NHL 16 News Post

NHL 16 Q&A Day #3

09:25 PM - May 21, 2015 by Steve_OS

After answering some questions on Tuesday and Wednesday, the NHL 16 team continued to answer questions again today.

The Q&A is copied and pasted below for easier reading.

Will you be able to edit players in GM Mode? After trades, goalies sometimes have terrible colour schemes for their equipment. Not to mention masks from other teams. Also when will we be able to resign players before the resign phase? I found that was the only unrealistic part of the game trading/signing wise. Thanks.

You will not have the ability to edit players in GM mode. We prioritized bringing back features like AHL Integration, Fantasy Draft and Sim Intervention back to Be A GM over this. This is something we will continue to look at. As for the resign phase Be A GM does not have contract extensions and contract signing/negotiations during the season at this moment. Our version of this is the resign phase in free agency which is a week before the July 1st free agency period that allows you to renegotiate with your own players before open free agency.

Will the custom camera modes return in NHL 16? (custom 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)

Custom cameras are currently lower on our priority list. At the moment, we're working on a new camera for Be A Pro, OTP and EASHL.

Why aren't there authentic coaches in the NHL series, and why isn't there an option to hire/fire coaches in be a gm mode?

Authentic coaches are definitely something that we're looking at moving forward. The main reason that they're not currently in the game is due to licensing. Hire/Fire coaches is a feature that we will continue to investigate.

Will we see defensive skill stick in NHL 16?

We will not be adding a new defensive skill stick in NHL 16 but what we are doing is ensuring that all defensive mechanics are tuned and balanced so that it's fun to play every position on the ice. For example, Precision Skating will help you on the defensive side of the puck giving you the ability to close passing and shooting lanes more effectively.

Will you FINALLY have the correct goal horns for ALL teams? For the longest time, EA has used Detroit's goal horn for Dallas' goal horn.

We are doing our best this year to get the moments around goals for each team as authentic as possible. A big focus has gone into that area and we have definitely paid close attention to the fan sites dedicated to teams unique goal moment presentation.

Will there ever be the introduction of a skills competition into the NHL series? Years ago the '2K' series had it and I found it was an exciting offline mode, that foreseeably would be able to incorporate online modes also.

We will never say �no� to great feature ideas. We are always looking to add fun modes and features that are authentic to the NHL experience. We focused this year on the modes and features that were the most requested by the community with a prime focus on ensuring there was a way for everyone to play and will continue to do so.

Does the new EASHL still allow us to put XP into our players stats?

That's a good question! In developing the new EASHL, we conducted a ton of research and really engaged with the fans. The feedback we got was that gameplay balance and a level playing field are of high importance. Because the previous EASHL allowed users to grow their pro characters' attributes by investing time or money, EASHL players who started playing after launch or who didn't purchase the boosts were often at a disadvantage. While we know it's fun to boost your pro, it takes away from the goal of making EASHL the best way to compete as a team. With the new balanced player class system, EASHL players of all levels can play and succeed based on their skill on the sticks.

In EASHL will you be able to create and name your own teams so you can invite your friends? Also will you be able to customize your skaters attributes or will it be pre-set classes? Will there be leaderboards for the teams & skaters? I appreciate you guys taking the time to answer my questions.

Hi Lyle, thanks for your questions. EASHL is a team-based game mode where you can create/customize your own club and compete alongside your friends. New to EASHL in NHL 16 is the player class system where players can select from a set of carefully balanced skater and goalie classes. This is tuned in a way so that the strengths/weaknesses of each class are authentic to hockey. It's up to you and your team on what combination of classes best suits your play style. As far as leaderboards go, there will be club and player stats available.

With couch coop online on Xbox one, will we be able to have multiple people per couch?

Hi Dallas. With online couch co-op (on both Xbox One and PS4), you and three other friends can play cooperatively in a head to head online match.

I just want plain old, regular Season Mode. Beginning to end, including playoffs and the cup. Please don't skimp on the basics that built this franchise!

Season Mode with playoffs is in the game and you will be able to play in any of the 10 leagues in NHL 16.

Are the EASHL playoffs going to be monthly again?

The playoff feature as part of Online Seasons will be the same as the previous EASHL. We're listening to our fans to determine what the right cadence of playoffs is.

