NHL 18 Features Revealed - 3-on-3 NHL THREES Mode, Creative Attack Controls, League Expansion & Much More

EA Sports has just revealed the NHL 18 features, which include new Creative Attack controls and an all-new Defensive Skill Stick. Play the fast-paced, arcade-inspired 3-on-3 NHL THREES mode, or create your own custom 32nd NHL team with the new Expansion Draft. Do it all with the most co-op and competitive multiplayer options ever in an EA SPORTS NHL game.

Product Description

EA SPORTSTM NHL® 18 delivers the speed, creativity and action of today’s young NHL superstars with new Creative Attack controls and an all-new Defensive Skill Stick. Play the fast-paced, arcade-inspired 3-on-3 NHL® THREES mode, or create your own custom 32nd NHL team with the new Expansion Draft. Do it all with the most co-op and competitive multiplayer options ever in an EA SPORTS NHL game.

New Creative Attack moves give you full control to execute the highlight-reel, jaw- dropping plays seen by young superstars in today’s new NHL. On offense, all-new creative dekes include between-the-legs moves, one-handed dekes, back-handed toe-drags and much more – including the ability to branch moves together for moment-to-moment decision making. On defense, the all-new Defensive Skill Stick gives you the tools to counter attacks with poke check targeting, extended pokes, and controlled stick sweeps to cover zones of the ice and take away lanes. New Creative A.I. also means your teammates leverage all the same creative tools as you do for beautiful, intelligent decision-making all over the ice, including board passes and through-passing into space.

Introducing NHL THREES, a bold new take on fast-paced, over-the-top 3-on-3 hockey action. The all-new, arcade-inspired hockey experience features faster gameplay, bigger hits and high-scoring action that’s easy to pick-up-and-play. Enter unique NHL THREES arenas with all-new commentary and pick your style of play, from fast-fun couch co-op to fully competitive online team play where you choose the game rules and modifiers. Take on the NHL THREES circuit-style Campaign Mode and play through regional circuits, from minor leagues to the big show, completing challenges and unlocking surprises along the way. NHL THREES combines the best of arcade-era fun with authentic 3-on-3 overtime action that is made to be played with friends.

In Franchise Mode, reshape the entire NHL with the new Expansion Draft feature where you get to create and draft a 32nd NHL team and shake up the league. Run an authentic expansion draft where you select the best players from across the league, build a unique roster and take on the front office role to manage the team, the business and the games. Select the hometown for your 32nd team from cities all across North America and Europe, then use the Creation Zone to choose an arena, design a uniform and a logo, and for the first time ever – design your very own custom mascot. Or use Expansion Draft to experience the brand new Vegas Golden Knights, complete with the authentic roster, arena, uniform and logo.

Finally, no other sports game allows you to team up with friends and hit the ice like NHL 18. Whether you’re playing cooperatively or competitively, offline on the couch or online with up to 12 players, NHL 18 delivers more than 64 combinations to team up with – or against – friends locally and online. It no longer matters if your friends are on the couch, online, or both. However you want to play, NHL 18 offers more ways to play multiplayer with your friends or against your rivals than any other sports videogame.

Features

THE ICE IS YOUR PLAYGROUND

• CREATIVE ATTACK DEKES – All-new offensive deke moves that deliver the creative freedom and control seen in today’s NHL, including one-handed moves, between-the-legs dekes, back-handed toe-drags, heel drags, cheeky puck flips and more. New deke branching gives you control to choose how you string deke combinations together into fluid dangles based on moment- to-moment decisions and reaction time.
• DEFENSIVE SKILL STICK – The new Defensive Skill Stick gives you full control over your stick to target poke checks, keep your stick extended against an attacker to disrupt a play, and even sweep your stick back and forth to cover a zone.
• CREATIVE TEAMMATE A.I. – Your A.I. teammates now leverage all the same creative deking and passing tools that you do, creating smarter plays up and down the ice. Teammates are better at finding you in breakout opportunities through off-the-boards bank passing, lead passing and improved positioning. A.I. will also use the new Defensive Skill Stick, making them more effective teammates in your own zone.
• AUTHENTIC 3-ON-3 EASHL – You no longer need all five of your teammates to fill an EASHL match. Jump into 3-on-3 and experience a whole new competitive arena. Bringing authentic NHL 3-on-3 overtime to EA SPORTS Hockey League, you can now choose to play 3-on-3 full matches, opening up more ice for you and your teammates to get creative, pull off big plays, and showcase brand new skill moves. With more space to attack – and to make mistakes – 3-on-3 EASHL is higher stakes with more competition and skills.

