Fighting in new video game a good teaching tool: former Canuck Linden

Winnipeg Free Press ^ | 9/14/2009 | Tamsyn Burgmann

[Saije]

A highly-anticipated hockey video game that features realistic fighting scenarios and black eyes is a useful tool to teach children that brawls are part of the game and in some cases can help you win, says a former NHL captain.

Retired Vancouver Canucks player Trevor Linden, well-loved in the city and not known for getting into frequent dust-ups, endorsed "NHL 10" Monday prior to its next-day launch across North America.

"Fighting in hockey is not something you necessarily want to promote, but at the same time, you want to make children understand that it is part of the game and in the right circumstances is necessary," Linden said after taking the controls at a Vancouver Future Shop.

"That's part of the game, it's been part of the game for a long time. I think kids that are involved in the game learn to understand that as they grow and mature."

On its website, Burnaby-based Electronic Arts highlights the game's new first-person fighting engine: "Grab and tug an opponent's jersey to land a punch that ignites the fans and sparks your team to victory."

Linden said he thinks the feature is "very cool" because it nails the realism of that aspect of the sport.

"The best part, from my stand-point, is when you get hit it doesn't hurt," he said. "It's a very unique feature and like everything else, it makes you feel like you're right there."...

Top-notch animation, paired with wild crowd noise, come together in the game with other new features like "Battle for the Cup" mode. It heightens the playoff drama by letting characters play with injuries, intimidate the opposing team and get hyped by frenzied, towel-waving crowds.

[Saije]

I guess because it's hockey in Canada it's okay but I'm surprised there aren't some lefty parent group protests over kids being taught how to fight.

[rfp1234]

On its website, Burnaby-based Electronic Arts highlights the game's new first-person fighting engine

Burnaby, birthplace of Darren McCarty. How appropriate.

[OneWingedShark]

Come on people! Do we actually need the excuse of hockey to beat each other with sticks?

What boy hasn’t picked up a stick and had a “sword-fighting” adventure?

[rfp1234]

PING.

On its website, Burnaby-based Electronic Arts highlights the game's new first-person fighting engine.

Burnaby, birthplace of Darren McCarty. How appropriate.

[Rodamala]

Trevor Linden... Captain Canuck, For Life!

A true hockey great!

p.s. Man, I really miss those jerseys. My Devils fan friends would ridicule mine and call the Canucks "The Sleds" because they thought the team logo looked like a sled.

[Dr. Sivana]

My Devils fan friends would ridicule mine and call the Canucks "The Sleds" because they thought the team logo looked like a sled.

I haven't watched the NHL much in recent years, but the Canucks are infamous for going through logos. I remember the sideways hockey stick one (BOR-ing), then the "Rainbow-brite" stacked V's (weird). I am sorry that my team, the L.A. Kings, dropped their home uniforms from the '70's. Yellow with purple trim, nothing like it. It was like watching a bunch of grown men skating around in Dr. Dentons.