Exclusive NHL 12 Producer Blog: Revamped Be a Pro Mode

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by kerosene31

Yep, and what's worse is the people online who will play on the easiest difficulty level (where the AI doesn't even try to stop you) and just powers through and gets all the boosts to use online. What's the fun in that?

Aren't most of the unlocks level specific? I seem to recall that being the case. At anyrate people bitch for realism, they adjust BAP so that you need to earn your way into the NHL and get proper ice time, and they're still bitching. I know the game has it's issues and AI has needed lots of love for awhile now but seriously guys, play the demo first.

[FBeaule04]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

Aren't most of the unlocks level specific? I seem to recall that being the case. At anyrate people bitch for realism, they adjust BAP so that you need to earn your way into the NHL and get proper ice time, and they're still bitching. I know the game has it's issues and AI has needed lots of love for awhile now but seriously guys, play the demo first.

Problem Realm is that for some boost to get unlock, you have to win a cup or 2, you have to score 200 goals, etc, etc, etc.

There's no difference if you do it on Rookie casual or SS Hardcore. That's a problem since I can score 20 goals in a game on Rookie, but on SS, I'll get my *** handed to me.

With the "earn your ice time" it's going to be even worse. If you play a normal game, it's going to take more time to unlock boost since it's normal for a rookie to have his struggle. People will put it on rookie - casual, get tons of stats and unlock everything easily. That's not if they do it by cheating online with friends.

I would be so happy that EA solves this problem by giving few generic type of players with set attributes for online mode without boost and anything. Playing field level and no more whinning about one cheating and so.

Like that, EA could let the boost go for offline, concentrate on how to give XP points for overall link to the level you play (it's not normal for a human goalie that stops 32 of 35 shots on SS to receive no XP points because he was ordinary while another human goalie making 8 of 8 saves would get tons of XP points on rookie for the blank and 1.000 save %).

I know, I'm living in my own world, and it's never going to happen!

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

Problem Realm is that for some boost to get unlock, you have to win a cup or 2, you have to score 200 goals, etc, etc, etc. There's no difference if you do it on Rookie casual or SS Hardcore. That's a problem since I can score 20 goals in a game on Rookie, but on SS, I'll get my *** handed to me. With the "earn your ice time" it's going to be even worse. If you play a normal game, it's going to take more time to unlock boost since it's normal for a rookie to have his struggle. People will put it on rookie - casual, get tons of stats and unlock everything easily. That's not if they do it by cheating online with friends. I would be so happy that EA solves this problem by giving few generic type of players with set attributes for online mode without boost and anything. Playing field level and no more whinning about one cheating and so. Like that, EA could let the boost go for offline, concentrate on how to give XP points for overall link to the level you play (it's not normal for a human goalie that stops 32 of 35 shots on SS to receive no XP points because he was ordinary while another human goalie making 8 of 8 saves would get tons of XP points on rookie for the blank and 1.000 save %). I know, I'm living in my own world, and it's never going to happen!

Eh I hear ya but its human nature to try and get things the easy way. No matter how EA or any other dev designs a system, when it comes to online play, people WILL try to exploit it.

[speels]

Easiest solution would be to add an option of playing games with boosts or without.

[mikko1995]

If I'm not wrong, FIFA uses something like, if you play in Amateur level (or whatever the easiest difficulty is), you are not applicant for leaderboards. Why NHL developers wouldn't use this with boosts, make them earn the boosts with say, Superstar level?

[Qb]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikko1995

If I'm not wrong, FIFA uses something like, if you play in Amateur level (or whatever the easiest difficulty is), you are not applicant for leaderboards. Why NHL developers wouldn't use this with boosts, make them earn the boosts with say, Superstar level?

The FIFA accomplishment system to upgrade your virtual pro is tiered. The first level of upgrades can be earned on any difficulty level. The second level must be done on semi-pro (rookie in NHL I guess) or higher. The final level of accomplishments must be completed on world class difficulty (rough equivalent of all-star) or during online play.

It works fairly well with their system, as it limits how much you can improve your player but mindlessly beating up on the CPU on easier difficulties. But to tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind if they made it so everything had to be earned on world class+ or online. Anything to keep players more within normal attribute ranges, even if FIFA does a slightly better job of this than NHL.

[kerosene31]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

Aren't most of the unlocks level specific? I seem to recall that being the case. At anyrate people bitch for realism, they adjust BAP so that you need to earn your way into the NHL and get proper ice time, and they're still bitching. I know the game has it's issues and AI has needed lots of love for awhile now but seriously guys, play the demo first.

All I know is when NHL11 came out within the first week or so there were these super boosted teams who were trashing everyone. I sent a message to a few to see what was up and if it was a hack and they said they just played offline on rookie.

[mikko1995]

Quote: Originally Posted by Qb

The FIFA accomplishment system to upgrade your virtual pro is tiered. The first level of upgrades can be earned on any difficulty level. The second level must be done on semi-pro (rookie in NHL I guess) or higher. The final level of accomplishments must be completed on world class difficulty (rough equivalent of all-star) or during online play. It works fairly well with their system, as it limits how much you can improve your player but mindlessly beating up on the CPU on easier difficulties. But to tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind if they made it so everything had to be earned on world class+ or online. Anything to keep players more within normal attribute ranges, even if FIFA does a slightly better job of this than NHL.

Ah, thanks for correcting, Qb.

[Rudolph999]

They should bring back storymode.

[shdn21]

Not nearly good enough. For a mode that has been out for a few years now, some serious improvements need to be made in order to justify a new purchase each year. In regards to BAP, fans of this mode have been asking non stop for a more immersive experience like Madden had in one of it's releases. On the ice the game is great, off the ice it sucks huge... Boring. If there were things to do off the ice then this would re-invigorate this mode. Let's interact with an agent, the public and media. Make money actually worth something, and be able to sign sponsorship deals or whatever. Even have a persona to maintain. It's all been done before with Madden, why in the world has this not been not done yet long ago? I won't be buying another release of NHL until this happens.