EA_Aljo
Community Manager
Community ManagerNHL 25 Grudge Match Reveal
Here's a peek at the new Grudge Match feature coming to NHL 25.
Forum Discussion
I like the concept of tracking who you've played before and providing some match-up history before a game. But the execution of that idea on display here is obviously not geared towards me. I get that EA wants to bring in new players and grow the game, but I'm not sure this style of presentation is the way to go. But I'm old, and this is obviously something designed to appeal to a younger audience.
I'm curious about what game modes this applies to. The blog is vague. Does this apply to WOC modes? If so, does it track only clubs or does it track match-ups at a player level? At a club level does it differentiate between game modes?
EA_AljoCommunity Manager
Community ManagerI wouldn't agree that only the younger players are going to enjoy this. I'm certainly not one of those and the first time I saw it I didn't mind it. Kinda got me excited for the upcoming rematch. Regardless, appreciate the feedback. We'll have more news on the Grudge Match system as we get closer to release.
Why is the entire fan base requesting a broadcast presentation style, yet this idea is the one that made it to the forefront?
To play devil's advocate here, the presentation style shown in the video above draws parallels from your typical national sports broadcaster's approach to marketing a big game on their networks.
They often film players at practice facilities in front of green screens to then use those videos in presentation packages like this. Anyone who's been to an NHL game will notice it's a similar approach to pre-game intros shown on the video screens before a game.
Although it's not your typical broadcast style that you'd see on regional coverage that most of us are familiar with, I can appreciate the 'big game' approach to this type of presentation.
I hope this intro is reserved for games where you're playing against an opponent you've played before, and someone you haven't has a different introduction.
You're right that that is what EA was GOING FOR with this intro package but I think it's fairly obvious that they haven't executed well. You'd never see players standing/posing without sticks in one of those intros.
Also, it just kinda looks "cheese" in CG. I understand that they can't film every single player doing various poses IRL but why not go the easy route and use NHL b-roll from previous seasons' games? I feel like IRL footage looks much more classy than the (good but not great) renders.
