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NHL 2K9 Developer Diary #3 - Ben Bishop, Producer

11:02 AM - August 29, 2008 by RaychelSnr

This week's NHL 2K9 Developer Diary focuses three new gameplay elements in NHL 2K9 that make hockey what it is. Check out what NHL 2K9 Producer Ben Bishop had to say about the new features in his NHL 2K9 Developer Diary and then hop on over to the NHL 2K9 Screenshot Page for some new screenshots of the game!

Quote:


	"Hi everyone. For this development diary, I am going to talk a little bit about some of the new, unique-to-hockey features we added for *NHL 2K9*. As you�ve probably heard already, one of our main goals this year was to try to bring the fun back to hockey video games. When we first started designing this year�s game, we felt that there were several ways we could help to accomplish that. One of them was doing the Wii version, which we�ve talked about quite a bit, and another was adding a simpler control scheme to allow for players with any level of experience to jump in and be able to play with little-to-no learning curve."

NHL 2K9 screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: NHL 2K9Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 15 - View All

NHL 2K9 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 kai123 @ 08/29/08 11:27 AM

thanks for the info, the playoff beards look nice.

# 2 wurstman3000 @ 08/29/08 11:39 AM

Link doesn't work, you have to remove the admin part of the address.

# 3 ChaseB @ 08/29/08 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wurstman3000


	Link doesn't work, you have to remove the admin part of the address.

It should be fixed now.

# 4 asu666 @ 08/29/08 01:44 PM

I'm happy to see that 2K Hockey is making another run to the top. I think NHL 09 is going to be pretty tough to beat, but some of the new features and little extras like the opening ice movie sequence in 2K9 and the improved feel of the gameplay convinced me to preorder both.

# 5 goheat @ 08/29/08 03:43 PM

Any idea if in-game saves are available on the Wii version? Particularly in season/franchise mode?

# 6 bigwill33 @ 08/29/08 04:37 PM

Those are some neat features I think. It is good to see 2k listening to feedback of fans wanting more atmosphere and details in their game. I hate how some sports games lack playoff intensity and with beards and the celebration this game should add a little realism into your post season. I also noticed the Stanley Cup Playoffs patch on the ice, just like in real life... nice touch!

EA may still have them beat in game play overall this year, but 2k is doing some of the little things right and that is good for the genre.

# 7 QN_52 @ 08/30/08 11:24 AM

EA will never have 2K hockey beat in SIM gameplay...period.

# 8 Eddie1967 @ 08/31/08 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QN_52


	EA will never have 2K hockey beat in SIM gameplay...period.

You are so right. 2k hockey is all sim. EA has a lot of catching up to do in that department. Things that NHL 09 has 2k hockey had years ago.

# 9 Flyermania @ 08/31/08 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie1967


	You are so right. 2k hockey is all sim. EA has a lot of catching up to do in that department. Things that NHL 09 has 2k hockey had years ago.

C'mon now Eddie, you and I both know that each game has some serious issues that make them both not "sim". Many people and reviewers would say that EA has not only caught up to 2k, but passed them in many regards.

# 10 tabulaRasa @ 09/01/08 06:01 AM

I hear what you say Realm, but come on as if the puck physics are better in NHL from EA. NHL2k9 is questionable at many things as you said, but the physics aren�t worse than those in 08 in any way. The insane puck rebounds in EAs game THAT ACCELARATE are friggin crazy.

# 11 Eddie1967 @ 09/01/08 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	You're right, the're by no means perfect in 08, and most likely not in 09 (though I like the impressions I've read so far) but I get tired of hearing how great 2k's puck physics are when I've played the game year in year out and its just not true. Don't take me the wrong way, 2k9's demo has alot of good in it, but on the whole it just doesn't feel like the development focus is in the right direction. Really what kills it for me is the half *** rip off of the skill stick, I mean how many more years will we have the stiff canned deking animations in 2k hockey? This is the 4th iteration on next gen/current gen and we're still using stick deke animations from 2k4 ffs.

