NHL 13 Speculation

[Keytosa]

With EA receiving the "Worst Company of the Year" award, and exceeding expectations with the additions in NCAA 13, I expect NHL 13 to be a really good game. This thread is not meant to bash EA, but I'm sure most people agree that they do not have very good PR. Because of this, I think EA is finally starting to realize that enough is enough, and they will start putting out higher-quality games to please the consumers. I'm expecting great things from NHL 13. Just my two cents. Feel free to share your thoughts

[savoie2006]

Well, I expect that the Presentation will see significant improvements. That seems to be the trend with all the EA Sports right now. Hopefully BAGM as well

[Pezell04x]

We will see upgrades to HUT, because that's their money maker now.

I hope with all of my being that presentation gets an upgrade. More in-game overlays. More television style production.

I know they won't fix the skating engine, but players look like they're floating out there. They aren't all Joe Corvos

[dmarz45]

I think presentation is fine the way it is. Maybe better goal celebrations but I would love to see all their time go into gameplay upgrades. Gameplay is what makes the game actually PLAYABLE

[savoie2006]

Quote: Originally Posted by dmarz45

I think presentation is fine the way it is. Maybe better goal celebrations but I would love to see all their time go into gameplay upgrades. Gameplay is what makes the game actually PLAYABLE

The presentation is good, BUT if you go back and watch video from NHL 08 or even 07, you'll see it's largely the same. After so many years of that it's gotten stale and a serious upgrade would make the game feel alot fresher.

[Segagendude]

For some unknown reason they removed the celebration from 12. (I think it was the line handshake). As well as the 3 stars....

Let's hope they don't keep this trend going.

[Matt_350z]

Honestly. I'm not expecting much. Rather, I am not expecting core elements being addressed that make the actual game play any better.

The NHL series just isn't the money maker that NCAA Football, Madden, and FIFA are. Coupled with the fact, they are probably sinking money and expierienced developers into revamping their basketball game. Not too mention, I would think they will get back into MLB. They will need to make a splash in that market as well.

I hate to not be optimistic in the least. I just honestly feel with the way things have gone this gen with their NHL game- not to expect much. We will get small tweaks. The time and effort will be spent on HUT and EASHL because thats where they make their money post sale.

I'm 34. I've probably owned every console hockey game ever made. Good or bad. I just see a trend with this series that I don't like. Even in NHL's down years, EA tried new things, and addressed core gameplay for the following year. Now it just seems the opposite. They know where their bread and butter is, so that gets the most attention. From a business standpoint, I understand entirely. From an NHL fan, and NHL gamer, it drives me crazy.

I have no interest in HUT with how its currently set up. EASHL is something I once enjoyed, until I realized it was just the same thing game in and game out, and very few teams you face play any semblance of real hockey(and I mean, really, why should they? You don't have to in order to dominate).
I like franchise modes(GM), and playoff modes. The core gameplay needs to be addressed in both those categories. I'm just not seeing EA waste the time and resources fixes those. Hopefully they do, but I am not holding my breath this year.

[IrishGorilla64]

It looks like they are going all out for Madden and NCAA and I hope NHL is going to get the same treatment.

[Keytosa]

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt_350z

They know where their bread and butter is, so that gets the most attention. From a business standpoint, I understand entirely. From an NHL fan, and NHL gamer, it drives me crazy.

I agree with this 100%. As long as they add new additions to HUT and EASHL and a few "back cover highlights", they will continue to make record profits every year. There is no incentive for them (other than not receiving the "Worst Company of the Year Award", which hopefully really bothered them) to drastically improve the game.

Quote: Originally Posted by IrishGorilla64

It looks like they are going all out for Madden and NCAA and I hope NHL is going to get the same treatment.

This is the whole basis of my argument. Hopefully EA has put aside their greed and will make much better games in 2013. I like what I'm seeing from Madden and NCAA so far. Let's keep the trend going

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by savoie2006

The presentation is good, BUT if you go back and watch video from NHL 08 or even 07, you'll see it's largely the same. After so many years of that it's gotten stale and a serious upgrade would make the game feel alot fresher.

That it is, and it's inconsistent as well with little audio track bugs in alot of places. Say you're out hitting the team you're playing, Thorne and Clement will often say you're the team that looks intimidated, the game is full of odd little commentary reversal glitches like that.

And that they left the whole "Bruins haven't won a cup since 72" line of dialog in there is pure lazy.

When I look at the presentation upgrades NCAA Football and Madden seem to be getting this year, and that Extra Point show Madden had a couple years ago that oddly went away really quick, I'm left wondering why this team won't do presentation justice, though my guess is NHL has a much smaller budget than the two football titles.