Pucking Ridiculous: Destination Presentation

[bighurt27]

Don't get me wrong, I really like EA's NHL games but if 2K implements an "NHL Today" presentation style in 2K12, that's where my money's going next year.

[HeroWorship]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Destination Presentation

Remember in the old 16-bit era NHL games, they had intermission highlights and out of town box scores? Or how in NHL 95, they had an Award show?

Sure, it looked like crap and such, but it was still fun and cool (and to note, innovative) at the time. Hell, in NHL 97 on the 16-bit era, we saw skills competition, something we haven't seen in a EA game since.

My point is, we were able to see all this almost fifteen years ago, but in the current editions of the game, we don't even see the little things being implemented.

Imagine in a intermission of a playoffs game, and it cuts to highlights from a Game 7 of another series, and shows you the winner before you're game ends? Hell, even a bottom line on the bottom would be pretty cool during intermission.

I don't need all the stat overlays like in MLB, but even addressing the little nooks and crannies of the presentation would be a fine start.

[statum71]

Remember in the old 16-bit era NHL games, they had intermission highlights and out of town box scores? Or how in NHL 95, they had an Award show?

Sure, it looked like crap and such, but it was still fun and cool (and to note, innovative) at the time. Hell, in NHL 97 on the 16-bit era, we saw skills competition, something we haven't seen in a EA game since.

My point is, we were able to see all this almost fifteen years ago, but in the current editions of the game, we don't even see the little things being implemented.

Imagine in a intermission of a playoffs game, and it cuts to highlights from a Game 7 of another series, and shows you the winner before you're game ends? Hell, even a bottom line on the bottom would be pretty cool during intermission.

I don't need all the stat overlays like in MLB, but even addressing the little nooks and crannies of the presentation would be a fine start.

I was in total agreement right up to that last line. I think the stat overlays is a huge part of what makes the game feel "alive."

When I'm playing season mode in NBA 2K11...it feels like I'm really a part of a "league." Why? Because the commentators talk like they know whats going on OUTSIDE of just my current game.

[kazjason]

In my opinion the missing peice of most EA games is the "immersive" experience. It just isn't there, at least as franchises go. 2K gives that to me, I love feeling like my franchise is "alive", like it's my own little world. I just don't get that with the EA games yet. I've gone back to playing NHL 2K10 surprisingly, and it's not that I think NHL11 is bad, 2K just pulls me back in with a more "immersive" franchise.

[TheCreep]

@stratum. Couldn't agree more. I still haven't figured out what exactly it is with EA and presentation. Its like they really just dont know how to do it. You would think after all these years that they would be somewhat decent at at, but its just not the case. I dont know man.

NCAA11 really sticks out this year. I mean there is absolutely NOTHING. A pause menu? Seriously?

[CodeBr8k3r]

When I have Gary Throne still calling Pittsburgh's arena the Mellon Arena even though on the ice it says differently AND their arena is the same copy & paste from the past THREE YEARS....there is a bit of a problem. I like the goal review addition and it does need to get expanded to goals that could have gone in (I have ran into a few "goals" that never got reviewed). The crowd needs to be as loud and crazy as it is in NBA Live 10, an NHL today type feature NEEDS to be implemented and for the love of god...a new announce team. While the gameplay feels like NHL 11, I still feel like am playing NHL 10 and 09 because I have heard all of their lines already.

Woo Rant! But yes..Presentation seriously needs an overhaul period.

[onlybygrace]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Destination Presentation

Not that many of you probably noticed, but my name is Stephen Holley. I have no idea who Andrew Kennedy is. He must have been that strange guy who came over to my house to help me write the article.

I guess I should have asked his name, eh? Live and learn.

[RealmK]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Destination Presentation

Not that many of you probably noticed, but my name is Stephen Holley. I have no idea who Andrew Kennedy is. He must have been that strange guy who came over to my house to help me write the article.

I guess I should have asked his name, eh? Live and learn.

Hi my name is, what? my name is who? my name is chicka chika Stephen Holley! sorry couldn't resist.

[statum71]

@stratum. Couldn't agree more. I still haven't figured out what exactly it is with EA and presentation. Its like they really just dont know how to do it. You would think after all these years that they would be somewhat decent at at, but its just not the case. I dont know man.