Nothing but noise realm. Rinse and repeat. We've heard it all before. You won't be purchasing now you can move on.

# 12 Eddie1967 @ 09/01/08 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyermania


	C'mon now Eddie, you and I both know that each game has some serious issues that make them both not "sim". Many people and reviewers would say that EA has not only caught up to 2k, but passed them in many regards.

Many people think John McCain is fit to be president, but I don't so your point is....EA has a long way to go to surpass 2k, their still trying to add the little things that make it a true hockey simulation. I'm glad they added line changes and more board play, and the puck physics, but they just added that this year. 2k had that and more last year and didn't need a suped up AI to make their game competitive.

# 13 MizzouRah @ 09/01/08 12:26 PM

Get a room you two.

Eddie, I think alot of 2k faithful are going to be a bit ticked that 2k is getting back to basics this year.. and while I love the direction they are heading, I can see Realm's and other hockey gamer fans initial reaction to what 2k is doing.

The demo has left me with wanting more.. and for me that's a good thing.

I'm sure I'll like NHL 09, but something about 2k hockey this year that has me excited for this year's release.

# 14 Flyermania @ 09/01/08 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie1967


	Many people think John McCain is fit to be president, but I don't so your point is....EA has a long way to go to surpass 2k, their still trying to add the little things that make it a true hockey simulation. I'm glad they added line changes and more board play, and the puck physics, but they just added that this year. 2k had that and more last year and didn't need a suped up AI to make their game competitive.

2k also had over-hyper checking AI, goalies that made desparation saves when not needed which led to easy goals, and also had a very questionable offensive AI that would pass out of breakaways and other scoring situations. And how about the severely broken trade logic that is in the game? Is that sim to you?

My point is that both games have their faults and neither is anywhere close to being a true hockey sim. You make a blanket comment like "EA has a long way to go to surpass 2k", and then wonder why people will respond as to why they feel your opinion is incorrect. If anyone brings up any of 2k's faults, you're quick to get defensive and claim that others whose opinion doesn't match yours as "trolling".

It's cool to express your opinions on 2k, but if you make generalized statements about the game, you have to expect others to respond to it.

# 15 JimmyDeicide @ 09/01/08 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	Thats what I was trying to get across but you put it in better words. I don't think either game will ever be a total sim, and honestly I don't think thats even the aim. You still need to appeal to the casuals that make up a majority of the sales. But making blanket statements and expecting no one is going to call you on it, while continually calling anyone who disagrees a troll while making comments like what you quoted Flyer, the saying hello pot, meet kettle oft comes to mind anytime I read an Eddie post.

You have gone to the other side and i can totaly understand why but some of the things you say about 2k are just wrong.
Did you play 2k8 much ? or are you realy basing your disgust with k6 and k7 .
Goalies are awsome in 2k8 and if yours stayed in the crease and didnt challenge well you missed out.
You think pinning would result in a penalty in todays NHL ? yes it does if its holding but i see plenty of pinning still in the nhl and it seems while i thought 08 didnt have enough 09 seems to have Zero pinning and zero board play which is a huge absence for an nhl game.
Its that attitude that has robbed 2k fans of a realy good control scheme your dissapointment in 2k is clouding your judgment you seem biased towards EA and why should it ever be like that , the hockey community is small enough without us all trying to split it down the middle all the time.

# 16 ohyeahbaby123 @ 09/01/08 08:14 PM

Not trying to hijack this thread, but what are these two games missing that are making them "extremely arcade-y"? Personally, I think both games (more so 09) have made great strides to make their games true hockey sims. 09 in the gameplay department and k9 in the presentation. Just curious why you guys think they are far from sim.

# 17 MizzouRah @ 09/01/08 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baa7


	The. Truth. I've said it before: neither game is representative of what actual, real-life hockey looks or plays like. Compared to sim games like NFL 2K5, APF 2K8 or MLB The Show, both NHL offerings are extremely arcade video representations of the sport.

