NHL 2012 Updates

Posted by: Tiara Sleight

Here's a brief synopsis on some of the improvements that EA has put forth in their new game, NHL 2012.

Improvements

• Smoother cycling down low - those who are playing in the corners of the rink will be able to grab the puck without decreasing in speed
• Puck physics - the puck will be able to roll on end from rebounds and those players with lower puck control stats will need a few extra seconds to get the puck
• New skating/fatigue skating animations - at the beginning of the sprint, players will be able to move quicker but as they get more tired they will drop their heads and skate slower
• "Skate with intent logic" - automatically, players will skate at an advanced pace when breaking through the neutral zone towards open ice
• "Authentic helmet rules" - if a player loses their helmet during a game they will continue to keep playing though in the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) the player has to automatically leave the ice.

Skater Qualities - as related to NHL players

• "Dump and chaser" - 3rd and 4th line grinder, strong board play (ex. Chris Neil/Aaron Asham)
• "Setup man" - he is the playmaker, loves to distribute the puck (ex. Henrik Sedin)
• "Drives the net" - attacks the net in order to make rebounds (ex. Ryan Kesler)
• "One-knee specialists" - they will be shooting one-timers from one knee (ex. Steven Stamkos)
• "Net agitators" - live in the front of the net, love banging in garbage goals (ex. Tomas Holmstrom)
• "Shoots on the rush" - pretty self explanatory, think Alex Ovechkin.