Is there going to be a shootout mode in NHL 16?

Shootout mode is not in NHL 16, but it's something we're continuing to look into.

In be a GM, Will there be "expectations" like in NHL 14 where the owner told you have win this many games or make it to this round of playoffs. NHL 15 lack emotion in Be a GM.

Be A GM will not have expectations like NHL 14 but to bring out the emotion of being a real General Manager we will have the new Player Morale feature which will bring out the player interaction a real GM has to deal with in his dressing room.

Can you play in the european leagues in Be a Pro?

You will not be able to play in the European leagues in Be A Pro.

In BeAGM mode, will I be able to see my AHL/CHL players statistics?

We will have AHL integration in Be A GM. So you will be able to have statistics for your AHL players as well as be able to play games with your AHL team. We do not have statistics for CHL players in Be A GM.

Hello, I would like to ask why you can not play in GM mode for two teams at once. Thus, to be able to two players on two drivers play one season for the two teams. This feature should be the basis for a game console that is designed for multiple players in the home. The option will be in NHL16? Thank you

We will have Season Mode in NHL 16 that will allow multiple users to play together thru one season as two separate teams.

Game: NHL 16Reader Score: Vote Now
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Member Comments

# 41 Caniac94 @ 05/23/15 10:24 PM

Add me to the list of people NOT buying if Edit Player isn't in there. EA don't learn very well from their own past mistakes. It's okay, let them make the game THEY want to make and suffer for it. It's really sad that this year's game is what NHL 15 should've been and heck it doesn't even sound that complete right now, and it's not even released yet!

# 42 canucksss @ 05/23/15 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrowhead21


	and Rammer had the audacity to say "Edit Player is a priority for us"

Did he say that? WHen? If he did and we have a video of it, and if its clear that this IMPORTANT feature is not in...WE CAN SAY RAMMER YOU're A LIAR!

I dont remember him saying that though. But Honestly, I dont believe that guy ever since, I always look at the end product - then I will know if he's saying the truth or not. So obviously, I did not buy 13-14 because I learned He's not the right guy for that job.

# 43 jake19ny @ 05/24/15 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucksss


	Did he say that? WHen? If he did and we have a video of it, and if its clear that this IMPORTANT feature is not in...WE CAN SAY RAMMER YOU're A LIAR! I dont remember him saying that though. But Honestly, I dont believe that guy ever since, I always look at the end product - then I will know if he's saying the truth or not. So obviously, I did not buy 13-14 because I learned He's not the right guy for that job.

It was in his response to the edit player in BeaGM question. In fairness I'm not sure if it's Rammer answering these questions or not. The response was it's very important and something they will look into (AKA NHL17) but that they felt other things (mentioned in the answer) were more important. UGH

# 44 Samz555 @ 05/24/15 01:34 AM

Just sad I just hope they read the blogs and realize people a desperate for this...And the fact it's a such a number priority to have this BASIC feature in the game!

Hopefully they tell us soon they'll be adding it in! Hope this early reveal of the features will serve it's purpose so they'll see what they have to put in (EDIT PLAYER) so the game sells...

# 45 aaron777 @ 05/24/15 01:50 AM

EA needs to get rid of the dead weight in that department . Get rid of this rammer guy get someone who is willing to listen to his customers .Put an actual hockey fan in that chair see what they can come up with .new blood is never a bad thing maybe if this season doesn't see a huge increase in sales changes will finally happen .

# 46 canucksss @ 05/24/15 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaron777


	EA needs to get rid of the dead weight in that department . Get rid of this rammer guy get someone who is willing to listen to his customers .Put an actual hockey fan in that chair see what they can come up with .new blood is never a bad thing maybe if this season doesn't see a huge increase in sales changes will finally happen .

EA is a business, I mean a greedy business that will only listen to $$$$$. So, if they have less sales year-after-year, then the Execs. of EA will terminate these "dead weight" and I am very sure Rammer will be one of them.

SO if we really want EA to change and hear us, dont buy their lousy product.

# 47 Penaltybox4ever @ 05/24/15 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucksss


	EA is a business, I mean a greedy business that will only listen to $$$$$. So, if they have less sales year-after-year, then the Execs. of EA will terminate these "dead weight" and I am very sure Rammer will be one of them. SO if we really want EA to change and hear us, dont buy their lousy product.

