Bring NHL back to PC – Crossplay potential
Hello EA Sports NHL Team, I have been a loyal NHL fan since NHL 07 on PC. After that, I played every NHL game on PS3, PS4, and PS5, buying each new release. But now that I’ve switched to PC, I can...
Forum Discussion
Why NHL Should Return to PC with Crossplay
1. Expanding the Player Base and Revenue
The PC gaming community is massive and constantly growing. Bringing NHL back to PC would open the doors for a whole new audience.
Currently, NHL is console-exclusive, limiting the player base and potential revenue from microtransactions like Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT).
More players mean better matchmaking and a stronger online community.
2. Crossplay Support Would Unite Players
Other EA Sports titles like FIFA and Madden already have crossplay. NHL should follow suit.
Crossplay between PC, PlayStation, and Xbox would improve matchmaking, reduce wait times, and create a more competitive environment.
3. The Technical Advantages of PC
Modern PCs offer better graphics, higher FPS, and support for ultra-wide monitors—features that console versions lack.
A PC version could allow for modding, which would increase player engagement and extend the game’s lifespan.
4. NHL Was on PC Before and Was Successful
NHL games were available on PC in the past (the last being NHL 09), and fans have been waiting for a return ever since.
There are very few hockey games on PC, meaning NHL would have little competition.
5. Esports and Streaming Potential
PC gaming dominates esports, and NHL could expand its presence in the competitive scene.
Twitch and YouTube streaming would attract new audiences and help the game gain more exposure.
6. Advanced Anti-Cheat Systems Can Handle PC Cheaters
In the past, EA might have been concerned about cheaters on PC, but today’s games use strong anti-cheat systems like Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) and Ricochet from Activision.
Even GTA Online, which struggled with hackers for years, has recently improved its anti-cheat measures. NHL could implement similar protections.
Other major online games (FIFA, Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege) successfully manage cheating on PC with frequent updates and monitoring.
Conclusion
Releasing NHL on PC with crossplay would expand the player base, increase revenue, improve matchmaking, and take advantage of modern technology. The concerns about cheating are outdated, as advanced anti-cheat solutions now exist. Other EA Sports titles already support PC and crossplay, so NHL should not be left behind. It’s time to bring NHL back to PC!
EA_AljoCommunity Manager
Appreciate the added details. Personally, I would disable crossplay with PC players. I've just seen too many issues with crossplay between those platforms. I'd rather stick to only playing against console players. Again, just a personal opinion. There are of course others that would welcome this.
Thanks for the answer! I understand the concerns about cheaters, but let's look at the facts: crossplay already works great in games like FIFA and Madden, which EA supports on both PC and consoles. NHL should be no exception. Modern anti-cheat systems like Easy Anti-Cheat or Ricochet successfully protect against cheaters in other games.
As for the concerns about cheaters – of course, there is a greater chance of cheats on PC, but let's look at GTA Online for example. When it was on PS3 and PC, there were an incredible number of cheaters there. But since the transition to newer versions, the situation has improved significantly thanks to stronger anti-cheats and regular updates. NHL on PC would have the same options – Easy Anti-Cheat or other solutions already work great in many online games. It would be a shame if NHL remained the only sports title from EA that is still pushed aside only on consoles. The PC community is interested in it and crossplay is already successfully working elsewhere, so why shouldn't it be possible here too? Moreover, even if NHL on PC had some problems at the beginning, it is nothing unusual. Every online game that expands its capabilities (whether crossplay or a new platform) has gone through this – FIFA, NBA 2K, GTA Online, Call of Duty… It always takes a while to fine-tune anti-cheat protections and other things. But it is a normal process. If EA ever plans to bring NHL back to PC, they'll have to start at some point. And the sooner the better – technology is constantly evolving and PC gaming is only growing. Waiting another 5-10 years is not the answer.
