NHL 17 News Post

How Could Presentation Be Improved In NHL 18

11:41 AM - February 6, 2017 by RaychelSnr

Okay, hands up, who can remember the disappointment that was NHL 15? The jump to current-gen was a tough transition for the NHL series, as it was for many other long-running franchises. In the midst of the move, a whole range of features were stripped away, including the ultra-popular EA Sports Hockey League. In some ways, it felt like a lockout year for our beloved hockey series as our collective, team-based aspirations of virtual glory went on hold for 12 months.

As disappointing as it was to be a fan during this time period, that first current-gen release implemented a wide variety of gameplay and presentation upgrades, thereby establishing a solid base for the future. Since then, an additional two iterations of the series have been released on Xbox One and PS4, and while upgrades have been made across the board, certain presentation features have been left largely untouched. Of course, NHL's visual and audio aspects aren't exactly sub-par in general, but while many of them remain impressive, others have simply grown stale.

I personally love EA Sports' NHL series, and above all else, I'm a huge fan. Like any dedicated supporter, I've got bugbears and wishlist items to detail, so here are my thoughts on the future of NHL's presentation suite.

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# 21 rbiaci @ 02/08/17 01:09 PM

Haven't played NHL series since nhl11 it will take a lot to bring me back I love NBA 2k

# 22 actionhank @ 02/08/17 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEOPARADIGM


	So long as it's the correct five guys, wearing the correct gear, correct numbers, etc., i can't see anyone caring if they aren't real time.. those milestone goals are great. put together 5 or 8 cutscenes for 'standard' goals and 3 or 4 more for 'big' goals and it would be more than enough. anyway i've posted before but i think a CBC/hockey night in canada presentation package would be both appropriate and awesome for this franchise.

I would love for more stuff to happen "On ice". There are just so many glaring cuts in the game. It would be nice to get a bit more in terms of realistic goal celebrations, and just other various things that play out on the ice without dropping to a cut scene.

The shoving and stuff after the play is nice, but it would be better to see guys start to skate off the ice, and also maybe have some better animations for various types of players. As it stands now, you just end up having a handful of pairs doing the exact same animations where they shove and grab each other. It would be cool to see stuff like scrums, guys pulling each other back, players talking to the refs between plays, after whistles, before faceoffs, etc.

Everything just has a tendency to feel very canned. You score a goal, do one of two celebrations if you're me (Jump into the boards, or scrape the ice...because the others are all just goofy) and then everyone kind of follows after you, before you glide into the boards, net or other players as it plays out, then it suddenly cuts to a player or two patting you.

Personally, I wouldn't mind more animations for just general things to break up the 5 guys skating and doing the same few things. Defenders patting their goalie, guys who are tired showing it on the ice after the whistle, players talking to each other on near miss goals, or maybe before faceoffs.

Basically just anything on ice to kind of break up the usual guys standing around, and preferably less cuts to the close ups right after. I don't mind the camera moving, or zooming, but it can kind of take you out of things to score a goal, have you lonely player jump into the glass, then quickly cut to guys mobbing you, followed by another cut to you skating down the bench, followed by replays...

# 23 metallidevils @ 02/08/17 06:12 PM

I've been a Devils fan my entire life so I have always loved listening to Doc. Having said that, the commentary in this game is probably the worst out of any sports game I've played in almost 20 years. I don't understand if/how/why EA could tell him to be totally emotionless.

# 24 MizzouRah @ 02/08/17 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionhank


	I would love for more stuff to happen "On ice". There are just so many glaring cuts in the game. It would be nice to get a bit more in terms of realistic goal celebrations, and just other various things that play out on the ice without dropping to a cut scene. The shoving and stuff after the play is nice, but it would be better to see guys start to skate off the ice, and also maybe have some better animations for various types of players. As it stands now, you just end up having a handful of pairs doing the exact same animations where they shove and grab each other. It would be cool to see stuff like scrums, guys pulling each other back, players talking to the refs between plays, after whistles, before faceoffs, etc. Everything just has a tendency to feel very canned. You score a goal, do one of two celebrations if you're me (Jump into the boards, or scrape the ice...because the others are all just goofy) and then everyone kind of follows after you, before you glide into the boards, net or other players as it plays out, then it suddenly cuts to a player or two patting you. Personally, I wouldn't mind more animations for just general things to break up the 5 guys skating and doing the same few things. Defenders patting their goalie, guys who are tired showing it on the ice after the whistle, players talking to each other on near miss goals, or maybe before faceoffs. Basically just anything on ice to kind of break up the usual guys standing around, and preferably less cuts to the close ups right after. I don't mind the camera moving, or zooming, but it can kind of take you out of things to score a goal, have you lonely player jump into the glass, then quickly cut to guys mobbing you, followed by another cut to you skating down the bench, followed by replays...

