Looks like they also beefed up online leagues. On top of the online league improvements, the article lists another 14 bullet points on the new GM AI for solo play.
1. EA retooled its most popular mode to include a multi-user dynasty with up to 30 NHL teams being run by 30 human general managers.
2. This new GM Connected mode features a full 82-game schedule and can run for up to 25 years.
3. EA chose against including fantasy draft because it didn't want the barrier of entry to be a tedious 45-round draft. If you want to mix up the teams so no one is forced to play with the Edmonton Oilers (zing!) you can randomize the rosters when starting the league.
4. Users can play GM Connected in several ways, including a solo league against the CPU AI, standard versus, co-op, six-on-six online team play, taking the role of a general manager, or as a coach who handles line changes and team strategy.
5. Connected GM is elastic, meaning one team could be controlled by a GM, while another is run by a hands-on player, and another is run by a coach.
6. In six-on-six online team play leagues, you can have up to 25 users per each team. This allows teams to have a ringer take the role of a regular when they're short a body.
7. Free agency includes both unrestricted and restricted free agents, and it's handled via seven bidding periods. The highest bidders win the services of the player, and if you strike out you have several more rounds to find an adequate replacement.
8. Much to the dismay of hardcore franchise guys, the NHL Entry Draft is automated. You can still scout players during the season and build a priority list of prospects. Once the draft starts, however, the CPU will use your priority list to make selections for your team.
9. While running your team you have full access to the entire list of players in the organization, including the AHL, CHL, and foreign league prospects.
10. The commissioner controls how quickly the league advances. You can opt for either three-day, one-week, or two-week periods.
11. A news panel in the menu screen keeps you abreast of all league happenings.
12. An integrated messaging system informs you of waivers, trades, and league join requests. You can also send messages to the commissioner, the entire league, or team members.
13. EA built in systems to deal with grieving and cheating. The commissioner has the power to kick out users at any time.
14. If a commissioner goes missing, other general managers can vote him out to keep the league moving along.
15. EA plans to release a mobile app that allows players to stay engaged with their leagues when they're away from their consoles. From the app, players can juggle team rosters, scour the waiver wire, propose trades, and read about league happenings.
16. If you want to keep your GM experience offline, you still have that option. Doing so will allow you to make your draft selections like in past NHL games.
I think the skating model will be really nice, and we'll have to wait and see regarding the AI improvements.
No word on if they are doing anything to make dump-and-chase more effective, and less stickhandling up the middle, which probably means they aren't. That's my remaining annoyance with this game.
MizzouRah wrote:I watching something a few days ago that said teams will use the dump and chase if that's what their strategy is set to - and it can be effective.
I hope so, because based on my experience the D gets the puck first most of the time, making such tactic a fruitless one.
MizzouRah wrote:I watching something a few days ago that said teams will use the dump and chase if that's what their strategy is set to - and it can be effective.
I hope so, because based on my experience the D gets the puck first most of the time, making such tactic a fruitless one.
IMO, there are two things that made dump-and-chase ineffective. One, defensemen could challenge at the blueline, yet still change direction and accelerate to be first to the corner too. The new skating engine sounds like it will help that. Two, defensemen could pick the puck up off the wall too quickly and accelerate away. That will probably stay mostly the same.
MizzouRah wrote:I watching something a few days ago that said teams will use the dump and chase if that's what their strategy is set to - and it can be effective.
I hope so, because based on my experience the D gets the puck first most of the time, making such tactic a fruitless one.
I'm not sure where I read that.. but I'm sure I did. Might have been the developer interview.. which means I would have watched it, not read it.
I hated how the CPU always played the puck to the outside and then either carried it in or dumped it, to which I would always get to it first and start my break out.
I took a year off from this series and i must say it did a world of good, im really looking forward to 13, been playing the 12 demo and its just a good fun game the new additions a very promising.
Oh and my Kings will be top rated
Roll on the demo.
Jimmydeicide wrote:I took a year off from this series and i must say it did a world of good, im really looking forward to 13, been playing the 12 demo and its just a good fun game the new additions a very promising.
Oh and my Kings will be top rated
Roll on the demo.
I'm loving all the perks of the Kings being Stanley Cup champs. I got to watch Kings hockey for an extra two months. I get goose bumps and even teary eyed when I watch playoff highlights over and over and over again. I can follow the exploits of the cup all off-season to stave off hockey withdrawal. Last but not least, I can look forward to my Kings being highly rated and the default team for a quick match in NHL 13!
"Be tolerant of those who describe a sporting moment as their best ever. We do not lack imagination, nor have we had sad and barren lives; it is just that real life is paler, duller, and contains less potential for unexpected delirium." -Nick Hornby
Looks pretty fun, though I already have it preordered anyway.
-I like to see the goalies sprawling around, but that is kind of ridiculous side to side skills.
-the biggest positive to me is how much more deliberate change of speed/direction is. The puck was moving faster and players cutting/spinning/accelerating slower.
-the enhanced skate backwards skill was used too much, in this video anyway.
Looks great.. still looks like there is too much room on the ice though. I've always thought the players needed to be bigger in EA's game and I still do.
Looks awesome really doesnt it , a few tweaks to the pass speed and maybe goalie speed or whatever and this could be a stella title.
Im very worried about defending still its seems like its going to be even harder to play good d with all the skating tweaks.
I may be pre ordering my very first game here soon. Do the Kids still do that?
Jimmydeicide wrote:Looks awesome really doesnt it , a few tweaks to the pass speed and maybe goalie speed or whatever and this could be a stella title.
Im very worried about defending still its seems like its going to be even harder to play good d with all the skating tweaks.
I may be pre ordering my very first game here soon. Do the Kids still do that?
I may go old school on this one like I did back in the day with NHLPA93 and NHL94 and actually take the day off , go to ebgames and wait patiently outside the store for the UPS guy to show up.
