For those too lazy to listen to Dan’s recording of the NHL 2K9 press call last week with Ben Bishop (Producer) and Jay Iwahashi (Online Producer) here my notes from the call:
-Virtual Concepts is replacing Kush this year
-Felt like the first opportunity to rebuild the franchise, game had been extending old content for a while, chance to replace a lot of old code

-Fresh perspective to the game, try to bring the fun back to the game, The controls are really the focus, want people to be able to pick up and play right away
-Lot of modern games are getting too complex, focus is on fun and making it easy to play
-Old code base thrown out, completely re-worked
-Simplified controls so that pass, shoot, check are all you need to know

-Zamboni and playoff beards coming to the game, along with custom Stanley cup celebrations
-Can skate around the ice with the cup, can skate around, raise, kiss, and pass the cup to a teammate

-Some presentation content ported in from NBA 2K9 team, cross team sharing of resources
-Game summary replays
-Save and replay – make your own highlight reels
-View all hits, goals, etc after game

-Should be a much different experience than last year
-Not concerned with being the underdog, the fans are the hardest audience to please
-Differences from NHL 09
-Only Wii hockey game this year
-Easier control scheme – bringing the fun back
-Feels that the games are on a different path

-Had some issues with the Wii port, went from the 360 to the Wii
-Trying to find memory and get the graphics to work

-Can switch between control schemes, can used advanced if you want to
-Hybrid scheme
-Pro-stick evolution – more focused on using right stick for shooting
-Scheme from 2K8 not in the game
-Cannot customize controls

More on the online modes and other changes after the break.

Here`s the final teaser video for the game