NHL09: DSP EASHL (360)

[Zeppo]

Sounds like the EA servers have been up and down since release day...

...of the first Madden on 360? I mean, these problems plague every EA Sports release on the 360 so far. Eventually, the issues subside and occasionally a patch comes through to fix really bad persistent problems, but soon after release, they all have connection problems.

It's interesting to me how the party system features have been installed for this game. They did seem to try hard to foul it up as best they could, but the essentials of the system work brilliantly in the game. So far, getting matches from the party lobby (= dressing room) has been very quick and easy and stable. Who knows whether or not the matching up of similar skill levels based on records really works. This is the kind of thing the Halo team hypes up big-time, talking about play balancing and skill tracking and such. In the end, I don't think that stuff matters to gamers nearly as much as the Halo devs seem to think it does, while other games can't even seem to conceive of party system basics. It is heartening to see that EA Sports can make it work so well when they decide to try.

But why not allow one to invite others into the dressing room? This one missing feature is a real drag to me. Instead, you have to send clumsy messages. So many button presses!

Why have the invite system for the club force you to manually type in the gamertag rather than using the friends list? I mean, seriously?

Why not include a non-squad party system for unranked games, one where you could add players to your party with a simple invite to bring them onto your side, or to continue to play against them in the next game? Sure, in FIFA we became very used to having one of us start a public room and watching the friends list to use that 'join' feature, but a basic party system for unranked games would function much, much more easily and do a lot to avoid the problems that end up keeping games from getting off the ground.

I keep hoping one of these days someone at one of the EA Sports dev teams will play Halo2 or Halo3 for a few hours and get some ideas. It really doesn't seem like any of them ever has.

[JackB1]

But why not allow one to invite others into the dressing room? This one missing feature is a real drag to me. Instead, you have to send clumsy messages. So many button presses!

Why have the invite system for the club force you to manually type in the gamertag rather than using the friends list? I mean, seriously?

It is a little cumbersome, but you could just send one XBL message to everyone online saying "meetup in the locker room now" or something???

Also, it would be nice to go into the dressing room and see who else from the team is online.

[JackB1]

OK, that was just my first small taste of OMT last night, but I had a few thoughts....

-Why not discuss who wants to play what positions before jumping into the game and everyone just grabbing what they can first? I have been playing my offline BAP as a center and felt a little lost when I got stuck at left D. Not that I mind playing there, but there was no discussions before hand...just a scramble and off we go!

-What are the names everyone is using on their players backs? Wouldn't it make more sense to use your DSP name so we can all figure out who's who?

-I was struggling with the camera. I tried "classic" which was better than "ice" but the action ofter would go off the top of the screen and I had to keep hitting the back button, which was cumbersome. Why doesn't the camera follow the puck like it does in offline play? Doesn't make sense. You never have the puck go offscreen in offline solo play.

-Is it me or does it seem harder to control your player online than off? Could be the lag, but my player feels "slippery" online and it's very easy to slide out of position on D. I don't have the same issues offline.

-It seems like its awfully hard to play goalie. Can you just let the AI play goalie and just make the teams 5 on 5 instead of 6 on 6? Seems like it would keep the scores down to a more reasonable level.

-I couldn't hear everyone else chatting during the game very well. Even though I had my game sound almost off, I still had a hard time hearing everyone and I only heard a few guys. Seems like more communications out there on the ice would help things along. I wish there was a way to make the headset volume really loud. Seems like every game has this issue.

Anyway, these are all minor things and I can't wait to try some more. When are going to play as a whole team next and go out and challenge some other teams?

[RallyMonkey]

Another great time on line last night boys. Let's try and take it into the club next time and get some wins for the Ice Dragons.

Oh how i wish i was a fly in the locker room of the other team after period number two in the 10-2 drubbing. "Okay, uh........so....yeah.......we have one shot. ONE GODDAMN SHOT!! Are you f'n kidding me" (said as coach overturns the table of water ala Herb Brooks)."

Later in the game......"Okay, we popped a couple home, let's just ride this one out and just hope they don't pull the goalie for the last three minutes just to be............FU*K!!"

