The momentum swings in this game...

[CabreraMVP]

This game has been a huge headache. I have never experienced a video game like this.

My games always go something like this. If I score 0, the computer scores 1 and wins. If I score 2, they score 3. If I get 3, they get 4. And it's like it's fixed and I have no control over it.

Here's what I mean. I was just playing a game and scored 2 goals earlier to take a 2-0 lead. Then within 5 minutes, the computer scores TWO cheap goals (weak shots, trickles through the pads) and the game is tied. Then I come back and score 3 goals to make it 5-2. I won't lose a hold of this one, right? And in about a 10 minute span, the computer scores 3 more of those cheap goals that shouldn't be going in and the game is tied. THEN I score with 50 seconds remaining and lead 6-5. I can't possibly lose now, right? The computer wins the faceoff, skates right down the ice and SCORES ANOTHER CHEAP GOAL! And I lose in a shootout.

I've had other games where I was up 4-1 and the computer proceeded to skate down and score 4 goals in one period, on very stoppable shots, and win the game. And while they are doing all this scoring, their goaltender becomes Dominik Hasek in the '02 playoffs and makes incredible saves that keeps me off the board.

I have the top rated goalie in the OHL. But the goals that are given up are incredible. These weak shots that look like passes somehow trickle in through the goalie's pads all the time. It's like the game is programmed to always take the momentum and get back in the game no matter what.I take a lead, they take the lead back. And this continues on for 3 periods. No matter how big my lead is, they always come back.

I'm playing on hardcore simulation. Does anybody else notice these crazy momentum swings? I've lost about my last 7 or 8 games (2 shootout losses) because no lead I ever have is safe. The goals the AI is scoring are incredibly cheap.

Any slider sets out there that give a decent simulation experience in terms of goal scoring? I'm fine with how the game plays in terms of hits, skating, etc. but these crazy swings and cheap goals are ruining it for me.

And also I have a question about simming a season. Last year I was playing NHL 11 and had the same problem. It seems that whenver I sim a game, I lose no matter what. My team is the top rated team in the OHL, or 2nd best...but I lose about 90% of the games I sim. I'd liketo speed up the season a bit but it's hard to do that when it sends me to the bottom of the standings.

[JaFFiTh]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

I'm having the same problem actually. It seems that the momentum slider favors the computer. Once they score, they score a bunch within few minutes. I haven't won a game yet on NHL 14 (about 5-7 played so far) and I've had 3 or 4 blowout losses. (by the scores of 8-2, 7-2 (twice))

Last game I played I thought it was actually gonna be a hard fought game, scoreless into 3rd. Next thing u know they score 3 quick goals to win it pretty much. I scored one but that was all I could do. So when they do that, it makes the game feel like a wasted one after a couple good periods.

This game is probably the first NHL game I couldn't care less to play with, been going back to my The Show games.

[DustinOverbay]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

Yeah, the fabled "Comeback code" has hit me hard this year, I never had a big problem with it in previous games(09 was my first) and this year it just seems you can completely outplay the other team(50 shots vs 25 and your losing 5-0, which happened to me in 13 alot) You gotta switch up your style likely, from a high scoring motive to a strong mix, that helped me but it didnt solve the problem.


If EA could do away with the comeback logic mostly, I would enjoy that, and maybe only getting a morale boost when the captains on the ice or a timeout was called, or something

[Bleak5170]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

It is extremely aggravating when you have an offensive explosion with 7 goals and the CPU scores 8. You should see the goalie stats in my playoff mode. It's like what you used to see in the mid-eighties.

[jyoung]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

The developers have confirmed numerous time that there is no "rubber banding" in the game. Meaning there are no unfair boosts being applied to the AI team or reductions given the human team whenever the human team gets a lead.

If you want to see what true rubber banding is like, all you have to do is pop in any Midway hockey game from the PS1/N64/PS2 era, such as Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey, NHL Open Ice or NHL Hitz.

Instead, what you are seeing at work in the modern EA NHL games is a combination of the AI learning slider and the AI teams switching to more aggressive coaching settings (the ones accessed through the d-pad) whenever they fall behind.

