NHL 24 'everything I love about hockey', Makar says

Cale Makar is not just the cover athlete for EASPORTS NHL 24, he's also a fan.

"NHL 24 represents everything I love about hockey," the Colorado Avalanche defenseman said. "It is fast-paced, physical and a lot of fun. I can't wait for fans to get their hands on the game to feel the intensity of NHL 24 for themselves."

The wait is almost over, with the game becoming available Oct. 6 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

It will feature new animation-based reactions designed to create big moments during the game and allow players to create more turnover opportunities with bigger checks. Another enhancement is physicality with players able to break the glass and send their opponent to the bench.

The full and very real intensity of NHL 24 was a major focus for Electronic Arts. When coming to life, the brand-new Exhaust Engine powered by EA's Frostbite engine and the Sustained Pressure System will reward the instigator and lower an opponent's attributes. Leveling up the game even further is the Goalie Fatigue System. The more pucks you put on net, the more fatigue the other goalie will experience.

"This is a game made by hockey fans, for hockey fans," said Mike Inglehart, creative director at EA Vancouver. "With the new Exhaust Engine system and gameplay features that really capture the physical nature of hockey, NHL 24 delivers realistic body checks and a deeper defensive toolbox full of more choice and tactics that bring a whole new level of immersion to the franchise."

Also new are Total Control Skill Moves to make highlight-reel plays more intuitive. The Vision Passing System remaps face buttons to teammates, allowing for more direct passing and the ability to send the puck anywhere at any time on the ice. Updated Human Goalie Controls, an Instinct System and the Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) will allow players to recreate and share classic moments in hockey history and the game today. If you like interaction, you'll enter what EA says is their most dynamic World of Chel with enhanced cross play giving players more ways to connect, improvements to Creation Zone for more customization and an updated, streamlined 16-game path to the EASHL Playoff championship.

Watch: NHL 24 Gameplay Reveal | Official Trailer

Makar, who won the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL in the 2021-22 season, is the first Avalanche player to be on the cover since Peter Forsberg in 1998, fifth defenseman in the history of the series and first since P.K. Subban in 2019. Dion Phaneuf (2009), Chris Pronger (2000) and Scott Stevens (1996) were also cover athletes.

Fans who preorder will get a variety of bonus in-game content: The EA SPORTS NHL 24 X-Factor Edition that includes the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 or Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game, three days of early access, 4,600 NHL Points, an exclusive Makar player item, a HUT Power-Up Icon of choice and a WOC Battle Pass XP Modifier x5. Players can also receive a preorder loyalty offer of 10 percent off the NHL 24 X-Factor Edition and member-only rewards throughout the season.

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