Mature Gaming » nhl

NHL 13 video shows off more new features

gazzara — Mon, 21 May 2012 23:47:42 +0000

The next gameplay revolution is here with all-new True Performance Skating!

With true physics and over 1000 new animations, True Performance Skating replicates the explosiveness, top-end speed and momentum displayed by today’s NHL players, delivering unprecedented control and a level of creativity never before possible in a hockey videogame.

Check it out below:-

EA Sports Challenge launches today

gazzara — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:51:30 +0000

Pro athletes will not be the only ones cashing in on their highlight reel moves in 2012, as EA today announced the EA SPORTS Challenge Series, a sports video game tournament series that will determine the most skilled Madden NFL 12, NHL 12 and FIFA 12 gamers.

Powered by Virgin Gaming and exclusive to the PlayStation 3, participants will compete for over $1-million in cash and prizes – the largest prize money of any console-based sports gaming tournament ever. Available online at www.virgingaming.com, new technology allows gamers to participate in the tournament online at their leisure by pairing up gamers playing on the site at the same time.

“Virgin Gaming is earning a reputation for hosting the biggest gaming tournaments, but our members have been asking for even larger prize pools. That’s what drove the creation of the EA SPORTS Challenge Series; the idea came from them,” said Rob Segal, CEO of Virgin Gaming. “This is also the perfect opportunity to bring our unique tournament format to the masses, giving gamers the freedom to compete whenever they want, instead of according to a set schedule. Those who make it through the online qualifier phase will then earn a seat to play in the live finals for huge cash prizes and true e-sport star status.”

Players that want to compete in the EA SPORTS Challenge Series can register and participate immediately. The three tournaments will begin with online qualifiers through Virgin Gaming for Madden NFL 12, NHL® 12 and FIFA 12. Players will need to outscore the competition by winning through the online qualifiers in order to secure a seat at the final event to be hosted in New York, April 2012.To learn more about EA SPORTS Challenge Series, the individual tournaments and official rules, please visit www.easports.com/challengeseries.

NHL 11 – Review (360, PS3)

gazzara — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:08:41 +0000

I remember it as if it were yesterday, you know.

The year when the skillstick system was introduced to the EA Sports Hockey franchise and you just knew it was going to take you a few years to fully appreciate just how good it could be, providing you’re over 30 and know for a fact that someone half your age got it licked before they sat their exams.

Yes, it has taken a while for me to really get to grips with the new control method. I’m not saying it wasn’t that hard to grasp, as it didn’t take too long to start hurling shots all over the place and get the occasional horn of delight as you took the lead for a few minutes, but it is after playing the titles for a year or two that you really begin to appreciate just how much of an attribute this is; and just how much the NHL games benefit from it.

Another year gives us another revamp and as much as nothing is hugely different in terms of game dynamics and the like, there is one big upgrade to talk to you about. The Hockey Ultimate Team is sort of a cross between those age old arguments about which player is the best in whatever league of whatever sport you were into, the traditional swapping of trading cards, whether it be footy or baseball and your NHL videogame online capabilities. You are given a set of cards to start off with and as you progress through the league that EA sets up you can start acquiring different ones that can either bolster your formation or give you a chance to do some major things like extend contracts and give players better stats in certain areas.

I have to be honest and say that it is a little too complex for my slightly maturing brain to contend with, but I can see where it comes from. Perhaps with a little (well, I say little, I mean a load of) time and patience I reckon I could begin to patch it together and really see where it is coming from. If you do like the management side of things and fancy some variety to spice things up then this is a really good idea. The proof of that is that after I review this I might give it another go to see if I can really get myself into it. Here’s hoping anyway.

Other than this big addition there is not really a great deal extra to report, although there are some little tweaks here and there (more later) but then when your product is as solid and near perfect as you can get, why mess with it. When I had NHL 10 I loved it. The atmosphere, graphics and the edge of your seat playability had me hooked from start to finish. That was then (and the 360 I hasten to add) and now it is 2011’s turn and a nice PS3 to keep me occupied.

The General Manager mode is present again, as well as the instant attempt at the Stanley Cup, the instant play stuff and your usual suspects from the game modes department. On a personal level I have to say that this has the best EA Trax I have ever had the fortune to listen to. When you have Pantera and “Walk” in one breath followed by 80’s classic cheesemeisters Europe with their anthem “Final Countdown” how can you possibly go wrong? I know music doesn’t normally have such an impact on games, but here, especially in a stadium environment, it can be the difference between a morgue and a headlining concert.

