NHL 15 News Post

Is EASHL in XB1/PS4 Versions of NHL 15?

08:55 PM - August 11, 2014 by RaychelSnr

There are a variety of rumors and a distinct lack of news when it comes to the popular EASHL mode and its status in the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 version of NHL 15. Today, Best Buy Canada added a lot of smoke to the no EASHL in XB1/PS4 NHL 15 fire by posting gameplay specs which tend to indicate the game will only support two-player online play. In comparison, the Xbox 360 version's product page shows 2-12 players are supported online, which fits with EASHL's requirements.

Up to this point, there has been no indication EASHL is in this year's game on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, with a feature list from the American Best Buy website completely omitting EASHL as well. It stands to reason that EASHL might have been a difficult feature to program on newer generation consoles and the NHL team simply ran out of time. However, given the relative popularity of the mode, the possible absence of EASHL is something which will not go unnoticed by the NHL community.

Now granted, this is NOT confirmation from EA that EASHL is not in the game -- and it is entirely possible it is a mistake, so let's not all panic just yet. With a month to go until release, there are obviously many features we haven't heard about, so it's premature to lift this above idle speculation -- but there are some dots beginning to connect on this story. We have reached out to EA for comment on this and we will certainly update this post if/when that comes back to us.

H/T to @grayisthecolor on Twitter for alerting us to the Best Buy page and sending us down this rabbit hole this evening.

Update (Tuesday 1:30pm CST): A user on Reddit is claiming that there will be no EASHL or GM Connected in the game on X1/PS4 and that confirmation will come within a week or two. Of course, this is an unverified user on Reddit, so let's not get too panicky on this one. What the post does do is it continues to add smoke to the fire. We still haven't received any word from EA on the matter, despite putting in a request for comment, which could mean anything. NHL will be shown at GamesCom, so it's likely we'll probably find out the truth one way or another within a day or two.

UPDATE #2: (Wednesday, 11:50am EST) EA Sports Hockey League (EASHL) is clearly indicated on 360/PS3 (via Amazon, Best Buy) but NOTHING for Xbox One/PS4.

Would no EASHL change your buying decision of NHL 15?

Game: NHL 15Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 16 - View All

NHL 15 Videos

Member Comments

# 101 MizzouRah @ 08/13/14 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	Wait until when? They have our money and it is in our system? Would you buy any other product in the fashion that EA (and other gaming companies) expects its consumers to operate with these games? If club is 90% of what you play, like me and my buddies, then this game has become worthless to you pretty much. I have two friends that are specifically buying Xbox One to play club and are now waiting on pulling the trigger. NHL is 75% of their gaming in general and for some of them this is the only mode they touch in that game. Are you buying a microwave without knowing if it can defrost if that is what you use it for? Buying a car without knowing if it is front wheel or rear wheel drive, or how many doors on it? Crazy comparisons, but really this is what it is like here. If you can name the reasoning to hold off on announcing features for this very game then please fill us in. There is no direct competition. It doesn't appear that there is any competition at all making a hockey game anytime soon. The only reason we can fathom that they are withholding the info at this point is that they have no info and that is because it is not included. Otherwise they would come out and say. If they confirm it is not in then sales drop, stock prices perhaps fall a tad, so they stay mum. But speculation will have to suffice until we have definitive word, because often where there is smoke there is fire. And as much as it will be all of our faults for assuming one thing or another it is truly EA at fault for allowing such speculation to run wild while all they had to do was be forthcoming with something that is pretty basic by now in the retail world... feature list for an upcoming product. Even the tightest lipped company in the world, Apple, has a major conference and announces all of the features and details of their upcoming product line around a month in advance. And we cannot find out if a game mode is in a annually released video game? We aren't even allowed to see how the game actually plays? That is not good business, sir.

I don't buy games unless they have a track record or I've played a demo and or read reviews first. If EASHL is what you primarily play the game for, THEN WAIT UNTIL YOU KNOW FOR SURE IF IT'S IN THIS YEARS GAME, pretty simple don't you think? If that means you find out via EA Access 5 days prior to release, then so be it (albeit a bit dumb on EA's part and I doubt that would ever happen).

You comparisons hold no value because I would go to a store and read the features before purchasing.

