I'm back from Wancouver

[Calgary Flames]

First off, the game is really improved... it's not a perfect sim but it captures the fun aspect of pick up and play and depth that will keep hockey gamers coming back for more.

I just got back in 2 hours ago and i'm tired as hell so If you have questions I probably won't be answering tonite.

A couple of key things: The Flames are rated 82 which I think is fair...and they've added in Banner raising and award ceremonies if you're team wins a championship in Dynasty mode.

I tested out The Flames Western Conference banner raising and it almost brought a tear to me eyes! it looked awesome! The people at EA were very accomodation and great people.

The head producer took us to GM Place to get a tour, I was wearing my Flames jersey the entire time, how about sitting in Todd Bertuzzi's stall with my Flames red jersey, it was a GREAT feeling! We had a look around and even though I loath the Canucks it was still a surreal feeling to be in a NHL dressing room.

That's all for now, but if you hockey gamers have questions feel free to post them here.

[zarrell]

Who's a higher rated player? Iginla or Forsberg?

[calf]

For someone who rarely buys computer games, but is seriously thinking of buying one for once: should I get this game?

which teams are rated higher than the Flames?

[InSutterWeTrust]

Ive seen a couple previews for this game and Ive noticed that some teams have personalized entrances, like the San Jose players come out of a Big Shark. Did they do anything cool like that for the flames? Also in the Dynasty did they make it possible to fire or hire coaches at all?

[Super-Rye]

Originally posted by InSutterWeTrust@Aug 8 2004, 12:38 AM
Also in the Dynasty did they make it possible to fire or hire coaches at all?

Now why would you want to do that?

[InSutterWeTrust]

Originally posted by Super-Rye+Aug 8 2004, 06:52 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Super-Rye @ Aug 8 2004, 06:52 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin-InSutterWeTrust@Aug 8 2004, 12:38 AM
Also in the Dynasty did they make it possible to fire or hire coaches at all?

Now why would you want to do that? [/b][/quote]
well not that I would want to fire my coach. They have that feature in the Madden series, I always found it fun either I could fire that coach hire a new one or I could be the Coach myself. I would never fire Sutter though! No way! :P

[Five-hole]

Originally posted by calf@Aug 7 2004, 11:35 PM
For someone who rarely buys computer games, but is seriously thinking of buying one for once: should I get this game?

which teams are rated higher than the Flames?

If you've only got a computer and want a hockey game, get it.

If you've got an XBox (or PS2), try out ESPN 2K5 before you make your decision.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Hey Jordan, how in the world did u end up testing the game?
Where you invited or something, and if so who do you have to know to pull that off?

[Kidder]

How do them new red jerseys look on screen?

Man, this sounds like an awesome game so far. I really like the effort EA sports has put into there games the last couple years.

[zarrell]

Do they have an option in the Options Menu, to toggle the CBA either on or off?

[kermitology]

Are the salary demands of talented players out to lunch again? Like if a guy has an 80 pt season he's demanding like 13 million and anything less he balks from?

[Kidder]

Oh yeah, In the dynasty mode, our there ramifications this time for running a deficit. You could be running a debt of 40 mil and yet I could find no consequences. (I was spending John Ferguson Jr. style )

You should be rewarded for being fiscally responcible.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Any updates on the dynasty mode?

I liked 2004 but there were a tonne of little things that annoyed the crap out of me.

- cant see game info if you simulate it
- no notification if your own players get injured
- can only see one attribute at a time on most screens
- drafting / scouting is pretty vague
- the salary issue someone else brought up.

[flames_fan13]

I heard that you can't create a player is that true?

[Calgary Flames]

Who's a higher rated player? Iginla or Forsberg?

I'm not 100% sure, but Iginla was a 95 I believe Forsberg was a 92

which teams are rated higher than the Flames?

Anyone over 82 overall :P We didn't have alot of time to go through the finer points like player ratings, we were mainly there to get a handle on how the game itself played

Did they do anything cool like that for the flames? Also in the Dynasty did they make it possible to fire or hire coaches at all?

