New EASHL load out system
NHL seems to take the SMALLEST steps toward a new system. Meanwhile, 2K radically changes their system year in and year out.
Why not take a few days to analyze how people are creating their players, talk to (video game) pros about how to weigh each attribute and ability. When we enter EASHL it opens much like BAP (we are out on the pond) playing some annual pond hockey game in an area that scouts never go. We are approached by a scout who wants to get some info on us. Character builder opens and we are given a pool of points that can be allocated how we want. Height/ weight plays a part in how expensive or cheap some of the physical attributes are. Essentially it should be possible to be a 6'2 99 speed/ acceleration player but this will leave you being an absolute liability in nearly every other part of your game and you'll likely round out as a ~60 ovr. Where as if you round out your points you could be a 75/80 ovr. Each new season we are able to get more points so by the end of the game being a 99 is possible but that should be rare and only if you allocate your points in a few diff ways. Each season we could earn (extra points) through online success. Winning a season cup, winning x number of online games, or w/e. Each attribute could be weighted as follows (this is a very quick thought process and others would likely be better suited at weighing these.) Weighing speed properly should be the first goal. If it's weighed down enough I personally don't beleive everyone goes in making a 99 speed guy. If enough do then speed is weighed down further in the next installment.
Speed x20
body checking x5
endurance x3
puck control x3
passing x5
slap shot power x8
slap shot accuracy x8
wrist shot power x8
wrist shot accuracy x8
agility x8
strength x5
acceleration x15
balance x3
faceoffs -- every build given 90
durability x3
deking x5
hand eye x4
shot blocking x1
off awareness x8
Def awareness x8
discipline x2
fighting skill x1
stick checking x5
thresholds
after 70 x1.5
after 80 x2
after 90 x3
after 95 x5 (each speed point is 100 points)
After you set your attributes you get the choice to play through a series of drills (this would be similar to the training camp this game used to have so it can teach players how to play) after this you can play town annual winter game. After the game it will ask if you would like to reallocate points and try again. Once you continue the scout of your favorite team will offer you a contract. He also says he can help you refine your abilities. We are now taken to a screen with all the abilities and each have diff values you can choose to add several abilities with smaller values or 1 ability with a large value this will make more abilities viable. You can always go to this scout to change your abilities but your attributes are set.
ProAm is replaced with a BAP mode that allows us to play with our club or in the AHL if you're not good enough. The difficulty cannot be lower than standard EASHL cpu difficulty. After each game the coach will suggest you train on something if needed. This mode should have a small story to play through. Maybe a rival on the other team also gets picked up by your rival NHL team. Or a friend of yours also gets picked up by your club. This mode should mostly just be played when others are not online.
Ultimately the entire mode should push players to play online AND in a club. We earn 0 attributes or placement points when playing drop in. Playing drop in should have a small cap for players to search with so clubs are not trying to beat on disorganized teams. Drop lobbies should be viewable. Clubs could scout players here. If club members play drop it should have their club info available to others so they may apply. When spectating drop lobbies players should be able to quickly send club invites. Players should be able to join more than 1 club. Maybe cap it at 3 or something. I always had 1 club with my friends from home, 1 with guys I've met on the game, and 1 with other high end players. It seemed silly to always have 0 points going to each game because I wasn't currently a member of that particular club at the time.
Give more incentive to play as a club AND not reset club for easy wins. Lots of players in this game either play drop in to prey on new players/ disorganized teams or play club but routinely reset their club to do the same.
Give far more love to goalies. This game is FAR better with goalies but this game is brutal to them. Work with p2p or others to see what all can be done to make this position more enjoyable for players and how allocating their attributes would work. If goalies are having more fun, everyone will be having more fun.