Exclusive NHL 12 Producer Blog: Signature Traits

[Money99]

Chase, I know that you played mostly human-vs-human, but even then, did you notice your opponents strengths and weaknesses when controlling different player types and sizes?

[Al_Tito13]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

13 forwards type and only 2 defenseman type???

I have to say that I had the exact same thought as you. I couldn't believe there were only 2 defensemen types!

Traits will definitely be a great addition this year if they are well implemented, this will help a lot to have more differentiation between players. However, it's easy to notice that almost all of the traits are offensive minded. This will help to improve that aspect of the game, but defensive traits would also be a must, especially for defensemen and two-way centers. Even if I doubt it, I really hope there are more traits than the ones mentioned in the text to improve the defensive aspect of the game.

It still looks very promising nonetheless.

[The Visualizer]

I really hope they go a little further with this and limit the kind of loose puck dekes non-skilled players can perform. It's not enough that they are less likely to be successful as I have been able to come down the ice with 4th liners and do what I please which isn't very realistic. Yes, some of these players very well may be able to pull these off in practice, but wouldn't dare try them in a game. 4th liners should be forced to play like them, simple hockey, dump and chase, not be able to weave thru traffic and loose puck deke at will.

[Vikes1]

Very cool addition.

Looking forward to seeing how it all plays out within the gameplay.

If this first attempt really works as well as I hope, it'd be great to have to actually give some real thought to how you put your lines together. It'd be fantastic if you really had to consider who you were playing against. And an actual worthwhile tactic was to possibly shuffle your lines around...or call certain players up, scratch others, etc... To have to actually think a little bit, would add a lot to the game.

Nice addition EA Canada! Can't wait to give it a try.

[BlueNGold]

Awesome. This has been needed for awhile now and I'm glad a lot of their focus this year has been improving how the AI works and how the game plays offline. Those were some of my biggest requests.

They probably could have added something like stay at home d-man and big/aggressive hitter d-man though.

[speels]

The best part is players can have multiple traits! A non-physical set-up man will be money!!!

[MizzouRah]

Sounds great, but the proof is in the pudding.. so to speak.

Will be looking forward to reading impressions though!

[BlueNGold]

So can the Community Day guys give their impressions of this now that EA has revealed it?