Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

[Fiddy]

Sleeveless Gaming with a Ben Ross gameplay breakdown video of an online top player. Part 1 below and Part 2 coming today I do believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx5rslufOrk

[Fiddy]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

Crickets... LOL

It's funny, we all complain about Devs not communicating etc. He breaks down this guys game play and explains how the game works in areas where we all have complained and what not.

But that just shows how much we don't really care anymore. This has been the slowest year here on these NHL boards that i came remember.

I really feel like NHL 20 is the best game they have put out since NHL 14 but its obvious they lost people over 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19.

[tyler289]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

Yeah, I love NHL20, gameplay has its issues but it's a really fun game. I hate the new presentation package but that can get re-worked yearly anyways. It's funny because I think overall the team has put way more work and care into franchise mode than SCEA has put into The Show. Frankly I think NHL has the deepest and most satisfying franchise mode outside of 2k. The fog of war is awesome. And on-ice it's a fun game. I'm excited to see what the next gen brings this series, as I hope that paves the way for goaltender improvements and deeper strategy improvements.

[The EVHL]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

The video good, it just didn't really give me any new information. Basically debunked the "ice tilt" people and explained why always looking for the one-timer can be the reason why you're not scoring more goals. I think they need to drive the meta towards moving the puck quick and playing on-puck defense even MORE than it is right now, and that starts with making DSS more viable/less risky, cleaning up the AI so they actually cover basic zones assuming the user hasn't pulled them, and making screen effect even HIGHER so it promotes shooting the puck quick, reading screens, and creating chaos in the offensive zone.

The disappointing part of the video was that neither player did anything special offensively, nor did they do anything egregiously wrong defensively, yet it was an 11-goal game. The meta and the AI still have a long way to go, but at least we've been given solid proof (if we didn't already) to stop giving "ice tilters" the time of day.

Hoping next-gen can give us a much improved AI, and way better presentations packages/elements because I see myself playing this OFFLINE for the foreseeable future, and those two areas are what breaks immersion for me the most. Especially after seeing DJNeo's work on 2KHS with the AI, I'm expecting a lot more from AAA developers who have been given loads of videos for years highlighting shortcoming of their AI.

Ben has been very active on the forums lately. It's been fun seeing the community actually utilize him for discussions rather than just complaining. He obviously has a ton of insight and is really passionate about the game. We need to keep supporting him and showing him that there are constructive people who care.

[crusader]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

Hey Fiddy, I agree I have played this version more than any other. The game is playing pretty good but one thing I would like to see is more goal variety. It just seems like the goals all look alike after awhile.

[Cletus]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

It's the best game in years, but I think I'm just tired of EA hockey. I watched a little bit, but the NHL youtubers mostly act like 2 year olds when they have to stop sucking their thumb. Not very entertaining. One thing that does bug me about this series is that the cpu overrides so much to the point of not knowing whether I made a mistake or the cpu. I've had plenty of passes go the opposite direction of where I was aiming and things like that (especially poke checks!)

I will add this, if they let Ben Ross have more control it would be a much more organic product. Sales numbers should show how Fortnite dances, constantly screaming commentary and the other non hockey features how it's not working. The HUT guys are going to spend money because it's an addiction and it's legal, so it would be nice if they would throw us more sim type guys a bone.

[Cletus]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

Hoping next-gen can give us a much improved AI, and way better presentations packages/elements because I see myself online playing this online for the foreseeable future, and those two areas are what breaks immersion for me the most. Especially after seeing DJNeo's work on 2KHS with the AI, I'm expecting a lot more from AAA developers who have been given loads of videos for years highlighting shortcoming of their AI.

Not trying to be negative or snarky so sorry if it comes across this way, but this seems to be something I've heard before. If the effort the EA higher ups put into NHL 15 is any indication, they could care less about giving this franchise any help.

[The EVHL]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

Hey Fiddy, I agree I have played this version more than any other. The game is playing pretty good but one thing I would like to see is more goal variety. It just seems like the goals all look alike after awhile.

goal variety online is awful. I have been able to get some great goal variety offline due to sliders. Seeing a decent amount of tips, rebounds, one-timers, and first-shot snipes through screens as well.

I remember used to thinking 6s was pretty "realistic" hockey for a video game until I finally dove into the offline sliders in 18. Totally killed online for me once you realize how much more the meta could be tuned and steered towards realistic hockey, but they choose to amp up acceleration and puck control for the "elite" who are so good, they can't even figure out how to pass the puck and support the puck lol.

[Elite Virtual Hockey]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

goal variety online is awful. I have been able to get some great goal variety offline due to sliders. Seeing a decent amount of tips, rebounds, one-timers, and first-shot snipes through screens as well.

I remember used to thinking 6s was pretty "realistic" hockey for a video game until I finally dove into the offline sliders in 18. Totally killed online for me once you realize how much more the meta could be tuned and steered towards realistic hockey, but they choose to amp up acceleration and puck control for the "elite" who are so good, they can't even figure out how to pass the puck and support the puck lol.

I agree. Goal variety is great with sliders. Still doesn't match 2k's goal variety, but it's getting there. Really excited for Neo's project. Getting rid of the goalie suctions should result in crazy amounts of goal variety!

