Wow seems like somebody pissed a little in Cheapy's cereal and a lot in Wombat's cereal before this episode was recorded.
Going back 2 episodes when they were talking about Castle of Illusion not being on PC, funny thing is that it is on PC.
About NHL 14, there aren't many major back of the box features aside from the '94 anniversary mode. But that usually is a good thing, you want them to be working on tweaking what they already made to make it better instead of making features that will end up being ripped out in a year or two. The biggest improvements outside of the on ice refinements (which seem like small things but make a big difference to the game overall IMO) are GM Connected Mode (Online Seasons) being way more usable, and the Be a Pro mode is much more fleshed out. Also, the new fighting engine plays a huge role in the Be a Pro mode. When my team is playing like shit, I'm compelled to fight to try to spark my team. And the game notices that and comments on it in the coach feedback. I also don't associate those types of fights with the players who get severe brain injuries-- those players can't play hockey and all they do is fight.
edit: also I'm wondering what Hospitality level did you set the game to Cheapy? I'm hearing a ton about hits that are way too big and too many fights, but I don't see that while playing on All-Star mode with Hardcore Realism settings.
And no, there aren't 4 people working on the game. I think they have a team of about 70 people? Which is probably a lot less than Madden or FIFA. Maybe *some* are working on the next-gen version but I doubt it was more than a few people. Really, you'd rather have them do a conservative game like this than try to add in dumb modes like they have in the past like the heartbeat breakaway cam, or trading cards that unlock cheats.
Also Cheapy, check out the press row podcast, 2 of the last 3 or 4 episodes have interviews with the NHL 14 team and they talk about what they changed and stuff:
http://operationsportspressrow.libsyn.com/operation-sports-press-row-podcast-episode-38-nhl-14-dev-team-deep-dive-part-1
http://operationsportspressrow.libsyn.com/operation-sports-press-row-podcast-episode-42-nhl-14-dev-team-deep-dive-part-2
Also a super interesting episode from them is one where they had a guy who worked on Madden for a decade and was also the producer on Madden for 3 years. He talks about how hard it is to make sports games, and talks about the dilemma between back of the box features or real improvements to gameplay:
http://operationsportspressrow.libsyn.com/operation-sports-press-row-podcast-episode-41-madden-nfl-25-from-the-outside-with-gus-ramsey-and-ian-cummings
About the Vita Screen, I feel like theres just this massive Plasma/OLED defense force on the internet who praise these screen technologies, but in the meantime they haven't realized LCD technology has just gotten better and better. And while Plasma & OLED have burn in problems (yes there are people with Vitas who have
ing burn in), LCD has none of that. So, no, its not a shitty Vita.
Vita TV-- I had to stop before this conversation even finished because I felt it was so off. Wombat was complaining "why don't developers make these games for PS3" but the whole point of the Vita TV is that its only $100. Now mind you, it's not perfect because you really want that $100 to include a controller as well. But this is totally a pre-emptive strike against Apple TV adding games to their system. And this also is trying to attract people who wouldn't spend $200+ on a games console, but might be willing to drop $99 on one. Plus, the games here are going to be budget priced and closer to the iPad price model for games, which casual gamers are used to.
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