NHL 13 Presentation Video and Blog

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by peter21

Count me among those impressed. If this is the last great innovative cycle for this generation of console games, it looks like EA Canada is putting in some serious effort. I have a question that any of you who know more about production schedules on these games might be able to answer. I'm guessing that these improvements weren't just worked on this last calendar year and that at least some have been in the works for a while, but due to deadlines, the development team had to push them off to refine and get them right. Am I correct in this? I mean, I like NHL '12, but the improvements were incremental compared to what looks like is coming out next month. Were they working on these additions last year too and it just took 2-3 years in the cycle to get it ready for the public?

More than likely they were. The NHL team tends to try and not push a feature or update through to retail unless it's 100% satisfactory to their liking on implementation. I'm just about 99.9% positive the skating engine and more than likely Hockey IQ was more than just a single dev cycle worth of work.

[BobSacamano]

Tiny little thing that makes me super happy (from the EA blog):

"Users can also now select multiple gameplay cameras as their shootout and penalty shot camera."

THAAAAAAAAAANK YOU. I hated the shootout camera. The lack of depth perception was maddening.

[Qb]

Quote: Originally Posted by peter21

I have a question that any of you who know more about production schedules on these games might be able to answer. I'm guessing that these improvements weren't just worked on this last calendar year and that at least some have been in the works for a while, but due to deadlines, the development team had to push them off to refine and get them right. Am I correct in this? I mean, I like NHL '12, but the improvements were incremental compared to what looks like is coming out next month. Were they working on these additions last year too and it just took 2-3 years in the cycle to get it ready for the public?

I was told at the NHL11 community event that they were just starting to work on presentation improvements, including moving towards real-time presentation replacing canned cutscenes. So in that case, yes, it's been in the works for a while.

I can't say for certain about some of the other big items, but it stands to reason things like GM Connected, Hockey IQ, and the skating overhaul were (at least to some degree) developed over more than just the past nine or so months. My theory, and it is very much conjecture, is that they wanted to introduce True Performance Skating for NHL12, but weren't satisfied with it and ultimately decided to hold off on it. They used the same "it will change the way you play the game" line briefly to hype an upcoming announcement, revealing only the legends after that.

[Qb]

Hard to pinpoint which part is the most exciting, as everything from the new menus to RTP between plays will really give the game a new look/feel. I think the lighting upgrades could be huge, as the game has looked somewhat cartoonish, most likely due to the lack of certain shadows as they said. I know MLB The Show's lighting upgrades made a considerable difference in overall graphical appearance, so let's hope this has a big impact as well.

The new replay/highlight analysis, camera angles, and additional commentary are welcome additions as well. Can't wait to make my OTP teammates sit through my "net front presence" highlight package.

And one more thing... TRUE BROADCAST CAMERA.

[JG1986]

This looks fabulous!!!

[Dazraz]

The last few years of the NHL series have seen minor changes. This it really looks like we have something to be excited about.

[MizzouRah]

I haven't played Madden since it first came out on the x360 a few years ago.. it's been horrible, imho.

Hockey has always received the bulk of my console sports gaming time and I just didn't play 12 that much, at least not like previous versions.

That being said, I'm really excited to get this version and I can see myself playing several seasons - every freaking single game too.

[LuGer33]

Quote: Originally Posted by peter21

I have a question that any of you who know more about production schedules on these games might be able to answer. I'm guessing that these improvements weren't just worked on this last calendar year and that at least some have been in the works for a while, but due to deadlines, the development team had to push them off to refine and get them right. Am I correct in this? I mean, I like NHL '12, but the improvements were incremental compared to what looks like is coming out next month. Were they working on these additions last year too and it just took 2-3 years in the cycle to get it ready for the public?

As per one of the devs, there was a feature for NHL 12 that did not make the cut. QB speculates, and I agree with him, that this was probably True Performance Skating. I'm also only speculating but it seems logical to me that TPS was planned for NHL 12 and after working on it, the devs decided they needed another year to get it right. This would help explain why NHL 12 was headlined w/ "Broken Glass" and "Goalie Collisions / Fights," whereas NHL 13 is rocking, "GM Connected," "True Performance Skating," "Real Time / Overhauled Presentation," "Revamped Goalies," "GM Brain," "NHL Moments Live," etc.

It just seems like NHL 13 has a disproportionate amount of new content compared to the other games (which is awesome), and something that should have us all really excited.

Quote: Originally Posted by RM938

Question for those who are educated on the topic: Does anyone know if they can combine licenses with other EA Sports games? Example: If Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles stadium) was used for a Winter Classic game, could they get the rights from Madden and use the name in NHL series?

I just e-mailed Noun to try and get the scoop on how the Winter Classic license really works. I do think having an agreement w/ the NHL to include the WC also grants EA the right to use the name and likeness of the venue in-game, but I will report back once I know for sure.

Quote: Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I haven't played Madden since it first came out on the x360 a few years ago.. it's been horrible, imho. Hockey has always received the bulk of my console sports gaming time and I just didn't play 12 that much, at least not like previous versions. That being said, I'm really excited to get this version and I can see myself playing several seasons - every freaking single game too.

I think Madden looks pretty good this year too. W/ the new real time physics ("Infinity Engine") and Connected Careers mode, it is shaping up to be a pretty damn fine game in its own right. Across the board, it looks like it should be a good year for EA.