What are game play videos going to show you? Seriously.. I watch Madden videos all the time and think this will be a great football game and then it's not what I want when I actually play it. YOU NEED TO PLAY IT and come up with your own conclusions. You have an XB1 like I do and will get to play it 5 days before release (if you have EA Access).. play it and make your own conclusions.. I really don't get what game play videos will really show most of us who play so different than the people who play in these videos.

I'm with you though.. they should let us know if EASHL is in this year for next gen, but don't stress over it. I can predict that something will come out about it in the next few days or weeks.. heck, maybe they added something to that particular mode that they are waiting to release?

I can't believe how video games really make people so stressed out. Take a breath and wait for EA to release information.

# 102 ricky24 @ 08/13/14 11:05 PM

I could definitely see them doing this because of the servers and of course they would choose hut over this game mode. Which would be awful because this mode is actually unique. I like hut but it's no different than playing a regular game. It's just a money maker.

# 103 Arrowhead21 @ 08/13/14 11:17 PM

HUT is terrible. It has severely stunted the growth of the franchise.

# 104 gator3guy @ 08/14/14 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrowhead21


	HUT is terrible. It has severely stunted the growth of the franchise.

It used to be OK, but then they maybe AHL/CHL/European players useless unless you play in special tournaments. I used to love playing with a mixture of all different kinds of players. Now there is no need for it. Sure it was a pain in the *** keeping up with contracts and training boosts, but that was part of the strategy. Now once you get to the top levels, guys have the same identical teams. Meanwhile I'm playing against a guy who's 4th line is twice as good as my first line because I refuse to spend real money on virtual cards.

# 105 Dino @ 08/14/14 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrowhead21


	HUT is terrible. It has severely stunted the growth of the franchise.

Lets face it, it's ruining Madden and Fifa as well.

I was hooked on Fifa UT for the last 2 years. I spent money I normally would on other games but instead I pumped it into Fifa Points. I'm embarrassed that I was fooled by them.
The FUT game is scripted and there is a handicap. End of Story. I know because I spent a lot of money trying to build my team up. I don't want NHL to go that same route, because Be a Pro is the only mode I play in Fifa now and all I played for 4 yrs on the 360 with NHL.

If they took out the EASHL this year, I would not buy the game until its back.

# 106 Nittany @ 08/14/14 06:40 AM

I too will not buy the game without EASHL...probably would buy the xbox 360 version.

I really don't understand why EA is being silent about it. One way or another, we will find out in a few weeks. No point pissing off customers.

I am still hopeful that its there. I mean, they put it in FIFA 14 for xbox one and PS4. They also had 2 years to work on the next gen game. I can't imagine the $ lost without EASHL. Forget buying the game...but look at all the Boost packs they sell! I know so many people that would throw down an additional $50 at launch just to open up all of the attribute slots.

Financially it makes no sense...but the silence is deafening.

Oh well, I guess we will find out soon enough. Fingers crossed....

Nit

# 107 Severyn55 @ 08/14/14 07:58 AM

It will bei in......online Features are the Key Features on the new consoles.they would have never had the plan to release a new NHL without them..i am really looking forward to try this game out on early Access Day

Calm Down and

# 108 ManiacMatt1782 @ 08/14/14 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	Wait until when? They have our money and it is in our system? Would you buy any other product in the fashion that EA (and other gaming companies) expects its consumers to operate with these games? If club is 90% of what you play, like me and my buddies, then this game has become worthless to you pretty much. I have two friends that are specifically buying Xbox One to play club and are now waiting on pulling the trigger. NHL is 75% of their gaming in general and for some of them this is the only mode they touch in that game. Are you buying a microwave without knowing if it can defrost if that is what you use it for? Buying a car without knowing if it is front wheel or rear wheel drive, or how many doors on it? Crazy comparisons, but really this is what it is like here. If you can name the reasoning to hold off on announcing features for this very game then please fill us in. There is no direct competition. It doesn't appear that there is any competition at all making a hockey game anytime soon. The only reason we can fathom that they are withholding the info at this point is that they have no info and that is because it is not included. Otherwise they would come out and say. If they confirm it is not in then sales drop, stock prices perhaps fall a tad, so they stay mum. But speculation will have to suffice until we have definitive word, because often where there is smoke there is fire. And as much as it will be all of our faults for assuming one thing or another it is truly EA at fault for allowing such speculation to run wild while all they had to do was be forthcoming with something that is pretty basic by now in the retail world... feature list for an upcoming product. Even the tightest lipped company in the world, Apple, has a major conference and announces all of the features and details of their upcoming product line around a month in advance. And we cannot find out if a game mode is in a annually released video game? We aren't even allowed to see how the game actually plays? That is not good business, sir.

