EA Sports has announced that details of NHL 14 will be unveiled tomorrow (including a trailer and a release date). It seems pretty early for an announcement - normally these things are left until May or June when E3 takes place. Seeing as I have NHL 13 I can't imagine wanting to buy NHL 14 - but it'll be interesting to see how development pans out.
Below is the initial announcement graphic along with an early screenshot released yesterday. When the announcement graphic was announced, somebody on Operation Sports noted how the player in the image seems to be gearing up to hit somebody. The screenshot subsequently released yesterday shows Phaneuf checking Plekanec. So I guess one of this year's gimmicks is going to be a new checking engine... How about they try implementing board play? The single animation they have for board play doesn't really seem to do the game justice seeing as a big percentage of hockey is played along the boards (perhaps not EA Sports' game, but certainly in real life).
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:19 pm
by B. Stinson
archibalduk wrote:EA Sports has announced that details of NHL 14 will be unveiled tomorrow (including a trailer and a release date). It seems pretty early for an announcement - normally these things are left until May or June when E3 takes place.
Making early announcements for announcements. Definitely sounds to me like the hype train is now boarding
I can't bash it too much, though, since I won't be buying it. I like to skip a year between sports games, so unless NHL 14 adds something huge and revolutionary, I'll be sticking with NHL 13.
I do agree about the board play. Compared to the new skating engine, the board play looks fairly lacking and outdated.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:34 pm
by archibalduk
B. Stinson wrote:I can't bash it too much, though, since I won't be buying it. I like to skip a year between sports games, so unless NHL 14 adds something huge and revolutionary, I'll be sticking with NHL 13.
Yeah this is pretty much what I do. I think prior to NHL 13, the last version I had was NHL 09. I always try the demos and follow the announcements/hype but that's about it. In fact, if it hadn't been for the skating engine, I probably wouldn't have bothered with NHL 13.
Btw, have you noticed in the screenshot that the fans aren't looking at the hit? They all seem to be looking at something to the left, beyond the image. Maybe it's nothing, but it looks a little weird.
Also, in the first image (the black and white one) the guy seems to be wearing an unusual-looking helmet (for the NHL at least) with ear protectors.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:30 pm
by B. Stinson
archibalduk wrote:Btw, have you noticed in the screenshot that the fans aren't looking at the hit? They all seem to be looking at something to the left, beyond the image. Maybe it's nothing, but it looks a little weird.
Ha ha, yeah, it does look strange. Although, I think this might just be the way the models are placed. I would guess that they simply array the crowd models around the rink, facing straight out to the ice.
archibalduk wrote:Also, in the first image (the black and white one) the guy seems to be wearing an unusual-looking helmet (for the NHL at least) with ear protectors.
Good eye; I actually hadn't even noticed that. In fact, I didn't even know ear protectors were a thing, but after some Googling, it would seem that they are. I guess helmets come with them, but many players take them off. Kane, Malkin, and Crosby are notable players that keep them on.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 9:52 pm
by Primis
archibalduk wrote:
B. Stinson wrote:I can't bash it too much, though, since I won't be buying it. I like to skip a year between sports games, so unless NHL 14 adds something huge and revolutionary, I'll be sticking with NHL 13.
Yeah this is pretty much what I do. I think prior to NHL 13, the last version I had was NHL 09. I always try the demos and follow the announcements/hype but that's about it. In fact, if it hadn't been for the skating engine, I probably wouldn't have bothered with NHL 13.
Last I owned was 11. Before that it was 09 for PC (the last great, moddable NHL game). It's getting longer and longer between purchases for me. Last year wasn't enough to convince me to plunk down $60 still, and I doubt this year will be either at early glances. We'll see.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:44 pm
by batdad
Not really all that unusual, just sticks out in that photo. The ear flaps I mean...you can see them on this CCM helmet. More players are choosing to leave them on at higher levels. Maybe not all in the NHL, but definitely on the uprise.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 6:15 pm
by archibalduk
Below is the press release and video trailer from EA Sports. From what the early feature list says, I'll be sticking with NHL 13 for the foreseeable future. The way I see it, the feature list can be categorised like this:
Perhaps I'm being a little unfair about the collision physics and fighting. I'm sure there's a fair bit of working going into those features. But really what improvement will either of those make to the existing gameplay? Last year the promise of the skating engine, AI improvements and tactical improvements were to at least some extent game-changers (the skating engine in particular). I don't see improved collision making that much of an impact (I promise that was an unintentional pun!) - and I personally almost entirely ignore fighting.