Agreed... more of a "live" feeling to the game would be nice. Like the animation where the player looks likes he's about to blow a bubble.. LOL.. the stoppage in play stuff gets really repetitive - they have added some nice touches like the sliver stick presentation, etc.. but there is so much they can hopefully add.

# 25 jake19ny @ 02/10/17 10:00 AM

A lot of great ideas in here. Just one small addition to my wish list I posted. I may be in the minority here but I would rather they eliminate the celebration buttons and just have automatic realistic goal celebrations that fit the way the goal was scored. Just have a bunch of realistic generic celebrations along with some signature ones that some star players do. A system like MLB the show has where you can assign HR celebration swings or swing types to players would be great. You can use this on your created players or change in edit a player.

# 26 Sportsworth @ 02/10/17 10:08 AM

If 2K ever made a NHL game again that would be great! My complaint about EA NHL is that you cant upload your own logos to create teams. Very limited with custom creation as far as making a team goes. Can't stand the commentary too. I'm at the point that I turned it off for good. Once again NBA 2K17 shows how commentary in sports games should be done.

# 27 csamuelsvt @ 02/10/17 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallidevils


	I've been a Devils fan my entire life so I have always loved listening to Doc. Having said that, the commentary in this game is probably the worst out of any sports game I've played in almost 20 years. I don't understand if/how/why EA could tell him to be totally emotionless.

Welcome to another fellow Devils fan! #LGD!

The fact that they don't have Doc's great enthusiasm really disappoints me. His goal calls got a little better with NHL 17 and I hope they continue to work on them for NHL 18, ESPECIALLY in big moments/all playoff goals. It simply is not there. Also, when pinning the computer in the offensive zone or when they pin you in the defensive zone, Doc gets somewhat excited, but they did not add to this for NHL 17. It is pretty much the same as it was for NHL 16. I believe most of the commentary went towards the milestones/World Cup of Hockey

They also dont have basic "Sends it across, SCORESSSSS *insert goal scorer's full name or last name" which is one of his trademark goal calls. I, and I am sure yourself, could bring up many more trademark calls that aren't in the game yet.

# 28 Fiddy @ 02/12/17 08:18 AM

NBA Live's arena atmosphere was pretty solid. Them having a regular season crowd, a playoff crowd, a conference finals crowd, and then a finals crowd was great.

If they could do that somehow that would be awesome. Even when the home team takes a penalty, boo the refs etc. Or when the home team player gets tripped up, high sticked, no call, booooooooooo.

Small things here and there would go a long ways.

# 29 13whitebread @ 02/12/17 10:03 AM

I emulate the season I would like to see a place you can put your player If he has an injury in the real season. For instances instead of me having to banish him to the minors put him in an injury slot so it will not affect my 23 man roster. And if I am playing the season when their is a jersey update have it available in my season mode. All it looks like the winter classic is here to stay as long as the all star is so have these available during season mode. If it's in the game it's in the game. EA Sports don't just say it do it sincerely from a Sega genesis fan

# 30 actionhank @ 03/08/17 02:16 PM

Something a bit disappointing I noticed (and mentioned in the impressions thread) is that there was no fanfare over my team's first game after relocation. No big deal about our last game in the playoffs, and our first home game in the new city, and Doc and Eddie are talking about the Rangers' win streak at 1-0-0.

# 31 Simple Mathematics @ 03/08/17 09:06 PM

As far as commentary goes, I really wouldn't care if they did not have a real-life commentator in the game. I would rather have a guy who works for EA do it. This way, they could record a ton of new lines and they could constantly update it.

I would take anyone who displays a lot of emotion in their voice to do the commentary.

Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

# 32 MDgolf @ 03/09/17 02:46 PM

This game has some of the worst presentation ever. Playoff mode specifically. They don't even mention what game number of the series it is. I see this thread every year and they never implement any of our suggestions so why bother. Too bad because the game is playing better each year.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 33 actionhank @ 03/09/17 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simple Mathematics


	As far as commentary goes, I really wouldn't care if they did not have a real-life commentator in the game. I would rather have a guy who works for EA do it. This way, they could record a ton of new lines and they could constantly update it. I would take anyone who displays a lot of emotion in their voice to do the commentary. Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

I'd honestly be fine with that. One thing I always thought would be a nice little DLC type thing was something that FIFA had years ago, though I don't know that they still offer it. It was essentially commentary packs, but in languages not included by default. It would be cool to have "Home Team" announcer packs and presentation available to use for your home games, though that would assume they got team specific announcers to come in and record a ton of dialogue.