No just wait a couple weeks until someone with EA Access plays the game on the 4th and confirms everything in or missing from the game. You won't have to spend a dollar if you don't want to.

# 109 Pezell04x @ 08/14/14 08:32 AM

I've already canceled my preorder and moved it to WWE 2K15. At this point, even if EASHL is in the game, I'm not going out of my way to give EA my money. I'd rather go through a second channel like ebay for craigslist at this point. I really feel like we're going to get the Madden 06 treatment with this game - a game with a few modes, beautiful graphics and that's it....

And that's the problem. The game will be gorgeous and most "critics" won't have the guts to mention modes taken out, if there are any.

EA could easily say "Hey, EASHL is right here" but they're quiet on the subject. Even when people hammered their twitter account with EASHL questions, they didn't respond.

# 110 MizzouRah @ 08/14/14 09:54 AM

I was reading the features for x360/ps3 version and they mention EASHL.. nothing is mentioned on the page for xb1/ps4.

At this point I'm not sure "no news is good news".. for those buying for EASHL you might want to hold on to your x360/ps3 if you still have one.

Definitely an odd feeling and no news from EA on this mode for next-gen.

# 111 Dino @ 08/14/14 10:13 AM

I would pay $100 for EASHL only mode. Never play the single player or any other modes.

If fact, I pretty much paid $100 for last 2 NHL's since I bought a bunch of the unlocks in the first 2 weeks of release. :-0

I mean, doesn't everyone love the EASHL? You would think the developers who make the game enjoy it too ... I mean it's the best online sports experience next to Fifa, only it's hockey which makes it the better, no offense to soccer lovers. I love them both but hockey games rule.

# 112 ricky24 @ 08/14/14 10:51 AM

Yeah me and my buddies have been playing FIFAs version since access launched. NHL is just so much more fun.

# 113 TDKing @ 08/14/14 11:02 AM

Maybe they are playing a little mind game with us. Maybe it is in the game but with no improvements or new features hence the no news on it. Now everyone is angry, but when we find out it is in everyone wil be very very happy and forget about the fact its the same old mode as last year. Sorry if this was already mentioned, just my 2 cents and wishfull thinking. Same thoughts on GM connnected.

# 114 ricky24 @ 08/14/14 11:04 AM

It should be the same mode though. It was near perfect the way it was. I don't want them to change it just to change it. Maybe a few minor tweaks if anything.

# 115 Gotmilkman24 @ 08/14/14 01:13 PM

I'm not sure if anyone posted this, but it should clear some things up. http://www.xboxachievements.com/game.../achievements/

# 116 MizzouRah @ 08/14/14 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotmilkman24


	I'm not sure if anyone posted this, but it should clear some things up. http://www.xboxachievements.com/game.../achievements/

That shows the x360 version though?

# 117 ManiacMatt1782 @ 08/14/14 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotmilkman24


	I'm not sure if anyone posted this, but it should clear some things up. http://www.xboxachievements.com/game.../achievements/

I don't want to be that guy that adds fuel to the flame, but that was the xbox 360 version. I think it will still be there, but this provides nothing for next gen as far as proof one way or the other.

# 118 Gotmilkman24 @ 08/14/14 01:41 PM

I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was the 360 achievements. I would like to add that I would imagine they have eashl due to the fact that they keep talking about the 12 man physics.

# 119 GrandMaster B @ 08/14/14 01:58 PM

There aren't even any achievements listed yet for Xbox One. That is scary in of itself.

# 120 Gotmilkman24 @ 08/14/14 02:08 PM

It is a little discouraging, but I would imagine we will have game modes or an achievement list in a week.

« Previous 1 2 3 4 567 8 9 10 11 Next »

More Links

Is EASHL in XB1/PS4 Versions of NHL 15?