So EA...is there any reason to think '24 will look/play any different than '23?

@KlariskraysNHL I think with the lack of innovation this game has offered, trying to offer our dreams is all some feel is worth contributing in these forums. We pray that maybe we are eventually heard. Not sure if either being "awake" and enjoying what we have while we have it or "dreaming" and wanting/ expecting something better is best. To each their own in that department. I do have times I really enjoy this game, when everyone plays a clean game, no one is trolling, the teams feel mostly even.. the game can feel pretty good. I have other times where I feel I've completely wasted my time playing.

As much as I rag on this game (probably more than anyone else) I don't think it's *far* from having quality gameplay. This is probably why its all the more frustrating that we don't yet. I saw someone else suggest that almost everything in the game just needs polished. I would tend to agree with that, probably the most accurate way to describe the gameplay. If almost everything in the game was just slightly tuned/ polished the right way I think gameplay could be REALLY good. (I do think goaltending probably needs a big update or full overhaul though, I dont play it much but when i do I just feel like a big moving brick on skates.. granted I am AWFUL at the position so take that as you will)

I think the biggest thing (gameplay being most important) this game actually needs, is to add *more* (maybe not modes) but just features and ways to feel like you're more part of a community or more in the game. I like games that make me forget for a little bit that I'm playing a game. Sometimes after a long day of work or going on a training exercise out in the field, I want to come home and just forget everything for a bit and play a game. This game isn't nearly deep enough to allow you to forget you're playing a game. 2K on the other hand is pretty next level. The whole city is intractable, I go to the stadium and people want to talk to me, I can play with friends on the blacktop or in a club, with better progression and incentives.. I'm not saying I completely forget I'm playing a game but I do get pretty into it, and developing my guy, building fans, getting a sponsor to make more money and buy clothes and build attributes, and work toward diff goals. What goals do we have in EASHL? I don't expect this game to make a whole city, and tbh I DON'T need that. It would be nice, but I certainly understand EA Vancouver does have a budget. To me that doesn't mean the game can't allow me to play a TINY story mode, and have a career to go along with EASHL and build out my character. I personally feel like this would not be THAT much work. Heck, even charge people a small fee like 2k does to start with a slightly better player to help offset the costs of paying an extra programmer or 3 to make it happen. I don't think it should take more than a handful to add this.. I'm just tired of mindlessly grinding to get a hockey bag with an Arizona Coyotes Jacket.