NHL 16 News Post

NHL 16 Q&A Day #3

09:25 PM - May 21, 2015 by Steve_OS

After answering some questions on Tuesday and Wednesday, the NHL 16 team continued to answer questions again today.

The Q&A is copied and pasted below for easier reading.

Will you be able to edit players in GM Mode? After trades, goalies sometimes have terrible colour schemes for their equipment. Not to mention masks from other teams. Also when will we be able to resign players before the resign phase? I found that was the only unrealistic part of the game trading/signing wise. Thanks.

You will not have the ability to edit players in GM mode. We prioritized bringing back features like AHL Integration, Fantasy Draft and Sim Intervention back to Be A GM over this. This is something we will continue to look at. As for the resign phase Be A GM does not have contract extensions and contract signing/negotiations during the season at this moment. Our version of this is the resign phase in free agency which is a week before the July 1st free agency period that allows you to renegotiate with your own players before open free agency.

Will the custom camera modes return in NHL 16? (custom 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)

Custom cameras are currently lower on our priority list. At the moment, we're working on a new camera for Be A Pro, OTP and EASHL.

Why aren't there authentic coaches in the NHL series, and why isn't there an option to hire/fire coaches in be a gm mode?

Authentic coaches are definitely something that we're looking at moving forward. The main reason that they're not currently in the game is due to licensing. Hire/Fire coaches is a feature that we will continue to investigate.

Will we see defensive skill stick in NHL 16?

We will not be adding a new defensive skill stick in NHL 16 but what we are doing is ensuring that all defensive mechanics are tuned and balanced so that it's fun to play every position on the ice. For example, Precision Skating will help you on the defensive side of the puck giving you the ability to close passing and shooting lanes more effectively.

Will you FINALLY have the correct goal horns for ALL teams? For the longest time, EA has used Detroit's goal horn for Dallas' goal horn.

We are doing our best this year to get the moments around goals for each team as authentic as possible. A big focus has gone into that area and we have definitely paid close attention to the fan sites dedicated to teams unique goal moment presentation.

Will there ever be the introduction of a skills competition into the NHL series? Years ago the '2K' series had it and I found it was an exciting offline mode, that foreseeably would be able to incorporate online modes also.

We will never say �no� to great feature ideas. We are always looking to add fun modes and features that are authentic to the NHL experience. We focused this year on the modes and features that were the most requested by the community with a prime focus on ensuring there was a way for everyone to play and will continue to do so.

Does the new EASHL still allow us to put XP into our players stats?

That's a good question! In developing the new EASHL, we conducted a ton of research and really engaged with the fans. The feedback we got was that gameplay balance and a level playing field are of high importance. Because the previous EASHL allowed users to grow their pro characters' attributes by investing time or money, EASHL players who started playing after launch or who didn't purchase the boosts were often at a disadvantage. While we know it's fun to boost your pro, it takes away from the goal of making EASHL the best way to compete as a team. With the new balanced player class system, EASHL players of all levels can play and succeed based on their skill on the sticks.

In EASHL will you be able to create and name your own teams so you can invite your friends? Also will you be able to customize your skaters attributes or will it be pre-set classes? Will there be leaderboards for the teams & skaters? I appreciate you guys taking the time to answer my questions.

Hi Lyle, thanks for your questions. EASHL is a team-based game mode where you can create/customize your own club and compete alongside your friends. New to EASHL in NHL 16 is the player class system where players can select from a set of carefully balanced skater and goalie classes. This is tuned in a way so that the strengths/weaknesses of each class are authentic to hockey. It's up to you and your team on what combination of classes best suits your play style. As far as leaderboards go, there will be club and player stats available.

With couch coop online on Xbox one, will we be able to have multiple people per couch?

Hi Dallas. With online couch co-op (on both Xbox One and PS4), you and three other friends can play cooperatively in a head to head online match.

I just want plain old, regular Season Mode. Beginning to end, including playoffs and the cup. Please don't skimp on the basics that built this franchise!

Season Mode with playoffs is in the game and you will be able to play in any of the 10 leagues in NHL 16.

