NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

[Choneen]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

I don't understand what he means when he writes that the demo is the preseason..

"Preseason - the EAUHL preseason is the demo where you will earn card packs in the full version based on how well you do in the demo (demo available mid-August)"

[Qb]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

Some thoughts on this... I didn't spend much hands-on time with HUT at the community event, as I wanted to check out GM mode improvements -- have I mentioned there were quite a few? -- squeeze in a few games, and continue my ongoing discussions with Nate, Gurn, and Jason about improvements/additions for NHL11 & beyond. Also, with all that HUT entails, I was afraid I'd get lost in the mode, as it's quite involved and I'm not too familiar with it's counterparts from FIFA & Madden.

However, a lot of the other community reps did spend a few hours playing around with it, so keep an eye out for their hands-on impressions. Luger33 might've been one of them, so perhaps he'll be kind enough to share with us here. Some other people/sites of possible interest include Shake and Bako from the EA boards, Graeme from the IGN boards, Ed from the HF boards and more. I'll try to contact the group via email to see who has some good info for us.

For those disappointed with HUT as an "online dynasty", I can see your point. It's not a typical online dynasty; however, it does offer a deep team-building experience -- I believe any player from any league is in play -- across both online & offline play. Some people may not care for the fantasy aspect, but having such a huge pool of players certainly makes for some interesting possibilities. Managing your team looks to be quite involved, as it not only requires you to put talent on the ice, but also to balance player development, salary and career length to keep a competitive team on the ice.

There are some cool possibilities -- have a young stud who isn't fully developed for your end of the month playoff push? Perhaps you deal him to someone for a highly-rated vet near the end of his career... Or maybe you prefer to stick with youth in an attempt to lock up as many high potential players on long-term lower paying contracts. I think the elements that make for a great online dynasty are there, so I'd suggest keeping an open mind towards the mode. I know most of my time will be spent in the EASHL, but HUT will definitely get at least a test drive by me.


PS - As mentioned, I dug pretty deep into GM mode and I'm curious to see what the big announcement is. I know there was one thing that had me grinning from ear to ear when I saw it, so perhaps it's...

[scooteristkai]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

From what I´ve read in the other thread and what QB said right here, I think you´re right QB! How often do read "don´t judge the final product by its demo"! And here people are complaining about a mode (an additional one btw), just because they are thinking EA did not adress areas of the game that need improvement (offline GM f. e.).

I, for myself can´t wait until you have the OK to share what you already know about Be A GM improvements Qb!

[PBlast]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

Would someone kindly copy the article and PM it to me? Work has the link blocked, thanks!

[Money99]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

Uh couldn't they just given us BEaGM online? This is not what I asked for

I was hoping for this as well.

Also, please someone correct my ignorance if I'm wrong, but didn't you have to pay real money to get better upgrade cards in Ultimate Team Madden?

So unless you want nothing but bronze cards, you'll be paying actual cash to receive silver and gold cards.

While this mode sounds very addicting and fun, I would have preferred a free online BeAGM or even an online BAP mode where you and a handful of friends could compete in the same online BAP world.

[Qb]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

Also, please someone correct my ignorance if I'm wrong, but didn't you have to pay real money to get better upgrade cards in Ultimate Team Madden?

So unless you want nothing but bronze cards, you'll be paying actual cash to receive silver and gold cards.

I believe you can purchase packs or cards on the auction block, but you also earn funds to "buy" packs by playing the game. Let's face it, as long as people are willing to pay, microtransactions are here to stay...

[plaidchuck]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

Like I've said, it all sounds great in theory.. but if at the end of the day the league is flooded with little kids who shelled out mommy and daddys money for all "gold" players (I can already see a team now with Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos, the Sedins, etc) then it will be useless to me, as I have neither the inclination nor the money to spend on that much DLC. And that brings up another problem, what will people do who are severely outmatched in quality of players? Glitch.

Believe me I'm glad they've put so much in this year, but this frankly has bad written all over it. I would have rathered they held this back another year and just perfected BAGM offline.

[Money99]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

I believe you can purchase packs or cards on the auction block, but you also earn funds to "buy" packs by playing the game. Let's face it, as long as people are willing to pay, microtransactions are here to stay...

I understand that. But this means I'll never be able to compete in the "Elite" level (not that I could anyway).

Anyway, I'm done poo-poo'ing this feature. Even though it's not for me, it sounds very fun, immersive and deep.
I'm sure it'll be a huge success.

One thing I'm wondering is if you can play with 6 guys on your EAUHL team?

[narwhale]

Like I've said, it all sounds great in theory.. but if at the end of the day the league is flooded with little kids who shelled out mommy and daddys money for all "gold" players (I can already see a team now with Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos, the Sedins, etc) then it will be useless to me, as I have neither the inclination nor the money to spend on that much DLC. And that brings up another problem, what will people do who are severely outmatched in quality of players? Glitch.

