First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

[bwiggy33]

Re: NHL 15: First Next-Gen Screenshot Released, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

With all that being said however, I still truly believe hockey is the hardest sport to replicate in video game form, and the memory limitations of the PS3/360 likely handcuffed EA Canada on just how much they could do while still keeping a respectable framerate and making sure that the area they make money post release was at least sound. That doesn't mean I have to like HUT or the online modes getting more attention, and hell us GM guys certainly deserve a bone to be thrown our way. But I get why attention is paid to HUT.

And to be honest, I would be very surprised that with 6 gigs of ram to play with now, that EA doesn't at least make an effort on AI going into this gen. the PS3 and 360 were not powerful machines, to be honest the PS4 and Xbone aren't all that powerful either but they do have more room now under the hood to do much more than coast like they did towards the end of last gen.

This 100%. Hockey is ridiculously hard to replicate through a video game, but with how the AI is programmed now I still think they could have done a whole lot better than what they did. EA just seemed to get into the mode where if it wasn't fully broke, why fix it. I hope for the best with 15, I really do. Hell why wouldn't I? It's our only hockey option and no way in hell I want to sit without a hockey game for the second year straight. This was the first year I was without a hockey game on release day since I got NHL 98 along with my Playstation for Christmas when I was 7.

[johnnyg713]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

And the thing is that all of the complaints in this thread are almost all legitimate. Nobody is denying that this won't be the best NHL game ever made- in fact I fully expect it to be. However, it's the exact same scenario as FIFA 14. FIFA 14 is by far (World Cup 2010 being runner-up) football game ever made, and yet it has tons of gameplay, online, graphical, and authenticity problems. It's really repetitive, but the knock on EA only wanting to make money and sacrificing great gameplay is true. The facts are there for everyone to see. Constant resources and production time being spent on the Ultimate Team mode, while gameplay is left riddled with issues that go unfixed, and in the case of NHL 14 in relation to the bouncing puck, even being introduced halfway through it's life cycle. These gameplay issues affect ALL game modes, and that's why it's so confusing as to why year after year creating the best core gameplay, used across all game modes, is neglected both during pre-release and post-release. People need to take a step back and realize that it is completely acceptable to be critical of EA's work, and not accept that it's great simply because it is the only thing out there, or because it was alittle better than a previous installment. OS is built around a community that wants to see the best sports games possible, and as those consumers, we should demand as close to perfection as we can get,. When EA releases a game that has little things (among other, BIG things) like traveling Coyotes fans sitting in Sharks season ticket holder seating, wearing Winnipeg Jets jerseys, all of them wearing full face paint, it destroys the immersion, shows lack of attention to detail, and lack of respect for the consumer.

Look I'm not saying I'm going to be boycotting the game or not buying it or anything, we've seen that claim before and it's a totally unrealistic expectation when EA releases the only NHL game out there. Yes it's part of the problem, but NHL 14 was the best version to date- the problem lies where with a fraction more time and energy spent on things other than Ultimate Team- it could have been not good, but great. EA talks the talk, we just want to see that they have the passion and dedication to not just to our wallets, but to make the best game possible.

I completely see where you are coming from, but in my opinion, the game is what it is. It's not real life hockey it's video game hockey. Can they always improve and try to replicate real life? Sure, but there will always be flaws. Even games like nba 2k that are nearly perfect in my eyes are not enjoyed by some members of the "hardcore" community. I go over to the nba 2k forums and see dozens of "this game is unplayable" "I'm done with this game" posts. A video game that people literally mistake for an actual game being broadcast on television still has customers who are not satisfied.

I used to be very nit-picky but I've learned to appreciate what the game does right and finally I'm starting to enjoy my games again. Not saying you or anyone else doesn't enjoy the game because you want to see improvement but I think there are some people who hold games to ridiculous standards (I used to be one of them).

As for bouncing puck complaints. EA has said they have completely redone puck physics. Wait and see how gameplay looks before getting worked up over what they have and haven't done for this years game. Again IMO I have learned to focus on what they have improved instead of worrying about what the game doesn't have.

[SpectralThundr]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

I completely see where you are coming from, but in my opinion, the game is what it is. It's not real life hockey it's video game hockey. Can they always improve and try to replicate real life? Sure, but there will always be flaws. Even games like nba 2k that are nearly perfect in my eyes are not enjoyed by some members of the "hardcore" community. I go over to the nba 2k forums and see dozens of "this game is unplayable" "I'm done with this game" posts. A video game that people literally mistake for an actual game being broadcast on television still has customers who are not satisfied.

