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EA Sports' fall soundtrack in full, from Alexisonfire to Zap Mama
What kind of crazy, block-bustin' beats are you going to be nodding your head to when playing this fall's EA Sports titles? The publisher wants you to know, in full, well before any of the games launch. Why? Well, we're not entirely sure. One thing that's clearly apparent from the various soundtracks: target markets. We're not exactly left scratching our heads over who wants Röyksopp rolling in the background while playing a rousing game of footie (hint: EUROPEANS) or who wants Alice in Chains pumping in Giants Stadium (hint: UNITED STATESIANS). Either way, head after the break for the whole list, including the tunes in Madden NFL 10, NBA Live 10, NHL 10, and FIFA 10. And then go out and buy a Röyksopp album. You'll thank us.
Video: NHL 10 producer showcases new gameplay features
In the latest "trailer" for NHL 10, producer David Littman shows off some of the upcoming title's new gameplay features. Having come off what was arguably the best sports game of 2009, EA Canada decided to refine the small things that happen during the "coolest game on Earth." Hockey fans can expect more detailed play around the boards and noticeable aggression from the AI after the whistle as a few of the added elements to keep NHL 10 fresh. First-person fighting is in there too, but we're taking a wait and see approach to the feature. Either it ends up fantastic or its the first thing we switch off in the game's options, along with the Dany Heatley-specific wahhhmbulance feature.
Patrick Kane dekes his way onto NHL 10 cover
Click for full cover EA's getting a new slapsticker for its NHL series of games, as the Chicago Blackhawks' right winger, Patrick Kane, will be gracing the cover of NHL 10. Drafted in 2007, the kid has been a great player since hitting the ice, and is a solid choice for the cover. But is he a better choice than the competition's cover guy? All we want to know is: where's the Sidney Crosby love? The Penguins did win the Stanley Cup this year, after all. Also, we looked that up on Wikipedia. %Gallery-63371%
NHL 10 to feature first-person fighting, gameplay 'refinements'
Players will be close enough to count an opponent's missing teeth when skaters square off to settle things with their fists in NHL 10. Electronic Arts announced that the game will shift the perspective from the third- to first-person during fights as players clobber each other in the forthcoming annual update. The change is among 200 "refinements" EA promises, including glass-banging crowds, a new board physics engine and scraps after the whistle. Additionally, EA adds that enforcers will now step in to throw down to protect skill players in a fight, meaning even virtual versions of Crosby or Sakic can breathe easy knowing someone's got their back. %Gallery-63371%
EA predicts Bruins as NHL playoffs champs
The match-ups are set for this year's NHL playoffs, and once again Electronic Arts has peered into its EA Sports-brand crystal ball to predict the outcome of this latest run at the Stanley Cup. EA workaholics played through the playoff race in NHL 09, eventually naming the Boston Bruins as league champs following a six game battle with original six rival Chicago Blackhawks. Not to say the Bruins aren't due following a 37-year drought, but EA also predicted that the San Jose Sharks would come out on top in 2008 (fun fact: they didn't). Clearly reality does not always favor the screen, and it remains to be seen if Boston or one of the other 15 playoff hopefuls will be the team to actually hoist Lord Stanley above their heads.
Joystiq X08 interview: NHL 09 producer Andy Agostini
Who says a sports franchise can't reinvent itself? For EA Sports, the NHL game franchise has done just that over the last three versions. After introducing the analog control mechanic in NHL 07 along with the AHL teams and Create-a-Play feature in NHL 08, it would appear the franchise has gone as far as it can. Well, sports fans, NHL 09 attempts to break the mold once again with its Be a Pro mode. The mode is instantly recognizable to fans of FIFA 08 but different because it's spread across seasons in NHL 09, rather than single games. In an interview with Joystiq at Microsoft's X08 in Toronto, NHL 09 producer Andy Agostini discussds the Be a Pro mode, annual creativity and the hardships of updating rosters after a title ships. [MP3] Download this interview in MP3 format
Phaneuf body checks his way onto NHL 09
According to an article in The Calgary Sun, Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf will be gracing the cover of EA's NHL 09. Focusing on more defensive gameplay and hard-hitting checks, EA Sports decided to give the cover nod to one of the hardest-htting, and high-scoring, defensive players in the league. "There are always a lot of options for who we want on our cover, and Phaneuf was a perfect choice for us this year," said David Littman, lead producer of NHL 09. Currently in development at EA Vancouver, NHL 09 is scheduled to hit retail before the puck drops on the new season.
