NHL 15 News Post

Is EASHL in XB1/PS4 Versions of NHL 15?

09:55 PM - August 11, 2014 by RaychelSnr

There are a variety of rumors and a distinct lack of news when it comes to the popular EASHL mode and its status in the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 version of NHL 15. Today, Best Buy Canada added a lot of smoke to the no EASHL in XB1/PS4 NHL 15 fire by posting gameplay specs which tend to indicate the game will only support two-player online play. In comparison, the Xbox 360 version's product page shows 2-12 players are supported online, which fits with EASHL's requirements.

Up to this point, there has been no indication EASHL is in this year's game on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, with a feature list from the American Best Buy website completely omitting EASHL as well. It stands to reason that EASHL might have been a difficult feature to program on newer generation consoles and the NHL team simply ran out of time. However, given the relative popularity of the mode, the possible absence of EASHL is something which will not go unnoticed by the NHL community.

Now granted, this is NOT confirmation from EA that EASHL is not in the game -- and it is entirely possible it is a mistake, so let's not all panic just yet. With a month to go until release, there are obviously many features we haven't heard about, so it's premature to lift this above idle speculation -- but there are some dots beginning to connect on this story. We have reached out to EA for comment on this and we will certainly update this post if/when that comes back to us.

H/T to @grayisthecolor on Twitter for alerting us to the Best Buy page and sending us down this rabbit hole this evening.

Update (Tuesday 1:30pm CST): A user on Reddit is claiming that there will be no EASHL or GM Connected in the game on X1/PS4 and that confirmation will come within a week or two. Of course, this is an unverified user on Reddit, so let's not get too panicky on this one. What the post does do is it continues to add smoke to the fire. We still haven't received any word from EA on the matter, despite putting in a request for comment, which could mean anything. NHL will be shown at GamesCom, so it's likely we'll probably find out the truth one way or another within a day or two.

UPDATE #2: (Wednesday, 11:50am EST) EA Sports Hockey League (EASHL) is clearly indicated on 360/PS3 (via Amazon, Best Buy) but NOTHING for Xbox One/PS4.

Would no EASHL change your buying decision of NHL 15?

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Member Comments

# 81 bigwill33 @ 08/13/14 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayto


	So ..if we know hut is in next gen..and best buy made no mention of it..who's to say the same isn't true for eashl?

Exactly. And that's the point. It would take no time for EA to clarify what game modes are in. In fact, it is probably harder for them to keep it hidden one way or the other. But just as we can speculate that modes could be or should be in the game, we are left wondering what the actual deal is.

Apparently this is a good business practice for game developers now.

# 82 TheeBananaClip @ 08/13/14 03:08 PM

I looked on best buy and did not see any indication of number of players online just because a Canadian based best buy said 1-2 players guess we all light torches and grab pitchforks

# 83 levethian @ 08/13/14 03:20 PM

First of all, sorry for my bad English, not my mother-tongue, so excuse grammar mistakes etc.

As I'm a huge EASHL fan, I followed this panic nonsense now for 3 days and just wanted to add my thoughts on this matter.

First of all : If EA decided to cut EASHL and GMC , the only 2 online modes left would be VS and HUT.... which is just VS. with trading cards... so basically 1 game mode in 2 variants... really ? In these days were online gaming is more important than anything else ? REALLY ? Come on...

Second: Why do Amazon and Best Buy advert NHL 15 Gen 3 with and Gen 4 w/o EASHL ? Simple -> Obviously EAS put all their money into promting the Gen 4 version of the game. The best way to promote an new gen title are graphics and presentation. If you look at the teasers and screenshots which have been released, you will notice that they only consist of cinematic montages , no menues , no game modes, no text. Solely for one purpose : to emphasize the difference between current and next gen hockey. The best way to do this is simply showing the differences, not the things both versions share.

So take a look at the new features Gen 3 NHL has to offer....errrr right.. new commentary...and... yeah really that's all... no superstar skill stick, no living crowd, no authentic arenas, no new puck physics , no 12 player collisions.. so might there be a chance that EA, Amazon etc. included EASHL in the description because there is nothing else to write about the PS3/XBox 360 feature wise ?
Its highly probable that those retailer didnt get a game mode lists from EA for gen 4 , so the feature description's focus lies on presentation.

