EA SPORTS™ NHL® 22, Featuring Superstar X-Factor Abilities and Powered by the Frostbite™ Engine, Now Available Worldwide

Rhea-AI Summary

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) announces the launch of EA SPORTS NHL 22, now available globally. This installment is the first powered by the Frostbite engine, providing a visually stunning experience with enhanced environments and player details. The introduction of Superstar X-Factors adds a competitive edge, reflecting real player traits in the game. Key features include multi-season storylines in Be A Pro mode, streamlined game modes, and roster sharing updates expected in December. NHL 22 is available on both next-gen and previous consoles.

Positive

• First EA SPORTS NHL game powered by Frostbite engine enhances graphics and gameplay.
• Introduction of Superstar X-Factors adds realism and competitive aspects to the game.
• Multi-season storylines in Be A Pro mode enhance player engagement.
• Roster Sharing feature launching in December improves community interaction.

Negative

• None.

Coming to Next Gen Consoles for the First Time, NHL 22 Immerses Players in a Breakthrough Hockey Experience

Watch The Latest NHL 22 X-Factor and Rating Reactions

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) delivers a true breakthrough hockey experience in EA SPORTS™ NHL® 22, now available worldwide. As the first EA SPORTS NHL game powered by the Frostbite™ engine, NHL 22 brings players closer to the ice than ever before with the most visually distinct upgrade to date along with improved environments, player details and lighting effects. Superstar X-Factors, a new ability system that brings the league’s signature traits directly into play, adds an exciting layer of class-based competition to the game.

EA SPORTS™ NHL® 22, Featuring Superstar X-Factor Abilities and Powered by the Frostbite™ Engine, Now Available Worldwide (Graphic: Business Wire)

“NHL 22 brings out the Superstar in players, giving them the ability to deke like Auston Matthews or one-time it like Alex Ovechkin as they climb the ranks to the Stanley Cup,” said Sean Ramjagsingh, Vice President and GM, EA SPORTS. “This year is a breakthrough year for hockey as the Frostbite engine makes its EA SPORTS NHL franchise debut, making NHL 22 the biggest leap forward in graphics and game play in franchise history.”

From overhauled player likenesses and uniform micro-details to improved skate spray, the Frostbite engine delivers every detail in higher resolution. New advancements in spatial awareness brings life to players as they track and react to the world around them. In addition, through the all-new augmented reality broadcast, players can see game stats integrated directly into the action through overlays on environment surfaces, bringing a whole new level of immersion to fans.

Superstar X-Factors further introduce a level of realism into NHL 22 by making the game’s best players feel distinctly like their real-life counterparts. This unique ability system elevates the most elite players in the league, making their presence on the ice more influential than ever with traits based on their real-world skills.

Superstar X-Factors represent a game-changer throughout all of NHL 22’s different modes, including Be A Pro, Franchise Mode, World of Chel and Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT). Be A Pro takes players deeper into the game with fresh multi-season storylines with a re-designed progression system that now includes X-Factors, and the ability to enhance characters based on skill and play style. The World of Chel has been streamlined with a new hub that puts all of the features at players’ fingertips and a revamped Party Flow that makes migrating from one game to another with friends easier than ever.

X-Factor Superstars are embedded throughout Franchise mode's existing systems, from pro and amateur scouting, to line chemistry with their teammates, to signing them as free agents. Players can build a new team from the ground up, and even choose the Seattle Kraken™, new to NHL 22, or add a 33rd team to the league and draft with them. 50 X-Factor players will also receive special items called Power-up player items in HUT that can be upgraded throughout the season based on live content.

In early December, a new game update will add Roster Sharing, the long-awaited community feature that gives players the ability to download and distribute their top player rosters to use in Franchise mode.

Developed by EA Vancouver and EA Bucharest, EA SPORTS™ NHL® 22 is rated E10+, and now available on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation®5, as well as Xbox One and PlayStation®4. For more details, please visit https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-22.

Join the EA SPORTS NHL community on Facebook and Instagram. You can also follow us on Twitter @easportsnhl.

PRESS ASSETS ARE AVAILABLE AT EAPressPortal.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 2021, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $5.6 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 F1™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA SPORTS, Frostbite, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Need for Speed, and Titanfall are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Madden, NFL, FIFA, and F1 are property of their respective owners and used with permission. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark or trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

About the NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL), founded in 1917, consists of 32 Member Clubs. Each team roster reflects the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 191 million followers - league, team and player accounts combined - across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rightsholders including ESPN, Turner Sports and NHL Network in the U.S.; Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada; Viaplay in the Nordic Region; Yandex in Russia; and CCTV and Tencent in China; and reaches fans worldwide with games available to stream in every country. Fans are engaged across the League’s digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio; and on NHL.com, available in nine languages and featuring unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the League’s inception, powered by SAP. NHL Original Productions and NHL Studios produce compelling original programming featuring unprecedented access to players, coaches and League and team personnel for distribution across the NHL’s social and digital platforms.

The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities using the sport of hockey to celebrate fans of every race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. The NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone initiative reinforces that the official policy of the sport is one of inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms and stands. The NHL is expanding access and opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities to play hockey, fostering more inclusive environments and growing the game through a greater diversity of participants. To date, the NHL has invested more than $100 million in youth hockey and grassroots programs, with a commitment to invest an additional $5 million for diversity and inclusion programs over the next year.

NHL and the NHL Shield and the word mark are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2021. All Rights Reserved.

About the National Hockey League Players’ Association

The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey, and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, the NHLPA launched the Goals & Dreams fund as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 21 years, more than 80,000 deserving children in 34 countries have benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $25 million to grassroots hockey programs, making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.

NHLPA, National Hockey League Players’ Association and the NHLPA logo are registered trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license. © NHLPA. All Rights Reserved.

Category: EA Sports

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211015005146/en/

Ray Almeda

Sr. Communications Specialist

650-628-7015

ralmeda@ea.com

Source: Electronic Arts Inc.

FAQ

What is the release date of NHL 22 by Electronic Arts?

NHL 22 was released worldwide on October 15, 2021.

What engine powers NHL 22?

NHL 22 is powered by the Frostbite engine.

Is there a new gameplay feature in NHL 22?

Yes, the Superstar X-Factors system introduces unique player traits for a more realistic experience.

On which platforms can I play NHL 22?

NHL 22 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

When will roster sharing be available in NHL 22?

The roster sharing feature is scheduled for release in early December 2021.