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Improved stick skills shown off in NHL 14 trailer
This trailer for NHL 14 shows the improvements EA Canada has planned for the series in the stick skills department. For starters, puck chops will be easier to pull off with the use of the right analog stick and right bumper/R1 button. NHL 14 will also include simple one-touch dekes, which will allow more reactive cut-back moves. Some of the improvements revolve around tuning stick skills down, such as pokechecks, which will be less effective when players are out of position or the puck is moving at higher speeds. NHL 14 will grant a higher success rate to those that hold a position during faceoffs as well. NHL 14 will launch September 10 on PS3 and Xbox 360 with New Jersey Devils' Martin Brodeur on the cover. %Gallery-195329%
Never-ending season: Twenty years later, NHL 94 lives on
In an era where releasing classic games across a multitude of digital platforms is the norm, EA's sports titles have been left behind. One beloved game left to collect dust within EA's retro catalog is NHL 94, this year celebrating its 20th anniversary. After securing licensing agreements with the National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association, NHL 94 became the first game in the series to feature official team names and logos along with authentic team rosters. Fans today still recall some of the game's more infamous quirks, like the game's devastating one-timer and cheap wraparounds. Mention the Chicago Blackhawks in any conversation about the game and fans immediately remember the overpowered squad, recalling the hatred that boiled in their veins when friends would attempt to pick the team during late-night matches. "Everybody that played [NHL 94] has memories of sitting on a couch somewhere, playing that game. For me, it was in my dorm room in university playing against my roommates to see who would do the dishes or who would have to clean the bathroom. Everyone has different memories associated with that game and I think that's what has carried it through time," NHL 14 producer Sean Ramjagsingh told Joystiq. "It was the first time that people felt that hockey was represented properly in a video game." NHL 94 has faded into a distant, pleasant memory for most, but for one community, the retro classic still lives on and new memories are being formed every day.
Devils' Martin Brodeur named NHL 14 cover athlete
EA Sports' NHL series will see a goalie on the box for the first time since NHL 97, as Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils won the annual cover vote to become the cover athlete for NHL 14. Brodeur beat out runner-up Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets goalie. Brobrovsky won this year's Vezina Trophy, which is given to the goaltender that is considered the best in the league. The cover vote tallied over 22 million votes, though EA has not revealed how the votes break down. NHL 14 is coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 in North America on September 10, and will launch worldwide on September 13. %Gallery-192736%
NHL 14 cover vote goes to the sweet sixteen
EA Sports has announced the final sixteen players that have advanced to the next round of voting for NHL 14's cover. Each of the remaining players are lumped into a bracket format, competing head-to-head until the final match-up is decided and revealed during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. According to EA, more than 12 million votes have been cast in the competition's first two rounds, "with daily vote totals up nearly 70% over the NHL 13 Cover Vote Campaign." Fans signed into their EA account can vote an unlimited number of times during this round until May 12 at 11:59pm ET. Votes can be doubled on Thursdays on Twitter and Instagram by using specific hashtags for each of the remaining players. NHL 14 launches in North America on September 10, 2013, and worldwide on September 13. My expert recommendations can be found in the image above.
Collision Physics takes the ice in NHL 14 trailer
EA Canada recently detailed NHL 14's Collision Physics in a developer diary video and blog. New to the hockey game this year are left stick hits, where the speed and momentum of skaters can cause big hits without the use of the right joystick. Right stick hitting controls are still accessible in the game. The Collision Physics system, which borrows from the FIFA series' Player Impact Engine, introduces more ragdoll reactions to players suffering hits, including the goalie. EA Canada says NHL 14 will also see less hip check spamming and more incidental contact due to the game demanding better player positioning. Likewise, the developer says the system will make better use of a player's individual attributes for keeping their balance and delivering hits on opponents.
