Demo Information ??

[islesfan12]

Sorry if this is posted elsewhere, but is there any information at all on a demo? EA should be releasing their NHL10 demo in the next few days, and I hope 2K follows with their own soon.

We certainly need a demo to get a taste of the game this year after a complete disappointment with 2K9 (IMO). We need more than a few vids and previews to get a sense of what to expect. thanks in advance to anyone with info on this.

Maybe someone from 2K can shed some light. Cheers

[b-Dub]

I would expect a demo to come out a couple weeks before release. And since the release is Sept. 15th, I would expect to see a demo around the end of this month or beginning of September.

[LIUhockey18]

Just play the 2k9 demo, gunna be the same thing.

[b-Dub]

Just play the 2k9 demo, gunna be the same thing.

Have you even seen the improvements they are making to 2K10? The demos will not be the same.

[stoney0ne]

Just play the 2k9 demo, gunna be the same thing.

id delete this as a junk post... but its so laughable ill leave it up.





i asked ron.. he had no date on a demo... i also asked about pre launch gamer picks, themes, and other DLC.. he said he would get back with me

[CherryBomb]

hopefully this demo is better than last years

[ChrisSousa]

Well the NHL 10 demo is out so I think maybe 2k10 will be out this week or at least hope haah

[shonuff32612]

I have been playing the nhl 10 demo for the last hour or so. Eh is all I have to say for it now. Don't get me wrong, it plays well and has some new cool features but for some reason I find it boring. Graphics are good, the new pinning system (which has been in 2k since 2k3) is pretty cool but seems like it can be abused, I was pinning the hell out of the cpu.

Oh well, I am a 2k guy anyway. NHL 10 plays well but for some reason it bores me. Trying to figure out why. One reason that bothers me is the amount of guys standing still. When breaking out of my own zone it seems that the forwards skate straight to the blue line and then just stop there. No flow to breakouts that I have seen. Come on 2k10, gimme some love baby!

[shonuff32612]

Oh and first person fighting is a joke. It's terrible! Hate that I can set up an even strength 5 on 5 and pass the puck as it I was on a 5 on 3 power play. Don't like that either. Not slamming this game, not that we should care on this forum, it does a lot well.

And it's a solid demo with a lot of features and I think it gives a good indication of what this game offers. I hate fluff demos, this one has a lot of substance.

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

Oh and first person fighting is a joke. It's terrible! Hate that I can set up an even strength 5 on 5 and pass the puck as it I was on a 5 on 3 power play. Don't like that either. Not slamming this game, not that we should care on this forum, it does a lot well.

And it's a solid demo with a lot of features and I think it gives a good indication of what this game offers. I hate fluff demos, this one has a lot of substance.

Play 25 online games and you'll pretty much see all you're ever going to see in that game. EA Sports game are only really really good at one thing...and that's supplying the user with plenty of "WTF" moments!

2K gives us physics, EA gives us physucks!

[shonuff32612]

I every goal I have scored in this NHL 10 has been very ho hum. I have no excitement. I loved 2k9, even though it was stiff and had missing features. But I could get the puck in a corner and maul the bajebaz out of someone and start up my cycle. It is boring in 10 so far. No one has better physics than 2k.

[Flexxer27]

I every goal I have scored in this NHL 10 has been very ho hum. I have no excitement. I loved 2k9, even though it was stiff and had missing features. But I could get the puck in a corner and maul the bajebaz out of someone and start up my cycle. It is boring in 10 so far. No one has better physics than 2k.

Excellent statement!
No one has better physics than 2k. Well said:clap:

[macpuck]

I guess maybe my TV isn't what it should be but I was only mildly impressed by EA graphics because, I guess, they've been good in the past and I didn't really see much of an improvement ... I'm not big on fighting so the first person fighting didn't do much for me (it didn't look like there was any way to refuse a fight) although the CPU guy just stood there; maybe it would be more interesting with somebody on the other end with malice on his mind. I kind of liked the pinning, even though the NHL recently has done quite a bit to discourage the play and it is quite often called interference or holding if you really pin the man so that he can't move ... Since my right thumb is not very functional -- even for an over-65 geezer type -- I am not crazy about the right thumbstick dominant EA controls and that may be the determining factor on which game I purchase this fall ... I want to see if I can play 2K without having my right thumb swell up from over-use before the first intermission. I've got to admit, though, that the stickhandling is kind of neat. What isn't so neat is that is felt like you could make the same stickhandling moves with Orpik as you could with Malkin. There was an injury advisory that interested me; could it be that you can play in leagues on line with injuries "on?"

[stoney0ne]

im going to download it in a bit


all those ea demos ever do to me though is get me excited for the "real hockey" game to come out with 2k logo on it

[shonuff32612]

im going to download it in a bit


all those ea demos ever do to me though is get me excited for the "real hockey" game to come out with 2k logo on it

Well put.

I played a few more periods of 10. I tried to pass around position to position as long as I could before being pressured or losing the puck. Demo setting is on Pro I believe. I passed it around the zone 5 on 5 for about 2 and a half real time minutes. The only time I lost possession is when it would pass to the wrong guy. But 5 on 5 acts like 5 on 3. Boring! No flow. Come on 2k10!

I don't want 2k to rush out their demo though, it needs to be well thought out and include more than just a 1 period quick game of Devils vs. Penguins. Come on 2k, show me something nice when your ready!

[stoney0ne]

judging from some of the reactions of the ea league guys from our website... if 2k could get out a good demo... its would be HUGE


their reactions have been very mixed.. they like it, but have noted the same things mentioned in this thread

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

Just watched some new gp trailers for NHL10...looks like more of the same arse you got last year. I just watched a guy get pinned in the most impossible way. He's skating along side the boards with the defender skating behind him. The d man initiates the pin, o man turns towards the boards or is suctioned in, d man is pinning his left shoulder. So basicly it's more the like the d-man grabbed his jersey from behind with both hands and whips him into the boards, then stands roughly behind him to try and keep him pinned. + all the same crap you got used to seeing last year.

[shonuff32612]

I actually was a tad lazy and didn't not feel like playing 2k9 earlier. So I cracked a beer, put it on full lock and played Goalie on crease control. Now thats drinking, anyway, watching the computer players play was pretty cool. I had changed our (Bruins) strategies and man they were dumping and chasing. Cycling deep and hitting Chara for blue line hammers. Now that was hockey.

2k10 is like waiting for that new bike you knew you were getting for Christmas because you found it when snooping around. I have seen 2k10, but I don't wanna wait for it...oh, and it was way harder to line up that little bulls eye on the puck after a dozen cold ones. :)

[JesusisLord]

We need a demo, next week. Thursday August 27th. Please Ronnie, i hope you see this post. Send in the demo to Sony!

[LIUhockey18]

id delete this as a junk post... but its so laughable ill leave it up.





i asked ron.. he had no date on a demo... i also asked about pre launch gamer picks, themes, and other DLC.. he said he would get back with me

What's laughable is that everyone in this are all EA haters for one reason or another (whether they admit it or not) All I have read is how bad the EA demo is from you guys. I by no means am an EA supporter. I play their NHL game, yea, but I don't play Madden because it's the same game every year, and I don't get their NBA cuz simply I just don't care about basketball. But I own 2k's baseball game each year (except this year because I was dissapointed at how easy the hitting was so I updated my 2k8 rosters and started a new franchise) and I own The Bigs 2.

