CD Event Feedback: Presentation

[Qb]

I know many of us have been crying out for a presentation upgrade in the NHL series. So when I read "they need to improve the presentation" for the 13,487th time, what exactly do you have in mind?

Try to keep it as specific as possible -- like the idea to include a cutscene showing players at the bench with the coach & a whiteboard during a timeout (hat-tip to that poster) -- as opposed to the same old "add new/more cutscenes/overlays" comments we've seen time & again.

[Fiddy]

hmm not sure if this is where to post this, if not QB please move it to where it belows.
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EASHL - Please do away with cutscenes and replays for these games. Show all replays of goals is fine, but lets cut the crap and get these cutscenes and replays eliminated from the rest of the game.

Overall, i would like to see the networks involved here. NBC, Versus, and the NHL Network. Would make playing games a bit more intersting during the season. Seeing what network is carrying the game etc.

[onlybygrace]

As we all know presentation and gameplay, along with functioning franchise, are probably the top three interests of sports gamers no matter the genre. That said, NHL 10 did a great job raising the bar in all three of these cataglories. There is no question that we as consumers will always want more than was shown us previous releases of our favorite games and NHL 10 is no different.

NHL 10, in my opinion and also the opinion of many others, was a giant leap forward in gameplay. Honestly, I think it is the best hockey game ever made in this respect. Sure it still has its issues, but the gameplay in NHL 10 is coming closer and closer to being as close as we'll get on a console at representing the sport we all love so dearly. There are still areas of gameplay that need improving, no doubt, but I think a large number of us will agree that the focus of the development team may be in need of a change of focus for NHL11.

Presentation is a broad and sweeping term that covers not only the game intro when its first fired up, but also the design of the menu interface we use to get from place to place within the game. A lot of improvments were made to NHL 10 as far as presentation go. The change of atmosphere during the playoffs is perhaps the biggest upgrade we see in NHL10.

However, NHL 11 is in need of a whole new focus as far as presentation. It needs what is often refered to as a living franchise. As an example of what I mean, I will refer to the newly released MLB2k10...

MLB 2k10 has taken presentation to a whole new level, IMO. For instance, during every game of MLB 2k10 you can expect to see:

1. Segments detailing each teams position in the standings.

2. A report of each teams recent trend of play over the previous ten games including any notable streaks, winning or losing as well as info on the upcoming schedule of both teams.

3. Trends of play for the players. Now this is truly the most amazing part of the game MLB2k10. The stats analyzed for the players is done so well its hard to put into words without saying that its pretty much as comprehensive as you'd find on any real TV broadcast. The player trends are broken down into

*over the previous 3 games
*over the previous 9 games
*over the previous 4 games

In fact, I think it takes trends are taken from just about any number of games.

*over the previous week
*over the previous one, two, or three weeks
*over the current road trip
*over the current winning streak.

Also, during each game, the rankings are shown for each team as to where they stand in the season...

For instance...there will be a chart with some commentary showing

Cardinals Early Season Rankings
BAA .291 3rd
HR 26 2nd
ERA 3.63 3rd

The other day, Pujols singled to center and while he stood on first base a table appeared with commentary showing his league rankings in doubles, homeruns, and RBI's.

Its unbelievable.

Whats the point of all this??? Well, presentation, when done this well gives the gamer a real sense that they are part of an actual league with other teams playing around them. It immerses the gamer and adds tons of flavour, replay value, and pure addictive substance to the experience.

NHL 10 is really a great game, but its hard to imagine just how good this game would be if the presentation and immersion factors were cranked up to the max. Custom soundtracks go a long way in this, but the in game presentation needs an overhaul, for sure.

Actually, maybe this is a bad idea seeing as I would at some point have to act like a resposible adult.

[Qb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fiddy

EASHL - Please do away with cutscenes and replays for these games. Show all replays of goals is fine, but lets cut the crap and get these cutscenes and replays eliminated from the rest of the game.

This is something I was going to pitch anyways. Everyone -- except the one guy who won't press A of course -- skips them, so why have them?

Redshirt once told me they liked the idea of slightly longer periods in the EASHL as a way to produce more varied games. However, they were reluctant to do it for fear of losing the 20-25 min game experience. I'd be willing to wager that by stripping down between-whistle cutscenes and eliminating intermission replays, they could probably go to 7min periods in nearly the same amount of real time...


And thanks for the detailed post, OBG.

[Bama83]

Custom Music - I love the idea that we can add playlists and whatnot, but if EA took it one step further. While I would like to see EA offering more custom places for music (Fights, Great Saves, etc), what I think would really be amazing is to get each stadium DJ to create playlists for the game. EA is always on the hunt for a new revenue stream - and they could potentially charge for "Team Music Packs". This could go to help pay for the music and for the DJs. I think having actual mixes by the DJs would be amazing, especially if you start adding the fan participation/chants.

Stat Overlays - As mentioned previously - having a more in-depth analysis both in terms of commentary and overlays would truly make the experience more complete. Talking about the current skid the team is on, how they are doing on the PP or PK or how hot a player has been over the past stretch would be awesome. At times the current commentary hits those points, but it's always game specific. To reach across the season would set it apart from anything else out there.

Versus/ESPN Integration - All the other EA franchises are getting the integration overhaul - it's only fitting that NHL 2011 gets it as well. Seeing NCAA 2011 and CHoops 2010 - just leaves me salivating. But, I'd hate to see ESPN get the nod here since the NHL's true home is the Versus network.