But what about the BB specs 1-2 players online, duh ? Well as somebody mentioned before, I think also it's a placeholder, because EA wants to promote the presentation and might not given away any additional information to retailer... talking about leaks or too early information releases...And why would they cut the feature to play VS online with a buddy , if there is only VS and HUT, since coop would change the description to 1-4 ? Makes no sense at all.
Gaming is all about multiplayer , reducing the max of participating players to 2 would be not only 1 step back but several...back to PS 2 times.

This would not only damage the relation between EAS and a huge part of the NHL players, but also the reputation EAS has a game developer.

So don't panic, use your brain. If EAS doesnt , boycott and be part of the ****storms. They had one about a year ago with Sim City and it did hurt their rep a tad.

# 84 centauris @ 08/13/14 04:03 PM

well said, hopefully you are right.

# 85 SAMCRO_55 @ 08/13/14 04:27 PM

God I hope they don't leave eashl out, was really hyped for this game. Also, first post :')

# 86 Fiddy @ 08/13/14 06:43 PM

from what my bud told me, he seen people playing it at gamecon and there is no sign of the eashl in the menus.

unreal..

# 87 DrPhibes @ 08/13/14 06:58 PM

The writing is clearly on the wall but some of you refuse to see it.

If this was in the final build of the game, EA would have squashed this rumor immediately because it only damages their rep.

They're not gonna sell anymore disks by waiting until the end to reveal EASHL and being like "and finally, what you all have been waiting for: EASHL on next gen!"

Thank god they got all those different fan animations and overhead scoreboards in the game, though. Don't pay attention to the lack of gameplay improvement and lack of EASHL. Here! Look at the graphics! Look at the shiny graphics!

And, like clockwork, most people get mesmerized by the shiny graphics.

# 88 ricky24 @ 08/13/14 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiddy


	from what my bud told me, he seen people playing it at gamecon and there is no sign of the eashl in the menus. unreal..

What a joke. Looks like I have a 5 dollar preorder to put towards another game.

# 89 GrandMaster B @ 08/13/14 07:55 PM

Is there going to even be a Be a GM mode in the game? Maybe just exhibition games vs the computer is all EA could muster. Oh and HUT.

# 90 thedudedominick @ 08/13/14 08:12 PM

The later EA confirms or denies these rumors the more damage will be done. If it's last minute people will be pissed off and might not buy any version of the game.

If they confirm it I, and many others, will finally pre-order the game.

If they confirm it's not in next gen, but have updated it last gen it would give people some time to be pissed, get over it, and change their purchase to last gen.

# 91 ricky24 @ 08/13/14 08:17 PM

I'm not buying NHL 15 on last gen. I'll just go buy 14 used before that.

# 92 Madwolf @ 08/13/14 09:16 PM

I think EASHL is going to be in. I'd much rather play HL than HUT. I hate all the HUT type modes on all the EAS games.

# 93 gator3guy @ 08/13/14 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiddy


	from what my bud told me, he seen people playing it at gamecon and there is no sign of the eashl in the menus. unreal..

EASHL has been hidden in the menus hasn't it? At least last year. HUT on the other hand...its been plastered all over the game.

I just cannot see how they could leave this out unless there was some kind of server issue. This game is basically a port with a graphics boost.

# 94 chrisphil1724 @ 08/13/14 09:54 PM

What if EASHL doesnt make into the retail launch but EA states it will be patched in before the end of the year?

I'd be fine with that.

# 95 ricky24 @ 08/13/14 10:15 PM

I'll pick it up when they patch it in if that's the case.

# 96 CaptainSuperman @ 08/13/14 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPhibes


	The writing is clearly on the wall but some of you refuse to see it. If this was in the final build of the game, EA would have squashed this rumor immediately because it only damages their rep. They're not gonna sell anymore disks by waiting until the end to reveal EASHL and being like "and finally, what you all have been waiting for: EASHL on next gen!" Thank god they got all those different fan animations and overhead scoreboards in the game, though. Don't pay attention to the lack of gameplay improvement and lack of EASHL. Here! Look at the graphics! Look at the shiny graphics! And, like clockwork, most people get mesmerized by the shiny graphics.

