‘EA Sports NHL 25’ Launching Oct. 4

Electronic Arts has announced “EA SPORTS NHL 25” is coming to PlayStation5 and Xbox Series X|S on Oct. 4. Powered by ICE-Q, NHL 25 gives players the time and space to control every inch of the ice, delivering an authentic experience that replicates the NHL’s elite talent.  

For “NHL 25,” brothers, Quinn, Jack and Luke Hughes will be the first siblings to grace an EA SPORTS cover together, with their play on the ice personifying “NHL 25’s” significant evolution in gameplay intelligence.  

Built on a new logic-driven animation system, ICE-Q responds to contextual events with realism. Next-Gen Vision Control skating allows players to walk the blue line, square up to the puck carrier, stay locked on goal and more. The empowered AI helps players execute authentic plays with a refreshed playbook that improves power plays and opens up the ice for better overall positioning and offensive opportunities. Plus, Reactive Actions utilizes a series of new animations to make skaters more responsive in critical situations, increasing their urgency, collision avoidance and reliability. 

“The new ICE-Q gameplay system represents a foundational shift in how players will experience the game, with its deep intelligence giving them complete control of the ice,” says Mike Inglehart, senior game design director, EA Vancouver. “Hockey is built differently, with ‘NHL 25’ delivering greater authenticity, bigger team rivalries and inspired by the sport’s next-generation superstars who continue to redefine the game.” 

“We feel incredibly honored to be on the cover of ‘NHL 25,’” says Quinn Hughes, defenseman, captain, Vancouver Canucks. “Being featured alongside my brothers is the sort of thing you dream about as a kid but could never imagine happening in real life.” 

“It was a very proud moment for all of us when we saw the Deluxe cover,” says Jack Hughes, center, alternate captain, New Jersey Devils. “It reminded us that on the ice, we’re competitors, always learning from each other, but off the ice, we’re brothers who love to play hockey.” 

“Being on the cover with my brothers is incredibly exciting,” says Luke Hughes, defenseman, New Jersey Devils. “We have a one-of-a-kind hockey story growing up together and now a one-of-a-kind cover. We can’t wait for fans to experience NHL 25.” 

“NHL 25” includes gameplay changes, skill-based one-timers, a new WOC Live Events structure, HUT Wildcard Mode and a simplified, single-path XP progression shared across HUT. Fan-favorite Franchise Mode also gets a revamp, starting with the Franchise Hub, featuring streamlined navigation that gives players access to new, relevant and easy-to-digest information. This elevated Franchise Mode user experience is just one of the many updates coming to the mode, with more announcements coming in the weeks leading up to the worldwide launch.  

Developed by EA Vancouver, “EA SPORTS NHL25” will be available Oct. 4 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.