NHL 13: EA Sports' 2012 Ice Hockey Video Game

Gameplay and features

NHL 13 emphasized a revised skating system intended to change acceleration, crossovers and player agility to create a different on-ice feel from prior entries. The adjustments affected puck control, passing lanes, checking and board play, with an aim to reward positioning and speed. Standard modes returned, including Be A Pro (player career), Be A GM (team management) and the collectible-based Hockey Ultimate Team, which allows players to build and compete with custom rosters.

• Skating and control: reworked skating mechanics that altered player responsiveness and game tempo.
• Game modes: traditional franchise play, career modes and online multiplayer; Ultimate Team provided card-based roster building.
• Presentation: licensed NHL teams, arenas and authentic broadcast-style presentation common to the series.

Representation and notable additions

For the first time in the main NHL series, two prominent female hockey players were made playable: Hayley Wickenheiser and Angela Ruggiero. Their inclusion was notable as a step toward broader representation in hockey titles, allowing players to select these athletes in select modes and exhibitions. The game also included customization options for rosters and lineups and supported online matchmaking and leaderboards typical of the era.

Development and release

EA Canada developed NHL 13 as an iterative evolution of the series' core systems rather than a complete overhaul. The title shipped with contemporary audio-visual polish for the consoles it supported and received patches and roster updates following launch. Release dates were published for North America on September 11, 2012, Australasia on September 13, 2012, and Europe on September 14, 2012.

Reception and legacy

Reviewers generally noted that the changed skating mechanics altered tactics and pacing, praising the attempt to make on-ice movement feel more authentic while remarking that some issues common to annual sports releases remained. NHL 13 is often remembered for its gameplay tweaks and for expanding representation by featuring female hockey stars, a point often highlighted in contemporary coverage and promotional material.

References and further reading

1. Official EA Sports NHL 13 page
2. Game announcement and overview
3. Developer EA Canada information
4. Publisher EA Sports details
5. North America release information
6. Australasian release information
7. European release information
8. Relation to NHL 12 and series history
9. Cover athlete Claude Giroux coverage
10. Hayley Wickenheiser and Angela Ruggiero inclusion