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

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Eddie1967

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.

Little things like stick lifts? Little things like an AI that doesn't try and pass the puck on a breakaway or cycle for the sake of cycling looking for a one timer? Or goaltenders who actually play the puck rather than flop for the sake of flopping? Dude EA surpased 2k last year, I'm sorry that you're late to the party. Suped up AI? What like the automatic speed boost AI players get on all star and above that EA's AI doesn't have? 2k's ai has been downright *** since 2k4, Oh wait, 2k has board pinning that in todays NHL would result in a holding penalty 8 out of 10 times, so hey it must be so sim.

[MizzouRah]

Get a room you two.

Eddie, I think alot of 2k faithful are going to be a bit ticked that 2k is getting back to basics this year.. and while I love the direction they are heading, I can see Realm's and other hockey gamer fans initial reaction to what 2k is doing.

The demo has left me with wanting more.. and for me that's a good thing.

I'm sure I'll like NHL 09, but something about 2k hockey this year that has me excited for this year's release.

[Flyermania]

Quote: Originally Posted by Eddie1967

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.

2k also had over-hyper checking AI, goalies that made desparation saves when not needed which led to easy goals, and also had a very questionable offensive AI that would pass out of breakaways and other scoring situations. And how about the severely broken trade logic that is in the game? Is that sim to you?

My point is that both games have their faults and neither is anywhere close to being a true hockey sim. You make a blanket comment like "EA has a long way to go to surpass 2k", and then wonder why people will respond as to why they feel your opinion is incorrect. If anyone brings up any of 2k's faults, you're quick to get defensive and claim that others whose opinion doesn't match yours as "trolling".

It's cool to express your opinions on 2k, but if you make generalized statements about the game, you have to expect others to respond to it.

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flyermania

My point is that both games have their faults and neither is anywhere close to being a true hockey sim.

The. Truth.

I've said it before: neither game is representative of what actual, real-life hockey looks or plays like. Compared to sim games like NFL 2K5, APF 2K8 or MLB The Show, both NHL offerings are extremely arcade video representations of the sport.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flyermania

2k also had over-hyper checking AI, goalies that made desparation saves when not needed which led to easy goals, and also had a very questionable offensive AI that would pass out of breakaways and other scoring situations. And how about the severely broken trade logic that is in the game? Is that sim to you? My point is that both games have their faults and neither is anywhere close to being a true hockey sim. You make a blanket comment like "EA has a long way to go to surpass 2k", and then wonder why people will respond as to why they feel your opinion is incorrect. If anyone brings up any of 2k's faults, you're quick to get defensive and claim that others whose opinion doesn't match yours as "trolling". It's cool to express your opinions on 2k, but if you make generalized statements about the game, you have to expect others to respond to it.

Thats what I was trying to get across but you put it in better words. I don't think either game will ever be a total sim, and honestly I don't think thats even the aim. You still need to appeal to the casuals that make up a majority of the sales. But making blanket statements and expecting no one is going to call you on it, while continually calling anyone who disagrees a troll while making comments like what you quoted Flyer, the saying hello pot, meet kettle oft comes to mind anytime I read an Eddie post.

[JimmyDeicide]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

Thats what I was trying to get across but you put it in better words. I don't think either game will ever be a total sim, and honestly I don't think thats even the aim. You still need to appeal to the casuals that make up a majority of the sales. But making blanket statements and expecting no one is going to call you on it, while continually calling anyone who disagrees a troll while making comments like what you quoted Flyer, the saying hello pot, meet kettle oft comes to mind anytime I read an Eddie post.

You have gone to the other side and i can totaly understand why but some of the things you say about 2k are just wrong.
Did you play 2k8 much ? or are you realy basing your disgust with k6 and k7 .
Goalies are awsome in 2k8 and if yours stayed in the crease and didnt challenge well you missed out.
You think pinning would result in a penalty in todays NHL ? yes it does if its holding but i see plenty of pinning still in the nhl and it seems while i thought 08 didnt have enough 09 seems to have Zero pinning and zero board play which is a huge absence for an nhl game.
Its that attitude that has robbed 2k fans of a realy good control scheme your dissapointment in 2k is clouding your judgment you seem biased towards EA and why should it ever be like that , the hockey community is small enough without us all trying to split it down the middle all the time.

[ohyeahbaby123]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but what are these two games missing that are making them "extremely arcade-y"? Personally, I think both games (more so 09) have made great strides to make their games true hockey sims. 09 in the gameplay department and k9 in the presentation. Just curious why you guys think they are far from sim.

[MizzouRah]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

The. Truth. I've said it before: neither game is representative of what actual, real-life hockey looks or plays like. Compared to sim games like NFL 2K5, APF 2K8 or MLB The Show, both NHL offerings are extremely arcade video representations of the sport.

If games were real life representations of the sport they are trying to depict, it would get quite boring. You have to be able to make a difference, good or bad, by using your own skill while playing.

I love it when people use the word "sim" like they are actually playing a text simulation. You want sim? Play ootp, FOF, BBCF, FBB, etc.. NHL 09 and NHL 2k9 are console games and the bottom line is having fun.

NFL 2k5 was not "sim", neither was APF 2k8 or MLB The Show. In each of those games, I could take medicore teams and win championships.. some things were definitely NOT realistic, but oh were those games fun.