Crowd Integration - It would be great to see home attendance fluctuate due to team performance, market, etc. Also the bigger the crowd the louder they get. (As a side note - make the home crowd react properly to an away goal)

Official Arenas & Sounds - NHL 2K10 had real arenas, it's time the EA series did as well. Along with the real arenas - add the real goal horns.

Add Real NHL Coaches - I'd love to start seeing the real NHL coaches on the benches and in discussions with the announcers.

Add the Mascots & Better Team Intros - All the teams have basically the same intro. I have a hard time believing the only difference between Toronto taking the ice and the San Antonio Rampage is the swirling logo on the ice.

Remove the Post-Whistle Nonsense - Having a little rough play after the whistle is fine, but this nonsense where 8 guys are slashing and crosschecking each other has got to go. Plus it lasts far too long. A little jostling is fine, but all out pandemonium ... this isn't Slapshot.

Finally, I know it doesn't belong here but:

Team Chemistry - Having some internal mechanism for determining current team chemistry would be great. Switching up lines too much or trading away players or changing captains incorrectly might cost morale and players unfamiliar with each other should suffer a small penalty.

[Qb]

Thanks for the ideas. Glad you mentioned PP/PK% specifically to jog my memory. What do they show on the screen at the start of every powerplay? That's right, both teams' season stats on the PP/PK in an overlay or score-box extension (FSN graphics).

It's specific stuff like this that I need to bring to the table!

[SinisterAlex]

In offline game modes, lets have the commentators talk about a replay like they do in real life. Lets have them point out the mistakes that led to a goal, do a better job of describing a penalty, or tell me about how the goalie had to look through traffic to find the puck.

Also, lets make the replays "flow". Lets not just have random cut scenes and replays placed in between every stoppage. Show replays of the rush, or a good save. Not some 3-5 second replay of a shot and save with no commentary.

Another thing, add a REALISTIC broadcast camera view. As of now, the came just goes side to side. Lets have the camera doing a "pivot" motion. So as we get near the end of the ice, the angle begins to change and as the play goes back to the neutral zone, lets have the camera straight in the middle. I remember them having this back in 2001, why can't they add it now.

Another thing I'd like to see would be some stat overlays or scores from around the league, and other overlays in general. Lets show me some stats on shots in the period, blocked shots, scoring chances, etc without me having to hit start to see these things. Also, if it's down to the final few games, bring up some scores from around the league while I'm playing so I know that if I need to get a goal, I need to get it fast.

Also (lol...) I agree with what other people have said, lets bring some television intergration into the game. Bring CBC and/or TSN to the mix (I'd much rather CBC though...)

Lastly, I know this is a looooooooong shot but... bring back Jim Hughson I absoluetly loved that guy when I played the NHL series since 2001, Gary Thorne and Bill Clement are getting real stale, and I don't even think new lines would do anything. It's time for a new voice, somewho who actually commentates hockey currently, and Jim would be the guy.

[Lightbringer719]

Intermission: Since NHL08, EA has relied on a replay reel and a "Game Report" for its intermissions, which really doesn't relay a TV-esque presentation. The generic one-liner of coach banter ("Take Away Their Scoring Chances", "Good Goaltending", "Getting the Better Scoring Chances", etc.) has really gotten stale, IMHO. And it's really unfortunate to see a golden opportunity to add to the authenticity of the NHL series' presentation wasted on something simplistic. I recommend they put an actual intermission for NHL11, which would (hypothetically) include the following: detailed stats for both teams, top performers of the period, and (for BeAGM/Season/BeAPro) news and stats from around the league. Maybe even other scores from other games (I missed this feature in the older games)

Actual NHL Coaches: The NBA2K series is good with using the actual NBA coaches. I'd love to see real coaches behind the bench for NHL11, and we should be able to hire & fire them in Season/BeAGM.

Stat Overlays: Right now, the only stats graphics utilized in the NHL games are individual player stats. It would be ideal for NHL11 to include stats for the team's penalty kill/powerplay, faceoffs won/lost, winning streaks, among others. In the season modes, have the overlays reflect the current stats of the team during the course of a season.

Unique Team Intros: As noted above, the team intros in NHL11 should be team-specific and unique. The Sharks should skate out of the giant Shark head, the Oilers skate out of the oil derrick, and so on. The only difference shouldn't simply be the logo flashing on the ice.

Unique Arenas: NHL2K10 had it down with its authentic arenas. The arenas in NHL11 should feel different from one another, with different lighting and so on.

No More Blank Photos!: I can't be the only one seeing the generic "blank" photos for certain rookies and created players. In NHL 09, it was baffling to see players like Luke Schenn have no photo, while Steve Stamkos & Drew Doughty had their photos. To fix this, NHL11 should use the in-game models as a portrait for the "blank" photo players, as well as created players. (Much like how it shows your Pro's portrait in Be A Pro.)

Goal Celebrations: The goal celebrations leave me feeling cold right now. It's weird to see a guy completely stop and raise his hands after scoring on a full-speed breakaway. And again, they don't show all five guys celebrating. For NHL11, overhaul the goal celebrations (standing hand raise, running into the net, etc.), and actually show all five players celebrating.

Cyberfaces: It's alarming to see most NHL players who aren't prominent stars on their respective teams be stuck with a generic cyberface. The EA NHL team should strive to get renders of every single NHL player, so that we don't see players who are bald when they really aren't.