EA Sports wrote:First Look: The Vision of Hockey
With today’s official announcement of NHL®14 and the release of the first trailer, we’re excited to present the feature set included in NHL 14. This year's game will utilize the best technology that EA SPORTS has to offer to capture what hockey represents in its purest form: Speed, Skill and Aggression.
Featuring a mix of real-world NHL and gameplay footage, the NHL®14 trailer represents our vision for this year’s game: big hits, real fights and unbelievable speed and skill.
NHL 14 hits store shelves on September 10th in North America and September 13th in Europe.
NHL 14 Features
NHL® Collision Physics – Developed from the same core technology that powers EA SPORTS FIFA’s critically-acclaimed Player Impact Engine, NHL® Collision Physics introduces bigger, more thrilling hits, and truer-to-life collisions. A new left-stick control scheme makes delivering a game-changing hit simpler and more rewarding than ever.
Enforcer Engine – There is a code in hockey, when it's broken you have to respond. A first for the NHL franchise, Fight Night technology delivers a new 3rd person experience, physics-based punch targeting and player size differentiation to every fight, creating the most authentic and electrifying experience yet.
One-Touch Dekes – Experience what it feels like to be a superstar through a new, more responsive deking system controlled only with the left stick and one-button. From beginner to advanced gamers, the system allows for quicker reactive dekes and intuitive combination dekes, creating more moves than ever before.
True Performance Skating – Built on the breakthrough innovation that introduced physics-based skating and over 1,000 new skating animations to the EA SPORTS NHL franchise. The second year of the True Performance Skating features improved acceleration, explosive first-strides, quicker pivots and enhanced lateral skating, resulting in greater player responsiveness and unprecedented control.
Live the Life – The new incarnation of the Be a Pro Career Mode, now you can truly Live the Life of an NHL player. On or off the ice, every decision you make shapes your legacy as an athlete. Interact with teammates outside of the rink. Take part in media interviews. Each choice you make will affect your relationship with fans, teammates and management, influencing your skills and progression.
EA SPORTS NHL Online Seasons – NHL 14 adds the best-in-class promotion and relegation system in the sports category to the Hockey Ultimate Team & EA SPORTS Hockey League modes. Win games and advance to the next division to face tougher competition, fall short and see your team bumped down. Teams will be able to track their progress across multiple seasons.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 6:36 pm
by Primis
Yawn.
Still sticking with 11 apparently then. That release could not be any more boring to read, or do any less to make me want 14. They desperately need competition in the market again.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:52 pm
by B. Stinson
The focus on hitting and gritiness in that trailer scares me. It was exactly that focus that made me leave the series back with NHL 2003.
Other than that, I'm with Primis on the yawning. That feature list definitely reeks of no-competitor laziness, much like we've seen with Madden. In fact, the last three features (literally half the list) aren't even new features
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:06 am
by Primis
Y'know, I would have been happy with just "We acquired the ECHL license and improved out team creator". That might've been enough for me.
They can't even put a teeny bit of effort into that though, can they?
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:15 am
by philou21
They probably don't care at all about the ECHL and want to focus mainly on the NHL. Most of the targeted audience for a game like NHL probably don't care about the ECHL.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 3:12 pm
by watts555
The game so far looks basically the same as 13. They have just run out of things to improve the game and its getting annoying
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:00 pm
by Primis
philou21 wrote:They probably don't care at all about the ECHL and want to focus mainly on the NHL. Most of the targeted audience for a game like NHL probably don't care about the ECHL.
While I follow the ECHL, my comment was less about my desire for the ECHL in the game than it was as an example of something small they could have done to actually put something new in the game.
