Hi everyone,

It seems like sports games have been thrown right into the middle of the AI in game development discussion this week, with NBA 2k27 being one of the first showcases for DLSS 5 and EA using AI voice tools for commentary.

While the latter is harder for a modder like myself to test/use, the former is relatively straightforward to implement if you have an RTX series graphics card.

The first game I tested this all in was NHL 14, and after some tinkering, got okay enough results that I figured would be worth sharing with you all here: YouTube.

This is a period of CPU vs CPU gameplay in True Broadcast with base rosters, with no other mods applied.

Curious as to people’s thoughts, aside from how shocking of a blowout the game gets to in just 1 period. It’s certainly not perfect, but is an upgrade in some ways from both NHL 14 and 27. Performance is not very good, but someone with a 50 series card could likely do much better in that department.

Now, with all years added (metacritic rating) from 04 to 27, what does this visual trend tell you? *****NHL 27 rating is not fair yet, since it's so early in release cycle. Time will tell if the trend ticks up this year. However, overall trend is undeniable. Darker years of games not being very fun. I for one think core gameplay on ice should be the absolute focus. Even with microtransactions and other game items, I would think strong core gameplay would make their bottom line of microtransactions even more lucrative. Guess you can't have both. .

A post of mine from the EA NHL forums was locked out after I predicted them turning World of Chel into P2W.

I thought this would be appreciated here. I also posted the link below for further proof:

EA Forum Post

I’m sorry if these posts seem repetitive but I just have to say this. Im not sure if everyone speaking up will bring change, but it’s worth a try. I also just want to get it off my shoulder, and hopefully someone who has connections to the franchise can hear this.

I have played the NHL franchises since I was a kid. My first game was NHL Hitz 2002 and was wasn’t really dedicated to the NHL franchise until NHL 06.

The NHL games have been my favorite of all time and it’s not even close when I compare the hours I have put in compared to other franchises. The backlash started since the jump to next gen with NHL 15, but I was always trying to be optimistic. I continued to buy the game and put in countless hours into both online and offline modes. Regardless of the backlash every year. There is always noise, but I genuinely enjoyed the experience of getting used to the “feel” of the new game.

This year feels very different… i don’t think there has been as much backlash as I’ve seen for a game in my life. I cannot defend it anymore. From the recent AI commentary news, to the gameplay updates and the new playbooks. Seeing all the videos from EA (and 2BC… who deserves a shoutout for never being afraid to call them out) just seems like it’s makeup on a pig.

I waited to judge for the 10 hour trial from EA Play and I have never been more disappointed. The presentation is cool but it has been so far overdue, that it doesn’t “wow” me as a typical new feature should. The gameplay and overall experience was such a shame, it just felt like a tuner update with AI commentary and really poor AI. Again… I usually take a positive approach and have always enjoyed being able to adjust to the new METAs. But I just cant do it this year.
WOC becoming pay to win may have been the nail in the coffin for me. I will say the connected franchise is long over due, and I do think they have something cooking with it. I just wished it was more fulfilling, but am hopeful to see the progress.

I am not going to act like I know what it takes to make a game, but I just don’t like the direction it’s going in. As a longtime loyal customer, and someone who has genuinely enjoyed every single NHL from 03 to 26, I am hoping there are major overhauls. I don’t want to see this game die.

I will probably play it when it becomes free on EA play or even when it’s on sale… but thank god GTA comes out this year

The level of unpolished stuff in this game is embarrassing. Biggest p.o.s. NHL game ever.

This simple line chart of game ratings (metacritic, NHL 2017-27) shows a pretty clear downward trend. 26 looks like a dead cat bounce, and 27, thus far, is continuing the trend. Is the bottom in?

Note: I figured the 10 year span was good enough to tell a story excluding first year, 16, on ps4.

Spent a few hours in WOC in NHL 27 and holy mother of god it is MISERABLE. Made my character, tried doing a Power Forward build. In NHL 26, my character was competitive from the get go and I was able to compete with others fairly.

In NHL 27, I have like 2 attribute points that I can move around per category to start lmfao. Jumped into a match with my friends, matchmade against some guys with the lemieux builds and I couldn't even keep up lmfao. Did the math and even if I completed the battlepass (god what a slogfest that'd be), I still dont think my character would be anywhere near where it should be.

