CHEL lobby wait times

I’m also fully aware of the new puck protect mechanics, how poorly they work, how ineffective it is and how counter intuitive it feels.  I feel like I need to dislocate my thumb or cross my hands to do it and it doesn’t even work half as well as the vision button to use body positioning to protect the puck… ie hockeying 

So your teammate hit the guy who you were gonna hit.  Now what.  You pressed the b button and now you’re stuck holding it in.  Because of this you can’t collect the puck, poke check, block a shot, nothing you are essentially a pylon.  Now if you don’t want to take a penalty you have to locate some empty ice where you can release the b button, wait for your digital self to do his little spasm where he attempts to decapitate his shadow and nearly falls down, then provided no part of your dudes spasm touched another player you may renter play.  

again, explain to me, how is this fair?  How is this not punishment for those of us who would rather defend our blue line than back up and contain?

@kayak_V 

You can still defend the blue line and play more aggressively. Someone that is good at hitting is going to know when they need to do it so they shouldn't have to cancel it too frequently. I can see this being a problem if your primary defense is holding down the button and just going for big hits all game long. It would probably be good to time those hits better so you're not constantly missing or needing to cancel the hit when you're off target. 

This isn't a punishment. We're not specifically trying to punish Total Control users. There are plenty of people able to defend very well with the new controls. They take some adapting to get used to.

This thread was about lobby wait times.

Lobby wait times keep being ridiculous!  I've been waiting 30 minutes for a frigging game to no avail.  Full team of teammates, never able to find opponents.

Solve this nightmare!!!!!

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

@kayak_V 

I'm not saying not to hit. You just have to do it without breaking the rules. Holding your hit for too many strides will cause charging. Hitting players facing the boards can cause a boarding call. I don't see how this means you can no longer hit. Elbowing has been in the game in the past. It was removed from online play, but obviously has returned.

You can still protect the puck. I don't like the new controls for it either, but it can be done still. This game is not being specifically dumbed down for casual players. Skill still matters. A casual player isn't typically going to be better than someone that plays far more.

I play a 160 pound D man. I need the speed to keep up with quick forwards. However, I'm not a big hitter. I defend with poke checks, angling them to the outside, cutting off their lanes for passes and shots, stick lifts, boardplay, shoves, etc. While I don't hit often, I haven't had any problems with it. I also see plenty of good style teams that love to just hit everything that moves. So, hitting is still a viable way to defend if that's how you want to play. Bigger forwards are also plenty capable at being successful. Regardless of the size of your build, teamplay and skill are what is going to win you games. Even a tiny, speedy forward isn't going to automatically get past defense due to their size. A good defender is going to stop them. Just like a good forward is going to evade them.

You say I'm insisting players are wrong. I'm not doing that at all. I'm saying the game has changed. I'm sure it will change in the future as well. People don't like the controls. Like I said, I'm one of them. I'm not debating that and I'm not calling you all wrong. We all can either adapt to the new controls or wait and see if they change. If the controls change, it won't happen until a later game. They are locked in for NHL 24.

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I would like to know WHY if the controls are so badly, unarguably, flawed.  Why would The only assertion coming from EA regarding the controls is that we are stuck with the “unarguably Flawed” controls for the entire NHL 24 lifespan.  

No assertion that they are working towards a patch or workaround, no option to improve or map your own controls.  Nothing, no respite, no assistance being offered just an assertion that they won’t be changed or fixed.  

I guess my question is, why not?  The game has had the same controls since before the millennium, somehow these controls like NASA s ability to reach the moon were lost to history I guess.  

anyways I’m done arguing with the devs.  I’m just done with this franchise.  I’ll be back though, if they fix the controls.

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

@kayak_V 

I'm not saying not to hit. You just have to do it without breaking the rules. Holding your hit for too many strides will cause charging. Hitting players facing the boards can cause a boarding call. I don't see how this means you can no longer hit. Elbowing has been in the game in the past. It was removed from online play, but obviously has returned.

You can still protect the puck. I don't like the new controls for it either, but it can be done still. This game is not being specifically dumbed down for casual players. Skill still matters. A casual player isn't typically going to be better than someone that plays far more.