Xbox Live kicks off 'Big Sports Weekend' with free UFC, MLB
Xbox Live is hosting a "Big Sports Weekend" event for both Gold and free subscribers that unlocks some sports content at no extra cost. Among the noteworthy unlocked features this weekend are the ability to watch out-of-market and on-demand MLB games normally limited to MLB.TV subscribers, full NFL Draft coverage on the ESPN app and seven free fights on the UFC app.The seven UFC "story fights" all feature either Chael Sonnen or Jon Jones leading up to their UFC 159 encounter this Saturday, which is not part of the Xbox Live Big Sports Weekend package, as it's a pay-per-view event. Viewers can also access the NBA Game Time and NHL GameCenter apps for playoff highlights and recaps this weekend, but will need the standard subscriptions to watch live playoff games.
NHL 14 asks fans to face off in cover vote contest
Following last year's successful demonstration of democracy through NHL.com, NHL 14 will ask hockey fans to once again vote for their favorite cover athlete. Fans may choose from an initial list of sixty players, with voting taking place across two rounds that will be followed by a 16-player bracket to narrow down NHL 14's cover captain.The winning player will be revealed later this year during the Stanley Cup Finals. The initial round of voting is going on now; you can see the full list of sixty eligible players through the source link below. Last year, over 25 million votes for the inaugural NHL Cover Vote campaign were registered, awarding the cover spot to Philadelphia Flyer's captain Claude Giroux.NHL 14 skates off to retail on Xbox 360 and PS3 September 10 in North America, September 13 in Europe.
PSA: NHL GameCenter app arrives on Xbox 360
The faint sound you hear from your monitor isn't the cancerous hum of its inner workings, it's the sweet sob of hockey fans finally donning their best sweaters in preparation of the lockout-shorted NHL season.Tomorrow, henceforth known as "irrefutable proof of the existence of generous and mysterious beings beyond our mortal comprehension," hockey returns and the subscription-based NHL GameCenter app is now available for Xbox 360 users to download.Already available on PlayStation 3 and mobile devices, NHL GameCenter allows subscribers to watch up to forty out-of-market games per week. The Xbox 360 app, announced during E3 2012, features the standard bells and whistles of all Xbox apps: namely the ability to control via gesticulating and shouting at your console (specifically with the Kinect peripheral connected).NHL GameCenter is available for $49.99 for the shortened 2012/2013 season. Xbox 360 users must also have an Xbox Live 'Gold' subscription to access the content. Yeah, that's still a thing they do.
Microsoft announces NHL GameCenter availability on Xbox Live
Microsoft's quest to become king of the living room by continuing the expansion of its console's entertainment services just grew a little more today. The Redmond-based company has announced that NHL GameCenter is now available to Xbox Live members with a Gold subscription, delivering great news to hockey fanatics ahead of the already controversial 2013 season. Regardless of lockouts and all that, though, the National Hockey League application's set to bring plenty of content to the Xbox Live folk, including real-time scores and stats, a Season Central hub that shows you the league's schedule and, naturally, the ability to watch replays and live games (as long as you shell out the $50 fee for the 2012-2013 season, of course). Per Microsoft, NHL GameCenter is available "around the globe," however countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland don't appear to have made the cut. The rest of you, meanwhile, can download the app starting today. Update: Below is a note from Microsoft about which countries can expect to see the NHL GameCenter app on their consoles, as well as more info regarding the situation in the Nordic regions. The following countries are receiving NHL GameCenter: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America. The NHL app will not be available on Xbox within the Nordic markets due to an existing digital broadcast agreement already in place between NHL and Viasat Broadcasting. NHL games can be viewed instead via the Viaplay app, which launched on Xbox in December 2012.The Viaplay app is available immediately for download via Xbox LIVE.
NHL lockout prompts Montreal sports writer to chronicle virtual hockey season
The NHL lockout has forced most hockey writers to cover boardroom negotiations and players' prospects overseas instead of actual games, but Pat Hickey of The Montreal Gazette has found something a little different to write about. As noted by Bloomberg Businessweek, Hickey has been covering a virtual season for the Montreal Canadiens just as he would the real one, with EA's NHL 13 providing simulated games in the absence of any actual action on the ice. Coincidentally, the Habs are currently tied for first in the league. As Hickey tells Bloomberg, covering a virtual season comes with some benefits -- the games only take about an hour each and he's able to make up quotes -- and it's also proven to be surprisingly popular. Last week, one of his write-ups was reportedly the most-read sports story on the paper's website. You can catch up with the season to date, and for at least a few weeks to come, at the source link.