[Bleak5170]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

The developers have confirmed numerous time that there is no "rubber banding" in the game. Meaning there are no unfair boosts being applied to the AI team or reductions given the human team whenever the human team gets a lead.

.

They say the same thing about Madden and we all know what a load of crap that is.

[Steve Danger]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

Lol at believing the developers. There is and always has been comeback coding in this franchise. That said, I haven't had near the experiences the people in this thread have.

[newjerseydamo]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

And I thought I was the only one and dreaming it.

First 2 games I played (Play Now), won 4-3, lost 3-4. Ok, they were pretty decent games and seemed legit.

Started playing in season mode. I manage to score first, was leading heading in to the 3rd.. but was playing the Penguins and Malkin somehow scored from a 90 degree angle to the post on the blue line. Was the biggest WTF moment I've ever seen.

Then in the second game was playing the Islanders, they took a shot from further back toward the neutral zone, my goalie didn't even move, goal went in.

The "momentum" shift is absolutely huge. It's like not only have they increased the hits and fighting, but the momentum too.

I would consider myself a rookie to the game as I don't spend every waking hour playing the game, but I have played it consistently ever since I got a PS3 and was buying NHL08. Same thing goes with faceoff wins. I can consistently win faceoffs for the first half of the game, then all of a sudden the opposition wins every one.

This is just ridiculous.

[JaFFiTh]

The momentum swings in this game...

And I thought I was the only one and dreaming it.

First 2 games I played (Play Now), won 4-3, lost 3-4. Ok, they were pretty decent games and seemed legit.

Started playing in season mode. I manage to score first, was leading heading in to the 3rd.. but was playing the Penguins and Malkin somehow scored from a 90 degree angle to the post on the blue line. Was the biggest WTF moment I've ever seen.

Then in the second game was playing the Islanders, they took a shot from further back toward the neutral zone, my goalie didn't even move, goal went in.

The "momentum" shift is absolutely huge. It's like not only have they increased the hits and fighting, but the momentum too.

I would consider myself a rookie to the game as I don't spend every waking hour playing the game, but I have played it consistently ever since I got a PS3 and was buying NHL08. Same thing goes with faceoff wins. I can consistently win faceoffs for the first half of the game, then all of a sudden the opposition wins every one.

This is just ridiculous.

I'm having the exactly the same problem with faceoffs, win them easily the first half, then they steal the show the rest of the game, especially in my zone. They would win it and shoot right from the faceoff, they scores.. Game over :-/

[birthday_massacre]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

The developers have confirmed numerous time that there is no "rubber banding" in the game. Meaning there are no unfair boosts being applied to the AI team or reductions given the human team whenever the human team gets a lead.

If you want to see what true rubber banding is like, all you have to do is pop in any Midway hockey game from the PS1/N64/PS2 era, such as Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey, NHL Open Ice or NHL Hitz.

Instead, what you are seeing at work in the modern EA NHL games is a combination of the AI learning slider and the AI teams switching to more aggressive coaching settings (the ones accessed through the d-pad) whenever they fall behind.

Its simply not true that its the AI learning because when the CPU is down 3-1 in the 3rd then scores two goals on shots the goalie was making in the first period something is wrong.

Its one thing to know you get beat and have the CPU score, its another for the CPU to score on 3 of 4 shots in the last 5 minutes a game to win when your goalie saved 19 of 20 just before that.

[DaRK]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

Yup, lost 2-3 and 3-4 last night. Moulson scored with 50 seconds left in the third, then Boedker couldn't get an easy backhand and Zetterberg couldn't get his one-time off. So dumb.

[onlybygrace]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

I don't have these problems...I'm sure it must be a defective disc. Yeah...totally.

[FBeaule04]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

I've notice that most of my games when I play away are dominated in the first by the other team. Usually it's 10-3 or 12-2 the shots. Seems like the fact the other team is at home makes them play harder.

In the second period, I usually tend to get back in the game and outshot the other team. My players settle, we play better and it's more up and down the ice.

