The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer

[RaychelSnr]

As of this writing, fans of EA's NHL franchise don't know what's going on with several of the popular modes in the upcoming Xbox One and PS4 versions of the game. And in some ways, it now doesn't matter. To be sure, people would like to see EASHL, OTP, GM Connected and everything else “in the game,” as EA likes to say, but in terms of messaging and transparency, the damage has been done. A failure of communication has led to a good number of faithful fans feeling alienated or taken for granted. The stereotype of a company that's ardently pro-business marches on.

Read More - The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer

[Gotmilkman24]

Well written.

[The Visualizer]

Re: The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer

Finally someone in a position of higher visibility called this out.

Nice job on the article.

[swimfunk]

Great read, it's become frustrating for gamers in general now that we rely on twitter/facebook for updates. If you want to follow your favorite game it seems like social media is required. It seems like games are relying less and less on their own website and using third party websites to provide info. When was the last time 2K announced something new on their website rather than use twitter, facebook, or even this site. nba2k.com and 2ksports.com have seemed pretty worthless lately.

Then the people who control the twitter and facebook accounts only seem to RT, pass you to a non working tech support account. It's impossible to get answers nowadays and everything is answered with " We will let the devs know".

[snc237]

This is a great article. I was pumped for nhl and am still getting it but you hit it spot on about creating a disconnect with your fan base. I would love eashl to be in nhl 15 but what I would love more is some communication. Say that's it's not in the game! I just want to know and then tell me the other reasons I should get the game, but going completly silent is worse then announcing bad news. Maybe there going with "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all". Well now we think you have nothing good at all and we know that's not true, start speaking EA.

[Dino]

Great article. spot on. Hope EA Sports reads this because we are fired up.

[willz1985]

The main thing here, like most people have said is the lack of communication....

Surely with 2/3 weeks to release they know what is/isn't in the game at this point. Can only assume it's because they fear the loss of Pre-orders/launch purchases, which in itself isn't a good enough excuse because people will find out what's in the game before they hand over money.

I'm in no way a hardcore hockey fan, I like the sport and keep up with it as much as I can, but not my #1. The main reason I've kept this up is because NHL is arguably one of, if not the best sports game franchise out there every year..

Cant help but feel with the collapse of 2K's hockey games' demise they've took the foot out off the peddle, ironically much like 2K did with NBA

[jpollack34]

Extremely well written article. And spot on imo.

The sports genre is the only one I can think of that seems to be going in a backwards direction -- with a few exceptions from smaller studios like HB Studio's Golf Club -- in that the industry is moving more and more towards openness, transparency, and customization. However, the major sports Publishers are becoming increasing closed.

[weenus]

Wonderfully written and well said. I've played at least two games of EASHL a night since NHL 10 with a group of friends that ranges from 3 to 15 at any given month. Also played a few seasons in some of the larger 6vs6 leagues that are a blast.

I'm heart broken that EASHL might not be in the game. It will singlehandedly kill my favorite multiplayer experience and a way that I've been able to game with my friends for years.

[m_maclean24]

Re: The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer

I have to say, prior to reading this I didn't really care about the possible absence of EASHL or GM Connected, as I am typically an offline gamer, especially when it comes to NHL.

I see now though that I am missing the point entirely – the route that EA is taking here is one that could - and should – have long reaching consequences for them in the future. The silence regarding not only EASHL, but the game as a whole, has been alarming – but also speaks volumes. Since day one, we as the “community” have been forced to speculate on virtually every detail of the game aside from the graphics upgrades – and when EA has been presented an opportunity to clear up rumors, they have sat pat, and allowed it to swell. Even if they have to tell us that cuts have been made to some modes, and explain the reasons why, they could save face somewhat.
<O</O
For myself, it will not have a bearing on whether or not I by the game, as it is the only hockey option available, but I have certainly lost a lot of respect for a company that I have supported since 1993.<O</O

[japsubie]

Finally someone in a position of higher visibility called this out.

Nice job on the article.

seriously i agree! about time! very well written and i hope someone at EA sees this because this is very important. Even for the FIFA series as well, there are a lot of angry people there because of their lack of updates to the Career Mode and their distinct focus FUT the equivalent of HUT. hopefully within the next few years they turn this around and start paying more attention to what got EA to where they are in the first place, their core gamers and game modes.

[japsubie]

i think each EA team needs to do a poll to see which mode players really play or enjoy the most. id be interested to see the results.

[Hollywood88]

Great written article. I'm not trying to push them as I'm just a fan of their communications but you should have used HB studios as an example of a studio that communicates well. Since inception of the Golf Club, they have been very open to suggestions and would answer plenty of tweets to keep the information flowing. As I get ready to purchase the game tomorrow, I absolutely know what to expect from the product. If there is a studio to support, it's them.

[Gotmilkman24]

Ea is supposed to release game modes this week. Anyone have an idea when? Lol

[kerosene31]

Re: The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer

Their silence is deafening. I'm pretty sure these features will be omitted. I'm sure they haven't said anything yet because they want the pre-orders. Few major sites have picked up on the news since it is only a rumor, and most won't visit places like this.

Pushing people to HUT is terrible. It is a pay to win scheme. Either that or you have to basically play nothing else for months and "power level" to get a decent team.

I've bought this game every year for almost a decade now, but this year I am definitely passing.