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Gen 4 Sports Games

Posted 06-13-2016 at 05:55 PM by BruinsHockey08
Recently I have gotten to thinking about the current state of sports games, and overall I think we could and probably should be further along in the process. In particular EA's NHL series, which bums me out as a huge hockey fan.

However it isn't all bad, the NBA 2k series has been very good and very successful, but to me it is hard to find another game that comes close outside of MLB the Show.

All EA Sports games seriously lag behind when it comes to sports game of the year material, I would say the closest is Madden and even that game is not too close to games like NBA 2k or MLB the Show. EA's NHL game fell flat out of the gate and NHL 17 seems like it could be a solid offering finally, well if Franchise mode pans out. And NBA Live....... Well it lost it's step when Vince Carter was still slamming home since sick dunks in the mid-2000's. But overall I thought the last couple were decent offerings finally.

But overall when you consider the sports landscape you have to stand in awe in how little progression we've seen since the transition to PS4 and Xbox One. I would love to say otherwise but I just can't, the games themselves seem to be out of ideas.

Which is why I am excited to see how NHL 17 improves on it's Be a GM Mode which is being dubbed as Franchise Mode, which will allow relocation in a hockey game for the first time ever, which could be a cool concept if done right. I was a little excited for Franchise Mode in Madden but it really seems like more of the same except prettier.

So what do you guys think? Should Sports games be further along? Is it just a sports game issue or should video games in general be further along?
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Old

My view on the current state of video game add ons

Posted 08-11-2010 at 06:11 PM by BruinsHockey08
It has come to my attention that EA Sports is rolling out a ton of boost packs now a days, starting with NHL 10 with attribute boosts for buying what people call "clown gear". And EA is continuing the trend that is possibly destructive to the company name and reputation.


I mean this in a customers point of view, when I think back of the old school days there were no boost packs, in fact there was no such thing as add ons back in the old PS2, Xbox days. Now fast forward to the current generation and you see map packs, attribute boosts, and in the case of Madden 10 and Madden 11dynasty/franchise boosts. It's really starting to get pathetic how some companies nickel and dime their customers to death, EA gets mentioned, but I think these map packs arepushing itas well. Games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, andTom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 released such material.


If you want to look athow it [B]SHOULD BE[/B] done just look at the GTA expansion packs, The Lost and the Damned, and the Ballad of Gay Tony were great add ons because they came with their own stories and new online modes. And best yet they didn't put anyone at any kind of disadvantage for no paying for the episodic content, the only thing you need to enjoy the full game for GTA IV is an internet connection to enjoy the game online, and most people have that.


Or if GTA IV isn't your kind of game, let me introduct games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band who let you buy songs off of the marketplace for PS3, or Xbox 360 and these songs are addedto your arsenal of songs you can play, some come inindividual packs,and some can come from a certain band and you can buy a batch of them at a discounted rate, orindividually forthesame price you'd buy a single song that wasn't bunched in a band pack.


What prompted this really is when I read about the NHL 11 boosts, not that I'm upset by it at all, I am just upset that the amount that they are trying to sell. 156 boosts were listed for NHL 11 raging in different price points and add on values. All these are simply is attribute points you can buy to make your player for the EASHL (EA Sports Hockey League) and you can pretty much get a head start on the players who either can't afford the add ons, or just don't think it's worth the money to play "catch up".


The NHL 11 "Add ons": Source: PastaPadre Link: [URL]http://tinyurl.com/3ylcln9[/URL]

[quote][INDENT]Boosts offered targeting individual specific attributes: acceleration, agility, balance, shot power, shot accuracy, passing, deking, face-offs, discipline, aggressiveness, checking, endurance, strength, puck control, durability, hand-eye, shot blocking, fighting, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and stick checking. For goalies: speed, agility, shot recovery, glove high, glove low, stick high, stick low, five hole, rebound, passing, poke check, endurance, angles, breakaway, aggressiveness, durability, and vision. Each attribute can be purchased with +1 (80 MS points), +3 (120), +5 (160). That amounts to $1, $1.50, and $2.
[/INDENT][INDENT]There are also equipment boosts that allow for slots to boost attribute levels and overalls. Those are applied to skate, stick, glove, helmet, mask, goalie stick, pad, blocker, and trapper. They are +1 slot (80), + 2 slots (120), +3 slots (160).
[/INDENT][/quote][INDENT]
So I will end with this, I am not saying game add ons are evil, or even "bad" however I think in some cases these game add ons are more about making a quick dollar than it is about value which is not a business practice I could ever condone, and quite frankly I don't. Also a thing to mention is all of these boosts and add on's are optional, but quite frankly if you don't have it you maybe put at a sizable disadvantage. In some cases you're not missing out at all, really depends on the content offered and brought.


So what is the opinion of the gamer? Are you like me, or do you think all game add ons are a waste? I am just wondering what the general feeling is towards add ons.
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My NHL 10 Demo Impressions

Posted 08-27-2009 at 04:24 PM by BruinsHockey08
Updated 08-27-2009 at 04:25 PM by BruinsHockey08 (Editing something)
[FONT=Comic Sans MS]Coming off a year that saw the EASHL finals commence later than expected because of unforeseen problems and issues. The development team from EA Canada has released the demo from its latest hockey game, NHL 10. From it comes the addition of board play, first person fighting, and several game upgrades ranging from puck physics to the computer AI. I played this demo alot the last week and it is truly a great offering, from the improved AI to the puck physics, and even adding such little things as game misconducts and much better goalie animations.