[GameSeven]

OK, that was just my first small taste of OMT last night, but I had a few thoughts....

-Why not discuss who wants to play what positions before jumping into the game and everyone just grabbing what they can first? I have been playing my offline BAP as a center and felt a little lost when I got stuck at left D. Not that I mind playing there, but there was no discussions before hand...just a scramble and off we go!

I'd raise the issue in the dressing room before searching out a game. For the most part, you begin to get a sense of who's in your game and their preferred positions, but if there are 5 usual forwards in the game, guys will need to compromise.

-What are the names everyone is using on their players backs? Wouldn't it make more sense to use your DSP name so we can all figure out who's who?

It is a mix of Fictional/Gamertag names. I've found that it becomes pretty easy to correlate names to GTs, especially if you stick with the same group for a few sessions. If the servers have stabilized, I'll try to update the frontpage with the number of extensive changes that have gone on since last update.

-I was struggling with the camera. I tried "classic" which was better than "ice" but the action ofter would go off the top of the screen and I had to keep hitting the back button, which was cumbersome. Why doesn't the camera follow the puck like it does in offline play? Doesn't make sense. You never have the puck go offscreen in offline solo play.

Cameras leave a little to be desired. I can't play with the BAP cameras. In fact, since I usually play defense and am manning the points, I find my best option is the Overhead camera. Still, on the deepest of plays the puck will be off camera so I must resort to the back button like you. Not sure of the difference in following the puck you mention. Maybe since I play Overhead, I find the camera to track similarly offline and on, with similar weaknesses.

-Is it me or does it seem harder to control your player online than off? Could be the lag, but my player feels "slippery" online and it's very easy to slide out of position on D. I don't have the same issues offline.

I find there is the slightest of lag when trying to make plays with the puck. Considering there is not a ton of uncontested space, it can lead to turnovers. On the whole though, it plays pretty smoothly. Not overplaying defensive positioning can be tough in general and might be a touch more sensitive online, not sure.

-It seems like its awfully hard to play goalie. Can you just let the AI play goalie and just make the teams 5 on 5 instead of 6 on 6? Seems like it would keep the scores down to a more reasonable level.

It *is*

Naturally the goalie can be CPU controlled. Here is perhaps the biggest drawback in the game setup. I think the most ideal game would be 5v5 with CPU goalies or 6v6. When one side has human goalie and one does not, the game seems out of balance to me, even when the human goalie is competent.

About goalie in general.... The goalie can only be as good as the defense in front of him. An *exceptional* goaltender can make a considerable difference but in games with human goalies, limiting the shots to the perimeter is *essential*.

-I couldn't hear everyone else chatting during the game very well. Even though I had my game sound almost off, I still had a hard time hearing everyone and I only heard a few guys. Seems like more communications out there on the ice would help things along. I wish there was a way to make the headset volume really loud. Seems like every game has this issue.

Not sure. I don't have any problems adjusting headset volumne. Communication as a team could stand to be improved. I know since we play somewhat late, some guys may be trying to keep the volume down out of respect for the household.

Anyway, these are all minor things and I can't wait to try some more. When are going to play as a whole team next and go out and challenge some other teams?

I was off last night, but should be on tonight, if the servers allow.

[10spro]

Six on six was awesome. Yeah, there was some lag here and there but very playable overall. With such a good turn last night, I don't mind playing among us. I think we found a very good keeper in macT, those blue uniforms were hot or what?

[XXXIV]

Another great time on line last night boys. Let's try and take it into the club next time and get some wins for the Ice Dragons.

Oh how i wish i was a fly in the locker room of the other team after period number two in the 10-2 drubbing. "Okay, uh........so....yeah.......we have one shot. ONE GODDAMN SHOT!! Are you f'n kidding me" (said as coach overturns the table of water ala Herb Brooks)."

Later in the game......"Okay, we popped a couple home, let's just ride this one out and just hope they don't pull the goalie for the last three minutes just to be............FU*K!!"

That was so cold when you pulled the goalie on them.
Was fun to watch you two and collect easy assists.