I play a 160 pound D man. I need the speed to keep up with quick forwards. However, I'm not a big hitter. I defend with poke checks, angling them to the outside, cutting off their lanes for passes and shots, stick lifts, boardplay, shoves, etc. While I don't hit often, I haven't had any problems with it. I also see plenty of good style teams that love to just hit everything that moves. So, hitting is still a viable way to defend if that's how you want to play. Bigger forwards are also plenty capable at being successful. Regardless of the size of your build, teamplay and skill are what is going to win you games. Even a tiny, speedy forward isn't going to automatically get past defense due to their size. A good defender is going to stop them. Just like a good forward is going to evade them.

You say I'm insisting players are wrong. I'm not doing that at all. I'm saying the game has changed. I'm sure it will change in the future as well. People don't like the controls. Like I said, I'm one of them. I'm not debating that and I'm not calling you all wrong. We all can either adapt to the new controls or wait and see if they change. If the controls change, it won't happen until a later game. They are locked in for NHL 24.

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You say this game isn't being dumbed down for casual players, yet they have total control, which let's you pull off some of the hardest dekes in the game with a push of a button... C'mon man...

@FloundinatorQQ 

You still have access to the Skill Stick controls. Also, keep in mind that we were all once casual players. If the new controls help someone go from casual to hardcore, I think that's a good thing. If it brings more people to the game in general, that too is good. I severely dislike the new controls, but I am able to workaround them and still have fun with good competition. Besides, Hybrid and NHL 94 controls have been in the game for many years. Which are essentially, simplified controls. So, it's not like this wasn't in the game before. Before you mention one button Michigans, yes, I get the complaint about that. Personally, I rarely see them happen and only once have I seen someone score with it since it's very easy to defend.

@EA_AljoThe fact that the skill stick layout was altered at all baffles me, no one asked for this. I understand the new hitting controls somewhat dictated that but a lot of people including you don't prefer them. If we could use the OG skill stick without slap shot hitting we would be.

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

@FloundinatorQQ 

You still have access to the Skill Stick controls. Also, keep in mind that we were all once casual players. If the new controls help someone go from casual to hardcore, I think that's a good thing. If it brings more people to the game in general, that too is good. I severely dislike the new controls, but I am able to workaround them and still have fun with good competition. Besides, Hybrid and NHL 94 controls have been in the game for many years. Which are essentially, simplified controls. So, it's not like this wasn't in the game before. Before you mention one button Michigans, yes, I get the complaint about that. Personally, I rarely see them happen and only once have I seen someone score with it since it's very easy to defend.

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I know when I’m being gaslit!  For someone to say we still have access to the skill stick controls is completely ignoring that those said skill stick controls were changed and no longer work.  For someone to claim that 1 button Michigan is not being exploited has never played a competitive hut or vrs game where in the upper levels it is literally a Michigan race.  Stop telling people what they are experiencing.  I am perfectly capable of knowing and stating EXACTLY what I am experiencing game in and out.  Last night I waited almost an hour to get into a 6v6 game.  The game started and the defender and goalie were trolling, helping other team.  This game stinks. Tge controller stinks and what’s left of this community is trolls and human trash.

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@BabyPuncher525 wrote:

@EA_AljoThe fact that the skill stick layout was altered at all baffles me, no one asked for this. I understand the new hitting controls somewhat dictated that but a lot of people including you don't prefer them. If we could use the OG skill stick without slap shot hitting we would be.

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People did ask for LT'ing to be nerfed. The new control layout does this. However, changes are going to be made by the team that weren't specifically requested. I know they aren't always popular decisions though. I really don't know if the controls are going to be reverted. I think this is highly unlikely for NHL 24 so we'll have to see what the future holds. For now, I've adapted by remapping the controls, but I also understand how we really shouldn't have to do this.

@kayak_V 

The skill stick controls work though. Except for the accidental clicking down on the sticks, which is my main gripe. Some have no problem with this though. Regardless saying they don't work just seems completely false as they are widely being used.

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

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@BabyPuncher525 wrote:

@EA_AljoThe fact that the skill stick layout was altered at all baffles me, no one asked for this. I understand the new hitting controls somewhat dictated that but a lot of people including you don't prefer them. If we could use the OG skill stick without slap shot hitting we would be.

