NHL 15 Demo is out now on Xbox One, Kings playable.

[CowMix]

I cancelled my PS4 pre-order because OTP is my favorite mode (no EASHL doesn't bother me since I don't care about upgrading my own player) and the game will probably be discounted when the patch is finally released. Especially since for normal 5 on 5 I can already play as the Kings in the demo.

 

[Hatter]

Does this change anyone's mind?
By all accounts, it sounds like EA Sports was well aware of what features were missing from their game, but rather than miss the start of the 2015 NHL season they decided to get the game out on schedule. Thankfully, though, they are not simply wiping their hands and moving on, but working hard to make sure these features/modes make their way into the game. And those features and modes are:

September:

Playoff Mode – Create a custom offline tournament bracket with up to 16 teams from any of the 12 leagues in the game. Play or simulate each game and track player and team stats throughout the tournament.

Be A Pro (Coach Feedback) – Get the coach’s feedback while you are on the bench. The coach will give you tips on how to stay on top of your game and grade you on your play.

3 Stars of the Game – At the end of the game, see the three stars and their high level stats. Will apply to every game mode.

Hockey Ultimate Team – Several content updates, including:
• Changed layout and navigation in HUT store
• New animations for player items
• Improved edit lines screen to better identify players that are injured or require contract extensions

October:

Online Team Play – Online multiplayer mode where every player on the ice can be human controlled.

GM Draft – For the first time in the NHL franchise, you will be put on the clock and feel the pressure like real NHL GM’s. You will now only have 3 minutes to make a draft pick. If the pressure is too much, you can also call timeouts to extend the amount of time you have to make a draft pick or potentially negotiate a trade. You can make trades at any time during the draft. The CPU will also propose trades to each other and the user throughout the draft.

 

[Degenerate]

Does this change anyone's mind?
By all accounts, it sounds like EA Sports was well aware of what features were missing from their game, but rather than miss the start of the 2015 NHL season they decided to get the game out on schedule. Thankfully, though, they are not simply wiping their hands and moving on, but working hard to make sure these features/modes make their way into the game. And those features and modes are:

September:

Playoff Mode – Create a custom offline tournament bracket with up to 16 teams from any of the 12 leagues in the game. Play or simulate each game and track player and team stats throughout the tournament.

Be A Pro (Coach Feedback) – Get the coach’s feedback while you are on the bench. The coach will give you tips on how to stay on top of your game and grade you on your play.

3 Stars of the Game – At the end of the game, see the three stars and their high level stats. Will apply to every game mode.

Hockey Ultimate Team – Several content updates, including:
• Changed layout and navigation in HUT store
• New animations for player items
• Improved edit lines screen to better identify players that are injured or require contract extensions

October:

Online Team Play – Online multiplayer mode where every player on the ice can be human controlled.

GM Draft – For the first time in the NHL franchise, you will be put on the clock and feel the pressure like real NHL GM’s. You will now only have 3 minutes to make a draft pick. If the pressure is too much, you can also call timeouts to extend the amount of time you have to make a draft pick or potentially negotiate a trade. You can make trades at any time during the draft. The CPU will also propose trades to each other and the user throughout the draft.

It's a start, but keep in mind OTP in October will be limited to 5v5. That's right, goalies will not be playable in OTP in October.

Also, the lead developer has already confirmed that they have already started working on NHL 16.

 

[regulate]

Fact: Just like every year, the majority of the people complaining will purchase the game. The End.

 

[Telos]

Meh, they've added a bunch of features over the last few years because they only had to tweak the same version of the software, but this time they had to revamp it all for a new console generation. The rest will follow once they get it ready for the new version. Some this year and probably all by next year. Either way, I really like the mechanics of the new game and want to get more use out of my PS4 so I'm keeping my pre-order. Time for an awesome night of NHL 15 and Destiny

 

[Degenerate]

Meh, they've added a bunch of features over the last few years because they only had to tweak the same version of the software, but this time they had to revamp it all for a new console generation. The rest will follow once they get it ready for the new version. Some this year and probably all by next year. Either way, I really like the mechanics of the new game and want to get more use out of my PS4 so I'm keeping my pre-order. Time for an awesome night of NHL 15 and Destiny

From what i've heard, they actually had 2 years to get this ready for next gen.

I'll get it when it's 39.99 and has OTP ect...until then I'll just stick with Destiny. Should keep me occupied til the eventual price drop and future content additions in NHL 15. Just not going to pay 59.99 for it in it's current state, but the gameplay itself I agree is pretty awesome.

 

[tigermask48]

From what i've heard, they actually had 2 years to get this ready for next gen.

I'll get it when it's 39.99 and has OTP ect...until then I'll just stick with Destiny. Should keep me occupied til the eventual price drop and future content additions in NHL 15. Just not going to pay 59.99 for it in it's current state, but the gameplay itself I agree is pretty awesome.

