NHL 2K9 Developer Diary #3 - Ben Bishop, Producer

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by QN_52

EA will never have 2K hockey beat in SIM gameplay...period.

eh I felt 08 played more of a sim style game than 2k8 vs the AI at least. With the addition of stick lifts this year, better puck physics and more human like goalies, I'd imagine its prolly leaning even more in a sim direction.

[Eddie1967]

Quote: Originally Posted by QN_52

EA will never have 2K hockey beat in SIM gameplay...period.

You are so right. 2k hockey is all sim. EA has a lot of catching up to do in that department. Things that NHL 09 has 2k hockey had years ago.

[Flyermania]

Quote: Originally Posted by Eddie1967

You are so right. 2k hockey is all sim. EA has a lot of catching up to do in that department. Things that NHL 09 has 2k hockey had years ago.

C'mon now Eddie, you and I both know that each game has some serious issues that make them both not "sim". Many people and reviewers would say that EA has not only caught up to 2k, but passed them in many regards.

[RealmK]

Its really kind of a role reversal. EA making the more sim title and addressing the fanbase/fixing the issues they bring up, while 2k seems to be content to not really go all out and fix the issues they have. I'm really really disappointed with 2k's controls this year for the 2nd year in a row, and the goalies still don't come out of the crease to cut down angles, its almost like the're programed to stay inside the crease which leads to more floppy save attempts.

Never mind how many years I begged on 2k wishlists for stick lifts only to have EA get it done instead. I also don't get where people think 2k's puck physics are all that good, pucks go through skates, sticks, and don't rebound realistically when being blocked, the puck just dies, its been that way for years now, how about they fix it?

All this talk about bringing the fun back, and zamboni driving and playoff beards, Sure its cool and all, but it seems like the focus is on the wrong things, the gameplay needs a major update, ai especially and we're getting playoff beards.. yay I guess.

[tabulaRasa]

I hear what you say Realm, but come on as if the puck physics are better in NHL from EA. NHL2k9 is questionable at many things as you said, but the physics aren´t worse than those in 08 in any way. The insane puck rebounds in EAs game THAT ACCELARATE are friggin crazy.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by tabulaRasa

I hear what you say Realm, but come on as if the puck physics are better in NHL from EA. NHL2k9 is questionable at many things as you said, but the physics aren´t worse than those in 08 in any way. The insane puck rebounds in EAs game THAT ACCELARATE are friggin crazy.

You're right, the're by no means perfect in 08, and most likely not in 09 (though I like the impressions I've read so far) but I get tired of hearing how great 2k's puck physics are when I've played the game year in year out and its just not true. Don't take me the wrong way, 2k9's demo has alot of good in it, but on the whole it just doesn't feel like the development focus is in the right direction. Really what kills it for me is the half *** rip off of the skill stick, I mean how many more years will we have the stiff canned deking animations in 2k hockey? This is the 4th iteration on next gen/current gen and we're still using stick deke animations from 2k4 ffs.

[Eddie1967]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

You're right, the're by no means perfect in 08, and most likely not in 09 (though I like the impressions I've read so far) but I get tired of hearing how great 2k's puck physics are when I've played the game year in year out and its just not true. Don't take me the wrong way, 2k9's demo has alot of good in it, but on the whole it just doesn't feel like the development focus is in the right direction. Really what kills it for me is the half *** rip off of the skill stick, I mean how many more years will we have the stiff canned deking animations in 2k hockey? This is the 4th iteration on next gen/current gen and we're still using stick deke animations from 2k4 ffs.

Nothing but noise realm. Rinse and repeat. We've heard it all before. You won't be purchasing now you can move on.

[Eddie1967]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flyermania

C'mon now Eddie, you and I both know that each game has some serious issues that make them both not "sim". Many people and reviewers would say that EA has not only caught up to 2k, but passed them in many regards.

Many people think John McCain is fit to be president, but I don't so your point is....EA has a long way to go to surpass 2k, their still trying to add the little things that make it a true hockey simulation. I'm glad they added line changes and more board play, and the puck physics, but they just added that this year. 2k had that and more last year and didn't need a suped up AI to make their game competitive.