Fixing Fighting in NHL 2010: Fight Night on Ice

[MC Fatigue]

A proper fighting engine for the NHL seems to easy, and I don't see any reason they can't make it realistic.

The two players drop their gloves and either circle a bit before clinching, or they immediately grab each other.

Once they're clinched, you've got two buttons. Punch and Clinch.

You either try to clinch them and avoid them hitting you, and wait for an opening, or you pound the punch button and your guys swings for the fences; never letting up the hold with the other arm.

Then, eventually one of the guys slips, and the other gets dragged down with him and the refs step in.

[apigula]

As a whole the fighting has come a long way (2000 for example, plain horrible). This said though there are a few changes that could be made.
I like the suggestion earlier referring to the "Chronicles of Riddick" style of fighting, with each joystick controlling each hand.
But, basic fight science has to be incorporated.
Say a giant (Chara, Boogard) is squaring off with a smaller scrapper (Avery, otherwise), if the bigger guy grabs on chances are the smaller guy wont connect nearly as much.
Some other things that are just pet peeves are the inability to circle in the direction you choose (actually an advantage if used right), and the way the fights start (how about a little chirping instead of a cross check to the back?).
Finally, it may have been discussed before, but how about being able to fight whoever you want. Crosby dropped in juniors, even Yzerman had some scraps in his career. In the real game you are held accountable for your reactions regardless of who you are. I know it sounds heinous, but what about making a player fight? Somehow make it so you can fight them, if they don't swing it's a two minute for roughing and the attacker gets a five.

I'm sure there's more but they've slipped my mind. Time to play anyways, Wings are raping dynasty mode, as usual.

[hockey_crazed]

Quote: Originally Posted by welshman11

Not many NHL fights conclude in knockout blows like the videogame

so true, either of you always getting knocked out no matter what? its a little weird thats definitly a fixer.

[Fiddy]

so much more important things to fix before the fighting IMO..

[hockey_crazed]

true, fighting is at the bottom of the list of things that need fixing. for instance you can score every time doing some moves like turning sharp onto your back hand and skate unitill the goalie is in the center of the net the take a slap shot and it goes in every time i know goalies can stop it. also quick one times in the slot it goes in every time witch it does quite allot in real life too but the move doesnt work every time like in the game. so fighting should be fixed in a couple years afte the main issues are delt with. :P

[MissionHossa-81]

all i have to say about fighting is two things, let the goalies get into it. its always fun watchin two goalies duel it out, of course im from det so ive seen it through the years, with colorado. last thought is maybe a bench clearing brawl or somthing as i said im from det and when i watched the fights between col and det i wouldent mind bein in the middle of one of thoes in a game. one more thing as i read this stupid asses comment fighting in hockey is the next best thing then scoring a goal or making a great save it draws in the crowds if u take fighting out u take the fun out and the emotion, well the emotion can still be there but not in a physical way

[CaesVik]

There are obvious flaws in the fighting system. (My, 197 lbs, 6"2" character should not be able to take down Zdeno Chara under any circumstances) But i think they are missing an even more essential part of hockey. Whenever the whistle blows, it quickly goes to replays and player stats; all that stuff DOES happen on TV. However, if you have two fiercely aggressive division rivals like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, a whole new world opens up after the play stops. They should incorporate some "after-play" action. I absolutely love mowing down idle players and having the referees look the other way, but those players should be able to retaliate, especially if they are named Sean Avery. I think they should have tension build up after the whistle, like if i snow-shower the goalie, then have group fights like they would in actual games. Without those, you're eliminating 90% of roughing and game misconduct penalties. Btw, i also think that the fight engine in Nhl 05 (or maybe 04, not sure) was spectacular. Players usually grab and throw punches from in close, not 4 feet away from eachother.

[Qb]

Quote: Originally Posted by CaesVik

Btw, i also think that the fight engine in Nhl 05 (or maybe 04, not sure) was spectacular. Players usually grab and throw punches from in close, not 4 feet away from eachother.

Not sure if it carried over to NHL 2005, but the fighting engine in NHL 2004 was the best one I remember -- although I never played 2K9 and the fights were supposedly great.

I'm all for some post-whistle scrums in certain situations, even if it's only via cutscenes (offline only, I think cutscenes have to go online). Heck, I'd even like to see penalties for hits after the whistle, followed by scrums or fights. Remember the original NHL Hockey for Genesis? Check after goal equaled fight... beautiful.