14 DAY TRIAL // The team at EA Sports in charge of NHL 16 is ready to talk about the new features that will be included in the hockey simulation, which is set to be launched at some point during September of this year.
The official announcement says that the EA Sports Hockey League is returning as a mode, with specialized player classes and skill required alongside teamwork for a group of players to get as many wins as possible.
Online gamers who pick up NHL 16 will also be able to play six versus six matches, using real world rosters to play either only with friends or against fans from all over the world.
The hockey game will also include local cooperative play, designed to allow players to quickly gain the skills they need before taking on the more complex modes.
It seems clear that the development team at EA Sports is interested in pushing the online elements of NHL 16 to the forefront of the sim.
For the Ultimate Team side of the title, player management will be improved and Single Player Seasons are being added.
But the single-player game experience is also being tweaked by the studio, and there are also changes made to the core mechanics that underpin both types of modes.
Morale and skating matter more in NHL 16
EA Sports says that Be a Manager will place a bigger focus on the personality of hired players and the way they can work together towards a single goal, with team meetings and roster adjustments designed to improve performance on the ice.
The Be a Pro mode is getting a new progression system and more simulation options are included.
NHL 16 will improve control both for attack and defense-minded players, with a new precision skating system that makes it easier to implement refined changes in direction and speed.
The puck pick-up mechanics are also improved, with smoother transitions that give gamers more time to decide on their next move.
EA Sports is also saying that all arenas will be better simulated, with careful use of celebrations, mascots, chants and other elements, while the commentary from Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, and Ray Ferraro are set to feature more emotions.
Playoff beards will also be included in NHL 16, and the developers are also aiming to make sure that the most important players in the league are better represented on the ice.
