NHL 23 CROSS PLATFORM MATCHMAKING FAQ
What is Cross-Platform matchmaking?
Will Cross-Platform Matchmaking allow for cross-console invitations?
When is Cross-Platform Matchmaking appearing in-game?
What modes will feature Cross-Platform Matchmaking capabilities?
How does cross-platform matchmaking impact HUT leaderboards and Auction House?
What is Cross-Platform matchmaking?
Cross-Platform matchmaking will allow players to square off against opponents on the same console generation. This means that PS5 players and Xbox Series X|S players can play against each other while PS4 and Xbox One players can play against each other. Players cannot play cross-generationally, for example, an Xbox X|S player and PS4 player cannot play with or against one another.
Will Cross-Platform Matchmaking allow for cross-console invitations?
Cross-Platform matchmaking will NOT allow cross-console invitations in any online modes. Xbox players cannot squad up WITH PlayStation players on the same team, but they can play AGAINST each other if they are in the same generation. For example, a player with a PS5 can’t play with an Xbox S player on the same team, but these two players can play against each other!
While our goal was to have cross-console invites that allow for co-op play with players from the opposite console in NHL 23, that won’t be a part of this initial phase. That’s why we’re striving to implement more crossplay features in future EA SPORTS NHL titles.
Who can I play against?
Players can play against any opposing team within their console generation, but teams must be made up of only one console generation and type. Therefore, teams with all PS5s can play against teams of all Xbox X|S consoles. Teams of all PS4s can play against teams of all Xbox Ones. Cross-console invites will not appear in NHL 23.
= Play with or against
= Play against
*Available in Online WOC and HUT modes only
**Conditions apply. See www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-23/cross-platform-matchmaking-faq for details.
When is Cross-Platform Matchmaking appearing in-game?
We plan to introduce Cross-Platform Matchmaking in November, after the game launches on October 14.
What modes will feature Cross-Platform Matchmaking capabilities?
All online World of Chel modes and Hockey Ultimate Team.
How does cross-platform matchmaking impact HUT leaderboards and Auction House?
The HUT Auction House and HUT Leaderboards will not be shared between consoles.
We understand that these are important features and will work towards bringing them to the franchise in the future.
Can my team made up entirely of Xbox Series X|S players play EASHL private matches against a team made up entirely of PS5 players?
Yes. A team made up of Xbox Series X|S players can play private matches against a team made up of PS5 players. The same goes between Xbox One players and PS4 players as part of the previously mentioned November update.
How will it affect wait times for matchmaking?
Cross-Platform Matchmaking increases player pools significantly, and therefore, should reduce wait times to find opponents.
Where is crossplay?
Our goal for the EA SPORTS™ NHL franchise is to deliver the most social Chel experience possible, and we understand that crossplay is an integral part of playing together.
While our goal was to have cross-console invites that allow for co-op play with players from the opposite console in NHL 23, that won’t be a part of this initial phase. That’s why we’re striving to implement more crossplay features in future EA SPORTS NHL titles.
With this goal in mind, the plan is to implement crossplay over time, starting with NHL 23’s cross-platform matchmaking. For the second phase, targeted for future titles, we aim to introduce mixed clubs and co-op play across platforms. Again, while we can’t 100% confirm when this feature will appear in-game, the team is prioritizing these functions in future iterations of the EA SPORTS NHL franchise. We are tracking towards that goal as of now and we will keep the community informed about the future of crossplay in the EA SPORTS NHL Franchise.
Cross-Platform matchmaking is one of the first steps that the EA SPORTS NHL franchise is making to implement robust crossplay capabilities across all online modes. Developers will be working toward implementing crossplay in future titles, using Cross-Platform Matchmaking in NHL 23 as a foundation for more crossplay innovations.
This feature remains a top priority for the EA SPORTS NHL team so players can experience crossplay as soon as possible.
What is the future of cross-platform matchmaking?
Developers have been hard at work on NHL 23 with the goal of implementing Crossplay as soon as possible but there have been several hurdles that have blocked the process of Crossplay implementation this year.
One of the main obstacles to implementing crossplay is upgrading servers so they have capacity to handle 100% of the generation population since everyone will be playing from a single unified server rather than on separate servers per platform generation, as was the case in the past.
The other main obstacle is ensuring that the same code can execute on all consoles and always produce the same result across PlayStation® and Xbox platforms to avoid desynchronizations and “faceoff loops.” This is what makes online gameplay possible, so we’re prioritizing getting this right.
And the last big thing has been working through the technical challenges that come from Xbox and PlayStation users interacting online. This includes Voice Chat between the two platforms, how a user sees and experiences cross-platform elements and options within our screens, and how we set up leaderboards.
We are hard at work to develop this aspect of the game so our players can get connected easier than ever and we appreciate your patience.
In the meantime, reduced matchmaking wait-times and the ability to play with many of the friends you couldn’t last year with cross-platform matchmaking is coming to NHL 23 as we strive to provide the most social Chel experience yet!
From every Hockey Ultimate Team match to all online World of Chel modes, teaming up with your friends will be that much easier in comparison to NHL 22. So get ready to squad up!
Buy NHL 23 Now
EA SPORTS™ NHL 23 is greater together with the introduction of mixed women’s and men’s teams in HUT, and cross-platform matchmaking in select modes.
* Conditions apply. See www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-23/dual-entitlement-faq for details.
^ Conditions & restrictions apply. See http://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-23/game-and-offer-disclaimers for details.
† Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play terms for details.
‡ Conditions apply. See www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-23/cross-platform-matchmaking-faq for details.