The following is taken directly from Sean Ramjagsingh’s (NHL lead producer) blog post today on the EA Sports website:
“Thanks for being part of this journey as we head into the launch of NHL 15 on the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4, the start of a new generation of hockey videogames. We’re incredibly proud of the next-generation gameplay and presentation experience we’ve created for all our fans. From the Next-Generation Hockey Player and True Hockey Physics to the Unrivalled In-Arena Experience and a revolution in Broadcast Presentation, I’m extremely proud of what our team has delivered in one year on new technology. The focus on a new gameplay and presentation engine will not only deliver a great game now, but also give us the foundation to deliver next-generation hockey experiences to you for the years to come.
However, we’re not done. We’re committed to keeping the experience fresh throughout the hockey season, in addition to the roster and ratings updates you’ve always received, the list below contains the free content updates for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 we’re working on and our expected window on when you will see them in the game:
September:
Playoff Mode
Create a custom offline tournament bracket with up to 16 teams from any of the 12 leagues in the game. Play or simulate each game and track player and team stats throughout the tournament.
Be A Pro – Coach Feedback
Get the coach’s feedback while you are on the bench. The coach will give you tips on how to stay on top of your game and grade you on your play.
3 Stars of the Game
At the end of the game, see the three stars and their high level stats. Will apply to every game mode.
Hockey Ultimate Team
Several content updates, including:
- Changed layout and navigation in HUT store
- New animations for player items
Improved edit lines screen to better identify players that are injured or require contract extensions
October:
Online Team Play
Online multiplayer mode where every player on the ice can be human controlled.
GM Draft
For the first time in the NHL franchise, you will be put on the clock and feel the pressure like real NHL GM’s. You will now only have 3 minutes to make a draft pick. If the pressure is too much, you can also call timeouts to extend the amount of time you have to make a draft pick or potentially negotiate a trade. You can make trades at any time during the draft. The CPU will also propose trades to each other and the user throughout the draft.
As always your feedback is fundamental to how we make NHL better and better, so we will also be looking to what you want to see implemented in the game. Stay tuned to this blog post for additional updates and updated timing details.
Thanks,
Sean”