EA Sports added additional camera viewing options which has enhanced the hockey gaming experience, but more can be done.
Should EA offer custom, new, and spectator cameras? People will have varying views regarding this topic. From a general perspective, the game currently offers a wide range of camera angles. They go from close-up options, such as Action, to medium-size views in Classic, and from higher up, Overhead. A few years ago, EA also introduced "dynamic" camera views, which angled from the user's perspective, thus offering a new vibrant look and feel to the game.
So, should EA offer new camera angles? No, not really. However, custom camera angles would be really, really nice.
EA Sports used to offer a feature called "custom camera." Custom camera allowed users to configure the camera view precisely how they wanted to. For instance, users could bring the action up close as they wanted to, or as far out, further out than what overhead offers!
Not everyone might have utilized a custom camera view, but access to any customization tool always enhances the experience of playing a hockey video game.
Finally, is spectator mode needed? Firstly, it is essential to clarify that NHL 23 (and likely NHL 24) features broadcast camera angles. However, this camera view is only offered for the user playing the game or for spectating head-to-head AI matchups. Watching real users from a broadcast camera view is currently impossible.
Thus, is spectator mode needed? The answer is easy: absolutely. Spectator mode would enhance players' and viewers' overall experience.
The benefits of a spectator mode would be particularly felt in competitive chel, where organizations put on and broadcast multiple NHL eSports tournaments throughout the year. Thus, spectator mode would allow the broadcast production of these eSports tournaments to reach new heights.
Spectator mode would further bridge the gap between real-life NHL programming and chel eSports. From a production standpoint, any commonality between the two will only benefit the chel space.
In conclusion, while EA Sports offers many ways to see and play the game, improvements and innovative approaches are always possible, and time will tell if any of those will come to fruition.