Well those execs are more likely to terminate the whole series if sales go down year after year since its all about the $$$$$ as you said. They still have games that sell alot and get bigger budgets than NHL, I think the NHL team are smallest possible at present and thats why development are so slow and most noticing for the failure to release a full game last year.

# 48 jake19ny @ 05/24/15 11:04 AM

Does anyone know if there is a limit to how many created players you can usually make? As crazy as it sounds I would consider creating all the goalies and then putting then in their EA counterparts place. Very time consuming but at least if they get traded I can change their gear and mask. Absolutely absurd that this would have to be a counter measure to EA leaving out a basic feature that had been available for decades. Instead of answering season mode question twice which they have done already give an honest straight answer on why you don't have player edit in NHL 16, period. Don't insult with things like focusing on fantasy draft or whatnot were not buying it. AGAIN....the ability to customize existing players has been in the game for years and the customization options are already there! WTF!

# 49 canucksss @ 05/24/15 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penaltybox4ever


	Well those execs are more likely to terminate the whole series if sales go down year after year since its all about the $$$$$ as you said. They still have games that sell alot and get bigger budgets than NHL, I think the NHL team are smallest possible at present and thats why development are so slow and most noticing for the failure to release a full game last year.

Yes its a possibility to terminate the whole NHL project. BUT I believe there will be OTHER companies that will try to give us what we, fans of NHL, we deserve - A video game that will be closer to the real deal.

I beg to disagree that NHL market is so small and this is the reason why development are so slow in their progress. Why did EA produced a great game in 07-09? With their innovative right stick as your hockey stick?

They are lousy in giving us the product we need is because they are lazy and keep insisting to give us WHAT THEY WANT TO GIVE, a typical bullish company that has no competition. Plus, people love the game so much that even such trashy effort (such as 15) they will buy, not because they HATE the game but because they love the sports. If there's another company that will produce and really make NHL game, tons of us will just jump shipped and leave EA hanging dry.

Ever since "93, I always get EA NHL until 2003 when 2K started doing a better product. ANd I hope that another company will compete EA or EA quits producing a pathetic game, giving way to another company to produce a better quality NHL video game.

# 50 sg3751 @ 05/24/15 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinisterAlex


	Definitely. EASHL has been a huge part of the NHL series since it's inception in NHL 09. It was the only mode I played and I became devastated when I learned it wasn't in NHL 15. GM Connected was poorly executed thus played very little. Slow menus and hard to navigate menus, small playerbase, little to no options for league/ season rules, unable to use custom tuners, etc. I'd rather them focus their attention elsewhere than on a mode that lets say for the sake of an example, 5% of the community uses. EA NHL goes HUT>EASHL>Versus>Be a Pro>GM Mode>Everything else.

Right. I guess what I really wonder is how much it'd be played if EA tried more with it. There was so much performed poorly with it that I think if they were to fix, there would be a lot more users.

# 51 aaron777 @ 05/24/15 09:14 PM

No worries I haven't bought it for a couple years I'm surprised I didn't cave to be honest it's been tough I love hockey.Yeah it's really to bad 2k or another company doesn't pick it up and make their own version .Having the lack of people working on it is a piss poor excuse when u really think about it they dont rebuild the game every year . The foundation is set already u add and take away where needed ,tweek here and there. There is no way these guys can say it's brand new every year cause the same animations seem to always be in every new game created .... for the most part. Nhl 14 was a $60 roster upgrade cause they were hard at work making 15 ... which was as barebones as you can get once again a $60 slap to the face. These clowns should be sued to be honest for scamming people by shipping out unfinished product... but they make sure ultimate team works properly funny how that works .

# 52 canucksss @ 05/25/15 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaron777


	No worries I haven't bought it for a couple years I'm surprised I didn't cave to be honest it's been tough I love hockey.Yeah it's really to bad 2k or another company doesn't pick it up and make their own version .Having the lack of people working on it is a piss poor excuse when u really think about it they dont rebuild the game every year . The foundation is set already u add and take away where needed ,tweek here and there. There is no way these guys can say it's brand new every year cause the same animations seem to always be in every new game created .... for the most part. Nhl 14 was a $60 roster upgrade cause they were hard at work making 15 ... which was as barebones as you can get once again a $60 slap to the face. These clowns should be sued to be honest for scamming people by shipping out unfinished product... but they make sure ultimate team works properly funny how that works .

