First-person modes are rare in sports games, not least because the much more restrictive viewpoint tends to make it less fun to play the game. (Readers who remember the mode from Sega's NFL 2K games are nodding their heads.) But the imminent arrival of virtual reality technology that actually works opens up the possibilities for the first-person perspective, and simulation sports games seem like a genre that could be well-suited to the format.
GoPro, maker of the go-anywhere HD cameras that have allowed people to capture some incredible footage of their athletic exploits, announced a partnership with the National Hockey League and its Players' Association today that will bring up-close footage of NHL competition to hockey fans. Of course, players won't be strapping GoPro cameras to their heads for regular-season NHL games; instead, GoPro and Vislink's broadcast technology will deliver unique perspectives from around the rink during the 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend, which runs from today through Jan. 25.
However, some participants in tomorrow's All-Star Skills Competition will be wearing GoPro cameras, which will hopefully produce exhilarating clips resembling the footage you see above in GoPro's "On the Ice with the NHL" video. It was filmed during the NHL Player Media Tour last September, and features NHL stars like Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Henrik Lundqvist and P.K. Subban.
For some highlights, scrub to 1:53 to see through Lundqvist's eyes as pucks come flying at him; 2:09 to step into Crosby's skates as he stickhandles circles around defenders; and 2:24 to take a huge hip check from Subban. Hey, EA Sports, are you paying attention?
