Issues with the AI "balance"

The only gameplay update was to fix an issue with goalies sliding. If you can gather some video examples of your issues, we'll review them.

I really wish there was more understanding of what players actually go through when being asked to provide “proof” or “evidence” of gameplay issues in NHL 26. I don’t have a reliable way to capture clear 1080p clips — even straight from my PS5, the video quality drops significantly once transferred to my phone, making it almost impossible to show small interface details like stamina gauges nor can I show a display of what my sticks are doing when something is taking place, so how exactly do I "show" when the games not doing as it should.

To actually highlight an issue like excessive stamina burn, I’d have to record continuously with my phone, which still wouldn’t guarantee catching the exact moment it happens in enough detail. Using instant replay isn’t an option either since the game doesn’t display stamina gauges during replays. Virtually every clip I’ve shared has been filmed off-screen from instant replay, and honestly, those end up looking better than the low-resolution clips the system gives me (for some reason, NHL clips are the only ones that degrade to under 480p on my phone when downloaded).

What’s really frustrating is that despite already submitting videos and giving clear examples when possible — even ones showing obvious issues like glaring missed penalty calls, absolutely distorted or disfigured defending AI, or physics bugs such as pucks randomly launching off the ice — the same problems keep happening months later. So, it’s fair to ask: what’s the point of players reporting detailed issues if nothing seems to change and significant portions of the "target audience" are vocally unhappy with EAs product as suggested by NUMEROUS POSTS asking for various basic fixes such as menu interfaces, memory leak issues, significant numbers asking for a PC release for numerous years. Instead the only innovations added conveniently contribute to a new way to monetize or nickle and dime the customer base with the latest hip thing.

I’m far from expecting instant fixes, but something feels deeply wrong under the surface of this game. It’s discouraging to be told to “show evidence” when the reporting tools themselves or the ability to actually gather the content make that nearly impossible, and the evidence that has been provided doesn’t seem to lead to meaningful improvements. I could bulletpoint the issues with this game like a patch note post with specific evidence for each and every problem, but Im genuinely not convinced it would be a fruitful endeavour given how community managers interact🤷‍♂️

Oh and a future note: when saying "the only update to the game was X" remember, the recent "button passing fix" broke a lot of other stuff and had to be rolled back, so just because things arent correlated, doesnt mean it wasnt the cause.

I really wish there was more understanding of what players actually go through when being asked to provide “proof” or “evidence” of gameplay issues in NHL 26. I don’t have a reliable way to capture clear 1080p clips — even straight from my PS5, the video quality drops significantly once transferred to my phone, making it almost impossible to show small interface details like stamina gauges nor can I show a display of what my sticks are doing when something is taking place, so how exactly do I "show" when the games not doing as it should.

To actually highlight an issue like excessive stamina burn, I’d have to record continuously with my phone, which still wouldn’t guarantee catching the exact moment it happens in enough detail. Using instant replay isn’t an option either since the game doesn’t display stamina gauges during replays. Virtually every clip I’ve shared has been filmed off-screen from instant replay, and honestly, those end up looking better than the low-resolution clips the system gives me (for some reason, NHL clips are the only ones that degrade to under 480p on my phone when downloaded).

When we make these requests, it's so we can see what you're experiencing. It's not because we don't believe you. It helps us understand what you're reporting. Not everyone plays the same so we don't all see the same exact issues. 

You don't need 1080p clips. Just use the built in game DVR. That's plenty good. You can see the stamina gauges just fine with it. They should still show up in when recording clips since it records exactly what's on your screen. You don't need to use instant replay. Just hit the button to grab the last few minutes. I believe PS5 has that. Xbox has a really quick press of 2 buttons to record the last 30 seconds. There's some help for this here. Unfortunately, we can't see your controller inputs.

What’s really frustrating is that despite already submitting videos and giving clear examples when possible — even ones showing obvious issues like glaring missed penalty calls, absolutely distorted or disfigured defending AI, or physics bugs such as pucks randomly launching off the ice — the same problems keep happening months later. So, it’s fair to ask: what’s the point of players reporting detailed issues if nothing seems to change and significant portions of the "target audience" are vocally unhappy with EAs product as suggested by NUMEROUS POSTS asking for various basic fixes such as menu interfaces, memory leak issues, significant numbers asking for a PC release for numerous years. Instead the only innovations added conveniently contribute to a new way to monetize or nickle and dime the customer base with the latest hip thing.

