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Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Roster update #7 is available for NHL 10, along with Tuner Set 1.03. Post your impressions here.

Quote:
"For this update transactions are up to date as of January 24, 2010 (NHL, AHL, Elitserien, SM-Liiga, NLA).

One new player has been added to the game: G Jarosloav Janus (Norfolk Admirals).

Along with that, ratings have been updated."

What's in Tuner Set 1.03?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Redshirt_EA

"The major thrust of the changes is to get more goal-scoring variation and loosen up goal scoring a bit. There will be more variety in CPU goalie positioning as well as a bunch of other tweaks to how they position, how fast they can move and accelerate, rebound control, screen effects, reaction speeds, and more.

For online the duration of the post-whistle time has been reduced, and a few gameplay exploits have been reduced.

For offline play once you have the update it will be applied automatically if you still have the Tuning Set option set to Latest (which is the default). Otherwise you can set it to Latest or V1.03. If don't like the changes or prefer to finish your current Dynasties/Be A Pro with a previous tuning version you can also change it (under Gameplay Settings/General). V1.02 is what you'd be using right now if you have the previous update and are set to Latest.

For online play everyone uses the latest tuning update.

There are quite a few changes involved in this update so we'll be watching closely to see how things play out and make any adjustments that are necessary.

More detailed notes on the changes should be posted on the NHL forums/blogs tomorrow. I'll make sure they end up here too."
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3Votes: 18 - View All
Friday, December 18, 2009
Is it Time to Stick a Fork in the NHL 2K Series?
11:00 AM - December 18, 2009. Posted by FootballForever.
Pasta Padre has done some extensive research, it looks like the NHL 2K series is dead. He posted an update, right here. A few other sites have also chimed in with their thoughts. What say you?

Quote:
"Ever since Take Two decided to shut down College Hoops due to the lack of sales potential vs development costs the next game that appeared to be in danger was the NHL 2K series. Sales have been dropping to miniscule levels as EA Sports NHL has grown and dominated the market. While it has been clear that resources have been limited with NHL 2K there have been no official statements made as to the future of the franchise.

However now there is an indication that NHL 2K11 may not be in development. In the Q4 fiscal report from Take Two on Thursday the games planned for the next fiscal year were laid out. Noticeably absent from the list is the mention of NHL 2K11."

Is the End Near for the NHL 2K Series? (First Cuts)

Quote:
"I reached out for comment, and received this note back from Brian Roundy with 2K Sports:

2K has the following comment:

“We are currently in the process of evaluating our sports portfolio and have not announced any new NHL titles at this time."

2K Sports benching NHL series? (Gamespot)

Quote:
"Dropping the NHL series would make some sense for Take-Two. 2K's games have been a distant second to EA's efforts this generation, both critically and commercially. And while the recent Wii edition of NHL 2K10 was warmly received by critics and vigorously supported with TV advertising, that hasn't significantly boosted sales over last year's edition. With the publisher's stated focus on AAA game development, a middling licensed franchise with a limited potential audience up against tough competition every year might be a tempting target for cost-cutting."

NHL 2K11 likely canceled, 2K Sports in trouble? (Destructoid)

Quote:
"This is not an entirely shocking prospect for 2K Sports, whose NHL 2K games have been badly outsold in the past two years by EA Sports’ celebrated hockey titles. Competition in the simulation sports genre is very tough, to be sure: NHL 2K9 and 2K10 weren’t bad games, by most accounts, but it just so happened that NHL 09 and NHL 10 were better. If it turns out that this is, indeed, the end of NHL 2K, then I’m sad for all the folks at developer Visual Concepts who may soon be out of work."
Game: NHL 2K10Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / Wii / Xbox 360Votes: 19 - View All
Friday, December 11, 2009
NHL 10 Roster Update #5, Focuses on Euro League SM-liiga
08:58 PM - December 11, 2009. Posted by Steve_OS. Written by Steve Noah
The NHL 10 roster update #5 is available, focusing on Euro League SM-liiga.

Quote:
"Roster Update #5 has just been released for both consoles and focuses on the Euro League SM-liiga. Here is the list of the 46 players added to the game.

