It’s official! EA Sports has announced the release date of their new hit hockey game, NHL 23. It’s launch will take place this Fall on October 14th, 2022. Pre-orders for both the Standard Edition and X-Factor Edition can be found here.
In this latest installment of the NHL franchise, there’s simply a lot to look forward to with the incorporation of exciting, new ground-breaking features and modes that will enhance the gameplay experience now more than ever.
Without further ado, let’s dive right in and see what NHL 23 is all about so far.
NHL 23: Cover Athletes
This year for the first time ever, EA Sports decided to have Canadian professional hockey and Women’s National Team player Sarah Nurse join Anaheim Ducks sensation Trevor Zegras on the front cover, making her the first women to be on an EA Sports NHL game cover. Here’s what Nurse had to say per EA Sports’ NHL press release:
“It is such a tremendous honor to be the first woman on the cover of the EA SPORTS NHL Franchise,” said Sarah Nurse of Team Canada. “Hockey is really for everybody and I’m excited that NHL 23 is celebrating the diversity and inclusivity of the sport. I hope that the increased representation of women in such a prominent game will inspire young girls everywhere to know that there is a place for them in hockey.”
NHL 23: Official Reveal Trailer
Check out the full NHL 23 Reveal Trailer here and see what this new edition of the NHL Franchise has in store for you.
NHL 23: Cross-Platform Play
That’s right folks! Cross-Platform has arrived for NHL 23 multiplayer mode to cater an all-new level of social play and engagement never experienced on the game before. This new feature is not expected to be ready by launch on October 14th. That said, it should be available for gamers to check out come November.
This will allow gamers to participate in matchmaking with players from their same console generation both in Hockey Ultimate Team and in World of CHEL. This new feature is a big part of the NHL’s mission to incorporate a more inclusive and integrated experience between NHL fans across the globe, and it should achieve just that.
NHL 23: New Features In HUT
If you like Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT), you’ll really like what they chose to do with it this year. In historic fashion, IIHF Women’s National Team members will now be able to play alongside men in a HUT lineup, granting fans the chance to assemble their dream team no matter the gender.
Following NHL 22, NHL 23 is sticking with continuing the importance of national teams players in their latest installment, who will have both the base and master items incorporated in the game.
To add to their tweaks to HUT, NHL 23 will also allow fans to compete in a variety of revolving game themes in HUT Rivals. And along with it, NHL 23 will be granting three additional tiers of Hut Rivals Rewards based on the wins or win streaks players achieve.
Lastly, content migration will be available for those looking to upgrade their consoles. So for example, if you start playing the game first on a PS4 or Xbox One, you will be able to complete a smooth transfer of your HUT Team value and progress to your new corresponding next-gen console, be it the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
NHL 23: The Power Of Frostbite
NHL 23 will be powered by the Frostbite game engine which could prove to be game changing. Per the press release, Frostbite will be introducing over 500 new last chance playmaking animations, living arenas and atmospheres, in-depth franchise mode customization options, to go along with the Women’s National Teams addition in HUT.
Furthermore, the visual features and graphics Frostbite has integrated with NHL 23, will provide a completely new immersive experience for this game. Whether it’s the new OT Winner, Hat Trick, or Shootout celebrations to the booming arenas with heightened levels of Crowd Awareness and Moment to Moment Reactions, the authenticity NHL 23 is set to deliver appears to be the best the game has ever accomplished to date.
In addition, Frostbite added 500+ new Stumble Action animations, Last Chance Puck Movement gameplay animations, loose puck plays, and enhanced goalie AI. There’s so much to look forward to with NHL 23. But the gameplay and feel could be at the top of the list for many fans as the release slowly comes closer.
NBA 2K23: Pre-Order Prices & Rewards
There’s two different editions so far that you can pre-order, the Standard Edition or the X-Factor Edition. Here’s a look at the prices and rewards for each.
- Standard Edition Pre-Order Price Xbox One: $59.99
- Standard Edition Pre-Order Price PS4: $59.99
- Standard Edition Pre-Order Price Xbox Series X: $69.99
- Standard Edition Pre-Order Price PS5: $69.99
- X-Factor Edition Pre-Order Price Xbox Series X: $99.99
- X-Factor Edition Pre-Order Price PS5: $99.99
Standard Edition Pre-Order Rewards:
- X-Factor Women HUT Choice Pack (1 of 4)
- 5 World of CHEL X-Factor Zone Ability Unlocks (Instant)
- Signed Sarah Nurse World of CHEL Jersey (Digital)
- Be A Pro Factor Slot Unlocks (2), XP Boost and Bonus Trait Points
X-Factor Edition Pre-Order Rewards:
- Dual Entitlement
- 3-Day Early Access
- 4,600 NHL Points
- HUT X-Factor Player Choice Pack (1 of 18)
- HUT X-Factor Power-Up Starter Pack (Instant)
- X-Factor Women HUT Choice Pack (1 of 4)
- 5 World of CHEL X-Factor Zone Ability Unlocks (Instant)
- Signed Sarah Nurse World of CHEL Jersey (Digital)
- Be A Pro Factor Slot Unlocks (2), XP Boost and Bonus Trait Points
- HUT Team Builder Choice Pack (2 of 32) plus pre-order content (pre-order by September 16, 2022)
