NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies & More

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

I think were getting to that point in the series where the developers are either reluctant to overhaul presentation extensively and go away from the NHL 09 build, because the ever looming Playstation 4/XBOX 720 console jump. Remember, we are in year 5 of this console cycle, and consoles generally have a 5-7 year period as the latest and greatest, with the following 2-3 years of market decline.

It's like this. Is the first game on the newest console ever going to be as good as the last game on the previous console. Was NHL 07 on PS2 better than NHL 07 on PS3. Yes, NHL 07 was better for gameplay, but not visually. It took two years for the NHL series on PS3 to hit that NHL 94 moment. I don't remember any groundbreaking NHL games on PS2. So what is to say that next generation of games is going to be groundbreaking. It looks like to me, that the NHL developers have found that "special engine" and are probably not going to break it for the next console. If you remember, the nhl games on PS1, sure did feel a lot like the PS2 games. I think the PS3 is going to have that with the PS4 unfortunately. God, I hope I'm wrong.

Honestly when it comes to presentation I don't really know what more they could do. They added a very TV Style broadcast feel this year between the reply breakdowns, then a shot to the player on the ice looking up watching said reply on the big screen, and the pre period cuts have a pretty authentic feel to them. Guys chatting by the benches with the coach, the score overlay with Thorne talking about either say a go ahead goal or a near miss off the pipe.

Aside from intermission breakdowns which they probably didn't have time to do with all the rest that was added or improved this year, I'm actually quite content with the over all presentation on the whole. Sure 5 man hugs after a goal would be great but we finally have real time presentation mixed with TV Style camera cuts. I'm sure it'll improve moving forward.

Especially if they take the current iteration of the series and just build from there going forward with the next console systems nearing. It would be a crying shame if they once again rebooted the franchise when we've finally gotten some pretty major improvements after a few years of somewhat stagnation. The skating engine alone has really changed the way the game plays for the better in a major way imo.

I know people are tired of Gary and Bill, and that alot of the commentary is the same from the past few years, but again, they're not going to redo commentary every year, more so add to it. I don't see the commentary itself changing much until their ESPN contract is up and they need to find a new broadcast tandem. (I believe Thorne and Clement are technically still somewhat tied to EA's overall ESPN contract, I could be wrong however)

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

Especially if they take the current iteration of the series and just build from there going forward with the next console systems nearing. It would be a crying shame if they once again rebooted the franchise when we've finally gotten some pretty major improvements after a few years of somewhat stagnation. The skating engine alone has really changed the way the game plays for the better in a major way imo.

Oh ya Real...the new skating imo is awesome!

About the next gen, I pray they don't decide to do a complete reboot. I agree Real, we're at a point now where some very solid upgrades have come. And I'd hate to see this progress lost, in order to start over again.

I suppose a reboot wouldn't be too terrible if it only took a year or two to get things at least back where they where. But man...it took several years. Please...not again EA Sports.

[mercalnd]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

Remember, we are in year 5 of this console cycle, and consoles generally have a 5-7 year period as the latest and greatest, with the following 2-3 years of market decline.

Actually, we are in year 8 of this console cycle. The cycle started in 2005 with the release of the XBOX 360. As far as the NHL series goes, NHL 13 is the seventh release on these consoles.

[tsp120]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

For those who are tired of Bill and Gary doing the commentary, have you ever considered just turning off the commentary? That's actually the first thing I do when I get a new sports game. I max out the crowd noise and remove the commentary. I love it that way. Just a thought.

[Stroehms]

For those who are tired of Bill and Gary doing the commentary, have you ever considered just turning off the commentary? That's actually the first thing I do when I get a new sports game. I max out the crowd noise and remove the commentary. I love it that way. Just a thought.

Same here. In NHL, it feels like you're actually at the game. Great feeling when scoring a big goal at hom.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

[Section_25]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

For those who are tired of Bill and Gary doing the commentary, have you ever considered just turning off the commentary? That's actually the first thing I do when I get a new sports game. I max out the crowd noise and remove the commentary. I love it that way. Just a thought.