My point was that say, adding a license and revamping the team creation ability (maybe even add ability to upload and download user-created teams like they have for NCAA In the past, that aspect of the game has become woefully outdated and underwhelming and people have been calling for them to fix it for years) would have been a genuine improvement, and they didn't even manage that.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:21 pm
by archibalduk
watts555 wrote:They have just run out of things to improve the game and its getting annoying
I don't quite see it like that. There's so much that could be improved AI-wise; e.g. the lack of board play is a big issue for me. The goalies are a bit flawed too - they have a tendency to "warp" from post to post to make stellar saves and then a moment later they'll let in a ridiculously simple goal.
I think it's more a case of them, as always, trying to find things that will shift sales to the mainstream. The problem is that the hardcore fans will often buy the game regardless because I think it's fair to say that many cave in to the temptation of having up to date rosters (particularly with next season's realignment). Screw the simulation/realism side of things, just concentrate on micro-sales and what will attract casual users.
That's my (highly cynicall) view anyhow!!
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:58 pm
by Primis
archibalduk wrote:The problem is that the hardcore fans will often buy the game regardless because I think it's fair to say that many cave in to the temptation of having up to date rosters (particularly with next season's realignment). Screw the simulation/realism side of things, just concentrate on micro-sales and what will attract casual users.
That's my (highly cynicall) view anyhow!!
Yeah up until this coming year I've actually spent time every year going through and updating 11's roster myself (creating players even) to keep things realistic and up-to-date. I won't even bother this year probably. But I know most won't do that, they buy the game to see Iginla on the Penguins (which IMHO is dumb when you can move him yourself), or to see Team X's new uniforms. So there's very little motivation for EA considering there's no competition. I wish 2k would bring it back. It's no coincidence that some of EA's best improvements happened when NHL 2k was still around.
The NHL 14 demo is due for release tomorrow in North America and on Wednesday in Europe (both XBox and PS3). I'm not in the least bit excited, but I'll probably check it out at some point later this week or next. In fact, I've been looking at the NHL 2004 modding community today. I'm really tempted to buy an old copy on eBay (I've lost my copy) and then try out some of their mods. NHL 04 is the most fun I've had with the NHL series (and NHL 99 was another version I played to death).
Anyway, back to NHL 14, here's the list of "improvements" according to EA:
Big hits now result in instant retaliatory fights you can't get out of, even in Sim mode. So if you are a hard-hitting team count on 3 or 4 of your top players being in the box half a period, together. I'm sure this is toggle-able in the full version but, gaaaaaawd what an awful addition. I was playing HUT and Halifax got my entire 1st line in the box all at once, plus a top pairing d-man. That's just dumb.
Fights now don't have their own camera really. And are lame, and a bit random for my liking (random average-sized dude on Halifax beat Lucic in a fight pretty handily and tossed him like a ragdoll even though I knew the controls. Uhhh, no).
The Collision Physics are different. Probably for the better, but the game wasn't exactly crying out for this to begin with.
I still do like the new skating engine from what, last year? It's better for sure. I wish you could just import the new skating into NHL 11 and that'd be a fine game.
I see no difference whatsoever in dekes: it's the same system as before. LB+ Right Stick.
Passing seems to have become mentally-challenged. About 1/3 of the time guys don't make good or viable passes, or the passes that I tell them to. I could see this at lower levels, but 1st line NHLers aren't going to constantly be passing the puck 20 feet too far in front and resulting in icing.
NHL 94 Mode is dumb. It just is. The retro sounds are the only things that really give it anything. The newer skating engine with the old classic controls just feels wrong and I don't get a warm, fuzzy feeling playing it. I don't know who thought this was a rad idea but, it's just not, it's a forced mash-up that doesn't blend well.
I'll pass on NHL 14 and continue to update NHL 11.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:33 pm
by archibalduk
Primis wrote:Big hits now result in instant retaliatory fights you can't get out of, even in Sim mode. So if you are a hard-hitting team count on 3 or 4 of your top players being in the box half a period, together. I'm sure this is toggle-able in the full version but, gaaaaaawd what an awful addition. I was playing HUT and Halifax got my entire 1st line in the box all at once, plus a top pairing d-man. That's just dumb.
