In Madden 23, one of the biggest changes to the game is what EA Tiburon calls Skill-Based Passing. This new feature is meant to give quarterbacks more control than ever before in deciding where to put the ball. EA says when used well, this will allow QBs to hit receivers on previously hard-to-execute routes, such as back-shoulder fades or threading the needle between two zones.

On paper, it sounds revolutionary, as Madden has severely lacked such passing control for years. But how does it work in practice, and should you opt into using it or revert back to the old system of leaving up to the game's simulation-heavy outcomes? The answer is eventually, but not immediately, apparent. Here's all you need to know about Skill-Based Passing in Madden 23.

Madden 23 Skill-Based Passing: Is it worth it?

The short answer to the above question is a resounding yes. Healthy skepticism around Madden's annual named-with-buzzwords features is to be expected. Madden players have been burned plenty over the past three decades. But after many hours of play, I'm ready to call it: Skill-Based Passing is legit. While it may drum up awkward memories of QB Vision, the only thing the two features really have in common is a focus on improving the passing game. Skill-Based Passing gets most of what it's going for so very right, even as the learning curve feels daunting at first.