ARCADE-INSPIRED 3-ON-3 HOCKEY

• NHL THREES – An all-new 3-on-3 hockey experience with bigger hits, faster action and more open-ice to create big plays, beautiful dangles and more goals. NHL THREES is inspired by fun, pick-up-and-play arcade sports games where you can play any way you want to, online or offline, co-op or competitive.
  CAMPAIGN MODE – NHL THREES features a complete single-player campaign mode where you compete against different teams and leagues in a circuit-style journey. Progress through the campaign and unlock objective- based rewards along the way – including new teammates, jerseys, logos and even a few surprises!
• NEW BROADCAST AND COMMENTARY PRESENTATION – An all-new NHL THREES commentator delivers more humor and fun with a unique, over-the- top style that keeps the crowd roaring. New broadcast presentation means your goals come with a whole new sizzle.
• NEW ARENAS – Brand new NHL THREES arenas deliver more color, more special FX and completely unique on-ice designs that keep your games fresh and as exciting as the gameplay.
• ALL ACTION – Jump into NHL THREES and keep the pace fast and exciting after the puck drops. No offsides and no icing means anything goes and the fun doesn’t slow down. Every penalty sends you straight to center-ice for a penalty shot and the chance to earn a crucial goal.
• THREES ONLINE – NHL THREES features Online Vs. and Online Team Play to jump into the fast, fun 3-on-3 hockey on a team with your friends. Join two other friends and pick your team before jumping online against three other friends in a full six-player competitive, over-the-top hockey game.
• PLAY BY YOUR RULES – In NHL THREES, you decide how to win the game. Flip a coin to determine the rules and the winner chooses how many periods to play or what goal limit determines the winner. Gotta win by two? It’s all up to you. Capitalize on opportune Money Pucks with varying point values to change the dynamic of the game and secure a big win.
• ULTIMATE COUCH CO-OP – Team up with your friends and play NHL THREES cooperatively or competitively with the most combinations of mixing local and online co-op play than previous any EA SPORTS NHL game.
• NEW BUTTON CONTROLS – An all-new modern control scheme allows players who prefer to use face-button controls to pull of the same skill moves and goals as Skill Stick players, leveling the playing field and ensuring that every player can make an impact, even if it’s their first time lacing up the skates.

EXPERIENCE EXPANSION IN THE NEW NHL

• EXPANSION DRAFT – Reshape the entire NHL with the new Expansion Draft feature in Franchise Mode where you get to create and draft a 32nd NHL team and shake up the league. Run an authentic expansion draft where you select the best players from across the league, build a unique roster and take on the front office role to manage the team, the business and the games. Or if you’re playing as an existing franchise, protect your current team roster in the Expansion Draft by setting your own Protected Player list.
• MORE EXPANSION LOCATIONS – You select the hometown for your 32nd expansion team, from cities all across North America and even in Europe – from Stockholm to Helsinki to Berlin to St. Petersburg. You choose the place and team and compete to bring the Stanley Cup back to your hometown.
• CREATE-A-MASCOT – Once you’ve drafted a new NHL team, use the new, deeper Creation Zone customization tools to choose your city, build an arena, design a uniform and a logo, and for the first time ever – design your very own custom mascot.
• VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS – Be the first to play as the Vegas Golden Knights before they play their first NHL Regular Season game. Lace up as the official Vegas Golden Knights team, including authentic rosters, uniforms, logo and the opportunity to play in the brand new T-Mobile Arena.

  TEAM UP OR COMPETE ANYWAY YOU WANT

• MOST MULTIPLAYER OPTIONS EVER – NHL 18 gives you more ways to play local and online multiplayer – cooperatively or competitively – than any other sports videogame. It no longer matters if your friends are on the couch, online, or both. With over 64 ways to team up and play on the couch or online, no other sports videogame lets you play with friends like NHL 18.
• CO-OP PLAY IN MORE MODES – Whether you need a helping hand or just want to show off roster, you can now invite your friends to join you and help you progress in more modes, including Hockey Ultimate TeamTM, Online Vs. and NHL THREES.

  MORE…

• BE A PRO TRADE REQUESTS – You can now request to have your Be a Pro traded to other teams, including specific trade criteria like a division rival, or a major Cup contending team.
• HUT SOLO CHALLENGES – New to Hockey Ultimate Team, compete in HUT Solo Challenges for a chance to earn unique rewards and help build your team. HUT Solo Challenges are updated with dynamic content and new rewards to earn, making them the perfect way to get a quick hockey fix.

• CONTRACT EXTENSIONS – Franchise Mode now features the ability to offer contract extensions and ensure the right players stay on your roster.
• HOCKEY TRAINING CAMP – NHL 18 features an all-new Training Camp designed to ensure you get on the ice and have success immediately. Watch real-life videos from hockey professionals that teach you the right moves for the right moments, then jump into the training sessions and complete each challenge to become the most competitive player you can be. Training Camp is also now integrated in the in-game Coaching Feedback tips and On-Ice Trainer, allowing you to hear the feedback and watch videos on-the-fly that teach you how to improve your play.
• MORE BROADCAST CAMERAS – Just like the real NHL, new broadcast camera angles deliver the same immersive angles for goal replays, big saves, and between-whistle moments.