Are the EASHL playoffs going to be monthly again?

The playoff feature as part of Online Seasons will be the same as the previous EASHL. We're listening to our fans to determine what the right cadence of playoffs is.

Is there going to be a shootout mode in NHL 16?

Shootout mode is not in NHL 16, but it's something we're continuing to look into.

In be a GM, Will there be "expectations" like in NHL 14 where the owner told you have win this many games or make it to this round of playoffs. NHL 15 lack emotion in Be a GM.

Be A GM will not have expectations like NHL 14 but to bring out the emotion of being a real General Manager we will have the new Player Morale feature which will bring out the player interaction a real GM has to deal with in his dressing room.

Can you play in the european leagues in Be a Pro?

You will not be able to play in the European leagues in Be A Pro.

In BeAGM mode, will I be able to see my AHL/CHL players statistics?

We will have AHL integration in Be A GM. So you will be able to have statistics for your AHL players as well as be able to play games with your AHL team. We do not have statistics for CHL players in Be A GM.

Hello, I would like to ask why you can not play in GM mode for two teams at once. Thus, to be able to two players on two drivers play one season for the two teams. This feature should be the basis for a game console that is designed for multiple players in the home. The option will be in NHL16? Thank you

We will have Season Mode in NHL 16 that will allow multiple users to play together thru one season as two separate teams.

Game: NHL 16Reader Score: Vote Now
Platform: PS4 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 0 - View All

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Member Comments

# 21 Arrowhead21 @ 05/22/15 12:08 PM

It sounds like NHL 17 will have to be our true next gen hockey experience, because NHL 16 isn't gonna ascend high enough. It will be a noticeable improvement over NHL 15, but it won't be the dream game we wanted.

- No editing players (Custom Rosters would've been huge)
- No shootout mode
- No multi-team control in GM mode
- No CHL stat tracking in GM mode
- No GM expectations, meaning you likely can't be fired / change teams in GM mode
-No discussion from EA in regards to changes in gameplay mechanics (No defensive skill stick, no revamped goalies, no revamped animations?)

It will at least be fun to do a fantasy draft season mode with a buddy of mine, and finally get to experience Be a Pro on PS4.

# 22 asu666 @ 05/22/15 12:38 PM

"Will the custom camera modes return in NHL 16? (custom 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)

Custom cameras are currently lower on our priority list. At the moment, we're working on a new camera for Be A Pro, OTP and EASHL."

Custom cameras are a pretty big issue for me too. I never could find a camera I liked playing with in NHL 15 (PS4) and that's how we view 90 percent of the game, is the gameplay camera. Someone should move it up the list. Awful camera angles hurt the rest of the on-ice product.

# 23 ShaiLeGran @ 05/22/15 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therion7


	FIFA had to have all these bells and whistles because it played a slightly inferior game on the pitch to Pro Evolution Soccer for many years. Eventually it even gained the upper hand in that department but until that time all of the peripheral stuff really helped shift units for EA. Current-gen, PES plays better again, so the struggle continues and the consumer wins. MLB is now a system seller for Sony so gets the resources it deserves. It needs to be good. Basketball? EA dropped the ball recently, but 2K aren't go to rest easy. Madden? Haven't played in years but I'd assume that the budget is leagues ahead of the NHL series such is the worldwide popularity of the NFL. No competition is slowly throttling this series. I still can't get my head round the lack of penalties since 11, 12 with the sliders at max and how any company could conceivably think it was acceptable to not include a Season Mode in a sports game after making a next-gen debut a year later than expected.

I can't agree on PES playing better. I have them both and with the right set of sliders, I find FIFA to play better ball then PES. But thats a different discussion and a mather of opinion. NHL and MADDEN are playing ok, and looking ok, but - especially - Madden should be great with all the money EA slams at Tiburon. To many stuff missing in the gameplay department, idem with customization, presentation, commentary and stuff to unlock. FIFA keeps me playing because I like it AND i can unlock boots, balls and all that good stuff to keep me hooked.

