NHL 13: EA Sports Reveals Information on GM Connected Mode

To put it plainly, GM Connected mode in NHL 13 is conceptually the deepest and furthest reaching online career mode in the history of sports video games.

But I did say conceptually.

The ultimate test is the execution and functionality of the mode. If the mode delivers on everything it promises, it will create a new standard in online franchise modes.

EA Sports just revealed the details behind this mode, and they are sure to make cyber hockey fans excited.

You can read the entire release here from EA Sports, but here is a key excerpt from the article:

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Up to 30 people can each manage their own NHL team in this multi-user NHL dynasty mode and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

With up to 30 human managed teams, the total number of players able to take part in a GM Connected league is 750. Essentially, it's largest online dynasty mode ever in a sports game.

Five Ways to Play

1. Play against the computer

2. Play against another GM in head to head play.

3. Co-Op/Online Team Play – Have friends play with you against the computer or against another team with human-controlled players in up to 6 vs 6 action. (First time ever in a multi-user dynasty).

4. Build Your AI – New to the EA SPORTS NHL series: Control your team's strategies with all-new systems and bias sliders. Customize and record AI sequences so that your players play your game.

This can be set up so that a user who can't make a game against another human controlled team will be able to let the CPU play for them with their strategies in place.

5. Coach Controls – Be the mastermind behind the bench and control your team's strategies and line changes to help your team to victory.

(A quick shoot button allows you to control when your team goes for goal.)

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Here's a trailer highlighting some of the features as well:

The article further details the interactive drafting process between seasons, a mobile app that allows gamers to stay connected to their leagues.

NHL 13 will also feature revamped trade logic, which will help ensure folks aren't swapping Ben Eager for Zdeno Chara (someone actually tried to offer me that once).

It all equals out to one potentially rink full of virtual hockey bliss.

The possibilities are truly endless with this mode. Imagine what it would be like to have six different players playing for each team, with 30 different GMs.

It would function like a real-life organization. The leagues would be compelling and competitive. You talk about guys doing the fake-cough on the phone to call-in to work.

This game and mode would be the prime culprit for that sort of thing.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself here, but imagine something like this making it to Madden and FIFA. If this is successful it'll go down as one of the greatest sports video game innovations of all-time.

All the fantasizing aside, with so many moving parts there is a lot that could go wrong. We also have to see what the limitations of the mode are—if there are at all.

Hopefully for EA and gamers, more or all will go right, and we can enjoy the exciting experience that this could turn out to be.

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