14 DAY TRIAL // Electronic Arts has announced that its sports games division is developing NHL 10 to be released in September for the Xbox 360 from Microsoft and for the PlayStation 3 from Sony. NHL 09 was warmly received by critics and EA Sports is probably hoping for a similar reception this year, as it is boasting the introduction of a new engine powering first person fighting in NHL 10.
It's weird for a publisher and developer to push for fighting as being the main selling point for a new sport-based videogame, even if we are talking about hockey. EA Sports is saying that the idea behind the move is to convey the toughness needed to succeed in the sport and the way physical violence has modeled the way the game is played.
The battle for the puck will be simulated with an all new physics engine, which allows strong players to pin opponents to the boards, defenders to intimidate and force mistakes and attackers to shield the puck while they look for a way out of a tight spot. The actual fighting will be replicated in full, with punches thrown around, bigger players stepping in to protect a smaller team mate and a lot of shirt pulling.
EA Sports is also introducing other new features - one timing loose pucks, scoring from the knees, knocking pucks out of the air and lifting a leg to fake a shot on goal, along with an improved passing system.
David Littman, a former NHL and minor league goaltender who is now a producer on NHL 10, said that “This is the most authentic simulation of hockey we have ever created. The Stanley Cup is the most difficult trophy in all of sports to win and NHL 10 replicates the emotion, intensity and toughness players require to win the Cup.”