Electronic Arts is bringing hockey intelligence to fans around the world with EA Sports NHL 25, which debuts on the consoles on October 4.
The game debuts on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and it’s powered by ICE-Q, which aims to give players the time and space to control every inch of the ice, delivering an authentic experience that replicates the NHL’s elite talent.
For NHL 25, brothers Quinn, Jack and Luke Hughes will be the first siblings to grace an EA Sports
cover together, with their play on the ice personifying NHL 25’s significant evolution in gameplay
intelligence.
Built on a new logic-driven animation system, ICE-Q responds to contextual events with realism and is the foundation of Chel’s gameplay overhaul. Next-Gen Vision Control skating allows players to walk the blue line, square up to the puck carrier, stay locked on goal and much more.
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EA said the empowered AI helps players execute authentic plays with a refreshed playbook that improves power plays and opens up the ice for better overall positioning and offensive opportunities. Plus, Reactive Actions utilizes a series of new animations to make skaters more responsive in critical situations, increasing their urgency, collision avoidance and reliability.
“The new ICE-Q gameplay system represents a foundational shift in how players will experience the
game, with its deep intelligence giving them complete control of the ice,” said Mike Inglehart, senior
game design director at EA Vancouver, in a statement. ” Hockey is built different, with NHL 25 delivering greater authenticity, bigger team rivalries and inspired by the sport’s next-generation superstars who continue to redefine the game.”
NHL 25’s dedication to hockey intelligence is personified by this year’s cover athletes. While Quinn, Jack
and Luke Hughes each have created impressive careers in their own right with unique skill sets, they are
renowned as a family for their exceptional skating ability and hockey IQ. As the first siblings to grace the
cover of an EA SPORTS title, their ability to anticipate the game perfectly matches the way that ICE-Q
opens up NHL 25 and gives players time and space to create plays.
“We feel incredibly honored to be on the cover of NHL 25,” said Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver
Canucks, in a statement. “Being featured alongside my brothers is the sort of thing you dream about as a kid but could never imagine happening in real life.”
“It was a very proud moment for all of us when we saw the Deluxe cover,” said Jack Hughes of the New
Jersey Devils. “It reminded us that on the ice, we’re competitors, always learning from each other, but off
the ice, we’re brothers who love to play hockey.”
“Being on the cover with my brothers is incredibly exciting,” said Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils.
“We have a one-of-a-kind hockey story growing up together and now a one-of-a-kind cover. We can’t wait for fans to experience NHL 25.”
NHL 25 includes gameplay changes, skill based one-timers, a new WOC Live Events structure, HUT
Wildcard Mode, and a simplified, single-path XP progression shared across HUT. Skill Based One-Timers
enhance authentic gameplay and create unique moments.
By reading the attacking zone and finding an open teammate, players are rewarded with the impact of a deadly one-timer, leading to heart-pumping scoring possibilities. The all-new Grudge Match System tracks the history of matchups between teams across all major online and offline modes and enhances the series with special X-Factors that are earned in previous matchups against rival teams. Additionally, the introduction of Sapien Technology and the power of our Frostbite Engine on next-gen consoles delivers a visual uplift to character likeness.
Fan-favorite Franchise Mode also gets a revamp, starting with the Franchise Hub, featuring streamlined
navigation that gives players access to new, relevant and easy-to-digest information. This elevated
Franchise Mode user experience is just one of the many updates coming to the mode, with more
announcements coming in the weeks leading up worldwide launch. More details about each of these
features will come in deep dive videos ahead of launch.
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