And this is what happens every year with the headline features. They put it on overdrive so it's in your face and therefore, according to EA logic, a headline feature. Let's wait until next year when toning it down will be announced as one of the gameplay improvements.
I've been reading good things about the updated skating engine on Operation Sports' forum too. This was definitely a good addition to last year's iteration and probably one of the most worthwhile features in a long time.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:40 pm
by philou21
Maybe we'll see real improvements with the next gen consoles next year. I highly doubt so but who knows....
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:46 pm
by Primis
archibalduk wrote:I've been reading good things about the updated skating engine on Operation Sports' forum too. This was definitely a good addition to last year's iteration and probably one of the most worthwhile features in a long time.
It's interesting. Skating is still fluid, yet choppier almost -- which is more like actual skating. It changes things a lot from say NHL 11. You can't take angles quite the same way and IMHO it highlights the better skaters more.
I do have to say, the presentation is updated a bit. During Breaks In Play (BIP) when Gary and Bill are discussing a goalie, for instance, the screen will wipe to a fancy graphic showing the goalie's name and then to a replay or two of his highlights like on a real telecast, instead of just cutting immediately to a replay in older versions. BIP presentation stuff always needs updating every year and more variety IMO.
I hate the new faceoffs system. Hate them. I don't know how a human is supposed to beat the CPU at those, the CPU has a wholly-unfair advantage. I don't see what was wrong with NHL 11 and 12's faceoff system. Now, no matter how good your faceoff guy is, you probably aren't going to win it. I can't believe I forgot to mention that the first time. I played two HUT games against QJMHLers without winning a single faceoff, and that's after I realized that there was a new system and what it was. That's just dumb.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:59 pm
by Animal31
I havnt found faceoffs too difficult
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:10 pm
by archibalduk
Yeah I really struggle with faceoffs in NHL 13. I used the slider setting to make things easier but have never found a happy medium (either it's far to hard or it's far to easy). It doesn't help that there's nothing in the manual to explain how to carry out faceoffs. In fact, I've never really found a happy medium with the overall skill settings either. It's either too hard or too easy. I don't think the poor goalie AI helps.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:30 pm
by CJ
archibalduk wrote:Yeah I really struggle with faceoffs in NHL 13. I used the slider setting to make things easier but have never found a happy medium (either it's far to hard or it's far to easy). It doesn't help that there's nothing in the manual to explain how to carry out faceoffs. In fact, I've never really found a happy medium with the overall skill settings either. It's either too hard or too easy. I don't think the poor goalie AI helps.
I again have never understood what's difficult about them? I usually have ~80% faceoff wins against my friends. And they're HC players, I do not own a PlayStation, but play at their places. I keep it at 2 o'clock or 10 o'clock, (hard to estimate) but ~0,5 seconds after the referee moves his hand I drag it to 6 o'clock. That's how I do it?!
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:56 pm
by philou21
Few times I've been able to succeed was by doing exactly that CJ.
Re: EA Sports NHL 14
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 4:39 am
by Primis
So, after some more play, I found my problem with the faceoffs.
I wasn't aware that you needed to establish your grip so early before drop. That may sound dumb but... it never tells you this. I was trying last-second to do so.
With being aware of that now, I can win some. Still spotty, but at least I'm not going 0/12 like I was before.
So one time Keith delivered a hit and Chara jumped him and one-punch knocked him out. The next time Sharp delivered a hit and Chara stepped in and Sharp embarrassingly handled him. I still don't get the fights I guess.
The puck seems a little too lively every time it goes into the end boards. It pops up a LOT. I'm all for slightly unpredictable boards (Joe Louis Arena and all) but c'mon. Again, I know a slider probably handles that but since I can't adjust it in the demo, it's a complaint.
How about they try implementing board play? The single animation they have for board play doesn't really seem to do the game justice seeing as a big percentage of hockey is played along the boards (perhaps not EA Sports' game, but certainly in real life).
That's how I do it?!