Exclusive NHL 12 Producer Blog: Signature Traits

[addybojangles]

Oh, are we going to see the 1-3-1 in the game?

[plaidchuck]

Quote: Originally Posted by addybojangles

Oh, are we going to see the 1-3-1 in the game?

This. There needs to be actually strategies that do something in the game, rather than them just telling us "use create a play"

[kai123]

Great read! I'm just concerned with one thing, are these traits dependent on player tendencies/ratings or player types?

[FBeaule04]

13 forwards type and only 2 defenseman type???

Shouldn't come as a surprise since any D in that game can get is jock handed to him by dangling from Riley Cote or Derek Boogard in NHL 11.

Been an NHL fan since I'm 4 years old, and it's obvious that there's only 2 traits in the NHL community for D-man.

[Mongo14]

Should have used Sean Avery for net agitator with his way of distracting goal tenders.

[therussian92]

I like this addition. I think this was a perfect time to begin introducing these traits, especially since Madden is re-introducing player traits to their game. I just hope this doesn't replace the traditional player roles such as Playmaker, Sniper, etc. While I could probably tell you every NHL player's tendency in NHL game terms by now, it's nice to have in there when it comes to younger players and prospects.

[Money99]

Chase, I know that you played mostly human-vs-human, but even then, did you notice your opponents strengths and weaknesses when controlling different player types and sizes?

[Al_Tito13]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

13 forwards type and only 2 defenseman type???

I have to say that I had the exact same thought as you. I couldn't believe there were only 2 defensemen types!

Traits will definitely be a great addition this year if they are well implemented, this will help a lot to have more differentiation between players. However, it's easy to notice that almost all of the traits are offensive minded. This will help to improve that aspect of the game, but defensive traits would also be a must, especially for defensemen and two-way centers. Even if I doubt it, I really hope there are more traits than the ones mentioned in the text to improve the defensive aspect of the game.

It still looks very promising nonetheless.

[The Visualizer]

I really hope they go a little further with this and limit the kind of loose puck dekes non-skilled players can perform. It's not enough that they are less likely to be successful as I have been able to come down the ice with 4th liners and do what I please which isn't very realistic. Yes, some of these players very well may be able to pull these off in practice, but wouldn't dare try them in a game. 4th liners should be forced to play like them, simple hockey, dump and chase, not be able to weave thru traffic and loose puck deke at will.

[Vikes1]

Very cool addition.

Looking forward to seeing how it all plays out within the gameplay.

If this first attempt really works as well as I hope, it'd be great to have to actually give some real thought to how you put your lines together. It'd be fantastic if you really had to consider who you were playing against. And an actual worthwhile tactic was to possibly shuffle your lines around...or call certain players up, scratch others, etc... To have to actually think a little bit, would add a lot to the game.

Nice addition EA Canada! Can't wait to give it a try.