Tech Blog

[#1]

EA’s NHL series has been doing pretty good for a while now, and NHL 13, the latest entry in the franchise, looks to be just as solid if not better. This year, EA has lots to offer in their new installment, unlike NHL 12 which offered more subtle improvements. EA is promising some substantial iterations this time around, enhancing your play experience and accurately capturing the speed, creativity and strategy of this long-loved sport.  

Here's what you can expect from NHL 13, and why it might just be one of the best to date: 

NHL 13's new True Performance Skating is the highlight of this year's release, incorporating more realistic, physics-driven skating and over 1000 new animations. True Performance will help to offer a more authentic experience that replicates the momentum, speed and energy I think many have been waiting anxiously for from the series.  Paired with the Skill Stick, NHL 13 will offer one of the most immersive, creative experiences yet for both casual players and hockey buffs.  

Another important new addition is the revamped A.I. system, EA Sports Hockey I.Q. Player awareness was restricted in past titles, and were only aware of players in their proximity, and goalies would only react to the player in control of the puck. With this new system, A.I. is now fully aware of every other player on the ice for more intelligent, true-to-life experience and more realistic gameplay. It's pretty remarkable really and goes to show just how deep and involving sports games can truly be.  

NHL 13 will be offering a few other new additions to game, which won't offer quite as substantial changes as the two above, but are still worth checking out.  Here are a few of them: 

GM mode will now be taken online in GM Connected and will allow you to play with and against your friends in your own NHL team.  This enhanced mode will allow you to manage, play or coach on the road and build your team's legacy.  You can even take your experience with you via a mobile companion app.  This is the ultimate league experience yet. 

Another new feature to look forward to is NHL Moments Live which will replay real life hockey scenarios and have you replicate them.  This is a great tutorial mode that will help you pull off some fancy moves while you're on the ice.  New moments from the season will be intermittently so stay tuned. 

One more cool new addition I'd like to mention is the debut of the first ever female athletes added as playable characters in the NHL series (took long enough!).  Four-time Olympic Medalists Angela Ruggiero and Hayley Wickenheiser will join the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, as well as NHL Hall of Famers Doug Gilmour, Jari Kurri, and NHL legend Dominik Hasek who are also new to the roster.  

To celebrate over 20 years of EA Sports NHL, EA is releasing their first ever collector's edition.  This bundle will feature lots of goodies for all of you hockey buffs out there.  Here's what you'll find: 

• Exclusive collectible Stanley Cup tin featuring an embossed Stanley Cup image
• Two Stanley Cup Theme Hockey Ultimate Team packs featuring randomized player items from the Eastern and Western Conference Champions
• Gold Jumbo Hockey Ultimate Team Pack features 24 randomized items, including an exclusive Wayne Gretzky Hockey Ultimate Team Legend and six other rare items
• A CCM Boost Pack featuring the all-new CCM RBZ stick (for use in Be a Pro and EA Sports Hockey League)
• A 10% discount on a one-time purchase at shop.NHL.com
• And, of course, a copy of NHL 13

 NHL 13 will be available September 11 on Xbox 360 and PS3.  If you're interested in purchasing a copy of the game you can pre-order it at Future Shop: 

NHL 13 Stanley Cup Collector's Edition (XBOX 360)

SKU: 10172283

NHL 13 delivers a gameplay experience that accurately captures the speed, creativity and strategy of NHL headlined by True Performance Skating, and supported by EA SPORTS Hockey I.Q. NHL 13 will also deliver experiences that connect hockey fans to their friends and the real world of hockey with the GM Connected and NHL Moments Live game modes.

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NHL 13 Stanley Cup Collector's Edition (PlayStation 3)

SKU: 10172491

NHL 13 delivers a gameplay experience that accurately captures the speed, creativity and strategy of NHL headlined by True Performance Skating, and supported by EA SPORTS Hockey I.Q. NHL 13 will also deliver experiences that connect hockey fans to their friends and the real world of hockey with the GM Connected and NHL Moments Live game modes.

  Read reviews (0)

NHL 13 (XBOX 360)

SKU: 10172273

NHL 13 delivers a gameplay experience that accurately captures the speed, creativity and strategy of NHL headlined by True Performance Skating, and supported by EA SPORTS Hockey I.Q. NHL 13 will also deliver experiences that connect hockey fans to their friends and the real world of hockey with the GM Connected and NHL Moments Live game modes.

  Read reviews (0)

NHL 13 (PlayStation 3)

SKU: 10172486

NHL 13 delivers a gameplay experience that accurately captures the speed, creativity and strategy of NHL headlined by True Performance Skating, and supported by EA SPORTS Hockey I.Q. NHL 13 will also deliver experiences that connect hockey fans to their friends and the real world of hockey with the GM Connected and NHL Moments Live game modes.

  Read reviews (0)

[#2]

I hope I can get the CE with T2 when the store opens in Sarnia on the 11th.  I wonder how many CE will be there for people who didn't preorder ?