NHL 16 News Post

NHL 16 Q&A Update - Gameplay Videos Coming This Month

08:02 PM - July 10, 2015 by Steve_OS

The NHL 16 team continues to answer questions about the game at their Ask EA page. The Q&A is copied and pasted below for easier reading. Other Q&A sessions have been posted here in the same fashion.

Will there be contracts in HUT?

HUT contracts remain unchanged in NHL 16.

With the EASHL player type builds, how are you planning on keeping all builds viable and not just have everyone gravitate towards ply or snp? For example, why would someone be a grinder? Also will player size be attached to player types?

Hi Casey, thanks for your question. The player classes are tuned with feedback from members of the community as well as hours of testing during development. Even though the classes are balanced with unique strengths/weaknesses before launch, our intention is to constantly monitor game data and review feedback from our fans to continuously tweak the builds. We will continue to listen to player feedback post launch and rectify any balance issues players may be facing.

Will boosts be returning to Ultimate Team?

Hi Jamie, good question! Training items will still be available in HUT but we are making one change in that training duration items will no longer be available. This means that training boosts can still be applied but are only good for one game.

How many mascots are in the Game?

The NHL officially have 27 mascots and every single one of them will be in the game.

Will the Coyotes new jerseys be featured in NHL 16?

The new Arizona Coyotes uniforms that were announced at the NHL Entry Draft will be in the game.

Will the Carolina Hurricanes home (PNC Arena) be in NHL 16?

The PNC Arena home of the Carolina Hurricanes will be in NHL 16.

Will u be able to grow a playoff beard in be a pro this year?

Yes. In NHL 16 you have control over what facial hair you currently have (both style and length) and/or what beard you would grow if you set yourself to clean shaven during the season and only grow during playoffs. Make it all the way to the cup final to see it in all its glory.

Will there be one-touch passes!?

Yes. You can press pass before you receive a pass to quickly pass it along to another teammate. This works well for give and go's and moving the puck around quickly on the powerplay.

Will the New York Islanders be located in Brooklyn?

Yes, we have Barclays Center in NHL 16, complete with all of its unique architecture.

Will the Rangers goal song be in the game?

In NHL 16 we will have the Rangers goal song, the crowd will chant along with it as well.

When will we see NHL 16 gameplay?

You'll get to see some gameplay this month (July).

I'm actually schooling for online programming, is there any chance you guys are looking for any new interns or maybe some new young workers?

We're always looking for new talent. Check out http://careers.ea.com/ for all job postings.

What about possibility to change jersey numbers in rosters?

Yes. We know that our fans wanted this�it was a late addition but we were able to get this in.

Why did you elect to put Kane and Toews as opposed to letting your fans vote on the cover like in previous years?

As you may have saw with our E3 trailer, the theme for NHL 16 is all about playing as team or �Play Together. Win Together.� With the return of team based modes like Online Co-Op, OTP, EASHL, our team came up with the idea of putting a winner from the Stanley Cup Champion on the cover. We actually signed players from each of the 16 NHL teams participating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but with Chicago, both Toews and Kane expressed interest in sharing the cover if the Hawks won the Cup. Given the team focus for NHL 16 we felt it was good fit and something we decided to agree to. We may elect to return to a cover vote or experiment a new cover selection process in the future, but with NHL 16 we�re happy with where things netted out. For the first time, we have teammates and one of the best duo�s in the league on the cover.

How is NHL 16 compared to NHL Legacy? Same cover?

NHL 16 and NHL Legacy Edition are two separate products with two separate covers. It's important that we make that distinction since NHL 16 continues to build on the 'next gen' foundation leveraging the power of the new consoles whereas the Legacy Edition is specific to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and does not have the same new features of NHL 16.

Will there be an option to turn off the On Ice Visual Trainer?

Yes there will be an option to turn it off.

Is there a new training mode in NHL 16 ? With more details and tutorials ?

There is a new training mode in NHL 16 which we're calling the Visual On-Ice Trainer. The great thing about this feature is that it gives you hints on both controls and some of the basic rules of hockey all during gameplay. For me personally, the best part about this feature is that it adapts as you play continuously progressing you to more and more complex moves so that both new and experienced fans will benefit.

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Member Comments

# 1 AdamJones113 @ 07/10/15 08:12 PM

Honestly... I've defended this game and EA more than most recently, but this Q&A was sheer proof that EA is picking softball questions (note EA, not necessarily the devs). Answering the PNC Arena question when the info was just released? Pointless. That last one? C'mon.

Hopefully more Q's will be answered soon. There were some good ones in here and good on the devs for answering those.

