NHL 11 News Post

Pucking Ridiculous: Destination Presentation

11:51 AM - October 11, 2010 by RaychelSnr

Hey everyone, thank you for reading another edition of Pucking Ridiculous (The OBG Chronicles).

This article has been on my mind for a long time now so I'm excited to dive into it headfirst, not only see what I come up with, but also to see what the community has to say. So, of course, your comments are always appreciated, welcomed and encouraged.

So far the NHL 11 season is off to a good start. The EA Canada team has done well to deliver yet another solid title with enough additions to not only justify throwing down 60 bucks, but also enough to keep most of us happy until the next release. That said, of course there is always room for improvement, and I'm sure we all have ideas for future versions of the game.

Personally, I'm ready to see the EA developers match the work they have done on the gameplay side of the NHL series by focusing with the same intensity and fervor on the presentation element in this series. Don't get me wrong, EA's NHL series does have decent presentation. Hell, I'd even say it's good presentation. However, in essence, there's a lot missing.

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# 21 statum71 @ 10/11/10 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCreep


	@stratum. Couldn't agree more. I still haven't figured out what exactly it is with EA and presentation. Its like they really just dont know how to do it. You would think after all these years that they would be somewhat decent at at, but its just not the case. I dont know man. NCAA11 really sticks out this year. I mean there is absolutely NOTHING. A pause menu? Seriously?

When I first got NCAA this year....it pulled me in. I mean the intros, new cut scenes and all. I was like "dang, I can't wait til halftime."

Needless to say when I got to Halftime and saw nothing but the pause menu YET AGAIN......it was a reality check. Very disappointing.

# 22 ArmBarVictim @ 10/11/10 11:55 PM

great argument brother, and something I have felt EA definitely needs to implement immediately in order to cement its fan base and its brand as the number 1 choice for NHL gaming fans and sports enthusiasts in general for now and the near future.

With that said, it all needs to start somewhere and that somewhere is most definitely the commentary, it's weak, repetitive,annoying,untrue to what an actual game sounds like when it's being called by even a half decent color guy.

Do it EA, make NHL 12 the best sports gaming franchise on the market.

# 23 cheechoo98 @ 10/12/10 01:41 AM

@Segagendude, 2k10 didn't have very good presentation after the initial stadium lighting intro. It was rather bland actually with single player goal celebrations and no stat overlays. The Gameplay was better In 2K10 than in NHL10, IMO....

I like the presentation in EA's NHL series, especially the low, Be-a-Pro cam that follows your player onto the ice. I DONT like the cutscene of the backup goalie sittting down on the bench, that's an awful camera angle.

They just need to add 'more' variety Good ideas about team standings, etc and all that stuff!

# 24 Trevelyan @ 10/12/10 05:22 AM

I guess I'm just a little bit more realistic on this type of thing...I have no sort of special knowledge or facts to back this up, but I have the feeling the NHL series gets very little support from EA in terms of money or developers. I think those guys are working on a limited budget with less developers than other EA studios, and I think they do amazing work within that framework, considering many people would argue NHL is the best sports game yearly.

# 25 bonannogiovanni @ 10/12/10 10:11 AM

And don't forget that we need a real broadcast cam, man I was so hyped months ago when I saw a screenshot of a menu that said custom camera options, only to discover it is only for vertical views. I find myself playing more NHL 2k10 than NHL 11 just because it has better and more presentation elements.

# 26 FBeaule04 @ 10/12/10 12:38 PM

You are touching a good point. The discussion isn't about is the game is good or not, it's about how to get it even better.

I have to say that EA did a good job this year adding info just below the score in the game, so you can see how's your PP going, faceoff %, etc. That's great. Also, having the LS to browse the stats leaders, standings, etc is another great addition.

But, since there's a but, it can be better. The matchup screen before the game could and should give you more. Who's hot and who's not, who's on a scoring streak, point streak, winning streak, etc.

Between the periods, gives us scores and highlights around the NHL. Give us a Highlight real Sportscenter like top 10 goals and saves of the week, I don't know.

Had the three stars of the week, player of the month, who's leading in the trophies race, etc.

Don't have to be perfect, just put some more meat on the bone, to make the experience really enjoyable.