NCAA11 really sticks out this year. I mean there is absolutely NOTHING. A pause menu? Seriously?

When I first got NCAA this year....it pulled me in. I mean the intros, new cut scenes and all. I was like "dang, I can't wait til halftime."

Needless to say when I got to Halftime and saw nothing but the pause menu YET AGAIN......it was a reality check. Very disappointing.

[Segagendude]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Destination Presentation

They need to have the winter classic. I was so disappointed it wasnt in this years game but it's a must for next season. And the ability to put facial hair on players would be cool too.

I asked if the Winter Classic was in this year in the Q & A thread, but got no answer.

Thank you for answering this for me!


On topic----seems 2k did presentation fairly well in NHL 2k10, but the gameplay wasn't all that, from what I've read around the web.

EA's gameplay looks to be great, but presentation is lacking.

Why can't we have both!?

[ArmBarVictim]

great argument brother, and something I have felt EA definitely needs to implement immediately in order to cement its fan base and its brand as the number 1 choice for NHL gaming fans and sports enthusiasts in general for now and the near future.

With that said, it all needs to start somewhere and that somewhere is most definitely the commentary, it's weak, repetitive,annoying,untrue to what an actual game sounds like when it's being called by even a half decent color guy.

Do it EA, make NHL 12 the best sports gaming franchise on the market.

[cheechoo98]

@Segagendude, 2k10 didn't have very good presentation after the initial stadium lighting intro. It was rather bland actually with single player goal celebrations and no stat overlays. The Gameplay was better In 2K10 than in NHL10, IMO....

I like the presentation in EA's NHL series, especially the low, Be-a-Pro cam that follows your player onto the ice. I DONT like the cutscene of the backup goalie sittting down on the bench, that's an awful camera angle.

They just need to add 'more' variety Good ideas about team standings, etc and all that stuff!

[Trevelyan]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Destination Presentation

I guess I'm just a little bit more realistic on this type of thing...I have no sort of special knowledge or facts to back this up, but I have the feeling the NHL series gets very little support from EA in terms of money or developers. I think those guys are working on a limited budget with less developers than other EA studios, and I think they do amazing work within that framework, considering many people would argue NHL is the best sports game yearly.

[RealmK]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Destination Presentation

@Segagendude, 2k10 didn't have very good presentation after the initial stadium lighting intro. It was rather bland actually with single player goal celebrations and no stat overlays. The Gameplay was better In 2K10 than in NHL10, IMO....

I like the presentation in EA's NHL series, especially the low, Be-a-Pro cam that follows your player onto the ice. I DONT like the cutscene of the backup goalie sittting down on the bench, that's an awful camera angle.

They just need to add 'more' variety Good ideas about team standings, etc and all that stuff!

NHL2k10 had presentation aside from the flashy intros? At any rate I agree cheech, they really just need to expand on what they have and continue to add to it. I would truly love to see them take a page out of NBA2k11's book with the flurry of info you get hit with in that game. (going on what I hear, have yet to play NBA2k11) from upcoming games, to player standings, stats, overlays etc. If there's one thing 2k has done right, its the presentation in both NBA this year, and MLB the past release.

I think getting Gary and Bill back in the studio to record a ton more dialog and incorporate the other stuff mentioned would be huge for making the game feel fresh, because even I have to admit, I'm one of those guys who actually doesn't turn commentary off and even someone like me who loves the game feels its getting a tad stale.

Thorne's capable of doing very in depth presentation as proven by MLB2k, Thorne, Phillips and Kruk really do a fantastic job in making that game at the very least sound like a live MLB broadcast and I'd love to see that same treatment make its way over to the NHL series.

I would think Peter Moore and the rest of the higher ups over at EA Sports could justify the budget to do it right considering NHL has consistently sold very well since the leap to NG/CG consoles.

[bonannogiovanni]

And don't forget that we need a real broadcast cam, man I was so hyped months ago when I saw a screenshot of a menu that said custom camera options, only to discover it is only for vertical views. I find myself playing more NHL 2k10 than NHL 11 just because it has better and more presentation elements.