Blues - Mikko Tolvanen (G), Aleksi Laakso (D), Kristian Näkyvä (D), Sami Mutanen (LW), Joonas Nättinen (C/F), Tomi Ståhlhammar (F), Valtteri Virkkunen (C)
HIFK - Mikael Granlund (C)
HPK - Juha Metsola (G)
ILVES - Jouni Aalto (D), Juuso Akkanen (D), Matias Myttynen (C), Joonas Rask (C), Henri Sandvik (RW)
Jokerit - Tommi Kivistö (D), Nico Manelius (D), Jere Ölander (D), Jan-Mikael Juutilainen (C), Tomi Pallassalo (C), Ilmari Pitkänen (LW), Olavi Vauhkonen (RW)
JYP - Sami Vatanen (D), Markus Poukkula (LW)
KALPA - Dan Charleston (F), Iiro Pakarinen (RW), Petteri Rasi (LW), Jaakko Rissanen (F)
Karpat - Joonas Donskoi (LW/RW), Tomi Pekkala (RW)
Lukko - Samuli Kivimäki (RW), Kim Nabb (RW), Juuso Rajala (F)
Pelicans - Janne Tavi (LW), Antti Tyrväinen (F)
SaiPa - Kimmo Vesterinen (D), Jarno Koskiranta (C), Jesse Mankinen (LW/RW)
Tappara - Juha Leimu (D), Jesse Turkulainen (D), Joonas Koskinen (C)
TPS - David Leggio (G), Joni Ortio (G)
Assat - Jesse Laaksonen (F), Antti Mäkilä (RW), Niko Palonen (LW), Severi Sillanpää (C), Tomas Zaborsky (LW)"
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes: 18 - View All
Friday, December 4, 2009
NHL 10 Third Jersey Code Released
03:45 PM - December 4, 2009. Posted by Ridgeberg.
The third jersey code for NHL 10 is now available.

Quote:
"Now that all the teams have shown their new Third Jerseys, it’s time to pass along the code for our gamers who have been patiently waiting to play with them in game.

Here is the code: rwyhafwh6ekyjcmr"
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes: 18 - View All
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
NHL 2K10 Patch List
05:27 PM - November 11, 2009. Posted by Shadow71.
The NHL 2K10 patch list has been posted.

Quote:
GAMEPLAY
• Fixed soft crash with referee not dropping the puck when playing with slower speed settings.
• Retuned the default sliders to make gameplay faster.
• Retuned the speed for acceleration and launches, allowing the user to break out mid launch.
• Players can now speed burst during crossover animations.
• Pinning has now been made easier, and can be initiated with the check button at slower speeds.
• Stick sweeps and poke checks retuned to more accurately knock the puck away when hitting the puck or stick rather than the puckhandler.
• Retuned shot velocity on rebounds and loose pucks.
• Retuned one-timer animations so players closer to the net will now deflect the puck rather than take slap shots.
• One-timers are now more difficult and will be missed more often if the player isn’t in good position.
• Briefly disable loose shots when sweeping your stick without the puck and then gaining possession.
• Penalties are slightly reduced globally.
• Retuned how the AI clears the puck on Penalty Kills.
• Reduced the number of diving poke checks done by goalies.
• Retuned defensive AI related to blue line pressure and defensive zone play.
• AI will now better react to drop passes.
• Slightly increased the aggressiveness of the AI in their own offensive zone if they are on a penalty kill.
• More aggressive behaviors for offensive players after the puck enters the attacking zone.
• User should now have better control over the player when in a shot block animation.
• Players will now help out more in a pinning situation.
• AI is more aggressive on defense during odd man rushes.

ONLINE
• Fixed de-sync related to custom soundtracks in online games.
• Made default online difficulty harder in unranked games.
• Add ability to sign in to cooperative franchise games from the Team Select screen, allowing for multiple users to play from the same console.
• Fixed OT Losses not tracking correctly in online play.
• Allow custom sliders to be used in unranked matches.
• Fixed the bug where you will randomly gain control of the goalie in Team Up mode.
• Fixed the issue so that users will always maintain the same color during Team Up mode.
• Fixed the issue with the speed burst bar / player icon flickering in Team Up mode.
• Fixed a disconnect issue that occasionally occurred while the server was down.
• Fixed an occasional disconnect problem in league games when line changes are made.
• Fixed an issue that would cause league games to sometimes abort at the end of the loading screen.
• Fixed an issue when the leader of a Pick-Up party leaves the party in the lobby.

GENERAL
• Reduced puck shadow size by 20%.
• In Reelmaker, added the ability to turn off the cursor like in replay (hit both bumpers simultaneously).
• Fantasy Drafts now reset all player glove colors to team color instead of custom.
Game: NHL 2K10Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / Wii / Xbox 360Votes: 19 - View All
NHL 10: Scoring Strategies
01:47 PM - November 11, 2009. Posted by MMChrisS. Written by Jayson Young
If there’s one area where NHL 2K10 significantly outperforms NHL 10, it’s in the variety-of-goals department. NHL 10, while fun to play, really limits the ways you’re able to generate goals. So hockey fans who pick up the game and try to replicate the kinds of scoring strategies they see on TV might have issues earning wins at first.

