FIFA + Fight Night = NHL 14

Today, EA Sports announced that NHL 14 will launch in North America on September 10, 2013 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. With NHL 14, features from other EA Sports titles — FIFA and Fight Night — are being implemented into the hockey franchise to deliver the aggression, speed and skill of the NHL through some impressive technology. 

To accomplish this, the game will feature  NHL Collision Physics, developed from the same technology that powers FIFA's Player Impact Engine. This continues the trend of physics-based hits, like that found in Madden NFL 13. NHL Collision Physics introduce bigger, thrilling hits and true-to-life collisions based on player size and attributes. Collisions will be delivered via a new left-stick control scheme. Also new to the game is the Enforcer Engine, powered by the same engine used in the Fight Night franchise. It will introduce new jostling mechanics, with a brand new third-person presentation where size and strength differences come into play.

“We’re very proud of the history of innovation that the EA Sports NHL franchise has produced on this console generation, and this year we’re amplifying that innovation by leveraging technology from teams like FIFA and Fight Night,” said Dean Richards, General Manager, NHL, EA Sports. “This year fans will feel the speed, skill and aggression of NHL hockey like never before, powered by some of the best EA Sports technology to create the best game we could ever imagine.”

In addition to these new engines, EA Canada has overhauled the deking system, controlled only with the left stick and one button. It's quicker and more responsive than that in NHL 13. Also introduced in last year's version, True Performance Skating features improved acceleration, better lateral pivots, and improved player responsiveness. Be a Pro Career Mode has you interact with teammates outside of the rink, do media interviews, and make choices that ultimately affect your career, skills and progression.

Hockey Ultimate Team and EA Sports Hockey League fantasy team modes are back again, and allow players to track their teams progression across multiple seasons. 

There's no cover athlete as of yet, so gamers are invited to vote on NHL 14's cover athlete through NHL's Cover Vote Campaign. The vote launches April 22, on NHL.com/covervote.

You can follow Senior Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. He likes talking sports, video games, movies, and the stupidity of celebrities. Email at LLiebl@GameZone.com