NHL 12 Demo Announcement Blog

Feature Article

Submitted on: 08/11/2011 by Chase Becotte

With launch right around the corner, the NHL 12 demo is almost here! The highly anticipated demo will be available through Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network beginning August 23. The demo will feature access to three modes: Play Now, Be A Pro, and Hockey Ultimate Team. In Play Now, relive the emotion of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals as the game inserts you into the third period of a match-up between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks -- will you embrace history or rewrite it?

In the Revamped Be A Pro mode, play as your created pro –- earn every shift on the ice with stellar play, big hits, and spectacular goals. Simulate the action to your next shift! New to NHL 12 is the ability to sim through the time you’re on the bench. Don’t worry about missing out on the action –- the EA SPORTS Action Tracker will track and present every major event that takes place on the ice, so you know exactly what the situation is when you get back onto the ice.

Last but definitely not least, play Hockey Ultimate Team -- the largest online dynasty ever! Earn up to two HUT card packs for NHL 12 by playing the mode, and earn an additional HUT card pack by inviting a friend to try the NHL 12 demo.

With three modes, over 300 gameplay refinements and NHL 12’s hat-trick of innovations -- all-new Anticipation AI, the Full Contact Physics Engine including Net Battles and All-New Dynamic Goalies -- we hope you’ll enjoy the NHL 12 demo!

NHL 12 hits retailers on September 13 in North America and September 9 in Europe.

NHL 12 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 SGMRock @ 08/11/11 01:57 PM

Are those release dates right? It actually comes out in Europe before it releases in the US? :P

# 2 gopher_guy @ 08/11/11 02:01 PM

Can't wait

# 3 onlybygrace @ 08/11/11 02:03 PM

" In Play Now, relive the emotion of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals as the game inserts you into the third period of a match-up between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks -- will you embrace history or rewrite it?"

Man, that's cheesy as hell. And another thing, wouldn't it be so much cooler if they made every third period 'battle' a close game, instead of you trailing or leading by 4 or 5 goals. I'd prefer to go into the third tied or down 3-2 or something everytime instead of losing 6-1 or worse...which happens all too often on these demos.

# 4 stew514 @ 08/11/11 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	" In Play Now, relive the emotion of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals as the game inserts you into the third period of a match-up between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks -- will you embrace history or rewrite it?" Man, that's cheesy as hell. And another thing, wouldn't it be so much cooler if they made every third period 'battle' a close game, instead of you trailing or leading by 4 or 5 goals. I'd prefer to go into the third tied or down 3-2 or something everytime instead of losing 6-1 or worse...which happens all too often on these demos.

Agreed, I wish they would just make it a tie game especially if they want to show off the anticipation AI. I don't want my defenseman joining the rush or pinching to keep the play alive with a 1 goal lead late in the 3rd (especially in the cup finals).

# 5 addybojangles @ 08/11/11 02:34 PM

CAN'T WAIT!

# 6 DJ @ 08/11/11 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	" In Play Now, relive the emotion of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals as the game inserts you into the third period of a match-up between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks -- will you embrace history or rewrite it?" Man, that's cheesy as hell. And another thing, wouldn't it be so much cooler if they made every third period 'battle' a close game, instead of you trailing or leading by 4 or 5 goals. I'd prefer to go into the third tied or down 3-2 or something everytime instead of losing 6-1 or worse...which happens all too often on these demos.

They've done the same scenario the past 3 years with the demo, so I'm not surprised. I would like something different, ala Madden and NCAA where you get access to a FULL game with shortened periods.

# 7 jaiman @ 08/11/11 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermakernet08


	EA mentions they have added over 300 gameplay refinements. Is there - or will there ever be - an all-inclusive list as to what these gameplay refinements are?

Really really really doubt that. It sure would be nice to see. The list must be somewhere if they have an "official number".

