Having said that, I do feel more positive about their planned features this year. Why couldn't they just be called trade AI, skating engine and game AI?!!! Even with the anticipated improvements this year, they've still had to use ridiculous names such as GM Brain AI, True Performance Skating and Hockey IQ. I know I say this every year, but if only NHL would move away from marketing gimmicks. FIFA has moved away from the annual release of a gimmicky feature to concentrating on solid AI. FIFA is now an extremely good simulation of football (soccer) whereas NHL is more arcade. Yes, the skill stick was a neat idea but that feels like the only major gameplay change over the past seven years.Ĭompare NHL with the development of FIFA's AI and gameplay between 20 and it's huge. I don't mean totally the same just not all that different. The game's AI has felt pretty much the same since 2004 (the last version of the game that I truly enjoyed and played to death). IF they really do overhaul the AI then I'd be very interested in getting it. I still haven't made my mind up about this release. All things being well, this year's iteration could be a big step forward for the franchise. As far as I'm concerned, this is really great news. With the exception of the Be A GM mode (which is both single and multiplayer), there hasn't been much news with regards to the multiplayer game. Instead, you set up your preference list and then the AI runs the draft based upon your list.Īs for new features other than gameplay, there is going to be an NHL Moments Live feature allowing you to play "memorable moments" from the 2011/12 season (maybe the Bruins v Canucks game from earlier this year?! ) along with 2012/13 moments which will be added throughout the duration of next season. Oddly, users won't be able to take part in the NHL Entry Draft. The trade AI is being targeted in particular (EA Sports has dubbed it the GM Brain AI - did it really need a name?!). This all sounds rather good - assuming of course that EA Sports actually delivers what it says.Īnother area undergoing overhaul is the Be A GM mode. With regards to the offence, apparently it will be much harder to shoot accurately when skating fast. Whilst on the topic of defence, apparently defencemen will no longer be successful when "poke check spamming". Additionally, players will fatigue more quickly/realistically. In contrast, players in NHL 2012 glided less than 1% of the time! EA Sports is looking to make the skating more realistic and also prevent forwards from being able to unrealistically skate rings around the defence. According to a study by EA Sports, players in the NHL glide nearly 40% of the time.
The most hyped feature for this year is most probably the True Performance Skating. If it lives up to its promise then it may well make a big difference to the single player game. There will also be improved and more realistic tactical options. the fourth line will play more aggressively in the corners and finish their checks). if you cross over into their lane, they will know that they should criss cross and position themselves for a scoring opportunity), and better player differentiation on the ice (e.g. Examples of this improved AI, or Hockey IQ (to use its fancy name), include better goalie awareness (particularly during odd man rushes), improved team mate AI (e.g. According to EA Sports, they have spent more time developing the AI in NHL 13 than the past three years combined. NHL 13 will see the introduction of what they're calling EA Sports Hockey IQ. Producer Sean Ramjagsingh recently said that the developers are looking to dispel the general view that the game's AI has been underdeveloped. A large portion of the development has been in the mutliplayer aspect of the game. Although the game has improved somewhat each year, I haven't bothered buying a copy since NHL 09 because the single player has never really felt that different.
#Nhl 2004 rebuilt old rosters series#
In my view, the most recent iterations of the NHL series have been a bit disappointing with usually one new gimmicky feature each year which "will revolutionise the way you play the game". News of EA Sports NHL 2013 is starting to come through.
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