I tell you its really hard to convince myself not to buy because I love Hockey and NHL. But then again I am reminded how disappointed I will be and I will just be stressed out playing this lousy EA NHL game, and Im happy not buying

# 53 Weapon X @ 05/25/15 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucksss


	Yes its a possibility to terminate the whole NHL project. BUT I believe there will be OTHER companies that will try to give us what we, fans of NHL, we deserve - A video game that will be closer to the real deal.

Here's the biggest issue/question that has to be raised though: where are those companies NOW? What makes us think that if a heavy hitter like EA decides that an NHL game series simply isn't viable, it will actually entice a smaller company to take the plunge? As far as I know, the NHL has no exclusivity deal at the moment. The door is wide open, as EA clearly sees no threat to it's product from an outside source. So why is no one already laying the groundwork? Why is 2K still tooling around on the outskirts of the NHL scene with mobile shovelware? Why is NHL Faceoff still such a distant memory from a bygone console era?

Believe me, I hear you and I want to see as many NHL games as the market can sustain, but I honestly think that the belief that the demise of EA NHL would somehow pave the way for someone smaller to take the leap has the aftertaste of some very frustrated, biased and frankly bitter thinking (not that it isn't warranted, just that this issue requires a less jaded perspective on the matter).

WX

# 54 bad_philanthropy @ 05/25/15 11:46 AM

Weapon X, I think it's just indicative of the costs and increasing risk of game development in this era�and especially licensed sports games.

To achieve a product standard that is going to sell enough copies to justify the input costs (which includes licensing) embodies risk that a lot of large developers are increasingly averse to. Think of how much more attractive the mobile platform is. Huge install base, low dev costs, etc...

We just don't have any companies that are passionate about developing authentic, licensed, sports sims to the point that of overcoming the rational cost barriers like we often see in "indie" development these days.

# 55 TDKing @ 05/25/15 12:46 PM

Here's what I don't get, how does a wrestling game make more money than a hockey game ?

# 56 wheels2121 @ 05/25/15 02:20 PM

For the same reason wrestling does better on TV than hockey. SOOOO many more kids, young adults and crazies like me love it.

# 57 briguy4747 @ 05/25/15 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheels2121


	For the same reason wrestling does better on TV than hockey. SOOOO many more kids, young adults and crazies like me love it.

I am not sure why so many people are attracted to such a mindless form of entertainment

# 58 Simple Mathematics @ 05/25/15 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briguy4747


	I am not sure why so many people are attracted to such a mindless form of entertainment

Well count me as mindless then. I'll be watching it tonight.

# 59 Don Jon @ 05/25/15 08:25 PM

A quick look at nhl's twitter is all you need to see where this game is headed. They posted 3 softball q&a day's, and since then it's been all ultimate team. Ea avoided all of the question's they wanted to, which are all the question's we want answers to, so the q&a was of little info.

I used to think that there was different parts of a staff working on a video game, so when a company spent a lot of time working on ultimate team, it didn't take time away from other parts of the game. But i'm really starting to second guess that.

Look at nhl and madden, it seems ever since the ultimate team invention however many years ago, creative ideas and game changing features have dissappeared, every year it is just buzzwords or back of the box features, along with ultimate team, and bam, a new $60 game. I can't believe in 2015, an nhl game doesn't have head coaches, or edit player in franchise, or a roster share. Games have had the first 2 since what, 2000? Is nhl honestly trying its best to put out a product we all want? When I look at a company trying its best i look at SCEA and the show or the NBA 2k crew. Those games arent perfect but you get the sense they're trying.

I may be wrong but it seems like these two franchises under EA are perfectly fine with screwing over the sim crowd, and making the arcade, HUT/FUT crowd happy.

# 60 wheels2121 @ 05/25/15 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simple Mathematics


	Well count me as mindless then. I'll be watching it tonight.

I thought the chamber was next weekend?
But ya, the last poster is right. The game simply will never be geared to us simheads

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