Failing the NHL 13 academy
I love sports, but I know next to nothing about hockey. Maybe my lack of NHL love has something to do with my Wisconsin upbringing, a sort of "no-man's land" for professional hockey. The Milwaukee Admirals AHL team doesn't excite me, and picking between the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings is an uncomfortable proposition.My knowledge of the sport itself is even more limited. Aside from the terms "icing" and "line changes," hockey is alien to me. Joystiq recently ran an editorial discussing how simulation sports games don't do enough to assist people like me in learning the ropes in the sports they feature. To test that theory, I attempted to learn more about hockey through NHL 13.%Gallery-165522%
NBC rebrands Olympics app as NBC Sports Live Extra, promises streams for a wider athletic universe
NBC's Olympics Live Extra may have lost its original raison d'être after the flame was extinguished in London, but that doesn't mean it's time to purge the app from your phone's home screen. An update for Android and iOS users alike is giving the title new life as NBC Sports Live Extra, and the name makes it quite obvious that you'll have a lot more to watch than just biathlons and fencing. NBC expects to offer live streaming for the European PGA, LPGA, MLS, NHL, Notre Dame, PGA, Ryder Cup and other events or leagues culled from the channel formerly known as Versus. Highlights, social sharing and other side features will carry over as well. You don't have to do a thing beyond check for a new version to make the switch to the already updated apps, but you will have to subscribe to conventional TV to use them properly: NBC is requiring TV Everywhere authentication for access to most of what's on offer from NBC Sports Network and the Golf Channel.
Xbox adding Nickelodeon, Paramount, Machinima, Univision, NHL and more ESPN [update: full list of new apps]
Microsoft hopes to "double" its entertainment offerings over the next year, highlighting four partners during its pre-E3 media briefing: Nickelodeon, Paramount, Machinima, and Univisiona.Microsoft is also adding the NBA and NHL to its content partners, specifically citing the latter as launching next season. Additionally, ESPN's app will be updated to include 24-hour programming from other ESPN channels: ESPN 1, ESPN 2, and ESPN U. Currently, the ESPN app on Xbox 360 only features content from ESPN 3.Update: Here's the full list of entertainment apps planned for the service.
Xbox 360 video gets 35 new content providers, 24/7 live ESPN video
Microsoft's E3 2012 keynote has seen it kick up the video content by more than a few notches: it's adding 35 new content providers for the Xbox 360. Machinima, Slacker, Nickelodeon, Paramount and Univision are among the picks, but the real highlight is the sports push: the NBA and NHL will both have the live treatment that we've previously seen with the MLB. If you're a fan of the existing ESPN app, you're in for your own treat, too: a revamp, Watch ESPN, will provide 24/7 live video that includes sports from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNU. The timetables for each rollout will vary, but you can be sure you'll have an even wider selection before too long. Follow our liveblog of Microsoft's E3 keynote right here!
