EA has released a teaser trailer for NHL 15, which is set to release in the Autumn, though it doesn’t show any gameplay. However it does give glimpses of the hockey rink and jerseys which could be taken from the PS4 and Xbox One versions, and it does look sharp and quite lifelike. The publisher has also released information about the game, and there will be differences between the current gen and last gen versions.
What will be similar between the two versions will that a new commentary team will be present, with Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick and Eddie Olczyk taking to the commentary booth, though the current gen will also have the inclusion of Ray Ferraro as well as Real Life Broadcast Integration, which will take real life pre match commentary and put it in game.
The PS4 and Xbox One versions will get a new NHL Collision Physics systems where all 12 players on the ice will be affected by physics. The puck physics have also been rebuilt and it will be be affected authentically by the ice, so will apparently be much more unpredictable. Player and equipment models have also been changed, with the body, jersey and equipment all reacting as they would in reality. You can see a glimpse of that in the trailer where the player’s jersey is reacting to the air. Players will also look like their real life counterparts. Every NHL arena has also been built in game, with it all the real details like the lighting and entrances being recreated.
In game Vision AI is being used for the computer controlled players on PS4 and Xbox One, where they will read and react to actual plays, as well as potential plays. The AI will also work out where the highest scoring areas are, as well as anticipate passes and team breakouts will flow better. The crowds will also feature 9000 individual models with four times as many animations as all previous entries to the series.
Ro6afc11
Funny you should mention ice hockey, I was having a rummage through Netflix earlier and saw that Slap Shot was on there. Now that’s a film that takes me back.
To keep this properly related to the article, I used to enjoy NHL back in the Mega Drive days but since it’s got more realistic and me knowing bugger all about the ins and outs of playing actual ice hockey it doesn’t quite have the same appeal.
Stefan L
All I know is that there’s lots of fighting and that the players aren’t allowed to take their own helmets off before a fight, so they get the other person fighting to knock their helmets off for them.
Ice hockey is a strange sport… ;)
hornet1990
Thinking I may just give this a (slap) shot! ;)
Picked up 2001 and 2002 back at the start of the PS2 era, but never got round to any on the PS3. Was tempted by the 2014 offer in the recent sale but it seems like waiting for the next gen version was the right move after all.
parryman
I play 13 to A very low standard.
I watch it to a high standard though. Go Bruins!
Sad Panda
As a hockey fan, I cannot wait for this on ps4. Love or hate EA, their sports franchises have been really good recently.
JesseDeya
As a hockey fan I hope you’re right, but as a basketball and football (american) fan I couldn’t disagree more with you. Madden 25 was shockingly bad on next gen, especially compared to things like 2K14 (NBA) or MLB The Show 14. We won’t even mention EA’s NBA entry this year… you know, the one they publicly apologised for.
I hope NHL 15 takes a step up, but I’m not holding my breathe.