EA_Aljo
Community Manager
Community ManagerHitting acceleration reverted today 2/5
Hello, NHL Fans. The change that was made in last week's update regarding the accelration with hitting being removed, was reverted.
Forum Discussion
EA_AljoCommunity Manager
Community Manager
@GrundleDemon333 wrote:
@EA_Aljo wrote:
I agree. I preferred the changes to hitting, but obviously much of the community did not feel the same. I'll say it once again, we get requests for the game to be less arcade and then get complaints when that happens.Sorry @EA_Aljo, but this is a gross oversimplification and highly misleading. You omitted the part where EA intentionally nerfed already clunky defensive stick mechanics in an arcade way in order to aid arcade offensive puck possession. We know this to be true because poke check and DSS did not used to be this slow and penalized (speed penalties and actual penalties). As has been stated multiple times in the last couple years, it is absurdly arcade to give a player carrying the puck more ability and agility with his stick than the player without the puck. You compound that when you also allow that puck-carrying player the arcade ability to rather easily shed body and stick contact with no or little impact to maintaining/quickly regaining possession. As a result, puck possession in this game nowhere near resembles the NHL (and neither does defensive stick use/abilities). I personally have made numerous requests for the game to be more "sim" in this regard. So to characterize the revert as “less arcade” without acknowledging the overall context or balance issues created by the devs decisions towards offensive arcade in the first place is an irresponsible message to send to the community in my view.
I didn't omit anything. This is just my personal opinion from being on these forums since well before I even worked here. When we make something more difficult and widen the skill gap, we get a lot of negative feedback. Poke checks causing too many penalties, having pre-made builds and making hitting less affective are a few examples. These were all very negatively received and ended up being changed.
I think we have a good balance now of pokes not causing too many penalties, but I'm very much not a fan of the slow down from it. I'm also not claiming that the game doesn't have arcade elements. I'd surely like to see those reduced as well. It would be good to see the carrier not have as high a success rate with picking up the puck after contact. I'd rather the puck be dislodged more so the defender has a better chance of gaining control. Defense could use a boost in general. At the same time though, it's a position that takes skill to play well. Good defenders are going to be able to defend against the puck carrier. Whether that's poke checks, hits or just good positional play, it all takes skill to succeed at. Yes. It's a challenge. Maybe too much. I'd certainly like it if that were balanced better without making either side overpowered.
My own personal sentiment is very similar to how most of you feel. I want a game that leans sim, but not completely. That would be a lot more frustrating than fun. However, not everyone has the same definition of fun. There are those here that say the game is ruined because they don't like the hitting mechanics. I like the changes to skill stick for hitting and prefer that over 23. I'm just not a fan of the Total Control method of hitting and one button controls in general. It feels more natural to "wind up" for the hit. This is just an example of how fun isn't the same for everyone.
@EA_Aljo wrote:
@GrundleDemon333 wrote:
@EA_Aljo wrote:I agree. I preferred the changes to hitting, but obviously much of the community did not feel the same. I'll say it once again, we get requests for the game to be less arcade and then get complaints when that happens.Sorry @EA_Aljo, but this is a gross oversimplification and highly misleading. You omitted the part where EA intentionally nerfed already clunky defensive stick mechanics in an arcade way in order to aid arcade offensive puck possession. We know this to be true because poke check and DSS did not used to be this slow and penalized (speed penalties and actual penalties). As has been stated multiple times in the last couple years, it is absurdly arcade to give a player carrying the puck more ability and agility with his stick than the player without the puck. You compound that when you also allow that puck-carrying player the arcade ability to rather easily shed body and stick contact with no or little impact to maintaining/quickly regaining possession. As a result, puck possession in this game nowhere near resembles the NHL (and neither does defensive stick use/abilities). I personally have made numerous requests for the game to be more "sim" in this regard. So to characterize the revert as “less arcade” without acknowledging the overall context or balance issues created by the devs decisions towards offensive arcade in the first place is an irresponsible message to send to the community in my view.
I didn't omit anything. This is just my personal opinion from being on these forums since well before I even worked here. When we make something more difficult and widen the skill gap, we get a lot of negative feedback. Poke checks causing too many penalties, having pre-made builds and making hitting less affective are a few examples. These were all very negatively received and ended up being changed.
I think we have a good balance now of pokes not causing too many penalties, but I'm very much not a fan of the slow down from it. I'm also not claiming that the game doesn't have arcade elements. I'd surely like to see those reduced as well. It would be good to see the carrier not have as high a success rate with picking up the puck after contact. I'd rather the puck be dislodged more so the defender has a better chance of gaining control. Defense could use a boost in general. At the same time though, it's a position that takes skill to play well. Good defenders are going to be able to defend against the puck carrier. Whether that's poke checks, hits or just good positional play, it all takes skill to succeed at. Yes. It's a challenge. Maybe too much. I'd certainly like it if that were balanced better without making either side overpowered.