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People did ask for LT'ing to be nerfed. The new control layout does this. However, changes are going to be made by the team that weren't specifically requested. I know they aren't always popular decisions though. I really don't know if the controls are going to be reverted. I think this is highly unlikely for NHL 24 so we'll have to see what the future holds. For now, I've adapted by remapping the controls, but I also understand how we really shouldn't have to do this.

@kayak_V 

The skill stick controls work though. Except for the accidental clicking down on the sticks, which is my main gripe. Some have no problem with this though. Regardless saying they don't work just seems completely false as they are widely being used.

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The skill stick controls work?? Are you serious?  STOP trying to gaslight the community, myself included.  The hitting is ruined by the new controls.  Puck protect ruined.  No button to cancel a charged hit. It is not possible to aim your first poke check.  The puck chop doesn’t work.  should I go on?  I can.  Elbowing needs to be gone from the game like in previous years especially if you can’t cancel your hit.  Again don’t say everything is fine.  This idiotic, I requested controller change has created far worse problems.  If people were whining about the previous layout then I suggest using sliders to address their concerns.  Or do what you’re found now!  Tell them to get used to it.

I have also tried to remap my controller.  It wasn’t an option then.  Is it now?  

Like others have said, we weren't expecting a re work to this extent I guess. If fixing the LT abusers meant bastardizing the key bind for protect puck so it can't be easily performed with LT then mission accomplished, but this feature has pretty much been rendered useless to everyone who wasn't abusing it.

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

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@BabyPuncher525 wrote:

@EA_AljoThe fact that the skill stick layout was altered at all baffles me, no one asked for this. I understand the new hitting controls somewhat dictated that but a lot of people including you don't prefer them. If we could use the OG skill stick without slap shot hitting we would be.

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People did ask for LT'ing to be nerfed. The new control layout does this. However, changes are going to be made by the team that weren't specifically requested. I know they aren't always popular decisions though. I really don't know if the controls are going to be reverted. I think this is highly unlikely for NHL 24 so we'll have to see what the future holds. For now, I've adapted by remapping the controls, but I also understand how we really shouldn't have to do this.

@kayak_V 

The skill stick controls work though. Except for the accidental clicking down on the sticks, which is my main gripe. Some have no problem with this though. Regardless saying they don't work just seems completely false as they are widely being used.

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Again there are two controller options they both suck but yeah people are in fact using them.  Funny when people have no choice it’s funny how they will use what’s available.  Using this as evidence of the controls working is gaslighting.

if they offered the controls from 2023 nhl I’m willing to guess 99.5% of people would revert?  But yeah tell me again how great This new layout is for your customers.

They could have honestly just put total control into skill stick easily.

If you have the puck RT brings up icon passing, no issue on skill stick.

If you have the puck LB modifies face buttons for face button deking.

On defense your hitting face buttons are available as they've never been used for anything previously on skill stick anyways. Consider adding the ability to cancel face button hitting with LB also, you shouldn't be forced to hit just for pressing the button.

Protect puck goes back to x/a button as it's always been.

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@kayak_V wrote:

The skill stick controls work?? Are you serious?  STOP trying to gaslight the community, myself included.  The hitting is ruined by the new controls.  Puck protect ruined.  No button to cancel a charged hit. It is not possible to aim your first poke check.  The puck chop doesn’t work.  should I go on?  I can.  Elbowing needs to be gone from the game like in previous years especially if you can’t cancel your hit.  Again don’t say everything is fine.  This idiotic, I requested controller change has created far worse problems.  If people were whining about the previous layout then I suggest using sliders to address their concerns.  Or do what you’re found now!  Tell them to get used to it.

I have also tried to remap my controller.  It wasn’t an option then.  Is it now?  

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Yes. Skill stick controls are working as they are advertised. You're complaining about those changes, but they are working according to the updated controls. I'm not trying to gaslight you. I can cancel charged hits just find with the skills tick controls. You can't do this with Total Control, but you do have easier hip checks and other one button controls. So, it's a bit of a tradeoff.

The puck chop works so I don't know what your issue with that is. I'm aiming my poke checks fine because I mostly use DSS for them. Elbowing happens when you commit a charging penalty. You're more apt to get called for elbowing with lower discipline. So, if you want to avoid it, try not trying to destroy everything that moves.

