Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

[Barzalmode]

Are there any issues that would sour the experience or make it not worth putting in the time for Franchise Mode?

There seems to be some positive buzz around here for offline gameplay. Ok, that's good, but what issues have come to be for '23's Franchise mode?

I want to play an NHL Franchise (not custom) so I'm looking for a reasonable simulation and I like to play all the games.

How are the coaching strategies? Do they make sense? Are some 1st lines still playing CNT and some 4th lines set up as 1st lines?

How are penalties? Will they actually occur?

How are the new PP/PK strategies?

Any off-season/free agent/contract issues?

[KomicJ]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

Are there any issues that would sour the experience or make it not worth putting in the time for Franchise Mode?

There seems to be some positive buzz around here for offline gameplay. Ok, that's good, but what issues have come to be for '23's Franchise mode?

I want to play an NHL Franchise (not custom) so I'm looking for a reasonable simulation and I like to play all the games.

How are the coaching strategies? Do they make sense? Are some 1st lines still playing CNT and some 4th lines set up as 1st lines?

How are penalties? Will they actually occur?

How are the new PP/PK strategies?

Any off-season/free agent/contract issues?

Here are some current issues, still to be fixed.

- According to patch notes, the latest patch should fix an issue with offersheet, that allowed teams to sign RFAs without having to pay the appropriate pick compensations in return (didn't even have to own the appropriate pick to make an offer). Haven't been able to test it yet with the new patch, so I don't know how correct patch notes are about that.

- Currently, faceoff deployment is bugged in Franchise mode, where your winger is taking faceoffs instead of your center for special team lines such a 4v5, 4v4, 4v3. And it's not just a matter of inversing both players in the edit lines menu, as saving faceoff deployment both prior to a game or directly in-game doesn't work.

- Finally, and most of all, head coach strategies don't change when firing / replacing your head coach in franchise mode. You're basically stuck with the initial coach strategy scheme all franchise long, as you can see in the video I made below

https://youtu.be/zmuTYfEZMy0

Edit: Oh, and two other things that might apply to Franchise mode.

- They changed the 'True broadcast' camera angle to a much higher / distant camera angle.

- Some user indicate that 1-3-1 powerplay isn't a thing in franchise mode anymore, as the coaches all seem to be limited to 'shooting' or 'overload' since the last patch.

[kinsmen7]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

@komicj pretty much covers my list. I haven't had the 1-3-1 PP issue yet, but I've only played 1 game post patch, and wasn't paying a ton of attention to it. All I know is that my PP felt really solid.

I would add that there's a glitch where if a player has signed their ELC, they're going to be on your roster, regardless of whether they should be in the CHL or not. Kinda sucks because in my Ducks franchise, I *have* to have recent draftee's like Pavel Mintyukov in the AHL. This pushed my original roster to the 50 contract mark, which meant that I had to make a trade right off the bat to be able to sign Drew Helleson to my roster. The roster that I'm using has a ton of NCAA/KHL/Euro prospects added, which jumbles it all up a bit, but I'd assume that once I get a year or two into it, it'll settle itself out (I'll just wait until my drafted prospects are NHL ready or 20 year olds before I sign them).

Anyway, in regards to your question, I certainly wouldn't say it's unplayable. There's a few of us in the Franchise thread that have had some decent progress so far, and I personally haven't had anything that absolutely kills my immersion (aside from accidentally deleting my franchise last night...). I've been using a play-around for my PK where I use a couple of centers, or a winger with decent faceoff numbers to *help* fix that bug as best as can be expected.

Biggest thing that I'll say-I'm using a slider set that's a bit of a mish-mash hybrid between AlTito's and PK's, and the game is running fine. When it comes to PP's/PK's, I seem to be getting anywhere between 2-6 a night, depending on how I play. I absolutely recommend finding a slider set that works for you...OOTB settings are *fine*, but the game runs so much better with a good slider set.

I don't know...I guess at the end of the day it depends on what exactly you're looking from for your franchise. The gameplay is much better, the scouting/drafting system is, IMO, the best among sports games right now, and I wouldn't even say that the trade engine is that bad (Let's be honest-there isn't a sports game out there that has a good trade engine...). There are certainly some holes, but all in all, it's still a lot of fun.

[PernellKarl076]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

For all you Franchise guys, I’ve been asked that question in the Roster section… When you get to a point where you have generated players, apparently their skating style sliders are all at 0 ? Making them looking stupid when they skate….

I know you can't even edit these players I think 🤔 So it would leave just to see them in action I guess…. Anyone, Bueller, anyone ??

[Barzalmode]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

- Currently, faceoff deployment is bugged in Franchise mode, where your winger is taking faceoffs instead of your center for special team lines such a 4v5, 4v4, 4v3. And it's not just a matter of inversing both players in the edit lines menu, as saving faceoff deployment both prior to a game or directly in-game doesn't work.

Is this for gameplay or simming or both?

[Barzalmode]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

For all you Franchise guys, I’ve been asked that question in the Roster section… When you get to a point where you have generated players, apparently their skating style sliders are all at 0 ? Making them looking stupid when they skate….

