NHL 11
Encyclopedia
NHL 11 is an ice hockey
video game celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the NHL series
. The game was developed by EA Canada
, published by EA Sports
, and released in North America on September 7, 2010, with all other regions receiving the game within two weeks. The game features a physics-based game engine, which replaced the old animation-based system, and was touted by NHL 11 producer Sean Ramjagsingh as "the biggest change in NHL 11". Other significant changes include broken sticks, which means the stick may now break when the player shoots. NHL 11 does not use official International Ice Hockey Federation
jerseys, as the game doesn't have the IIHF license. The cover of NHL 11 features Chicago Blackhawks
captain Jonathan Toews
, who helped the team win their first Stanley Cup title in 49 years in 2010.
NHL 11 received "generally favorable reviews". The Xbox 360
version scored 89% on GameRankings and 88% on Metacritic. The PlayStation 3
version is essentially the same as the Xbox 360 version, and therefore received very similar scores compared to the Xbox 360 version. The game was very well praised for its new "Hockey Ultimate Team" feature, physics-based game engine, gameplay, sound, and its other modes. However, the game was criticized for issues with its artificial intelligence
(AI) and technical issues such as slow-down issues in the Be a Pro mode, and lack of innovation in the Be a Pro mode itself.
simulation, the game attempts to emulate the rules
and play of the sport as closely as possible. Goal
s, for example, may be scored from all areas of the ice through a variety of different methods, mirroring play of an ice hockey game in real life
. The default control scheme uses the left analog stick
to control player movement, while the right stick is used to simulate the movement of the player's hockey stick, performing actions such as deke
ing and shooting. Players may choose to use simpler input methods instead, such as the control scheme used in NHL '94
, in which pass and shoot are the only buttons.
A physics-based game engine
replaced the old animation-based system. Touted as "the biggest change in NHL 11" by producer Sean Ramjagsingh, it took a full year to develop and implement. The new engine allows for more natural plays and puck bounces, and simulates real interactions more accurately and realistically. Each bodycheck and collision is unique, such as glancing blows that spin a player, hip checks that completely upend opponents, or any other possible reactions. Player and puck movement now take momentum into account, and hits can be made high or low, with vastly different results.
Broken sticks were introduced to the series for the first time, as EA claims this was the most requested feature. Players without sticks are able to kick or grab the puck, and teammates may offer their own stick as a replacement. Alternatively, the player may return to the bench for another stick. Discarded sticks remain "live" objects while on the ice; the new physics system allows interaction with skates, other sticks, and the puck. The face-off system was completely overhauled after several years without improvements. Previously, a simple flick of the analog stick at the correct time would win faceoffs. NHL 11 allows players to choose position and grip, tie up opponents or lift their sticks, shoot off the draw, or even immediately deke through the opposing centre's legs.
Other mechanics were reworked in this iteration of the series. Passes are now triggered at the release of the trigger button, instead of the initial pull. The longer the button is held, the stronger the pass will be, giving the player control of the speed of the puck. Dekes are done using the controller's analog stick. There are four different types of dekes that can be made, corresponding to up, down, left, and right on the analog stick. The left and right dekes were retained from previous games but made quicker. The up deke has the player flip the puck up and jump over a prone player
, and the down deke has the player put the puck in his feet and kick it back up to his stick. Each of the dekes was made to counter a specific defensive technique. Completely new additions to the game include user-controlled goal celebrations, disallowed goals, playoff beards, and "hustle", a burst of speed that drains stamina quickly.
The general speed of the game is slower than NHL 10
, which allows players the time to pull off a variety of the above mentioned dekes and passes.
which existed before NHL 11. In Hockey Ultimate Team, the players receive a pack of cards and use them to build up their own team and make it the best they can. The players will earn "EA Pucks" after each game they've played in the HUT mode, whether they win or lose. They can also choose to play online with another player or play alone with the computer.
New additions in the "Be a GM" (general manager
) mode include restricted free agency, including qualifying offers, offer sheets and compensation draft picks; six seasons worth of draft picks available for trades and as RFA compensation (rather than only one season's worth of picks available in the previous games); a revamped "Rookie Generation" system; all-new pre-season games to help the players decide their NHL team; and the ability to trade up to five players/picks, instead of just three.
