NHL 15 News Post

The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer

11:50 AM - August 18, 2014 by RaychelSnr

As of this writing, fans of EA's NHL franchise don't know what's going on with several of the popular modes in the upcoming Xbox One and PS4 versions of the game. And in some ways, it now doesn't matter. To be sure, people would like to see EASHL, OTP, GM Connected and everything else “in the game,” as EA likes to say, but in terms of messaging and transparency, the damage has been done. A failure of communication has led to a good number of faithful fans feeling alienated or taken for granted. The stereotype of a company that's ardently pro-business marches on.

Read More - The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer

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# 21 Crank Master @ 08/18/14 04:54 PM

Being a long time fan of the series, the apparent "curtain of silence" has been quite annoying. This article is SPOT ON when it comes to micro-transactions. Lets face it. We have seen this type of thing developing harder and harder all the time (and yes... i bought horse armor). HOWEVER there is a sizeable community that has religeously battled for NHL supremecy for years and i personally find the lack of this feature in the initial release of next generation consoles very hard to forgive. In my circle of online friends this has been highly anticipated. Interesting to see whats to come of this as i assure you... while i do not play HUT or GM modes, I cannot remember a year that i did not only buy the title, but a four thousand point card to purchase all the upgrades i could before even seeing the practice rink. Mr. Wigmore, i salute you!

# 22 half-fast @ 08/18/14 05:22 PM

Nice article. Agree 100%

# 23 Gotmilkman24 @ 08/18/14 05:40 PM

does anyone know how true this live the life online mode is?

# 24 Retropyro @ 08/18/14 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	In another wonderful move by EA it is looking like those of us who paid for Early Access will be limited to just six hours with the full game prior to the release date.

You didn't pay for "Early Access", the program is called "EA Access", which was stated to have "limited time trials 5 days before release". Not "here's the full retail copy 5 days early to play until your heart's content".

# 25 Shakes @ 08/18/14 05:56 PM

I never understood the fascination with any of the Ultimate Teams myself whether it be Madden, NHL, etc. I always thought they would make some type of money with the EASHL to be honest in some capacity.

# 26 Jet Sufferer @ 08/18/14 06:38 PM

"The stereotype of a company that's ardently pro-business marches on."

If you changed the "pro-business" part to "anti-consumer" I would agree.

Hence the problem many have with EA. I doubt many business owners would see the things EA does that make their consumers angry as "pro-business".

I doubt the Wharton School of Business would advise future business leaders to be as vague as possible about your product, silent on key consumer concerns, etc.

In fact, EA seems to be especially tone deaf in their business practices.

Why not get out in front and explain why EASHL isn't in if it isn't? Be upfront and transparent with your consumer and try and gain their loyalty. By not addressing the issue you leave open the speculation that you're looking for the "short buck". Allowing people who don't follow closely to go and purchase NHL 15, ripping open the shrink wrap, trying to play EASHL and....OOPS!.

Even if they're not callously doing that, remaining silent on the issue leaves people to assume that in fact, that's exactly what you're doing. Looking for the short buck with no regard to future sales and consumer loyalty is not a "pro-business" stance, unless we're talking about a "Mr. Burns" type from The Simpsons.

Look at EA Access. Many, based on their experience with Season Ticket expected far more than 6 hours with Madden 15. Let's not pretend for one second that when they rolled out this product that they didn't know that Madden 15 would be limited to 6 hours. Let's also not pretend that they didn't know that this would be a question.

Why not divulge this information before you start taking people's money?? Well the cynic would say, they know what people expect based on Season Ticket, so let's take their money NOW and when they get upset we can say "hey look at the fine print". Technically EA would be correct, but are you engendering brand loyalty with this approach or creating more distrust with your consumer? Hardly a "pro-business" model to anyone but the most hardened cynic.

Their track record doesn't help them any in this regard. From procuring exclusive licences for sports and leagues and in many peoples opinion releasing a minimally upgraded product for years on end with little changes to AI routines in their sports games, many feel they're playing essentially the same game for YEARS.

Now add in the cynical mobile game model or microtransactions and looking for "whales", people who will spend hundreds, some THOUSANDS (admitted to here and other sites) on silliness (MY OPINION) like Ultimate Team and trading card games and it only magnifies consumer doubts.

