Some of the confusion comes from a mistaken product page GameStop posted for a PC version of NHL 21, which brought some fans’ hopes up despite the series not being released on PC for the past several years. An EA Sports dev tweeted that the pro hockey game won’t be available for PC, adding another disappointment to the NHL franchise’s mixed success.
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The possibility of NHL 21 being a PC game started when an NHL esports commentator found GameStop’s listing and tweeted it online. However, the possibility of error was always present and acknowledged by the OP given that the product listed Xbox and PC as being available, but not PS4.
It looks like the retailer simply substituted PC for PS4 on accident, which comes as a disappointment to the people who responded to the tweet expressing excitement to play a new NHL game on PC. GameStop is struggling as a retailer in the pandemic, and even well-off businesses make mistakes sometimes.
Some comments on the original tweet expressed doubt that a PC release of NHL 21 could ever be popular, but most of the comments were in favor of playing on PC. Some people said they’d waited a long time to play a new NHL game on PC, and a few people even said they only have a console to play NHL games on. Conversely, on the tweet denying the PC rumors, many comments were negative, and one person even said the possibility of a PC NHL game was the most exciting news the NHL franchise had come up with. Many people were confused and frustrated about why EA has seemingly abandoned NHL PC releases.
NHL 21 won’t be available on Xbox Series X or PS5, either, which is a confusing decision for some, especially as the release date has been pushed from September to October. Video game delays in the pandemic are not a new issue, so while NHL 21’s delay is frustrating to dedicated hockey fans, it’s not exactly shocking news. The forced delay and limited platform release are unfortunate, but hopefully mean EA is just dedicating even more time and effort into delivering a great product.
NHL 21 is set to arrive in October 2020 for PS4 and Xbox One.
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