 | Today I, along with a few lucky others, have been officially booked to attend EA Sports' gala event detailing their NHL 08 game that's due in September on multiple consoles. This event is called EA’s Community Day and I have been chosen this year to represent Sportsgamer.com and do them proud. To say the anticipation is high for this game is an understatement. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the media and fans go this crazy for a game. It was as if EA Sports had shattered a wall that had been holding true hockey freedom back all this time. |
So I don’t embarrass myself, I have been playing NHL 07 all week, kicking out any rust and honing any skills I might have. I've never played this much and I’m really happy something finally came along to kick me into the next gear. NHL 07 is truly an amazing game that reinvented the hockey gaming genre. That can’t be said enough. This was most evident in their “skill stick” feature, which, literally, turned the Xbox360’s right thumbstick into the player’s hockey stick. What you did with that thumbstick was completely mimicked by the player’s hockey stick. We’re talking dekes, spins, guarding the puck, you name it. I’ve never been this impressed with a sports title like I was with NHL 07. And now that I’ve been playing it almost every night this past week, I appreciate it more than ever.
This September, EA Sports is releasing NHL 08. When I read that statement, my thumbs twitch a bit, realizing how much work they have cut out for them. According to previews from numerous gaming websites, EA Sports has pummeled its skill stick feature to death, giving players the ability to not only deke out an opposing team’s goalie but this time, give the player the ability to deke out the entire defense! Imagine bringing the puck into the offensive zone and deking out both defenders one at a time, then completely undressing the goalie as you go top shelf with a backhand. That possibility sends shivers up my spine. I’m pulling off sick moves on opposing goalies, but having the ability to do that to guys like Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer as well? Holy smokes!
Besides concentrating on their revolutionary “skill stick”, EA Sports has also put enormous concentration into its presentation and graphics as well. There will be new game intros, such as shots of the team on the ice during the national anthems. More retooling on player animations to keep up with all the new deke moves. More goalie animations to keep up with said moves. New defensive stances and animations that will allow players to get a better grip on their defense as opposing wingers attack the zone. “If its in the game, its in the game” fully takes center stage once again and fans are drooling over every screen shot that EA Sports releases.
As if those 2 huge components weren’t enough, EA Sports has once again paid extreme close attention to detail and authenticity. From how a player wears their jersey to what kind of skates he has, EA Sports has outdone themselves again. Some players will have their jerseys tucked in, others will have it out. Some players will wear their socks different than others, or wear their helmets a certain way. We’re talking pure detail folks and I’m going nuts picturing it all on my TV come September. Meticulous is the only word I can think of and it suits NHL 08 to a tee.
Aside from playing and seeing NHL 08, there will be other things going on during this event. What those things are I cannot say. EA Sports is very tight lipped about this event but from what I hear from Drew, who went last year, it’s going to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I truly believe I’ll end up broke after this event. I will have a full write up, only on what I am allowed to talk about of course, when I get back. This is Steve and thanks for reading!
If you have any questions you want me to ask post them in here:
http://www.sportsgamer.com/forums/nhl-07-08-next-gen/180786-news-ea-community-day-2007-a.html