Fact is, if players wants to score consistently in NHL 10, they have to drop some of those real-life strategies (scoring off clean shots) and lean a bit more on the side of “video-game strategy.”

So with that in mind, here are some ways to consistently score in NHL 10.

Read more - NHL 10: Scoring Strategies
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes: 18 - View All
Thursday, November 5, 2009
NHL 2K10 Roster Update Available
03:21 PM - November 5, 2009. Posted by Steve_OS. Written by Steve Noah
According to Ronnie2K, there is a new NHL 2K10 roster update available.

Quote:
"New NHL Roster update is live, with attribute tweaks, and team strategy update."
Game: NHL 2K10Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / Wii / Xbox 360Votes: 19 - View All
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
NHL 10 Patch Available, Post Impressions Here
08:25 AM - October 27, 2009. Posted by Section_25.
The NHL 10 patch is now available for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Post your impressions here.

Quote:
"Here are a couple of the key fixes that we've made in the Title Update:

Fixed the exploit to slap-shot a 5-hole goal from below the face-off circle.

* Although our goalies are much improved in NHL 10, there was an exploit when shooting from below the face-off circle that resulted in a goal more often than not. The goalies are now tuned to better handle shots from this area.

Increased speed of passes with Manual passing on.

* This year we added Hardcore Passing (manual passing) that gave you total control of your pass speed and direction. Overall, the new passing was well received but the consensus was that you should be able to pass the puck harder and that the bottom-end speed was too slow. We've increased the bottom-end speed so the passes are crisper and also increased the top-end slightly as well.

Reduced the ability to boardplay players who are far away from you.

* It was a little unrealistic being able to 'suck' a player into boardplay as he was skating away from you so we've made it much harder to pin a player that is skating away. The further he is from you, the less likely you'll be able to boardplay him.

Tuning of trade logic.

* Too many superstars were being offered up for trades so we've dialed this back along with reducing how often players are repeatedly offered up for trade.

Added the ability for a user to apply boost slots to authentic helmets.

* We've added the ability to apply boost slots to an authentic helmet so users can get the benefit of the boosts without having to wear a helmet with a design on it.

Here are some of the other main fixes that will be in the Title Update:

* Fixed the bug that would make a player sometimes exit pass blocking (L1/LT) when they got close to their goalie.
* Fixed the bug that would prevent offline Be a Pro player from getting ice-time in some situations.
* Fixed a crash that could happen on delayed penalty shots.
* Improved logic for how fighting affects teamplay scores in Be a Pro.
* Prevent L1/LT from allowing players to bypass stumble animations.
* Improvements to goalies to reduce 5-hole goals in some contexts.
* Tuned thresholds for injuries from hard shots.
* Added the ability to escape a prefight circle by pressing L2/LB.
* Fixed the bug that made it possible to "shoot" a puck slowly out of the one-handed animation such that nobody could pick it up.
* Improved goalie aggressiveness when poking the puck on cross-crease passes.
* Improved the ability of defencemen are able to do puck pickups behind them to help defend cross-crease passes.
* Reduced the ability to stuff the puck through the goalie by running into him without shooting (most common on wraparounds and reaching puck pickups).
* Reduced accidental interference in front of net.
* Fixed the offline Be a Pro line-change bug where the player is stuck at the bench.
* Prevent slap passes from being deflected at large angles.
* Fixed the bug where the goalie does not react to a shot if he's banging his stick on the ice to signal the end of a penalty.
* Fixed the bug that makes flip dumps to the middle of the offensive zone go over the glass frequently.
* Fixed the bug that makes CPU center win draws to the the same side all of the time.
* Fixed the bug in the stat tracking of passing.
* Prevent accidental saucer passes after receiving the puck while trying to poke check (because both actions are on R1/RT).
* Tuning to reduce occurrence of tripping penalties when the player being tripped is stationary or moving slowly.
* Tuning to game logic to make it a little easier to stay up on the NHL team during 4-game trial in BAP.
* Many other changes to improve our ability to refine the gameplay tuning with via tuner sets."
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3Votes: 18 - View All
Monday, October 26, 2009
NHL 10: Goalie Guide
01:16 PM - October 26, 2009. Posted by MMChrisS. Written by Jayson Young
It's hard to believe that, in spite of the game's reworked control scheme and enhanced animation system, there actually seems to be less human goalies playing online in NHL 10 than there were in NHL 09.

While it's true that NHL 10's AI goalies may still be better at the position than 95 percent of their human counterparts, it still seems like a poor reason to avoid what has become -- thanks to this year's tweaks -- one of the game's most fun positions.

