Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
    Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 But Why Tho 10

    Spider-Man Is Coming To Magic And It’s Just Like The Comics

    08/29/2025
    Star Wars Visions Volume 3 Black

    ‘Black’ Sets The Tone For A Bold New Mixtape In ‘Star Wars Visions: Volume 3’

    08/28/2025
    Olivia Colman in The Roses

    ‘The Roses’ Is A Reimagining, Not A Remake, And That’s Why It Works So Well

    08/27/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » News » NHL 26’s New ICE-Q 2.0 Can Be A Strong To A Community Craving Authenticity

NHL 26’s New ICE-Q 2.0 Can Be A Strong To A Community Craving Authenticity

Matt DonahueBy Matt Donahue08/13/20255 Mins Read
ICE-Q 2.0 system for NHL 26 promotional image from EA Sports
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Fall is starting, and that means that the EA Sports release cycle is in full swing. With CFB 26 out, Madden NFL 26 just days away, and with new information on FC 26 being shared almost every week, it’s time to head to the ice next. A new developer video for NHL 26 showcases the game’s gameplay innovations, highlighting how the improved ICE-Q 2.0 system, powered by NHL EDGE positional data, makes superstars play more authentically than ever before.

With Madden and CFB celebrating their most extensive gameplay overhauls yet, NHL 26 is meeting the innovation standard that EA Sports has put forward this year. This new system, which uses NHL Puck and Player Tracking data, promises to bring true hockey intelligence to the game.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

ICE-Q 2.0 system for NHL 26 promotional image from EA Sports

A common theme across all of EA Sports’ games for 2025 has been a response to community feedback. From coaching changes, to ditching animation locked gameplay, and adding more depth to players, many, if not all, of the moves that EA Sports has been making across their library of sports games have been to address community concerns. 

Last year’s entry into the NHL franchise of games left our critic wanting for something fresher and ultimately more authentic. He said, “While the on-ice experience for human-controlled players is great, the computer AI is pretty rough. Defenders will make silly mistakes, screwing over players in the middle of the game’s most intense moments. It can also be challenging to read player movements and know what your teammates are going to do next.”

With this first developer video, it looks like ICE-Q 2.0 may be just what players are looking for. 

What is ICE-Q 2.0?

ICE-Q 2.0 system for NHL 26 promotional image from EA Sports

As mentioned above, NHL 26 builds on last year’s ICE-Q system with data-driven insights from NHL EDGE. If you’re unfamiliar, NHL EDGE is the puck and player tracking technology that allows the league to take real-time data from the players on the ice. But now, the new ICE-Q revamped system impacts player performance in the game, leading to dynamic line construction and evolving tactics that bring the game to life. As a result, AI players think, move, and play like real NHL superstars.

Here’s a high-level look at what ICE-Q 2.0 impacts for players in NHL 26.

Spotlighting Attributes & Tendencies

ICE-Q 2.0 system for NHL 26 promotional image from EA Sports

The NHL EDGE data that powers ICE-Q 2.0 informs player attributes like skating acceleration, top speed, and shot power, providing authentic differentiation for in-game superstars. Attributes are the core way that EA Sports is driving the use of EDGE into the game; they set the foundation for everything else. 

Additionally, the NHL EDGE data helps pinpoint the unique traits and intangible behaviors that set superstars apart, and incorporates them into the game as tendencies. This is used to highlight the sport’s superstars more than ever before.

The examples used in the Deep Dive is seeing Leon Draisaitl’s sharp-angle shots on goal,  Nathan MacKinnon’s physical playstyle with his body forechecks. There are currently 22 unique tendencies, including those above, stick checks, stretch passes, and more, to help bring the start to life for Chel players.

New Goalie Crease System

ICE-Q 2.0 system for NHL 26 promotional image from EA Sports

A new system gives players more control between the posts, with goalies adapting seamlessly to focus on angles and depth for more consistent saves. Goaltenders now respond with greater awareness, tracking changes in puck direction and delivering dynamic, real-time reactions. This is fueled by 81 new goalie animations, close-range saves, poke checks, and upgraded AI placement to give more control for those in the blue point.

Much like the gameplay moves in CFB and Madden, NHL 26 will ditch animation-locked movements for goalies. Instead of relying on animations that locked the goalie into place, now there are real-time reactions that allow quick saves to happen, pushing responsiveness and player control. The investment in netminders is vital to the game and addresses a player critique. 

