Is it Xmas in February?!  3 on 3 NHL Arcade is RELEASED BABY!  By Derek Fobe

Ed. Note (well on PSN at least, sorry XBOX 360 folks, you'll get your crack at it next week - February 11th to be precise)

Hey guys, my name is Derek, (gametag/psn id "Fobeashyi") and I am a Content Manager here at EA SPORTS.  I'm not on the NHL dev team or anything like that - just a big, big fan of NHL 09 and EA SPORTS titles like you are.

With the release of 3 on 3 NHL Arcade, I wonder, can a $10 game become the 2009 SPORTS GAME OF THE YEAR?!  Well before you say "No way!" you do have to remember NHL 09 did win 10 Sports Game of the Year awards and well, the same crazy group that made NHL 09 - made this game and it was clearly another crime of gaming passion as you can tell they were having way too much fun putting this puppy together.



When the game first arrived on the Dev kit a couple months back - I was like "Wha-wha-what is THAT?!" - developing a sudden tightness in the chest usually reserved for the first time you meet the crazy-hot girl, the final episode of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, a putt for eagle *AND* when EA SPORTS releases its first FRICKIN' Arcade game ever man!

Since 3 on 3 NHL Arcade found its way through the EA studios here in Burnaby, BC - well, employee productivity has plummeted!  Ok that may not be true - I haven't exactly measured employee productivity because well, I'm too darn busy playing the game.  So I can assure you that *MY* employee productivity has plummeted.  I can see my Performance Review now.

10% - Operational Excellence - POOR
Notes: Derek seems distracted with some new hockey game

10% - Communications Skills - VERY POOR
Notes: Derek only seems to repeat the following phrase - "This game is awesome man!"

5% - Resolves Conflicts - EXCELLENT
Notes: He seems to resolve conflicts effortlessly "Dude!  Its a difference of opinion - let's settle this in NHL Arcade!"

75% - Skills at 3 on 3 NHL Arcade - OUTSTANDING
Notes:  Look for Gamertag/PSN ID 'FOBEASHYI' and take me on!!! 

As soon as you load the game and hear the silly sounds (produced from voices of the devs) as you scroll through the menus - BORK BORK, GA-GA, GA-GA, BORK, BORK, SWOOOOSH - you know it's something special.  As the puck drops from the heavens you smash into each other at full-speed with bumper car enthusiasm you just start counting down the days until this game comes out and you can kick the crap out of your friends online.  Weeks and weeks of dedicated practicing, giggling and running-the-goalie and I was soooo ready for the big release.

I was expecting to start-up a long undefeated streak and shoot up the leaderboards but I've learned humble pie is in plentiful supply on the PSN network.  So the game is out and I'm amazed at how fast gamers are adapting to the no-refs, no-rules strategy.  It is different from NHL 09 and dare I say just as if not more fun.  Hack 'em, Lift the stick, Drive the bobble-head like Koivu out of the crease with a monster hit.  I've already had a legendary series of matches against one opponent who went with 3 FAST guys and was clearly a very good SKILL-STICK NHL 09 veteran.  I countered with 3 Power dudes, in Lucic, Horton and Weber and it was fascinating to see the styles clash on ice. We'd each go through momentums where he'd dominate with speed or I'd put him in a hole with Power-Up knock everyone down mayhem.  There is a lot more strategy than you'd expect out of an Arcade game!  Styles make fights!!

In the meantime, this is the best $10 I didn't spend on lunch and on a game instead!  I'm all about value!!!!

See you online!

Derek