Some see these games moving to a model of having a barely functional, generic single player game, with the barest of upgrades each year, shining up the graphics (which equates to "realism" to many) and putting their effort into making their games cash cows and hunting for whales.

Scoring the same trick goals against the computer for 7 years, no problem, slants still money for 10 years? So what! How about those visors though, check out the reflections! Ignore the underlying product and check out all the OTHER ways we have now to make the game fun and competitive! That 60 dollar game has a new "casino" quality to it, you can spend thousands and be ranked in the top 10!

Kid got into mom's wallet and entered in credit card info? Spent 800 on Ultimate Team and now you can't pay your mortgage? Talk to our lawyers.

Ultimately (lol) I think there will be a challenge to the casino quality of some of these games, there is a part of it that has a gambling element to it, we certainly know that some personality types will become addicted. I think in the near future you might need to be 18 or 21 to play some of these Ultimate Team modes.

I'm not sure I like where gaming is headed, and EA is not the only one taking us down this road.

# 27 statum71 @ 08/18/14 06:48 PM

I'm just hoping for season mode (multiplayer).

Otherwise, no use in me buying it.

# 28 ericromain @ 08/18/14 07:14 PM

EA NHL had a lot more transparency a few year ago (NHL09-NHL10 era) When David Littman would give us quick clips breaking down subtle nuances of changes. There were live chats, developer blogs, redshirt used to come on the forums, a ton of community outreach talking about how much they are listening to the hardcore guys, and Littman (being an ex NHLer himself) really made me believe that the game was being made by hockey fans for hockey fans. I've never really had that vibe from rammer.
I don't think they've stopped listening, but they've stopped reaching out.
NHL 14 kinda gave us all the features all at once in May and we've just been riding the sizzle trailer train all summer.
Perhaps we're seeing an oddball year for the launch of next gen, where so much had to be rebuilt that they are afraid to call out what is getting squeezed in and what has to be cut.

It is a shame that they are keeping us in the dark this year over some tough cuts.

# 29 kerosene31 @ 08/18/14 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywood88


	The other thing is who ever said that a game needs to come out right before the season? If the nhl team is understaffed put the game out later rather the put out a "this is the best we could do in our development window."

I never understood why the NHL game has to come out before training camps even start. I always found it odd that NHL hit the streets before Fifa. The rosters are a complete mess when the game drops. They used to have to race 2k to get their game out, but that doesn't happen anymore.

# 30 canucksss @ 08/18/14 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericromain


	EA NHL had a lot more transparency a few year ago (NHL09-NHL10 era) When David Littman would give us quick clips breaking down subtle nuances of changes. There were live chats, developer blogs, redshirt used to come on the forums, a ton of community outreach talking about how much they are listening to the hardcore guys, and Littman (being an ex NHLer himself) really made me believe that the game was being made by hockey fans for hockey fans. I've never really had that vibe from rammer.

THIS! Ever since that Ram took over....the franchise started the downhill slide fast. NHL 12 was the worst, IMO, no penalties in BaGM and you'd be lucky to get 2 in a game with 10 mins per period, AS difficulty. UNREALISTIC! And whats in the game? Goalie fight??: YEA BABY....dumb!

I dont know why they cannot have add more people to work on this.....because they want greater profit?? Sure....i hope if EA cannot include eashl, NHL 15 will hit bottom and will not make any profits....more of a loss so that new people can come in and really, seriously, make the necessary changes to make this NHL Game reflect the real NHL.

Great write up BTW.

# 31 Fiddy @ 08/18/14 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericromain


	EA NHL had a lot more transparency a few year ago (NHL09-NHL10 era) When David Littman would give us quick clips breaking down subtle nuances of changes. There were live chats, developer blogs, redshirt used to come on the forums, a ton of community outreach talking about how much they are listening to the hardcore guys, and Littman (being an ex NHLer himself) really made me believe that the game was being made by hockey fans for hockey fans. I've never really had that vibe from rammer. I don't think they've stopped listening, but they've stopped reaching out. NHL 14 kinda gave us all the features all at once in May and we've just been riding the sizzle trailer train all summer. Perhaps we're seeing an oddball year for the launch of next gen, where so much had to be rebuilt that they are afraid to call out what is getting squeezed in and what has to be cut. It is a shame that they are keeping us in the dark this year over some tough cuts.

when he took over, it made me wonder. then i seen his tweets, and i see why the series is where it is now. very frustrating!

