Everyone loves to rag on EA for a purported lack of innovation, or a perceived tendency to forgo change in lieu of taking chances. But it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to keep up the EA hate train; lately, they’ve been publishing lots of wonderfully fun, exciting, and daring new titles like Rock Band, Mirror’s Edge, Spore, and Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure.
Last year, NHL 08 garnered “Sports Game of the Year” honors from seven publications, but that doesn’t mean that EA Canada is resting on its lofty laurels. IGN recently previewed a brand-new online mode in NHL 09, a setup that EA is referring to as sports gaming’s first MMO mode (presumably, they mean console sports gaming). The idea sounds absolutely fantastic, and it’s something I could easily get behind, even though I don’t consider myself an “MMO guy.”
Up until now, most online sports games have been one-on-one affairs, pitting you against a foe as you each take control of an entire team. With EA Sports Hockey League, the developers of NHL 09 are aiming to change the game. The mode will allow you to take control of one player on the ice, while five other players around the world will each control one of your teammates. A real six-on-six online hockey game sounds badass enough, but EA Canada isn’t stopping there; there’s plenty more to it.
The point of the Hockey League is to create your own player (with your real name on the back of his jersey) and build yourself up, RPG-style, until you’re renowned for your skills on the virtual rink. Teams can have up to 50 players, allowing groups of six to break off and play by themselves (though everyone’s stats are aggregated for the entire team). You won’t need to have a full six-man squad, though; the game only requires three human players per team.
This really sounds like something that could revolutionize the way console sports games are played online. I was already eagerly anticipating NHL 09, but now, the wait until September 9th (its release date) seems absolutely interminable. How does EA Sports Hockey League sound to you? All I’ve been saying to everyone since I heard about it is, “Jesus f*ck, NHL 09 is going to be amazing.”
[Via IGN]
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52 comments + 134338 views
oh my fucking god your shittin me samit!!??!?!??!
THIS IS WHAT IVE ALWAYS WANTED!!!
oh man i so have a boner right now its not even small and wimpy but a huge manly italian boner of epic proportion1!!
I heard about this earlier in the week, after you and I talked about what sports games would be worth buying. This feature has me really interested in NHL 09 -- it could be a lot of fun to get a big Dtoid team together.
dibs on goalie!!!! for dtoid squad
Well, if we're calling out positions -- dibs on centre.
Sounds awesome! Customizable Jerseys? I'm in, I just hope my virtual plus/minus is better than my real one
damn this sounds cool and I don't even like hockey that much.
HAHA we can teach you dan. also
WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE THE RANGERS NO MATTER HOW MUCH SAMIT WANTS US TO BE HAHA!
Wow. This is fucking awesome. I love hockey, but rarely care for sim sport games. I lean towards the looney tunes, goofy-arcadey sports games. But if this is true, this will be a pre-order for me. Fucking win.
Left wing.
Right Wing
I played Center for 4 years growing up in Michigan. I can't wait for this game.. especially since NHL2k9 is looking like garbage.
I'll play center or defensiveman.
@juggernaut
You can fight people in hockey right? I got dibs on right-wing-fisticuffs-guard with a tight end.
I'll be buying it regardless, but it'll be interesting to see how well this works. There's some potential there IMO.
Im with Danmartigan, I just wanna fight.
wow. this might get me to buy my first NHL game in several years. neat!
Strong Side! Who will be my left side defensemen?
I can't wait! This game is looking more and more awesome as the release date approaches. I just wish it was sooner!
This feature alone will be the reason NHL 09 walks away with all the Sports Game of the Year awards.
AWESOME! Out of all sports video games, hockey is definitely my favorite. Nonstop action, checking, fighting... fun stuff. This might be the first sports game I've purchased since... NHL 94 on SNES.
This sounds awesome.
@Stonethigh
I will be your left side defenseman
This sounds awesome!! Can't wait!!
Oh and I'll be another right wing but can also play defense. This will be sick if the game turns out well. It'd be cool if you could create your own team instead of using the actual team names. Who in their right mind would want to be the Senators anyways :P.
If I'm not mistaken, FIFA '09 is going to have 10 v. 10 online, so everyone will be able to control a player on the pitch, except for the goalie. I may be wrong, but that is the word floating around the net right now. I don't know if they have the same type of skills upgrading and team type of thing behind it like NHL '09, but it will still be cool to have 10 on 10 online matches.
Holy. Shit.
This is awesome.
I got second or fourth line left wing just like in real life (when I used to play, anyway)! Secondary scoring or energy guy, that's me!
OR ALTERNATIVELY... I'd fucking love it if youcould ALSO be the team's manager. Imagine a league where 400 people played position and 20 people played manager and traded players and shit?! AUGUGGHGHUUUH I CAME
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