With that being said, I have given both NHL games (2k's and EA's) a fair shake each year. I download the demo's for both, rent both, and decide from there. But since the shift to the next-gen systems I have not been impressed with the 2k version. Maybe it's just that I don't like face buttons for any game (hockey or otherwise) but I have found the graphics and animations to be better with EA, and the gameplay feels more like a real hockey game to me. I played both college and minor league puck and I know what real hockey feels like.

I don't mean to bash the game you guys clearly love, the last post was just a joke, lighten up. And if you really think 2k's game is better than EA for hockey, then you obviously don't pay attention to sales numbers, reviews and awards.

[Nothing2Prove]

im going to download it in a bit


all those ea demos ever do to me though is get me excited for the "real hockey" game to come out with 2k logo on it


lol... right, im not saying 2k is bad but the gameplay the past few years has bored me to death, im gonna try 2k10 and see how it is but ea is stealing the spotlight, the game looks awesome.

edit: did u try hardcore mode?

[CellFish]

I'm a little bit like you in that I give both games a chance. The way I see it, EA's game always looks more professional year after year. The game and gameplay always appear more realistic. However, every year, after buying EA's offering, I become very disappointed with what I'm playing and I get rid of the game. Ib fact, I buy it around three times and then sell it three times. That's right, I buy NHL 2K once and hold onto it until the release of the next iteration whereas I buy EA's game for cheap, sell it two weeks later, buy it again to give it a second chance, sell it two weeks later and then buy it again to sell it later. I basically can't stop giving EA a chance to entertain me and they fail every time.

Here's why I think they fail though:

- One vs. one gameplay is generally boring as hell because of how challenging they try to make it (goals that would otherwise go in don't because EA has super goalies that stop everything).
- Online team play is plagued by new glitches every year that are exploited to death by EA's increasingly immature and disrespectful community. (Because the goalies are so ****** incredible, players will rely on dumb-looking sure-shots that in real life would be stopped as easily as a beach ball).
- EA's gaming community is gigantic and faceless. Every twelve to sixty year-old is automatically playing EA's game by default because it has 'dUh b3tt4h gw4f1x.' As a result, while 2k players can meet up with one another on this forum and chat about their games as if they were buds, EA's players can post something on their forum and comment on how great the game is but be drowned out by a thousand other posters within a minute. Essentially, there's no feeling of closeness.
- Because its community is gigantic, it is a magnet for teenagers who think they're cool because they're able to utter the words that rhyme with maggot and tigger.

On the other hand, I keep going back to EA's game so often because :

- The community is gigantic so I can be sure that I will be able to play an online team-up game every so often as well as a one-on-one matchup.
- My friends also enjoy 'dUh b3tt4h gw4f1x' and thus don't even give 2k a chance so if I want to play them in hockey, I have no choice but to get on my knees and let EA slap me with their oversized schlong.


What's laughable is that everyone in this are all EA haters for one reason or another (whether they admit it or not) All I have read is how bad the EA demo is from you guys. I by no means am an EA supporter. I play their NHL game, yea, but I don't play Madden because it's the same game every year, and I don't get their NBA cuz simply I just don't care about basketball. But I own 2k's baseball game each year (except this year because I was dissapointed at how easy the hitting was so I updated my 2k8 rosters and started a new franchise) and I own The Bigs 2.

With that being said, I have given both NHL games (2k's and EA's) a fair shake each year. I download the demo's for both, rent both, and decide from there. But since the shift to the next-gen systems I have not been impressed with the 2k version. Maybe it's just that I don't like face buttons for any game (hockey or otherwise) but I have found the graphics and animations to be better with EA, and the gameplay feels more like a real hockey game to me. I played both college and minor league puck and I know what real hockey feels like.

I don't mean to bash the game you guys clearly love, the last post was just a joke, lighten up. And if you really think 2k's game is better than EA for hockey, then you obviously don't pay attention to sales numbers, reviews and awards.

[stoney0ne]

What's laughable is that everyone in this are all EA haters for one reason or another (whether they admit it or not) All I have read is how bad the EA demo is from you guys. I by no means am an EA supporter. I play their NHL game, yea, but I don't play Madden because it's the same game every year, and I don't get their NBA cuz simply I just don't care about basketball. But I own 2k's baseball game each year (except this year because I was dissapointed at how easy the hitting was so I updated my 2k8 rosters and started a new franchise) and I own The Bigs 2.

With that being said, I have given both NHL games (2k's and EA's) a fair shake each year. I download the demo's for both, rent both, and decide from there. But since the shift to the next-gen systems I have not been impressed with the 2k version. Maybe it's just that I don't like face buttons for any game (hockey or otherwise) but I have found the graphics and animations to be better with EA, and the gameplay feels more like a real hockey game to me. I played both college and minor league puck and I know what real hockey feels like.

I don't mean to bash the game you guys clearly love, the last post was just a joke, lighten up. And if you really think 2k's game is better than EA for hockey, then you obviously don't pay attention to sales numbers, reviews and awards.


for the sake of disclousure... i own stock in EA.... im not a ea hater


"if you really think 2k's game is better than EA for hockey, then you obviously don't pay attention to sales numbers, reviews and awards"

i dont care what most people like, or who the idiot game reviewers bow down too... most the people in this country are morans and dont really follow hockey.. Im not swayed by the opinions of the many...


"Maybe it's just that I don't like face buttons for any game (hockey or otherwise"


2k has not had face button controls as the only option for like 3 years.

as far as the demo itself... same old ea nhl game.. you feel like you are gliding.. i feel like all the skaters are floating 6 inches off the ice.

i think the skating in general sucks... I dont like not having complete control of the skater.. it kinda randomly decides when you are skating backwards, and when you transition into skating forward... i want a button that allows me to flip my hip and decide instantly when i want to go from a backwards skate to forward, and into a sprint.. so i can choose what angles i take

i want to control the sprint


i want more control over my poke check, and be able to sweep my stick..


having the hitting controls on the right stick wastes such a valuable input button on a simple act.... Also, when you do go to hit, its like the other player has his own gravitational pull that pulls you into him


i think the players all stand around, i dont feel the action as guys go up and down the ice.. i need more moevement out of my teammate



in conclussion... no i dont buy and support a game because of its sales numbers or reviews. the only persons opinion i care about is mine... and to be honest, i really dont care what you think about my opinion.. its mine, and thats all that matters to me... i know good hockey when i see it.. i dont need a bunch of game reviewers that are not hockey fans to tell what good hockey is


I think the passing is absurdly and unrealisticly accurate.




now.. im not an expert at the controls.. so maybe with some more work i could feel like i gain a little bit more control over my guy


but judging from the demo... ea 10 is the same soulless hockey game that it always is.. and im sure millions of people will go lapp that up and call it good hockey because some world of warcraft game reviewer got something from ea so they gave it a good review

[stoney0ne]

lol... right, im not saying 2k is bad but the gameplay the past few years has bored me to death, im gonna try 2k10 and see how it is but ea is stealing the spotlight, the game looks awesome.

edit: did u try hardcore mode?



did not.. but i understand from some guys who play in a ea league, and my 2k league... that hardcore mode is the only way the game feel sim from a passing standpoint and competes with 2k




sure the ea games cutscenes look amazing... but big whoop..


substance over style rules my world. ea can keep there shiny graphics, crowds, and player faces


ill take 2k's gameplay any day of the week... thats nothing new, its always been that way

[shonuff32612]

What's laughable is that everyone in this are all EA haters for one reason or another (whether they admit it or not) All I have read is how bad the EA demo is from you guys. I by no means am an EA supporter. I play their NHL game, yea, but I don't play Madden because it's the same game every year, and I don't get their NBA cuz simply I just don't care about basketball. But I own 2k's baseball game each year (except this year because I was dissapointed at how easy the hitting was so I updated my 2k8 rosters and started a new franchise) and I own The Bigs 2.

