Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) launched EA SPORTS™ NHL® 21, with a deeper and more authentic Be A Pro career experience and a fast, fun new way to play Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) through the new HUT RUSH mode. Upgraded gameplay, presentation, and World of Chel also join the fray and can now be experienced by players worldwide on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One.
“The road to NHL® stardom has never been more clear as we have provided our players with new superstar-inspired moves, which they can use to mold their path from NHL Draft™ prospect to Stanley Cup® Champion,” said Sean Ramjagsingh, Executive Producer of NHL® 21. “The skill level in the league has never been higher, so it’s only right we provide our players with the most developed offensive arsenal to date to build their careers, along with a new way to flaunt that creativity online.”
Be A Pro gets much bigger in NHL® 21, allowing players to live the life of an NHL® superstar both on and off the ice. Just like in the NHL®, players will need to react and rise to the occasion through real-time game events, and impress coaches, GMs, teammates, and the public with hundreds of conversations that can lead to thousands of different outcomes. Through each new season, a narrative will emerge for the Pro to follow – or to rewrite – all revolving around key moments: NHL Draft™, NHL Awards™, Stanley Cup® Playoffs, and more, presented in exciting broadcast style updates throughout their career.
HUT RUSH makes its debut, adding a quick-to-action, head-to-head mode where players set the match-ups of 3v3, 5v5, or timed games to earn rewards and progress through the rankings. With HUT RUSH’s Style Scoring system, how players score determines their points multiplier – the prettier the play, the bigger the bonus. Players can change up how their games are settled with exciting modifiers that have been added, including Money Puck and First Goal Wins. Fans can also take it outside and play in open air environments, and hit the ice with their favorite NHL® team mascots.
Gameplay in NHL® 21 has gotten smarter, faster, and a whole lot flashier. With innovative moves and massive improvements on both sides of the puck, players have more options than ever before to take control of the game and impose their playstyle on opponents. These improvements include slip dekes, bank passes, and chips into space, improved AI on offense and defense, and improved goalie control, positioning, and desperations, rewarding players for new levels of creativity on the ice. Superstar-inspired moves, including the lacrosse style goal and “no-move move” made famous by Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, allow players to express their offensive creativity to the fullest extent.
World of Chel also receives an upgrade, with added Ranked seasons played across each of the four modes – ONES, THREES, Drop-In, and Clubs – for players to earn rewards and play in the new EASHL Club Finals. EASHL Clubs allow players and friends to climb the leaderboards season to season, and bring home the hardware against clubs from all over the world.
EA SPORTS NHL® 21 is ESRB rated E10+ and available worldwide on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One. To learn more about all the new features and modes included in NHL® 21, visit https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-21.
EA SPORTS NHL® 21 assets are available to download on the official EA press site at PRESS.EA.COM.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.
In fiscal year 2020, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $5.5 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, Madden NFL, Need for Speed™, Titanfall™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.
EA SPORTS, Ultimate Team, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Need for Speed, Titanfall and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Madden, NFL and FIFA are properties of their respective owners and used with permission.