NHL 14 gets all touchy with new collision physics

NHL 14 is being touted to have an enhanced physics engine. This technology is the same critically acclaimed Player Impact Engine that is used in EA Sports’ FIFA franchise. EA says that on the ice, this translates to “Bigger, more thrilling hits, and truer to life collisions.”

EA explains that they’ve taken community feedback into account with NHL 14, and have changed gameplay because of it. Here’s a list below taken from the NHL 14 Developer Diary at EA Sports.

• Hip checks – Players will use speed and momentum to pull off hip checks, with the elimination of “hip check spamming”.
• Improved Goalie Collisions- Goalies now react to contact more naturally, and major contact draws penalties.
• More Realistic Incidental Contact – Incidental contact occurs more frequently, but speed and momentum affect how players maintain control.
• Type of Hits thrown – Once again, speed and momentum will play a large role in what types of hits can be thrown on a player. Defenders can use shoulder checks or push checks when the situation calls for it.
• Penalty Calls – There will be stricter interference calls in NHL 14, as well as additional logic in making the correct calls for boarding and charging.