There have been many issues resolved over the years due to the clips we get from the community. It's often a long process though. Especially, when it comes to gameplay updates. Because, changing something that seems simple can throw other things out of whack or straight up break them. So, we need to spend the proper amount of time to troubleshoot them. 

Oh and a future note: when saying "the only update to the game was X" remember, the recent "button passing fix" broke a lot of other stuff and had to be rolled back, so just because things arent correlated, doesnt mean it wasnt the cause.

The icon passing update didn't break a lot of other stuff. It caused slow passes when using icon passing. Nothing else was broken because of it. When someone makes the claim that gameplay is different due to the patch, we need to see that since there were no gameplay changes that would affect what they're reporting. 

EA_Aljo wrote:

You don't need 1080p clips. Just use the built in game DVR. That's plenty good. You can see the stamina gauges just fine with it. They should still show up in when recording clips since it records exactly what's on your screen

Oh man, I WISH I THOUGHT OF THAT....

NBLSXSopeX wrote:

even straight from my PS5, the video quality drops significantly once transferred to my phone,

NBLSXSopeX wrote:

Virtually every clip I’ve shared has been filmed off-screen from instant replay, and honestly, those end up looking better than the low-resolution clips the system gives me (for some reason, NHL clips are the only ones that degrade to under 480p on my phone when downloaded).

Its almost like I had said this had been tried with no success. I'll pull one of these unwatchable low-res 240p pizzas I get from this process later and post it for you to see WHY I am not opting for this option at all. 

EA_Aljo wrote:

When we make these requests, it's so we can see what you're experiencing. It's not because we don't believe you. It helps us understand what you're reporting. Not everyone plays the same so we don't all see the same exact issues

I wholly understand that, and do my best to provide visual context when possible and honestly have never been given the impression that "they didnt believe me". BUT, the means with which to exemplify the issues I am describing are hard to catch when you are not prepared to capture, and when I cannot get the clips in a presentable condition(some cases, it consistently downloads poorly, or in others, clip plays bugged out with saved visual glitches). Regardless, if hud elements such as a stick display or stamina gauges were toggleable in instant replay, I would have a much easier time exemplifying my issue or even identifying the source of the issue myself if its a situational effect Im not aware of.

EA_Aljo wrote:

The icon passing update didn't break a lot of other stuff. It caused slow passes when using icon passing. Nothing else was broken because of it.

I'll concede that my personal issues with that particular patch were mostly that, but I had friends experiencing an uptick in abnormal crashes during that period, some could recreate a crash holding both Saucer+Normal pass and using a button to do a long stretch pass but that seems gone now. But if "soft passes" was it and "nothing else was broken because of it", I'd have no way to confirm or deny it🤷‍♂️.

I wholly understand that, and do my best to provide visual context when possible and honestly have never been given the impression that "they didnt believe me". BUT, the means with which to exemplify the issues I am describing are hard to catch when you are not prepared to capture, and when I cannot get the clips in a presentable condition(some cases, it consistently downloads poorly, or in others, clip plays bugged out with saved visual glitches). Regardless, if hud elements such as a stick display or stamina gauges were toggleable in instant replay, I would have a much easier time exemplifying my issue or even identifying the source of the issue myself if its a situational effect Im not aware of.

I really don't know why you're having so much trouble with clips. I'll watch for other reports of this issue to see if anyone gets them submitted.

I'll concede that my personal issues with that particular patch were mostly that, but I had friends experiencing an uptick in abnormal crashes during that period, some could recreate a crash holding both Saucer+Normal pass and using a button to do a long stretch pass but that seems gone now. But if "soft passes" was it and "nothing else was broken because of it", I'd have no way to confirm or deny it🤷‍♂️..

We're not aware of any issues with icon passing that caused crashes. If we can get some video of this, it'll be investigated.