My own personal sentiment is very similar to how most of you feel. I want a game that leans sim, but not completely. That would be a lot more frustrating than fun. However, not everyone has the same definition of fun. There are those here that say the game is ruined because they don't like the hitting mechanics. I like the changes to skill stick for hitting and prefer that over 23. I'm just not a fan of the Total Control method of hitting and one button controls in general. It feels more natural to "wind up" for the hit. This is just an example of how fun isn't the same for everyone.
You're doing terrific at these logical fallacies.. please tell me how making hits less effective "widens the skill gap" this ought to be good!
Everyone is fine with defense being hard... but that's if offense is hard too 🤣 the lacrosse is one button. Meanwhile on defense we gotta aim our pokecheck and sweep the stick correctly but if at the wrong time the puck goes through our legs and if we're near the goalie it will bounce off our skate and score a goal 🤡
"I want a game that leans sim, but not completely." And THIS is the biggest issue in NHL because the "not completely" is ALWAYS to the detriment of defense and to boost the offense. THIS closes the skill gap and adds randomness and stupid goals like a puck going off a defenders skate (that was otherwise in a good position to defend a cross crease pass) your "widening the skill gap" is just boosting the offense. It doesn't do that at all lmao. This is the biggest advantage the offense has EVER had over the defense since I started playing this game and it's GOTTA be the smallest I've ever seen the skill gap.
@rsandersr47 wrote:
@EA_Aljo wrote:
@GrundleDemon333 wrote:
@EA_Aljo wrote:I agree. I preferred the changes to hitting, but obviously much of the community did not feel the same. I'll say it once again, we get requests for the game to be less arcade and then get complaints when that happens.
Sorry @EA_Aljo, but this is a gross oversimplification and highly misleading. You omitted the part where EA intentionally nerfed already clunky defensive stick mechanics in an arcade way in order to aid arcade offensive puck possession. We know this to be true because poke check and DSS did not used to be this slow and penalized (speed penalties and actual penalties). As has been stated multiple times in the last couple years, it is absurdly arcade to give a player carrying the puck more ability and agility with his stick than the player without the puck. You compound that when you also allow that puck-carrying player the arcade ability to rather easily shed body and stick contact with no or little impact to maintaining/quickly regaining possession. As a result, puck possession in this game nowhere near resembles the NHL (and neither does defensive stick use/abilities). I personally have made numerous requests for the game to be more "sim" in this regard. So to characterize the revert as “less arcade” without acknowledging the overall context or balance issues created by the devs decisions towards offensive arcade in the first place is an irresponsible message to send to the community in my view.
I didn't omit anything. This is just my personal opinion from being on these forums since well before I even worked here. When we make something more difficult and widen the skill gap, we get a lot of negative feedback. Poke checks causing too many penalties, having pre-made builds and making hitting less affective are a few examples. These were all very negatively received and ended up being changed.
I think we have a good balance now of pokes not causing too many penalties, but I'm very much not a fan of the slow down from it. I'm also not claiming that the game doesn't have arcade elements. I'd surely like to see those reduced as well. It would be good to see the carrier not have as high a success rate with picking up the puck after contact. I'd rather the puck be dislodged more so the defender has a better chance of gaining control. Defense could use a boost in general. At the same time though, it's a position that takes skill to play well. Good defenders are going to be able to defend against the puck carrier. Whether that's poke checks, hits or just good positional play, it all takes skill to succeed at. Yes. It's a challenge. Maybe too much. I'd certainly like it if that were balanced better without making either side overpowered.
My own personal sentiment is very similar to how most of you feel. I want a game that leans sim, but not completely. That would be a lot more frustrating than fun. However, not everyone has the same definition of fun. There are those here that say the game is ruined because they don't like the hitting mechanics. I like the changes to skill stick for hitting and prefer that over 23. I'm just not a fan of the Total Control method of hitting and one button controls in general. It feels more natural to "wind up" for the hit. This is just an example of how fun isn't the same for everyone.
You're doing terrific at these logical fallacies.. please tell me how making hits less effective "widens the skill gap" this ought to be good!
Everyone is fine with defense being hard... but that's if offense is hard too 🤣 the lacrosse is one button. Meanwhile on defense we gotta aim our pokecheck and sweep the stick correctly but if at the wrong time the puck goes through our legs and if we're near the goalie it will bounce off our skate and score a goal 🤡
"I want a game that leans sim, but not completely." And THIS is the biggest issue in NHL because the "not completely" is ALWAYS to the detriment of defense and to boost the offense. THIS closes the skill gap and adds randomness and stupid goals like a puck going off a defenders skate (that was otherwise in a good position to defend a cross crease pass) your "widening the skill gap" is just boosting the offense. It doesn't do that at all lmao. This is the biggest advantage the offense has EVER had over the defense since I started playing this game and it's GOTTA be the smallest I've ever seen the skill gap.
You claimed Poke check was okay in another thread.
i think you might just be at the wrong end of that “small skill gap” and rather than take the advice here on how to get better, you’re busy implying the people who make this game are clowns.
lets play an OVP game if you’re up for it. I want to see if you have a good understanding of how to play defence in this game.
@KidShowtime1867 wrote:
@rsandersr47 wrote:
@EA_Aljo wrote:
@GrundleDemon333 wrote:
@EA_Aljo wrote:I agree. I preferred the changes to hitting, but obviously much of the community did not feel the same. I'll say it once again, we get requests for the game to be less arcade and then get complaints when that happens.