Believe me I'm glad they've put so much in this year, but this frankly has bad written all over it. I would have rathered they held this back another year and just perfected BAGM offline.

The article did mention a salary cap, so I don't think anyone will be able to have that many superstars even if they can afford them.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

They need to quit calling it a dynasty mode. It's not even as interesting as fantasy sports.

We are not competing for players. you can line-up against a up with all the same players that you have. While it could be a fun mode (it won't be for most of us), it is no substitute for for an Online Dynasty.

I'll give them credit, it is a deep and seemingly well made cash grab. But it is still a system that requires one of two things to improve. You can spend a lot of money (as in $5, $10, or even $15 a month) or you have to pile up wins and stats in games played.

So playing online will either be against kids with their parents money, or fricking glitchers that have no interest other than running up scores and piling up stats. It's actually going to be a cesspool.

This could be fixed with one simple move. They could allow us to easily play our friends, as well as keep stats on how we do among our friends. But that's not going to happen, because that would suck the profit out of the mode.

This is an awesome mode that has been destroyed by the bean counters. I can't blame EA for this, because there are a ton of suckers that will empty their pockets to play with an all-star team. But just because their are guys willing to do this, it doesn't mean I will want to waste my time.

Think about this. In MUT, the smartest move was to use an onside kick EVERY TIME. You would either lose the ball, but a short field gets you the ball back quicker, so you can begin pilling up offensive stats to earn more coins, or you would get the ball start the piling up sooner.

This mode just rewards the glitchiest and cheesiest of gameplay if you want to avoid paying any more than you have to. And it sucks, because it could have been one of the most fun modes to play ever if they didn't feel the need to monetize it so heavily. They will not include the ability to create a group to play with, because it would limit the revenue generated.

Don't get me wrong, it will be wildly successful and generate a ton of revenue for EA. And that could lead to improvements in other areas. But I think many of you are fooling yourselves if you think this will be some deep strategic mode. Trying to play MUT online was a get wrenching experience, and I loved the bloody hell out of it for the first month.

[Qb]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

Anyway, I'm done poo-poo'ing this feature. Even though it's not for me, it sounds very fun, immersive and deep.
I'm sure it'll be a huge success.

One thing I'm wondering is if you can play with 6 guys on your EAUHL team?

I think at the end of the day, that's what it comes down to... either it's for you or it isn't. I'll never understand why people get so fired up about things they say they won't be playing and without even knowing what it is or how it works.

As for your question, I believe HUT is single-player only. I think the only possibility for more than one user on a team would be on the same console and I'm not even sure if you can do that.

The article did mention a salary cap, so I don't think anyone will be able to have that many superstars even if they can afford them.

Yes, there will be a salary cap in some competitions and special tournaments with different conditions for entry (such as no cap).

[ericromain]

Like I've said, it all sounds great in theory.. but if at the end of the day the league is flooded with little kids who shelled out mommy and daddys money for all "gold" players (I can already see a team now with Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos, the Sedins, etc) then it will be useless to me, as I have neither the inclination nor the money to spend on that much DLC. And that brings up another problem, what will people do who are severely outmatched in quality of players? Glitch.

Believe me I'm glad they've put so much in this year, but this frankly has bad written all over it. I would have rathered they held this back another year and just perfected BAGM offline.

True about the kids with money, but the salary capis something that supposedly is going to prevent the super stacked teams from forming.

I've never really minded playing the boosted teams personally anyway. I like playing as the maple leafs or islanders in online vs in nhl10, even against the pens/hawks/sharks. It's fun and satisfying to win games as an underdog.

[bdes]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

I was a big fan of Ultimate Team on Madden, but I feel like NHL will be x10 better especially with my history with the game, and after all it's NHL not Madden. Can't wait for this game to drop!

[jack1535]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

I cant wait for this mode and beating little kids who try and stack there team.

[GreenReign86]

Re: NHL 11 Blog: EAUHL - The Biggest Online Dynasty Ever

PS - As mentioned, I dug pretty deep into GM mode and I'm curious to see what the big announcement is. I know there was one thing that had me grinning from ear to ear when I saw it, so perhaps it's...

Enough Qb. Stop torturing the masses, and please tell us something, anything, that you can, that hasn't been discussed yet. I think you do this for your own amusement, you like seeing people agonize over what they don't know. It gives you a rush, in a sense.

Ok, sorry, that was the psychiatrist side of me coming out. But please at least tell us when the embargo will be lifted so we have something to look forward to.

One more question Qb. Do you know if you can unlock EASHL / BAP boosts, by playing the demo? Much like you could with other EA games such as Tiger Woods, and the NCAA Pro Combats.