NHL 2K10 Developer Insights: Gameplay Mechanics Part I & II

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

No no I didn't. I've never had a slow defensmen like say Hal Gill chase down a forward like Kessel on a breakaway in 09. Just because you and a vocal few others can't deal with the cpu changing its strategies late in games or when it's behind thats your problem not the game. Your comparing apples to oranges on this one baa.

When the CPU goes into pressure mode, CPU players are much quicker to react. I can easily and literally spend two minutes trying to pick up loose pucks in my end, yet the CPU always gets to them first. That bit of game programming has been discussed here on OS and elsewhere by many, many posters.

On top of that, their passes become much faster. They whip the puck around in the zone 2-3 times faster than it's possible for the User to ever do. If there aren't speed and agility cheats in effect here, what are they?

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

When the CPU goes into pressure mode, CPU players are much quicker to react. I can easily and literally spend two minutes trying to pick up loose pucks in my end, yet the CPU always gets to them first. That bit of game programming has been discussed here on OS and elsewhere by many, many posters. On top of that, their passes become much faster. They whip the puck around in the zone 2-3 times faster than it's possible for the User to ever do. If there aren't speed and agility cheats in effect here, what are they?

Its a placebo effect. keep players to the outside, use pokes and lifts effectively and its not an issue. I honestly don't see any discrepancies in my passes vs the cpus either. The other big thing? If you're starting to notice a momentum swing, take a time out if your time out is still available. Even just dumping to center ice rather than trying to break out constantly can lead to cpu turnovers during its "pressure mode". All the AI is really doing is going full 3-2 on the forecheck and full out attack with defensemen, sorta like, well real teams in the NHL do.

[original6]

Great info, Cups. Looking forward to seeing some of these new features implemented in some gameplay footage. BTW, very glad to see a separate shot speed slider. I've been asking for this the past few years.

[kerosene31]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

When the CPU goes into pressure mode, CPU players are much quicker to react. I can easily and literally spend two minutes trying to pick up loose pucks in my end, yet the CPU always gets to them first. That bit of game programming has been discussed here on OS and elsewhere by many, many posters. On top of that, their passes become much faster. They whip the puck around in the zone 2-3 times faster than it's possible for the User to ever do. If there aren't speed and agility cheats in effect here, what are they?

I still can't believe people think that NHL 09 does not boost the CPU on higher difficulty levels. NHL 09 does not use a speed cheat, but the CPU players most definitely get an acceleration and turning advantage. This is why you can seemingly never get away from the CPU players, even if your player is faster. You make big circles on the ice while the CPU players can turn much tighter and quicker and accelerate sooner.

What angers me most about 09 is my passing. Heaven forbid I get up a goal or two, my passes magically start hitting sticks and not connecting. This never, ever happens to the CPU, but hits human players all the time. This isn't offbalance passes by players who are covered either.

Just because NHL09 is a little more subtle about it doesn't mean it isn't there. Every sports game uses CPU boosts.

Don't even get me started on the CPU magic puck magnet.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by kerosene31

I still can't believe people think that NHL 09 does not boost the CPU on higher difficulty levels. NHL 09 does not use a speed cheat, but the CPU players most definitely get an acceleration and turning advantage. This is why you can seemingly never get away from the CPU players, even if your player is faster. You make big circles on the ice while the CPU players can turn much tighter and quicker and accelerate sooner. What angers me most about 09 is my passing. Heaven forbid I get up a goal or two, my passes magically start hitting sticks and not connecting. This never, ever happens to the CPU, but hits human players all the time. This isn't offbalance passes by players who are covered either. Just because NHL09 is a little more subtle about it doesn't mean it isn't there. Every sports game uses CPU boosts. Don't even get me started on the CPU magic puck magnet.

Knew it was only a matter of time. I wonder sometimes if people understand what upping the forecheck actually means, defenders will play tighter and attempt to cut off passing lanes more. Again like I said earlier and god knows how many times, if I can win 50% or more of 50/50 puck battles on superstar theres no way the AI gets an advantage, I'm not one of those guys with insanely great stick skills nor do I notice any "boost" of any sort between my players and the CPU's. I'm starting to think the few vocals about it, mainly baa and yourself either chase alot or just don't make good clearing decisions in your own defensive end. What convinces me even more is two seperate dev team members clearly state the game doesn't have that sort of thing.

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by kerosene31

What angers me most about 09 is my passing. Heaven forbid I get up a goal or two, my passes magically start hitting sticks and not connecting. This never, ever happens to the CPU, but hits human players all the time. This isn't offbalance passes by players who are covered either.

And I thought I was the only one that happened to, which is why I never mentioned it. FIFA is programmed the exact same way. When the CPU needs an advantage, your passes magically start finding CPU players. Instead of sending the ball 10 yards up the pitch, the pass will mysteriously dribble off your player's foot and end up ten feet in front of you... right where the CPU player is standing! Tacky game programming, ugh.

[kerosene31]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

Knew it was only a matter of time. I wonder sometimes if people understand what upping the forecheck actually means, defenders will play tighter and attempt to cut off passing lanes more. Again like I said earlier and god knows how many times, if I can win 50% or more of 50/50 puck battles on superstar theres no way the AI gets an advantage, I'm not one of those guys with insanely great stick skills nor do I notice any "boost" of any sort between my players and the CPU's. I'm starting to think the few vocals about it, mainly baa and yourself either chase alot or just don't make good clearing decisions in your own defensive end. What convinces me even more is two seperate dev team members clearly state the game doesn't have that sort of thing.

The CPU does up the pressure, but they also turn faster and tighter than you and accelerate faster.

Set up a game with a really, really fast player (Afinogenov on the Sabres works). Now, every time there is a fast change of direction in the play, make your 180 turn and head the other way. Pause and watch the replay. You'll see much slower CPU players turning faster and accelerating while you are still making your circle.

I pass from one wide open guy to another wide open guy... and they miss. It has nothing to do with good or bad passes. If there is nobody in the way of it, and neither players are covered, it is a good pass. We don't have the NHL10 passing system yet so a pass is a pass. My passes aren't blocked by the CPU, they magically go off skilled players sticks for no reason at all. It starts to happen anytime you manage to make a few too many good one timer goals.

None of this really has anything to do with what you are talking about, but go ahead and keep telling me I am not a good player. It really helps your argument a ton.

If you really think NHL09 or any other $60 sports game actually "out-thinks" you, you are living in denial. No sports game has ever, or will ever do what you are describing.

[kerosene31]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

And I thought I was the only one that happened to, which is why I never mentioned it. FIFA is programmed the exact same way. When the CPU needs an advantage, your passes magically start finding CPU players. Instead of sending the ball 10 yards up the pitch, the pass will mysteriously dribble off your player's foot and end up ten feet in front of you... right where the CPU player is standing! Tacky game programming, ugh.

The passing thing happens if you click on too many one timers in a game.

Don't even get me started on Fifa. Fifa is 1000x worse in all these areas. At least NHL09 is still fun to play overall and nowhere near as cheap.

The amazing thing is that people look at us like we're nuts. As if they never get up by 3 goals in a game and have the CPU start scoring on weak wristshots from the blueline.