Its probably not in the game this year also..... :(
I still don´t understand why they removed it....
because they don't care about the game, and gamers who play offline.
no full presentation, no face scan for half league, no normal editor, players who don't have a photo don't have the ability to set a game face like in 2k, and other things
and it's really funny to see how their poor community manager has to justify themselves by saying that they want to make the game better and are looking forward, not towards NHL 14.
And what they do is remove useful features from the game (for example, presentation, real scoreclock, broadcast), and then after years they slowly return them (scoreclock in this year, roster sharing in 2022, etc.).
ugh, you can only buy this game on sale for $20.
2024 year - the game is worse than they did in 2013
Edit: Removed rude comment. Per the rules of the EA Forums, keep your posts appropriate and free of swearing. -CM
It looks like it's another year of balding/ grey hair'd 18yo elite prospects with horribly fitting names, who should be a center but is forced to play on the wing, all because of some greyed out options that just sit there, teasing franchise mode players for years upon years.
At least you can have a conversation about the position now! Maybe next game you can do Lou-things and talk about appearance (or set a team-wide rule).
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I want you to change your hair style! You look ridiculous!"
"I'm sorry we don't see eye to eye here, what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to grow a mullet."
[player morale dropped]
Community ManagerWe absolutely care about the offline players. There was significant work done on Franchise Mode. I understand not everything offline players wanted is in the game this year. However, there was a lot of focus on offline play.
So much effort put in by the team to create those conversations to kinda-sorta address some of our complaints, when they could have spent that same time implementing our suggestions and fixing more complaints. If that conversation engine lags in the slightest playing the game is going to be more of a chore than fun.
As I said in the deep dive thread, I can appreciate what they were going for here and can give them kudos for the effort, but I can’t help to feel it’s sorely misguided.
The conversations (from BAP) were one of the most hated aspects of the game because of how broken they were… so they doubled down on that. Already been confirmed that the menus are still pretty laggy, so the conversation engine became the chore engine.
they absolutely nailed the concept of destroying a beloved game mode.
we’ve asked for years for player editing and customization and they literally refuse to answer the constant annual question of “why did you lock us out of editing players?”
getting an answer to that question is as hard as getting a playable franchise mode lol
I love that franchise mode got (some, albeit misguided and poor) attention, but it’s still a huge letdown, even with expectations being so low. The bar is literally on the ground and they still didn’t hit it lol
Thank you for answering some messages.
We would all love to see answers to questions.
But I absolutely disagree about "caring" about offline players.
You haven't even added LTIR to the franchise and now you have to make a lot of unnecessary moves so that the clubs fit into the salary cap.
Also about what I wrote above:
- face scans (not 20-25 faces in 1 year, all nhl player must have real face scan, see 2k25 for example)
- presentation (so many people asking this for offline, but this not added)
- cutscenes (in a be a pro, during the match, after winning losing, for playoff, winning SC and etc.)
- normal editor of hairstyles and faces for players who don't have face scan
- creation of custom helmets and skates
- replacement of gray empty space instead of a photo with a face that is used in the game
- Winter Classic
All these comments are ridiculous in 2024.
Because all this should have been in the game a long time ago.
But instead we get small changes in the franchise mod and they are presented as "caring".
You, as a community manager, see the feedback from gamers like no one else and you know that something has been done, it's good (but you can do more in a year), but it's clearly not enough for a game that is sold at the full price. Players' wishes are regularly ignored (examples of wishes are above) and there is no answer as to why this is so, except that the developers are busy with other tasks (draw a new game set for HUT)
You also wrote that many do not complain about the new presentation. But nowhere was it visible that players asked to remove the old presentation. You did it yourself for reasons known only to you, no one asked you about it.
Add what we ask for year after year and most of the negativity on this issue will subside:)
You will be left with those who complain about the gameplay, HUT, etc.
I dont know if I really agree on "there was a lot of focus on offline play"
Franchise mode got some updates, I give you that. But outside Franchise mode, what did offline players get that online players didnt also got?
But, I´m not jumping on you EA_Aljo , you are the one I really appreciate on the forums, but I do dislike EA devs for not making even the smallest things for offline modes... (outside minor changes for Franchise mode)
I'll "work as a lawyer" for a bit)
"No new national teams" - all teams, who really play hockey already in a game (except Russia/Belarus but this is political decision).
And also my claim is higher about:
" - face scans (not 20-25 faces in 1 year, all nhl player must have real face scan, see 2k25 for example)"
for NHL 25 apparently applies to a lesser extent.
If really more 200 new faces ЕА added in this game - BIG thx, plz continue in a patches.
Also no one blames EA_Aljo personally, we all understand he is a community manager, not a developer, I just wish the developers would listen to the players' opinions and remember that they are making a sports simulator, not Fortnite.
My other complaints are still valid.
