Canadian Cale Makar Skates Onto Cover Of NHL 24 Which Promises To Unleash Intensity Of Ice Hockey

Electronic Arts announced on August 16th, 2023 that they were developing the most intensely realistic NHL video game to date with EA Sports NHL 24 dropping on October 6th, 2023 for both current and last generation consoles including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 respectively with cross-play available across same generation consoles. The coveted position of cover athlete has been awarded to Calgary born Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche whose accolades include winning the Norris Trophy (top defense player) and Conn Smyth Trophy (most valuable player) simultaneously during the 2021-22 season; third player in NHL history to achieve that monumentous feat.

I am honored to be on the cover of EA SPORTS NHL. NHL 24 represents everything I love about hockey – it is fast-paced, physical and a lot of fun. I can’t wait for fans to get their hands on the game to feel the intensity of NHL 24 for themselves.

Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

The gameplay mechanics have been overhauled to fully immerse players and leave them feeling like they are playing a professional hockey game with all the rush, fatigue, and pressure which accompanies it. EA has implemented a brand new Exhaust Engine – powered by Frostbite – to the game that brings Sustained Pressure and Goalie Fatigue to allow for concentrated moments of intensity. Players can create more space for movement and opportunities to set up plays with the Sustained Pressure System at their fingertips; offensive players keep pressure in the attack zones. And Goalie Fatigue will ensure the opponent’s goaltender will become less reactive to shots as more pucks are fired upon the net with approximately 75 meticulously crafted animations that showcase those genuine reactions.

The developers have subsequently made adjustments to their in-game physics engine which delivers realistic body checks and physical contact between players that is unlike anything in previous iterations of the franchise. The aptly named Physics-Based Contact similar utilizes state-of-the-art animations to create intense moments during the game including more turnovers occurring following major checks against the boards; glass will shatter and players can send opponents to the bench. Electronic Arts has packed a lot of content into NHL 24 including Hockey Ultimate Team moments that allows players to recreate and share their favourite historical moments through the modern plays of today.

This is a game made by hockey fans, for hockey fans, and bringing the full intensity of hockey to our gameplay was a major focus for us this year in NHL 24.

Mike Inglehart, Creative Director, EA Vancouver

The game also features plenty of modernized immersive elements like Flex Moments – a broadcast mechanic that brings the action to life with over 75 goal celebratory animations, unique camera angles, lighting effects, and granting players the ability to map their configurations directly to their controllers for quick and easy access. Pre-orders for NHL 24 are currently available with a variety of bonus content including early access to the game, 4600 NHL Points, exclusive Cale Makar Player Item, and more!

NHL 24 launches on October 6th, 2023 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 consoles.