I tried that before and even though some of the commentary is getting a little on the stale side, no commentary at all is just not the same for me. IMO the commentary really does bring alot of realism to the game.

[ComaFaction]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

I know people are tired of Gary and Bill, and that alot of the commentary is the same from the past few years, but again, they're not going to redo commentary every year, more so add to it. I don't see the commentary itself changing much until their ESPN contract is up and they need to find a new broadcast tandem. (I believe Thorne and Clement are technically still somewhat tied to EA's overall ESPN contract, I could be wrong however)

When you see what the developers have done with NBA2k's commentary the last 3 iterations, it's hard to give a free pass on recycling commentary for 4-5 years. It's really not THAT big of a deal, especially since Thorne and Clement sound good together, but it certainly wears thin for someone who has purchased the game year after year.

[Kadgo]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

Actually, we are in year 8 of this console cycle. The cycle started in 2005 with the release of the XBOX 360. As far as the NHL series goes, NHL 13 is the seventh release on these consoles.

the first nhl game in the cycle is nhl07. nhl 2k6 have a 360version but not nhl06

[Reiny09]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

the first nhl game in the cycle is nhl07. nhl 2k6 have a 360version but not nhl06

Are you saying he was wrong by saying 13 will be the 7th of the cycle?

[mercalnd]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

the first nhl game in the cycle is nhl07. nhl 2k6 have a 360version but not nhl06

Yes and that means that 13 is the seventh: 07,08,09,10,11,12 and 13.

[bwiggy33]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

With some of you talking about how this is the 7th title for 360 it brings me to a Question for you guys (No this is not an EA bashing, it's a serious question): Do you think NHL has really done a great job at improving from year to year since they began with NHL 07 for 360?

IMO I really think they could have been way more productive. I believe this new AI and strategies could have been done in NHL 09. I highly doubt that the programming for AI has changed from 09 to 13. AI is probably the one consistent "code" they work with. It's not like them having to build new code for the skating revamp they did this year, which has probably been a process that they've done for the past couple years. I'm not calling EA lazy because I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, their budget, how many workers they have, etc. However, I just think they could be so much further along at this point. I mean correct me if I'm wrong but truly we can name about 1 major thing they've done from NHL 08 to NHL 12 that doesn't include Online play. That major thing is physics (which still need improving). It's truly the only groundbreaking thing they've done over that span.

Other than that it's been small things and tuning (which isn't a bad thing) to what had already been in the game, which IMO is what made this game so stale. Things like broken sticks, broken glass, 1st person fighting, board play, and the list can go on. Overall though they really haven't made any significant gameplay improvements at all since the introduction of the skill stick in 07. Hell even EA admitted that themselves. I can only imagine where this game could be had EA implemented better AI back in 09 or even 10 (the AI would probably be spot on in NHL 13) and put other big things in the game that just can change the game in a big way. I understand that putting "big" features in a game is time consuming and could take a couple years to do, but ultimately I think we could have seen more from EA.

I believe the plan or lack there of that they had in place just wasn't very good. They didn't know which direction or what ideas they wanted to go with. I will also bring up the point that they got comfortable. They won sports game of the year and 2k fizzled out so they just said "we don't have to change anything." I think they finally realized with the complaints about 12 that they better make big improvements otherwise they were going to lose money.

Also google NHL 08-12 and go to wikipedia to see the different features for the games. It's actually astonishing how many little idiotic things they've added and used as "Big" features for their games.

What is your guys take on it?

[jonapaloma]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

With some of you talking about how this is the 7th title for 360 it brings me to a Question for you guys (No this is not an EA bashing, it's a serious question): Do you think NHL has really done a great job at improving from year to year since they began with NHL 07 for 360?

IMO I really think they could have been way more productive. I believe this new AI and strategies could have been done in NHL 09. I highly doubt that the programming for AI has changed from 09 to 13. AI is probably the one consistent "code" they work with. It's not like them having to build new code for the skating revamp they did this year, which has probably been a process that they've done for the past couple years. I'm not calling EA lazy because I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, their budget, how many workers they have, etc. However, I just think they could be so much further along at this point. I mean correct me if I'm wrong but truly we can name about 1 major thing they've done from NHL 08 to NHL 12 that doesn't include Online play. That major thing is physics (which still need improving). It's truly the only groundbreaking thing they've done over that span.

