OS at E3: NHL 12 Preview

[ChaseB]

The NHL 12 demo at E3 is based around showing off the new gameplay and presentation advances. For that reason, certain gameplay elements were jacked up to 11 and relatively hard to get a good read on at the show. (More casual gamers love massive checks and broken glass, or the developers just wanted to show off these new changes.) Even with those caveats in mind, NHL 12 is still shaping up to continue its fine progress on the ice.

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[milesizdead]

Thanks for posting this, a good preview!

[Dalsanto0026]

Sounds promising.

[BlueNGold]

Re: OS at E3: NHL 12 Preview

The developers have also been talking about some of the AI tweaks that have been made this year, but since I have played only head to head, it's hard to get a feel for those. Nevertheless, I know this is an important topic to you guys, so I'll give you a couple of the bullet points that come from the developers themselves at it relates to AI:

• New CPU shot-decision logic -- they shoot more and are more aggressive
• New skate with intent animation and logic -- better planning by the AI
• CPU will aim for goalie's pads to create rebounds when no other scoring chance is available
• CPU puck carriers will skate more aggressively towards open space
• New "stay onside" logic
• Improved in-zone set up logic.

Hell yes. Music to my ears. That basically covers all of my AI problems from last year. If only Be A GM can get the fixes I've been wanting too.

Thanks for the preview. Hopefully the dev team can do a good job tuning things before release. I don't want the goalies or glass being overly sensitive, although if there are sliders to control that (which I get the feeling there might be) it might not be a big deal for me since I mostly just play offline anyways.

[jkra0512]

"smooth-skinned" huh? haha. Great preview, I'm definitely longing for a new hockey game

[tabulaRasa]

Casuals love the dangles to be supreme. Let´s hope dekebonanzas and protect moves aren´t supreme.
The should do something against pokespammers too.
Otherwise sounds good. Is there anything about HUT? Or is this only big in FIFA?

[Qb]

Good work, LD/G. After seeing some of the E3 footage, I had a feeling the settings were on casual or something of the sort.

[FBeaule04]

Re: OS at E3: NHL 12 Preview

Thanks for the info!

For the first time, there won't be any cynical toughts! What I read about the AI is positive and I'm eager to see it for myself.

If the AI is finally playing as it should be, we could be in for a fun game this time around! :-)

[addybojangles]

God no.

EASHL is going to be even worse than before. Dude's just create huge players to run other plays now - looks like more of the same in NHL 12!

[crobert0247]

Love those two new animations at 1:30 and 1:33 (with Jason Chimera carrying/shooting the puck). Nice!

[crobert0247]

...the crossover animation after Chimera takes a shot at 1:33, I mean.

[SinisterAlex]

Re: OS at E3: NHL 12 Preview

God no.

EASHL is going to be even worse than before. Dude's just create huge players to run other plays now - looks like more of the same in NHL 12!

If they make huge players, they're going to be really slow. I think you'll see a balance between the two.

[ChaseB]

God no.

EASHL is going to be even worse than before. Dude's just create huge players to run other plays now - looks like more of the same in NHL 12!

Speed differential at play here now with the hustle button and regular skating, so it's a balancing act. Seems like attributes mean more this year.

[john1842msu1977]

Chase, excellent write-up! The gameplay and AI adjustments sound awesome. While you're still at E3 and have a chance to speak with any of the developers, could you ask them if they are doing anything to make Create-a-Team and Ultimate Hockey League more robust? i.e. add more city names, nicknames, and logos...
2 more questions to ask them: Will we be seeing NCAA Hockey, the ECHL, or any more Euro Leagues for next year?
Also, any chance that they are adding an EA Locker (similar to NCAA Football series) so that we can share roster files online with each other?

Thanks again for the preview, great job!

[savoie2006]

Re: OS at E3: NHL 12 Preview

Couple questions for Chase:

1.Will Goalies become fatigued this year?

2. Is the Intermission more like one you would see on TV with game highlights and around the league scores and such, rather than highlights followed by the Pause menu?

3. Can you confirm if the Winter Classic is in BAGM or just a Play Now feature?