With that being said, I have given both NHL games (2k's and EA's) a fair shake each year. I download the demo's for both, rent both, and decide from there. But since the shift to the next-gen systems I have not been impressed with the 2k version. Maybe it's just that I don't like face buttons for any game (hockey or otherwise) but I have found the graphics and animations to be better with EA, and the gameplay feels more like a real hockey game to me. I played both college and minor league puck and I know what real hockey feels like.

I don't mean to bash the game you guys clearly love, the last post was just a joke, lighten up. And if you really think 2k's game is better than EA for hockey, then you obviously don't pay attention to sales numbers, reviews and awards.

I have been a part of this thread since it opened and I don't see anyone bashing the EA game. Myself and several others have stated some things we do not like about the EA game. But I have also stated that the game plays pretty well. I have said, as well as many in this thread, a lot worse things about 2k9 (which I love) than I have about 10.

I played high school hockey and college baseball. But in my high school days I never once saw a team with the ability to set up positionally in the offensive zone and continue to pass the puck to each other, while still standing still in their position mind you with the defense standing still in their "strategy". I will try hardcore later and if it makes a difference.

[shonuff32612]

"...i think the skating in general sucks... I dont like not having complete control of the skater.. it kinda randomly decides when you are skating backwards, and when you transition into skating forward... i want a button that allows me to flip my hip and decide instantly when i want to go from a backwards skate to forward, and into a sprint.. so i can choose what angles i take.."

Exactly! After having the ability to skate backwards when I want I hate that they tell me when I have to do it. Too many times I try to back check with a forward and all of a sudden it turns me around because the forward looped around a defender. Stinks

[stoney0ne]

i hear hardcore makes a huge difference


im going to give it whirl tonight myself


but my biggest beef with the game is how the players move on the ice.. i dont think hardcore affects that

[macpuck]

I'm following this "debate" from my own, somewhat unique perspective (a gamer over age 65) and I'm surprised that more people aren't discussing the superior way 2K supports league play with websites, more complete stats, etc. For me, the quality of league support will be a large factor in my decision on which game to purchase this fall. When somebody sent me a free EA, I ended up owning both games last year and my elderly brain/fingers were overtaxed when I tried to switch back and forth from one game to the other ... and so I plan to play only one of the two this time around. It ain't easy getting old. In any case, I enjoy drafts and making trades almost as much as playing the games so I'm going to wait and read what you guys say about EA's new GM mode and 2K's reworked fantasy drafts before I make my decision. While I wait, I'm trying to learn how to play Madden, which I purchased for the first time. So far, I'm leading the league in delay of game penalties.

[ChrisSousa]

I'm playing NHL 10 demo on hardcore and it kinda sucks. Everything feels a lot slower and less responsive,though on normal its good

[CellFish]

I played the NHL 10 demo (first time I turn on the 360 in a while) and the game is solid. It is basically NHL 09 (which was pretty good) with additional features. The game is basically the solid foundation that they have had since NHL 07 with refinements and additions. Consider it a Honda Civic (07) that put in a more powerful motor (08) air-conditioning & automatic transmission (09) and a spoiler so you can pick up the loose *****3s (10).

On the other hand, NHL 2K9 to me also had a solid foundation. What it was missing was features. They corrected that with 2K10 so you basically have the best of the best. To continue with the whole car analogy, NHL 2K8 was a Toyota Camry with a bad rust problem (franchise freeze). NHL 2K9 was the same Camry, but in an effort to redesign the outside, they removed automatic transmission, air-conditioning and the spoiler. With NHL 2K10, you get the same Camry as last year but you get the air-conditioning back (in the form of team creation re-additions), the automatic transmission back (in the form of Franchise re-additions) as well as a spoiler, aluminum rims and fuzzy dice (better graphics, 60 fps locked and a 20$ rebate).

At least, I hope you guys get 2K10 for 20$ less like we do in Canada. At last I checked, NHL 10 was pre-ordering at 69,99$ and NHL 2K10 was at 49,99$. I don't mind the extra 20$ myself.

[stoney0ne]

I'm following this "debate" from my own, somewhat unique perspective (a gamer over age 65) and I'm surprised that more people aren't discussing the superior way 2K supports league play with websites, more complete stats, etc. For me, the quality of league support will be a large factor in my decision on which game to purchase this fall. When somebody sent me a free EA, I ended up owning both games last year and my elderly brain/fingers were overtaxed when I tried to switch back and forth from one game to the other ... and so I plan to play only one of the two this time around. It ain't easy getting old. In any case, I enjoy drafts and making trades almost as much as playing the games so I'm going to wait and read what you guys say about EA's new GM mode and 2K's reworked fantasy drafts before I make my decision. While I wait, I'm trying to learn how to play Madden, which I purchased for the first time. So far, I'm leading the league in delay of game penalties.



our website www.xboxlivesportsleagues.com

we run leagues in a ton of games... included in that, are NCAA and Madden


i run the ncaa leagues... i can tell you hands down, no question... the 2k league system is 2x's better than the ea system


the madden franchises are all bugged out.. ea is scrambling to patch the bugs.... the guys that run the madden league have not committed to using the ea franchises for our leagues... there are to many things with problems, but they are waiting to see if they can fix it......

they are seriously considering using league daddy again... something we have used for the past 3 years for all our football leagues

here is my NCAA leagues league daddy page
http://www.leaguedaddy.com/leagues/?lid=2268

here is our websites EA NHL league daddy page
http://www.leaguedaddy.com/leagues/?lid=2676


league daddy costs like $90 for a 6 month subscription.. after each game the players have to write down all their stats and enter them into the league daddy website manually.. pain in the ***



now why am i telling you this?


because if ea cant get leagues right for their football games (their top sellers) why in the hell would anyone expect them to get it right for their hockey game? I dont want to try to paint us as the online league experts, but we are certainly very experienced with multiple game companies versions of online leagues.

i can i can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt... if the guys are not committing to the madden franchises through the game... there is a very good reason. we are not wasting time and money on league daddy because we want to... we do it because to get the league experience we want, thats how we have to do it


mean while... the 2k NHL, MLB, and NBA league run along for the most part without a hitch.... sure problems arise from time to time... but nothing that has us running to league daddy wanting to spend $90



make sense? did i make a coherent point?

[macpuck]

I'm definitely leaning toward 2K, mostly because of the support for on-line leagues. I am a very popular league participant ... mostly because I win only about one or two out of every 10 games I play and opponents can pile up the points against my frantic, pourous defense. It's troubling that so many of my fellow league players have jumped to EA over the last two years but, hopefully, some will come back if 2K makes the kind of a comeback it appears is likely. Three years ago, we had some great leagues, As far as Madden goes, I'm not really interested in joining those leagues because I enjoy hockey a lot more. To be honest, I have an over-60 friend who talked me into buying Madden so he'd at least one person on line that he could beat up on.

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

I have been a part of this thread since it opened and I don't see anyone bashing the EA game.

Not true, I'm bashing the EA game. =P I personally think that anyone that thinks EA's game does anything close to a good job of representing the sport of hockey, is 'personally' insane. It's whole skating engine is a fatal flaw. The players rotate and change direction on the ice like they were bubble hockey players with a pole shoved 'ALL THE WAY UP IT'!(picture a classic Al Pacino raising of the voice here)

[stoney0ne]

i feel the same way... i feel how that skating engine works.. and i cant get passed it


to me its deal breaker. the bubble hockey is a good comparison.


now, if someone else likes it.. fine, thats you. for me personally, i dont like it


the away from the puck battles 2k has this season has me really excited.



if 2k could get the demo of our dreams here, it could be a game changer

[Bruins fan 4 life]

I've been on vacation for the past two weeks or so and am now just getting caught up with all of the info coming out for 2k10 and am very impressed, so far, with what I've been reading and seeing.