You can remap controls at the console level. Not in game.

Puck protect was removed to help stop the LT'ing that was very highly complained about for several years.

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

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@kayak_V wrote:

The skill stick controls work?? Are you serious?  STOP trying to gaslight the community, myself included.  The hitting is ruined by the new controls.  Puck protect ruined.  No button to cancel a charged hit. It is not possible to aim your first poke check.  The puck chop doesn’t work.  should I go on?  I can.  Elbowing needs to be gone from the game like in previous years especially if you can’t cancel your hit.  Again don’t say everything is fine.  This idiotic, I requested controller change has created far worse problems.  If people were whining about the previous layout then I suggest using sliders to address their concerns.  Or do what you’re found now!  Tell them to get used to it.

I have also tried to remap my controller.  It wasn’t an option then.  Is it now?  

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Yes. Skill stick controls are working as they are advertised. You're complaining about those changes, but they are working according to the updated controls. I'm not trying to gaslight you. I can cancel charged hits just find with the skills tick controls. You can't do this with Total Control, but you do have easier hip checks and other one button controls. So, it's a bit of a tradeoff.

The puck chop works so I don't know what your issue with that is. I'm aiming my poke checks fine because I mostly use DSS for them. Elbowing happens when you commit a charging penalty. You're more apt to get called for elbowing with lower discipline. So, if you want to avoid it, try not trying to destroy everything that moves.

You can remap controls at the console level. Not in game.

Puck protect was removed to help stop the LT'ing that was very highly complained about for several years.

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So because of supposed years of crying that players were protecting the puck from a 160 pnd sniper build we all are forced this shambling on us.  Are we gonna need to complain for years before common sense prevails once more? 

I would offer this.  

if you offered the controls of nhl 23 to the people, almost all players would opt for that.  You may have a few hold outs, those who think 1 button Michigan and hip checks are a good thing, yes they may opt for your new debacle of a mapping disaster.  But everyone else??? They would opt for the comfort of the 23 skill stick controls. 

it is either stubbornness or incompetence that would see the devs ram this hugely unpopular controller scheme down our throats cause some wimpy kid with an offensive build can’t defend.  

@kayak_V 

There were far more than one person complaining about LT'ing. It was all over these boards here for example. It wasn't just small, offensive builds complaining. It was community wide for the most part. Except for those that abused that mechanic. If you're now struggling without it, it would be good to learn how to use your whole team better instead of hanging on to the puck with one player and backskating unrealistically.

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

@FloundinatorQQ 

You still have access to the Skill Stick controls. Also, keep in mind that we were all once casual players. If the new controls help someone go from casual to hardcore, I think that's a good thing. If it brings more people to the game in general, that too is good. I severely dislike the new controls, but I am able to workaround them and still have fun with good competition. Besides, Hybrid and NHL 94 controls have been in the game for many years. Which are essentially, simplified controls. So, it's not like this wasn't in the game before. Before you mention one button Michigans, yes, I get the complaint about that. Personally, I rarely see them happen and only once have I seen someone score with it since it's very easy to defend.

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I understand that, but it's just another feature that literally no one asked for... All we want is more consistent gameplay, and for bugs/issues that have been in this game for many of years to be addressed. Ie loadout glitch, unbearable wait times for regular drop in games. Imo if you want to do the Michigan, then go into free skate and learn on skill stick. Not everyone can/should be able to do it. I do agree I don't see it as much as launch, which is fine. I just think the other things mentioned should have taken priority over a new control scheme.

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

@kayak_V 

There were far more than one person complaining about LT'ing. It was all over these boards here for example. It wasn't just small, offensive builds complaining. It was community wide for the most part. Except for those that abused that mechanic. If you're now struggling without it, it would be good to learn how to use your whole team better instead of hanging on to the puck with one player and backskating unrealistically.

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I never struggle. But sure blame your customer.  Assume I’m incompetent.  This game is the worst nhl game EA has made. You don’t need to take my word for it.  Look at the ratings this game gets..abysmal.  But please do continue to ignore all my relevant, common criticisms and resort to baseless personal affronts.  Well done.  Good show.