# 24 aaron777 @ 05/22/15 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake19ny


	Ugh...out the half million submitted questions about player edit they had to choose that one. It asks specifically about GM mode and they answer by saying you will not be able to Edit Players in GM mode and then go on to list the things in GM mode they thought were more important...great but what about the rest of the game. Now we can all conclude this means edit player is out all together but why not answer by saying Edit Player will not be included in this years game period. I had to sound cynical but I feel like they are leaving this basic simple addition out for one reason only...if NHL 16 is a success they can repackage it next year with a roster update and player edit as a new feature...boom NHL 17.

.......That's just it they are doing what they feel is important not what the people who pay for this thing wants yet another fail by e.a I hope someone comes and makes a game get rid of these idiots once and for all

# 25 Syzchmenev @ 05/22/15 04:47 PM

Will you FINALLY have the correct goal horns for ALL teams? For the longest time, EA has used Detroit's goal horn for Dallas' goal horn.

This is the best question.The NHL15 goal horns and in-game songs are TERRIBLE!Goal Horns volume option in NHL 15 it's joke,quieter than any other..Need to use authentic goal horns and some real BIP songs in NHL16 if they want to present perfect game experience

# 26 ocat @ 05/22/15 09:20 PM

WOOT............they are focusing on goal horns! Forget editing players, custom cameras, online GM, as long as that horn is correct all will be forgiven for NHL 15 /sarcasm

# 27 Gosens6 @ 05/23/15 07:59 AM

Skipping for the 3rd strait year. This game used to be a day one purchase for me. I just can't fathom how it got to this point

# 28 jake19ny @ 05/23/15 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocat


	WOOT............they are focusing on goal horns! Forget editing players, custom cameras, online GM, as long as that horn is correct all will be forgiven for NHL 15 /sarcasm

I don't mind them adding real goal horns...they should, but what good is hearing a real goal horn after I slip the puck past a goalie wearing the wrong colored pads???? I'm going to say this again and probably a dozen more times...we're not asking them to create a feature from scratch all the customization options are already in NHL 16 and we were able to edit players in past releases up to and including NHL 14 so how hard can it be to have this ability in NHL 16? Makes no sense... BRING BACK PLAYER EDIT!

# 29 sba @ 05/23/15 12:50 PM

can confirm that there's no Edit Player in the current build of the game...what a joke

# 30 Moose24x @ 05/23/15 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sba


	can confirm that there's no Edit Player in the current build of the game...what a joke

If that is true, and my feeling is that it is (video that showed creation zone points this way), then it is truly inexcusable and unacceptable. I don't play EVERY other sports game on the market, but I'm nearly positive that literally every one of them has the option to edit existing players attributes/equipment. The option not existing INSIDE of GM mode is one thing, especially if they've learned to simply have goalie pads change correctly when they're traded, but not having it in the game AT ALL is virtually a game breaking offense for me and many others.

There is absolutely no justification for not allowing the customization of our own off line rosters. I can create a bunch of 99 rated players, throw them on my favorite team and then trade away all the grinders for all stars and start a season but I can't alter a few ratings that I disagree with (which almost always applies mostly to aging players that EA rates too highly based on performances from several years ago, or young players who exceed expectations and end up on their team's first line in real life but are rated 72 in the game). Why?

And since we can edit our created players, the mechanic already exists within the game, so all it really comes down to is a DECISIONS to omit the feature and that's just flat out unacceptable for me. I would rather have generic arenas, fans, goal horns, etc. and the ability to edit players. Especially when the game logic creates line combinations based almost solely off of ratings so that GM mode can almost never reflect real life (because EAs ratings sick and they are slow to update). The only thing that can actually effect gameplay is adjusting attributes and hoping for more realistic results. Without edit player everything else, from top to bottom, is just polish on a turd.

# 31 Arrowhead21 @ 05/23/15 03:21 PM

and Rammer had the audacity to say "Edit Player is a priority for us"

# 32 Simple Mathematics @ 05/23/15 03:23 PM

I guess we'll have another year of Brendan Morrow being an 84 overall. And teams with every player being an 80 overall or higher. What is the difference between an 80 and an 81? In EA's world, that could be the difference between a 3rd liner and a free agent.

