EA Sports faces criticism over NHL 27 player likenesses

EA Sports is facing significant backlash from fans regarding the visual accuracy of players in the upcoming NHL 27 video game. Users with early access have criticized the facial models of several NHL stars, noting that the virtual versions bear little resemblance to the actual athletes.

Prominent players cited for poor likenesses include David Pastrňák, Alex Nylander, Sergei Bobrovsky, John Tavares, and Pavel Zacha. Even Connor McDavid has faced scrutiny, specifically regarding the rendering of his eyes. While some players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin reportedly maintain high levels of accuracy, the general consensus among critics is that the quality of facial scanning and modeling has regressed compared to previous decades.

In addition to visual concerns, the game has faced controversy regarding its player rating system. EA Sports' communication regarding Connor McDavid being part of a new ‘99 Club’ was misinterpreted by some as him being the first player in history to receive a 99 rating, leading to accusations that the developer is unaware of its own product history, as players with 99 and 100 ratings have appeared in past iterations.