# 2 giantsharks @ 07/10/15 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_OS


	Why did you elect to put Kane and Toews as opposed to letting your fans vote on the cover like in previous years? As you may have saw with our E3 trailer, the theme for NHL 16 is all about playing as team or �Play Together. Win Together.� With the return of team based modes like Online Co-Op, OTP, EASHL, our team came up with the idea of putting a winner from the Stanley Cup Champion on the cover. We actually signed players from each of the 16 NHL teams participating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but with Chicago, both Toews and Kane expressed interest in sharing the cover if the Hawks won the Cup. Given the team focus for NHL 16 we felt it was good fit and something we decided to agree to. We may elect to return to a cover vote or experiment a new cover selection process in the future, but with NHL 16 we�re happy with where things netted out. For the first time, we have teammates and one of the best duo�s in the league on the cover.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this or maybe I'm being too harsh but this comment enrages me and has nothing to do with the way the cover was chosen. They say "As you may have saw with our E3 trailer, the theme for NHL 16 is all about playing as team or �Play Together. Win Together.� With the return of team based modes like Online Co-Op, OTP, EASHL...." This comment leads me to believe that their focus and marketing is going towards modes that were in previous versions of the game. They shouldn't act like they've made some huge improvement by putting this stuff back in the game. I know its early to tell but it feels like any other year and as someone who plays offline, this does not bode well.

# 3 King_B_Mack @ 07/10/15 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJones113


	Honestly... I've defended this game and EA more than most recently, but this Q&A was sheer proof that EA is picking softball questions (note EA, not necessarily the devs). Answering the PNC Arena question when the info was just released? Pointless. That last one? C'mon. Hopefully more Q's will be answered soon. There were some good ones in here and good on the devs for answering those.

Kinda hilarious that they answered that question and I've sent in asking them about the United Center quite a few times since they've started the Q & A and I haven't seen it answered there.

I think someone here said they finally answered someone on Twitter about it? Just hilarious to me that they're ignoring it in the actual Q & A. If it's not in, just answer the question in the Q & A and be done with it. You can say it's not in and then keep working on trying to get it in before it's too late to add it. Then if you do get it now you have a new announcement you can pat yourselves on the back about or deliver a little surprise to people when they fire up the game and it's there.

# 4 ericromain @ 07/11/15 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_B_Mack


	Kinda hilarious that they answered that question and I've sent in asking them about the United Center quite a few times since they've started the Q & A and I haven't seen it answered there. I think someone here said they finally answered someone on Twitter about it? Just hilarious to me that they're ignoring it in the actual Q & A. If it's not in, just answer the question in the Q & A and be done with it. You can say it's not in and then keep working on trying to get it in before it's too late to add it. Then if you do get it now you have a new announcement you can pat yourselves on the back about or deliver a little surprise to people when they fire up the game and it's there.

It was worse in NHL10, they never said anything negative in those Q&A chats.
At least now they throw us a bone with the no changes to HUT type responses.

# 5 canucksss @ 07/11/15 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_OS


	The NHL 16 team continues to answer questions about the game at their Ask EA page. The Q&A is copied and pasted below for easier reading. Other Q&A sessions have been posted here in the same fashion. When will we see NHL 16 gameplay? You'll get to see some gameplay this month (July). [[/i]

For goodness sakes, dont let the dumbs play in your gameplay. Have someone play vs mode, player vs AI and AI vs AI to see if there's vast improvement in gameplay. Particularly: NZ pressure. And please dont put in the easiest game mode!

# 6 bigwill33 @ 07/11/15 02:20 AM

Most of these Q&A's do absolutely nothing for me. I couldn't care less about HUT and already know most of the other stuff being "asked" and "answered".

But a few quick things from this one grabbed my eye.

The one-touch passes. Thank goodness! But they have touted this before and it never really worked right. I am really hoping that it finally is in the game and that it works the way it should.

Gameplay videos this month! Finally! The game releases in exactly 2 months. The demo should be out in a month and half, the game should be gold and final in about 5-6 weeks, and we should have our hands on the early access in less than 2 months. About time we some gameplay. Here is to hoping that it isn't hype trailers, or cut-up highlight stuff. We want raw, unedited gameplay. Maybe take a page out of SCEA's book and do some live streaming, human vs. human or human vs. cpu. Or even OTP/Club. I want to see what this game really looks like.

Finally, Even though the classes are balanced with unique strengths/weaknesses before launch, our intention is to constantly monitor game data and review feedback from our fans to continuously tweak the builds. We will continue to listen to player feedback post launch and rectify any balance issues players may be facing.

This last part really frightens me. EA has never, NEVER, followed up anything post launch when it pertains to adjusting things for the better with the NHL series. Their 4 roster updates each year and broken tuner sets (with notorious problems like bouncy pucks) should speak volumes about the track record here. Not holding my breath on this one.