Updated In-Game Data Presentation

ICE-Q 2.0 system for NHL 26 promotional image from EA Sports

Even with all of the information that we got from the Deep Dive video on ICE-Q 2.0, the question that you can’t help but pose is “how do we use it?” And EA Sports answers that as well. With new presentation elements, this version of ICE-Q delivers detailed, visualized breakdowns of superstars’ feats during the game.

This comes in the form of threat analysis on goal, shot speed, and shooting percentage to help you make your in-game choices. Another feature that has enhanced the presentation of data to players is enhanced broadcast graphics that provide head-to-head matchup information and hype up the in-game storytelling.

Extended replays now show expanded data insights, and new multi-story visual and audio replay packages highlight sequential game narratives. In addition to that, there are new camera angles to give the big moments the spotlight that they need. 

But what about X-Factors?

ICE-Q 2.0 NHL 26

Right behind a craving for more realistic AI to play against, feeling the impact of X-Factor players on the ice is something Chel fans have also been looking for. As such, the developers shared that NHL 26 overhauls X-Factors, bringing superstar players to life with unique, game-changing abilities.

This year’s NHL will feature 28 refined and enhanced X-Factors across five categories, providing tactical gameplay outcomes and new, unique animations. But that’s not all, the Deep Dive video also shares that each of those X-Factors has three tiers with unique animations to help create meaningful gameplay effects and ensure that all X-Factors bring genuine strategic differences to each game.

This further embraces the NHL’s top talent and brings their real-life abilities into the game. By doubling down on system depth, EA Sports is hoping that players can take advantage of the all-new World of Chel X-Factor build system to create and experiment with their player builds.

Watch the NHL 26 Deep Dive Video

NHL 26 Gameplay Deep Dive

Pre-order NHL 26 for 7 Day Early Access: https://x.ea.com/85081 Get a deeper look at ICE-Q 2.0, which utilizes powerful NHL EDGE data so you can think, move, and play like your favorite superstars. By informing player Attributes, Tendencies, and with the all-new Goalie Crease Control System, NHL EDGE data brings a deeper level of authenticity to Chel.

NHL 26 will release on September 12, 2025, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleFANTASIA 2025: ‘Touch Me’ Is Delightfully Quirky
Next Article EA Sports FC 26 ICONs Are Here With Zlatan, Morgan, and More Joining Ultimate Team
Matt Donahue
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)

Host of our flagship podcast and convention contributor. Responsible for creating the site’s content strategy plan and keeping the lights on. Sports trivia encyclopedia, Spider-Man and Dr. Strange fan, with a love of video games.

Related Posts

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

09/03/2025
Busan International Film Festival Netflix Slate

Netflix Unveils Nine-Title Slate for 30th Busan International Film Festival

09/03/2025
Korean Reality TV on Netflix

Netflix Announces Ambitious K-Variety Slate Through 2026

09/03/2025
G-Dragon x PUBG promotional still from KRAFTON

KRAFTON Is Bringing BIGBANG’s G-Dragon to PUBG This Month

09/03/2025
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 First Look and release date released by crunchyroll

Are You Ready for JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 3? The Series Premieres January 2026

09/02/2025
EA Sports FC 26 Stadiums But Why Tho 7

NASCAR 25 Reveals Stellar Soundtrack From System of A Down to Jelly Roll and Hanumankind

09/02/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Cosmic Spider-Man card details Features

[EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

By Kate Sánchez09/02/2025Updated:09/02/2025

An exclusive look at a new 5-Color Spider entering Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set, and Cosmic Spider-Man is going to be a tough one to take on.

Hololive EN at Radio City Music Hall Events

Hololive EN At Radio City Music Hall Was A Pure Expression Of Fandom

By Adrian Ruiz08/31/2025Updated:09/03/2025

Hololive EN turned Radio City in New York City into the pure expression of fandom: chants, penlights, and community in perfect sync.

Foundation Season 3 Episode 8 promotional still from APple TV+
9.0
TV

RECAP: ‘The Foundation’ Season 3 Episode 8 — “Skin In The Game”

By Will Borger08/29/2025Updated:08/29/2025

Still barreling toward a knock-down, drag-out fight between Gaal and the Mule in Foundation Season 3 Episode 8 ups the stakes.

Hell is Us
10.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Hell is Us’ Turns Getting Lost Into An Art Form

By Adrian Ruiz09/01/2025Updated:09/01/2025

No maps. No markers. No mercy. Hell is Us trusts you to listen, to feel, and to get lost. And in doing so, it offers something truly rare: a soul.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here