17th year without a PC release

EA, we need specific dates and news about the development of NHL games on PC. If you have any requirements for the community, such as petitions or smth similar we can organize them. Tell us what you need to release an NHL game on PC and your conditions and requirements. We`re tired of waiting it for over 17 years. Just tell us some news about PC version and how we can prove that we need PC version of NHL game

I know, I know, every year someone ask this. But if we want to have hope, we at least need to make it known that there are people that are just waiting for that. 

Maybe, just maybe EA will try to poll players instead of just saying there is not enough player to see if there is maybe a community on PC that would be big enough to port it! 

But anyway! Would love to play that game I'm a big NHL fan (both the sport and the game) but i won't buy a console just for it... 

I have hope that maybe someday my wish will come true! 

Have a great day everyone! Put the puck in the net for me! 

Subject: The Strategic Opportunity of Releasing the EA SPORTS NHL Franchise on PC

To the Leadership and Stakeholders of EA SPORTS,

I am writing to you as a dedicated fan of the NHL series and a member of the broader gaming community to present a compelling business case for the reintroduction of the EA SPORTS NHL franchise to the PC platform. While the decision to discontinue the PC version of the series after NHL 09 was a sound one based on the market conditions of that era, the current gaming landscape has evolved dramatically, presenting a new and lucrative opportunity that aligns with EA's core business objectives.

The PC gaming market is no longer a niche segment. It is a dominant force in the industry, with annual revenues exceeding $40 billion and a global player base that continues to grow. Titles like Madden and EA FC have demonstrated the significant commercial viability of sports simulations on PC, successfully cultivating a massive and engaged player base. Releasing NHL on PC would not only tap into this established market but also satisfy a passionate, vocal, and underserved fan base that has been requesting this for years. Forum discussions and online petitions show a strong, consistent demand, proving that the perceived "small player base" of the past no longer reflects the reality of today's PC gamers.

Beyond the traditional PC tower and laptop market, a new and rapidly expanding segment presents a unique opportunity: the handheld gaming PC. Devices like the Steam Deck and the ASUS ROG Ally have created a new category of player, one who desires the portability of a handheld console with the power and library of a PC. This market is projected to grow from $2.0 billion in 2025 to over $6.11 billion by 2033, and is a perfect match for a game like NHL. By releasing a PC version of NHL, you would instantly make the game available to this new, multi-billion-dollar market. These devices bridge the gap between console and PC, offering a seamless, on-the-go experience that many gamers crave.

The modern PC gaming ecosystem also provides unique advantages that would significantly enhance the NHL franchise. This includes the ability for players to create custom content, such as updated rosters, jerseys, and arenas, which would extend the game's lifespan and create a vibrant, self-sustaining community. This kind of user-generated content acts as a powerful marketing tool, keeping the game relevant and driving engagement long after the initial launch. Furthermore, the high-end hardware capabilities of PC gaming would allow for unparalleled graphical fidelity and performance, offering the most realistic and immersive hockey simulation to date. This would not only attract new players but also provide a premium experience for existing fans.

From a profitability standpoint, a PC version of the NHL franchise would open up a new, highly engaged revenue stream. The PC market is a hotbed for microtransactions and live-service models, which have been proven to drive long-term revenue in titles like EA FC and Madden. By bringing NHL to PC, you could leverage the successful Ultimate Team and other in-game purchase models to capitalize on this new market. The initial development cost of porting the game would be an investment with a high potential for return, particularly given that the core game engine is already shared with other EA titles. This isn't just about a one-time sale; it's about building a sustainable, profitable presence in a thriving market.

In conclusion, the decision to bring the EA SPORTS NHL franchise to PC is a clear strategic move. It is a decision that would unlock a significant and growing market, cultivate a loyal and active community, and create a new avenue for sustained revenue. The investment in a PC port is not a gamble; it is an intelligent and timely response to the modern gaming landscape. We, the fans, are ready and waiting to support this new chapter for the franchise.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

A Dedicated Fan and Supporter of the NHL Franchise

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

Here ya go titus1029​ ... a little bit of research later and I found cumulative game sales from back when EA reported this.  Here is one from what people argue was NHL's best game in 15 and then one from the last know reported sales from EA 19. Its night and day of a difference in sales. So again, if Madden is considered to be failing by you and others here, why would they double down on it with NHL? There are the numbers:
Madden 15: 7,377,268 / NHL 15: 1,861,257 / A ratio of 3.96:1

Madden 19: 2,924,069/ NHL 19: 720,328 / A ratio of 4.05:1

I don't think the 19 numbers are complete like the others but the sales rate still stays about the same. So how can you tell me NHL would be more successful on PC than Madden when these are sales ratios between the two? And they are not even close...

Would love a PC release. Tired of paying for PSN network just for this one game. 

I am pretty sure Cricket sells more than NHL.  I hear this game sells like 25K copies a year or something small like that.    We will probably never see it.  

I do hope they release it on the Switch 2 though!

I am still in the belief that Sports fans have a direct correlation to a player base in sports games but if you are really telling me that NHL sells more than Madden then I will tell you that there is no way that is true. I doubt NHL 15 (the best NHL game that's always referenced, doesn't even come CLOSE to Madden in sales. The hierarchy will always be FIFA -> MADDEN -> (F1 maybe) even -> NHL. Its just the sad truth we have to learn to live with.

I'd welcome a PC release and in previous years I've told myself that if it ever happens, and it looks as amazing as it could, I will build myself a new PC which can max it's graphics.

But those thoughts are almost out of the picture now. I don't believe it is coming for PC, of the reasons already mentioned many times in this forum. I understand both those who want it for PC, and EA who doesn't seem to see a need for it.

The argument that is heaviest for me, is that if no other company has tried to make a proper PC game since EA stopped, why suddenly start again? Because thousands of people online are passionate about it? EA doesn't have exclusive rights with the NHL which means anyone (who can afford it) can make a modern NHL game for PC, but no one has tried (as far as I know).

I'm also fairly certain that an annual PC release wouldn't be profitable anymore. People who don't like the next version will just mod the hell out of their NHL XX and manage for many years. And a game with modern graphics would last long. I don't know how close to modern looks people have managed to make NHL 09, but it must have fallen behind a long time ago. Considering what people do visually to games like GTA V and make it look VERY realistic, I'd expect that to happen to an NHL PC game too. Exciting thought, but I don't think EA will be the company that makes the next NHL game for PC (judging by comments in these forums).

If they let the community have access we could eliminate cheats as the arise. I dunno if Madden will be there main focus though. They literally just need to copy the new version of college football (2025) and it will crush. 

Id bet the NFL and Colllege football don’t cover 25% of FIFA though so there is that. Not to mention that the few people that do play NHL and would on PC would stand out if cheating as there would be such a close eye on them (console users and EA themselves). Guessing though if NHL had even 5% of EA sports playerbase id be surprised. 

This I feel comes down to how challenging setting this up would be. I just can’t see it being that rough as it’s only an OS issue. However, my knowledge about it is about as minimal as my knowledge on the pain of childbirth being a male (no offense to anyone).  It sounds quite easy in my head though (not the child birth part) haha. 

Is it an O/S issue? If Xbox leaves the console department when the ps6 comes out is that a far fetched idea or something challenging to do as far as man hours (sorry person hours)?

*don’t know if man hours is the term anymore hehe. No offense intended to anybody