The Saddledome flashes red lights much like in the playoffs, the entire arena flashes red, it looked great!

In Dynasty you are the GM, if you don't accomplish the owners goal in 2 years, you are one fired GM! I believe The Flames goal was to reduce payroll by 15% and make the playoffs. Different teams have different goals, a higher payroll team like Philly was a Stanley Cup.

These goals change as you complete them.

Hey Jordan, how in the world did u end up testing the game?

I was one of 8 people from around the Web, hockey gaming sites, video game sites that were chosen to take part in an all expense paid trip to Vancouver/EA Blackbox Studious to testplay the game.

We were basically stalked by staff from EA who were watching us post for a few weeks to see what we were like and how passionate/informative we were with our post's regarding Hockey video games.

They've done this in the past with the other Sports titles, but never for NHL... Until now.

Check out this site http://www.cyber-nhl.net/web/nhl2005/summit2005/

How do them new red jerseys look on screen?

Very nice! The uniforms in general looked much improved. You guys will be blown away with how good the player faces are!

Do they have an option in the Options Menu, to toggle the CBA either on or off?

Haha.. no

Are the salary demands of talented players out to lunch again?

It seems much more realistic, more accurate to the real NHL, players will actually leave the barganing table for good if you lowball them too much.

Oh yeah, In the dynasty mode, our there ramifications this time for running a deficit. You could be running a debt of 40 mil and yet I could find no consequences.

As mentioned above, there are specific goals that are in place depending on the financial situation of your team.

I heard that you can't create a player is that true?

This is true sadly, EA wanted to add in a new and improved create a player mode because they were unhappy about previous versions, but time restrictions didn't allow it, it really seemed like they were mainly focused on improving the dynasty, online leagues, presentation, and most importantly the core gameplay above minor things like a create a player option...

It also sounds like they're going to really be on the ball with roster updates this year, at least on a month-to-month basis which is great news.

[Prototype]

Any word on their response to Sega/ESPN lowering the price on their games? ESPN 2K5 Football is amazing, and to think that it was like $25 and change for XBOX at Walmart made it more attractive. It'll be interesting to see what EA does with the prices of their games.

I for one am jelous of you and your trip. Sounds like it was a blast. Anyone else from Calgary or did they take a bunch of people across Canada, or North America for that matter? Did anyone else break out their colours too?

[Calgary Flames]

There were people from Philadelphia, San Francisco, Ottawa, Buffalo, Portland, Prince George, and Toronto.

Definetely a mixed bag.

and you know, I forgot to ask them about the price.... I had planned to and I knew I forgot to ask them something big... damn. I didn't get any vibes that suggested a price drop...

[La Flames Fan]

Who as announcing the games? And how did the menus look? Changed much from 2004?

[Calgary Flames]

Originally posted by La Flames Fan@Aug 8 2004, 04:21 PM
Who as announcing the games? And how did the menus look? Changed much from 2004?

The commentating is same old, same old. Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson. It does sound alot more professional, but some terms are recycled from previous games.

I always turn off commentary regardless of how good or bad it is anyway so I really have no opinion on it.

The menu's are amazing this year, definetely MUCH improved over any of the previous games.

btw, didn't anyone watch the video''s on the link I listed above?? The guy who runs that site brought a video camera in, he has 2 vids up right now, basically a tour of the studious and he's putting up more tonite I believe, one of them will be the banner raising ceremony I mentioned above.

[Prototype]

Originally posted by SuperNilson@Aug 8 2004, 10:28 PM
btw, didn't anyone watch the video''s on the link I listed above?? The guy who runs that site brought a video camera in, he has 2 vids up right now, basically a tour of the studious and he's putting up more tonite I believe, one of them will be the banner raising ceremony I mentioned above.

Nice Leopold jersey. Much better than the Brodeur or the Pikitin <sp?> :P