Just had an idea pop into my head that initially seems like one of those pipe dreams that would never happen, but I'm finding some of them are a lot more realistic than I initially thought. So how about this? Matching roughing penalties. We see it all the time in the NHL, the little scrums where players facewash each other, grab on like they're thinking about dropping the mitts while shoving or punching each other...It essentially would be a brief fight with gloves on...players trade a punch or two, or do the hold animation like in a fight, but don't drop the gloves and sticks and go into a full on 5 minute major fight. Or maybe it 'could' lead into a full fight but would not necessarily, meaning the glove on punches could trigger the same fight check that a collision does. How realistic is this? Anyone have ideas for it or see it as a possibility? I just think it could be a really fun thing to see play out in the game.

I don't know how possible this is, but it reminds me of another game that I thought I played back in the day. Whether is was older 3D era EA or 2K or some other 16-bit era game I don't remember now, but I do remember that it seemed to have a mechanic where if you triggered a fight, the two players would square off and probably also dropped the gloves, but there appeared to be a check that would only be triggered once you threw a punch. If you didn't engage, or just grappled, you would only get a roughing minor. I'm not sure if you just let the other guy tune you if he would get a fighting, while you still only got a minor, but it would be an interesting distinction and way to get a sneaky power play. [if at the cost of some goon cred and maybe a few teeth]

Love this idea! I also remember what you describe von Ozbourne. I think it might’ve been a 2k. I wanna say around ‘05.

Btw, where you guys think I should post a question about: I’m wondering if it’s possible to manipulate the hex regarding how close or far away the pick is to a player when capturing the puck. For instance, when passing the puck into the slot from behind the goal line the goalie will interfere with the pass before it reaches the intended pass recipient but the puck doesn’t actually come in contact with the goalie or his stick graphically. I’m wondering if we can change that “apparent” non contact distance to be actual contact. That make sense?

On 6/25/2026 at 8:40 PM, von Ozbourne said:

I don't know how possible this is, but it reminds me of another game that I thought I played back in the day. Whether is was older 3D era EA or 2K or some other 16-bit era game I don't remember now, but I do remember that it seemed to have a mechanic where if you triggered a fight, the two players would square off and probably also dropped the gloves, but there appeared to be a check that would only be triggered once you threw a punch. If you didn't engage, or just grappled, you would only get a roughing minor. I'm not sure if you just let the other guy tune you if he would get a fighting, while you still only got a minor, but it would be an interesting distinction and way to get a sneaky power play. [if at the cost of some goon cred and maybe a few teeth]

yes i remember this! i would have my buddy beat me up and then he'd go to the box for 5 mins and i get 2 for roughing lol