(NHL), American Hockey League
(AHL), Czech Extraliga
, SM-liiga
, Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), Elitserien
(SEL), and National League A (NLA). Russia's top professional league, the Kontinental Hockey League
, is not represented, nor are the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(a college hockey circuit) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League and the United States Hockey League
(two junior hockey circuits).
The amateur Canadian Hockey League
(comprising the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
, Ontario Hockey League
, and Western Hockey League
) is also included for the first time, with all 60 teams, including their players, rinks, logos, and jerseys, being represented. The CHL's Memorial Cup
tournament is featured in the game. AIK IF
replaced relegated team Rögle BK
in the Elitserien
for the 2010–11 Elitserien season
, thereby earning a spot in the game. The Oklahoma City Barons
of the AHL (the recently reactivated minor league franchise of the Edmonton Oilers
) are included in their inaugural season.
National teams are included. However, the game does not have the International Ice Hockey Federation
(IIHF) license, thereby preventing the use of official jerseys, as well as any international tournaments such as the Winter Olympics
or the Ice Hockey World Championships
.
was released on the EA Sports website regarding questions users may have asked regarding the gameplay
of the game, before the game was released.
On June 21, 2010, Jonathan Toews
of the Chicago Blackhawks
was announced as the cover athlete for NHL 11 in North America
, marking the first time teammates were selected in consecutive years. (Chicago winger Patrick Kane
was the cover athlete for NHL 10
in North America.) Toews won a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics
and the Conn Smythe Trophy
as the playoff MVP. He captained
the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup win since 1961
, all in 2010. Identical twins Henrik
and Daniel Sedin
of the Vancouver Canucks
were announced as the cover athletes for the Swedish
cover of NHL 11, while Mark Streit
was featured on the Swiss
cover for the third consecutive year.
The demo was released on August 17, 2010 in North America
and on August 18, 2010 in Europe
, on both the Xbox Live Marketplace
and the PlayStation Store
. The demo includes a first look at the new Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) feature, which includes a "Starter Pack" of player cards and an HUT tournament where the players have to win their games in order to win the tournament; the Battle for the Cup mode with a five-minute third period of Game 7 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals
between the Philadelphia Flyers
and the Chicago Blackhawks
; and interactive tutorials which also include the new features in face-offs. Players can win new cards by either playing the demo, winning the HUT tournament or inviting friends to download the NHL 11 demo.
A launch event was held in New York City
on September 8, 2010, with Jonathan Toews
and Patrick Kane
participating in a trick-shot competition and a match of NHL 11, in which Kane knocked Toews out in a virtual fight.
. NHL 11 was the fourth best-selling title in the United States for September 2010, and opened as the 18th-ranked title in the United Kingdom
in its first week of release. However, it had a "weak follow-through" as it did not chart on the top 10 list the following month.
The new physics-based gameplay was well received, with Game Informer
describing it as "steady progress" over previous games, and IGN
noting it "isn't perfect... but when it works properly the results can be awesome".
The game's artificial intelligence
received mixed reviews. 1UP.com
takes issue with the offensive AI, criticizing teammates who do not join the puck carrier on a breakaway
, yet remarking they show "flashes of brilliance in the defensive zone. GameSpot
mentions that the AI has been "noticeably ramped up", with "smart teammates" and "players [who] seem to know what they're doing", while lamenting the fact that "computer players still hold onto the puck a little too long".
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
video game celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the NHL series
NHL series
NHL is a series of professional ice hockey simulation video games developed by EA Canada and published yearly by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports brand...
. The game was developed by EA Canada
EA Canada
EA Canada is a video game developer located in Burnaby, British Columbia. The development studio opened in January 1983 and is EA's largest and oldest studio...
, published by EA Sports
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
, and released in North America on September 7, 2010, with all other regions receiving the game within two weeks. The game features a physics-based game engine, which replaced the old animation-based system, and was touted by NHL 11 producer Sean Ramjagsingh as "the biggest change in NHL 11". Other significant changes include broken sticks, which means the stick may now break when the player shoots. NHL 11 does not use official International Ice Hockey Federation
International Ice Hockey Federation
The International Ice Hockey Federation is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 70 members...
jerseys, as the game doesn't have the IIHF license. The cover of NHL 11 features Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
captain Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Bryan Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for and is captain of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . He is currently the youngest captain in the NHL, having been appointed in 2008....
, who helped the team win their first Stanley Cup title in 49 years in 2010.