Also enjoyed playing with Rob, Zep and Granato for a couple of games... Some funny dudes except I didnt know if Zep was joking

It was great fun all night. Too much of the night maybe.

[GameSeven]

Ok, I've updated the frontpage. Nice to see we're over 20 members now.

For some reason, the server listed about half dozen people as Victor Banting

I think I have that name for DrMacca since I'm not sure if that is his name or not. The rest of guys listed as VB I have left their names as I had them.

I still need numbers for a bunch of guys and (preferably) how you are spec'd (Sniper, Playmaker, Power Forward, O-Def, D-Def, etc.)

Hope to catch you guys online, maybe tonight.

[XXXIV]

I think we found a very good keeper in macT,

Agreed ...I played a DSP club game game with him and DrCosta. He shut down the other guys ...They wound up quitting in the 3rd.

[XXXIV]

I still need numbers for a bunch of guys and (preferably) how you are spec'd (Sniper, Playmaker, Power Forward, O-Def, D-Def, etc.)

.

I havent decided yet between defensive defensman or grinder. I sucked so bad at sniper.

[10spro]

Also enjoyed playing with Rob, Zep and Granato for a couple of games... Some funny dudes except I didnt know if Zep was joking

It was great fun all night. Too much of the night maybe.

Speaking of chemistry, I thought Sport 73 and Rally knows each other well enough that they don't even have to communicate on the ice, and in the latter games I liked the combo of Nyisles, Leadfoot and yours truly.

Fun night. Can someone be mature enough to stop hitting once the action is dead?

[10spro]

I havent decided yet between defensive defensman or grinder. I sucked so bad at sniper.

Yeah but didn't you score that OT winner? That was a good game, lots of chances, but both teams couldn't buy a goal.

[Zeppo]

Hackenbush is a grinder, G7. I changed him from playmaker a while ago to make sure I wouldn't be totally useless on D. I may go back to playmaker soon because last night I proved I was still pretty useless on D , but who knows. BTW we have a lot of number 7s now, with Game, MACTEPSporta, and at least one or two more.

Jack, the camera works the same way as it does offline. Use the back button to toggle the focus of the camera from the puck to your player. If you want to play something other than D, you have to either speak up or act quickly at the position select screen. For goalie, we have to make sure whoever is goalie actually wants to do it, but otherwise a free-for-all is just how it goes.

Speaking of goalie, I tend to feel that most Club games should have a human goalie, but you have to have at least four minimum on the team for human goalie to work. Otherwise there's too many Robo-Wangs on the ice. But I fully agree it's best if both teams have either a human goalie or a CPU goalie. I find chatting the other team up a bit with a 'you guys have a goalie' or telling them 'we are NOT using a goalie' or whatever is a good way to make sure things are clear before starting, and I always like to make sure both teams are the same before going in. We seem to have enough guys who like the position that we can filed a human goalie most times. I'm always willing to do it for a game here or there, but not twice in a row.

Human goalies work pretty well in this game, and much, much better than last years' game, but as was stated above D has to be better in front of any goalie, but especially the human goalie. But I've seen some human goalies play out of their minds, and I've seen some Robo-goalies look like fools, too. It sucks something awful to get pasted 10 to whatever but its far from inevitable just because you have a human goalie.

Last night we started in the dressing room, but we ended up with too many guys online so we went to private games. Some guys I wanted to play with aren't on our team either, so private was the way to go. At the end of the night we tried a public game with five of us on our side, but that fell apart and it's so frustrating. So, sorry Ted, it was late, I just had to go back to the simplicity of the club matchmaking. It's really too bad you can only be on one team at a time, but I guess it makes sense.

[JackB1]

Jack, the camera works the same way as it does offline. Use the back button to toggle the focus of the camera from the puck to your player. If you want to play something other than D, you have to either speak up or act quickly at the position select screen. For goalie, we have to make sure whoever is goalie actually wants to do it, but otherwise a free-for-all is just how it goes.

I guess I just have to get used to it. When playing offline, regular dynasty (not BAP), I NEVER see the puck go off the screen. I guess it's a BAP mode issue. I haven't tried overhead yet. That might be best when on D.

