Interviews

NHL 09 Developer Andy Agostini On Taking Your Game (And Name) Online

You probably can’t even rollerblade. Learning how to skate backwards hovers somewhere between getting recruited by the CIA and seducing Olivia Munn–it’s just not going to happen. For most American men that means you can’t play pick up hockey much less come even close to becoming the most dominant defenseman to ever play in the NHL. But EA Sports NHL 09 will change that with the arrival of their major upgrade: full six-on-six online team gameplay. Players can pick a position – including goalie (EA is looking out even for the sociopaths, how nice), form teams and play through leagues and tournaments. The ability to put your own last name and number on the jersey adds a personal touch to this competitive team play, which is part of an overall effort at EA Sports to offer NBA, FIFA and NHL fans something new. Das Gamer caught up with Andy Agostini, online producer for NHL 09, at the EA event in Vancouver to talk about what’s in store for gamers when they lace up the skates for the EA Sports Hockey League. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Andy Agostini, EA Sports, hockey, interview, NHL 09 | 1 Comment »

Interviews

Jeremy Roenick Talks NHL 09 And “Making Gretzky’s Head Bleed”

Almost 39, Jeremy Roenick is entering his 21rst year in the NHL. And yet the best American-born player in NHL history (510 goals) is probably better known for his feats as a video game character than a hall of fame hockey player. After all, it was a virtual JR in Swingers that Vince Vaughn used to take out Gretzky during a game of NHL 94. Not a lot of hockey fans can rattle off Roenick’s career stats but just about every gamer who ever played as the Blackhawks in NHL 94 has used Vaughn’s quote from the movie, “It’s not so much me as it is Roenick. He’s that good,” after scoring a goal with Roenick.

Roenick went on to grace the cover of Sega Sports’ NHL 2K3 and ESPN NHL Hockey 2K4 games when he played for the Philadelphia Flyers. And this summer, he came in at number 4 for IGN’s “Top 10 Athletes in Videogame History.” JR was on hand at EA Sports’ Vancouver studio to check out NHL 09 first-hand and provide mo-cap for NHL 10. Check out what he had to say about his upcoming season (his second with the San Jose Sharks), his take on video games and “making Gretzky’s head bleed.” Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: EA, hockey, interview, Jeremy Roenick, make Gretzky's head bleed, NHL 09, Swingers | 4 Comments »