NHL 11 received "generally favorable reviews". The Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
version scored 89% on GameRankings and 88% on Metacritic. The PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
version is essentially the same as the Xbox 360 version, and therefore received very similar scores compared to the Xbox 360 version. The game was very well praised for its new "Hockey Ultimate Team" feature, physics-based game engine, gameplay, sound, and its other modes. However, the game was criticized for issues with its artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
(AI) and technical issues such as slow-down issues in the Be a Pro mode, and lack of innovation in the Be a Pro mode itself.
Gameplay
As an ice hockeyIce hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
simulation, the game attempts to emulate the rules
Ice hockey rules
The majority of ice hockey around the world is played under the umbrella of three organizations, Hockey Canada, USA Hockey, and the International Ice Hockey Federation, each with their own set of rules...
and play of the sport as closely as possible. Goal
Goal (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to...
s, for example, may be scored from all areas of the ice through a variety of different methods, mirroring play of an ice hockey game in real life
Real life
Real life is a term usually used to denote actual human life lived by real people in contrast with the lives of fictional or fantasy characters.-Usage online and in fiction:On the Internet, "real life" refers to life in the real world...
. The default control scheme uses the left analog stick
Analog stick
An analog stick, sometimes called a control stick or thumbstick, is an input device for a controller that is used for two-dimensional input. An analog stick is a variation of a joystick, consisting of a protrusion from the controller; input is based on the position of this protrusion in relation...
to control player movement, while the right stick is used to simulate the movement of the player's hockey stick, performing actions such as deke
Deke (ice hockey)
A deke is an ice hockey technique which a player uses to get past an opponent or "fake out" an opposing player. The term is a Canadianism formed by abbreviating decoy....
ing and shooting. Players may choose to use simpler input methods instead, such as the control scheme used in NHL '94
NHL '94
NHL '94 is an ice hockey game by EA Sports for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo and Sega CD, as well as the first release of the "NHL Hockey" series for PC/DOS, simply titled "NHL Hockey", without the "94" in the title. The game is officially licenced from the National Hockey League and...
, in which pass and shoot are the only buttons.
A physics-based game engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
replaced the old animation-based system. Touted as "the biggest change in NHL 11" by producer Sean Ramjagsingh, it took a full year to develop and implement. The new engine allows for more natural plays and puck bounces, and simulates real interactions more accurately and realistically. Each bodycheck and collision is unique, such as glancing blows that spin a player, hip checks that completely upend opponents, or any other possible reactions. Player and puck movement now take momentum into account, and hits can be made high or low, with vastly different results.
Broken sticks were introduced to the series for the first time, as EA claims this was the most requested feature. Players without sticks are able to kick or grab the puck, and teammates may offer their own stick as a replacement. Alternatively, the player may return to the bench for another stick. Discarded sticks remain "live" objects while on the ice; the new physics system allows interaction with skates, other sticks, and the puck. The face-off system was completely overhauled after several years without improvements. Previously, a simple flick of the analog stick at the correct time would win faceoffs. NHL 11 allows players to choose position and grip, tie up opponents or lift their sticks, shoot off the draw, or even immediately deke through the opposing centre's legs.
Other mechanics were reworked in this iteration of the series. Passes are now triggered at the release of the trigger button, instead of the initial pull. The longer the button is held, the stronger the pass will be, giving the player control of the speed of the puck. Dekes are done using the controller's analog stick. There are four different types of dekes that can be made, corresponding to up, down, left, and right on the analog stick. The left and right dekes were retained from previous games but made quicker. The up deke has the player flip the puck up and jump over a prone player
Prone position
The term means to lie on bed or ground in a position with chest downwards and back upwards.-Etymology :The word "prone," meaning "naturally inclined to something, apt, liable," has been recorded in English since 1382; the meaning "lying face-down" was first recorded in 1578, but is also referred to...
, and the down deke has the player put the puck in his feet and kick it back up to his stick. Each of the dekes was made to counter a specific defensive technique. Completely new additions to the game include user-controlled goal celebrations, disallowed goals, playoff beards, and "hustle", a burst of speed that drains stamina quickly.
The general speed of the game is slower than NHL 10
NHL 10
NHL 10 is a video game in the NHL series developed and released by EA Canada and published by EA Sports, and is the 19th game in the series. The game debuted at Hockey Fest '09, a three-day interactive festival celebrating the sport of hockey and the Los Angeles Kings, which took place in downtown...
, which allows players the time to pull off a variety of the above mentioned dekes and passes.
