14 DAY TRIAL // Video game developer EA Sports announces that it has run a full simulation of the playoffs for the National Hockey League and that the final results show that the Boston Bruins will return to the final of the Stanley Cup this year and would be able to defeat the San Jose Sharks in order to win the competition in six games.
The official blog of the company states that, “A simulation is conducted by artificial intelligence or logic of the videogame that uses real-life data from each player. Results are extrapolated by the videogame when two teams match up based on player ratings, line combinations, and include variances such as injuries and hot streaks to give a realistic outcome of a game or series.”
The Conn Smythe Trophy belongs to the goaltender of the Boston Bruins, Tuukka Rask, after he managed to deliver an impressive 1.56 GAA, .948 SV% and four shutouts.
Player Jarome Iginla also managed to win his first Stanley Cup trophy after first playing in the finals 10 years ago for the Calgary Flames.
EA Sports adds, “After their dramatic Eastern Conference Final series win, the Boston Bruins controlled the Stanley Cup Finals ending the match-up in six games in San Jose. Joe Thornton and Logan Couture were the top two in playoff points, but it wasn’t enough as the Bruins’ size and skill punished the Sharks into submission. Boston’s David Krejci was once again a playoff stud, leading the Bruins with 21 points.”
The official blog post from the company also offers a look at other important moments from the simulated playoffs of the NHL.
The video game on which they are based is powered by the new Ignite engine, which is supposed to deliver the most realistic simulation of real-life sports, taking into account physics, the shape of each player, the tactics of the teams and the unique attributes of the superstars.
EA Sports has a spotty record when it comes to the accuracy of its predictions and has most recently failed to accurately reveal which American football team would win the Super Bowl.
The studio is clearly working on a new NHL video game, which is set to be launched this year, but the title has failed to become as important as Madden or FIFA and might soon move to an entirely digital launch in order to lower overall costs and make it more interesting to gamers.