NHL 15 Fan Survey Lists Modes EA is Considering for NHL 16

[Moose24x]

Quote: Originally Posted by steveeee

NO EASHL that has been there since 09 and worked great and has a big community and will always be the best part about the NHL series game.. if they don't include this.. I will never buy NHL again and just about everyone I play NHL with since 09 since it debut will do the same The EASHL should not only be brought back.. but it should be the most worked on and important game mode to this series. no other game mode should be more important than the EASHL... back in 09 and 10... this was the case only mode I will touch... sad that this mode use to be the best thing going in sports video gaming and today and it doesn't even exist. EA SPorts gets what it deserves on the poor sales and feedback for NHL 15 next gen because of this. ps. Next gen is suppose to be better but sadly... everything was better on previous gen when it comes to NHL and many other games as well. The online play should be improved on Next gen.. instead again.. it's worst and not only worst but you gotta pay for it now

Here's my problem with this: I don't give a fart about EASHL. I don't play it and don't care if they work on it or even include it at all. I buy "NHL" video games because I'm a fan of the NHL and want to play with NHL teams and players (and their prospects), manage an NHL team and win the NHL's big, prestigious trophy (you know, the Stanley Cup?). EA makes the only hockey game for consoles because EA has exclusive rights to the NHL license. If that's going to be the case I need them to put all of their focus on the NHL aspects of their product, not some imaginary drop in league where everything from the uniforms to the team names to the players are made up and (and this is "the big thing") DON'T REQUIRE THE NHL LICENSE. If I'm going to buy EA's NHL game (and I am, because - again - exclusive license; they're the only game in town) than I need the focus to be on bringing the NHL to life with incredible depth and realism.

Now, all of that said, I understand full well that EASHL is massively popular and that there's a vast group of customers to whom it is a VERY important feature. However, owing to the fact that it doesn't require an NHL license, nor roster updates, nor really any of the features that are essential to making a good "NHL" game, what I REALLY want EA to do is to make it a downloadable application separate unto itself and either charge a set amount for those who only want the EASHL game (they can discount it for those who purchase the regular NHL offering as well) or charge a subscription fee for playing in the EASHL (kind of like league fees in real life - a season costs this much, what have you, etc.) and support this separate mode with micro-transactions for boosts or different gear, etc.

We all know EA loves its micro-transaction cash cows anyways so I really see this as a win for everyone involved. If you just want to play EASHL, there's your option. If you enjoy both, get both. Those of us who are hardcore about our NHL experience can now get a more dedicated (and thus hopefully deeper and overall improved) NHL game and EA has another avenue of milking their customers through purchase of the EASHL app or league fees or whatever model they might choose to adapt.

[Segagendude]

Zamboni racing??? They're going the way of EA golf with these stupid gimmicks...

[redsoxfan31]

I am really hoping for EA sports to bring back the ability to edit players (which allows for the creation of missing college draft prospects), a more in depth Be A GM mode that allows you to move your team if you're in a bad market (especially with the talks of possible NHL teams in Las Vegas, Quebec, etc.) Really, just bring back the things you took away

[Moose24x]

Quote: Originally Posted by redsoxfan31

I am really hoping for EA sports to bring back the ability to edit players (which allows for the creation of missing college draft prospects), a more in depth Be A GM mode that allows you to move your team if you're in a bad market (especially with the talks of possible NHL teams in Las Vegas, Quebec, etc.) Really, just bring back the things you took away

This is obviously necessary. They need to open it up so we can change generic faces too. If the player doesn't have a scan their face should be editable. Simple.

[capnlarge]

Quote: Originally Posted by Moose24x

Here's my problem with this: I don't give a fart about EASHL. I don't play it and don't care if they work on it or even include it at all. I buy "NHL" video games because I'm a fan of the NHL and want to play with NHL teams and players (and their prospects), manage an NHL team and win the NHL's big, prestigious trophy (you know, the Stanley Cup?). EA makes the only hockey game for consoles because EA has exclusive rights to the NHL license. If that's going to be the case I need them to put all of their focus on the NHL aspects of their product, not some imaginary drop in league where everything from the uniforms to the team names to the players are made up and (and this is "the big thing") DON'T REQUIRE THE NHL LICENSE. If I'm going to buy EA's NHL game (and I am, because - again - exclusive license; they're the only game in town) than I need the focus to be on bringing the NHL to life with incredible depth and realism. Now, all of that said, I understand full well that EASHL is massively popular and that there's a vast group of customers to whom it is a VERY important feature. However, owing to the fact that it doesn't require an NHL license, nor roster updates, nor really any of the features that are essential to making a good "NHL" game, what I REALLY want EA to do is to make it a downloadable application separate unto itself and either charge a set amount for those who only want the EASHL game (they can discount it for those who purchase the regular NHL offering as well) or charge a subscription fee for playing in the EASHL (kind of like league fees in real life - a season costs this much, what have you, etc.) and support this separate mode with micro-transactions for boosts or different gear, etc. We all know EA loves its micro-transaction cash cows anyways so I really see this as a win for everyone involved. If you just want to play EASHL, there's your option. If you enjoy both, get both. Those of us who are hardcore about our NHL experience can now get a more dedicated (and thus hopefully deeper and overall improved) NHL game and EA has another avenue of milking their customers through purchase of the EASHL app or league fees or whatever model they might choose to adapt.

