News - EA Community Day 2007

[Metalpuck]

Alright folks, the day is arriving very soon when i take off for the paradise that is Canada to atttend EA Sports' community Day where we'll test drive NHL 08!! I'm excited as hell as most of you know, those who have read my article (plug!). So without further ado post any questions you guys want me to ask and i'll do my best to get them answered. I'll have a full write-up/report of course when i get back. Post away people!

[renton]

Can you please find out any or all of the following:

Can you turn off the puck shadow?

When playing a season or dynasty, when a player scores a goal, does the stat overlay that comes up showing the players name now show how many goals they have on the season?

Can you change defensive lines separate from forward lines on the fly?

What kind of additions are in dynasty? Arbitration, relocations etc

Can you do a fantasy draft in Dynasty mode?

Was there any rework done to the play by play and color commentating?

Can you put a copy of the game in your back pocket for me:)

Thanks a lot!!

[Delryk]

Nice.. I hope and I'm sure you're gonna enjoy your time there.. :) We have heard a lot of stuff about the game but nothing on the Online side of things.. Check that out! :P Lets hope it's just not a lobby and normal matchups! :P

[frag2]

How's the skating in the game? Improved transitions? Improved backwards skating?

How about setting up plays on the powerplay? Can I pass back to the point without fear of pointman getting offsides?

Ratings was a mess because they were from 2004. Are they up to date [and I mean seriously up to date-not just changing rookies but complete overhaul...roloson is not a 92 goalie and hemsky is not "just an 82"]

[Metalpuck]

Great questions guys and i'm writing em down. Frag the skating question could be answered by looking at the video on the official site. See how Staal is skating both backwards and forwards? Those animations were not in the game last year. It not only add fluidity but adds authenticity! I'll see more about it too. Keep em coming fellas!

[renton]

Here's some more!!

Has fighting engine been updated at all?

When on defense, does the player go down on one knee to make the block pass play?

Do you get a penalty for dumping the puck over the glass from inside your own zone? This was added to the NHL after the CBA but not in the game yet.

I'll keep thinking!

[zatornator11]

Here are a few questions:

1) For the AHL, can you sign players to amateur tryout contracts?

2) Can you find out everything you can about the AHL addition to the game? I've been waiting anxiously for this to be added for who knows how long!

3) Is the free agency period similar to Madden?

4) What kind of additions have come to the off-season (arbitration, customizable contracts [front-loaded, back loaded, etc], etc...)

5) Is there a playable skills competition during all-star weekend?

6) Who are the announcers this year?

7) Are there pre-season games and training camp?

8) Is the draft more realistic (trades during, etc), and is there improved scouting?

9) Can you hire/fire coaches during, before or after the season?

10) Is there more of a trade deadline frenzy?

11) What kind of presentation additions are there? (intermission shows, post game shows, pre-game shows, etc)

EDIT: 12) Are the AHL divisions and schedule true to real life?

13) Can you have more then 2 PK and PP units?

14) Is the score displayed in the new style? (across the top or bottom)

If I think of more, I will add to this post!

Thanks for doing this!

[nadasfan]

My question is this: With all the hype with the new uniforms already in the game and waiting to be unveiled, how are they going to handle the teams who have scheduled their unveilings 2-3 days AFTER the release of this game? Will they be unloackable via the marketplace once they are unveiled? Or are we going to get a sneak preview in the game?

Matt

[sg_Guitardeth]

Find out more about the pc version.

[Whitty]

1.When playing Dynasty mode, is it possible to allow another human player to play as the opposing team? (Last year, the game would not allow a human to control the other team, which was a huge disappointment).

2. Goalie injuries were mentioned by Littman in one of his Q&A things. Being a goalie in ice hockey myself, I would like to know if ee can elaborate on this more. More detail would be great.

3. Will the AHL teams be using the new-style jerseys, or is that solely an NHL thing?

Thanks.

[fireonice89]

1) How many different goal celebrations will we see?

2) Are the goal horns going to be current (for the most part)?

3) What new game modes?

4) Anything added to Dynasty Mode aside from the AHL?

Thanks a bunch and enjoy it up there!!

[OlieKolzigFan]

1) Goalie-AI: Has this been improved over 07? The goalie AI in 07 was pretty bad at times, namely poking the puck directly to opposing forwards, leading to cheap five-hole-goals for the CPU, instead of poking to puck to the side of the net or behind it.
1a) Goalie-AI: Goalies did not seem to be able track the puck when it was above or behind them, knocking the puck into their own net with skates, blockers, sticks and/or other body parts. Will this be fixed or at least improved?

2)Euro-Leagues: Will the European Elite-Leagues be in NHL08's North American version? I know that the Euro-Leagues were in the European Version of NHL07 for the Xbox 360 but they were absent from the North American version.

Thanks and enjoy your trip.

[frag2]

thanks. i jsut hope backwards skating is smooth. felt tacked on last year.

make sure you ask about ratings though. like i said, update them 2004 ratings

oh, and are offer sheets available?

[Fate_EX]

renton: There is now a block pass button/button combo. I can't remember where I heard this, I think it was one of the developer interviews on gametrailers... I think

As for questions I have a few!

In Dynasty mode, are you now allowed to release players?

Are there going to be any puck shoveling animations when you are close to the net? (It was extremely hard in 07 to score a goal from a rebound/loose puck in front of the net)

Has there been any work on the one-touch shooting? IE: one timers, loose pucks

[löfgren]

Originally Posted by OlieKolzigFan

1) Goalie-AI: Has this been improved over 07? The goalie AI in 07 was pretty bad at times, namely poking the puck directly to opposing forwards, leading to cheap five-hole-goals for the CPU, instead of poking to puck to the side of the net or behind it.
1a) Goalie-AI: Goalies did not seem to be able track the puck when it was above or behind them, knocking the puck into their own net with skates, blockers, sticks and/or other body parts. Will this be fixed or at least improved?

2)Euro-Leagues: Will the European Elite-Leagues be in NHL08's North American version? I know that the Euro-Leagues were in the European Version of NHL07 for the Xbox 360 but they were absent from the North American version.

Thanks and enjoy your trip.

No, the european Elite-Leagues was NOT in the european version of Xbox 360...