NHL 14: Collision Physics Trailer Analysis - Wiggy's Blog

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NHL 14: Collision Physics Trailer Analysis Stuck

Posted on May 2, 2013 at 03:50 PM.

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With EA releasing a new trailer today that demonstrates some of the new collision physics hitting and player impact, it's easier to get a sense of what they have in mind for this feature. Since the act of hitting has been moved exclusively to the left thumbstick, there seems to be a simplification of the process, where now users can just aim their skater without worrying about timing the right stick to lift the player's arms for the hit. Some of this new footage looks pretty good, but let's take a look at some specific moments to explore it further.

At 0:19 of the trailer, an example of a goalie collision is shown. Ryan Miller gets blasted in the shoulder by a Jets player who is trying to get behind the net, and Miller falls back onto one knee and is out of the play for a bit. It's great to see goalie contact back in force, and this is a perfect example of how this type of play would unfold. Besides the slightly goofy falling of Miller, who looks like he's tearing his ACL on that play, it is fairly accurate. My worry is that there will be an increase in goalie interference calls if players just brush past the net or if a human player controls the goalie. Still, good to see goalies involved in the play again.

At 0:21, there is a clip of a hip check in NHL 14. I'm assuming that this is probably the one type of hit that requires some kind of modifier button (maybe clicking right thumbstick still). I will say that it appears the physics have helped the look of this type of hit, as the receiver of the hit spins off with one leg flying through the air, which is much more akin to how this actually plays out in real life. In previous versions, the player being hit would bounce straight or go off to the side, defying the logic and momentum of the hip check. Let's hope this type of hit is toned down from the online antics that happen in NHL 13.

At 0:38, producer Sean Ramjagsingh talks about speed, size, momentum and body position affecting a hit. The hit shown is actually fairly similar to what would happen in NHL 13, as Milan Lucic is flattening Nikolai Kulemin after a shot. The hope here is that this is a constant for NHL 14. I want to see players like Lucic having a distinct advantage in the hitting game, and if they commit to a hit, they should be doing the damage more often than not, especially on a player who was prone � like Kulemin in this clip.

At 0:41, there is an example of a hit against the flow of momentum, and this is one of the more intriguing wrinkles to the hitting engine. As Benoit Pouliout of Tampa goes to try and hit Travis Hamonic of the Islanders, Hamonic raises up before going after the puck to hit Pouliot. This example of defensive hitting is a necessary part of NHL action, and if this game nails it, that will be a big improvement to the accuracy of the on-ice action.

Around 0:45, Nicklas Backstrom of the Capitals is levelled by Rangers d-man Michael Del Zotto at the blueline. I like how Del Zotto actually raises his arms and commits to the hit, driving Backstrom back into the boards. I don't think the reaction ot the hit looks incredibly different than some similar hits in NHL 13, but the way the check is delivered and finished does seem to benefit from the physics, which is a good thing.

At 0:50, you can see some of the exaggerated spinning and glancing shots that are likely to occur in NHL 14. The Coyotes' Lauri Korpikoski is struck with a glancing shot, and he pretty much does a triple lutz. I'm fine with some wackiness to the hits, but only up to a point. It definitely injects the game with a good deal of fun when you and your friends can cruise around the ice and punish people (especially in EASHL), but when it turns into roller derby and players are flying everywhere, there can be too much of a good thing. Let's hope the developers find the right balance.

At 1:48, you can see Ottawa's Karlsson follow through with just one hand as he finishes a check on Montreal's Brendan Gallagher. If this is indicative of an emphasis on the hitter as well as the receiver, which other clips also indicate, then this is a good thing. Bigger players or defenders are going to use a different type of force and contact when committing on a hit. I expect smaller forwards will have to leave their feet and keep their hands higher in order to accomplish as much on a hit.

Around 1:53, a Detroit player is thrown into the net from behind, dislodging the net as he ends up completely inside it. These sorts of plays could happen in NHL 13, but the returned emphasis on goalie contact and the drive-through on the hits make this situation a lot more intriguing. I think it's cool that the player ends up completely in the net, taking it with him, and the speed at which he was cutting to the net increased his vulnerability to a hit from behind.

Final Thoughts

As always with these sizzle trailers, everything is presented in the most exaggerated way to show improvement, but I genuinely see some subtle yet interesting new wrinkles to the types of hits as well as the animations on both sides of the impact. It's fun to see players able to hit defensively, and the impact looks undeniably better. I only hope the ragdoll physics are kept in check and that EA actually follows through with making bigger players a true threat on the ice when it comes to the physical stuff.

Comments

# 1 onac22 @ May 2

This will be the year of the Speedy Giant on EASHL. Good read.

# 2 Schmackity @ May 3

They said all of the exact same stuff 2-3 years ago when they added the rag doll physics. The size and speed is great for off-line player, but for online player they need to figure out how to make sure people don't just make their guys all 6'9". I liked what NBA 2K series had done, where if you make your guy taller, it's harder to earn skill points and you earn less of them for being so big. Also maybe max out speed/acceleration to small amounts for being a bigger guy so it'd actually make it more even. You could be big and put points into hits but since you have less points, it'll be harder to be effective at anything else in the game.

# 3 Simple Mathematics @ May 3

The hits looked great in my opinion. Very well done. Just don't over-do it EA.