# 32 18 eighty 5 @ 08/18/14 08:38 PM

It would seriously suck if EA locked away the NHL license and then canned the series entirely. Bringing a 'If we cant have it no one can' mentality.

# 33 bigwill33 @ 08/18/14 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retropyro


	You didn't pay for "Early Access", the program is called "EA Access", which was stated to have "limited time trials 5 days before release". Not "here's the full retail copy 5 days early to play until your heart's content".

I don't know what I've paid for because they keep making the rules up as they go along.

# 34 ChitownFan526 @ 08/18/14 09:21 PM

This article is terrific. Well written and 100% on target with the real problems plaguing this company. Pro-business isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but the part where you start alienating your fan base...that's bad for business in the long run.

# 35 Smirkin Dirk @ 08/19/14 08:34 AM

The article states EASHL players make up 10% of the NHL market.

But I'd imagine that 10% may be the difference between profit and loss for the franchise.

# 36 actionhank @ 08/19/14 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericromain


	EA NHL had a lot more transparency a few year ago (NHL09-NHL10 era) When David Littman would give us quick clips breaking down subtle nuances of changes. There were live chats, developer blogs, redshirt used to come on the forums, a ton of community outreach talking about how much they are listening to the hardcore guys, and Littman (being an ex NHLer himself) really made me believe that the game was being made by hockey fans for hockey fans. I've never really had that vibe from rammer. I don't think they've stopped listening, but they've stopped reaching out. NHL 14 kinda gave us all the features all at once in May and we've just been riding the sizzle trailer train all summer. Perhaps we're seeing an oddball year for the launch of next gen, where so much had to be rebuilt that they are afraid to call out what is getting squeezed in and what has to be cut. It is a shame that they are keeping us in the dark this year over some tough cuts.

Agreed. Those updates used to be great. When they introduced stuff it was nice to see a little in game footage where Matt would go through and point out what took place in the old game, and how the new game worked. We could see side by side, as well as in game, the changes that were being implemented.
Now nothing gets released without awesome graphics and slow motion cuts. I don't want any of that stuff, just tell me what's changed, and how you've made it better.
I remember watching videos of them just showing new improvements without the need for it looking like a movie trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_MIPsGAY4g And sure the game has improved some since then, but it would be pretty hard to tell NHL14 apart from that video. The players move a bit less spastically thanks to the improved skating, but honestly, board play doesn't look too changed.
I might end up holding out on 15. I don't want to buy NHL14 with Next-Gen graphics, just for the sake of playing hockey. I've got NHL14, and hopefully someone will release a roster update for 14 to get this next season started.
All of which sucks, because i was really looking forward to playing 15.

# 37 13whitebread @ 08/19/14 03:48 PM

EA pro business marches on. Frustrated along with others

# 38 IG 88 @ 08/19/14 05:36 PM

A shame. For every step EA seems to take in trying to win people over, they almost immediately fall right back. For all the slow leak of information (finally, gameplay! arenas!), it is unfortunate that it takes this long to get the information people would care about the most (loss of modes for "NEXT GEN").

Considering NHL 14 had pretty minimal updgrades (pitiful Live the Life and nominal NHL 94) and that current gen NHL 15 seems almost untouched (just the announce team?) ... seems like the last two years were not well spent. Nobody wins.

# 39 jbush3 @ 08/19/14 06:47 PM

I am one of the casual NHL fans. I probably don't know more than 15 players in the league, but I love this game. Me and about 4 of my friends buy this every year for the EASHL, and we have a blast. We suck, meaning we may win one out of every 6-7 games but man do we enjoy it.

Obviously not having it in the game for the Xbox One, we as a group will not buy it. We were looking forward to this for months (we all finally have the next gen), and we are crazy disappointed that its not in the game.

We are hoping and anxiously waiting that the Crew will be back in NBA 2K for the next gen.

# 40 jaateloauto @ 08/19/14 07:41 PM

I applaud EA for at least saying something. Unlike with NBA 2K12 when on release date we found Crew mode (EASHL equivalent) missing.

Still, I have no reason to buy the game without EASHL so see you next year.

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