NHL 21 is Next-Gen Compatible

NHL 21 is set to release this October for the Xbox One and PS4. For a while now, fans wondered if next-gen versions of the game would release as well. EA Sports is now confirming that they are forgoing a next-gen version. Instead, the game’s current-gen versions will work on the PS5 and Xbox Series X. This isn’t bad news, however, because EA Sports indicates that the decision to skip next-gen upgrades made room for massive improvements to the current game.

The game usually releases in September, but execs noted that work from home rules made development a little more challenging this year. A month delay, however, is nothing compared to the delays other games have seen. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 is now launching nearly 9 months after its original date. That’s not all COVID-19’s fault, but it certainly plays a part.

The NHL series from EA Sports is fairly popular for a sport that lacks significant TV viewership. Much like soccer, there seems to be a great video game audience for it in the United States despite lackluster fandom of the real thing. There are hardcore hockey fans to be sure. As a Chicago native, I can tell you that hockey matters a lot to the Midwest. That said, it lacks the punch of the NFL or NBA. The games, however, are top-notch.

EA Sports indicated in their blog post that other than some polishing, the new version is ready to go for October. I think this move to delay an entire revamp for next-gen makes sense. With the world the way it is right now, it seems like a smarter move to focus on current consoles. Who knows what production of the new titles will look like, let alone whether people can pay for them during the pandemic. Either way, we’ll look forward to a gameplay trailer from EA sometime in August.