I know you can't even edit these players I think 🤔 So it would leave just to see them in action I guess…. Anyone, Bueller, anyone ??

By generated players you mean Draft Picks, correct? So, the further you progress in Franchise mode the more players will have the "0" style for their skating.

[Barzalmode]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

How is player likeness this year?

Is it still where 4 or 5 players on a team have a scan and the rest have weird generic faces?

Is it still to the point where there are twins and triplets on a bench?

[bryta47]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

Are there any issues that would sour the experience or make it not worth putting in the time for Franchise Mode?

Besides the fact that EA NHL is a copy pasted, unfinished and bug ridden scam of game with an AAA-game price tag? Probably a few. There usually are.

And don’t let the fact that there’s “positive buzz” about gameplay in here fool you — that simply means all who recognize the scam for what it is has moved on to other things and given up on EA.

I recommend you read thoroughly through the first 20 posts in EA’s own forum to get an understanding about NHL 23. The game seems to be in a worse state than usual.

As always, I wouldn’t recommend supporting EA by buying this game — not even on sale. It’s a horrible and cynical cash crab and we should burn it by fire until some other game company produces the hockey game we deserve.

[PernellKarl076]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

Besides the fact that EA NHL is a copy pasted, unfinished and bug ridden scam of game with an AAA-game price tag? Probably a few. There usually are.

And don’t let the fact that there’s “positive buzz” about gameplay in here fool you — that simply means all who recognize the scam for what it is has moved on to other things and given up on EA.

I recommend you read thoroughly through the first 20 posts in EA’s own forum to get an understanding about NHL 23. The game seems to be in a worse state than usual.

As always, I wouldn’t recommend supporting EA by buying this game — not even on sale. It’s a horrible and cynical cash crab and we should burn it by fire until some other game company produces the hockey game we deserve.

Sorry you feel this way, I’m having the time of my life !!!

Stay warm this winter next to that fire and all you guys that trashes the game especially on EA's forum…. Have fun ! Marshmallow time !

[Rhudey]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

Besides the fact that EA NHL is a copy pasted, unfinished and bug ridden scam of game with an AAA-game price tag? Probably a few. There usually are.

And don’t let the fact that there’s “positive buzz” about gameplay in here fool you — that simply means all who recognize the scam for what it is has moved on to other things and given up on EA.

I recommend you read thoroughly through the first 20 posts in EA’s own forum to get an understanding about NHL 23. The game seems to be in a worse state than usual.

As always, I wouldn’t recommend supporting EA by buying this game — not even on sale. It’s a horrible and cynical cash crab and we should burn it by fire until some other game company produces the hockey game we deserve.

I love the people who come on here to broadcast to the world they will never pay for a game they hate. Just because you feel this way and don't like the game doesn't make anything you posted a fact. What evidence do you have to support your "facts"?

How about...don't let the fact that all the negative trolls incessantly complaining on the toxic EA site bother you since the people who like the game are busy playing and not constantly complaining? Are you correct and I'm wrong because you say it? Maybe instead of blanket statements try saying what it is you don't actually like....if you've actually played the game.

Original poster, I am actually really enjoying this game for what it is this year. I play offline franchise, and am having close competitive games which is what I was hoping for. Yeah, the presentation could be better, it would be nice to have box scores from around the league....there is always room for improvement, but I haven't found any bugs to make it unplayable.

[Therebelyell626]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

Where do I start?

Better yet I won’t waste your time with what would turn out being a college dissertation length rant.

I will just say this. This game is full of bugs this year. The big add for franchise this year was the new 1-3-1 power play formation. The most recent patch essentially removed it from the game in franchise mode. After the patch no coaches will be assigned the 1-3-1 power play as their preferred strategy. Only shooting and overload. EA have already (on their forums) acknowledged the broke it, and are “investigating”. Also since the patch, all four man lines are broken I.e. 4 man pp, penalty kill, and extra lines. Your winger will always be automatically switched to the center position and take face offs. No matter how many times you switch it or change it so your center is taking face offs once you back out of edit lines it always reverts to the winger in the center spot. The CPU doesn’t have this issue so you can pretty much kiss winning face offs in any zone goodbye.

The list goes on and on. Every time they “fix” something this year they break something else. Honestly I am usually very positive on the NhL series, but this year the game feels like it was nowhere near ready for release.

Buyer beware

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

I believe there is also an issue with generated prospects and skating styles and being assigned full cages that can't be changed.

[Barzalmode]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

I believe there is also an issue with generated prospects and skating styles and being assigned full cages that can't be changed.

Is the "cages" thing something that happened post-patch?

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

Is the "cages" thing something that happened post-patch?

No, was in from the beginning. I think it has to do with players born after 2007 or something. Can't remember exactly.

[KomicJ]

Re: Any issues that make Franchise Mode Unplayable?

Is the "cages" thing something that happened post-patch?

This is supposed to be fixed now. Although, I haven't tested it myself.