NHL 13 preview - Inside GM Connected mode

You've heard the phrase "A whole new way to play before," but...

While LA Kings fans continue to regale in Stanley Cup victory, hockey fans around the rest of the world are gearing up to write history as they see fit with NHL 13. While weve covered certain elements of it and talked to the team behind the game in-depth, its only at EAs recent media event in Vancouver that we learned the depth and scope of NHL 13s GM Connected Mode.

Wait, you said HOW many?

Combining Be a GM and online team play, GM Connected will allow a sprawling number of players. As lead producer Andy Agostino pointed out during a demo, it was physically impossible to demo the mode in full force. With a commissioner, 30 GMs, and 24 players per team, youre staring down 750 players in total per virtual league. The NHL 13 team isnt lying when they make the claim that its the largest dynasty mode ever seen in a sports game.

Active? Passive? It doesn't matter. You're in the game

Dont worry, though. You wont need all 750 online at once to make it work. Whether youre playing vs. AI, competitive online, co-op (vs. AI or against other online players), via Build Your AI (which lets you create a set of tendencies and strategies while youre away), or Coach Mode, youll be constantly contributing to the mode.

No matter where you are, you're playing

NHL 13 will also tout a mobile app to let you keep up with GM Connected, even if youre letting your AI toil away against other players. The mobile app works well for me, because I dont have access to my home TV and console more than maybe an hour or two a day, said Agostini, so this allows both myself and other gamers like me to stay connected to the mode, even if were not actively playing.

Out in the wild sooner than you think

As ambitious projects go, EAs plans for NHL 13 and its GM Connected mode look poised to push the envelope for the massive quantity of interconnected players. Well have to see how it fares out in the wild when NHL 13 hits North America on September 11.