My guess is that Covid-19 is the reason for the delay.
All that has been said is the the game will be released in EA's 3rd quarter which is between October and December. Which wasn't even a official anouncement, it was from a financial report conference call.
I will be getting the XSX when it comes out, and if NHL21 isn't available for the new console I probably won't be getting NHL21. I am not trying to sound threatening or anything just stating facts. I want to support the series I have played since '93. I know that if it isn't coming to the next gen consoles that it isn't EA Vancouver's fault, they are doing the best with what the are given, it's EA as a distributor that is holding the franchise back.
You'll be able to play all Xbox One games through backwards compatibility on the Series X (as well as all Xbox 360 and Original Xbox games that are already on the Back Compat list). You'll even be able to use your existing XB1 controllers on the new console as well, although I think it only applies to the latest generation of controllers (the ones that also have Bluetooth) and the Elite Series (of course).
There are very few companies that will be releasing an current gen and new gen version of their games. Even less that are going to make the game have Smart Delivery where if you buy the current gen version, you get the upgraded next-gen version for free if you migrate over to the Series X. 2K Sports will have two versions of NBA 2K21. If you buy the Xbox One version, you have to buy the Series X version seperately, unless you opt to purchase the Mamba Forever bundle for over 100$ which gives you BOTH versions.
UFC4 won't be a next gen game, and they are even sure if it be backwards compatible to play on the new consoles.
Not a good sign for NHL 21 which is made in the same studio as UFC.
Add in the fact that the NHL series has never launched for new consoles the year the consoles launch. Even the debacle that was NHL15 was a whole year after the current gen consoles launched.
If they release NHL 21 in November or December, which is when it is going to be released, and at the same the new consoles launch, and it isn't on the new consoles, it will be disastrous for the NHL franchise.
I find it odd that with EA being one of if not the largest distributor around, that make so many questionable disicions with their games. Not launching UFC or Squadrons on next gen consoles is setting those games up for failure. Their insistence on pushing micro-transactions on all of their games, where the game community as a whole has told the industry they don't want micro-transactions.
I hope I am wrong, but I can't see them releasing NHL 21 on the next gen consoles.
Not really. Bulk of the sales will come from people on PS4 and Xbox One, same for NHL'21, the new consoles are going to have relatively small player bases to begin with. Granted I'd like to see NHL'21 on next-gen but, having it on current-gen isn't going to hurt the game. Ideally NHL'21 would launch as a cross-gen game that allowed cross-gen play and cross-platform play between Playstation and Xbox.
"EA has confirmed that both FIFA 21 and Madden 21 are on track for a September 2020 release date, which is what we expected because it's consistent with previous years.."
But what about our beloving NHL, I dont really remember when the first announcement usally drops, but I guess around this time.. Covid has made me nervous, and nothing has been confirmed. I would like to have a date, so I could set me up mentally. Uncertainty is the worst I know, im way to curious.
"EA has confirmed that both FIFA 21 and Madden 21 are on track for a September 2020 release date, which is what we expected because it's consistent with previous years.."
But what about our beloving NHL, I dont really remember when the first announcement usally drops, but I guess around this time.. Covid has made me nervous, and nothing has been confirmed. I would like to have a date, so I could set me up mentally. Uncertainty is the worst I know, im way to curious.
I thought it was usually around the time of E3 which would be June. Considering the 2020-2021 season likely won't start until November/December they could be holding off on announcing/showing off NHL'21 for a bit later.
"EA has confirmed that both FIFA 21 and Madden 21 are on track for a September 2020 release date, which is what we expected because it's consistent with previous years.."
But what about our beloving NHL, I dont really remember when the first announcement usally drops, but I guess around this time.. Covid has made me nervous, and nothing has been confirmed. I would like to have a date, so I could set me up mentally. Uncertainty is the worst I know, im way to curious.
I thought it was usually around the time of E3 which would be June. Considering the 2020-2021 season likely won't start until November/December they could be holding off on announcing/showing off NHL'21 for a bit later.