Hopefully the demo will do the game justice. I've been playing the ea demo and, well, so far I have to say I am not that impressed. Don't get me wrong it looks and plays well (just like 09) but I don't feel any "newness" about it. I'm one of the few that enjoy both games, but for different reasons.

I sort of agree with Cellfish's comments about selling it and buying and selling it and buying it (ea's game), but instead of selling it I just put it in the game cabinet for a month or two, then I'll start playing it for a little while, but then I get tired of it. I can honestly say I never tire of playing 2k. I can't put my finger on why other than to say 2k always feels more alive.

I also agree with macpuck and stoney as far as 2k's online league support. They have always left ea in the dust in this area and it looks as though 2k10 is going to widen that lead for sure with 2kshare, franchise blogs, etc... I am totally jacked about the online franchise/ league capabilities. They need to promote the snot out of their online league support.

I digressed a little bit there, this thread is about the demo so I'll get back on track. If 2k releases a good demo and really promote the fact that their game is $10 cheaper than a somewhat fancier version of NHL 09 I think 2k can make a big dent in the ea hockey machine.

Btw the skating in the NHL 10 demo is as horrible as ever. My son, who plays bantam hockey right now, literally started cracking up on how awful and unrealistic their skating engine is. "Who skates like that?", I believe were his exact words. The gliding or floating across the ice is terrible, and don't get me started on the backwards skating. [/end rant]

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

I can wait though, no rush. I played so much EA team-up with Peng and the boys, that now that I'm playin some 2K9 again, I'm back to havin a lot of fun.

[stoney0ne]

i started laughing my self at the skating

its, its not good



people criticize 2k for doing their skating mocap on artificial ice.... i think ea did theirs on the moon



again.. my own personal opinion.. if you like it, good for you

[shonuff32612]

Not true, I'm bashing the EA game. =P I personally think that anyone that thinks EA's game does anything close to a good job of representing the sport of hockey, is 'personally' insane. It's whole skating engine is a fatal flaw. The players rotate and change direction on the ice like they were bubble hockey players with a pole shoved 'ALL THE WAY UP IT'!(picture a classic Al Pacino raising of the voice here)

I was going to use the same analogy except we call it rod hockey. I didn't think anyone would get the reference. That is what I did the other day when I passed it all around the zone and it was like the slots the defensive players were riding couldn't reach me in the corners and unfortunately there is no bumping of the table to maybe get that little puck into the reach of my spinning plastic rod a55ed defensemen.

[Bruins fan 4 life]

I was going to use the same analogy except we call it rod hockey. I didn't think anyone would get the reference. That is what I did the other day when I passed it all around the zone and it was like the slots the defensive players were riding couldn't reach me in the corners and unfortunately there is no bumping of the table to maybe get that little puck into the reach of my spinning plastic rod a55ed defensemen.

:rotfl: Too funny.

I played the demo last night and there was one game where the ai literally passed the puck around in the neutral zone for over a minute. Not one of them tried to carry the puck or dump the puck into the attack zone. I just sat and watched in amazement. It wasn't until I decided to pressure one of the ai skaters that they attempted to bring the puck in. I'm all for strong neutral zone play but that was ridiculous!

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

lol, typical EA forcing the issue...and they make it worse by making it so darn transparent.

[stoney0ne]

i love the bumping the table statement... hilarious

[macpuck]

Oddly enough, when I was growing up in Michigan (in the 1950s) we used to refer to the old Bobby Hull hockey game (made by Munro) as "Table Hockey" .... and you did need a pretty stable table! The EA-2K debate is nothing new; hockey game debates have gone on for a long, long time. I can remember my 6th grade teacher trying to end the arguments by separating the Munro table hockey advocates ( interlocking gears) from the Coleco ( bent springs) table hockey advocates on the other side of the room so she could try to teach us something. By the way, I always thought the Munro game was best.

[Flexxer27]

macpuck:
"While I wait, I'm trying to learn how to play Madden, which I purchased for the first time. So far, I'm leading the league in delay of game penalties."

:rotfl:
Now that's funny

Thank You :-)

[Nothing2Prove]

did not.. but i understand from some guys who play in a ea league, and my 2k league... that hardcore mode is the only way the game feel sim from a passing standpoint and competes with 2k




sure the ea games cutscenes look amazing... but big whoop..


substance over style rules my world. ea can keep there shiny graphics, crowds, and player faces


ill take 2k's gameplay any day of the week... thats nothing new, its always been that way


its the opposite for me atm. 2k's gameplay the past few years in my eyes hasent been good, the players just look odd and the goalies even odder. eashl is amazing besides for a few issues that hopefully will get fixed. ea needs to keep thesame game speed as 09 or increase it, making it slow isnt a good idea.

[macpuck]

I like a lot of things about the EA demo but I'm having trouble getting past the fundamental fact that the players move around like hovercrafts. The feel and depiction of skating is just not close to being lifelike. I'd rather have the skating look lifelike than the players' faces.

[Flexxer27]

I love reading the unbiased constructive comparisons posted here.

Personally I think its great that we have two choice's for our NHL Virtual Hockey Gaming.
I believe that by having the two different games they each contribute to making one other
better year to year. For those of us who absolutely love this game and can't get enough we
are very lucky because each year it gets a little better. My mind can't get around all the possibilities
of what this game will be like in five to ten years but I do believe at some point it will be in 3D.

I found this today and thought what would NHL 2K10 look like on this amazing invention.
http://wimp.com/newgames/

WOW!! I can imagine with the right camera setting this would be AWESOME!



In the end it all comes down to a personal choice.

For FLeXXeR27 its 2K all the way!

[NTq]

Demo setting is on Pro I believe.

You can change It. I bumped It up to superstar (the highest) and it plays more real.

[OneEyeRed12]

Oddly enough, when I was growing up in Michigan (in the 1950s) we used to refer to the old Bobby Hull hockey game (made by Munro) as "Table Hockey" .... and you did need a pretty stable table! The EA-2K debate is nothing new; hockey game debates have gone on for a long, long time. I can remember my 6th grade teacher trying to end the arguments by separating the Munro table hockey advocates ( interlocking gears) from the Coleco ( bent springs) table hockey advocates on the other side of the room so she could try to teach us something. By the way, I always thought the Munro game was best.


You sir are an old timer such as me and your post brings back memories that make me swell inside. I even remember the Bobby Hull pinball machine that was the bomb at the local skating arena. ****, I am old....

[Flexxer27]

Hey OneEyeRed your not alone!

Many of us on here are well over forty, fifty and then there's Macpuck ;)

As my online nemesis LeaferMan puts it and I quote:

"Playing NHL 2K Hockey keeps our hand eye co-ordination sharp".

LOVE THIS GAME !!

[Xboxing2006]

I may have a different perspective too. I have never played NHL 2k9. I'm a casual hockey fan yet I'm a hardcore sports gamer. A few months ago I purchased NHL 2k8 for 8 bucks and updated the rosters as best I could. So I'm comparing NHL 2k8 to the NHL 10 demo with really green Hockey knowledge yet I wouldn't say I'm an idiot on the sport and I prefer any sports game to be as life like as reasonably possible.