First off lets cover the new features, I want to start with the first person fighting, to me this is probably the biggest surprise in the demo, because being in the first person view isn't exactly my favorite thing, in fact I am usually against it. But I love the new first person fighting, granted it still does not match up against the best fight engine in video game hockey history, which in my opinion is the one from NHL 2k9, but the new fight engine has nothing to be ashamed of, EA did a great job with this engine, the controls feel right, and getting to fight practically anyone, at any time is a REALLY NICE addition no longer will your opponent lay out your top player without getting at least a glove in the face. My biggest concern and disappointment is that the CPU never (from what I've seen) starts stuff after the whistle or doesn't try to get you to fight after a big hit late in a blow out hockey game, if this can be fixed in a patch or before the game even ships that would just add to the first person fighting and post whistle action.

Another thing I really like is the CPU AI, this gets a much welcome upgrade over last years AI, which was decent but felt like it lacked in some areas, EA did a great job this year stepping up the CPU AI from last year, and that is a welcome thing for someone like myself who is a dynasty player for the most part, so playing against the CPU looks like it will be alot of fun, and much tougher. Also another thing I like and my brother won't is the toned down hitting, this will just add to the degree of difficulty, and really give you a more open style of hockey as opposed to the big hits at the blue line all game long, and even if that becomes a problem you can use the new board play feature.

Speaking of the board play, let me be honest, I don't really use it since I tend to start fights trying to use it because I don't hold onto it long enough, which isn't a game play error, it is part of the learning process with the new controls. And on top of that, the CPU hardly uses it on me, which is kind of defeating the purpose of having it in the first place, but maybe I am doing something wrong. I just think if this can be mapped onto a new button where you don't have to hold it down for 1-2 seconds it can be a very nice option to have, especially in the dump and chase style of play.

Precision passing is also new to the NHL Series, and a much needed, once you get the hang of the feature and sending the passes in the direction you're looking for it to go (which I still struggle with) it can open up a nice array of opportunities for the play maker in you, from break out passes to setting up in the offensive zone looking for a potential game winning goal, precision passing really adds to the offensive experience.

Now on for the Pros and Cons I think need work, some are my own, and I borrowed some from the community.
[COLOR=green][FONT=Comic Sans MS]
[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=green][FONT=Comic Sans MS]Pros:

First Person Fighting

Much improved CPU AI

Toned down hitting, some won't like it (Even I think it's a bit to soft)

Precision Passing

Post Whistle Action[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=red][FONT=Comic Sans MS]Cons:

The Y (Triangle on PS3) button does 3 different things, I think that can be a nu-sense to players when they try to do one thing, and end up doing something they did not want to or intend to do.

Lack of customizable controls, this could be a nice feature for the future since players could really make the game the way they want it. Custom Sliders is a nice step, the only next logical step is custom controls for those who want to map out their own controller scheme.

Presentation: I am not talking about cut scenes or the game menu, I am talking the things like no players on the ice when you are in a fight, and no one is sitting on the bench either. Just a small example of what I am referring to.

No game misconduct for a player who has gotten into 3 fights in one game, that would be nice to have if a patch is ever needed for NHL 10, if there isn't one needed, just something small to add to NHL 11 and future versions of the game.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[B][FONT=Comic Sans MS]OVERALL SCORE BASED ON DEMO: 9.3[/FONT][/B]
[/FONT]
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Old

Reply to MMChris's blog: Is there a reasonable limit to gameplay realism & fun factor

Posted 02-20-2009 at 11:36 AM by BruinsHockey08
Updated 02-20-2009 at 01:55 PM by BruinsHockey08
Here's my take, a lot of people now a days want completely realistic game play (or at least as real as possible) and because of that game makers have had a hard time keeping up, not because the game is a bad product, it's because people who play a "arcade" style in that particular game (hockey, football, baseball, you name it) it turns us "sim" style players off.

However if you get two players who play the same style of game, than it is extremely fun. It is never a bad thing playing a 1 goal, run, point game in the late stages of a greatly played game, you have a lead, you are trying your best not to blow the lead, and then the other team strikes for a goal, run, or ties the game with a final second 3 pointer, so the game goes to extra innings, or overtime.

Now the real fun part comes (best thing to do here is pretend this is a league game on sites like league daddy), you have to decide on what to do.

In Hockey: Do you go all out, or do you play it conservatively? Will losing this game hurt you in the standings? Or will it not matter? Are you better off playing for a shoot out and sitting back on D? Or are you better off run and gunning it in OT?

In Basketball: Do you play a fast break, high tempo overtime period, or do you pace yourself, dictate the pace, do you want to play a fast paced offensive game? Or do you want to slow it down? What if you are up 4? You get the ball back with 2 to go, do you try to make it a three possession game with a tri-fecta, or do you go for two to make it harder for the other team to catch up?

In Baseball: You are heading to extra innings, on the mound in the 9th was your closer, who had just blew a save. Do you leave him in there for the 10th inning or do you yank him? Do you have enough confidence in the rest of your bull pen to get the job done?

It's making these decisions that adds to the fun factor to a video game. Not to mention it means both players were entertained by the game, not just a blow out game where one player leaves with a bitter taste in his mouth.

So in short, realism does add to the game when it is played right, and the proper strategies need to be employed in order to win the game, it adds another element to the game, and it makes it fun as heck.
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