Yeah you are right. If thats the case, maybe the release dosent has to be that delayed.. Im just hoping we dont need to wait untill december before we get the hands on it.
My second game (insurgency sandstorm) just keeps getting delayed.. I've been waiting over 1 year now.. Hehe.
"EA has confirmed that both FIFA 21 and Madden 21 are on track for a September 2020 release date, which is what we expected because it's consistent with previous years.."
But what about our beloving NHL, I dont really remember when the first announcement usally drops, but I guess around this time.. Covid has made me nervous, and nothing has been confirmed. I would like to have a date, so I could set me up mentally. Uncertainty is the worst I know, im way to curious.
I thought it was usually around the time of E3 which would be June. Considering the 2020-2021 season likely won't start until November/December they could be holding off on announcing/showing off NHL'21 for a bit later.
Yeah you are right. If thats the case, maybe the release dosent has to be that delayed.. Im just hoping we dont need to wait untill december before we get the hands on it.
My second game (insurgency sandstorm) just keeps getting delayed.. I've been waiting over 1 year now.. Hehe.
Maybe it will be an October release this year with perhaps a beta in August or September. Yeah I've also been wanting to checkout Insurgency but as you said it keeps getting pushed back.
"EA has confirmed that both FIFA 21 and Madden 21 are on track for a September 2020 release date, which is what we expected because it's consistent with previous years.."
But what about our beloving NHL, I dont really remember when the first announcement usally drops, but I guess around this time.. Covid has made me nervous, and nothing has been confirmed. I would like to have a date, so I could set me up mentally. Uncertainty is the worst I know, im way to curious.
I thought it was usually around the time of E3 which would be June. Considering the 2020-2021 season likely won't start until November/December they could be holding off on announcing/showing off NHL'21 for a bit later.
Yeah you are right. If thats the case, maybe the release dosent has to be that delayed.. Im just hoping we dont need to wait untill december before we get the hands on it.
My second game (insurgency sandstorm) just keeps getting delayed.. I've been waiting over 1 year now.. Hehe.
Maybe it will be an October release this year with perhaps a beta in August or September. Yeah I've also been wanting to checkout Insurgency but as you said it keeps getting pushed back.
I can live with October.. And as you said, at least we get a beta.. and real NHL Playoff's in August, I get my fix!
Insurgency looks tight, but I try not to think about that...
Maybe it will be an October release this year with perhaps a beta in August or September. Yeah I've also been wanting to checkout Insurgency but as you said it keeps getting pushed back.
I hope I am wrong but I am starting to think October is very optimistic. We usually hear no later than late June (NHL awards) about the September release. August is coming up fast and not a word yet. And (to my knowledge) no event like the NHL awards that would be causing them to sit on news for a big reveal.
Unfortunately this isn't surprising. Hopefully the work they have done on the gameplay and me game modes make up for this not being a next gen title.
It's frustrating because I am sure the people at EA Vancouver are doing the best they can with the resources they have, it's just to bad that EA as a whole doesn't take this series seriously.
EA's business model is to take known franchises that we all know and love (NFL, NHL, FIFA, Star Wars) and put as little money as possible into development, produce average games, and hope we buy a ton of those games because we love the franchise's so much.
So I feel for the developers as they want to make great games, but EA has no interest in spending the money required to make a great game.
Unfortunately this isn't surprising. Hopefully the work they have done on the gameplay and me game modes make up for this not being a next gen title.
It's frustrating because I am sure the people at EA Vancouver are doing the best they can with the resources they have, it's just to bad that EA as a whole doesn't take this series seriously.
EA's business model is to take known franchises that we all know and love (NFL, NHL, FIFA, Star Wars) and put as little money as possible into development, produce average games, and hope we buy a ton of those games because we love the franchise's so much.
So I feel for the developers as they want to make great games, but EA has no interest in spending the money required to make a great game.
We also have to remember many of them are working from home. So I doubt they would all have dev kits to work on things and such.
