchise, Madden NFL 23 came out in August 2022. It was widely viewed by critics as an improvement on the previous game in the series, and it has continued to be updated since its release. Madden Ultimate Team first made an appearance in Madden NFL 10, and is a game mode that allows Madden NFL fans to assemble a custom team with their favorite players and go up against other fans' custom teams or AI teams. Players and items are acquired by buying card packs in game, and there's also an auction house where people can sell and buy specific cards.While Madden Ultimate Team has been a part of the Madden NFL series for over a decade now, this is the first time that the game mode is getting its own practice mode. Before this update, Madden NFL players were unable to take their Madden Ultimate Team teams into the game's practice mode, so the only way to test a new line-up was to take it into an actual game. In addition to giving players a feature they have been waiting for, having a practice mode for Madden Ultimate Team will help improve the mode to the level of Franchise mode.
This is a big positive change for Madden NFL 23, and having such a significant quality of life improvement to the game will no doubt benefit both Electronic Arts and Madden NFL fans. For players who primarily enjoy the Madden Ultimate Team mode, this is sure to get them more engaged with the game and, in turn, probably get them to spend more money to unlock new players and items that they can now try out in practice mode. Adding a feature that fans have been waiting on for so long might even help change the minds of fans about Madden NFL 23, like the Kansas City Chiefs who criticized the game.
Of course, this update can't fix everything, and there will no doubt be players who have other issues with Madden NFL 23 or Madden Ultimate Team, like the Ultimate Team loot box system. For dedicated fans, however, this new practice mode will be a positive addition to the series.
Madden NFL 23 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.