NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

[Moose24x]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectralThundr

I hope so. I hope that besides the obvious changes with presentation, that the AI at least got some polishing. The whole "AI Vision" dealy sounds an awful lot like Hockey IQ. I get that AI in a hockey game is difficult to not be predictable, it's a video game after all. I would however at least like the option to have the AI be able to clog up the neutral zone on higher difficulty levels and not do it in a way where they just skate faster or hit harder but by solid positioning and having the attribute effect slider actually work how it's supposed to. I get that EA likely is forced to keep attributes 50-100 to keep the NHLPA from pulling the license, but I still believe there are ways to make the CPU offline play a tighter game without it being cheap. All sports games seem to struggle with this however, even the much loved NBA2k where the AI will hit shots from where ever it wants even with a hand in it's face on higher difficulty levels to try and keep it "competitive". At the very least in NHL the AI will just change it's strategy to high pressure and have the Dmen pinch more rather than out right cheating like some claim. It doesn't, if it did every game would be close, and that's certainly not the case.

They could keep the ratings between 80-99 for all I care. Just make the difference between an 80 speed and an 88 speed actually meaningful. The difference between an 80 wrist shot power and a 92 should be noteworthy. The problem isn't keeping all the attributes between 65-99; it's the fact that guys with a 77 speed rating win races against guys with a 93 speed rating. It's the fact that guys with an 81 strength who weigh 180lbs knock down guys with a 90 balance who weigh 225. Just make the attributes meaningful. Forget being able to see the difference between an 80 and 88. You should be able to feel the difference between an 85 and an 88. The fact that if you make Skater A 6'0 190 and give him 85 speed, acceleration, balance, agility, strength, etc. (anything that could even conceivably effect speed) and you make Skater B also 6'0 190 and give him a 90 in all of the same categories, you won't be able to feel any difference between the two when using them and it will actually be a crap shoot in a race between the two, especially if the CPU is controlling the slower one, is a BIG problem. 2-3 points in an attribute needs to make a difference. 5-6 needs to make a notable difference. 7+ needs to be a BIG difference.

[actionhank]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectralThundr

I hope so. I hope that besides the obvious changes with presentation, that the AI at least got some polishing. The whole "AI Vision" dealy sounds an awful lot like Hockey IQ. I get that AI in a hockey game is difficult to not be predictable, it's a video game after all. I would however at least like the option to have the AI be able to clog up the neutral zone on higher difficulty levels and not do it in a way where they just skate faster or hit harder but by solid positioning and having the attribute effect slider actually work how it's supposed to. I get that EA likely is forced to keep attributes 50-100 to keep the NHLPA from pulling the license, but I still believe there are ways to make the CPU offline play a tighter game without it being cheap. All sports games seem to struggle with this however, even the much loved NBA2k where the AI will hit shots from where ever it wants even with a hand in it's face on higher difficulty levels to try and keep it "competitive". At the very least in NHL the AI will just change it's strategy to high pressure and have the Dmen pinch more rather than out right cheating like some claim. It doesn't, if it did every game would be close, and that's certainly not the case.

I think AI is going to make or break NHL15. If they get it right, i'm sure a lot of people can look past their issues. My frustration always came from having to use sliders to get anything even close to decent gameplay, but having the same issues always present. Trying to turn up ice with the puck was frustrating (You felt like you were in sand) and the goalie AI in terms of shots, and the AI being so incredible at times, while your goalie is letting in multiple slow wristers along the ice with no screen.

If they can get your teammates to act like teammates, and do simple things like move to get open, set up screens, fight to keep the puck in on the powerplay, or, even give us the ability to program these things with a better play editor, i think it will go a long way in making NHL15 leaps and bounds better than 14. That's what i'm holding out hope for, because so far, the improvements look to be in lighting, player bodies, and stadiums. The faces still look awful on most guys, and the gameplay video left something to be desired. Granted it was a very short one, it still looked an awful lot like NHL14 with a facelift.

[Eddie1967]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectralThundr

Here's the thing in regards to 2k that I've never understood. People act like 2k is this small little indy company. They're not, I think people often forget how long Taketwo Interactive has been around and what they own for IP. Multibillion sellers like the Grand Theft Auto series, like the Civilization series, Borderlands, etc etc etc. If TakeTwo seriously wanted to challenge EA in the sports realm, they certainly have the resources to do so. Thing is they have no desire to, and I have no doubt in my mind if EA puts the effort into NBA Live and in the long run it ends up as good or better than NBA2k, that series too will go the way of the dodo.

You sound awfully familiar with the 2K bashing, especially the comical bit about live ever being better than 2k basketball, calling the other guy Hank and using the word Tenders. is this RealmK? I know you were banned before, so please don't start this up again, you did this for 10 years and it ruined the 2k forums. This is something that OS doesn't need.

[wlucky]

Fact is no casual gamer wants a 0-0 game because real fundamentals are respected..you really think that they don't purposely program the game to let you fly through the neutral zone and get 15 shots a period on 5 minutes. Until they redo the game where only 20 minutes will produce real stats everything will stay the same

[BearishRiggs]

Quote: Originally Posted by Eddie1967

You sound awfully familiar with the 2K bashing, especially the comical bit about live ever being better than 2k basketball, calling the other guy Hank and using the word Tenders. is this RealmK? I know you were banned before, so please don't start this up again, you did this for 10 years and it ruined the 2k forums. This is something that OS doesn't need.

10 years?!