I don't think anyone should get too upset about a delay in the game's release. More people, I think, will be upset that it's not coming to the new Generation consoles, but that too, in my book, is a good thing. Let the devs take their time in finding out all the ways they can better utilize the new consoles power to make the game better.
On a sadder note, NHL 21 will probably be like NHL 15 or "Legacy Edition" was on the Xbox 360/PS3. Just a slightly more polished version of the game game we've been playing for the last couple of years. That means LT abuse will still be in there. So will the horrible AI players and goalies that keep falling for the same online abuse tactics we've been seeing for many years now.
All in all, this makes me glad as I am now decided to wait and have hope as we follow EA into its next-gen hiatus with this game. Maybe when it finally does come out on the Series X or PS5, it will be a game that more meets the standards truly great sports games like Codemaster's F1 series and NBA 2K series have become. With all the immersion, polish and excitement the sport of Hockey truly deserves.
I don't think anyone should get too upset about a delay in the game's release. More people, I think, will be upset that it's not coming to the new Generation consoles, but that too, in my book, is a good thing. Let the devs take their time in finding out all the ways they can better utilize the new consoles power to make the game better.
On a sadder note, NHL 21 will probably be like NHL 15 or "Legacy Edition" was on the Xbox 360/PS3. Just a slightly more polished version of the game game we've been playing for the last couple of years. That means LT abuse will still be in there. So will the horrible AI players and goalies that keep falling for the same online abuse tactics we've been seeing for many years now.
All in all, this makes me glad as I am now decided to wait and have hope as we follow EA into its next-gen hiatus with this game. Maybe when it finally does come out on the Series X or PS5, it will be a game that more meets the standards truly great sports games like Codemaster's F1 series and NBA 2K series have become. With all the immersion, polish and excitement the sport of Hockey truly deserves.
So take your time EA. We'll be waiting...
"NHL21 will launch on the PS4 and Xbox One but can also be played on next-gen consoles through forward compatibility"
Saying it isn't going to be on next-gen is a lie. It will be on next-gen just without next-gen features.
I don't think anyone should get too upset about a delay in the game's release. More people, I think, will be upset that it's not coming to the new Generation consoles, but that too, in my book, is a good thing. Let the devs take their time in finding out all the ways they can better utilize the new consoles power to make the game better.
On a sadder note, NHL 21 will probably be like NHL 15 or "Legacy Edition" was on the Xbox 360/PS3. Just a slightly more polished version of the game game we've been playing for the last couple of years. That means LT abuse will still be in there. So will the horrible AI players and goalies that keep falling for the same online abuse tactics we've been seeing for many years now.
All in all, this makes me glad as I am now decided to wait and have hope as we follow EA into its next-gen hiatus with this game. Maybe when it finally does come out on the Series X or PS5, it will be a game that more meets the standards truly great sports games like Codemaster's F1 series and NBA 2K series have become. With all the immersion, polish and excitement the sport of Hockey truly deserves.
So take your time EA. We'll be waiting...
"NHL21 will launch on the PS4 and Xbox One but can also be played on next-gen consoles through forward compatibility"
Saying it isn't going to be on next-gen is a lie. It will be on next-gen just without next-gen features.
You know what I mean. Of course it's going to be available through back compat on the new consoles. That's through no effort on EA's part to make it cross-gen compatible but on Sony and Microsoft who are going to make the games playable on XB1 and PS4 available on Series X and PS5.
Again, I see it as a good thing. For one they won't need to throw as many resources into putting NHL 21 on the current consoles and concentrate all their efforts into the next gen versions.
Replies
I thought the whole point for the delay was to prepare NHL for the new gen?
All that has been said is the the game will be released in EA's 3rd quarter which is between October and December. Which wasn't even a official anouncement, it was from a financial report conference call.
You'll be able to play all Xbox One games through backwards compatibility on the Series X (as well as all Xbox 360 and Original Xbox games that are already on the Back Compat list). You'll even be able to use your existing XB1 controllers on the new console as well, although I think it only applies to the latest generation of controllers (the ones that also have Bluetooth) and the Elite Series (of course).
