Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

[Ryan97]

I agree with some here, this series is by behind the best sports games on the market by far. Yes thats great you have the best hockey title....But that is not saying much...The show, NBA 2K13 (I hate basketball) still blow these titles out of the water as far as capturing the sport from a presentation and realism side, Its time to step it up to the next level already. There are some glaring issues in these games (I have played them all) that anyone who lived and breathed the game of hockey as they suggest their developers do, would have picked up on years ago. Living and breathing hockey comparatively speaking to who ?

[enice128]

They gotta do something HUGE for the next generation consoles coming the end of this year....wouldnt u think?

[Fiddy]

Re: Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

I'm convinced that David Littman has no real idea of how to improve the NHL franchise and is completely in la-la-land in what he thinks works and what doesn't in NHL 13.

well, you seen what he did to the NBA Live series right? makes ya wonder at times..

[THESHAMISASHAME]

I thought NHL 13 was the best yet and really dont think alot know how to play the actually game of NHL Hockey for example most complained about no penalties BUT just like real NHL hockey most are drawn by puck control and thats how I got most of my power play opportunities .
The fighting is very weak so Im excited to see how the FN engine translates and the only other things this game is missing is more presentation , all real faces , real team introductions and new/more goalie mask designs !
All in All this is my favorite sports game with the show as its fun and sim and hu skill actually matters unlike like the show at times .

[13whitebread]

New announcers and a total revamp of presentation more of a tv style to get me to bite

[MizzouRah]

Re: Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

I thought NHL 13 was the best yet and really dont think alot know how to play the actually game of NHL Hockey for example most complained about no penalties BUT just like real NHL hockey most are drawn by puck control and thats how I got most of my power play opportunities .
The fighting is very weak so Im excited to see how the FN engine translates and the only other things this game is missing is more presentation , all real faces , real team introductions and new/more goalie mask designs !
All in All this is my favorite sports game with the show as its fun and sim and hu skill actually matters unlike like the show at times .

I'm with you.. NHL 13 has some issues, but it's fun to play and I've played more games than I've ever played in a hockey game before.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

This is the single most disappointing sports title of the major sports...

[ComaFaction]

Re: Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

I really wish the team would focus on gameplay:

- Better skating and realistic physics.
- Improve the goalies, don't just make them animate faster.
- Awareness of penalties - EASHL has turned into an interference-fest with players rarely getting the interference penalty they deserve.

Fix the game ON THE ICE then focus on fighting and "live the life."

Did you not read his interview? They are addressing all 3 of those things. In fact, 2 of them are the main features they've revealed.

[demco99]

in terms of hitting/collision-physics, the puck-carrier should be able to flick the joystick to hit back when he see's hes about to get hit, allowing him to bounce off, absorb the impact if its shoulder-to-shoulder or still get laid out if the player hitting him is large enough with great enough momentum..

[THESHAMISASHAME]

Re: Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

New announcers and a total revamp of presentation more of a tv style to get me to bite

Maybe you want more dialog ? but as far as the being there feeling in any sports video game IMO none equal Thorne and Clement in the NHL series

[FBeaule04]

Re: Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

I'm just amazed about the priorities toward that game. It's simply makes no sense.

They come out with the idead that working on a new fight engine was really needed (I know, even if it's taken from FN it's still ask for some work) and we we're dying not to get one.

On the other end, if you watch hockey a bit, you'll see that there's a lot more scrum in front of the net after the whistle (facewash, shoving, yelling, piling on, etc) and it gets worse in the playoffs. What do we got now? A whistle, a 2 seconds cut and a replay. Nice way to make it real after the whistle.

I guess that making the game more playable online is the reason that game doesn't feel anymore like hockey when you play it by yourself. Or, and it's nice from EA, making us counter by playing it against the grain to make it feel realistic.

My wishlist for NHL 14 would be simple. If you can't have a hugging from players on the ice after a goal, then why waste asking for anything else? Add to this the fact that I've never seen that much goalie been running at while no one on the ice reacts.

If it's in the game...maybe it's just making it too tough for online play...

[Money99]

Re: Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

If it's in the game...maybe it's just making it too tough for online play...

I think that's the major issue.
They're main concern is online. Whatever time they have left, is used on offline.
But online is their first, second, third, fourth and fifth priority.

BTW, I also agree that team hugs are needed for this game. Go to Puck Daddy and you'll see that they have full posts dedicated to hockey hugs.

NHL2K3 had it. How come a game can't do it 10 years later?

[FBeaule04]

Re: Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

I think that's the major issue.
They're main concern is online. Whatever time they have left, is used on offline.
But online is their first, second, third, fourth and fifth priority.

BTW, I also agree that team hugs are needed for this game. Go to Puck Daddy and you'll see that they have full posts dedicated to hockey hugs.

NHL2K3 had it. How come a game can't do it 10 years later?

Let's see...Few years ago, there was a complain that there was only the guys who got point that we're hugging in the cutscene after a goal.

What did EA do? They come out swinging saying that next year, to the popular demand, the 5 guys on the ice will now hudlle up after a goal and celebrate. Perfect? Yep!

Then, the things got a bit tricky. NHL players started to celebrate in solo after a goal, like they we're in Midget A, and there was people who asked to do the same in the game. Stating the obvious If it's in the game, it's in the game (makes me wonder if Sidney Crosby has to pay to fill his speed boost slot for some games) they had a good argument.

What did EA do? They come out swinging with jumping in the glass, sliding on the ice, Tiger Williams ride the stick move, etc...Perfect? Yep! Wait a minute...No!

EA Sports are the best people adding by substractions (like in the sentence : We put less in the game, we ask more for it, and we'll milk you with gimmicks on XBL to add to the game!). They are the Gretzky's of gaming in that matter. We got solo celebrations and we need to have players sliding toward the bench to give high five. Geez, people are going to scream it's too long a 30 seconds cut scene. Let's cut the hugging after a goal, no one will complain!

Well, since EA never took out something that was in the game out to get it back in 6-7 years later and stating that it's a brand new innovations, I don't see hugging after a goal and 3 stars at the end of the game getting the same treatment.

What? They already did that with broken glass and goalies fight? I'm sorry for my mistakes then...

All in all, this isn't to say that they aren't acting ok. I mean, we have a choice, buy the game or not. It's just that there's a point we're a customer is saying : "Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk" before getting exciting again. Mr. Littman and all the people in EA can say whatever they want, if this fall the game as holes like it had for the last few years, we'll be at the same point.

[13whitebread]

Maybe you want more dialog ? but as far as the being there feeling in any sports video game IMO none equal Thorne and Clement in the NHL series

I agree Thorne and clement are good but I am interested in more dialog but I would like to see an announcer that currently does hockey I.E. any number of announcers around the league everybody has there favorites so I won't go into who they should pick the fact of the matter Thorne just does not commentate NHL games any longer. This is classic EA getting by on the cheap the fans have been calling for this for at least 3 years. That is why Sean rammer said last year much to the dismay of our fans Gary and Bill will be returning this says to me they know we want a change. As for who rivals them look to NBA 2 k series that's how you do play by play with TV style presentation.

[canucksss]

Re: Producer David Littman Talks NHL 14

All in all, this isn't to say that they aren't acting ok. I mean, we have a choice, buy the game or not. It's just that there's a point we're a customer is saying : "Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk" before getting exciting again. Mr. Littman and all the people in EA can say whatever they want, if this fall the game as holes like it had for the last few years, we'll be at the same point.

sure, they will have the updated conference/division in NHL 14 but still not buying if i dont see/read significant changes in offline BaGM.