The last NHL game to release on PC was NHL 09. It released on October 20, 2008. That was about 8 years ago. The game was using the same engine as the PS2 version of NHL while the XB360 version had already had two iterations with the new "skill stick" engine (NHL 08 and NHL 09). EA decided thereafter to stop releasing both NHL and Madden sports titles on PC due to poor sales. In a recent interview the senior VP of EA Canada stated

"PC is literally based on demand. There's still the high demand for FIFA on the PC globally because of the global appetite for the game. I think that's less so with Madden, but I think if that changes and an opportunity presents itself, I think we would definitely leverage the opportunity." --Bilbey, EA Sports Representative

EA you have your opportunity, the time is now! In the last 8 years the PC market has changed drastically! When you released NHL 09 in 2008 your own digital distribution platform, Origin, did not even exist. Steam was just starting to gain..steam.

Today, the PC Market has exploded. Steam is a major player in the gaming market and has over 125 million users. Many console players are transitioning to PC gaming now that they see the benefits of the PC platform. These new PC gamers, and many of your core PC consumers are wondering where the sports games are. I have included a brief (yes, there are many more!) list of links at the bottom of this post to various threads and articles around the internet asking this very question.

If you compare the Steam and Origin clients they both strive to meet the same purpose, deliver quality gaming content to PC gaming consumers. The one thing Steam lacks is sports games. The two AAA sports games Steam has are the NBA 2K series and the PES series. I believe if Origin offered NHL, or any of the other EA Sports titles you could gain some serious traction for your gaming client.



The bottom line is Origin is your (EA's) platform for games. Shouldn't your platform have all of your games on it? Origin should be the place to access ALL EA content. It just makes sense, and it should be advertised as such. Instead it's missing half your library of games. Where is UFC, Madden, Rory McIlroy, NBA Live and NHL? These are games people want to play on your gaming platform.

Some things to consider...

If the game can be played with controller only, thats honestly fine! Just mark it as so, many games on steam will do this and sometimes it is necessary

Transitioning to the frostbite engine will most likely make the porting process easier

60 fps

Parity with Console Features (yes, even local multiplayer!)

Cross-platform play (if a company the size of Psyonix can do it with Rocket League, why can't EA?)

HUT will be right at home on PC

Here are a variety of links with people asking when EA Sports titles will return to PC:

http://www.pcgamesn.com/eastside-hockey-manager/after-john-scotts-incredible-all-star-weekend-its-the-perfect-time-to-bring-the-nhl-series-back-to-pc

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/40nh6c/would_anyone_like_to_see_madden_nhl_etc_on_pc/?ref=search_posts

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/4taw94/ea_explains_why_fifa_is_the_only_sports_title_on/

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/4v81tn/why_is_madden_not_available_for_the_pc/

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/3461wx/eli5_why_is_their_so_few_sports_games_on_pc/

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/3fsj2p/why_can_you_not_find_sports_games_on_pc_anymore/

http://thehockeywriters.com/ea-sports-nhl-coming-back-to-pc/

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/4y2fhc/are_any_of_you_guys_hockey_fans_ea_just_told_me/

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/46i9hq/pc_needs_ea_sports_games/

http://answers.ea.com/t5/General-Discussion/nhl-17-PC/td-p/4973380