Gremlin have another go at ice hockey

Gremlin Interactive are in the throes of completing Actua Ice Hockey 2, which utilises the 3D game engine that was developed for stablemate Actua Soccer 3. Those familiar with the first incarnation will recall that it didn’t quite reach the giddy heights of the undisputed champion, Electronic Arts’ NHL ’98 – ice hockey is the sport at which EA are masters.

But Gremlin promise that Actua Ice Hockey 2, due on PC and PlayStation in April, will be a significant improvement on the original. The Sheffield Steelers, former league and cup winners, provided the movement for the motion capture and they were on hand to assist the development team on matters of Artificial Intelligence.

The usual welter of playing options is included, and this time around, Gremlin have succumbed to the in-game, one-on-one punch-up, first seen in EA Hockey on the Mega Drive. We regard brawling as an essential part of ice hockey. After using Robbie Williams’ Let Me Entertain You in Actua Soccer 3, the ice hockey game music will be provided by Glaswegian underground band Mogwai. Look out for a preview soon.