The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

[Oohwayy]

Hey everyone,

To quickly inform you all, the EA NHL GameChangers / EASHL Committee group will be headed back to Vancouver to playtest NHL 16 again next week (Wednesday July 15 - Friday July 17). The last time we were there I made an effort to try all the game modes at least for a little bit of time and I made a forum post about the stuff I remembered once I left. There was a shocking amount of questions that were asked in response to that forum post that I really didn't have an answer to. So when we playtest again next week, I would like to be able to jot some notes down about what people are specifically looking for in NHL 16 so I can give you guys answers to your specific questions. This is why I titled the thread the way it is, so I can give you guys some answers before you play to help clarify any misconceptions.

If you have a specific question about the gameplay or gamemodes, please post it and I will try to check for as many of them as I can. If it has to do with the AI, keep in mind that most of our time there is spent playing EASHL where there isn't AI. However, if you want a breakdown of the "new" edit player feature that you all have been dying for, (article link to those who have not seen : https://www.easports.com/nhl/news/20...16-edit-player ) , I'll be happy to write down what is actually included. With that being said, what do you guys expect from the edit player feature? Are the four things listed in the screenshot (general info, appearance, equipment, attributes) the only things you would want to edit? Or is there potentially something else missing?

I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to reveal most of what is in the game so far. I'll double check with the guys there, as I think they still have some stuff left to announce (including the EASHL announcement later this month which you all should be HYPED for).

I think I'll make another thread (or add on to this one) in the upcoming days, so stay tuned for that too. Thanks.
-Oohwayy

[TheWarmWind]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

First thing I'd look for in the edit player feature would be if there was a way to edit the playoff beard without editing what the player looked like in regular games. It would be a small gripe, but it would kind of suck to play several seasons into the future and still see your now late 20's superstar still growing a weak teen 'stache during your epic run for the cup.

[CupCrazyManiac]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

Hey Oohwayy

THIS List is full of Questions ;-)
http://www.operationsports.com/forum...n-systems.html

And

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...&postcount=136

[jake19ny]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

Take a look at how the CPU controlled players AI is. Mainly defensive AI. This is the single most important issue in gameplay. Nothing worse then clueless floating CPU players. Thanks

[nddurst]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

Take a look at how the CPU controlled players AI is. Mainly defensive AI. This is the single most important issue in gameplay. Nothing worse then clueless floating CPU players. Thanks

This.

Plus, neutral zone pressure with AI defenders. Can you still skate zone-to-zone without much challenge?

[AdamJones113]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

Goalies! (What else? ) Actually, for once I am interested in any EASHL info you can provide (though don't think this means I don't want goalie info!).

Nah, whatever you can get about offline stuff is cool. Thanks for posting!

[bigwill33]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

I posted an entire list of questions from your post about your last visit that went unanswered. http://www.operationsports.com/forum...&postcount=136 That was from a month and a half ago, when you last came around.

I play EASHL over 95% of the time, usually with only 3 humans and 3 cpu players on my team, on average. So the stuff I asked is very much geared towards the gameplay and AI.

And my list of questions/concerns should be brought and shown/discussed with the devs because these are legacy issues that have not been addressed in years, and keep finding their way back into the game. They need to know that these issues are a priority and that we notice them adversely impacting the game's experience on a daily level.

[cmutat17]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

I know most people are going to focus on gameplay. Having said that, can you look for what's new and what's missing in Be a GM mode (things like scouting, trading, that sort of stuff).

[adayinthelife]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

First thing I'd look for in the edit player feature would be if there was a way to edit the playoff beard without editing what the player looked like in regular games. It would be a small gripe, but it would kind of suck to play several seasons into the future and still see your now late 20's superstar still growing a weak teen 'stache during your epic run for the cup.

I'm 99% offline when it comes to this series, but please, please reference the lists mentioned by Cup, AdamJones and bigwill before more trivial stuff like playoff beard editing.

No offence, but if delayed digital puberty is your biggest worry about this game...

[Roscosuper]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

....the gameplay/A.I. and BaGM and how these two, if at all, can coexist. The Bagm experience has bee terrible and I've just grown tired of everything else (same crap every year). If they continue to marginalize that mode, I won't be able to get into it anymore. There's got be improvements to the offline experience that are substantial.

[Simple Mathematics]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

For edit player, see if they have considered having a roster sharing feature like MLB The Show's roster vault. Also in BaGM see if we can edit future draft class's attributes. This would help eliminate some of the questionable CPU generated rookies.

Gameplay wise, I want to know what everyone else in this thread have already listed. I also want to know if physicality besides big hits has been increased. Like net battles, corner battles, defenders simply shoving a forward instead of laying down a big hit.

Also, how are special teams? Do power play units properly set up and pass it around looking for a quality shot? Do penalty kill units take proper shape and positioning trying to stay between the puck and the net and by clogging up passing lanes? Is it harder for penalty killers to clear the zone? Does it feel like a genuine advantage when you're on the powerplay?

[csamuelsvt]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

Basically what others have said...but if possible...

-hows the commentary(Doc have his signature goal calls and excitement),
-crowd/atmoshphere(goal horns etc)
-how are the goalies...has EA put the new animations in since the last time you guys visited?

Also, does the A.I. just go back and forth and make those unrealistic moves in the neutral zone when they simply don't know what to do?

[Equinox]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

I will go to edit player and see if the players have their unique stick tapes and stuff like that. Ovechkin yellow laces, Kessel white tape on the shaft, Jeff Skinner & Malkin having earguards on their helmets.. Oh boyssss... I'm so excited for this game.

[AdamJones113]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

Here's a list from a while back...

Key Threads Regarding NHL 16

Be A GM Mode: Be A GM Community Wishlist

Modes: NHL 15 Fan Survey Lists Modes EA is Considering For NHL 16

Many: What Are Your Game Changing Ideas?

Many: Three Keys: NHL 16

Rating System: New Look: Rating Overhaul

Gameplay: An Open letter To NHL 16

OVP: Online Versus Play Must Improve For NHL 16

Modes: NHL 16 Survey Reveals More Potential Features

Many: Information Packet For EA

Face-Offs: Rethinking The Face-Off System For NHL 16

Be A GM Mode: Be A GM Mode and Offline Mode Brainstorm

Custom Music: Need For Custom Music

To which I would add all the key threads that can be seen on this Page 1 of the forum.

... such as these:

Many: You Will/Won't Buy NHL 16 If...

Be A GM Mode: Will NHL Ever Have Full League Integration?

... but if you have limited time, which is understandable, I'd go for the top thread here and bigwill's gameplay thread.

[JimmyDeicide]

Re: The first time I play NHL 16, I will look for ____

If you get to play single player can you switch to hardcore to see if it plays the way they are saying.
It sounds like the different play styles (casual, hardcore) are really different now , kinda how we'd all hoped it would be for a while now.

Also player switching. Can you see if you notice a difference. After Big wills post it sounds like its been tweaked and i still dont understand why it cant be just closest to the puck but yea really interested in this one as it drives me crazy the way it is now.

Thanks Jimmy.