Modes
NHL 11 features a new "Hockey Ultimate Team" (HUT) mode, similar to the corresponding modes in the FIFA series and the Madden NFL seriesMadden NFL
Madden NFL is an American football video game series developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon for EA Sports. The game series is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden, a well-known former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Oakland Raiders and color commentator...
which existed before NHL 11. In Hockey Ultimate Team, the players receive a pack of cards and use them to build up their own team and make it the best they can. The players will earn "EA Pucks" after each game they've played in the HUT mode, whether they win or lose. They can also choose to play online with another player or play alone with the computer.
New additions in the "Be a GM" (general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
) mode include restricted free agency, including qualifying offers, offer sheets and compensation draft picks; six seasons worth of draft picks available for trades and as RFA compensation (rather than only one season's worth of picks available in the previous games); a revamped "Rookie Generation" system; all-new pre-season games to help the players decide their NHL team; and the ability to trade up to five players/picks, instead of just three.
Leagues and teams
NHL 11 has the licensed use of several professional leagues around the world: the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL), American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL), Czech Extraliga
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe....
, SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
, Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
(SEL), and National League A (NLA). Russia's top professional league, the Kontinental Hockey League
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
, is not represented, nor are the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(a college hockey circuit) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League and the United States Hockey League
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
(two junior hockey circuits).
The amateur Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
(comprising the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
, Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
, and Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
) is also included for the first time, with all 60 teams, including their players, rinks, logos, and jerseys, being represented. The CHL's Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
tournament is featured in the game. AIK IF
AIK IF
Allmänna Idrottsklubben Ishockeyförening is the ice hockey section of the sports club Allmänna Idrottsklubben based in Stockholm, Sweden...
replaced relegated team Rögle BK
Rögle BK
Rögle Bandyklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey club. They currently play in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden. The team has previously played four seasons in Elitserien between 1992–93 and 1995–96 and between 2008–09 and 2009–10....
in the Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
for the 2010–11 Elitserien season
2010–11 Elitserien season
- HV71 vs. AIK:- Färjestads BK vs. Brynäs IF:- Skellefteå AIK vs. Linköpings HC:- Luleå HF vs. Djurgårdens IF:*Note: Game 6 was played in the Ericsson Globe.- Färjestads BK vs. AIK:...
, thereby earning a spot in the game. The Oklahoma City Barons
Oklahoma City Barons
The Oklahoma City Barons are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and serve as the top affiliate for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. The team's first season was 2010–11. They play their home games at the newly renovated Cox Convention Center, in Oklahoma...
of the AHL (the recently reactivated minor league franchise of the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
) are included in their inaugural season.
National teams are included. However, the game does not have the International Ice Hockey Federation
International Ice Hockey Federation
The International Ice Hockey Federation is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 70 members...
(IIHF) license, thereby preventing the use of official jerseys, as well as any international tournaments such as the Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the Olympic Games
Ice hockey tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games since 1920. The men's tournament was introduced at the 1920 Summer Olympics and was transferred permanently to the Winter Olympic Games programme in 1924. The women's tournament was first held at the 1998 Winter Olympics...
or the Ice Hockey World Championships
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
.
Development and marketing
On May 3, 2010, an FAQFAQ
Frequently asked questions are listed questions and answers, all supposed to be commonly asked in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic. "FAQ" is usually pronounced as an initialism rather than an acronym, but an acronym form does exist. Since the acronym FAQ originated in textual...
was released on the EA Sports website regarding questions users may have asked regarding the gameplay
Gameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
of the game, before the game was released.
On June 21, 2010, Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Bryan Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for and is captain of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . He is currently the youngest captain in the NHL, having been appointed in 2008....
of the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
was announced as the cover athlete for NHL 11 in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, marking the first time teammates were selected in consecutive years. (Chicago winger Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane
Patrick Timothy Kane, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . The Blackhawks selected him with the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.-Minor and junior:Kane attended the St...
was the cover athlete for NHL 10
NHL 10
NHL 10 is a video game in the NHL series developed and released by EA Canada and published by EA Sports, and is the 19th game in the series. The game debuted at Hockey Fest '09, a three-day interactive festival celebrating the sport of hockey and the Los Angeles Kings, which took place in downtown...
in North America.) Toews won a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
and the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
as the playoff MVP. He captained
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup win since 1961
2010 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2010 Stanley Cup Final was the championship series of the National Hockey League season. As the culmination of the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers faced the Western Conference champion Chicago Blackhawks...