So for anyone who is brave enough to step in the net and attempt to become a part of that top five percent who can actually outwork the AI in goal, here are some quick tips that should help you lead your team to victory.

Read More - NHL 10: Goalie Guide
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3Votes: 18 - View All
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
NHL 10 Title Update Details
01:09 AM - October 21, 2009. Posted by Steve_OS. Written by Steve Noah
EA Sports posted the NHL 10 title update details.

Quote:
"Hey everyone, Rammer here. I want to start by thanking everybody for all the great feedback that we've been receiving via the NHL 10 forums and the NHL 10 twitter feed. Just recently, we talked about our first roster update as well as our new tuner sets that allow us to tune over 2000 variables in gameplay on a nightly basis if we wanted to. We will continue to listen to feedback and tweak gameplay as needed but unfortunately, these tuner sets do not extend outside of gameplay.

So, I want to let you know that we have a Title Update that is currently being tested by Sony and Microsoft. Once we get the final go ahead from them, the update will be made live for you to download. We are hoping both console updates will be available to you by November 5th but the way things work at times, it may be sooner (or potentially later). As I get a more solid confirmation of when the TU will be available, I'll post the info on twitter."
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3Votes: 18 - View All
Thursday, October 15, 2009
NHL 2K10 Patch Mention
05:54 PM - October 15, 2009. Posted by Shadow71.
Hi Guys,

Just wanted to quickly mention the NHL team here at Visual Concepts is currently working on a title update for NHL 2K10 to address some specific issues with the game, as well as ones reported here on the forums. Upon its release we will also be sure to post a list of all the changes made for the patch.
Game: NHL 2K10Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3 / WiiVotes: 19 - View All
Thursday, October 1, 2009
EA Sports NHL 10 Simulation Predicts Stanley Cup Champions in 2010
09:25 PM - October 1, 2009. Posted by Steve_OS.
Read the full press release, right here.

Quote:
"A simulation run by EA SPORTS™ NHL® 10 predicts that cover boy Patrick Kane will fall just short of claiming the Stanley Cup as the Pittsburgh Penguins repeat as Cup champions. Led by an outstanding performance by Conn Smythe Winner, Marc-Andre Fleury, the Penguins were able to withstand a relentless offensive assault by the young Chicago forwards. Hart Memorial Trophy winner Sidney Crosby and the Penguins take home the Stanley Cup for the second time in as many years with a 4 games to 2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks."
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3Votes: 18 - View All
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
NHL 2K10 Review
12:39 PM - September 23, 2009. Posted by MMChrisS. Written by Jim Harris
It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly 10 years since NHL 2K debuted on the Dreamcast, but nonetheless here we are, celebrating the 10th anniversary of a series that, at various times in its history, has been considered the finest hockey videogame available on consoles. While many will argue the 2K series peaked around NHL 2K7, or perhaps as early as NHL 2K3, 2K Sports and developer Visual Concepts are nevertheless here with their latest hockey offering, NHL 2K10.

Is this the game that puts the 2K series back on the top of the hockey videogame mountain? Maybe not, but if nothing else, it represents an interesting alternative for those looking for a fresh take on the sport.

Read More - NHL 2K10 Review
Game: NHL 2K10Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360Votes: 19 - View All
Monday, September 21, 2009
Top Five EA NHL Games of All Time
01:35 PM - September 21, 2009. Posted by MMChrisS. Written by Christian McLeod
September is in full swing, which can mean only one thing for many hockey fans: EA's newest NHL title has hit store shelves. NHL 10 marks the 19-year anniversary for the series, a feat that can only be challenged by the Madden series in terms of sports-gaming longevity. Even if you are not a fan of the series, it is difficult to deny the importance of the franchise to the sports-gaming landscape. NHL Hockey (released in '91) set a new precedent for how hockey games would forever be played, and the series quickly became the gold standard that the competition would strive to match.

And since NHL 10 was just recently released, we decided to take a trip down memory lane and rank the top five EA NHL games of all time. Read on to see if your favorites made the cut.

Read More - Top Five EA NHL Games of All Time
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3Votes: 18 - View All
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
NHL 10 Review
11:36 AM - September 15, 2009. Posted by MMChrisS. Written by Jayson Young
Since the invention of yearly sports games and the less-than-12-months development cycles, it has become virtually impossible for videogame developers to fix everything that went wrong with the last version of their games.

Give the NHL 10 team credit, then, for coming the closest anyone’s gotten in recent years to fixing everything that plagued the last version of a sports game -- in this case I'm obviously talking about NHL 09.

Fact is, if you had a problem with something in NHL 09, there’s a good chance it has been fixed for NHL 10:

Read More - NHL 10 Review
Game: NHL 10Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3Votes: 18 - View All

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