Correct. They decided not to put out NHL 14 for PS4/XbOne last year to avoid putting out a game that was stripped of most of it's features... Whoops.

Reading that post on the EA forums about adding stuff is everything that is wrong with gaming nowadays. Pay $59.99 for a glorified beta build of a game that will be finished via content patches hopefully by October? **** dat. If I'm paying $60 for a game it better be ready to go 100% complete on day one.

I was really considering picking up the 360 version since I hadn't bought a game from the series since NHL12 and I don't have an XbOne or PS4 yet, but seeing how they handled the next-gen releases and are treating people. I'll keep my money, thank you very much. With all the messes EA has had lately (SimCity, BF4, ME3, Sims, DA2 and this) I'm done with the company until they prove they can put out a product that isn't outright lied about, fully functional on release, doesn't include crap loads of micro-transactions. I won't hold my breath. And yeah I know I won't make a lick of difference but I can sleep content at night that I'm not supporting these idiots.

 

[jimmy1100]

Cancelled my pre-order and will NOT buy until certain things are patched AND price drops.

It's about the principle of the situation. I love the gameplay and physics (though they need some tweaking still) but what's missing is still a major problem. Most of this I would be forgiving of, but they specifically said they didn't do NHL14 on next-gen to avoid exactly what they are releasing AND they were perfectly content to not tell anyone until after release. EA only responded as the growing cries and rage got louder, NOT because it was the right thing to do for the customer.

I was really considering picking up the 360 version since I hadn't bought a game from the series since NHL12 and I don't have an XbOne or PS4 yet, but seeing how they handled the next-gen releases and are treating people. I'll keep my money, thank you very much. With all the messes EA has had lately (SimCity, BF4, ME3, Sims, DA2 and this) I'm done with the company until they prove they can put out a product that isn't outright lied about, fully functional on release, doesn't include crap loads of micro-transactions. I won't hold my breath. And yeah I know I won't make a lick of difference but I can sleep content at night that I'm not supporting these idiots.

You're making the right call. NHL 15 on PS3/360 is nothing more than a roster update with a few physics tweaks (puck bounces on dump-ins) and Bergeron's picture.

 

[DocWest]

The lack of offline tournaments in HUT is ridiculous. I rather not have to play online against glitch goal scrubs and quitters all of the time. I know you can play a single offline game, but that doesn't allow for the puck bonus you would get for winning a tournament. By doing this, EA is pretty much forcing you to pay real money to open packs. I used to build up my pucks by winning tournaments and now I can't do that. Ugh. Glad I cancelled my pre-order.

 

[tigermask48]

The lack of offline tournaments in HUT is ridiculous. I rather not have to play online against glitch goal scrubs and quitters all of the time. I know you can play a single offline game, but that doesn't allow for the puck bonus you would get for winning a tournament. By doing this, EA is pretty much forcing you to pay real money to open packs. I used to build up my pucks by winning tournaments and now I can't do that. Ugh. Glad I cancelled my pre-order.

That's pretty clearly the reasoning behind it. Any other reason is obviously just a cover story.

 

[Telos]

HUT has been terrible so far, but the gameplay has been good and realistic, almost too much so. Be a Pro is decent too.

 

[alpa]

I'm playing ...hm don't know if I want to admit it but her it comes ..........NHL 11 on PS3.
I'm only interested in playing BAP and as realistic as possible. (not rooster wise, but the play itself)

Should I buy NHL14?

 

[tigermask48]

I'm playing ...hm don't know if I want to admit it but her it comes ..........NHL 11 on PS3.
I'm only interested in playing BAP and as realistic as possible. (not rooster wise, but the play itself)

Should I buy NHL14?

NHL 12 and 14 are solid, and would be much cheaper options. A buddy loaned me his copy of NHL 14 for a couple weeks and Be a Player is alot of fun. Especially if you do the option where you play in the Memorial Cup game and your performance there determines your draft position and which team picks you up. I had a blast playing that and the Be a GM (although the CPU in moronic on the older games.)

 

[alpa]

NHL 12 and 14 are solid, and would be much cheaper options. A buddy loaned me his copy of NHL 14 for a couple weeks and Be a Player is alot of fun. Especially if you do the option where you play in the Memorial Cup game and your performance there determines your draft position and which team picks you up. I had a blast playing that and the Be a GM (although the CPU in moronic on the older games.)

That option is a must but you are saying NHL 14 is worth it compared to NHL 11, right?

Anyone disagree with that??

 

[Jason Lewis]

I'm not buying it until features are added via patch or update.

The amount of quality stuff left out his ridiculous and doesn't justify the pricetag.

Can't even draft in Be a GM? Wtf is up with that? Why would you leave that out? Just some of the practical things they left out his absolutely garbage.

