The Making of NHL Puck Rush

How a hockey game came to embody the Nex spirit

I know, NHL Puck Rush was released nine months ago.

So why write about it on Father’s Day 2026?

Because this game captures something important about the spirit of Nex. It reflects how we build, why we keep pushing, and what we hope our games can do for families. If you’re interested in the story behind the game, read on.

The Inception

We almost gave up.

For months, we struggled to find the fun. We experimented with different mechanics, different controls, different ideas, but nothing quite clicked. As production deadlines approached, we were only days away from canceling the project entirely.

Then something changed.

A breakthrough prototype started testing well. Players were smiling. They wanted another round. For the first time, we could see a path forward.

Sport Games #7

NHL Puck Rush became our seventh sports and sports-inspired game in three years.

Before it came: Go Keeper, Basketball Knockout, Tennis Smash, Bowling Strike, Arrow Party, HomeRun Heroes.

With every sports title, we challenge ourselves to go further.

For NHL Puck Rush, we set out to create:

• Deep mastery, not just quick fun

• A more realistic visual style, not a kiddie aesthetic

• Cooperative competition, not just individual leaderboards

• Big reward moments, where effort and persistence can lead to 10x and even 100x scoring opportunities

• Ongoing league-driven events that keep the experience connected to the real sport

Pushing boundaries

At Nex, we have a quiet confidence: given enough time, we’ll get to world-class.

That belief has shaped NHL Puck Rush from day one.

• Full-body gameplay
  Your lateral movement controls puck direction, while your hand motion determines shot height. We wanted players to feel like they were actively creating every shot.

• Game design innovation
  Rebounds create chain reactions that reward precision and quick decisions. Do you take the safe points, or risk it all to extend your streak? Those moments create the adrenaline rush that makes the game special.

• Authentic NHL integration
  Official team logos, jerseys, and equipment turn the game into a collection journey for hockey fans.

• Playing alongside the season
  Fans can follow real NHL matchups and compete for their team. There’s the game on the ice, and the game in the living room.

• Street hockey in the off-season
  When the NHL season ends, the fun doesn’t. We wanted hockey fans to have a reason to keep playing year-round.

• Even the trailer
  From the beginning, our goal was to bring the excitement of hockey into the living room. We pushed ourselves to make sure the trailer reflected that same energy.

Pounding the Rock

The San Antonio Spurs have a famous mantra: Pound the Rock.

It comes from the idea that success isn’t built through one big breakthrough. It’s built through thousands of small improvements, repeated every day.

That philosophy resonates deeply at Nex.

Since launch, we’ve shipped four major updates to NHL Puck Rush. Every release made the game a little better, a little deeper, and a little more polished.

The latest update arrived just ten days ago.

The Street Hockey Update

The Street Hockey update, released on June 10, is our biggest update yet.

It introduces an entirely new game mode with a fresh summer-inspired visual style. More importantly, it addresses one of the most common requests from players: the ability to enjoy competitive hockey gameplay throughout the year.

The update also expands progression, unlocking jerseys to collect and equipment to customize your player.

It’s the kind of update that reminds us why live games are so rewarding to build. Launch is only the beginning.

The Why

We’re passionate for a reason.

Because we want our games to do good.

Sports have an incredible ability to build confidence, discipline, friendships, and lifelong passions. We believe games can help create those same outcomes.

When kids play NHL Puck Rush, we hope they become curious about hockey. We hope they build interest. We hope they develop confidence and skills that carry into the real world.

And when the opportunity comes to step onto the ice for the first time, we hope they say: “Let’s go.”

That’s what motivates the long hours, the difficult decisions, and the moments when a project seems impossible.

We want our games to prepare kids for real life, not replace it.

We’ve logged more shots than we can count while building NHL Puck Rush, and many of us ended those days with sore arms. If it helps build hockey fandom and participation for years to come, every shot was worth it.

Thank you to the NHL for believing in the vision and partnering with us on the journey.

The Future

So what’s next?

We’re well on our way with Sports Game #8 and Sports Game #9, both targeting release later this year.

Both explore new forms of gameplay that we’ve been quietly developing for many months. Like every sports game before them, they’re pushing us into new territory.

I can’t wait for the day we finally pull back the curtain.

Until then, we’ll keep pounding the rock.