But, a boy can dream about having JK and Panger calling the game someday.

# 34 hawley088 @ 03/09/17 05:32 PM

real time dynamic camera instead of the same 5 cut scenes over and over

they usually show some cool views in the trailers, why cant they use those in the actual game

nhl series seriously has like no "little things" in the game anymore, what happen to the fans banging on the glass or booing when an opposing star player has the puck, etc etc

# 35 sfpxgalaxy @ 03/12/17 04:18 PM

I would focus on sound first.
Commentary is just terrible.
Crowd sound is also mismanaged.

Secondly, I would work on the interface which is still way too slow and not particularly beautiful.

# 36 robinson @ 03/14/17 06:22 PM

Have the ****ty commentary saved from previous yrs like tuners so you can choose or select randomness.

Drivable Zambonis (press button to go).

Make ice more realistic looking, get the photo (face) thing in there. Same with jerseys. It still will look 3d video game like.

1080p hd arena/city fly overs and more of them. Have this as a separate download so it can be on ps4 and not on disk for space.

Whatever was good in 2k put it in this, cut and paste.

Really need to feel like your carving on the ice. More ice skating sliders.

0-1000 for overall speed slider. The most important thing is overall speed it makes a big diff. in the gameplay.

More angles from arena during off play.

Have a section where you can walk around the rink, into the locker rooms, anywhere in rink before after game, like practice section.

# 37 scitychamps87 @ 03/14/17 08:13 PM

I think for as much as the game has some realistic strong points in presentation, like the NBC overlays, playoff atmospheres, and certain stat banners, I do believe they are not using Doc Emrick to his full potential. Then again, the guy is probably hard to get in studio with a limited budget and his very limited time. I just want to hear his trademark excitement become more prominent. Doc is part of what makes hockey in America as awesome as it is.

# 38 BigBadAss33 @ 03/15/17 05:00 PM

Wow!! great ideas everyone..

Commentary - yup needs improving that goes without saying

Franchise and BAP... these are great but are missing like everyone said the little things.

Here is what i would love to see added to franchise Mode. -

1. Better/More Injuries
2. If a guy gets hurt during a game and is out, how come I know when he is coming back when the game is over and then check the injury report and it says pending evaluation. Is my doctor an psychic?
3. BLOOD - Im Sorry, its time.. Guys get cut all the time - its part of the game
4. Home team last change choice
5. Players holding out
6. Trade Demands
7. Coach firing
8. SCOUTING - Why can I only scout FW? Shouldn't i be able to scout EVERYONE playing in the games i see??
9. Growth potential system needs work.
10. More input from coaches in minor leagues. (Hot player, suggestions on call ups)
11. Better CPU Trade Logic -
12. NHL Today style show (league highlights ect)

Im sure there is a few im forgetting but its a start

thanks

# 39 actionhank @ 03/16/17 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBadAss33


	Wow!! great ideas everyone.. Commentary - yup needs improving that goes without saying Franchise and BAP... these are great but are missing like everyone said the little things. Here is what i would love to see added to franchise Mode. - 1. Better/More Injuries 2. If a guy gets hurt during a game and is out, how come I know when he is coming back when the game is over and then check the injury report and it says pending evaluation. Is my doctor an psychic? 3. BLOOD - Im Sorry, its time.. Guys get cut all the time - its part of the game 4. Home team last change choice 5. Players holding out 6. Trade Demands 7. Coach firing 8. SCOUTING - Why can I only scout FW? Shouldn't i be able to scout EVERYONE playing in the games i see?? 9. Growth potential system needs work. 10. More input from coaches in minor leagues. (Hot player, suggestions on call ups) 11. Better CPU Trade Logic - 12. NHL Today style show (league highlights ect) Im sure there is a few im forgetting but its a start thanks

As far as blood in a sports game goes, I don't imagine you'll ever see it. If I remember right it causes them to have to change the rating on the game.

That said, I do like all of the other ideas. There's just no real excitement in the Franchise mode. There aren't any players demanding trades, there aren't rumors of guys hitting free agency, hell, you don't even know who is actually likely to hit free agency until they do, and even then you're pretty much stuck making one offer and seeing which team they pick after that. There's no negotiating.

There's so much that could be added to make the game fun. Right now the offseason is just a chore for me.

# 40 MizzouRah @ 03/16/17 03:13 PM

I agree that franchise mode needs a major overhaul. The CPU AI is horrible at signing players that can make a difference. They will have 2 top starting goalies and many other issues signing players that make no sense because they have youth at that position who should be in the NHL instead of the AHL.

The offseason should be about stories.. like in RL where will Shattenkirk go? We need bidding and some sort of team summary report to see who went where, etc.

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