NHL 15 trailer explains how graphics upgrades can matter to gameplay

"Our new engine makes our game prettier than ever, so please buy it," EA Sports didn't actually say when releasing this NHL 15 trailer.

NHL 15 throws out all the franchise's past work and introduces completely new character models. For the first time, each player's body, equipment and jersey are modelled separately, which means the cloth flows naturally rather than being stuck to players in static shapes.

As a result, uniforms will respond dynamically to collisions with the player wearing them, other players and equipment rather than just clipping through them, a solution used for so long I don't even remember what it was like before games did it.

Obviously this makes for a very pretty experience but there's a knock-on gameplay effect, too: because players, clothes and gear are discrete elements rather than one blocky solid, their hit boxes are more refined and realistic - so you can shoot a puck through a goalie's armpit if that's what floats your boat.

Take a look at all this in action in the trailer below. NHL 15 is coming to PS4 and Xbox One in September.

Thanks, CVG.