With edit player, we wouldn't have to worry about this anymore. In our rosters free agents would mostly be in the 40's (with some exceptions). There is a reason why none of these players are even wanted by an AHL team. AHL players would be in the high 40's to low 60's. NHL players would be mid 60's to about 97 (Crosby). That sounds like better separation to me.

But it looks like we'll be stuck with free agents rated mid 70's to low 80's, AHL players mid to upper 70's, NHL players low 80's to 97.

# 33 Nickflyers @ 05/23/15 04:28 PM

That edit question answer really comes off douchy. We PRIORITIZED all these other features(THAT ARE STAPLES TO EVER OTHER SPORTS GAME) so we didn't put Edit Players in.

They better have fixed the goalie gear issue then cause I dunno if it's my OCD, but I hate seeing my newly aquired goalie wearing the wrong colors.

# 34 bad_philanthropy @ 05/23/15 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickflyers


	That edit question answer really comes off douchy. We PRIORITIZED all these other features(THAT ARE STAPLES TO EVER OTHER SPORTS GAME) so we didn't put Edit Players in. They better have fixed the goalie gear issue then cause I dunno if it's my OCD, but I hate seeing my newly aquired goalie wearing the wrong colors.

I have the same OCD, and coincidentally it ends up caused by putting in editing in the first place so I actually have a means to ratchet the authenticity up.

# 35 bigwill33 @ 05/23/15 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickflyers


	That edit question answer really comes off douchy. We PRIORITIZED all these other features(THAT ARE STAPLES TO EVER OTHER SPORTS GAME) so we didn't put Edit Players in. They better have fixed the goalie gear issue then cause I dunno if it's my OCD, but I hate seeing my newly aquired goalie wearing the wrong colors.

Does the game update the goalies to new gear after a few games in GM mode? It used to do that. Cause in real life most goalies do get traded and wear their old gear for a week or two (at least) before getting their gear with the new team and breaking it in.

# 36 Moose24x @ 05/23/15 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	Does the game update the goalies to new gear after a few games in GM mode? It used to do that. Cause in real life most goalies do get traded and wear their old gear for a week or two (at least) before getting their gear with the new team and breaking it in.

Next gen 15 didnt.

# 37 bad_philanthropy @ 05/23/15 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	Does the game update the goalies to new gear after a few games in GM mode? It used to do that. Cause in real life most goalies do get traded and wear their old gear for a week or two (at least) before getting their gear with the new team and breaking it in.

Not in the next (current) gen version. It is back to goalies retaining equipment from previous teams. This is true for AHL players playing in the NHL as well. Additionally, draft picks from junior don't have visors, and a host of other equipment assignment issues.

This stuff was somewhat sorted out on last-gen after so many years (anyone remember when all picks had a reebok lid, no visor, same face, and a scar?), but it's all back to the foundation now.

# 38 CanuckJ @ 05/23/15 05:23 PM

Obviously no edit player so I image no create a team in NHL 16 either, have they said anything about create a team yet? I was hoping they would include it and then update it so I could use CHL logos and jerseys if I wanted.

# 39 scottiej86 @ 05/23/15 06:19 PM

Not that I expected EA to actually meet my expectations, but where are we getting 100% confirmation that Edit player is not included? I know the Ask section talks about Edit player in GM Mode.

On a related note it is a massive letdown if Create-A-Team isnt included after the mention of a PC based Jersey and Logo import system. That seemed promising, so I guess we should have known it was a No-Go from the start.

# 40 bigwill33 @ 05/23/15 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy


	Not in the next (current) gen version. It is back to goalies retaining equipment from previous teams. This is true for AHL players playing in the NHL as well. Additionally, draft picks from junior don't have visors, and a host of other equipment assignment issues. This stuff was somewhat sorted out on last-gen after so many years (anyone remember when all picks had a reebok lid, no visor, same face, and a scar?), but it's all back to the foundation now.

I see. Not surprising considering how bare boned the rest of the game is, I suppose. Just another feature that used to be in the game.

I didn't bother with GM mode because of how awful it and the game play was.

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