After four play throughs of the NHL 10 I'm amazed that NHL 9 has such a devote following and that its often tauted as being the best sports game of this generation. I think that title belongs to CH 2k8. Thats not to say the demo doesnt do things right and I really believe I need a few more playtrhoughs to judge.

So far the best thing I could say about the demo is that its pace and the amount of hits are more life like. The players seem to position themselves a little better and they are more conservative in their approach. Its when the game tries to be aggressive that things break down and I appreciate NHL 2k8.

While the positioning of the defenders is solid their animations are last gen. I hate that term but I expected better. They dont face the puck and they are very robotic when turning with the puck, their stick options are lacking and lastly they are even more difficult to control going backwards than NHL 2k8's defenders who at least when lining up a check controlled well. Granted the excess hitting was a flaw but it didnt feel like checking was limited because the controls were lacking. I did like the variant animations in the demo's hits though. Maybe I didnt play through enough but I didnt see any blocks either. Unless you turned down NHL 2k8's blocking sliders there were way too many. In NHL 10 I didnt see any. Like Fifa I appreciate the demo more when its moving slowly. Even though it appears over done the boarding system is already more diverse than 2k8's, and the behind the net play is also much better. But again when it comes to aggressive attacking hockey from the rush to the defense in front of the net the demo was rather stale. I would say that my reaction to most of the CPU's goals was "thats it???". I thought hardcore meant less soft goals. Its the same when I score. In 2k8 I rarely felt cheated when the CPU scores and I was rarely that surprised when I scored and when I was surprised I could often see in the replay how the goalie was screened or how the puck was deflected.

The sports vid game media is too apologetic for its favorite games. NBA 2k9 and NHL 09 benifit from this mindset. I can see now that both were not great games if NHL 2k8 isnt great too but its difficult to crown two games of the same sport. NHL 09 had the general advantage in marketing and perception. EA's hockey has become the favorite so VC has to be extra special to take the crown or do they? After playing that demo honestly it seems to me that all the game needs is a better penalty system, some of the defensive upgrades they are already talking about, dumping, and behind the net play. Most of the areas where that NHL 10 demo was better than 2k8 are areas that are easy to address. I dont know if sliders and more experience with the game can help NHL 10 feel as exiting as NHL 2k8.

[macpuck]

OneEyeRed12: You are not really old; you just have the benefit of vast experience. Did you have the Munro (it might have been Eagle Toys at the time) game when the players were metal and they included all of the teams, even through the first expansion? We took metal cutters and snipped off the edges on the goalie for the California Seals because that horrible team gave up so many goals. Then there was the year where they sent you two players (for the power play) who had two sticks instead of one. I guess they were inspired by Espo and Orr. When you would twist the rod on those two-bladed players, the puck flew high and the guy at the other end of the game had to watch out that he didn't get one in the eye.

[shonuff32612]

I am in my early 30s and I love that fact that the NHL 2k series seems to have an older following. Much fewer 12 year olds exploiting money shots etc (not all 12 year olds are a pain before they rain down flames on me with the quickness) but I have found a group of older players that play good hockey. I like that community much better than the competitor.

[CellFish]

I wholeheartedly agree with what Shonuff said.

[stoney0ne]

I may have a different perspective too. I have never played NHL 2k9. I'm a casual hockey fan yet I'm a hardcore sports gamer. A few months ago I purchased NHL 2k8 for 8 bucks and updated the rosters as best I could. So I'm comparing NHL 2k8 to the NHL 10 demo with really green Hockey knowledge yet I wouldn't say I'm an idiot on the sport and I prefer any sports game to be as life like as reasonably possible.

After four play throughs of the NHL 10 I'm amazed that NHL 9 has such a devote following and that its often tauted as being the best sports game of this generation. I think that title belongs to CH 2k8. Thats not to say the demo doesnt do things right and I really believe I need a few more playtrhoughs to judge.

So far the best thing I could say about the demo is that its pace and the amount of hits are more life like. The players seem to position themselves a little better and they are more conservative in their approach. Its when the game tries to be aggressive that things break down and I appreciate NHL 2k8.

While the positioning of the defenders is solid their animations are last gen. I hate that term but I expected better. They dont face the puck and they are very robotic when turning with the puck, their stick options are lacking and lastly they are even more difficult to control going backwards than NHL 2k8's defenders who at least when lining up a check controlled well. Granted the excess hitting was a flaw but it didnt feel like checking was limited because the controls were lacking. I did like the variant animations in the demo's hits though. Maybe I didnt play through enough but I didnt see any blocks either. Unless you turned down NHL 2k8's blocking sliders there were way too many. In NHL 10 I didnt see any. Like Fifa I appreciate the demo more when its moving slowly. Even though it appears over done the boarding system is already more diverse than 2k8's, and the behind the net play is also much better. But again when it comes to aggressive attacking hockey from the rush to the defense in front of the net the demo was rather stale. I would say that my reaction to most of the CPU's goals was "thats it???". I thought hardcore meant less soft goals. Its the same when I score. In 2k8 I rarely felt cheated when the CPU scores and I was rarely that surprised when I scored and when I was surprised I could often see in the replay how the goalie was screened or how the puck was deflected.

The sports vid game media is too apologetic for its favorite games. NBA 2k9 and NHL 09 benifit from this mindset. I can see now that both were not great games if NHL 2k8 isnt great too but its difficult to crown two games of the same sport. NHL 09 had the general advantage in marketing and perception. EA's hockey has become the favorite so VC has to be extra special to take the crown or do they? After playing that demo honestly it seems to me that all the game needs is a better penalty system, some of the defensive upgrades they are already talking about, dumping, and behind the net play. Most of the areas where that NHL 10 demo was better than 2k8 are areas that are easy to address. I dont know if sliders and more experience with the game can help NHL 10 feel as exiting as NHL 2k8.


you know more than you give yourself credit for

[Bruins fan 4 life]

I am in my early 30s and I love that fact that the NHL 2k series seems to have an older following. Much fewer 12 year olds exploiting money shots etc (not all 12 year olds are a pain before they rain down flames on me with the quickness) but I have found a group of older players that play good hockey. I like that community much better than the competitor.

I couldn't agree more.

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

Any official word on when we can expect a demo?

[macpuck]

I read Sept 2 somewhere but I think it was in a gamer's thread and was nothing official. You'd hope they wouldn't wait too much longer.

[stoney0ne]

i read on 2khockey.net that it was thursday

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

When I googled it I got the 1st, some guy saying that Ronnie msg'd him on Twitter. Havn't found anything official on a 2K site. How bout a sticky or something telling us the official planned release date of the demo? I suppose I could always just be patient and wait till I see it on Marketplace, but the suspense is killing me!

[Nightbird248]

Yeah, only thing i've seen is sharks over at 2khockey.net telling us he got the info from Ronnie 2K through his direct message on Twitter saying it drops tonight. Take into account that the NHL 10 Demo came out an there was no info on EA Sports tell the demo actually came out on the marketplace.

[sharks14]

It should be very soon if there are no delays. Look for it tonight! Do not hold me to it though. I only know what Ronnie told me.

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

Damn, I wanted to get to bed early tonight =(

[Kroginator]

is it up yet? im dying to play it. Cause i cant afford NHL's 69.00 for essentially the same game with new features. I own nhl 09 and have played it at the EA buildings in BC

[sj_cup10]

That would be awesome. I have been a huge 2k hockey fan until these last couple years (nhl 09 is the first year i bought the nhl series since 2k came out on dreamcast). Im hoping 2k puts in a solid title this year. EA (imo) has really been going in the right direction the last couple years, and i hope for 2k to start that this year!

