NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

If that was chase I do. Now that I know he is probably some pimple face boy. I don't feel the same way. But on a other note the game is going to be sick this year. Madden, the Show and this game. Wow! I am going to have a very busy year.

LOL great sense of humor Scott. I agree, if these new features end up being implimented well, I have a feeling the only two titles that my 360 will see this year are NHL10 and Modern Warfare 2.

After just checking out Sean's gameplay blog video thing, its continually awesome to hear how much they seem to be going out of their way to address the things we had issues with in 09. The passing changes, new and seperate cpu sliders, board play, goalie fixes and animations (incidently check out EA_Redshirt's photo gallery for a few new goalie screens) I'm so stoked for this years version!

[Money99]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

Money if you pay me, I'll punch you in the face each time there is a scrum on the ice so it deters you from using the mechanic. Deal?

I've done less for money.

[Scottdau]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

I hope they fix the presentation. I love how 2k did it. I hope they steal from that or something like it.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

I hope they fix the presentation. I love how 2k did it. I hope they steal from that or something like it.

Personally I'd like to see more stat overlays and commentary centered around how a particular player is performing in a game, or in the case of the playoffs in a particular series. Or an active track/stat breakdown of a regular season series between teams, for example showing a stat overlay over the course of the season of past outcomes when playing a particular rival (say Boston/Montreal) with previous wins etc.

From the sound of things, we're getting crowd reactions and crowd sounds improved big time this year. On the other end of that alot more overlays would go a long way to seal the deal on a presentation factor. Like others have suggested perhaps either highlights of other games during intermissions, or say if you have a player thats one of the league leaders in goals or points etc, have an overlay and some in dept commentary to go along with it.

Another thing I'd particularly like to see is a bit more depth to the playoff presentation, as it is now, its really just a couple lines of specific commentary a few crowd chants here and there, and a very brief cutscene of the traditional handshake at the end of a series. Which really isn't all that much.

[bigwill33]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

RealmK, where is the EA_Redshirts photo gallery at? Can't find it, link would be appreciated.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

RealmK, where is the EA_Redshirts photo gallery at? Can't find it, link would be appreciated.

http://www.operationsports.com/Redshirt_EA/

no prob Will

[bigwill33]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

http://www.operationsports.com/Redshirt_EA/

no prob Will

Thank you, nice to see new animations, just hope they don't get overdone. How often do you see that in real life?

Anyway, totally on board with your presentation ideas. Been asking for that for years. They need to put in game league leaders, or playoff chases with standings etc. Out of town scores would be boss, even if it is just a ticker and not highlights.

[Scottdau]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

Interesting how all the goalies in EAshirts pics have a Ducks helmet. Also, I hope they add a lot more animation. That is lacking big time in this game. Especially some of the wrist shots look really weird.

[Scottdau]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

I just want them to go more out when you score a goal at home. 2k did a great job with last year.

[Acedeck]

"Now we've come to the point where we're still improving offense, defense and goalies, but we've done a really good job with those features already. What's left?

This comment worries me a lot, especially after hearing so much about fighting and physicality improvements. For starters, NHL 09 was no where even close to being where it has the potential to be from an AI and game-play aspect. There's absolutely zero board play, too little pressure from CPU defenders, and numerous flaws in the AI when it comes to money goals. In fact, I don't even think it's likely EA could fix the AI/game-play side of things in a two year window, let alone a one year window. There's a lot going on in hockey, and there's a lot to improve on the AI side of things before I would consider EA's NHL game anywhere close to the point where they can say "What's left?"

[Dalsanto0026]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

Okay, I know I'm going to sound all doom and gloom but I'm very paranoid this whole Intimidation stuff is going to be done incorrectly.

There is definitely some intimidation in the game. No doubt. But there are players who will never get intimidated no matter what goes on. Litty used Crosby as an example but I don't think this kid has ever been intimidated by anyone.

