In its initial announcement of NHL 15 and the first details of the hockey sim, EA Sports promised authentic arenas would be coming to next year's game. The first screenshots of venues in the game have just been released, and the developers seem to be delivering on their promise.
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The arenas have somewhat resembled their real-life counterparts in past games, but in general used the same cookie-cutter layout. This time around, EA is recreating the unique shape and details of the homes of all 30 NHL teams.
The two screenshots released today on the game's website (and only the second and third images from the game overall) show off the New York Rangers' Madison Square Garden and the Detroit Red Wings' Joe Louis Arena.
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The venues both look great, with one screenshot showing the brand new jumbotron in the recently renovated MSG, hanging in its LED glory below the iconic ceiling of the "world's most famous arena". The other shot displays the Red Wings home from a more zoomed-out perspective, sitting in the crowd and showing off the club's many commemorative banners.
As a Rangers fan, I'm glad to see MSG chosen as one of the first to be revealed, especially since everything is looking good. Though it's probably not something you'll notice while playing too much, the glass around the ice looks great up close, suitably scratched and scuffed. Also worth noting are the lighting installments in both arenas, which add to the authentic feeling.
EA describes what they're aiming for with the authentic arenas, and lets you know more will be coming as the currently unspecified release approaches:
"There is no feeling like being there, and in NHL 15 we are giving you the best seats in the house. The power of the next-gen consoles finally allows the NHL franchise to capture every detail of an NHL arena. Unique arena elements such as 19,000+ seat capacities, dynamic lighting, player entrance tunnels and much more are all captured with a level of detail not possible on the previous generation. This summer, NHL 15 will make home games will truly feel like home.
Over the next few months we'll continue to reveal Authentic Arenas from EA SPORTS NHL, showcasing the amazing detail put into each NHL arena."
