Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

[THESHAMISASHAME]

Quote: Originally Posted by derektown

New announcers and a total revamp of presentation more of a tv style to get me to bite

Maybe you want more dialog ? but as far as the being there feeling in any sports video game IMO none equal Thorne and Clement in the NHL series

[FBeaule04]

I'm just amazed about the priorities toward that game. It's simply makes no sense.

They come out with the idead that working on a new fight engine was really needed (I know, even if it's taken from FN it's still ask for some work) and we we're dying not to get one.

On the other end, if you watch hockey a bit, you'll see that there's a lot more scrum in front of the net after the whistle (facewash, shoving, yelling, piling on, etc) and it gets worse in the playoffs. What do we got now? A whistle, a 2 seconds cut and a replay. Nice way to make it real after the whistle.

I guess that making the game more playable online is the reason that game doesn't feel anymore like hockey when you play it by yourself. Or, and it's nice from EA, making us counter by playing it against the grain to make it feel realistic.

My wishlist for NHL 14 would be simple. If you can't have a hugging from players on the ice after a goal, then why waste asking for anything else? Add to this the fact that I've never seen that much goalie been running at while no one on the ice reacts.

If it's in the game...maybe it's just making it too tough for online play...

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

If it's in the game...maybe it's just making it too tough for online play...

I think that's the major issue.
They're main concern is online. Whatever time they have left, is used on offline.
But online is their first, second, third, fourth and fifth priority.

BTW, I also agree that team hugs are needed for this game. Go to Puck Daddy and you'll see that they have full posts dedicated to hockey hugs.

NHL2K3 had it. How come a game can't do it 10 years later?

[FBeaule04]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

I think that's the major issue. They're main concern is online. Whatever time they have left, is used on offline. But online is their first, second, third, fourth and fifth priority. BTW, I also agree that team hugs are needed for this game. Go to Puck Daddy and you'll see that they have full posts dedicated to hockey hugs. NHL2K3 had it. How come a game can't do it 10 years later?

Let's see...Few years ago, there was a complain that there was only the guys who got point that we're hugging in the cutscene after a goal.

What did EA do? They come out swinging saying that next year, to the popular demand, the 5 guys on the ice will now hudlle up after a goal and celebrate. Perfect? Yep!

Then, the things got a bit tricky. NHL players started to celebrate in solo after a goal, like they we're in Midget A, and there was people who asked to do the same in the game. Stating the obvious If it's in the game, it's in the game (makes me wonder if Sidney Crosby has to pay to fill his speed boost slot for some games) they had a good argument.

What did EA do? They come out swinging with jumping in the glass, sliding on the ice, Tiger Williams ride the stick move, etc...Perfect? Yep! Wait a minute...No!

EA Sports are the best people adding by substractions (like in the sentence : We put less in the game, we ask more for it, and we'll milk you with gimmicks on XBL to add to the game!). They are the Gretzky's of gaming in that matter. We got solo celebrations and we need to have players sliding toward the bench to give high five. Geez, people are going to scream it's too long a 30 seconds cut scene. Let's cut the hugging after a goal, no one will complain!

Well, since EA never took out something that was in the game out to get it back in 6-7 years later and stating that it's a brand new innovations, I don't see hugging after a goal and 3 stars at the end of the game getting the same treatment.

What? They already did that with broken glass and goalies fight? I'm sorry for my mistakes then...

All in all, this isn't to say that they aren't acting ok. I mean, we have a choice, buy the game or not. It's just that there's a point we're a customer is saying : "Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk" before getting exciting again. Mr. Littman and all the people in EA can say whatever they want, if this fall the game as holes like it had for the last few years, we'll be at the same point.

[13whitebread]

Quote: Originally Posted by THESHAMISASHAME

Maybe you want more dialog ? but as far as the being there feeling in any sports video game IMO none equal Thorne and Clement in the NHL series

I agree Thorne and clement are good but I am interested in more dialog but I would like to see an announcer that currently does hockey I.E. any number of announcers around the league everybody has there favorites so I won't go into who they should pick the fact of the matter Thorne just does not commentate NHL games any longer. This is classic EA getting by on the cheap the fans have been calling for this for at least 3 years. That is why Sean rammer said last year much to the dismay of our fans Gary and Bill will be returning this says to me they know we want a change. As for who rivals them look to NBA 2 k series that's how you do play by play with TV style presentation.

[canucksss]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

All in all, this isn't to say that they aren't acting ok. I mean, we have a choice, buy the game or not. It's just that there's a point we're a customer is saying : "Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk" before getting exciting again. Mr. Littman and all the people in EA can say whatever they want, if this fall the game as holes like it had for the last few years, we'll be at the same point.

sure, they will have the updated conference/division in NHL 14 but still not buying if i dont see/read significant changes in offline BaGM.

[FBeaule04]

Quote: Originally Posted by canucksss

sure, they will have the updated conference/division in NHL 14 but still not buying if i dont see/read significant changes in offline BaGM.

I'll be really honest. I said I woulnd't buy NHL 13 and I did because I was attracted by GM Connected. It was just the same for me and my friends again, deceptions over deceptions and finally, after trying sliders, tuner, etc, we ran out of patience and drop the game to the shelf.

I'm playing BeaGM with the glaring holes, only to get my hockey fix, but I'm not buying NHL 14 unless the community who are doing the test comes out with a sentence like : "After 2-3 months, all I have to say is that's the best game of hockey we've ever played".

I'm even considering letting the XBOX go when next generation hit the shelves to buy a new PlayStation so I get MLB The Show. I would play this game and NBA 2K, that would be enough.

There just a limit we're I'm feeling paying 72$ (with taxes for us here) to do beta testing that are made ok only 2-3 years later.

[bwiggy33]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

I'm even considering letting the XBOX go when next generation hit the shelves to buy a new PlayStation so I get MLB The Show. I would play this game and NBA 2K, that would be enough.

I would suggest doing this if you don't play any XBOX exclusive games. For me all I play is sports, and I do buy GTA every release. Each year I buy MLB The Show, FIFA (for me plays exactly like NHL but on a field) or PES, and NHL. All I will need is a PS4. It will be weird playing games like NHL and soccer on Playstation but I'll get adjusted to it. It's going to save me a crap load of money since I won't just play The Show on PS3. Now I can buy one system and play each game on it. The only reason I bought a 360 before PS3 was because NHL 07 was only out for 360.

As for the article, I think the most alarming thing Littman said were the two stats he gave on why NHL is popular. The stats were taken from an online mode, and a mode that you basically cheat at in order to accomplish. When Littman gives two stats based on these features, it straight up means they are going to cater to the casual and online players.

Now why do people think online NHL is so fun? Because it isn't the true sport of hockey. It is a constant battle of who can poke check the puck away, fling a pass to the far blue line and go in on a breakaway. It's fast paced and what many people find entertaining. TBH that is how most people want to play when they play against another person. I don't personally like to play that way all the time, but most people do. Until EA can find a way to separate game play styles for offline and online, we will not see a sim game. EA will just keep adjusting gameplay features that don't turn this game into real hockey.