Actually, they have maintained the same stance since they announced the game, in that they are mum on almost everything entirely. If they are 'forced' to give in and squash one rumor, then they will 'forced' to squash each and every rumor ever.

Really, what have they announced as far as game modes? Nothing. Are we also to assume there is no exhibition mode?

# 97 bigwill33 @ 08/13/14 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gator3guy


	EASHL has been hidden in the menus hasn't it? At least last year. HUT on the other hand...its been plastered all over the game. I just cannot see how they could leave this out unless there was some kind of server issue. This game is basically a port with a graphics boost.

The menu system in this game is a complete joke. HUT is shoved down our throats, but other popular features such as OTP and Club require tedious searching and clicking just to get into a game.

And that is a reason why EASHL may not be included. The task would mean doubling the server load. In addition to PS3 and Xbox 360 you will have 2 completely new platforms that tax the dedicated servers. A

t this point I've gone from being surprised if Club wasn't included to almost being surprised if it were to be included this year. I can see the brass at EA thinking that they will get a pass for a "first year" on a new console. But to most of us this would be inexcusable, as evident in this very thread.

# 98 MizzouRah @ 08/13/14 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainSuperman


	Actually, they have maintained the same stance since they announced the game, in that they are mum on almost everything entirely. If they are 'forced' to give in and squash one rumor, then they will 'forced' to squash each and every rumor ever. Really, what have they announced as far as game modes? Nothing. Are we also to assume there is no exhibition mode?

Yep.. I assume they have a protocol from the higher ups... what can EA do to please some of the haters? Good grief.. from what I've seen and read, they have busted their butts on this years game.. relax a bit and wait to see what's in and what's out.

# 99 Arrowhead21 @ 08/13/14 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	I can see the brass at EA thinking that they will get a pass for a "first year" on a new console. But to most of us this would be inexcusable, as evident in this very thread.

The whole issue with that is the NHL team already sat out the first year of games in order to make sure they didn't put out a half-assed product. They have zero excuse.

# 100 bigwill33 @ 08/13/14 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizzouRah


	Yep.. I assume they have a protocol from the higher ups... what can EA do to please some of the haters? Good grief.. from what I've seen and read, they have busted their butts on this years game.. relax a bit and wait to see what's in and what's out.

Wait until when? They have our money and it is in our system? Would you buy any other product in the fashion that EA (and other gaming companies) expects its consumers to operate with these games?

If club is 90% of what you play, like me and my buddies, then this game has become worthless to you pretty much. I have two friends that are specifically buying Xbox One to play club and are now waiting on pulling the trigger. NHL is 75% of their gaming in general and for some of them this is the only mode they touch in that game.

Are you buying a microwave without knowing if it can defrost if that is what you use it for? Buying a car without knowing if it is front wheel or rear wheel drive, or how many doors on it? Crazy comparisons, but really this is what it is like here.

If you can name the reasoning to hold off on announcing features for this very game then please fill us in. There is no direct competition. It doesn't appear that there is any competition at all making a hockey game anytime soon. The only reason we can fathom that they are withholding the info at this point is that they have no info and that is because it is not included. Otherwise they would come out and say.

If they confirm it is not in then sales drop, stock prices perhaps fall a tad, so they stay mum. But speculation will have to suffice until we have definitive word, because often where there is smoke there is fire. And as much as it will be all of our faults for assuming one thing or another it is truly EA at fault for allowing such speculation to run wild while all they had to do was be forthcoming with something that is pretty basic by now in the retail world... feature list for an upcoming product.

Even the tightest lipped company in the world, Apple, has a major conference and announces all of the features and details of their upcoming product line around a month in advance. And we cannot find out if a game mode is in a annually released video game? We aren't even allowed to see how the game actually plays? That is not good business, sir.

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