One of the main control differences this year is the ability to manipulate the face-off more by introducing the left stick into the mix, letting the player trying to grab the puck manipulate his body to try and not just win the drop, but turn his body away from the opposing player to keep it. Along with the improvement to the board work, in terms of holding players on it and winning the puck from there, we do see a more complete system. Sure they are only two things, but these are frequently seen events in a game, so they are used often and help to solidify a pretty safe and secure control system even further.

The commentary is as professional and fun as ever and the chants from the supporters have been improved also. Additional touches like player shouts for things like icing may not be noticed immediately, but it is one of those things that you see after repeated plays. The gameplay is, thankfully, unchanged from last time round. The skillstick is as functional and intriguing as the year it was unveiled and playing it online is just as good, as long as it’s against a friend who isn’t a great deal better than you. Got to make that point very clear.

The only down side I can aim towards NHL 11 is that apart from the Hockey Ultimate Team there really isn’t a huge list of changes as you would expect from a new update to an EA Sports franchise, and that you will only really get the full benefits of the improvements if you have the time and effort to put into it, whereas a lot of people really play the hockey titles for the social and fun aspect of things, rather than stats and figures.

If you’re like that (and like me, to be honest) then I would look at it like this. If you don’t have NHL 10, this is an essential a sports game as those two other great stadium games in my life, FIFA and MLB: The Show 10 (which they STILL haven’t brought out in the UK) and I really wish you many months of great times with it, as I know they will come. If you still have last year’s model then I would have to say there is, as is customary with the nature of the beast, just about enough subtle adjustments to make it worth your while changing up, but not as readily as someone without the preceding game. If you’re in that department I would knock half a star off the score. All in all though this is as good as Ice Hockey has been in a while and long may this great run continue.

Written By:- Billy Withers

Reviewed: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (360, PS3)

NHL 11 competition winners announced

gazzara — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:25:07 +0000

First of all, thank you for all the entries for this competition. There were quite a few of them, even as far afield as Lithuania!

As you are all aware we only have three copies to give away so without further ado we will announce the winners.

The answer we were looking for was the one and only Wayne Gretsky and your winners are:-

Nick Farmer

Simon Cordon

Paul Kissock

Congratulations to all three of you and well deserved. E-mails have been sent out regarding your win and your games will be out to you soon.

If you were not a winner this time then please keep trying. You know we have some great comps here and if you’re not in it, you cannot win it.

Competition – Win a copy of NHL 11!

gazzara — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:05:21 +0000

Mature-gaming.com have teamed up with our friends at EA Sports to give you the chance to win one of three copies of the hockey game, NHL 11.

In the now traditional EA Sports yearly update, NHL 11 is set to deliver the most defining experience in a hockey game yet and will include the following features:-

Revolutionary real time physics engine

Pioneering the next step forward in team sports video game realism, the all-new Real-Time Physics Engine brings real-world highlight reel moments in-game like never before. From face-offs to body checks, real-world puck and player physics trigger true-to-life reactions. Now anything can happen, including the ability to shoot and make plays while lying on the ice.

All new hockey Ultimate Team

Build a team from the ground up by acquiring top Canadian Hockey League and American Hockey League prospects and training them to superstardom, or win now by acquiring current NHL superstars. Put your squad in retro jerseys and manage your team’s chemistry to find out which players gel best throughout the regular season and monthly playoffs online.

Over 200 gameplay enhancements

An all-new faceoff system, quick dekes, the new Hit Stick, and hip checks are just some of the many gameplay improvements that make NHL11 the most authentic hockey video game experience to date.

All new broken sticks

Broken sticks now affect the action in more ways than one. After snapping your stick on a wicked slapshot or having it broken in two from a hit, the play is never dead. Kick the puck to your teammate or have your teammate pass you his stick if you can’t make it to the bench to get a new one.

Be A Pro enhanced

For the first time ever, begin your career playing for the Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup. Playing with and against licensed CHL players from the Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and Ontario Hockey League, experience both highs and lows of junior league hockey action. Get scouted, enter the NHL entry draft, and see if you can become the greatest player of all time.

