Details on GM Connected Mode in NHL 13

EA Sports today rolled out complete details on GM Connected mode in NHL 13. The new mode was initially outlined prior to E3 and in doing so actually spoiled the Connected Careers announcement that came days later for Madden NFL 13 which shares some base elements. A new producer blog and video go much deeper into GM Connected which essentially delivers Online Franchise but with a much wider array of options and ways to play.

We know our users always wanted an online dynasty mode but we wanted to provide something different and innovative. I believe with this mode we have done just that. All online dynasty modes have at most 32 users in it but we can have up to 750 players of all skill levels due to the ways people can play and with the roles they can have in the league. We also allow people in different places to play together against other teams or the CPU. Our goal was to create tools to have leagues run their way. If a league wants to trade users to different teams they can do that in GM Connected. If two brothers living in different cities want to play together on the same team or against each other they can do that. It has so many possibilities and with the connectivity of the mobile application it allows you to stay connected to that league 24/7 allowing people to stay engaged with the experience.

Games can be played against the CPU, head-to-head against other users, through Co-Op (Team Play), with custom built AI for when the CPU takes over in place of a user-controlled team, and as a coach. There is one Commissioner per league, up to 30 General Managers, as well as options for Players who can take part through Team Play. Work has also been done to improve the AI of CPU GMs. A mobile app – unfortunately limited to iOS only – will allow for viewing leagues and even enacting transactions.