@FloundinatorQQ 

What would you do to make the gameplay more consistent? What is consistent even? Hockey is an incredibly dynamic sport that isn't exactly consistent from game to game.

Which bugs and issues that have been in the game for years do you want addressed? The loadout issue has been there in the past. There have also been a lot of changes to WoC this year so what may have fixed it before isn't working now. The team is aware of this so hopefully, it'll be addressed. The long wait times for drop-ins wasn't occurring previously and that is also being investigated. This didn't take priority over new controls because it didn't exist previously. 

@kayak_V 

What's the issue then with the new controls? You specifically mention the 160 lb sniper build protecting the puck. Which sounds like there was a problem defending those players. I'm not ignoring the complaints. We have addressed a lot of issues the community has given us feedback on. Not everyone has been handled and I doubt it all will be. Especially when it comes to the new controls. If those are changed, it won't be until a future game. There's just too much dependent on it at the moment. We can't just disable those controls and reenable the old ones.

There also is the expectation that anything the community suggests is supposed to get fixed immediately or we're told we're ignoring everyone. These things take time. We also most likely aren't going to resolve everything that's reported to us. Again, I'm in agreement with you. I dislike the new controls as much as anyone. I'm adapting though and it's not ruining the game for me. I also have a realistic expectation of what can and can't be fixed this year so I'm not getting angry over it. I want the old controls back, but that's not going to happen so I'm choosing to adapt and still enjoy the game.

Apologies if you thought I was calling you incompetent. That wasn't intended.

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

@FloundinatorQQ 

What would you do to make the gameplay more consistent? What is consistent even? Hockey is an incredibly dynamic sport that isn't exactly consistent from game to game.

Which bugs and issues that have been in the game for years do you want addressed? The loadout issue has been there in the past. There have also been a lot of changes to WoC this year so what may have fixed it before isn't working now. The team is aware of this so hopefully, it'll be addressed. The long wait times for drop-ins wasn't occurring previously and that is also being investigated. This didn't take priority over new controls because it didn't exist previously. 

@kayak_V 

What's the issue then with the new controls? You specifically mention the 160 lb sniper build protecting the puck. Which sounds like there was a problem defending those players. I'm not ignoring the complaints. We have addressed a lot of issues the community has given us feedback on. Not everyone has been handled and I doubt it all will be. Especially when it comes to the new controls. If those are changed, it won't be until a future game. There's just too much dependent on it at the moment. We can't just disable those controls and reenable the old ones.

There also is the expectation that anything the community suggests is supposed to get fixed immediately or we're told we're ignoring everyone. These things take time. We also most likely aren't going to resolve everything that's reported to us. Again, I'm in agreement with you. I dislike the new controls as much as anyone. I'm adapting though and it's not ruining the game for me. I also have a realistic expectation of what can and can't be fixed this year so I'm not getting angry over it. I want the old controls back, but that's not going to happen so I'm choosing to adapt and still enjoy the game.

Apologies if you thought I was calling you incompetent. That wasn't intended.

I will attempt to be as concise as possible with regards the controller problems.  This won’t be knew material I’m afraid as I and many many others have made clear the obvious and glaring problems with the new controls.  

First problem is an obvious one for every person who played 23 and then 24.  The reverse hit button is poorly located and is used more often by accident than it is purposely.  People on a break away attempting to deke inadvertently press in the stick.  Puck is lost.  It is the number 1 reason a number of my chela team won’t even reinstall 24. The solution seems simple map it to a different button or toggle off.  But again we’re told as customers too bad.  Get used to it.  This is for your own good etc because people used puck protect or some such crybaby garbage idk.  

To hit with the skill stick is so counter intuitive.  For years you pressed right stick towards your target.  Made sense, worked good.  Quick to deploy. INTUITIVE.  This year they decided hitting was now going to be the exact opposite of what it was for 20 years.  Back on the stick, away from your target, counter intuitive, they also decided your guy would lift his arm as a form of a tell that he was about to deliver a hit.  This is while the stick is held back, away from your target, opposite the way it had been for decades.  This allows a skater with the puck the knowledge they are about to be hit and gives them the option to simply reverse hit a much simpler, more intuitive and much faster to deploy action whereby they simply push in the left stick.  If you ask me it would seem easier to reverse hit than to conventionally body check.  But what do I know.  