Must See HDTV (May 28th - June 3rd)
Game of Thrones HBO's premiere series wraps up season two this weekend, and while we're not going to spoil things (yeah we read ahead via wiki summaries, we're weak) we're pretty sure that someone will die in this episode. Just like pretty much every other episode. Someone else will do something honorable, someone will be betrayed, and... dragons. Game of Thrones, ladies and gentlemen. (June 3rd, HBO, 9PM) Workaholics Comedy Central's series makes its return this week, and the story of three slackers just trying to get by has really grown on us. Trying to explain the interactions between Blake, Adam and 'Ders would probably make us look crazy, so we'll just advise you to tune in and hope for another Double Dare cameo by Marc Summers. If the words "let's get weird" don't mean anything to you, check out the trailer embedded after the break. (May 29th, Comedy Central, 10:30PM) Stanley Cup Finals The NHL Playoffs are finally down to just two teams: the LA Kings and the New Jersey Devils. Hockey's biggest prize is up for grabs, however the games are pretty spaced out so we've only got two of them on the schedule this week. We're sure you can make time to tune in. (May 30th & June 2nd, NBC, 8PM)
Must See HDTV (April 9th - April 15th)
This week the baseball season is in full swing and while we wait for the NBA to get its postseason started the NHL is already kicking off its race for the Stanley Cup. While that and racing action from all the major series should satisfy sports fans there's also a few treats for fans of drama with the series finale of Justified and a Titanic miniseries (spoiler alert: you already know how it ends) and reality TV with the season premiere of Deadliest Catch. Finally, there aren't any big name game releases but long awaited indie effort Fez is finally coming to Xbox Live Arcade April 13th, look for a trailer as well as our weekly listings after the break.NHL PlayoffsThe regular season is over and now the NHL Playoffs begin Wednesday night. The Rangers and the Canucks are at the top of the seeding but as we all know anything can happen. What will almost certainly happen is another fight between the Flyers and the Penguins. Our over/under on players suspended during the series is set at 2.(All Week, NHL Network & NBC Sports Network)Eastbound & DownThis week we say goodbye to Kenny Powers for the last time, as his minor and major league baseball hijinks come to an end after their third season on HBO. If you'd like a quick preview of where the story is going, there's a trailer for the finale included after the break, but if you're not a regular viewer it probably won't make any sense.(April 15, HBO, 10PM)JustifiedThis FX series has become one of the best dramas on TV right now and this week in the season finale the interesting and engaging set of characters take each other on one last time. While we're never quite sure what will go on with US Marshal Raylan Givens it's a pretty fair bet that someone will get shot, it's just a matter of who.(April 10, FX, 10PM)
After legal battle, MSG HD channels finally arrive on Verizon FiOS
When the MSG Network was founded in 1969, the New York Knicks were just a few months away from their first NBA championship. The franchise would go on to win a second crown in 1973, after which it embarked on a gut wrenchingly long title drought that persists to this very day. The MSG Network, on the other hand, has been busy employing Mike Breen and expanding its Ewing-esque regional media reach to new platforms, including (rather begrudgingly) Verizon's FiOS TV. Last week, the carrier announced that both MSG HD and MSG+ HD would be coming to its FiOS TV lineup, with select markets receiving the channels as early as Thursday. The move doesn't come without some grumbling, though, especially on MSG's part. As Verizon puts it, the network had previously "refused" to provide its HD channels, but was ultimately forced to do so when the FCC ruled in Big Red's favor. MSG's ownership tried to stay the decision, but a federal court this week denied its request. As a result, New York subscribers can now spend their evenings watching the Knicks in HD, and trying to remember the good ol' times.
Photo Stream, NHL, AirPlay mirroring and more added to Apple TV with software update
It got a bit overshadowed by Apple's other software updates earlier today, but Apple TV users also have a few new features to enjoy whenever they're ready to plop down on the couch. Version 4.4 of the Apple TV software is now available to download, which adds the new Photo Stream feature to view photos stored in iCloud, as well as AirPlay mirroring, plus content from the NHL and Wall Street Journal, and a new movie trailer section. You'll also now be able to view subtitles in Netflix (when available, of course), and you have a few new slideshow themes to choose from.
NHL 12 trailer introduces new forms of ice-tackling
There is nothing we don't love about the latest trailer for NHL 12. See, while other trailers for annually iterated sports titles focus on how their new mechanics allow you greater control over the ball/racket/club, NHL 12 is more single-minded: you can now hurt dudes in new, more visceral ways.
NBC Sports Group locks up NHL broadcasts for 10 years, plans to rename Versus
While we enjoy the NHL Playoffs, the NBC Sports Group (which now includes Versus thanks to the whole merger with Comcast) has announced a 10-year TV deal (rumored to be worth around $2 billion) with the league that keeps NBC and Versus as the exclusive broadcast homes for pro hockey. Beyond just broadcast, the deal also covers digital rights across "all platforms and devices" and includes provisions for more special event games, check the press release after the break for more details. Broadcasting & Cable mentions chairman Dick Ebersol said on a conference call Versus is also due for a rebranding now that the merger is completed, so expect a new channel with the letters "NBC" in it -- lets all hope this works out better than "Syfy" -- sometime soon.