Sorry @EA_Aljo, but this is a gross oversimplification and highly misleading. You omitted the part where EA intentionally nerfed already clunky defensive stick mechanics in an arcade way in order to aid arcade offensive puck possession. We know this to be true because poke check and DSS did not used to be this slow and penalized (speed penalties and actual penalties). As has been stated multiple times in the last couple years, it is absurdly arcade to give a player carrying the puck more ability and agility with his stick than the player without the puck. You compound that when you also allow that puck-carrying player the arcade ability to rather easily shed body and stick contact with no or little impact to maintaining/quickly regaining possession. As a result, puck possession in this game nowhere near resembles the NHL (and neither does defensive stick use/abilities). I personally have made numerous requests for the game to be more "sim" in this regard. So to characterize the revert as “less arcade” without acknowledging the overall context or balance issues created by the devs decisions towards offensive arcade in the first place is an irresponsible message to send to the community in my view.
I didn't omit anything. This is just my personal opinion from being on these forums since well before I even worked here. When we make something more difficult and widen the skill gap, we get a lot of negative feedback. Poke checks causing too many penalties, having pre-made builds and making hitting less affective are a few examples. These were all very negatively received and ended up being changed.
I think we have a good balance now of pokes not causing too many penalties, but I'm very much not a fan of the slow down from it. I'm also not claiming that the game doesn't have arcade elements. I'd surely like to see those reduced as well. It would be good to see the carrier not have as high a success rate with picking up the puck after contact. I'd rather the puck be dislodged more so the defender has a better chance of gaining control. Defense could use a boost in general. At the same time though, it's a position that takes skill to play well. Good defenders are going to be able to defend against the puck carrier. Whether that's poke checks, hits or just good positional play, it all takes skill to succeed at. Yes. It's a challenge. Maybe too much. I'd certainly like it if that were balanced better without making either side overpowered.
My own personal sentiment is very similar to how most of you feel. I want a game that leans sim, but not completely. That would be a lot more frustrating than fun. However, not everyone has the same definition of fun. There are those here that say the game is ruined because they don't like the hitting mechanics. I like the changes to skill stick for hitting and prefer that over 23. I'm just not a fan of the Total Control method of hitting and one button controls in general. It feels more natural to "wind up" for the hit. This is just an example of how fun isn't the same for everyone.
You're doing terrific at these logical fallacies.. please tell me how making hits less effective "widens the skill gap" this ought to be good!
Everyone is fine with defense being hard... but that's if offense is hard too 🤣 the lacrosse is one button. Meanwhile on defense we gotta aim our pokecheck and sweep the stick correctly but if at the wrong time the puck goes through our legs and if we're near the goalie it will bounce off our skate and score a goal 🤡
"I want a game that leans sim, but not completely." And THIS is the biggest issue in NHL because the "not completely" is ALWAYS to the detriment of defense and to boost the offense. THIS closes the skill gap and adds randomness and stupid goals like a puck going off a defenders skate (that was otherwise in a good position to defend a cross crease pass) your "widening the skill gap" is just boosting the offense. It doesn't do that at all lmao. This is the biggest advantage the offense has EVER had over the defense since I started playing this game and it's GOTTA be the smallest I've ever seen the skill gap.
You claimed Poke check was okay in another thread.
i think you might just be at the wrong end of that “small skill gap” and rather than take the advice here on how to get better, you’re busy implying the people who make this game are clowns.
lets play an OVP game if you’re up for it. I want to see if you have a good understanding of how to play defence in this game.
I have already said I only play WoC countless times.. I'm not sure how your memory is.. you can check my WoC stats.. I'm doing quite fine, it's just not fun. I also have videos and I've streamed. It all shows I know what I'm doing.. you on the other hand probably use every game breaking mechanic given to you judging by your NEED for offensive superiority.
@rsandersr47 wrote:I have already said I only play WoC countless times.. I'm not sure how your memory is.. you can check my WoC stats.. I'm doing quite fine, it's just not fun. I also have videos and I've streamed. It all shows I know what I'm doing.. you on the other hand probably use every game breaking mechanic given to you judging by your NEED for offensive superiority.
I’m actually a mostly exclusive D in woc too, so I don’t have a need to use game breaking mechanics.
Most of my feedback is largely based around defending, using DSS, etc. I love the added responsibilities on D because the payoffs are larger.
Some of those payoffs come by way of shutting down the typical go-to plays by the higher skilled.
Some of the changes to the mechanics aren’t always about black/white possession of the puck - sometimes it’s about adding the ability to create new scenarios and then sorting out the meta within those movements.
For example, the removal of the speed burst in hitting would force the D to time their decision-making differently. It should’ve also enticed the use of the shove more, and also encouraged more use of DSS - creating different scenarios defensively and forcing the offensive to try different things in the face of new defensive setups.
But instead, because a few can’t master the changes within a few days and take some L’s against those who are adapting, we get “outcry” on social media, forums etc
You also didn't clarify if you thought poke checking was in a good place or not.
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