KidShowtime1867 yes, I used ChatGPT to help organize my thoughts, but everything in that post came from me. It just made it easier to get it all written out, plus it reminded me of a couple features fans have been asking for that I might’ve missed.
The point I was making is that “making the best game possible” might be every developer’s goal, but it’s not EA’s business model. The devs could add all the stuff we want if they had the time and budget, but EA purposely holds features back and rolls them out slowly so we keep buying every year. That’s why nothing really changes, even when fans threaten boycotts.
The best sports games ever made happened because of dedicated human devs with the freedom to go all-in. That’s never going to happen here unless EA has a reason to change. The only way I see that happening is if the business model changes so EA actually makes more money giving us everything at once—otherwise, why would they? If they made the perfect NHL game today, half the player base could skip buying next year.
That’s where the yearly subscription idea comes in, it guarantees them the same (or more) revenue while letting the dev team keep improving the same game all year instead of drip-feeding us just enough to sell the next one.
The devs could add all the stuff we want if they had the time and budget
This statement is not based in reality. I understand that it's somewhat unreasonable to expect everyone on this forum to grasp the complexity of developing a videogame - especially the younger crowd who thinks adding a feature to a game is just a matter of pressing a button that says, 'add this feature'.
The truth of the matter is, adding a new game feature can trigger changes across physics, AI, animation, networking, UI, and sound, often requiring new assets that must be created, tested, optimized, and seamlessly integrated. Designers must balance the feature through multiple test cycles, and if it impacts multiplayer, ensure smooth network synchronization without lag or exploits. In large studios, the process also demands careful coordination across multiple teams to avoid disrupting production schedules.
That’s why nothing really changes, even when fans threaten boycotts.
I've been around this game and its community for longer than I want to admit. Every single year there's a subset of the community who feel personally attacked by EA because their very specific needs aren't being met. Sometimes it's a bug that's plagued the series for a while, sometimes it's a mechanic they haven't taken the time to fully understand. These people insist on creating threads, tweets - anything they can to generate some kind of 'viral' campaign to 'boycott this year's game'. It never works because aside from our typical gripes year after year, EA continues to put out a hockey game that the majority gravitate to.
The best sports games ever made happened because of dedicated human devs with the freedom to go all-in
Again with the AI generated replies. You need to prompt the AI to include what you would consider one of the "best sports games ever made" in order for it to formulate a coherent point. Without providing an example as a standard to hold EA to, you're just saying things with no substance.
The only way I see that happening is if the business model changes so EA actually makes more money giving us everything at once
Again - this statement holds no water. "If the business model changes, EA makes more money and we get everything we want".
Yes and if NASA just figured out zero point energy, humanity would no longer be held captive to burning fossil fuels. Like what's NASA even waiting for? Do they even want to make money? I think we should boycott NASA until they just change their business model to invent zero point energy. It's so weird they just dont' do it already.
If they made the perfect NHL game today, half the player base could skip buying next year.
I know right? Why don't they just make the perfect NHL game? What are they thinking?
That’s where the yearly subscription idea comes in, it guarantees them the same (or more) revenue while letting the dev team keep improving the same game all year instead of drip-feeding us just enough to sell the next one.
As EA_Aljo mentioned, even in a subscription based model, you'll still see similar development timelines with full feature releases still likely being 12-18 months apart.
You’re overcomplicating what I’m talking about. I’m not asking for “press a button, add a feature” — I’m pointing out that basic depth and realism that used to be in the game has been stripped out of Franchise, Be a Pro, and Presentation for years, and despite fans asking, it’s never been brought back. We’re not talking brand-new, physics-breaking innovations here. We’re talking about basic features that were already in NHL over a decade ago, ran fine, and made the experience better.
You also can’t ignore the fact EA has a monopoly on licensed hockey games. There’s no competition breathing down their neck, and they’ve shifted focus to HUT because it’s the cash cow. I get why they do it — it makes money — but pretending that doesn’t affect where time and resources go is just being willfully blind.
That’s the point of bringing up the business model. I’m not even saying necessarily“give us everything at once,” just bring back the core features that made past games great. Right now, there’s no financial reason to do that. But if a model like a subscription guaranteed long-term revenue while letting devs work on one evolving game instead of chopping it into yearly releases, they could bring those features back and still keep the lights on.
We’re talking about basic features that were already in NHL over a decade ago, ran fine, and made the experience better.
What features? My dude - you need to understand that in order for ChatGPT to provide a response that has some substance, you need to prompt it properly. You're just saying platitudes like "realism needs to be brought back" and "they just need to change their entire business model". These statements mean nothing without actual examples of exactly what you mean.
just bring back the core features that made past games great
like what? provide some actual examples instead of word salad from ChatGPT.
But if it’s really good and you want to keep playing, most people would keep their subscription going year after year
Again with this "If the game was good, people would buy it". Like.. my guy... please understand the vagueness of these statements makes them drip with insincerity.
it is just a fail safe for EA to roll out a better, higher quality game with many more feature missing and for players to continue subscribing if it is worth it.
How?! Please provide an actual specific example of how a 12-month development cycle would differ under a subscription model. You haven't laid out any specifics other than "if they made the game great, people would subscribe"
Here is a great example of what EA NHL was to what EA NHL is now. This shows that they have removed and revamped the same mode for years. This content was there prior and in a large part the older version (revamp) offers so much more then the new (revamp) of this mode.
The fact that a game from 2012 can outperform a mode in content and to some degree presentation is depressing on some many levels. This is their major selling point for NHL 26 and they can't even keep up with one of their own trailers.
(175) NHL 26 - Be A Pro Deep Dive - YouTube
The basis that they run on yearly games does not work anymore. I don't think a subscription based game would be ideal either but something does need to change for the better as this business model does not work for the game overall. It went from being a "AAA" title winning awards to a "AA" that barely survives a year with content or sustainable gameplay.
Community ManagerYou also can’t ignore the fact EA has a monopoly on licensed hockey games. There’s no competition breathing down their neck, and they’ve shifted focus to HUT because it’s the cash cow. I get why they do it — it makes money — but pretending that doesn’t affect where time and resources go is just being willfully blind.
Did you see there's a big BaP update coming? There also have been numerous updates to Franchise Mode in recent years. HUT of course gets updates since it's one of the most popular modes. That doesn't mean we're ignoring other modes though. The focus hasn't shifted to HUT. The focus is on the game as a whole. We can't do major overhauls of every mode every year though.
KidShowtime1867 I'm 39 and have been playing this game since NHL94 every single year. I've likely been around this game just as long as you have...
Community Manager