Also, I hope a fight won't automatically break out every time you go for one like it was described. And I really didn't like hearing that if there's no tough guys on the rink, then whoever you're abusing will drop the gloves. If that's the case then I'll start a fight against Detroit every shift. I'll gladly substitute a scrub to get Datsyuk, Hossa, Lidstrom or Zetterberg off the ice.
I want the fighting ratings directly linked to whether or not they'll drop the gloves. The Wings, by and large, never ever fight. Datsyuk could win the Selke for the 2nd time in a row so I never want to see him go anybody.

Don't get me wrong. I loved all that I read, but I'm worried that once again what goes on the ice won't be mirrored to the players attributes.
There are certain players in this game that have ice water in their veins and would never fumble passes or lose fatigue because they're scared. I don't want to hit Mike Richards 4 times and face wash him and then watch him fumble and bumble around the rest of the game. That would never happen.

And while Litty thinks that fighting and grinding will be a deterrent to cheap tactics, I have to disagree. In real life it might because real life people don't really like to be punched in the face. But in a video game, where you feel no pain, it's going to be nothing but after ice whistles and fights.
I just hope the AI is smart enough to suck you into taking dumb penalties if that's all you want to do.
If start that crap against a softer and gentler team like Detroit then I would expect to get a lot of penalites because Detroit won't retaliate.

Finally, while fighting can wake a team up it's not necessary to win games. Again, just look at Detroit.

I guess my main concern is that all of these features are going to be over the top. As much as I love the movie Slap Shot I don't necessarily want my hockey video game experience to be the same.

My feelings exactly.

I have a feeling this feature will be overused.

I like the sound of crowd interactions though, that sounds great, though judging by the screenshots it doesn't look like it's been implemented very well. The player models look terrific.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

Interesting how all the goalies in EAshirts pics have a Ducks helmet. Also, I hope they add a lot more animation. That is lacking big time in this game. Especially some of the wrist shots look really weird.

I agree, Its been one of my big crusades for a while now when talking about the game, on the whole we need more animations on both sides, goalies and skaters.

Will I also agree that I hope the new tender animations are for more of a desperation type of save and they won't fire on a constant basis, it was one of the gripes I had with 2k9's goalies actually where honestly I thought there were too many flashy type of saves on routine shots that you wouldn't see in real life.

Ace: Yeah that comment really bothered me as well, as when it comes to your AI defenders they have a habit in 09 of not really doing enough and for the casual guy, the're not going to be the ones to go into create a play to get their ai teammates moving in either the offensive or defensive zone. I mean we're finally getting some form of board play with NHL10 but really it did take quite the time to get it there and with most of us not having the pleasure to go to the community day, its impossible to judge by screenshots how well its implimented. So as for that comment, sure the basics are there with the controls but the AI can always get much much better, especially the player's non controled AI.

At the end of the day though I really hope the new features are well fleshed out and implimented well enough so that it doesn't feel cheesy or gimmicky. I do have faith considering how far the series has progressed the last few iterations, but its something I want to see in action before I completely sign off on it.

[SomeStrangeSin]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

personally i didnt like the first person fighting idea and from the sounds of it there are going to be like 10 fights a game if im playing online against someone this sounds like street fighter with a crowd.
they didnt talk about any gameplay elements besidess fighting and the crowd physics (which is awesome) i seen some blackhawks fans in vancouver lol.

but i was hoping to hear anything about a new faceoff system or more dekes. i guess ill have to wait for the near future.

[blinkfan77]

Re: NHL 10: Five Things to Know (ESPN Videogames)

The first thing I do when I fire this game up for the first time? Beat the **** out of Scott Walker with Milan Lucic. Can't wait.

I wish they would add goaltender interactions though. Interference would be awesome. Maybe they'll touch on it at some point. I doubt they add it though.

[tabulaRasa]

That´s really cool and all, but how is the online ranked games going to play out if home team advantage is so big this year?

And is it just me or doesn´t the game already premier big teams like SJ and Anaheim ? Hope they keep it at a good level, I don´t want it to become a crazy checkfest ala old hockey.