# 8 SGMRock @ 08/11/11 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaiman


	Really really really doubt that. It sure would be nice to see. The list must be somewhere if they have an "official number".

They count everything. Some of them could be a simple as changing a skating animation and so on.

# 9 ucas005 @ 08/11/11 03:13 PM

Is THIS the "big" announcement that will changing gaming as we know it forever?

# 10 edwing @ 08/11/11 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	" In Play Now, relive the emotion of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals as the game inserts you into the third period of a match-up between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks -- will you embrace history or rewrite it?" Man, that's cheesy as hell. And another thing, wouldn't it be so much cooler if they made every third period 'battle' a close game, instead of you trailing or leading by 4 or 5 goals. I'd prefer to go into the third tied or down 3-2 or something everytime instead of losing 6-1 or worse...which happens all too often on these demos.

I'm thinking (or at least hoping) that they might use the Action Tracker to sim to the 3rd period in the demo, so scores might not be so random and would be more in line with what you see in a normal game.

# 11 gopher_guy @ 08/11/11 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	Hut on the other hand? bleh so sick of these online modes.

I agree. I really couldn't care less about HUT or EASHL.

# 12 yankeesgiants @ 08/11/11 05:25 PM

CANT WAIT!!

# 13 BRxSKINSx @ 08/11/11 05:57 PM

Too bad I'm not a NHL fan....I'd probably like to play this....BUT I wouldn't buy it....not saying it's not worth buying.....Just too close to Gears and 2k....wouldn't have time to play it....

# 14 dxdude2004 @ 08/11/11 06:09 PM

What they need is to allow us to play through the WHOLE game. Seriously, they have the settings set to have the game clock run through in 5 minutes if there aren't any stops.... I don't understand why we can't play a full game, but I guess anything is better than nothing.

I just wish the release date for the demo WASN'T a day after I start college courses....

# 15 Vikes1 @ 08/11/11 07:23 PM

Looking forward to the demo.

Yep, it'd be great to be able to play all three periods of a shorten game. But, oh well...just happy to be able to get a feel of the coming game. Every year my son and I play that 3rd period of the demo, over and over, and over, etc...

# 16 knighthawksfan @ 08/11/11 08:23 PM

I can't wait for the demo I hope it is off the hook like the real game will be awesome

# 17 bukktown @ 08/11/11 08:56 PM

Every year I download this demo and get completely underwhelmed. But I enjoy the retail version.

# 18 gopher_guy @ 08/12/11 11:31 AM

I really, really, really, really hope they didn't overdo the helmets popping off and glass shattering. I don't want this to feel like NHL Hitz

I don't even think it should be in the game. What does glass shattering add to this game?

I mean, how often does it happen in real life? Once, maybe twice a season??? So once or twice in like 150,000 minutes of hockey some glass shatters. Doesn't seem like something that's a very vital thing to add. I hope they didn't spend much time doing it. And hopefully we don't see it every 3rd or 4th game...

# 19 pennywise @ 08/12/11 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopher_guy


	I really, really, really, really hope they didn't overdo the helmets popping off and glass shattering. I don't want this to feel like NHL Hitz I don't even think it should be in the game. What does glass shattering add to this game? I mean, how often does it happen in real life? Once, maybe twice a season??? So once or twice in like 150,000 minutes of hockey some glass shatters. Doesn't seem like something that's a very vital thing to add. I hope they didn't spend much time doing it. And hopefully we don't see it every 3rd or 4th game...

I wouldn't worry. The "goalie spinning like a top" animation happens only as often as you see in real life. Goalies do that 5-6 times a game in the NHL right?

# 20 13whitebread @ 08/12/11 01:37 PM

I am assuming that all the extras like helmets, broken sticks, goalie fights and broken glass will all have sliders that you can either tone up or down. One thing I read that I liked was that after the play there not going to show some random play they will show a play relating to whats going on in the game hopefully it will also be done on the presentation side as well as the play by play.

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