I used to be very nit-picky but I've learned to appreciate what the game does right and finally I'm starting to enjoy my games again. Not saying you or anyone else doesn't enjoy the game because you want to see improvement but I think there are some people who hold games to ridiculous standards (I used to be one of them).

As for bouncing puck complaints. EA has said they have completely redone puck physics. Wait and see how gameplay looks before getting worked up over what they have and haven't done for this years game. Again IMO I have learned to focus on what they have improved instead of worrying about what the game doesn't have.

Yeah this is pretty much my outlook as well. No hockey game will ever be a 100% representation of real life, it's just not going to happen regardless if you're EA, TakeTwo, Activision or who ever.

EA's game for me however even with it's issues comes pretty damn close, I can't see next gen being any worse, and if nothing else given what the PS4 and Xbox 1 have spec wise the gameplay itself can only get better.

I used to be as nitpicky as some of the folks here, and I truly believe criticism is alright, as long as it's constructive. Unfortunately often it isn't. And that doesn't just go towards EA but in general.

We used to have an EA rep on NHL frequent the board alot. He doesn't anymore because the community was so rude and downright insulting towards him and the NHL team, I get the impression he just figured it not worth the headache.

For me as long as I can get the sliders to work in such a way that I can get a pretty sim experience out of the game, I'm alright with that. It'll never be perfect and certain things can definitely stand for improvement, but it's close enough that I don't feel the need to really hate on the dev team or the series in general.

[snowblind89]

Spectral and Johnny, I think you guys are misunderstanding my attitude here. I understand that no, NHL will never be as perfect, or real, as the actual game, and I don't think that's anyones expectation for it to be that way anytime at least in the near future. I'll try and present my perspective another way: I think you would both agree that my initial criticisms (presence of Jets jerseys, face paint, lack of nameplate, the pitch black shadows on the inside of Thornton's and Hannan's eyes, etc.) of the released screenshot, the only look we have so far of NHL 15, are very accurate. Would you agree that these are fixable problems? I'm not saying they will be present in the final build of the game and will persist through release, nobody could know that, but all we know right now is that these issues exist. Assuming EA lives up to it's word and includes new puck physics, I would 100% expect the bouncing puck to not be in 15 either, but I was using it as an example of a fixable problem in the past that the development team overlooked taking attention to. I think you would also agree that dumping the puck into the opposition's zone is a crucial, crucial part of a hockey game? The bouncing puck rendered this mechanic of hockey strategy broken and hurt the game in the sense that it was both highly unrealistic, and directly affected gameplay. Both concepts that nobody wants present in NHL, no matter what. Again, I'm just using this as an example to prove EA's track record when it comes to attention to detail and vigilance in correcting those missed details.

I'll say it again, I am completely optimistic about NHL 15. I absolutely believe that they are taking a huge step in the right direction bringing the NBC package into the game, among other things, and with a full year of development I expect it to even surpass FIFA as EA's next generation masterpiece (Hell, NHL 14 on 360 was damn near close to being better than FIFA 14 on next gen anyway). I love the series and I love spending my time playing, when I, like everyone else who plays NHL, could be doing a million other things. It's really about balancing expectations, and when some parts of the only screenshot we have of NHL 15 look amazing (reflections, jersey and equipment modeling, authentic, licensed gear, image resolution and color correction) it raises those expectations, and some of the errors made in the same screenshot are near inexcusable for an engine and software that can produce such high graphical fidelity. I'm not attacking EA, I'm expressing my desire for the company to match the consumer's passion and desire when creating the game that we all spend our money on. OS is a perfect example of the communities passion, slider sub-forums for just about every game are hosted here, mods, settings, rosters, ratings, you name it- it has been tested and tried by the community. To relate to what I said earlier, you could say that this community has been "filling in the details". All of which make for a more realistic game experience, and definitely is for the better. When EA can really start closing the gap on the quality of content being put out by themselves community is when things will be looking great for sports video gaming.

[SpectralThundr]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

To be honest snow, that wasn't even directed at you on my part. Hell it wasn't even directed at bwiggy either. More so the folks, and they know who they are, who will toss out a snarky comment here and there as to why the game sucks and yada yada yada, and buy the game anyway.

[Aggies7]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

Not really going to argue over the screenshot. I personally think it looks good, but screenshots don't do anything for me. I need to see videos.

[Segagendude]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

And the thing is that all of the complaints in this thread are almost all legitimate.