Does EA have an exclusive license? Last I heard, EA, 2K, Microsoft and Sony could all make NHL games. 2K released NHL 2k on mobile

[actionhank]

Quote: Originally Posted by capnlarge

Does EA have an exclusive license? Last I heard, EA, 2K, Microsoft and Sony could all make NHL games. 2K released NHL 2k on mobile

EA doesn't hold an exclusive NHL license (they may with some of their stadium licenses, but that's speculation at best). But, other companies are probably a bit hesitant to try and compete with a juggernaut series. If anything, maybe NHL15 showed 2K or even SCEA (The idea of an NHL game with the awesomeness of The Show makes me happy. But, there would have to be some way to have a cross-platform release) that now they have a chance to jump in and take on Goliath so to speak.

It honestly wouldn't take a lot of changes to make a strong competitive title to go up against EA, but the problem is game companies work based on how much the game can make, and splitting a demographic that's already small can be a gamble. It seems with how much it costs to make a good game, and license everything in sports game, you kind of have to dominate the market, or write the idea off.

SCEA just now got licensing for their apparel and gloves etc, which makes me think they might have been waiting for a while to negotiate what i can only imagine was a pricey deal to get those things in game.

Honestly, if some other company could get NHL licensing, and allow a more customization-friendly game that let the user decide on simulation or arcade play, and offered more in depth editing of players and equipment, I would gladly sacrifice "name brand" gear like Bauer and Nike skates. Sure, they're nice, but i would just as well have some generic skates that i can pick from 10 color options on while editing my player who has a custom face and more than 10 physical attribute features that i can edit over name-brand gear for a few years.
I just want great gameplay, nice graphics, and customization that's easy to implement and share. The rest can fall into place in due time.

[capnlarge]

Quote: Originally Posted by actionhank

EA doesn't hold an exclusive NHL license (they may with some of their stadium licenses, but that's speculation at best). But, other companies are probably a bit hesitant to try and compete with a juggernaut series. If anything, maybe NHL15 showed 2K or even SCEA (The idea of an NHL game with the awesomeness of The Show makes me happy. But, there would have to be some way to have a cross-platform release) that now they have a chance to jump in and take on Goliath so to speak. It honestly wouldn't take a lot of changes to make a strong competitive title to go up against EA, but the problem is game companies work based on how much the game can make, and splitting a demographic that's already small can be a gamble. It seems with how much it costs to make a good game, and license everything in sports game, you kind of have to dominate the market, or write the idea off. SCEA just now got licensing for their apparel and gloves etc, which makes me think they might have been waiting for a while to negotiate what i can only imagine was a pricey deal to get those things in game. Honestly, if some other company could get NHL licensing, and allow a more customization-friendly game that let the user decide on simulation or arcade play, and offered more in depth editing of players and equipment, I would gladly sacrifice "name brand" gear like Bauer and Nike skates. Sure, they're nice, but i would just as well have some generic skates that i can pick from 10 color options on while editing my player who has a custom face and more than 10 physical attribute features that i can edit over name-brand gear for a few years. I just want great gameplay, nice graphics, and customization that's easy to implement and share. The rest can fall into place in due time.

I would definitely be first in line to buy a new NHL 2k or NHL Faceoff The Show

[Moose24x]

Even if EA's license isn't exclusive, my overall point about EASHL stands. The game is called NHL 15. EASHL is a fantasy league that requires zero NHL licensing. They can make that a separate entity, charge some sort of price or subscription for it and put the focus in their NHL title on NHL details. In no way does the EASHL have to go away, but when people constantly refer to it as the most important game mode and the area they want EA to devote most of their attention it drives me nuts. Devote the attention to making a better NHL experience. It's an NHL game! The EASHL is a fantasy league. Let it be its own glorious separate entity.