Introduction to Madden NFL 25 on Steam
The much-anticipated debut of Madden NFL 25 on Steam on August 16 has sparked a variety of reactions among the gaming community. Although it holds a ‘mixed’ user rating on the platform, there is a noticeable trend of discontent regarding its performance, controller support, and stability.
Performance Issues and User Complaints
Many players have reported poor performance, inadequate controller support, and frequent crashes, which have significantly impacted their gaming experience. Despite these issues, Madden NFL 25 does not seem to fare any worse than its predecessors on Steam, as evident from its ‘mixed’ user rating, with 57% of reviews being positive. However, the lack of enthusiasm even among positive reviews is palpable.
User Reviews and Opinions
One user commented, “It’s football, it scratches the itch, especially since we were robbed of CFB/NCAA [college football 25, which isn’t available on PC]. Going from [Madden NFL] ’23 to ’25 myself I don’t have many complaints, the new features are pretty cool and all.” Another review likened the game to ordering pizza from Little Caesars, suggesting it is a familiar choice, albeit not an exciting one. “You eat it because it’s familiar, close to your house, and it’s just something you do. Once in a while you get a pie from there and you think to yourself, ‘wow, this is still crap but it’s definitely better than it normally is’.”
Concurrent Player Numbers and Market Context
In terms of player numbers, Madden NFL 25 has seen a peak of 4,380 concurrent players on Steam, which is relatively low for a franchise of its stature. It’s noteworthy that the overall PC player base includes those on the Epic Games Store and EA App, but Steam likely constitutes a significant portion. EA has had a history of skepticism towards the viability of their sports games on PC, compounded by concerns of piracy and the rising popularity of consoles.
Conclusion
Despite its rocky launch, Madden NFL 25 continues to attract a dedicated fanbase, even if it’s met with mixed reviews. While it’s clear that the current iteration has notable issues that need addressing, the game’s long absence from PC and subsequent return suggest that there’s still interest in EA’s flagship football series among PC gamers.