If games were real life representations of the sport they are trying to depict, it would get quite boring. You have to be able to make a difference, good or bad, by using your own skill while playing.

I love it when people use the word "sim" like they are actually playing a text simulation. You want sim? Play ootp, FOF, BBCF, FBB, etc.. NHL 09 and NHL 2k9 are console games and the bottom line is having fun.

NFL 2k5 was not "sim", neither was APF 2k8 or MLB The Show. In each of those games, I could take medicore teams and win championships.. some things were definitely NOT realistic, but oh were those games fun.

# 18 Eddie1967 @ 09/01/08 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	Thats what I was trying to get across but you put it in better words. I don't think either game will ever be a total sim, and honestly I don't think thats even the aim. You still need to appeal to the casuals that make up a majority of the sales. But making blanket statements and expecting no one is going to call you on it, while continually calling anyone who disagrees a troll while making comments like what you quoted Flyer, the saying hello pot, meet kettle oft comes to mind anytime I read an Eddie post.

The only person who i call a troll is you because you didn't play 2k8 much last year by your own admission and yet you continue these ridiculous statements. Trolling is when you repeat the same thing over and over again in a thread of game that you have no intention of playing. That's what you do Realm. Constant mindless posting. It's really old. I respect the opinions of Flyermania, money 99 and the rest because at least they give opinions of both games positive and negative but you just go one way and continue to hijack threads with your dribble. It's really getting old. And you hate the fact that I say positive things about the game. I'm not the first person to say that about you. It's a shame that you continue to want to bash a game from last year that you admittedly didn't spend time with and a game 2k9 that you have yet to play. There must be something better for you to spend your time doing.

# 19 Eddie1967 @ 09/01/08 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyDeicide


	You have gone to the other side and i can totaly understand why but some of the things you say about 2k are just wrong. Did you play 2k8 much ? or are you realy basing your disgust with k6 and k7 . Goalies are awsome in 2k8 and if yours stayed in the crease and didnt challenge well you missed out. You think pinning would result in a penalty in todays NHL ? yes it does if its holding but i see plenty of pinning still in the nhl and it seems while i thought 08 didnt have enough 09 seems to have Zero pinning and zero board play which is a huge absence for an nhl game. Its that attitude that has robbed 2k fans of a realy good control scheme your dissapointment in 2k is clouding your judgment you seem biased towards EA and why should it ever be like that , the hockey community is small enough without us all trying to split it down the middle all the time.

Outstanding post. The continued bashing and rehashing of the same negativity from him is mind boggling. If you don't like the game because they someone didn't put in your ideas then why keep posting in that thread. Realm just can't seem to let it go. I on the other hand didn't care so much for NHL 08 but it looks to have made some good strides for 09, as has 2k9. It's people like Realm that keep the ridiculous EA/2K arguments going forever.

# 20 Eddie1967 @ 09/01/08 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyermania


	2k also had over-hyper checking AI, goalies that made desparation saves when not needed which led to easy goals, and also had a very questionable offensive AI that would pass out of breakaways and other scoring situations. And how about the severely broken trade logic that is in the game? Is that sim to you? My point is that both games have their faults and neither is anywhere close to being a true hockey sim. You make a blanket comment like "EA has a long way to go to surpass 2k", and then wonder why people will respond as to why they feel your opinion is incorrect. If anyone brings up any of 2k's faults, you're quick to get defensive and claim that others whose opinion doesn't match yours as "trolling". It's cool to express your opinions on 2k, but if you make generalized statements about the game, you have to expect others to respond to it.

Well from the looks of it, the thing you mentioned about 2k8 have been fixed in 2k9. When I'm talking sim I mean the game played on the ice and IMO 2k does it better. I know it's not perfect but I still think it's a little soon to say the game that just added things like separate line changes, board play, good puck physics etc. has surpassed the game that had that all along and did a good job with it. Again I respect your opinion but what Realm does is trolling and nothing more.

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NHL 2K9 Developer Diary #3 - Ben Bishop, Producer