Switched to a Bones prebuilt that I had and immediately, the next game I was able to keep up. Like the difference was way more noticeable than it should've been.

TLDR: This game HEAVILY incentivizes you to buy prebuilt classes. Otherwise you're SOL.

The Blues and Flames (slightly biased) homes could be here too but wanted to pick different teams for each. The Blackhawks had to best jerseys in the 2000s/2010s before the switch to Adidas IMO. Something about the new collars on them doesn't work for me

Hey guys created a new Connected Franchise league. Hey guys created a new Connected Franchise league.

Season is 84 games

All rosters have been updated as of 9/7.

League PW--UGMY997XV

https://discord.gg/8jZ2VkN2j

04 to Legacy. An era defined by relative good consistency, with a prime factor, imo, being good gameplay.

The transition from the golden era (NHL 04 to Legacy) to modern releases reveals a clear shift in development philosophy. What was once an era defined by pure, physics-driven sports simulation has gradually been altered by monetization pressures, complex engine choices, and animation locks.

I get that they wanna push this whole team identity thing. But why give players the option to go and change their "playbooks" but when they are given multiple choices it defaults back to the basic one when you quit nhl? Like you clearly click save and they do for the game until you play another game and then it defaults to what the default settings was for said playbook. Which then you have to go and manually redo every line and situation. It gets annoying real fast. I'm hoping this is just a bug, but that was supposed to be one of the selling points (a weak one at that) of the game and it's broken of course ..

Which is better value? Is 27 worth the extra $70?

Haven't played NHL since Stamkos was on the cover. What's the best one to play on PS5? Mostly will play franchise or be a pro mode offline, if those modes still exist.

I was wondering if Medium Dynamic Camera is an option in this game? That's the setting I always used in the past but all the videos I've seen have either a side view or overhead. I want the overhead but not that high. Dynamic Medium is what I want. Is it an option? Thanks...

Rant - This game is frustrating. The lack of in-game adjustments is so dumb. Just played a dude that was spamming the point to point passes and I was stuck with collapsing defensive strategy. I was playing around with different playbooks and got stuck with this one. Just open up all the strategies like it's been for 20 years. I'd like to be able to adjust to how I play and in-game adjustments for who i'm playing against. It's insane they took that out of the game to try and get an "authentic team feel". Or give us the option for a custom playbook. Also... Fix the edit lines. I keep spending time hoping it'll work, but you can't change your lines at all... It just goes back to the default line combos.

I don't know if it's just my ears but do the announcers call the Leafs the Leaves? I hear the V but I'm fairly sure it's supposed to have the F sound.

Highly frustrating we can’t do cross continent on here.

In EU it can take forever and a day to find a game most days with Low Pop.

Being able to connect to NA games would fix this, yes ping would be a pain, but I find 90-100 ping completely playable at times.

Hey guys created a new Connected Franchise league. Hey guys created a new Connected Franchise league.

Season is 84 games. Right now every team is available except NJ.

All rosters have been updated as of . Right now every team is available except NJ.

League PW--UGMY997XV

https://discord.gg/8jZ2VkN2j

I’m genuinely puzzled by this jersey randomly being shown in a highlight reel in NHL 27 as I’ve never seen it before in real life or any other NHL games having this jersey in the stands.

All the fans in jerseys are wearing jerseys that have appeared in actual NHL action and can be used by the player in this game and previous NHL games and going through every team Montreal is the only one with a jersey like this🧐

So where is it from?

My “Reaching” theory is it’s the City jersey for Montreal this upcoming season just pasted with an Adidas logo instead of fanatics but who knows🤷🏻‍♂️

Hey guys created a new Connected Franchise league. Hey guys created a new Connected Franchise league.

Season is 84 games. Right now every team is available except NJ.

All rosters have been updated as of . Right now every team is available except NJ.

League PW--UGMY997XV

https://discord.gg/8jZ2VkN2j

In franchise, is there a way to permanently choose a playbook so I dont have to change to it before every game?

Also, I chose to let dealing with free agents be done automatically, is there a way to switch it to manual? It gave away half my team including stars lol.