Forum Discussion
@EA_AljoYes, feedback has been listened to for sure which on a whole can be good and greatly appreciated but the focus is only on things that are gameplay or online related.
BAP and franchise modes are still flooded with glitches.
For franchise more: AI inconsistencies (having no idea what do do with RFA's) which have been in the game for multiple years ( I have to usually use my 1st and 2nd round picks to make sure players like Martin Necas or Brock Boeser are not left as RFA's for the whole season, while the team signs UFA's in the off-season instead). This can easily take away from the enjoyment as I can't build a team the way I want to cause I have to fix a mess that is created by the game directly.
Not to mention the ticket I created relating to the jersey lettering issue going from a home game to away or vice versa. Yes, I myself found a workaround but that doesn't make it okay to leave in as I am having to close the game out fully, which allows me time to decide if I really want to put it back on.
The issue where the created team flag that is part of the end-game celebration not correctly showing the team logo (this was fixed in NHL 21 but became an issue again in NHL 22).
These are just a few I can name as well that go into and do not even go into the content that was in this mode and has been cut throughout the years as well.
Be a pro where the winning team pulls the goalie in a game (which makes no sense whatsoever), allowing the losing team to get back in the game to the script having no relation to how the outcome actually was.
This also does not go into the fact that almost all the presentation was removed from the game, the improved intros actually being worse than older ones (NHL 14 as an example, which was longer, had more interaction, and also had goalie introductions.
This is coming from a fan who has played your games back to NHL 94 and owns a collection of EA NHL games that is up to around 60 titles in total varied on console and some of the limited collection stuff that was handed out.
As Aljo has said, there are indeed things being done related to community concerns and we should acknowledge that.
The direction of the game is limited in scope for what they are willing or able to correct however.
If it can be considered "realistic" it isn't a priority. They aren't attempting to present an "NHL" game, but their own "EASHL/CHEL" version of hockey gameplay.
That means cutting corners, a lack of balance, and "unique" presentation. (I don't personally consider these things to be good.)
When they implement their own ideas they tend to go all-in with drastic changes, but when it comes to community suggestions they tend to adjust incrementally to appease the feedback rather than go all the way towards a solution. Some things are subjective and gradual adjustments make sense, while others actually require a full correction.
When they do attempt a "full" correction, it often has unintended consequences or doesn't actually result in a "fix". Sometimes it simply makes things worse.
The pressure system is a prime example of an addition with good intentions where they went "all in" with a design choice. The problem is that it wasn't well thought out and they are reluctant to adjust such a "feature" to the point where it functions as it "should".
The intention was promising. Encourage more of a team dynamic and setting up in the zone to implement more offensive hockey strategies.
- Issue #1 is that there is so much programmed into the game to give a rush strategy the advantage with a single player controlling the puck or a simple cross crease, that there's no advantage to building a strategy around the pressure system.
- Issue #2 is that they had to "break" other things to implement it, such as nerfing the speed and height of dumps to prevent teams from easily clearing the zone.
- Issue #3 is that they had to "incentivize" using the new mechanic by making goaltenders fall flat on their face with regularity when pressure is achieved, combined with defenders skating in molasses and losing all their stamina.
That's not an exhaustive list, but an example of what happens when they add new elements without thorough consideration on how they present in a "hockey" game and without understanding the extent of the impact these "features" will have when put into practice.
There is no planned progression towards building a better game. The direction of the series is only to make each game "different enough' to justify it as a stand-alone product.
Many, if not most of us, are disappointed because we are expecting something that isn't even in the long term vision of the franchise.
BAP and Franchise are not seen as important enough towards sales to invest in. It's too labor and knowledge intensive to create a realistic version of hockey.
The focus is on purchases after sale (microtransactions) such as HUT and now Battlepass.
There are things that simply will not be done with the current version of the game. There always are. The only hope is that "your" thing becomes the one they focus on for the next version (25) and becomes the selling point of the game. Maybe next year they completely rework franchise mode for example instead of major overhauls to CHEL or gameplay.
For the here and now, the best we can really hope for are that they at least work the bugs out. There are still issues with custom jerseys in club for example and that's AFTER they applied a "fix".
In short, it's not that "nothing" is being done. It's that some things you (and I) want aren't being done and aren't going to be done. Some require a new game but most require a willingness to prioritize specific areas. Let the team know what you expect moving forward.
- dogheels2 years agoSeasoned Ace
Well composed. Kudos on your article. One other thing that should be mentioned. The developers have over the years come up with new innovations, whether it be offensive or defensive. The problem is. Instead of leaving these said good implementations. They change them. Like in 23 the body checking although a bit too aggressive, was in practicality. Easier for players to adapt to. Then this year, they completely revamp the checking, where using the same tactics as one did in 23, only result in ineffective slowing of an opponent. Like its almost a love tap. I do agree with you wholeheartedly, regarding the developers not taking suggestions by the community more seriously. Perhaps if they did. They might find the game taking on a much more realistic feel than is has in who knows how long.
- phomi992 years agoSeasoned Veteran
@dogheels wrote:Well composed. Kudos on your article. One other thing that should be mentioned. The developers have over the years come up with new innovations, whether it be offensive or defensive. The problem is. Instead of leaving these said good implementations. They change them. Like in 23 the body checking although a bit too aggressive, was in practicality. Easier for players to adapt to. Then this year, they completely revamp the checking, where using the same tactics as one did in 23, only result in ineffective slowing of an opponent. Like its almost a love tap. I do agree with you wholeheartedly, regarding the developers not taking suggestions by the community more seriously. Perhaps if they did. They might find the game taking on a much more realistic feel than is has in who knows how long.
The terrible hitting mechanics is why people can enter your zone so easily and then even more so when they ozone ragg it and you bump off them. Start of the year hitting was better now Idk what this is.
- EA_Aljo2 years ago
Community Manager
There are other ways to prevent opposing players from entering your zone. You don't have to rely only on hits. Although, it certainly helps and those have have adapted to the new hitting controls are making it more difficult.
What changed with hitting that you don't like? You can go through the previous patch notes to see the changes that were made.