And how come nobody ever asks important questions, like; can I finally poke check while having the change lines/edit formations window up? Did they fix or address the phantom and wonky goaltender interference calls? Any changes to the amount of pauses in OTP/EASHL/Online? Why is there a need to have 3 or 4 pauses per team, per game, that last 45 seconds each? Can we hold a player's stick up during a stick lift or finally pin their stick down to tie-up a man during a loose puck scramble or oncoming pass attempt? Any talk of allowing us to import our own logos or faces into the game?

You know, stuff that actually makes a difference. Not whether Iceburg will be dancing in the isles at Consol Arena, or how curly my beard will be in the 5th game of the Conference Finals. Those things are great, but really? That is what gets asked and answered here?

And for the love of god, who cares about a video game cover!!!??? It is 2015, get over what artwork is on the front of the damn box by now! It has absolutely no impact on anything whatsoever.

# 7 spidertour02 @ 07/11/15 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	The demo should be out in a month and half

I highly doubt that there will be a demo. EA seems much less inclined to release demos now that EA Access is a thing. (As an observation, demos seem to be going the way of the dodo in general.)

# 8 Smirkin Dirk @ 07/11/15 10:46 AM

Love the premise of one touch passes. Hopefully the implementation if good.

# 9 bwiggy33 @ 07/11/15 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CupCrazyManiac


	This and if the Home Teams Last Line Change "is in the game" is what I asked but... Of course no answer.

Cup, this has only been a rule since 06. You can't expect them to get this in the game in such a short amount of time.

Is anyone else annoyed of hearing the cheesey comments like this

"Yes. In NHL 16 you have control over what facial hair you currently have (both style and length) and/or what beard you would grow if you set yourself to clean shaven during the season and only grow during playoffs. Make it all the way to the cup final to see it in all its glory. "

Seriously is it really necessary for them to add the line I bolded to make them seem like they are heroes for adding playoff beards. I just wish these guys were stand up, no BS people. They probably are while in person, but we don't need the back of the box lingo that is always added to "try" and get people to buy the game. This, along with the fact they continuously answer the same questions or give information we've known for 2 months is just aggravating to me. I would have so much more respect for this team and company as a whole if they answered every question whether the feature is in the game or not. That's what I love about The Show developers. They answer nearly everything and will state why and why not requested features haven't been implemented (closed/open roofs for example). I just wish they didn't beat around the bush and gave us some honest answers. Be real, not fake.

# 10 strawberryshortcake @ 07/11/15 01:56 PM

Honestly, why don't they simply draft up a two part Q&A. One for the "hardcore" hockey gurus and the other for your "casual" hockey fans (which is essentially what we got in this particular Q&A). The same should go for the other sports. Because as a completely clueless casual hockey fan, none of the information in this particular Q&A was really of interest at all.

Side Note:

I don't know a thing about the NHL or hockey, other than trying to get the puck into the net. I have no clue when offsides is called.

Anyways, played the NHL15 demo and surprisingly the visuals were fairly nice with the exception of the outline glow surrounding all the players, especially around their faces. Played on "True Broadcast." Purposely slowed the pace down to resemble what I see on TV rather than skate around like a maniac. It was fun especially trying to setup a shot. Breakaways are cool too.

Heavily considered purchasing my first ever EA NHL hockey game come NHL16's release date, but after reading all the problems with this series especially the one where team differentiation is either not present or barely present along with this very generically done Q&A, I'll most likely wait until EA decides to address the real concerns of the simulation hockey community. Never really had a hockey game prior, don't need one now. Maybe until the simulation hockey community gives the product a thumbs up.

# 11 jyoung @ 07/11/15 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CupCrazyManiac


	This and if the Home Teams Last Line Change "is in the game" is what I asked but... Of course no answer.

In previous years, EA has stated that this feature isn't in their game because they believe people will keep backing out of online games until they get put on the home side.

People already do that anyway online to get the connection advantage of being the P2P session host, so I don't see how putting in an actual NHL rule will hurt the situation any further.

# 12 Don Jon @ 07/11/15 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	In previous years, EA has stated that this feature isn't in their game because they believe people will keep backing out of online games until they get put on the home side. People already do that anyway online to get the connection advantage of being the P2P session host, so I don't see how putting in an actual NHL rule will hurt the situation any further.

Thanks for the answer, my issue with things like this is why not just put it in the game for the offline players, and let the online people play the way they've been playing. At least give me the option to turn it on or off in my 'chise

We want options, more options = more people pleased

# 13 BCDX97 @ 07/11/15 03:38 PM

Well, at least they put in jersey number changes. Better late than never. Playing the game with forwards who are number 6 or number 1 can be a bit confusing and lame.