[Fiddy]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

goal variety online is awful. I have been able to get some great goal variety offline due to sliders. Seeing a decent amount of tips, rebounds, one-timers, and first-shot snipes through screens as well.

I remember used to thinking 6s was pretty "realistic" hockey for a video game until I finally dove into the offline sliders in 18. Totally killed online for me once you realize how much more the meta could be tuned and steered towards realistic hockey, but they choose to amp up acceleration and puck control for the "elite" who are so good, they can't even figure out how to pass the puck and support the puck lol.

I think the goal variety is what really kills it for me, online and offline. It's just the same stuff over and over. Even on auto aim offline. I just want to see the puck go in different on the goalies etc. More creative plays over all and what not.

I dunno, just frustrating.

[Elite Virtual Hockey]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

I think the goal variety is what really kills it for me, online and offline. It's just the same stuff over and over. Even on auto aim offline. I just want to see the puck go in different on the goalies etc. More creative plays over all and what not.

I dunno, just frustrating.

You were a big 2k guy weren't you? I still find 2k10's goal variety as unrivaled. My sliders have decent goal variety offline and I think that's due to me using completely manual passing and a high screen effect. It still doesn't match 2k's ability to find armpits and just shots beating goalies sometimes which I think EA struggles with. Whenever I'm able to make a new thread, I'll post my sliders and you should give them a shot. Had some awesome saves, nice first-shot goals, and great setups.

[Fiddy]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

You were a big 2k guy weren't you? I still find 2k10's goal variety as unrivaled. My sliders have decent goal variety offline and I think that's due to me using completely manual passing and a high screen effect. It still doesn't match 2k's ability to find armpits and just shots beating goalies sometimes which I think EA struggles with. Whenever I'm able to make a new thread, I'll post my sliders and you should give them a shot. Had some awesome saves, nice first-shot goals, and great setups.

Yes with the 2k10, 2k8 etc etc. I miss 2khockey.net LOL

But I'm just a huge NHL game hockey guy no matter what.

I watched that NA Cup last night on twitch and saw 4 guys competing and each guy had his "thing" that they did. Force cross creases from working behind the net, forcing pucks to point for same one timers, spamming LT and making players move unrealistically etc. Yes its a game, but its such a huge turnoff seeing it played this way.

[Elite Virtual Hockey]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

Yes with the 2k10, 2k8 etc etc. I miss 2khockey.net LOL

But I'm just a huge NHL game hockey guy no matter what.

I watched that NA Cup last night on twitch and saw 4 guys competing and each guy had his "thing" that they did. Force cross creases from working behind the net, forcing pucks to point for same one timers, spamming LT and making players move unrealistically etc. Yes its a game, but its such a huge turnoff seeing it played this way.

I agree. The online meta just isn't enjoyable! It doesn't force users into being creative or generating chaos. It allows people to twirl and force passes all game which is super boring to watch and play.

[mikeq672]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

I didnt watch that, because the way "top players" play this game is an embarrassment to people who actually enjoy and want to play hockey.

Plus based on my few exchanges with devs on the ea forums, they are either a bit clueless or just full of it. I was once told, and I will never forget this, that lunging in every direction while constantly spamming pokecheck shouldnt slow you down as a skater because your arms and legs arent directly connected. Once I heard that, what little hope I had left for this game was gone.

Its been hilarious watching these games they put on with the actual NHL guys though. I was watching Noah Hanifin and the Tkachuk brothers play the other night for a few minutes and they were all just complaining about the same crap we complain about. Id love to see the devs tell them they just dont understand hockey like they try to say to people on the ea forums.

All I know is I went from playing EASHL with full teams of 6's and needing to have people sit out each night because we had too many, and playing for hours a night year round, to having one other friend that still buys the game and maybe playing a handful of games a week until our other friends get online and we play a better game. In the span of a handful of years they completely ruined this game, its pretty sad.

[Elite Virtual Hockey]

Re: Ben Ross Breaks Down Top Player Gameplay

I didnt watch that, because the way "top players" play this game is an embarrassment to people who actually enjoy and want to play hockey.

Plus based on my few exchanges with devs on the ea forums, they are either a bit clueless or just full of it. I was once told, and I will never forget this, that lunging in every direction while constantly spamming pokecheck shouldnt slow you down as a skater because your arms and legs arent directly connected. Once I heard that, what little hope I had left for this game was gone.

Its been hilarious watching these games they put on with the actual NHL guys though. I was watching Noah Hanifin and the Tkachuk brothers play the other night for a few minutes and they were all just complaining about the same crap we complain about. Id love to see the devs tell them they just dont understand hockey like they try to say to people on the ea forums.

All I know is I went from playing EASHL with full teams of 6's and needing to have people sit out each night because we had too many, and playing for hours a night year round, to having one other friend that still buys the game and maybe playing a handful of games a week until our other friends get online and we play a better game. In the span of a handful of years they completely ruined this game, its pretty sad.

Yeah this generation has been nothing short of a disaster for NHL. Not nearly enough improvements, too many game-breaking glitches, too many marketing scandals, too clunky of gameplay still. The AI really needs a huge overhaul soon as it really holds this game back.