I've notice that when I get scored on, it's usually a play we're someone wasn't in his place or made a miscues. Last night, just after I was scored on, Patrice Bergeron made a blind pass, ending on Logan Couture stick and it was in.

Momentum is there, but most goals are scored after miscues, which happens a lot in real life. Hockey is a game of mistakes and depending the level you play on in this game, if you turn the puck over, your keeper will get beat.

Also, if comebacks happen every game, then it's a problem, but if this is happening 1 game out 5, I don't see a problem. Again, nights in, nights out in the NHL, there's a comeback. The team that scores first doesn't win 100% of the games.

[Steven547]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

I've notice that most of my games when I play away are dominated in the first by the other team. Usually it's 10-3 or 12-2 the shots. Seems like the fact the other team is at home makes them play harder.

In the second period, I usually tend to get back in the game and outshot the other team. My players settle, we play better and it's more up and down the ice.

I've notice that when I get scored on, it's usually a play we're someone wasn't in his place or made a miscues. Last night, just after I was scored on, Patrice Bergeron made a blind pass, ending on Logan Couture stick and it was in.

Momentum is there, but most goals are scored after miscues, which happens a lot in real life. Hockey is a game of mistakes and depending the level you play on in this game, if you turn the puck over, your keeper will get beat.

Also, if comebacks happen every game, then it's a problem, but if this is happening 1 game out 5, I don't see a problem. Again, nights in, nights out in the NHL, there's a comeback. The team that scores first doesn't win 100% of the games.

Comebacks are one things....PROGRAMMED comebacks are the issue. Many, many, many, many moons ago, EA admitted to this "comeback" code in their hockey game. I don't remember which version it was, but I do believe it was a PC version. I remember hearing this and everyone thought it was a huge disappointment that they would do that....it just ruins the whole "SIM" experience they promote each year. Adding this "comeback" ruins any chance you have of experiencing a great game.

A game where you beat the team because of skill or luck...or a game where your guys just played bad...or you get that infamous shutout. Instead, the CPU will score a majority of their goals with under 2 mins left, or if you're outplaying the CPU, the CPU becomes a team of superheros. EA NEEDS to leave the gameplay to the player attributes, period.

The fact that 90% of the users see and experience it, and EA continues to deny it, is just plain dumbfounding. Any thread you create about this, or even ask a question about on the EA forums, gets shut down faster than the government.

All we've ever asked for is a balanced "SIM" game. Heck, with EA's "sim" results they posted, I've asked several times what slider settings they used...what roster they used to get such accurate results. I've asked this year after year. I get no response. Another EA mystery.

[FBeaule04]

Re: The momentum swings in this game...

Comebacks are one things....PROGRAMMED comebacks are the issue. Many, many, many, many moons ago, EA admitted to this "comeback" code in their hockey game. I don't remember which version it was, but I do believe it was a PC version. I remember hearing this and everyone thought it was a huge disappointment that they would do that....it just ruins the whole "SIM" experience they promote each year. Adding this "comeback" ruins any chance you have of experiencing a great game.

A game where you beat the team because of skill or luck...or a game where your guys just played bad...or you get that infamous shutout. Instead, the CPU will score a majority of their goals with under 2 mins left, or if you're outplaying the CPU, the CPU becomes a team of superheros. EA NEEDS to leave the gameplay to the player attributes, period.

The fact that 90% of the users see and experience it, and EA continues to deny it, is just plain dumbfounding. Any thread you create about this, or even ask a question about on the EA forums, gets shut down faster than the government.

All we've ever asked for is a balanced "SIM" game. Heck, with EA's "sim" results they posted, I've asked several times what slider settings they used...what roster they used to get such accurate results. I've asked this year after year. I get no response. Another EA mystery.

Ok, never saw a confirmation from someone at EA that a comeback code was there. I was under the impression it is and always been a legend.

If that was confirmed, then my argumentation is off the table. Programmed comebacks code would be really a killer for me if that was true. I really hope it's not the case.