14 DAY TRIAL // The development team at EA Sports is officially revealing NHL 14, the next installment of the hockey simulation franchise, by talking about the feature list of the title, including Collision Physics, One Touch Dekes, the Enforcer Engine and True Performance Skating.
The team says that it has used the tech that powers the much lauded Player Impact Engine to bring more realism to hockey, with a new left stick control system designed to deliver thrilling hits and interesting interactions between players.
NHL 14 is also, surprisingly, using Fight Night technology and the team says, “There is a code in hockey, when it's broken you have to respond.”
The fighting game mechanics will allow players to engage in physics based combat on the ice and makes size and skill more important when punches are flying.
One touch dekes are designed to allow both veterans of the NHL series and newcomers to perform incredible moves using the left stick and one button press, making the entire experience more spectacular than ever.
EA Sports adds the new True Performance Skating system “features improved acceleration, explosive first-strides, quicker pivots and enhanced lateral skating, resulting in greater player responsiveness and unprecedented control.”
The developers are also improving the Be a Pro mode, which tracks a player's career, with more decisions for players to take, which influence their development as athletes.
There are media interviews to navigate, team mates to talk to outside the ice ring and fans to manage while the team management expects improved performance and more endorsement deals.
The NHL Online Seasons are also getting some attention from EA Sports, with promotion and demotion mechanics designed to make the entire experience more competitive in the long term.
NHL 14 is set to launch on September 10 of this year on the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 and the PC.