# 14 Madwolf @ 07/13/15 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake


	Honestly, why don't they simply draft up a two part Q&A. One for the "hardcore" hockey gurus and the other for your "casual" hockey fans (which is essentially what we got in this particular Q&A). The same should go for the other sports. Because as a completely clueless casual hockey fan, none of the information in this particular Q&A was really of interest at all. Side Note: I don't know a thing about the NHL or hockey, other than trying to get the puck into the net. I have no clue when offsides is called. Anyways, played the NHL15 demo and surprisingly the visuals were fairly nice with the exception of the outline glow surrounding all the players, especially around their faces. Played on "True Broadcast." Purposely slowed the pace down to resemble what I see on TV rather than skate around like a maniac. It was fun especially trying to setup a shot. Breakaways are cool too. Heavily considered purchasing my first ever EA NHL hockey game come NHL16's release date, but after reading all the problems with this series especially the one where team differentiation is either not present or barely present along with this very generically done Q&A, I'll most likely wait until EA decides to address the real concerns of the simulation hockey community. Never really had a hockey game prior, don't need one now. Maybe until the simulation hockey community gives the product a thumbs up.

Honestly, NHL 16 is going to be a pretty good hockey game, may be the best in a few years.

Just because people have a few mis-givings doesn't make it a bad game.

The biggest one is the difference between players in NHL 15 next gen. Hopefully that's a bit more obvious, so Crosby feels better than Daniel Sedin. Lower rating players do feel different at different skills such as puck handling, checking, passing, and shooting right now, but the main frustrations in NHL 15 were speed differences and dekeing being way to similar.

# 15 strawberryshortcake @ 07/13/15 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madwolf


	Honestly, NHL 16 is going to be a pretty good hockey game, may be the best in a few years. Just because people have a few mis-givings doesn't make it a bad game. The biggest one is the difference between players in NHL 15 next gen. Hopefully that's a bit more obvious, so Crosby feels better than Daniel Sedin. Lower rating players do feel different at different skills such as puck handling, checking, passing, and shooting right now, but the main frustrations in NHL 15 were speed differences and dekeing being way to similar.

I think I've read that it's more about "team separation." Just like in EA's FIFA, either or the majority of the entire CPU controlled teams plays the same. The same tactic, no differentiation.

My other gripe is it was a high scoring affair in the NHL15 demo. Yes, it was probably the default less challenging level but even default should present some type of challenge I would hope. Sure, you're trying to cater to the masses, but 4 to 5 goals in a demo seems quite high.

# 16 mercalnd @ 07/13/15 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCDX97


	Well, at least they put in jersey number changes. Better late than never. Playing the game with forwards who are number 6 or number 1 can be a bit confusing and lame.

I get the number 1 is usually for goalies (although there have been exceptions) but what's wrong with a forward wearing number 6?

# 17 bigwill33 @ 07/13/15 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercalnd


	I get the number 1 is usually for goalies (although there have been exceptions) but what's wrong with a forward wearing number 6?

Nothing, except that Bobby Ryan is the ONLY forward in the NHL to currently wear it.

# 18 actionhank @ 07/13/15 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madwolf


	Honestly, NHL 16 is going to be a pretty good hockey game, may be the best in a few years. Just because people have a few mis-givings doesn't make it a bad game. The biggest one is the difference between players in NHL 15 next gen. Hopefully that's a bit more obvious, so Crosby feels better than Daniel Sedin. Lower rating players do feel different at different skills such as puck handling, checking, passing, and shooting right now, but the main frustrations in NHL 15 were speed differences and dekeing being way to similar.

I know that in NHL14, there wasn't really much difference between guys like Crosby and someone like Reaves, aside from Crosby maybe having a slightly better chance at my getting him to score a goal, and Reaves being able to run over damn near everything in sight.

My biggest frustration is that they handicapped what little ability we had to affect it. Unless the sliders have suddenly started working well, we'll be stuck having to manually edit our own rosters entirely. The Revamped Rosters did a fair bit to counter the attributes all being so close in the stock game, and between that and sliders it was possible to get some pretty nice gameplay. That said, without the ability to even work around and share rosters, it's going to be pretty rough for people if the sliders don't work again.

I just wish EA could embrace letting the end user control their fate to a greater degree. Stop worrying so much about what will or won't work with some temperamental kids online, and let me actually make my game play the way I want for a change.

# 19 spidertour02 @ 07/13/15 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercalnd


	I get the number 1 is usually for goalies (although there have been exceptions) but what's wrong with a forward wearing number 6?

There's nothing wrong with it, per se. It's just very uncommon.

# 20 bad_philanthropy @ 07/13/15 02:57 PM

I still remember how odd this felt back in the day.

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