Eyebrows being too low is a legitimate complaint?
Lol

[canucksss]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

And to be honest, I would be very surprised that with 6 gigs of ram to play with now, that EA doesn't at least make an effort on AI going into this gen. the PS3 and 360 were not powerful machines, to be honest the PS4 and Xbone aren't all that powerful either but they do have more room now under the hood to do much more than coast like they did towards the end of last gen.

I dont know what kind of power do we need to replicate this game over video game. IMO, EA is just lazy in doing its job. I mean, do you really need a powerful machine to differentiate players and how they play? At least give the superstars an extra leverage compared to 3-4 liners. How about the way teams play their game? All the teams play the same. How about the team celebration after scoring a goal? I understand puck physics could be one of the hardest to replicate....but at least if im playing against superstar players, i need to see the difference when Im using a D-3 line. Or if i am against a powerful team, at least give me the feeling that im in for a show.

Again, IMHO, EA is only focusing online....I could estimate, based on the games im seeing from 2010-13 games, they have 80% focus on HUT and 20% in all other aspects and modes. Since I play 98% offline, BAGM or BAP, unless they address gameplay issues...I am going to stay away from this game.

Not really going to argue over the screenshot. I personally think it looks good, but screenshots don't do anything for me. I need to see videos.

better yet....play the demo...i mean not just 2 team option, but all teams with 1 period of 5 minutes play...at least i can gauge if they put a good effort in NHL 15.

[Aggies7]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

better yet....play the demo...i mean not just 2 team option, but all teams with 1 period of 5 minutes play...at least i can gauge if they put a good effort in NHL 15.

Sadly, you know that ain't going to happen. So I will settle for some E3 video with people playing sim hockey. I want to see how AI reacts and if it's realistic as I primarily play offline.

I appreciate and love online sports games, but I feel like ever since online gaming for sports was added EA has given up on the offline folks. Just my opinion.

[SpectralThundr]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

I dont know what kind of power do we need to replicate this game over video game. IMO, EA is just lazy in doing its job. I mean, do you really need a powerful machine to differentiate players and how they play? At least give the superstars an extra leverage compared to 3-4 liners. How about the way teams play their game? All the teams play the same. How about the team celebration after scoring a goal? I understand puck physics could be one of the hardest to replicate....but at least if im playing against superstar players, i need to see the difference when Im using a D-3 line. Or if i am against a powerful team, at least give me the feeling that im in for a show.

Again, IMHO, EA is only focusing online....I could estimate, based on the games im seeing from 2010-13 games, they have 80% focus on HUT and 20% in all other aspects and modes. Since I play 98% offline, BAGM or BAP, unless they address gameplay issues...I am going to stay away from this game.




better yet....play the demo...i mean not just 2 team option, but all teams with 1 period of 5 minutes play...at least i can gauge if they put a good effort in NHL 15.

You're aware that both the 360 and PS3 don't even have a gig of ram right? 512 megs, some of that reserved for system processes, that leaves very little room for complicated AI run routines. You clearly aren't a programmer.

[canucksss]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

You're aware that both the 360 and PS3 don't even have a gig of ram right? 512 megs, some of that reserved for system processes, that leaves very little room for complicated AI run routines. You clearly aren't a programmer.

Obviously I am not...i'm in the medical field for your information, that's why I was asking about the necessary power is needed for us to see a replica of NHL in video games. But you dont need to be a programmer to see the effort of EA, like removing the things that works in the past...group hug after scoring....penalties....neutral zone pressure (ive seen this early in 13, but after the patch/tuner...it disappeared) etc.

[feedmeccc]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

Two new screenshots here. Most important thing I noticed are that they finally have 4 refs!!

http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-updates-gameplay/article/nhl-15-arenas?utm_campaign=nhl14-social-global-ic-fb-nhl15-arena-photoblog-060314-fb-text-site-ramp&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&sourceid=nhl14-social-global-ic-fb-nhl15-arena-photoblog-060314-fb-text-site-ramp&cid=22037&ts=1401912360394

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

Good lord! The lighting is bang on! I was just at MSG at the beginning of May for the Pens series, and this looks scary real! Haven't been impressed by video game screenshots in a long time.

[Money99]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

Two new screenshots here. Most important thing I noticed are that they finally have 4 refs!!
http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-upd...=1401912360394

Is the MSG pic no longer available to anyone else?

The Joe looks really nice.
I hope we get that same angle during a goal celebration.

[adayinthelife]

Re: First NHL 15 Screenshot Revealed, Pre-Order Offers Detailed

Two new screenshots here. Most important thing I noticed are that they finally have 4 refs!!
http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-upd...=1401912360394

Nice. I'm more impressed by these 2 shots than the first one for sure. Glass looks great in that MSG shot.