The National Hockey League (NHL) has launched NHL Blast on Roblox, to create a new immersive platform where millions of people can communicate and connect daily. NHL Blast can be accessed by audiences across generations and various geographies as it aims to become a central metaverse hub for the worldwide hockey community. The platform will allow users to connect with others and share their love for the sport, express their fandom and draw new fans in with ongoing content updates.
David Lehanski, NHL executive vice president of business development and innovation said, “We’re thrilled to launch NHL Blast on Roblox and continue celebrating and connecting with fans in new and innovative ways. Roblox is a hypersocial platform and fits seamlessly with the NHL’s commitment to grow the game by introducing new audiences around the globe to hockey in a unique and captivating way.”
The NHL Blast experience is looking to reimagine the game of hockey by matching up teams of five to compete in thrilling games and score as many points as possible across fantastical, obstacle-filled environments, including one inspired by the League’s NHL STREET initiative.
A metaverse experience
Built by metaverse development studio The Gang, NHL Blast introduces creative skating and innovative puck-shooting mechanics on Roblox to mimic the movements of actual NHL Players.
“We are very happy to have been chosen by the NHL for the creation of NHL Blast on Roblox,” said Marcus Holmstrom, CEO of The Gang. “We specifically appreciate the NHL’s focus and boldness on embracing fun, innovative gameplay, and rewarding users with great customization options that make them feel like pro NHL Players.”
Users can choose to wear any NHL Club jersey, complete with their Roblox username and custom number. NHL Blast users can also customise their goalie masks and check real-time NHL game scores on a hanging jumbotron. And at the Upper Deck Selfie Station, users can snap photos of their digital avatars living out hockey poses commonly featured on NHL trading cards.
NHL Blast will feature updates that sync with marquee NHL events, starting with three-dimensional goal re-creations created from NHL EDGE data (puck and player tracking) that will feature in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Fans can now visit Roblox and experience NHL Blast on their computers and mobile devices.
Isa Muhammad is a writer and video game journalist covering many aspects of entertainment media including the film industry. He's steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism and enjoys staying informed. If he's not reading, playing video games or catching up on his favourite TV series, then he's probably writing about them.