[sj_cup10]

is it up yet? im dying to play it. Cause i cant afford NHL's 69.00 for essentially the same game with new features. I own nhl 09 and have played it at the EA buildings in BCThe same game but with new features? Yeah, its hockey, so i guess it's going to be the same "game".

[Kroginator]

is the demo coming out for both ps3 and xbox today or only one specific console? like the nhl 10 demo

[kcxiv]

Is it really supposed to be out today? I dont think it is.

[sj_cup10]

nothing yet- 730am west coast time

[b-Dub]

It should be very soon if there are no delays. Look for it tonight! Do not hold me to it though. I only know what Ronnie told me.

If a demo was, in fact, coming out today, Ron would have told more people than just you (no offense). He would have make a twitter post, he would have told the mods, and he would have posted a thread here about it.

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

whoa, no need to get hostile about it...he did say "don't hold me to it" didn't he.

[b-Dub]

Not getting hostile. Just informing people so they don't get their hopes up for a demo today.

[JesusisLord]

Not getting hostile. Just informing people so they don't get their hopes up for a demo today.

Don't worry its not hostile. People just need to relax these days. They get mad at people for misleading them for something as small as a demo.

Guys, don't worry 2k hears us. A demo should be coming because 2k is full of people like us that judge there purchase of a game based on videos and demos.

[sharks14]

The guys at 2khockey.net got very angry about this even though I do not control when Microsoft releases their demos. In fact a moderator there got so sensitive and uptight that he took away my ability to post. Wow.

[macpuck]

Look out; the next step could be the dark, lonely DUNGEON!!!!

[sharks14]

I hope that applies to 2khockey.net. I think it only applies to this site though.

[Bruins fan 4 life]

Look out; the next step could be the dark, lonely DUNGEON!!!!

:rotfl: too funny!

Sharks, appreciate the knowledge on the possibility of a demo coming today. I didn't read anymore into it then what you had original stated, that you heard from Ronnie that if there are no unforeseen delays a demo may be released on September 1. At least I think your original post said something to that effect. I know I didn't take that as absolute gospel that a demo was definitely coming today. I just appreciated the fact that you shared some info that we weren't privy to.:thumbsup:

[davidtroy]

Well, demo or not, we at least are going to get some 2k10 news today. According to Ronnie's tweet a few minutes ago, "lost of NHL 2k10 news". Cant Wait

[stoney0ne]

when ever a "official" announcement on when its supposed to come is realeased..... just please go ahead and expect it a day after that


all the red tape and stuff.... just guys.. dont let yourselfs get worked up.


sit back and enjoy the anticipation and suspense


ps.. ive got my own dungeon where people sit and rot... its called the new york islanders

[sharks14]

:rotfl: too funny!

Sharks, appreciate the knowledge on the possibility of a demo coming today. I didn't read anymore into it then what you had original stated, that you heard from Ronnie that if there are no unforeseen delays a demo may be released on September 1. At least I think your original post said something to that effect. I know I didn't take that as absolute gospel that a demo was definitely coming today. I just appreciated the fact that you shared some info that we weren't privy to.:thumbsup:

I think everyone else thought the date was written in stone. They got way too excited over this news and just ran off with it.

[macpuck]

Nassau Coliseum is a dungeon, Stoney, and I was a frequent visitor in the 70s, 80s and 90s. It was out of date then ... I can just imagine what it's like now. Just one man's opinion but it seems as though it's about time that we heard a word or two about the demo. It IS September, after all.

[Honome]

http://2ksports.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2642092

The team has been hard at work rebuilding the NHL 2K franchise from the ground up. Because we’ve poured every resource we have into this game, we made a strategic decision not to release a demo. But we do want to give you a chance to try the game before it officially hits store shelves.

I guess no demo this year... :(

[davidtroy]

Its official, no demo, I can't believe Ronnie built this up to be big news and then a day later we find out there is no demo. Ive been a 2k fan since they came out with the first hockey game, and 2k9 really left me disappointed for the first time. 2k10 has a shot at being great, but after wasting money on 2k9, i need a demo to know if i should buy 2k10 or not. Guess EA just won another one over.

[ezio12]

Its official, no demo, I can't believe Ronnie built this up to be big news and then a day later we find out there is no demo. Ive been a 2k fan since they came out with the first hockey game, and 2k9 really left me disappointed for the first time. 2k10 has a shot at being great, but after wasting money on 2k9, i need a demo to know if i should buy 2k10 or not. Guess EA just won another one over.

Yeah EA may have won me over too. I got NHL 09 last year and it wasn't bad and NHL 10 demo is growing on me so we will see.

[davidtroy]

Yeah EA may have won me over too. I got NHL 09 last year and it wasn't bad and NHL 10 demo is growing on me so we will see.

What really gets me is that last year they were on a shortened development cycle and they still made time for a demo. This year they had a full cycle and this year more than ever they need to prove themselves. If the game is really going to live up to the hype, they should at least demo what they have thus far. Maybe Im wrong but this just makes me think the hype must have been more than it was worth.

[ezio12]

What really gets me is that last year they were on a shortened development cycle and they still made time for a demo. This year they had a full cycle and this year more than ever they need to prove themselves. If the game is really going to live up to the hype, they should at least demo what they have thus far. Maybe Im wrong but this just makes me think the hype must have been more than it was worth.

I agree. I played both demos last year and got NHL 09 based on that. I was planning on doing the same this year but now I can't.

[Flexxer27]

:( No no....... this make's no sense, there must be a major flaw, it just doesn't add up

[macpuck]

I get the same feeling I did in 2008 when they announced, after a long period of unresponsiveness, that they weren't going to have any more roster updates for NHL2k8. I get the feeling that this company is its own worst enemy.

[stoney0ne]

im as disappointed as anyone..


please try to keep it civil so i dont have to waste energy deleteing posts, i, well, basically agree with

[davidtroy]

I get the feeling that there are too many decisions left up to just one executive at 2k sports. It seems that if they had many people discussing the pros and cons, this kind of shot to the foot would not happen. I mean no disrespect to Ronnie, (I dont even know that he has any say in this decision, and in fact he probably doesn't). I guess its just hard to imagine this decision without being in their position.

[Bruins fan 4 life]

I just don't get it. With a whole cycle under their belt they couldn't come up with a demo for those of us that support 2k hockey. I understand they don't owe us anything, but that goes both ways.

[stoney0ne]

i dont care personally.. i dont put to much into demos.. i downloaded the batman demo and never played it.



but a lot of people do.... they clearly had peaked intrest... everyone was waiting for the chance to see for them self... with a good demo they could of really sold some games

i hope it turns out for the best

[StonePlush]

You know really...it's only 13 days away from release...i can way more than handle that:)

[Bruins fan 4 life]

i dont care personally.. i dont put to much into demos.. i downloaded the batman demo and never played it.



but a lot of people do.... they clearly had peaked intrest... everyone was waiting for the chance to see for them self... with a good demo they could of really sold some games

i hope it turns out for the best

I sincerely hope so as well, stoney.

I love playing 2k hockey and this announcement just sort of deflated my balloon a little. Maybe 2k10 will be phenomenal (finger crossed). We'll just have to wait and see.

They are getting good at hyping people up only to let them down though.

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

IMO this is a big fail. They will not sway players back to their side this way.

My guess is they had a demo, but failed at MS and don't want to pay for a resubmission...perhaps?

[2K Admin Ron]

No. The decision was made a little bit ago that the time wasn't there to release a demo. You don't think it'd make our job in marketing easier? Especially with all the positive stuff we had going with the Insights?

The real thing you guys will enjoy is still forthcoming.

