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Dylan7722's avatar
Dylan7722
New Rookie
3 days ago

What is Franchise Connected?

What is the point of this game mode? No fantasy draft, no draft, no development. 

Just a new way to play online versus, I guess.

I fundamentally don't understand how this mode is meant to be played; most trades in the NHL involve a give and take with futures and current assets, but there is no concept of futures in this mode. Not even a fantasy draft to level out talent and give players an opportunity to mould their teams. What is the point of picking a non-playoff team? So this game mode allows you to play each other with current rosters; this is what was teased for 3+ years by EA NHL directed marketing. Why is it such a stretch to deliver a completed version of a mode that was already in the game?

Standard "manager mode"  in sports games exists to provide realism and immersion for players. NHL is already among the weakest in this category compared to other examples, even within EA. Have you ever watched a CPU sim game? It doesn't resemble any hockey game I've ever watched. No NHL calendar events (dev camp, combine, All-Star Game, outdoor games, international games). The player development system and scouting system are awful and ruin immersion. And now an online version of "franchise" mode that doesn't include any of the features already in the game that make the mode what it is.

Every year we see half-baked fixes to kick the can down the road, never addressing fundamental issues; this is a perfect example.

Some other examples of this effect:
- Adding the awful pressure system.
- Adding the completely broken avoid animations that make EASHL defence unplayable. 
- The down-and-out goalie animations.
- Removing "L2 skating" but creating the equally as broken Mohawk moves.
- Replacing the art for every X-Factor in the game and modifying all of them, but the meta X-Factors don't change at all.
- Adding new story elements to be a pro for the 2nd time, and it's still a far inferior mode to versions from before NHL 17.
- Reworking the creative suite and making it 10x more glitchy, slow, and confusing. 
- Nerfing icon passing so badly is nearly unusable.
- Adding the total control controller layout to perform difficult skill moves with one button. 

franchise

4 Replies

  • Tobbish's avatar
    Tobbish
    Seasoned Veteran
    2 days ago

    I think it's safe to say they will keep adding things, hopefully during NhL 27 itself, but also in future.

    Given that offline franchise mode has not been without it's flaws, I'm surprised we already got Connected Franchise, even if it feels a bit like NHL 15 when it arrived, stripped of most of the things from NHL 14. But they added to it and I think this will be similar. With the annual release they have to get it out there to see what works and what doesn't, while they work and add to it.

    It basically feels like a beta stage of what the game mode will be. But I think it's better that they tread carefully and don't try to do too much too fast and end up with problems that cause problems that cause problems. This annual release is bound to create these kind of scenarios. This is very complex and getting it all to work within the timeframe of a year (even if the work probably started earlier, the point is still the same).

    I will, and I think many will want to help giving feedback on how it works and what we need, to make it enjoyable. I'm not at all sure if it will be all that fun now in the beginning (probably not), but just making sure that stuff works as intended is a start for me.

    But I understand if many are annoyed or frustrated by how this looks, especially if they expected a bug free fully working game mode.

  • lake79's avatar
    lake79
    Rising Adventurer
    2 days ago

    It (hopefully) is one year too early released from bottom up build new version of GMC, which we will first beta test and then pay full game price to continue that beta testing. EA will add and build the mode based on peoples reviews/messages here. Atleast that is the dream scenario for the situation here now.

    That being said, it is NOT ok to make playerbase to pay full price of the game, just so they get an tester squad up till NHL 28. Players should not pay, if GMC/FM are the only modes for those players play in NHL 27.

  • NYR224's avatar
    NYR224
    New Hotshot
    2 days ago

    I get where you're coming from. I think the idea is to offer a simpler online franchise experience that's easier to keep leagues active. It definitely isn't as deep as the offline mode, but I'm hoping it's something they expand over time instead of leaving it as-is.

  • Tobbish's avatar
    Tobbish
    Seasoned Veteran
    2 days ago

    I mean, the game price is the same no matter what. I don't play HUT or World of CHEL, but those who buy it only for the new game mode should not pay full price? That would only make sense if you could buy the game modes separately.

    I wouldn't mind that, but also it is not how things work. I only play Franchise Mode and maybe an occasional Be a Pro if it's a year it makes sense (it hasn't lately, but I've still tried a little).

    I will probably play the new Connected Franchise as a side project to try to help and suggest improvements if I can. But my main focus will most likely remain the regular Franchise Mode.

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