Info catchup - NHL 07 cover athlete, screens, and first possible info

[Joborule]

A bit late actually with this forum, so lets get up to date

First, who made the cover?

Originally Posted by EA

Jun. 22, 2006

Alexander Ovechkin Lights The Lamp With NHL 07

Outstanding Washington Capitals Rookie signs as Cover Athlete for EA SPORTS



Redwood City, Calif. - Thursday, June 22, 2006 - Washington Capitals rookie phenom Alexander Ovechkin has signed with Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) to be the cover athlete and spokesman for its EA SPORTS(TM) branded NHL® 07 game. Drafted first overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft, Ovechkin lived up to his potential and put forth the 3rd most prolific rookie campaign in NHL history. Exceeding his freshman status, Ovechkin made his presence known by finishing the season third overall in the league for points (106), tied for third in goals (52), and first in shots (425).

"To me, I feel that I have you arrived in North America when you make the cover of a video game," said Ovechkin. "I have been playing EA SPORTS games for years and am honored to be a part of the NHL® 07 team."

Ovechkin exploded onto the scene in 05-06 playing with a level of intensity, passion, and talent that is causing many to label him the new face of the NHL. At the age of 20, he has already won the Valery Kharlamov Trophy as the best Russian player in the NHL and been named a finalist for the Calder Trophy (outstanding rookie). More telling of his reputation around the league is his nomination for the Lester B. Pearson Award, an honor bestowed upon the outstanding player as voted by his peers in the NHL Players Association.

The golden age of console hockey will return when NHL 07 debuts with gameplay innovations that will allow players to feel like they are actually on the ice. Featuring an unmatched level of freedom and control, NHL 07 will represent a watershed moment in the history of the console hockey when it ships throughout Canada and the United States in Fall 2007. Hockey purists and casual fans alike will feel like they can play like a pro when they pick up NHL 07.

The EA SPORTS(TM) NHL franchise is the #1 selling hockey game. NHL 07 is being developed under the EA SPORTS (TM) brand by talented teams located in two of Canada's frenzied hockey hotbeds: Electronic Arts Montreal and Electronic Arts Canada in Vancouver, B.C. The game will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(TM) (Playstation®Portable) computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft, Xbox® video game system from Microsoft and PC. Media can find screenshots from the game at http://info.ea.com.

Gotten from EA site that has launched.

http://www.easports.com/nhl07/

Now the first screens:

Xbox 360







One thing to consider that it is highly assumed these are earlier builds and will be much improved by release time.

Xbox screens

A trailer (for current gen)

And now the real juicy stuff.

From CGYFlamesFan (w00t) of the IGN boards who was invited to the event. In his IGN Blog:

http://blogs.ign.com/CGYFlamesFan/

Originally Posted by CGYFlamesFan

EA NHL 07 Community Day: THE DAY!
First off the cover boy is known to us, but unfortunately we are unable to let anyone know at this moment. It will be announced tommorow, if I recall correctly. Keep and eye out, i'm sure you'll be exited.

Here is more info for you.

For those hoping the PC version is going to be a port of the next gen version, it will not... at least not this year. It will be based off of the Current Gen version of the game.

Skill stick 2.0

-Using the right thumb stick while carrying the puck no longer makes you do an outrageous looking deke. This year it will be used for passing. Point the stick in the direction of players to set up some nice plays, this gives a bigger emphasis on overall team play.

AI Skill

6 roles:

-Sniper/Dangeler
-Power forwrd/Playmaker
-Offensive/Defensive Defenseman

SALARY CAP!

-There will indeed be a salary cap in Dynasty mode.

Season Flow

-Season mode has a larger emphasis on the playoff pictures
-The off season is revamped

Dynasty

-Owner GM relationship
-You can gain an owners trust by completing goals throught a season, not just one single goal unlike previous versions.

AI Fixes

-Better defensive AI
-Better Goalie AI
-Loose puck logic is much better
-Reduced one timer effectiveness

The Czech Euro league will be added into the game

Elite leagues will be able to have their own Dynasty mode!

PSP Version includes the abilty to continute your dynasty on the road with you via PS2-PSP connectivity.

NEXT GENERATION NHL 07

Unfortunately since it's still in it's early development stage and EA has alot of bugs to work through we didn't get any hands on. In fact outside of a Magazine we were the first to see it in action.

All I can say, if you have a 360. You'll be blown away. It will not have Everything as it's something the guys at EA are using as it's start point for next generation. But you'll be just blown away by how good looking this game is, We were all in awe of the the visuals and the Gameplay looks a hell of alot better and AUTHENTIC then what we're used to.

Here's what's known:

-It looks unbelievable... just insanely nice
-You will have the ability to put a player on waives, and claim guys on waivers
-The salary Cap will be there
-Goalie AI is great, every limb is it's own animated antity
-The puck physics are amazing


drumroll.....

The Commentary will be All new from Gary Thorne and Bill Clement. You heard it here first! Jim Hughson although good, was getting stale. Anyone who's played the game knows that. It's time for a change and they made a great choice here.

All in all, EA did a great job accomodating us and I thank them for the opportunity.

Keep on eye out for more info once it become available online and to us who went. Also forgive me if this seems somewhat rushed, it's been a long day.

-CGY

So congrats, your all upto date! :)

[BAT1STA]

awesome...was waiting for a good update on this game..of course though, they downgrade when going to 360

[Dawg101]

They should put the AHL in it

[CThrash13]

I wish EA would make a college hockey game. I know it might struggle a bit with sales, but I'd buy it. :)

As for NHL 07, the only thing I wanted fixed was the goalie AI. And it looks like they have focused on that on current-gen and next-gen systems. I'll still be getting it for next-gen though. It will look amazing!

[TehJesster]

Yeah those graphics look unbelievable. I can't wait for this game, I'm just as much of a hockey fan as an NFL fan, so I'm looking forward to both this and madden equally. I know in 06 I played NHL ALOT more than Madden though.