An eight-year absence of licensed NHL games for PC will come to an end when "Franchise Hockey Manager 3" releases later this month.
Out of the Park Developments, best known for the highly-regarded "Out of the Park Baseball" series, has announced "FHM3" will feature the NHL license. The last game on PC with the license was "NHL 09" from EA Sports, released way back in 2008.
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"Franchise Hockey Manager" is a team management simulator that puts you in full control of a franchise. The NHL license means for the first time the series will have all the real teams, logos, uniforms, Stanley Cup and league awards. The "FHM" series debuted in 2013 and has allowed for users to create and share files, but now everything will be built into the game for everyone at launch. Real NHL players have always been included, as text-based games don't require any licensing for player names.
"Franchise Hockey Manager 3" will be out on Oct.17, but those who pre-order will receive early access beginning on the Oct. 14. For a limited time, pre-orders also get $10 off the standard $40 price.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the Press Row Podcast, and be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.