EA SPORTS releases major deep dive into Franchise Mode including trailer for NHL 25.
EA SPORTS today released the next deep dive into NHL 25. It focuses on Chel’s Franchise Mode and provides insights into the game mode’s new features and how the NHL community was involved.
NHL 25 delivers an even more authentic gaming experience on and off the ice, from optimized Franchise Mode hubs to enhanced scenarios like contract clauses and new conversation features.
An overview of the most important innovations:
- FRANCHISE HUB: The Franchise Hub offers fans faster access to new, relevant and easy-to-understand information through streamlined navigation. Before each game, players will have access to new widgets with various stats, including team point leaders, goals per game, power play percentage and more. Additionally, team leaders can be viewed at any point during the season directly from the redesigned hub. Everything from rankings to recent player and team performances throughout the year is now more easily accessible to all fans. Additionally, the ticker at the bottom of the Franchise Hub screen provides ongoing information on transfer deadlines. The new quick links make it easier for players to find the relevant information to manage their franchise.
- RESULTS: Box scores allow fans to see all the key stats from each game, including preseason and postseason stats, and also show the three stars from each game separately.
- PLAYER AWARDS: Players can view the entire award history for every player in the league on their player card. From early careers to future awards in Franchise Mode, NHL 25 provides a comprehensive history of every player’s achievements.
- NEGOTIATIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES: Contract clauses and trade protection add authenticity and give fans a more detailed look at what happens during negotiations. Players can now request a partial or full release clause as part of their contract and team management is customizable depending on the needs of the franchise. Teams can also try to get a player to move based on their contract terms and current motivation. Negotiations and contract clauses have been fundamentally overhauled, making signing a contract more realistic. In NHL 25, additional factors come into play when signing a player and it is no longer just about contract length and salary. The new “Organization Meter” shows a player’s motivation to join the team based on factors such as team status and market size.
- Conversation system: Another focus is the Conversation System, which allows both short-term and long-term goals to be set. Long-term goals include seasonal goals such as developing and improving attributes or the X-Factor. Short-term goals focus you on bringing immediate results and can lead to certain NHL awards. In the offseason, it is possible to focus on certain areas of a pro’s game to make improvements on the ice. In NHL 25, this also allows positions and playing styles to be adjusted; however, it is also possible that a player does not accept these changes and his motivation level drops. In addition, the Conversation System improves roster management and fans now have the option to set specific line-ups or player roles. This allows for a more seamless process; for example, players returning from injury can more easily return to the lineup without having to go through the old process.
- DESIGN SELECTION: Another feature that helps the community share player rosters is the addition of draft picks to the player movement screen. Players can now trade five years of draft picks to keep up with real-world player rosters or make adjustments while waiting for the next NHL 25 update and upload and share the new draft picks with other fans.
Recently, the highlights of the Presentation changes for NHL 25. These include:
- NEXT-GEN CHARACTERS: All player characters in NHL 25 will receive a visual overhaul with the introduction of Sapien technology and the power of the Frostbite engine on next-gen consoles. This includes new hair updates that replicate real-world looks and a new clothing system where clothing and uniforms behave dynamically and adapt to player movements. NHL 25 also features new anatomically correct skeletons that authentically represent women and provide lifelike models.
- GRUDGE MATCH SYSTEM: The new Grudge Match system in NHL 25 tracks the history of matchups between teams in all major online and offline modes, showing relevant statistics from previous matchups to create even more intense competition on the ice. Grudge Match games now feature Impact Players who earn special X-Factors based on their performance in previous matchups against rival teams. Adding to the authenticity, viewers remember heroes and villains from previous games, and commentators elaborate on them to provide an even deeper immersion into the game experience.
- INFINITE CAMERA SYSTEM: The Infinite Camera System in NHL 25 replaces Chel’s previous setup and revolutionizes replays with a greater variety of perspectives and camera angles. These include broadcast-inspired wire, drone and other static cameras positioned around the rink to capture more of the action. A new logic-based system works like a virtual TV producer, choosing the best angles, lenses and timing for each moment.
- HYPESTAGE: Hypestage is a new, universal 3D platform that creates dynamic and immersive storytelling moments during major games and live events throughout the year.
Information about the HUT will be available in the upcoming deep dive. More information about presentation and game modes will be announced in the coming weeks.
EA SPORTS NHL 25 is developed by EA Vancouver and will be released worldwide on October 4, 2024 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
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