NHL 17 comes out in just a few short days, so publisher EA wants fans to know all the interesting changes coming to one of the most popular game modes, Hockey Ultimate Team. Producer Clement Kwong walked iDigitalTimes through the new additions to gameplay and discussed the new Draft Champions mode.
For those that don’t know, Hockey Ultimate Team allows gamers to build a dream team with the players, coaches, jerseys and logos unlocked through Ultimate Team packs. Once a team is built, players can go online to see how their squad compares to others through games. Even if you are familiar with the mode, there are big changes this year you’ll want to know about.
“There’s a new way to build your team around a system we call ‘synergy.’” Kwong told iDigi. “Where we wanted to introduce a new mechanic was around an RPG, perk-style system.” Players will come with certain traits, and if they share similar traits with other players in your lineup, you unlock advantages. “For example, you’ll get some players with the Wicked Wrister trait point,” Kwong said. “Once you get to the five point threshhold you unlock that perk for those players.”
The reason for the new synergy mechanic is to increase creativity when it comes to team building. “It’s a more interesting way for players to focus around building different teams,” said Kwong.
Kwong also mentioned players on the NHL 17 beta and in Early Access have already created interesting lineups the developers hadn’t thought of before. “There’s going to be a lot of replayability and depth there,” he said.
Another new feature coming to NHL 17 is dynamic sets. “Think of them as challenges,” Kwong said. If a player trades in items from a set (like vintage jerseys or something similar) they can unlock collectibles, which can be used for other rewards.
Because players will be working on completing different sets, every item should be worth something to somebody. Add in the auction house feature, and even something you think is worthless could get sold for a pretty penny to someone who needs it. “This changes the perceived value of everything in users’ collections,” Kwong said.
The new game mode coming to NHL 17 is called Draft Champions and is designed to be similar to FIFA and Madden’s draft modes, but with even more of a fantasy, pick-em approach. “You start with a base team that’s not so highly rated, then make twelve picks to increase your ratings,” Kwong said.
There are four choices for base teams, with some teams being made of all Canadian players, all European players, players who have competed in the World Cup of Hockey and more. This choice also dictates the players available in that draft. Once your team is drafted, you can play offline or against another player in the Draft Champions mode.
“This is a whole new way for casual NHL fans to experience the game,” said Kwong. “It’s fast and easy to pick up, and fans who are into the fantasy aspect of hockey will enjoy it.”
Other content from Hockey Ultimate Team will be available in the Draft mode as well. “Any of the Team of the Week and Player of the Game content, that will be reflected in the picks you are able to make in Draft Champions,” Kwong said. “Even if you are not a core hockey fan, you’ll be able to experience what it feels like to play with a highly-rated special-edition player for example.”
NHL 17 comes to PS4 and Xbox One on Sept. 13. Our full review of NHL 17 can be found right here.
So what do you think? Are you interested in checking out the new features in Hockey Ultimate Team? Do you think you’ll get hooked on Draft Champions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