, all in 2010. Identical twins Henrik
Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . His identical twin brother Daniel also plays for the Canucks. Having played together throughout their careers, the pair are known for their effectiveness playing off one...
and Daniel Sedin
Daniel Sedin
Daniel Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League , and serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks during home games. His identical twin brother Henrik also plays for the Canucks, and is the team captain...
of the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
were announced as the cover athletes for the Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
cover of NHL 11, while Mark Streit
Mark Streit
Mark Streit is a Swiss professional ice hockey defenceman and occasional forward and captain of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League , also captaining the Swiss national team. He is presently one of five players in the NHL from Switzerland...
was featured on the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
cover for the third consecutive year.
The demo was released on August 17, 2010 in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and on August 18, 2010 in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, on both the Xbox Live Marketplace
Xbox Live Marketplace
The Xbox Live Marketplace is a virtual market designed for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console that allows Xbox Live members to download purchased or promotional content...
and the PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games,...
. The demo includes a first look at the new Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) feature, which includes a "Starter Pack" of player cards and an HUT tournament where the players have to win their games in order to win the tournament; the Battle for the Cup mode with a five-minute third period of Game 7 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals
2010 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2010 Stanley Cup Final was the championship series of the National Hockey League season. As the culmination of the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers faced the Western Conference champion Chicago Blackhawks...
between the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
; and interactive tutorials which also include the new features in face-offs. Players can win new cards by either playing the demo, winning the HUT tournament or inviting friends to download the NHL 11 demo.
A launch event was held in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on September 8, 2010, with Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Bryan Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for and is captain of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . He is currently the youngest captain in the NHL, having been appointed in 2008....
and Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane
Patrick Timothy Kane, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . The Blackhawks selected him with the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.-Minor and junior:Kane attended the St...
participating in a trick-shot competition and a match of NHL 11, in which Kane knocked Toews out in a virtual fight.
Soundtrack
The songs featured in NHL 11 were chosen to replicate the "feel of a live NHL experience". The game also allows for a custom soundtrack, giving players the ability to add their own music.| Song title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Here I Stand | In Whispers |
| Bottom of the Well | Airbourne Airbourne (band) Airbourne are an Australian hard rock band formed in Warrnambool in 2001. Mainstay members are Joel O'Keeffe on lead vocals and lead guitar, his brother, Ryan O'Keeffe on drums, and David Roads on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. They were later joined by Justin Street on bass guitar and backing... |
| Your Betrayal Your Betrayal "Your Betrayal" is a song by Welsh heavy metal band Bullet for My Valentine and was released as the first and lead US single from their third album, Fever. The song was set for release on March 8, 2010 to the radio; and, unexpectedly, was released early as a Digital 45 on iTunes along with the... |
Bullet for My Valentine Bullet for My Valentine Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh heavy metal band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed of Matt Tuck , Michael Paget , Jason James , and Michael Thomas . They were formed under the name Jeff Killed John and started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana... |
| Dialectic Chaos | Megadeth Megadeth Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two... |
| Walk | Pantera Pantera Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as... |
| Full of Regret | Danko Jones Danko Jones Danko Jones is a Canadian rock band from Toronto, Ontario. The band consists of Danko Jones and JC... |
| Twilight Zone Twilight Zone (2 Unlimited song) "Twilight Zone" is a 1992 single released by the Belgian-Dutch Eurodance group 2 Unlimited. It reached #2 in the UK and #5 on the U.S. Dance chart, thus becoming their biggest hit on that chart. The UK release of the single was the first 2 Unlimited single in that country to include the vocals by... |
2 Unlimited 2 Unlimited 2 Unlimited is a Dutch Eurodance/Hi-NRG act formed in 1991. The project was the brainchild of Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde, and was fronted by a Dutch duo, rapper Ray Slijngaard and singer Anita Doth. During five years of enormous worldwide popularity, the act scored 16 chart... |
| Strike It Up Strike It Up "Strike It Up" is a 1990 song recorded by the Italo house music band Black Box from 1990. It was the sixth single from their debut album Dreamland and was released in 1991 in most of countries worldwide.... |