Your other option for hitting is to use total control.  A simple push and release of a button.  More intuitive for sure however not without huge flaws as well.  Once you press the button a hit must be delivered.  There is no cancelling a hit like there is for a pass.  So if you press the button anticipating a hit and because hockey is random you can’t deliver the hit, you are now effectively a pylon, incapable of picking up a loose puck or pokechecking or really anything.  You must first release the button.  Releasing the button will result (depending on timing and circumstances) in inadvertently taking penalties, or travelling in an animation away from the puck or play, best case senecio you skate to a lonely corner taking valuable time away from a game that is won or lost on fractions of a second. Although I have had some EA people concede these flaws the response is well you can hip check and do michigans with a single button so alls fair.  BS.  I could give a crap about doing michigans or hip checking. I don’t use those buttons.  I just want  to be able to body check the puck carrier.  Not be at his mercy because hitting is easier with possession of the puck than it is for the defender.  

Finally you claim it isn’t possible to revert to the previous controls because and I quote” too much depends on this”. .  How am I to interpret this?  Too much!? Like someone’s ego is depending on these controls being accepted?  Or someone’s job depends on it?  Obviously if it’s some of the laughable changes like the new pressure system I think you would find a community willing to forgo this useless tripe in order to have their beloved game back.  Beats waiting another 9 months and hoping the controls get fixed.  

As for the other post about consistency and glitches, anyone who plays the game knows what he is referencing.  Nothing is ever done about the countless trolls on EA servers.  Start your efforts there.  Offer your community a very real way to police itself.  

The amount of times this game needs rebooted.  Start there with consistency.  Games looping, what’s that been decades.  

I also feel like trying to set the game up for all game types instead of having different rules, control, physics for each.  Vrs and 6v6 are different.  Maybe make them play different.  Since HUT is the big money maker they seem to get more say in the way the game gets set up and how the sliders are set.  

Game franchises that care about their community don’t treat them the way this community is treated.  In gears of war if you quit a game you get a 15 min penalty.  Stops a lot of quitting.  Just saying.  There’s slot that could be done to improve the community, the game quality, the consistency of matchmaking and the on ice gameplay.  

I feel instead EA spends far too much concern and effort on useless garbage like hockey bags, colourful clothing, catering to newbs, new controller schemes no one wanted or likes, HUT, (because micro transactions) and aren’t interested in doing the work it takes to make real improvements to the community’s and the otp.  

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@EA_Aljo I would say puck pickups are still very off, so many times a slow pick will just go by players, when in reality, the players would at least attempt to put their stick out and coral it, but. I've noticed that pucks still seems to just go past, when I don't think they should. 

Waiting time for drop-ins has been brought up every year, even with the implication of cross play, we're still waiting 5+ mins just to get a drop in, granted it's a little better when searching with a club. So that's a plus

Talk about hijacking a thread, this was about wait times not anything else.

@kayak_V 

Thank you for all the feedback.

I disagree about the hit stick. It takes more skill now so I'm glad about that. It also hasn't been difficult to adjust to and feels relatively natural.

The reverse hit I agree with. Which is why I had to remap controls.

When I say too much is dependent on the new controls I mean that they are coded heavily into the game. So, removing those controls is a significant amount of work. Not something that can be easily done.

There are always going to be ways to troll. I doubt we're going to completely wipe that out. It plagues many online games. Of course we want to minimize these chances as much as possible.

Which glitches specifically are you talking about? Besides the lobby issues previously mentioned.

You mention the amount of times the game needs to be restarted. This isn't the same for everyone. I rarely ever have to restart my game. The same goes for my club. So, I don't know what the differences are between our teams that would cause this to happen. I still haven't experienced a single loop since 24 launched. I maybe had 1 or 2 during 23.

If nobody liked the cosmetics in WoC, they wouldn't be used. Since I see a lot of people using them, I'd say they're more popular than you think. I'm not a fan personally though.

@FloundinatorQQ 

Can you get me video of the failed pick ups you're talking about? The long drop in times are being looked into.

@cb1c2748ade08ed1 

Apologies for the hijacking. We'll have to get this back on track. A new thread can be started for the other issues.