My biggest question is for "be a pro", its something i've been looking forward to but i dont want it to ****, but heres the question the biggest thing for a player is how he handels himself in interviews like what crosby would say compared to waht roenick would say, is that in the game do you get postgame interviews and postdraft interviews, or if your going through a bad spot do you get like questoned on it?

That's something I'd like you to find out on your own! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Awesome write up Banger, so so so very happy to hear about the added goalie animations, and the little touches like a goalie trying to look around a screen. Also the addition of scrums in front of the net is absolutely pleasing to hear. Has board play recieved any similar changes as well that you noticed in your short time with the alpha build or did Litty & co mention anything about it?

Custom soundtracks is not something I expected given how much EA generally pimps their licensing power with music, another great addition, the new checking system sounds pretty damn awesome as well, as does the lifting of sticks and new stick work while on defense. Kudos to the team for adding a dedicated dump button as well, as there are times in 08 where you'll try and make a dump and end up just shooting it on net.

Also if you're allowed to talk about it yet, has presentation aside from the start of game intros and a couple new overlays gotten any more attention this year? Do they plan to intergrate the telestrator color comentary breakdowns on replays or have they added any new replay cameras to this years game? Or is it pretty much the same as 08? Any new comentary from Thorne and Clement that stood out?

Last question again if you're allowed to talk about it yet. Has franchise mode seen any improvements, or fixes like the goalie droping confidence level/asking for trades for no reason?

Thanks again for the info Craig, awesome write up, I didn't think I could get any more excited about NHL09 but now I am after reading.

Bangpow, when you were playing 09 did you notice if every player could do the same things? Or was there a more noticeable difference between players?

One handed dekes - roll to babackhand side to either 5 or 7 o'clock depending on player.

• Looks good, but not all players will be able to do them. Which is good.
• Attribute based
• used to protect puck and for offensive puproses
• based on Forseberg olympic goal
• Done prety well

Body checks -
• hip checks are out
• no "honing missle checking"
• working on play in front of the net
• ACTUALL BATTLES IN FRONT OF NET while standing still
• Nice new body check.
• Still tuning checks.
• USING ENDORPHIN FOR CHECKING. Not real time, but still useing 300-400 animations. Pre-triggerd, not completely live, but solid anyway.
• Big hits only when you leave yourself open by stuff like "hot-dogging" and what not and skaing with your head down. aka "vulnerable states"

Stick Lifts - "a" button as of right now
• lift opponent sticks.
• choice between hitting or lifting stick..really
• can get 5-minute major for slashing guy in face. no blood, obviously.
• they might not implement injuries from that, though.

360 degree poke checks -
• swing stick in all directions. You have 360 degree motion and rotate.
• poke check is more effective, but you have to be smart. opponent can get around you easier if you miss.

Performance Tracker -
• User stat tracking tendencies and what not
• User summaries
• Rated on position score, Team Play, Stats
• Teaches players hockey and good hockey players will be good in the game.

New goalie animations, including desperation animations and they are putting in different styles. They are adding 50-75 new goalie animations.

Goalies will look around screen in front of them, but can get caught looking and let in a goal.

60 fps on PS3

Adding graphic overlay for goals scored during season.

New intro

Custom soundtracks. Set all arena music per team including goal horns and what not. Set intro music as well. Still looking to work online, but might only work locally. Music will muffle while inside of tunnel.

Take screenshots at any time and use them as your hockey card.

They get the defensive controls issue. outlined in powerpoint presentation. They understand completely.
understand online issues at launch with connectivity.

They also understand player differentiation

They read the forums and have outlined how many forum posts and reviews commented on the positives and negatives of the game.

Trying to tone down CPU one-timers. Trying to implement your and CPU AI to play better man-to-man defense so it shouldn't be an issue. they are still working on it, though. the CPU is still trying a little too much according to litty.

Grow the hockey market and capture a wider audience
• Gameplay quality
• approachability
• globalization

Dev Team "X" (what is the main focus)

Be the next "great one"
•
• skill stick legendary moments
• one handed dekes
• Body checks
• Stick Lifts
• 360 degree poke check

Performance tracker
Will have EASW uploads.

CORE GAMEPLAY IMPROVEMENTS

• Skill Stick moments
• Create Breakouts
• Create-a-play online
• Aggressive Defense

CORE GAMEPLAY INNOVATION

• New Player Collision System
• Intelligence Training by the Experts (basiclaly records litty and sean as they play their games at their desk and they pick from the best moments to put in the game)

BE A PRO (superstar)

• start in AHL on 3rd line and work way up
• 3rd person camera (looks really good)
• position arrow of where you should be
• view from bench when you aren't on the ice.
• you get coach feedback after every shift and after every period and every game.
• working on energy bar and you can ask to get back on the ice. If you play too much, you get bad team score.
• your play affects attributes
• You get sent down if you don't play well in NHL
• Final goal is to get to Hall of Fame
• Get achievement points, 50 points for hall of famer.
• You can get traded, especially around trade deadline.
• you get amateur hockey card when you start. The better you play in the mode, you get better cards.
• You can start the mode as a current pro.
• Goal is to make you play the games, so you can make Hall of Fame by playing well in 200 games.
• You can't take them online as of now.
• If you are a goalie, you start in the AHL
• Pick you name in text, but you can choose from the audio database from a list names of how the announcer says it
• 3rd person camera will follow you out on ice for intro.
• If you are one of the 3 stars, the camera will follow you back on the ice.
• If you let in a goal and are out of position, they will put the replay on you and the announcers will comment on it.



APPROACHABILITY

• Interactive tutorial
• On the fly feedback
• NHL 94 controls
• Improved fighting

GLOBALIZATION

• Russian Elite League
• German Elite League
• Swedish Tourney Schedule
• Finnish tourney schedule
• Czech Elite League Teams

We really didn't get into Franchise mode very much. We might've gotten an hour or so to actually play the game and online of it was in co-op mode so everyone can get their hands on it.

Player differentiation was a key point that they brought up in the presentation. They wanted the great players to separate themselves from the rest of the pack and what not. You won't be able to things like pull off one-handed dekes with a guy like Holmstrom as you could with Crosby.

Thanks for the writeup bangpow!

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see all of the cool additions & changes for 09...after all, the transition from 07 to 08 was a great one as well.

One question for you...do you know if the Media Hub/soundtracks will be available on the PS3 as well? As a PS3 owner, I hope it's not a 360 exclusive feature.