NHL 12

EA Canada's new trait overhaul should hopefully inject some realism to player behaviors on the ice.

The NHL series has been one of the most consistently entertaining sports games in this console generation, but as good as the game is, something has always been missing. Though as a player you can sense the wide skill gap between a fourth line veteran on the cusp of being sent to the minors and a game-breaking stud like Steven Stamkos, the vast difference was rarely demonstrated by the CPU-controlled teams. Most teams followed the same attack and defend protocols regardless of their roster makeup. Furthermore, the game didn't try to distinguish between different play styles. Aggressive agitators like Cal Clutterbuck rarely finished checks, and power forwards like Brendan Morrow would skate around the perimeter rather than take up position in front of the net.

The new Signature Traits system in NHL 12 should improve the CPU performance so it better mimics the actions of each team's real-life skaters. Players who tend to gravitate to certain areas of the ice should do the same in the game, and their behavior should more accurately reflect their skill sets – hitters will tend to hit, shooters will tend to shoot, and passers will tend to pass. EA Canada producer Novell Thomas was quick to qualify these traits, saying "The key word here is tend, because these assigned qualities will only influence the AI; it won’t dictate behavior entirely."

The best part of the new system is its broad reach. These traits can be applied to any player regardless of his overall ratings, so even lesser talented players should perform more akin to what you see on the ice in the NHL. Players can have multiple traits assigned to them as well, so aggressive power forwards will finish their checks as well as take position in front of the net, and contact-shy snipers will try to put themselves into position for one-timers and avoid the banging in the corners.

Here are the examples Thomas shared with our friends at Operation Sports:

Offensive Traits:

• Net Presence – players who hang out in front of the net looking for screens and deflections. Example: Ryan Kesler
• Setup Players – players who setup down low and look for shooters in the slot. Example: Joe Thornton
• One-time Specialists – players who frequently and effectively put themselves in position for on-timers. Example: Steven Stamkos
• Offensive Opportunists – players who aggressively anticipate the play and look for the quick breakaway pass. Example: Marian Gaborik
• Shooter Slot – players who frequently position themselves in the slot, when setup in the offensive zone. Example: Mike Cammalleri
• Shoots on the Rush – players who are more likely to shoot during the rush than dump the puck in or maintain possession. Example: Alexander Ovechkin

Puck Carrier Traits:

• Drives the Net – forwards who like to drive hard to the net. Example: Sidney Crosby
• Dump and Chaser – players who dump and chase. Example: Many third and fourth liners
• Puck Protectors – players who control the puck by maintaining possession during the rush, looking for passing opportunities. Example: Henrik Sedin

Off-Puck Traits

• Net Agitators – players who position themselves in front of the net and are consistently screening and distracting the goalie. Example: Tomas Holmstrom
• Peripheral Players – players who prefer the corners and shy away from the net and the grittier areas. Example: Alex Kovalev
• Finishes Hits – players who will finish their hit after the puck is gone. Example: Matt Cooke
• Non-Physical – players who rarely throw hits. Example: Henrik Sedin


Defensive Traits:

• Pinching D – Defensemen who are more likely to attempt riskier plays in the offensive zone. Example: Brent Seabrook
• Rush Joining D – Defensemen who aren’t afraid to and excel at leading the rush. Example: Duncan Keith

Hopefully these new Signature Traits will result in a more varied performance from CPU controlled teams. NHL 12 ships on September 13 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.