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NHL 16 defensive improvements demonstrated through first gameplay clip and new trailer
EA Sports today released two new videos for NHL 16 intended to show off gameplay improvements. The first is a trailer that goes over “balanced gameplay” featuring Precision Skating and Seamless Puck Pickups. Then there is a brief look at pure gameplay footage, the first real opportunity to see the game in action, and the company has provided some notes on specific subtle improvements particularly on defense to look for within the video. Read more
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Reviewing Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy PGA Tour has been out since last Wednesday on EA Access, and officially releases tomorrow to all. In a video produced for Hit The Pass today, Rich Grisham and I review the game, going through everything from gameplay to Career Mode, online play, and even the Night Club Challenge. Beyond that, we also discuss expectations for what the future holds for the game in terms of post-release support. For those interested in written impressions of the game, make sure to check those out from over the weekend.
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MLB 15: The Show All-Star Roster Update
SCEA has promised a significant roster update for MLB 15: The Show that would feature a full reevaluation of the league over the All-Star break period. That update did not arrive today, so next Monday appears likely for that with the days off potentially providing the opportunity for them to accomplish the massive sweep on player ratings. For a second straight week the update is a mediocre one, no major movement in player ratings, but there are four well-regarded rookies that make their debut so it’s a worthwhile one despite that.
The All-Star Game rosters have been updated also, however they do not reflect injuries, and players who were added to take the place of those injured are not on the rosters. Read more
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The Line Drive for July 12
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Check out articles written and videos recorded for Sporting News and Hit The Pass:
   •NBA 2K16 will have the largest soundtrack in series’ history
   •Rory McIlroy PGA Tour trial through EA Access out now
   •Rich and I discuss the disappearance of console tennis games
   •Rich and I discuss how EA Access might be the best value in gaming
   •What was your most memorable in-person sports gaming rivalry?♦Amazon Prime subscribers can still order Rory McIlroy PGA Tour for $50.
♦Amazon Prime subscribers can still get Madden NFL 16 for $50 PS4 and XB1.
♦EA Sports UFC is available on PS4 for PS+ subscribers for just $9.90.
♦Out of the Park Baseball 16 is 50% off through July 15 making it just $20.
♦Check out a full round with the Battlefield 4 course in Rory McIlroy PGA Tour.
♦New Press Row Podcast features debates on topics relating to McIlroy PGA Tour.
♦Developer blog released on new additions to the Skills Trainer in Madden NFL 16.
♦New screenshots have been added to the FB album for NHL 16.
♦More mentions made of authentic arena atmosphere for NHL 16.
♦EA Sports has answered some more questions about NHL 16 on the official site.
♦The first round of summer transfers have been made in FIFA 15 Ultimate Team.
♦Stone Cold Steve Austin has been named the cover athlete for WWE 2K16.
♦Blu-ray releases this week headlined by Ex Machina and It Follows.
♦Amazon is having a huge day of deals for Prime subscribers this Wednesday. -
Rory McIlroy PGA Tour Impressions
The inevitability of having to move on from Tiger Woods after such a long relationship put EA Sports in a position where they felt it necessary to take the rebooted PGA Tour series in a totally different direction. Rory McIlroy PGA Tour has aimed at appealing to a more “casual” consumer. Gone are healthy lineups of licensed courses and golfers, and nods to history of the sport. In their place are arcade-elements like fantasy courses and over-the-top mini-games.
Over two years have passed since Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14, and the new McIlroy title comes up short compared to that game in most every area that matters. Read more
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Summer League returning for NBA 2K16
Though 2K Sports hasn’t gone into much of what will actually make up the NBA 2K16 product, besides Spike Lee’s involvement with writing and directing MyCareer mode and the soundtrack news that went out yesterday, one piece of game-related information was made public today. NBA 2K16 will include the Summer League.
The NBA Summer League was last seen in NBA 2K11, where poor performance would lead to your MyPlayer heading to the D-League to begin their career rather than the NBA. Whether the Summer League will have a place only in MyCareer Mode, be used within MyGM Mode, or be implemented in both remains unspecified.
The Summer League has become more of an event over recent years, with heralded rookies making their first appearances for the teams that drafted them only a week earlier. Games are only 40 minutes long and feature the rookies, second-year players, and unsigned free agents. They’re played through three different “leagues” in Orlando, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas.
Samsung sponsors the Vegas league, the largest of the three involving 24 teams, which had attendance and viewership records shattered last year. That image then could indicate Vegas will be the site for the Summer League in NBA 2K16.
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Early videos exploring Rory McIlroy PGA Tour through EA Access
Rory McIlroy PGA Tour went out through EA Access on Xbox One Wednesday providing the first and only opportunity for many to try the game out, or at least watch videos and live streams from those who can. Promotion of the game has been somewhat subdued, maybe in part due to the lack of content in at launch – but that wouldn’t explain so little in the way of gameplay footage or detailed profiling on the features/modes that make up the product. Read more
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Details on the presentation improvements for Madden NFL 16
The Madden NFL 16 videos to come out of E3 really haven’t showcased much new in regards to presentation. A few small things were identified, like augmented reality elements, and active cameramen. Otherwise the game has looked fairly similar to years’ past, with practically the same commentary, poor replay angles, and the lack of a true in-game score ticker.
Today EA Sports rolled out details on the work that has been done to presentation, and they go into several areas that either weren’t evident in the footage, or simply haven’t been seen within proper context yet. Those include new on-the-field cameras and crowds that include females, props, towels, chants, and fight songs. Read more
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