There are very few companies that will be releasing an current gen and new gen version of their games. Even less that are going to make the game have Smart Delivery where if you buy the current gen version, you get the upgraded next-gen version for free if you migrate over to the Series X. 2K Sports will have two versions of NBA 2K21. If you buy the Xbox One version, you have to buy the Series X version seperately, unless you opt to purchase the Mamba Forever bundle for over 100$ which gives you BOTH versions.
EDIT: I just confirmed that all xbox one controllers and accessories will be compatible on the Series X from day one: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/03/16/xbox-series-x-controller/
Not really. Bulk of the sales will come from people on PS4 and Xbox One, same for NHL'21, the new consoles are going to have relatively small player bases to begin with. Granted I'd like to see NHL'21 on next-gen but, having it on current-gen isn't going to hurt the game. Ideally NHL'21 would launch as a cross-gen game that allowed cross-gen play and cross-platform play between Playstation and Xbox.
But what about our beloving NHL, I dont really remember when the first announcement usally drops, but I guess around this time.. Covid has made me nervous, and nothing has been confirmed. I would like to have a date, so I could set me up mentally. Uncertainty is the worst I know, im way to curious.
I thought it was usually around the time of E3 which would be June. Considering the 2020-2021 season likely won't start until November/December they could be holding off on announcing/showing off NHL'21 for a bit later.
Yeah you are right. If thats the case, maybe the release dosent has to be that delayed.. Im just hoping we dont need to wait untill december before we get the hands on it.
My second game (insurgency sandstorm) just keeps getting delayed.. I've been waiting over 1 year now.. Hehe.
Maybe it will be an October release this year with perhaps a beta in August or September. Yeah I've also been wanting to checkout Insurgency but as you said it keeps getting pushed back.
I can live with October.. And as you said, at least we get a beta.. and real NHL Playoff's in August, I get my fix!
Insurgency looks tight, but I try not to think about that...
I hope I am wrong but I am starting to think October is very optimistic. We usually hear no later than late June (NHL awards) about the September release. August is coming up fast and not a word yet. And (to my knowledge) no event like the NHL awards that would be causing them to sit on news for a big reveal.
You first have to finish this season, draft, fa signings and set a schedule.
It's frustrating because I am sure the people at EA Vancouver are doing the best they can with the resources they have, it's just to bad that EA as a whole doesn't take this series seriously.
EA's business model is to take known franchises that we all know and love (NFL, NHL, FIFA, Star Wars) and put as little money as possible into development, produce average games, and hope we buy a ton of those games because we love the franchise's so much.
So I feel for the developers as they want to make great games, but EA has no interest in spending the money required to make a great game.
We also have to remember many of them are working from home. So I doubt they would all have dev kits to work on things and such.
On a sadder note, NHL 21 will probably be like NHL 15 or "Legacy Edition" was on the Xbox 360/PS3. Just a slightly more polished version of the game game we've been playing for the last couple of years. That means LT abuse will still be in there. So will the horrible AI players and goalies that keep falling for the same online abuse tactics we've been seeing for many years now.
All in all, this makes me glad as I am now decided to wait and have hope as we follow EA into its next-gen hiatus with this game. Maybe when it finally does come out on the Series X or PS5, it will be a game that more meets the standards truly great sports games like Codemaster's F1 series and NBA 2K series have become. With all the immersion, polish and excitement the sport of Hockey truly deserves.
So take your time EA. We'll be waiting...
"NHL21 will launch on the PS4 and Xbox One but can also be played on next-gen consoles through forward compatibility"
Saying it isn't going to be on next-gen is a lie. It will be on next-gen just without next-gen features.
Keep up the good work dev team!
You know what I mean. Of course it's going to be available through back compat on the new consoles. That's through no effort on EA's part to make it cross-gen compatible but on Sony and Microsoft who are going to make the games playable on XB1 and PS4 available on Series X and PS5.
Again, I see it as a good thing. For one they won't need to throw as many resources into putting NHL 21 on the current consoles and concentrate all their efforts into the next gen versions.