Black Box Black Box (band) Black Box was an Italian house music group popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The members of the group included a trio made up of a club DJ , a classically trained clarinet teacher , and a keyboard and electronic music "wiz"... |
| Mama Taught Me Better | Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, now based in Los Angeles. BRMC is known for their garage rock, blues, folk revival, neo-psychedelia sound. They are influenced by bands such as: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Verve, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, T... |
| ¡Olé! Olé, Olé, Olé "Olé, Olé, Olé" is a football chant of a Spanish origin. It has become associated with supporters of the Republic of Ireland national football team.-Origin:... |
|
| Sandstorm Sandstorm (song) "Sandstorm" is a song by Finnish trance producer and DJ Darude. It was released on November 15, 1999 in Finland by 16 Inch Records, and re-released in Europe in 2000. "Sandstorm" was the best-selling 12" single worldwide in 2000... |
Darude Darude Ville Virtanen , better known by his stage name Darude is a trance producer and DJ from Eura, Hinnerjoki, Finland. Debuting in 1995, he released the hit single "Sandstorm" in late 1999 and subsequent album Before the Storm... |
| I'm Shipping Up to Boston I'm Shipping Up to Boston "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is a song with lyrics written by the folk singer Woody Guthrie and music written and performed by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys. It appeared on their 2005 album, The Warrior's Code. An earlier recording of it can be found on the Hellcat Records compilation Give... (Live) |
Dropkick Murphys Dropkick Murphys Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St.... |
| The Final Countdown The Final Countdown (song) "The Final Countdown" is a rock song by the Swedish band Europe released in 1986. Written by Joey Tempest, it was the first single from the band's third studio album which was also named The Final Countdown. It is considered by some to be the band's most recognizable and popular song. The song... |
Europe Europe (band) Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements... |
| Unstoppable | Foxy Shazam Foxy Shazam Foxy Shazam is an American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in 2004. The band is composed of lead vocalist Eric Sean Nally, guitarist Loren Turner, pianist Sky White, and bass player Daisy. Later, trumpeter and back-up vocalist Alex Nauth joined, and Aaron McVeigh became the band's permanent... |
| Blitzkrieg Bop Blitzkrieg Bop "Blitzkrieg Bop" is a song by the American punk rock band Ramones. It was released as the band's debut single in April of 1976 in the United States... |
Ramones Ramones The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group... |
| Howlin' for You Howlin' for You "Howlin' for You" is a song by The Black Keys from the band's sixth album, Brothers.-Apperances in other media:*The song is used as the theme song to the Australian Police Drama TV Series Cops L.A.C..... |
Reception
NHL 11 was critically received with "generally favorable reviews", garnering aggregated scores of 90% on GameRankings and 89% on MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
. NHL 11 was the fourth best-selling title in the United States for September 2010, and opened as the 18th-ranked title in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in its first week of release. However, it had a "weak follow-through" as it did not chart on the top 10 list the following month.
The new physics-based gameplay was well received, with Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
describing it as "steady progress" over previous games, and IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
noting it "isn't perfect... but when it works properly the results can be awesome".
The game's artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
received mixed reviews. 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
takes issue with the offensive AI, criticizing teammates who do not join the puck carrier on a breakaway
Breakaway (ice hockey)
A breakaway is a situation in ice hockey in which a player with the puck has no defending players, except for the goaltender, between himself and the opposing goal, leaving him free to skate in and shoot at will . A breakaway is considered a lapse on the part of the defending team...
, yet remarking they show "flashes of brilliance in the defensive zone. GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
mentions that the AI has been "noticeably ramped up", with "smart teammates" and "players [who] seem to know what they're doing", while lamenting the fact that "computer players still hold onto the puck a little too long".
See also
- NHL SlapshotNHL Slapshot-Features:Reference: * Peewee to Pros: Players are able to create their own 12-year-old hockey players or choose from a range of actual NHL players such as Wayne Gretzky, Alexander Ovechkin, Roberto Luongo, and Sidney Crosby...
, an ice hockey video game by EA Sports that was released for the NintendoNintendois a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
WiiWiiThe Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others... - NHL 2K11NHL 2K11NHL 2K11 received average ratings from critics. The game received an aggregated score of 64% at GameRankings and 62% at Metacritic. GamesRadar reviewer Richard Grisham generally praised the game for its "staggering amount of content" and online integration...
, an ice hockey video game for the Nintendo Wii, developed by Visual ConceptsVisual ConceptsVisual Concepts is a California-based video game developer best known for developing Sega Sports' 2K series of sports games. After the success of the series, they were picked up by Sega and became a wholly owned studio with Sega, usually termed a first-party developer...