All new EASHL dynasties

The EA SPORTS Hockey League takes online play to the next level as championship seasons are awarded with banner-raising ceremonies and new user celebrations that allow you to rub it in the faces of your biggest rivals. Prep your team for their playoff run with an all-new Practice mode.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of NHL 11 on your chosen format you will need to answer the following question:-

Which Hall Of Fame hockey player was nicknamed “The Great One”?

Please e-mail your answer along with your name, contact number and format of choice by the closing date, which is Monday, September 20th, to the following e-mail address – nhlcomp@mature-gaming.com. All winners will be notified and their details passed on to EA for delivery of the game.

Rules

The competition is open to U.K and EU residents only.
The minimum age for entries due to the rating on the title is 18 (if you’re under 18, you shouldn’t be here you naughty kids!)
I.D. checks may be carried out to verify your age and if found to be unsatisfactory you maybe excluded from the competition.
People with the correct answers will be drawn from a hat at random and contacted within 2 days of the closing date.
The judges decision is final.
Any suspected breaking of these rules will result in your entry being disqualified.
Only one entry per person.
Mature-gaming.com reserves the right to withdraw the competition at any time.

Ryan Kesler is the cover athlete for NHL 2k11

gazzara — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:10:31 +0000

2K Sports announced today they have signed Ryan Kesler, star two-way forward for the Vancouver Canucks and 2010 Winter Olympics hero, to be featured as the cover athlete and spokesman for their upcoming video game, NHL 2K11.

Kesler, a vital member of the upstart 2010 U.S. Olympic hockey team, captured the collective attention of sports fans around the world with his gritty and awe-inspiring performance, and will now look to bring the same electrifying play to NHL 2K11.

“Having the opportunity to participate in the Olympics and play in front of my home crowd was one of the best experiences of my life. To now be chosen as the next cover athlete for NHL 2K11 is another dream come true,” said Kesler, alternate captain for the Vancouver Canucks. “It was awesome to work with 2K Sports last year on the NHL 2K10 commercial shoot and the outdoor motion capture session on the Las Vegas strip was incredible to be a part of. I’m looking forward to having just as much fun again, and helping them make another great hockey game this year.”

Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 2003 as the 23rd overall pick in the first round, Kesler has spent his entire five-year NHL career with the Canucks. As a 2009 Selke Trophy finalist, awarded annually to the top defensive player in the league, Kesler has blossomed into one of the most feared and relentless players on the ice. Best known as a two-way forward, Kesler also set personal statistical records last season with 26 goals and 33 assists. He was honored with the Cyclone Taylor award last year as team MVP and has helped to lead the Canucks this year to the top of the Northwest division.

“Ryan is one of the most talented and exciting players to watch in the NHL today and his popularity has grown exponentially since the recent success of Team USA at the Winter Olympics,” said Greg Thomas, senior vice president of sports development for 2K. “We’re thrilled to have him represent NHL 2K11 and wish him the best of luck through the rest of this season.”

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EA to close a few servers

gazzara — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:33:36 +0000

An announcement on the EA website has stated that a few old servers are to be closed down in February. Worryingly though, a couple on the list are 09 games in the form of Madden 09 and Nascar 09 which we assume people still play.

“Servers for the games listed below will be shut down on the indicated dates,” said EA. “You may continue to play the games online up until these dates, but certain community programs may begin to close down prior to the shutdown dates.”

Here is the list in full:-

UEFA Champions League 07 PC and x360
Facebreaker x360 and PS3
Fantasy Football 09 x360 and PS3
FIFA 07 PSP, PS2, PC
Fight Night Round 3 PS2
Madden 08 Wii
Madden 08 PC
Madden 09 Xbox1
Madden 09 Wii and PSP
March Madness 07 x360
NBA 07 PSP, x360
NBA 08 PS2, PSP, Wii
NBA 09 Wii – Europe only
NBA Street (2007) PS3 and x360
NCAA Football 08 PS2
NCAA Football 09 PS2
NASCAR 08 PS2
NASCAR 09 PS2
NASCAR 09 PS3 and x360 – Europe Only
NFL Tour PS3 and x360
NHL 07 PSP and x360
NHL 08 PC
Tiger Woods 07 PC
Madden 09 x360 and PS3
Madden 07 Xbox 360

These will all be gone on February 2nd 2010 with some of the community elements closing a little ahead of time.

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