Forum Discussion

titus1029

New Veteran

7 months ago

17th year without a PC release

Yep, preorder site only shows PlayStation and Xbox. Huge let down EA, again.

discussion

feedback

98Formula_Bird

New Novice

1 month ago

[Edit - CM] You have millions of fans that want a native release on PC for years now. Consoles will soon be running Windows natively (XBOX) and you now have no excuse to launch a game for PC. You control the rights to the NHL and folks like us who have PC's are forced to mod old versions of the game to make content relevant. There are millions of fans who want to enjoy NHL in 4k natively and you disappoint year after year. Create a game and see what the market even looks like instead of telling people that Fifa and Madden are the only sports that make money (not true). Worst thing that happens is the community would enhance the game further to give the developers some new ideas for a change. What will you add this year 3d reflections on the ice. You are missing out on the biggest community there is for money so just help me understand why you hate the fans so much? If your worried about hacking just do what you did with Battlefield to prevent cheating (Javelin). Just give the people what they want. Cloud gaming is not the future and is a lag disaster. Folks spend thousands of dollars to run 5090's and top tier gaming setups and want to play their favorite sports in 4k. You instead don't want to give the fans what they want and enjoy hearing the fans beg year after year. In all honesty if you don't create something I hope 2k sports buys the rights and does something with it because this monopoly on sports is really becoming a detractor for your organization.

Edit: Merged with the already existing thread for this topic. -CM

thebrazenhead75

New Veteran

1 month ago

“Millions”?!?!?!?

Incorrect! You’re over exaggerating just a wee bit. 😆

Give it to this PC crowd for being persistent though for something that hasn’t happened in years and probably several more to come maybe even never again. Think about it people! If EA could make money and/or have it worth their while to make a PC version don’t you think they would?!?!?!? There are also other possibilities and/or other factors (contractual etc) why they haven’t made a PC version in over 10 years plus. EA ideally/probably would love all their games on all platforms but they obviously have their reasons why.

dogheels
Seasoned Ace
1 month ago
The reasons why are. As a sports franchise game, they are in the lower tier of sales. And do to this, the staff has been reduced from what it use to be when the game was in far better shape. Its not that they cant make a PC version. That idea was established decades ago. Your point regarding the money aspect, is spot on. Its all about profitability. And unless the franchise can turn the ship around and gain ground with other sporting games. The future of a PC version is bleak.
- EA_Aljo
  Community Manager
  1 month ago
  
  The reasons why are. As a sports franchise game, they are in the lower tier of sales. And do to this, the staff has been reduced from what it use to be when the game was in far better shape. Its not that they cant make a PC version. That idea was established decades ago. Your point regarding the money aspect, is spot on. Its all about profitability. And unless the franchise can turn the ship around and gain ground with other sporting games. The future of a PC version is bleak.
  
  This is all pure speculation and really not accurate. I can't go into details since we don't release sales numbers and we can't talk about staffing, but these claims are exaggerated.
  - septicon
    Rising Adventurer
    1 month ago
    While it may be speculation, there can be only a few reasons, why EA is not wanting to bring a PC version back, even when so many folks tell you that they would love to buy one. It can only be money or development complexity. You are EA, development is your thing. You cannot tell me, that you could not do it, if you would get enough money back from it. So it must be the financial aspect. Since you do not release any figures (what is understandable and legitimate imho) there can be nothing else than speculation. I bet you underestimate the market on PC. A Steam release would be an almost secure success.
- titus1029
  New Veteran
  1 month ago
  dogheels wrote:
  The future of a PC version is bleak
  Hoping they do come out with a PC release. Looking at steam charts for some hockey games that came out in the last few years and there is definitely a market for hockey games, both these games were free and done by independent developers.
  
  Slapshot: Rebound
  Released in April of 2024, highest estimate ownership at 2.01 million.
  Gamalytic puts total downloads in the range 1.2m - 2.7m with 2.3k in the last 7 days
  
  Puck
  Released in January of 2025, highest estimate ownership at 681.8 thousand.
  Gamalytic puts total downloads in the range 392.4k - 717.9k with 6.1k in the last 7 days
  - dogheels
    Seasoned Ace
    1 month ago
    Hey bud. Im on your side regarding bringing back a pc version. It was because of the original pc version that i got into playing. My comment about it being bleak is based on the current attitudes of this franchise, as well as the financial losses, and player reduction, that i made that comment. Now that EA may be under new ownership. Will have to see the direction they take regarding sport franchise games.