NHL 09 Season Mode?

[skihawk77]

Has anyone mentioned if there will be a season mode this year? I loved NHL 08, but it got frustrating to see the computer signing every big free agent (Forsberg, Belfour, Primeau, etc). I want to control every teams transaction, so I can have accurate rosters.

[savoie2006]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

No,there will not be a Season or Playoff Mode this year.EA wanted to make sure to get the "Be A Pro" mode and whatever the BIG online feature is in.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

Which is really a lame excuse. Playoff mode/Season modes basically already exist. All they have to do is strip some things out.

[sabresfan]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

From Littman's blog "The ability to turn off CPU trading in Dynasty". I don't know if that means free agents as well, but I doubt it.

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

Which is really a lame excuse. Playoff mode/Season modes basically already exist. All they have to do is strip some things out.

I know, just turn off trading, injuries and signings and add a fantasy draft option. That would be so much fun.

I can't be the only one who isn't a fan of franchise only. There is just no way any game is going to realistically simulate 30 teams and GMs in any kind of real way. I'm sick of running into stacked Phoenix or Florida teams in the playoffs all the time.

I want to play with current rosters and follow the real NHL season and not have to worry about all this other stuff if I don't want.

In 09 I'm sure Hasek will be on the Kings or something...

I don't think adding this would be a big deal.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

Which is really a lame excuse. Playoff mode/Season modes basically already exist. All they have to do is strip some things out.

Play one season of franchise or sim to the playoffs. Seriously some of you guys nit pick over the most rediculous stuff. I'd much rather have be a pro mode (which sounds f'in awesome btw) and the improved online league stuff as an option if I ever do decide to do the whole online thing if CS.net gets a league going with 09 that is, along with all the additions to the game play we seem to be getting.

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

Play one season of franchise or sim to the playoffs. Seriously some of you guys nit pick over the most rediculous stuff.

Seriously, it is nowhere near the same. We're not asking for some strange feature that nobody has ever heard of. Sports games have always had regular season modes, until EA decided to eliminate them and hope everyone forgot.

I want:
-no CPU trading (supposedly this is in 09, so that will be nice)
-no CPU free agent signings
-an option to turn off injuries (which you have to do if you aren't letting the CPU trade and sign)

I want the teams in April to look how they do in the real NHL, not like how the franchise mode decided to make them. There is NO WAY to do this in 08.

Franchise mode is ok, and should be the main way for many to play, but this option (which has always been there in other games) is not something nit-picky. We get this thread every year.

As a matter of fact, I think we've had this same conversation in past years.

Also, what about fantasy drafts? People love to re-draft the entire NHL and play that way.

Why on earth would you be so opposed to an optional feature?
Your franchise mode will still be there, and this certainly is not going to take features away elsewhere.

All they need to do is make franchise mode with the option to turn off CPU moves. They may at least partially be doing this on 09.

[catcatch22]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

Seriously, it is nowhere near the same. We're not asking for some strange feature that nobody has ever heard of. Sports games have always had regular season modes, until EA decided to eliminate them and hope everyone forgot.

Yes blame Ea for no regular season modes. First time I saw a game with no regular season mode was NFL 2k5 by visual concepts. Whey they did that I don't know but it has migrated to all other sports games as well. After playing the franchise modes and playing the regular season modes in games that have both I find the regular season mode is so bare bones and stripped of all the cool stuff you would see in the franchise portion of the game.

If anything they should definitely add at least a playoff mode. At least that, come on.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

Seriously, it is nowhere near the same. We're not asking for some strange feature that nobody has ever heard of. Sports games have always had regular season modes, until EA decided to eliminate them and hope everyone forgot.

I want:
-no CPU trading (supposedly this is in 09, so that will be nice)
-no CPU free agent signings
-an option to turn off injuries (which you have to do if you aren't letting the CPU trade and sign)

I want the teams in April to look how they do in the real NHL, not like how the franchise mode decided to make them. There is NO WAY to do this in 08.

Franchise mode is ok, and should be the main way for many to play, but this option (which has always been there in other games) is not something nit-picky. We get this thread every year.

As a matter of fact, I think we've had this same conversation in past years.

Also, what about fantasy drafts? People love to re-draft the entire NHL and play that way.

Why on earth would you be so opposed to an optional feature?
Your franchise mode will still be there, and this certainly is not going to take features away elsewhere.

All they need to do is make franchise mode with the option to turn off CPU moves. They may at least partially be doing this on 09.

So you want acurate rosters then you want fantasy drafts in the same breath.. I understand what your saying in asking for a season/playoff mode, but if adding that for 09 would have meant removing something like be a pro I'm fine with it not being there this year.

The trade thing I don't totally get, I could understand if the game was trading away big stars like Crosby or Ovechkin left and right like 2k does but 08's trade logic for the most part was pretty decent, maybe add a trade override option where the user has to approve cpu trades as well might be a way to go about it to please everyone.

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

The fantasy thing might be harder to implement... I could live without that (it wouldn't necessarily be that hard, have the team take the highest rated player based on need).

I'm not knocking franchise mode, it just isn't going to be able to simulate reality all that well. No $60 console game is going to swing that. I mean, Mats Sundin just isn't going to go play for Columbus in real life I'd bet, but in 09? Maybe.

I want to play with my favorite team exactly as they are, but in franchise mode I am forced to upgrade to keep up with other teams.

I really don't think turning off CPU moves would sink Be A Pro mode (which I do like as well).

[copecowboy]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

every sports title has a be a pro mode, its starting to get old these days. The next big thing will be out soon.

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

I think be a pro will be the most fun in hockey. Soccer or football just aren't as interesting just on the nature of the sport, but hockey you should be in on the action all the time you are on the ice.

I used to love playing the old games and locking in on one position so I only control the center at all times. Makes you play a totally different game.

[tgalv]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

i want fantasy draft!

and based on there being no mention of this feature so far, i'm kind of inclined to believe they have failed to implement it once again, which makes no sense to me. even if the computer doesn't draft well or mix up the picks i wouldn't really care. it gets boring always playing against the same teams after awhile, even if you spend the time trading to make your own new team.

[voodoo_magic]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

At playoff time I really miss the playoff mode and being able to set up the playoffs like real life.
As well it seems that playoff mode would be something perfect for online, I just don't get how they leave it out.

[SaintPatrick33]

Re: NHL 09 Season Mode?

This sucks why did they ever take out basics , is it really that hard to have a playoff or season mode.
I feel they did this to increase more online play and less individual gameplay just my feeling as why would they remove such basic functions as a season or playoff mode ?