NHL 25 Grudge Match Reveal

I personally don't mind the grudge match cinematic, I think it's pretty cool. My issue with it is how rushed it is. They don't allow it to breathe , it goes from one thing to the other in seconds . 15 seconds is not enough for an intro, 40 seconds should have been better. I don't understand why it's so quick and rushed. 

Focus group? LOL

LOL, are you implying that they don't focus-test the game? They MUST...

Regardless, I agree with hdce. Why do the shot callers at EA Sports feel that the fanbase wants this? I think a more realistic TV-like intro package (maybe even using IRL footage) would do MUCH better both on these forums AND in the eyes of the general public. 

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. 

Since you've played the game, can you confirm/deny whether or not the "speed boost hitting" from NHL24 is still in the game? I was really hoping they would axe that from day 0 this year and have more realistic hitting speeds.

TBF if you're playing a mode like "Threes Eliminator" you should probably expect it to be Fortnite-esque. Aren't those casual modes like the most arcade-y parts of the game? Also, WoC modes already have intro animations on sale. Very goofy ones. I guess people buy them. 

I only play Online Versus (and very rarely EASHL) because I prefer a more realistic experience. They're definitely not going to sell any intro animations for that mode. 

I'm not the biggest fan that dev resources went into this feature but was this really the final straw for you?

Do you think "thousands of people" create the ESPN intro graphics and visual effects? I HIGHLY doubt that. It's probably a small team of graphic artists/animators that do that. 

Other teams do the actual studio filming, ice-preparation for the shots, project managers for the in-between, directors, producers, etc. So if you count them as well then I could see it. 

SHEESH it was SO GOOD. Simplicity and execution. I would take this exact set of scenes with the modern animations and graphic fidelity and a few more stat-based highlighting of certain players over what we have now. The kicker? It would be an EASIER project than what they created for the Grudge Match system.

I miss a truly skilled commentary team, as well. Cibulski does his best but just sounds a little too non-professional for my ears. 

Either WE'RE out of touch with what the fanbase wants or the shot-callers at EA Sports are.