EA Sports predicts Sharks as Stanley Cup champs
With the puck set to drop tomorrow night for the 2008 NHL playoffs, the prognosticators at EA Sports have once again looked into the future vicariously through the studio's latest NHL video game offering to predict the outcome of the league's 16-win battle of attrition. By way of simulation using NHL 08, EA Sports named the San Jose Sharks as the team to finally earn the right to lift Lord Stanley's Cup, defeating Eastern powerhouse Montreal in seven games. While this writer's favorite team, the Buffalo Sabres, are out playing golf, we agree that the Sharks, behind 2005-06's Hart Trophy winner Joe Thornton (not to mention former Sabres defenceman Brian Campbell), present a formidable force for any of the playoff race's 16 teams. Still, there's too much on-ice talent to write this off as gospel just yet, so we'll sit back and probably scream at the TV tomorrow evening as we wait and see if history mirrors EA's crystal ball.
Eric Staal featured on NHL 08 box art
IGN revealed that Carolina Hurricanes center, Eric Staal, will be the next player on the cover of EA Sports' NHL 08. Staal was honored to have been selected by EA Sports, and says he played NHL 07 regularly. Staal played a huge part in the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup victory in the 2006 season, having accumulated 28 points in the Playoffs. The fact that they had to beat the hometown team of a particular blogger to acquire the Cup won't deter us from giving the game its fair shake.
NHL 07 ready to shoot it out with 2K?
After spending last season stuck in the penalty box, EA makes its Xbox 360 ice hockey debut with a 541mb NHL 07 demo showcasing the upcoming game's shoot-out mode. Featuring highly detailed player models, new controls, and an honest-to-God dynasty mode, this could be the first next-gen EA Sports title that doesn't feel like it's short a Hanson Brother or two. In fact, I have heard buzzing from hockey fans with mullets far longer than my own, that this could be the year EA steals the puck back from the 2K series. Based on your limited experience with the demo, will NHL 07 bring a toothless smile to your facemask?
NHL 07 benched on Nintendo platforms
Last week, when EA announced that the Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin would be NHL 07's cover athlete, many fans were surprised to see that Nintendo was absent from the list of platforms* that would receive the game. Nintendojo recently contacted EA to verify the platform release list. As it turns out, NHL 07 will not be released for GameCube -- or for that matter, Wii. Currently, 2K Sports' NHL 2K7 is not scheduled for release on GameCube either. Electronic Arts publicist Jen Riley did make it a point to remind Nintendojo, "Many of our other games are continuing to support DS ... and we hope to be on Wii in the future." *NHL 07 will be available for PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox, and Xbox 360. Note that PlayStation 3 is also absent from the list.
EA's NHL 07 not releasing for Nintendo systems
Jen Riley, Electronic Arts publicist, commented recently that the release of the 2007 edition of their NHL title would not be gracing any Nintendo consoles or handhelds, including the company's next-generation console, the Wii. The company has not decided to totally abandon Nintendo consoles, however, as Jen commented that "many of our other games are continuing to support DS and we hope to be on the Wii in the future." Now, we can understand not having the game launch on the GameCube, which has all but been forgotten, but to not support the Wii? Even given that EA would have little time to come up with a way to properly utilize the Wiimote in this title, should that be enough for a game to be denied exposure on the system? Just because Nintendo has this groundbreaking control scheme doesn't mean that every game's experience needs to be centered around it.