I don't mind playing D at all...my only point was maybe we should just confirm everyone is where they want to be before starting the game. Seems like a few extra moments spent before starting the game could be worthwhile. Since our characters are preset (sniper, grinder, etc) it wouldn't make sense to put a sniper on D or a Goon at Center. Not a big deal though. Is "playmaker" the most well rounded setup?

[RallyMonkey]

Speaking of chemistry, I thought Sport 73 and Rally knows each other well enough that they don't even have to communicate on the ice, and in the latter games I liked the combo of Nyisles, Leadfoot and yours truly.

On that note, who was with XXXIV, myself and Sport in that 10-2 game? I can't remember for the life of me but there were times it felt like the ole CCCP where i didn't have to look i just knew he'd be there when i made the pass and vice versa.

[RobVarak]

I havent decided yet between defensive defensman or grinder. I sucked so bad at sniper.

You still shoot and pass too well to go defensive, I think. Go with grinder and you can drop back to D when the situation calls for it.

[FifaInspected]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the invite last night. I did not choose to leave when I did, I got dropped in that game.

Once again thanks for the invite.. Looking forward to doing it again soon.

~ Dave

[ScoopBrady]

Jack, the camera works the same way as it does offline. Use the back button to toggle the focus of the camera from the puck to your player. If you want to play something other than D, you have to either speak up or act quickly at the position select screen. For goalie, we have to make sure whoever is goalie actually wants to do it, but otherwise a free-for-all is just how it goes.

I guess I just have to get used to it. When playing offline, regular dynasty (not BAP), I NEVER see the puck go off the screen. I guess it's a BAP mode issue. I haven't tried overhead yet. That might be best when on D.

I don't mind playing D at all...my only point was maybe we should just confirm everyone is where they want to be before starting the game. Seems like a few extra moments spent before starting the game could be worthwhile. Since our characters are preset (sniper, grinder, etc) it wouldn't make sense to put a sniper on D or a Goon at Center. Not a big deal though. Is "playmaker" the most well rounded setup?

Jack, it's a must to shift focus to the puck while online. It defaults to keep focus on your player. The first time I got online I was totally confused with where the puck was and who had possession of it. When I changed focus to the puck it was easy to control myself even if I was offscreen and adjust to the puck. I play with the classic cam focused on the puck. It's just like the single player game. Give it a try.

[Leadfoot5]

Still laughing today over "Picklechips"!!!

Those were good games last night, and even though my only game in goal was a 4-1 loss, I had fun. Hope we can get the DSP club record over .500 soon!!!

[vader29]

My guy is a power forward. I am on IR for the next two weeks but can't wait to get back to playing this.

[JackB1]

The first time I got online I was totally confused with where the puck was and who had possession of it. When I changed focus to the puck it was easy to control myself even if I was offscreen and adjust to the puck. I play with the classic cam focused on the puck. It's just like the single player game. Give it a try.

Nice to hear I'm not the only one
Thanks for the suggestions...I will try that next time. I didn't even know there was a setting for "focus to the puck".

[macsomjrr]

That was a blast last night guys. I'm really enjoying the goalie position although I don't have a name quite as spectacular as Picklechips:) Still pretty embarrassed that I let 34 of all people sneak a goal on me. LUCKY! If I'm online send me an invite and I'll be sure to come over and play in some club games.

[MACTEPsporta]

Well, that was fun. I am glad you guys talked me into getting it. Now, as a consequence, you must all suffer from my utter incompetence.

These pauses in the game are so damn annoying, it's fortunate we have such talkative bunch to fill the gaps. Otherwise it could get very old very fast.

How do we get more Canadians on the team?

[RobVarak]

How do we get more Canadians on the team?

Offer a donut and the chance to wait in line for elective surgery?

[MACTEPsporta]

How do we get more Canadians on the team?

Offer a donut and the chance to wait in line for elective surgery?

Take it easy now. We don't want the whole country here, just a couple of them. And I don't know about the surgery deal, we already have 70% of their country's healthcare professionals on the team.