I like how the developer was saying they had to reboot the engine from scratch and that's why this happened, but some of the practical things left out are dumb. Not being able to draft in be a GM, can't play in the CHL as Be a Pro, no ASG, No winter classic, can't sim shifts in Be a Pro, No fantasy draft option, no season mode, no online shootout mode, Can't customize players.... etc. etc.

 

[tigermask48]

I'm not buying it until features are added via patch or update.

The amount of quality stuff left out his ridiculous and doesn't justify the pricetag.

Can't even draft in Be a GM? Wtf is up with that? Why would you leave that out? Just some of the practical things they left out his absolutely garbage.

I like how the developer was saying they had to reboot the engine from scratch and that's why this happened, but some of the practical things left out are dumb. Not being able to draft in be a GM, can't play in the CHL as Be a Pro, no ASG, No winter classic, can't sim shifts in Be a Pro, No fantasy draft option, no season mode, no online shootout mode, Can't customize players.... etc. etc.

It's almost as if the focus was on HUT and making sure that worked correctly and everything else was secondary. Now give us your $70.00 and then buy some HUT packs with another couple hundred dollars...
Also they had 2 years to work on this game to avoid this from happening. That was the reason there was only a 360/PS3 version of NHL14 so that excuse just doesn't fly.

That option is a must but you are saying NHL 14 is worth it compared to NHL 11, right?

Just looked it up and saw NHL14 is still $45. Maybe not worth the update at this point but once the price drop hits and it goes down to say ~$25, yeah worth it. It's probably what I'll end up doing myself.

 

[Jason Lewis]

I got Destiny instead. My god. What a game so far.

 

[damacles1156]

Fact: Just like every year, the majority of the people complaining will purchase the game. The End.

Didn't buy it, got Destiny instead, AWESOME game.

 

[damacles1156]

I'd agree that FIFA makes much more money than NHL (based on worldwide interest alone). But you are crazy if you think that NHL doesn't pay for itself with a hefty profit to boot when you factor in the Ultimate Team sales. They even report in their quarterly financials that the digital ultimate team sales continue to grow year to year.

Regardless of which game the profits are coming from, the EA Sports division makes more than enough money to continue churning out titles without a drop in quality.

Ahh profits is exactly why MVP/NCAA/NBA titles were dropped from the EA sports lineup.

If NHL has a dip in profits, they will Crap can it as well.

FIFA brings in Hundreds of millions more than NHL.

 

[Degenerate]

If EA was smarter, they would have taken an extra month and just released it when the season starts, I would think that would be when there is the most hype around hockey and also would have given them a bit more time to atleast throw in OTP.

Picking to release on the same day as a game like Destiny doesn't seem like the best idea, but I have a feeling that was part of the reason they did...

With that said, UPS guy should be here within 2 hours with my copy of Destiny, sucks he won't be brining me NHL 15 too but oh well I guess.

EDIT: IGN released their NHL 15 review today, gave it a 7 out of 10, praising the gameplay and graphics, knocking it for missing game modes and little presentation complaints. http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/09/nhl-15-review

 

[SCARFACE909]

Unfortunately the NHL development team is about 1/4 the size of FIFA's team with even less resources than them as well.


I've been enjoying the game offline though by adjusting some sliders, and hopefully the updates will continue to come along and improve the game.

 

[alpa]

Just looked it up and saw NHL14 is still $45. Maybe not worth the update at this point but once the price drop hits and it goes down to say ~$25, yeah worth it. It's probably what I'll end up doing myself.

After reading about NHL 14 and the new stuff compared to NHL 11, it is a nobrainer. Price is approx. $38 over disk and that is a bargain, in Sweden that is. Can't wait to get home after work today and try it out.

The Nhl 15 is $75

Thanks for the input.

 

[alpa]

A man born in the jungle raised by monkeys meets civilisation for the first time, after 25 years in the jungle.= Me playing nhl 11 compared to nhl 14.

 

[jimmy1100]

Ahh profits is exactly why MVP/NCAA/NBA titles were dropped from the EA sports lineup.

If NHL has a dip in profits, they will Crap can it as well.

FIFA brings in Hundreds of millions more than NHL.

Ummm...NO.

MVP was hugely popular and only got canned because 2k got exclusive MLB rights. That's why EA went to NCAA MVP Baseball. I'm sure they discontinued that one based on sales, but not the MLB version.

NCAA was dropped because of the ongoing player likeness lawsuit and NBA was dropped because it sucked. It was an absolute joke in comparison with NBA2k series.

NHL will be back next year. HUT sales alone will see EA continue to pump out any game where the UT mode is regularly used.

 

[Brodie562]

alpa dont feel so bad, I pulled out the GameCube and started playing NHL2k3! first game vs the Blues ended 1-0 with the shots 21-25 in favor of the Blues, Jaroslav Bednar scored on an assist from Erik Rasmussen!

it was also pretty awesome to go through the game manual and see a thank you given to HockeysFuture.com. How i wish Sega/2k still made NHL games and forced EA to earn its money.