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RaychelSnr · 08-18-2014, 10:50 AM

As of this writing, fans of EA's NHL franchise don't know what's going on with several of the popular modes in the upcoming Xbox One and PS4 versions of the game. And in some ways, it now doesn't matter. To be sure, people would like to see EASHL, OTP, GM Connected and everything else “in the game,” as EA likes to say, but in terms of messaging and transparency, the damage has been done. A failure of communication has led to a good number of faithful fans feeling alienated or taken for granted. The stereotype of a company that's ardently pro-business marches on.

Read More - The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer

Gotmilkman24 · 08-18-2014, 11:39 AM

Well written.

The Visualizer · 08-18-2014, 11:43 AM

Finally someone in a position of higher visibility called this out.

Nice job on the article.

swimfunk · 08-18-2014, 11:49 AM

Great read, it's become frustrating for gamers in general now that we rely on twitter/facebook for updates. If you want to follow your favorite game it seems like social media is required. It seems like games are relying less and less on their own website and using third party websites to provide info. When was the last time 2K announced something new on their website rather than use twitter, facebook, or even this site. nba2k.com and 2ksports.com have seemed pretty worthless lately.

Then the people who control the twitter and facebook accounts only seem to RT, pass you to a non working tech support account. It's impossible to get answers nowadays and everything is answered with " We will let the devs know".

snc237 · 08-18-2014, 11:52 AM

This is a great article. I was pumped for nhl and am still getting it but you hit it spot on about creating a disconnect with your fan base. I would love eashl to be in nhl 15 but what I would love more is some communication. Say that's it's not in the game! I just want to know and then tell me the other reasons I should get the game, but going completly silent is worse then announcing bad news. Maybe there going with "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all". Well now we think you have nothing good at all and we know that's not true, start speaking EA.

Dino · 08-18-2014, 11:56 AM

Great article. spot on. Hope EA Sports reads this because we are fired up.

willz1985 · 08-18-2014, 12:09 PM

The main thing here, like most people have said is the lack of communication....

Surely with 2/3 weeks to release they know what is/isn't in the game at this point. Can only assume it's because they fear the loss of Pre-orders/launch purchases, which in itself isn't a good enough excuse because people will find out what's in the game before they hand over money.

I'm in no way a hardcore hockey fan, I like the sport and keep up with it as much as I can, but not my #1. The main reason I've kept this up is because NHL is arguably one of, if not the best sports game franchise out there every year..

Cant help but feel with the collapse of 2K's hockey games' demise they've took the foot out off the peddle, ironically much like 2K did with NBA

jpollack34 · 08-18-2014, 12:14 PM

Extremely well written article. And spot on imo.

The sports genre is the only one I can think of that seems to be going in a backwards direction -- with a few exceptions from smaller studios like HB Studio's Golf Club -- in that the industry is moving more and more towards openness, transparency, and customization. However, the major sports Publishers are becoming increasing closed.

08-18-2014, 11:43 AM	#3
The Visualizer Rookie OVR: 6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 419	Re: The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer Finally someone in a position of higher visibility called this out. Nice job on the article. LingeringRegime and papernut like this. __________________

08-18-2014, 11:52 AM	#5
snc237 Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Jul 2013	This is a great article. I was pumped for nhl and am still getting it but you hit it spot on about creating a disconnect with your fan base. I would love eashl to be in nhl 15 but what I would love more is some communication. Say that's it's not in the game! I just want to know and then tell me the other reasons I should get the game, but going completly silent is worse then announcing bad news. Maybe there going with "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all". Well now we think you have nothing good at all and we know that's not true, start speaking EA. OddyOh and jpollack34 like this.

08-18-2014, 11:56 AM	#6
Dino Pro OVR: 6 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Roswell, GA	Great article. spot on. Hope EA Sports reads this because we are fired up. papernut likes this.

08-18-2014, 12:09 PM	#7
willz1985 Rookie OVR: 3 Join Date: Sep 2010	The main thing here, like most people have said is the lack of communication.... Surely with 2/3 weeks to release they know what is/isn't in the game at this point. Can only assume it's because they fear the loss of Pre-orders/launch purchases, which in itself isn't a good enough excuse because people will find out what's in the game before they hand over money. I'm in no way a hardcore hockey fan, I like the sport and keep up with it as much as I can, but not my #1. The main reason I've kept this up is because NHL is arguably one of, if not the best sports game franchise out there every year.. Cant help but feel with the collapse of 2K's hockey games' demise they've took the foot out off the peddle, ironically much like 2K did with NBA jpollack34 likes this.

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08-18-2014, 10:50 AM	#1
RaychelSnr Executive Editor OVR: 57 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 4,846 Blog Entries: 490	The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer As of this writing, fans of EA's NHL franchise don't know what's going on with several of the popular modes in the upcoming Xbox One and PS4 versions of the game. And in some ways, it now doesn't matter. To be sure, people would like to see EASHL, OTP, GM Connected and everything else “in the game,” as EA likes to say, but in terms of messaging and transparency, the damage has been done. A failure of communication has led to a good number of faithful fans feeling alienated or taken for granted. The stereotype of a company that's ardently pro-business marches on. Read More - The Medium is the Message: EASHL, Transparency, and the Core Gamer Platform: PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox One dlxsf18, Shakes, TDKing and 4 others like this.

08-18-2014, 11:39 AM	#2
Gotmilkman24 Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Apr 2013	Well written.

08-18-2014, 11:49 AM	#4
swimfunk Rookie OVR: 2 Join Date: Jan 2010	Great read, it's become frustrating for gamers in general now that we rely on twitter/facebook for updates. If you want to follow your favorite game it seems like social media is required. It seems like games are relying less and less on their own website and using third party websites to provide info. When was the last time 2K announced something new on their website rather than use twitter, facebook, or even this site. nba2k.com and 2ksports.com have seemed pretty worthless lately. Then the people who control the twitter and facebook accounts only seem to RT, pass you to a non working tech support account. It's impossible to get answers nowadays and everything is answered with " We will let the devs know".

08-18-2014, 12:14 PM	#8
jpollack34 Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Aug 2014	Extremely well written article. And spot on imo. The sports genre is the only one I can think of that seems to be going in a backwards direction -- with a few exceptions from smaller studios like HB Studio's Golf Club -- in that the industry is moving more and more towards openness, transparency, and customization. However, the major sports Publishers are becoming increasing closed.