[Nightbird248]

Thanks for taking the time to come here an give us that info Ronnie, is much appreciated :)

[JubeiDOK_Xbox360]

You have to understand that after the past few years of neg reviews , and a really poor outing last year in many peoples eyes, that potential customers can only view the omission of a demo as a negative thing. I'm not saying I can't wait, I'm not trying to demand a demo or anything. I'm just saying that this can only be percieved as a bad thing from the customers standpoint, regardless of positive reactions on written previews here and there.

[macpuck]

The next great insult to hockey fans is when 2K comes out with its NBA2K10 demo without a hitch.

[JesusisLord]

Stop It!!!! I mean come on, Ronnie just told us why we can't have a demo. A demo is only a demonstration for a game so stop whining for one. 2k does not owe anybody anything. They are making a good game to support the sport of Hockey, not for you to drool over. I am completely fine with there decision after playing the 2k9 monstrosity of a demo. You need to play the FULL game to see if you wanna keep it or not. So even if I'm in Canada, and can't play the game at the events, its still better than a demo anyday.

[macpuck]

This is a damaging failure ... whether you admit it or not. 2K is trying to play catch-up and now they are in disorganized retreat at the worst possible time. Denying the reality of it doesn't help.

[JesusisLord]

This is a damaging failure ... whether you admit it or not. 2K is trying to play catch-up and now they are in disorganized retreat at the worst possible time. Denying the reality of it doesn't help.

Hey I know it sucks but life sucks. Just face it, 2k doesn't owe you a thing. Ronnie even being on here is a privelige to us. I mean c'mon macpuck 2k is trying this year, at least we know that.

[Eatmyhotness]

And they want to try and take over EA's series?!? LOL, ok. All this tells me, is that there is a glaring issue with the game. I want this game to be good, but their marketing campaign is run by a bunch of 10 year olds.

[Nothing2Prove]

they want to compete with ea yet no demo.

most costumers like to play a demo to get a basic idea of what they would be buying.

2k ur killing yourselves.

[mva5580]

No PC version, no demo, the beat goes on.

They'll either improve this game enough to compete with NHL 10 or they'll all be out of jobs. Simple as that.

[LOLBANNEDTROLL]

No Demo means less sales. "We made a strategic move to not release a demo this year" - 2k Ronnie.

[SpectralThundr]

No. The decision was made a little bit ago that the time wasn't there to release a demo. You don't think it'd make our job in marketing easier? Especially with all the positive stuff we had going with the Insights?

The real thing you guys will enjoy is still forthcoming.

So rather than Tweet about demo news coming, then a couple days later say there's no demo at all, what was even the point of that? Did you need to send in a proposal for news of there not being a demo, to be allowed to say there's no demo this year?

So this real thing, I guess pertains to the vids released on 2khockey.net that aren't very impressive to say the least I'd gather? Zero board play, zero neutral zone pressure, Dmen retreating to the net and not standing up at the blue line. Same ol end to end hockey with 200mph shots and amaturish sound effects. So much for that dev insight blog about rewritten from the ground up AI. I almost felt like I was watching a video of NHL2k5 with better visuals.

Which is why I think the decision to not have a demo this year was made. Quite honestly I'm disappointed to have such smoke blown up my rear end with dev insights, and between the terrible marketing this year, and the sure to be less sales because of it. It'll be sad to see the NHL2k series go the way of College Hoops. Cuz I've no doubt its coming.

[flamesfan597]

They probably lost about 30% of sales, people in some places dont have rentals and rely on demos to see if its worth buying or if they are wasting there money.

[Ajnabi]

2k Marketing is just BS and hope they read this! Bishop meant lack of resources. Lack of resources? Yeah, esepcially when your main focus is laid upon the Wii. No offense to their customers, but what is a next gen hockey game doin' on such "little kid" console? Someone honestly tell me? Is EA releasing an game for the Wii? Or is NBA 2k10 getting released for the Wii? Why not, because you couldn't make a great game of it, because of the early mentioned "lack of resources"...

Why is a company making all sports games instead of EA making hockey game with 2k Sports and 2k Sports making basketball with EA? So everyone would get what they deserve for ****ing 50-60 dollars...

and there is no demo, lack of resources...damn it!

They already let go Thorne and Clement to EA. Let the game go completely, because I see no love for this game from the marketing team and lack of resources since 2k8.

[shonuff32612]

No Demo means less sales. "We made a strategic move to not release a demo this year" - 2k Ronnie.

I disagree. Everyone hated the 2k8 demo because the controls were too difficult (I loved them) and no one is going to spend time figuring them out for a simple 2 mintue demo or whatever it was.

Demos can help sales but if not properly received, much like the 2k8 demo, they can destroy sales.

[Bruins fan 4 life]

I disagree. Everyone hated the 2k8 demo because the controls were too difficult (I loved them) and no one is going to spend time figuring them out for a simple 2 mintue demo or whatever it was.

Demos can help sales but if not properly received, much like the 2k8 demo, they can destroy sales.

If demos aren't done right, you're absolutely correct, they can kill any momentum and/or anticipation the game may have gathered. 2k9 is another good example of a demo not doing a game justice.

I've been playing the NHL10 demo a lot and I have to say that because of that I'm no longer rushing out to pick it up on release day. While not a bad game by any stretch, it isn't the great game I was envisioning.

I was disappointed with no demo but at least now I'm not disappointed with the demo.

[shonuff32612]

"I was disappointed with no demo but at least now I'm not disappointed with the demo. "

Perfectly put!

I hated the 2k9 demo and almost didn't purchase the game because of it. I did buy it anyway and I absolutely can't get enough of it. With the right sliders and right group of people 2k9 was great.

[Flexxer27]

"I was disappointed with no demo but at least now I'm not disappointed with the demo. "

Perfectly put!

I hated the 2k9 demo and almost didn't purchase the game because of it. I did buy it anyway and I absolutely can't get enough of it. With the right sliders and right group of people 2k9 was great.

I was going to post the same thing...... I feel exactly the same way about the "No Demo".

And

I totally agree "With the right sliders and right group of people 2k9 was great".

I'm still playing it every other day! Its like I'm addicted to it even...... my only
escape from 2K9 would have to be NHL 2K10 !!

T- minus 8 days and counting!

[Ajnabi]

why not release a demo where you can really play 3 periods and you set sliders by yourself! Is that so hard to manage? Why releasing a demo with 2 minutes of gameplay and only 1 period. It's your fault [2k Sports] then if your sales breakdown because your marketing team thought a 2 minute demo would convince the customer and kick EA Sports in the Butt.

What a jerkish thinking! These excuses. just lame.

[ceisari]

why not release a demo where you can really play ****ing 3 periods and you set sliders by yourself! Is that so hard to manage? Why releasing a demo with 2 minutes of gameplay and only 1 period. It's your fault [2k Sports] then if your sales breakdown because your ****ing marketing team thought a 2 minute demo would convince the customer and kick EA Sports in the Butt.

What a jerkish thinking! These excuses. just ****ing lame.

I think that the reason for that they do not release that kind of demo(3 periods etc.) is some people might be happy to play only that demo and not buy full game..

[macpuck]

My local video store guy told me that I can come in and play the game there to try it out and so, in effect, I have a "demo" available to me before I make a decision. That kind of softens the blow as far as not having a demo. I'm disappointed to learn that we won't have the option of playing on-line leagues with injuries "on" and I've been told that we probably won't be able to create on-line leagues through a fantasy draft (I'm not certain of that one) the way we could in NHL2k8. But, since I HATE the NHL10 demo (it feels like the skaters are hover crafts), I'm leaning heavily toward 2K anyway.