Other than that it's been small things and tuning (which isn't a bad thing) to what had already been in the game, which IMO is what made this game so stale. Things like broken sticks, broken glass, 1st person fighting, board play, and the list can go on. Overall though they really haven't made any significant gameplay improvements at all since the introduction of the skill stick in 07. Hell even EA admitted that themselves. I can only imagine where this game could be had EA implemented better AI back in 09 or even 10 (the AI would probably be spot on in NHL 13) and put other big things in the game that just can change the game in a big way. I understand that putting "big" features in a game is time consuming and could take a couple years to do, but ultimately I think we could have seen more from EA.

I believe the plan or lack there of that they had in place just wasn't very good. They didn't know which direction or what ideas they wanted to go with. I will also bring up the point that they got comfortable. They won sports game of the year and 2k fizzled out so they just said "we don't have to change anything." I think they finally realized with the complaints about 12 that they better make big improvements otherwise they were going to lose money.

Also google NHL 08-12 and go to wikipedia to see the different features for the games. It's actually astonishing how many little idiotic things they've added and used as "Big" features for their games.

What is your guys take on it?

I think alot of the causes are...

Money! Even though I can understand it, its not good for us gamers, I think. They want to make as much money as possible on the franchise. Just look at the movie industry, all these sequels and remakes.

[acelang123]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

Actually, we are in year 8 of this console cycle. The cycle started in 2005 with the release of the XBOX 360. As far as the NHL series goes, NHL 13 is the seventh release on these consoles.

You're right, I forgot 360 was out way before PS3.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

Bwigs, it comes down to budget. NHL more than likely has the smallest budget across the entire EA Sports label, you have to make due with what you can in a situation like that and make sure your major features that you're continually working on are as solid as possible before implementing them in a retail build.

There's also been a bit of team shuffling over the past few years at EAC, Dean left to do Fight Night and came back for 13, I'm not even sure if Littman is even still at EA after being moved to the failed NBA Elite/Live reboot and if he is he's been very quiet. Which would account for a bit of the stagnation the title has seen the last couple years.

To be honest I don't think it has anything to do at all with 2k putting a hockey game out or not, 2k wasn't competition for this Sku this entire console gen even when they were putting out a hockey title. I know that hurts some ears but when you really seriously think about it, it's pretty true. For the first part of the gen 2k relied on shoddy ports, attempted to rebuild the series with little resources and time, and failed miserably. Meanwhile NHL was winning sports game of the year after sports game of the year awards.

Did the perhaps coast a bit from 09-13? Yes, I think that's very fair to say, when your biggest additions are board pinning, broken sticks, and goalie fights.

However the larger issues they needed to tackle, skating, GM logic, AI were more than just one cycle simple fixes. Getting all those strategies and forecheck situations into the game and working properly to me seems a far bigger task than just rewritting a couple lines of code from an existing base, because remember, often if you tweak one thing in code, it can break several other things.

Yes the offline game was a bit neglected, but not knowing what was going on behind the scenes, and taking a much smaller budget into account, I have a hard time believing the team didn't want to rest on the laurels and just make small minor improvements. As we've seen this year with the skating engine addition, along with GMBrain (if it works as advertised) and GM Connected etc.

If nothing else I'd say the game this year has more major additions in all the years prior on this current console cycle put together.

[acelang123]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Sean Ramjagsingh Talks About Presentation, Gameplay, Strategies &

I think alot of the causes are...

Money! Even though I can understand it, its not good for us gamers, I think. They want to make as much money as possible on the franchise. Just look at the movie industry, all these sequels and remakes.

Making the perfect game is a doubled edged sword. Don't like TW 13, you play Links 2004 and don't like Madden 13 you play NFL 2K5. Those were perfect games, and have things that games today don't have. EA Sports is making money because they are budget minded and ruthless contract negotiators. They are on pace to have the success of a Disney like corporation, so the games will be near flawless in about 10-15 years.