EA, you've put so much effort for the online modes, and you deserve credits for it, but now, it's time to give us, Wanna-Be GM and Wanna-Be-A-Pro, some things to cheer even more about.

What EA did with the game since NHL 08, there's no way someone's going to make me believe than canno't handle the task of making the presentation a Grand Slam!

# 27 HeroWorship @ 10/12/10 12:41 PM

The thing I loved about NHL 2k10 were the arenas. For example, in NHL 11, when I play as the Sabres at HSBC Arena, not only do I see the jumbotron from 2006-07, but the slug logo STILL appears on the scoreboard. They need to update all the Arena's to how they currently look.

The arenas in 2k10 are freakin' beautiful

I turn off the announcing just because of how bland it is. I'd rather listen to the on-ice sounds anyways.

# 28 statum71 @ 10/13/10 02:06 AM

@ RealmK..... Yes!!! Nail on the head. Make my hockey game sound like a real live broadcast.

And actually right now, it sounds pretty good. But it doesn't sound "alive." Because they don't talk like they know whats going on in the league outside of the current game. Thats how the game comes "alive."

# 29 FBeaule04 @ 10/13/10 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RR_Superstar


	EA simply needs to take advantage of consulting with a producer from TSN, Sportsnet and/or the CBC. Get a guy with a broadcasting background involved and it would translate well into the game. Personally id go for a TSN partnership...getting the use of the hockey night in canada song would be great.

I agree, TSN is my favorite channel to watch hockey. With McKenzie, Dregger, Dutie, etc on the panel, it's a no miss. In the booth, either Gord Miller or Chris Cuthbert at the play-by-play and Pierre McGuire as the analyst, it's making a great experience (Ray Ferraro is learning fast, but I prefer McGuire).

I would really like that EA get the rights to put Glenn Healy or Mike Milbury between the bench for games, so that way, we could slap shot the puck at them after the whistle.

Sorry, couldn't resist, as I hate these two guys too much...

# 30 HeroWorship @ 10/13/10 02:33 PM

They should just put Jim Hughston and Don Taylor back in the booth and present the games with CBC production.

We can even have a crazy virtual Don Cherry, who causes controversy by mocking europeans on every Coach's Corner

# 31 FBeaule04 @ 10/13/10 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeroWorship


	They should just put Jim Hughston and Don Taylor back in the booth and present the games with CBC production. We can even have a crazy virtual Don Cherry, who causes controversy by mocking europeans on every Coach's Corner

*LOL* I see that from here when Cherry speaks about my play : "Here's another french canadian p*ss* playing with the visor on and not hitting anyone!" and after a tournament with Team Canada : "Way to go frenchy! Watch those hits, bing, bam,boom, I love this guy. *While getting thumbs up* Good canadian boy!" and after a loss in the first round : "That's the problem, you canno't win in the playoffs with soft players like this french players who wouldn't hit anyone even to save their lifes. They should be ashame of having all these french people and euro's in the playoffs. I say it, get rid of them and get good ol' canadian boy from Fort McMurray for christ sake!"

That would be marvelous!

# 32 actionhank @ 10/14/10 04:31 AM

I would definitely love a makeover in the presentation department.
And if they would get rid of certain phrases that don't make sense anymore.
It was odd in NHL10 when you would be playing in the last half of the season and hear them say "The Blues are opening overseas in Sweden", but it's even more out of place in NHL11 when the Blues did that last season...

# 33 jonezis @ 11/22/10 06:39 PM

After playing my first be a gm season with Oilers (I wanted a challenge) and started second season I noticed some very good presentation elements.

Before my first homegame there was a cut scene of Western Conference champion banner rising. I lost Stanley Cup finals to Caps game seven overtime, I hate you Mike Green! Don't remember was that banner rising in previous versions. After couple games in new season I heard phrases about how I come so close to winning cup and would this be the year to win it.

Also, when Hemsky scored his first goal in new season commentators mentioned that "they were sure he would pot many more because he won Maurice Rocket Richard trophy last season". btw, Hemsky was only player to score over 50, second in scoring was Hall and third was Ovie.

It was cool to hear these little things, it felt like the game still remembered my previous season.

# 34 GrandMaster B @ 11/24/10 12:37 PM

The arenas need an overhaul...half of them are wrong.

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