[Flexxer27]

My local video store guy told me that I can come in and play the game there to try it out and so, in effect, I have a "demo" available to me before I make a decision.

Excellent idea! We should all try this and make a discount deal on the demo disk :)

[sj_cup10]

But, since I HATE the NHL10 demo (it feels like the skaters are hover crafts), I'm leaning heavily toward 2K anyway.Try changing the difficulty, and game type settings, and try the nhl demo again. The demo is set on pro/casual; this is an arcade style setup for people NEW to the rules, the game of hockey itself. If you know the basic rules of hockey and how to pay, you should NOT be playing on these settings.

The online settings for this game when its released will be all-star difficulty/normal game mode. The game modes (casual/normal/hardcore) all effect the skating physics of the game. If you change this setting it really slows the speed of the game down, passing is not so "tape to tape", and players are not able to turn on a dime so quickly. Also, I remeber reading you were a little older than most gamers and you had trouble using the right analog? NHL also has classic controller settings where the analog stick is not needed- not sure if you knew that or not.

Anyways, just like how so many 2k players are quick to point out that there are adjustable sliders, EA has many sliders as well. You should look through them to get a feel for what can be tweaked. For example, on the demo, checking is turned way down.

[macpuck]

Thanks for the information. I took your advice and gave some of those settings a try this morning. I did notice a difference and I would like a chance to try the classic controls. I don't think that is possible on the demo.

[islesfan12]

FYI: Classic Controls are indeed possible on the demo

[macpuck]

Really >>> I'll check that out, too. Thanks.

[sj_cup10]

Thanks for the information. I took your advice and gave some of those settings a try this morning. I did notice a difference and I would like a chance to try the classic controls. I don't think that is possible on the demo.
You may still hate the game anyways, but, it should at least be given a fair shot with the proper settings. The controls can be changed in-game only (after the game starts) press start, go to controller settings, and it can be changed in there. They also offer a nhl '94 controls option where there are basically 2 buttons, pass and shoot.

[maxsilverhammer67]

2k9 is the best SIMULATION GAMEPLAY hockey game ever made period, and I have played them all going back to nintendo hockey. If you question how it could possibly be that this game is superior to that "other" game because that "other" game is "reviewed" higher and sells more, the answer is quite simple:MONEY. Put these two games on broadcast camera with a set of simulation sliders on both games at the highest difficulty setting, 2k9 LOOKS AND PLAYS a realistic simulation of the sport of ice hockey and the "other" "money" game is rendered UNPLAYABLE.

[macpuck]

First, thanks again to sj_Cup10 and islesfan12 for the info. I tried the classic controls but I guess I kind of got used to the default controls without realizing it. When you sit down and play only two or three third periods on the demo, even an old set of gnarly fingers don't get stiff and swell up too severly. I don't know what will happen if I try to play for an hour or so but, in any case, it seemed a little bit less interesting to go back to the buttons.
I guess my problem with EA is kind of a narrow one and may not even concern most other gamers. I enjoy ratings-driven hockey. I want the quick, agile players to "feel" as though they move better -- a lot better -- than the mediocre players. I want to have sliders for both speed and speed burst that I casn use to enhance the differences. When I play EA, there is -- at least for me -- too much similarity in the speed and agility of players. I understand that EA is superior in many of its features -- I love the idea that you can trade draft choices in the fantasy drafts -- but I don't "feel" the differences strongly enough between the 90-rated players and the 70-rated players.

[sj_cup10]

First, thanks again to sj_Cup10 and islesfan12 for the info. I tried the classic controls but I guess I kind of got used to the default controls without realizing it. When you sit down and play only two or three third periods on the demo, even an old set of gnarly fingers don't get stiff and swell up too severly. I don't know what will happen if I try to play for an hour or so but, in any case, it seemed a little bit less interesting to go back to the buttons.
I guess my problem with EA is kind of a narrow one and may not even concern most other gamers. I enjoy ratings-driven hockey. I want the quick, agile players to "feel" as though they move better -- a lot better -- than the mediocre players. I want to have sliders for both speed and speed burst that I casn use to enhance the differences. When I play EA, there is -- at least for me -- too much similarity in the speed and agility of players. I understand that EA is superior in many of its features -- I love the idea that you can trade draft choices in the fantasy drafts -- but I don't "feel" the differences strongly enough between the 90-rated players and the 70-rated players.

Hey no prob, glad I could help. I know what you mean about the attribute points, that was a major concern last year. People hated how Zdeno Charra could deke and dangle like Ovechkin. That was supposed to be addressed more this year so we will see. The NHL 09 community was told that the demo we got was a VERY early version of the game (supposedly been around for like 2 months+) and a video blog is supposed to be released by one of the gameplay developers to talk about the changes that were made from demo to finished product, based on suggestions and feedback from the ea nhl community.

One last thing, EA has no speed burst button so to speak. The closest thing to it is, where you push the puck ahead of yourself, put your head down, and go after it. That's done with the Left trigger and is pretty realistic IMO (i hate the speed busrt buttons personally). In EA you skate faster without the puck then with, so that is how the "push the puck ahead" button works.

[CellFish]

IMO, the way the speed burst works in EA's game is fairly realistic I have to admit. I personally can't achieve it too well (I always end up dropping the puck) but it's well done. All I can say for sure is that a hockey game without a speed burst makes no sense because players WILL run/skate faster when in urgent situations. If a player knows, for instance, that if he runs a little faster past one guy, he can put himself in a breakaway situation, he will do it. They do it in soccer, they do it in football and they do it in hockey so for EA to say 'skaters always skate at their top speed' like they did a few years ago is pathetic and idiotic. On the other hand, the way 2K9 used the speed burst was absolutely perfect : short in length, modest in speed increase, long in recovery. If 2k10 does it the same way then kudos.

[macpuck]

One of these years, I'd like to see some REAL changes in the ratings, especially as it relates to defensemen. Among other things, I'd like to see a pivot rating and/or a skating backward rating. One player who used to be in a league with me (2k8) was very successfull using forwards on defense. Our leagues were created via fantasy drafts and he didn't choose defensemen until late ... when he had to. In my opinion, that isn't/wasn't even remotely realistic. I didn't really see anybody try it last year (of course you couldn't create a league via fantasy draft) and so I don't know if that loophole was closed somehow that I'm not aware of. Even among defensemen there is a huge variable in the agility, judgement, experience and speed factors necessary to cut off an oncharging forward at just the right angle. All skaters are not created equal.
To tell the truth, I'm starting to enjoy the EA demo a bit more as I become more accostomed to it. It's not a bad game but I don't want the action to be dictated ONLY by how well I maneuver the controls; I want the players' ratings to be be a significant factor, too.

[sj_cup10]

All I can say for sure is that a hockey game without a speed burst makes no sense because players WILL run/skate faster when in urgent situations. If a player knows, for instance, that if he runs a little faster past one guy, he can put himself in a breakaway situation, he will do it. They do it in soccer, they do it in football and they do it in hockey so for EA to say 'skaters always skate at their top speed' like they did a few years ago is pathetic and idiotic. On the other hand, the way 2K9 used the speed burst was absolutely perfect : short in length, modest in speed increase, long in recovery. If 2k10 does it the same way then kudos.
I did not play 2k9 much, is there 2 speed bursts or 1? Also, are you able to speed burst without the puck?

[Bruins fan 4 life]

I did not play 2k9 much, is there 2 speed bursts or 1? Also, are you able to speed burst without the puck?

1 speed burst and you can do it without the puck.