Dallas goaltender Marty Turco to grace cover of 2K Sports’ NHL 2K6
By Michael Lafferty

“It’s pretty cool to have a package going around the world with your picture on it. It blows me and my family away”

There are benefits to logging in early to a conference call, especially when the athlete on the other end decries his ability as a video-athlete. Marty Turco is the goaltender for the Dallas Stars, but as his career has clearly demonstrated, he is also one of the best at his position in the NHL, if not the world.

His love for videogames stems back to his days growing up in Canada, where his dad would often play and heat up the consoles and televisions through an avid love of gaming.

Add another notch on his career belt, both as a gamer and as a goaltender. Marty is the cover athlete for 2K Sports NHL 2K6 title, which will release on the PlayStation2 and Xbox platforms in September and for the Xbox 360 when the platform releases.

2K Sports held a conference call with Marty and a host of journalists got to grill the All-star about his role in this upcoming product. Sprinkled with humor, the netminder talked a bit about gaming and the integration of videogames with the NHL.

He was asked what consoles he uses …

Marty: “I have an Xbox and PlayStation 2. I have two young girls so I don’t play as often as I like, nor do I golf as often as I like but that’s another story.”

Among the titles that spurred him on to become a gaming fan were Blades of Steel, “but when I got serious – maybe too serious – was the Sega 94 game.”

Do you think more people who might have watched the NHL may come to a videogame to get their hockey fix?

Marty: “We certainly hope so. I think for the people who haven’t played the game, the best part of picking this up for the first time is how real these games are and how lifelike they are … it brings you pretty close.” 

“With past hockey products, with 2k5, being as real as they are I think it was beneficial to keep hockey in the loop so to speak. So this will bring back the fans. It’s important for our fans. Not seeing it on TV, it is only going to help

“We have a lot to work to do as players and the league to get the fans back on our side.”

How much input did he have on the game design?

Marty: “I was very surprised when I first met with the producers and the programmers. They were really curious about my input as an athlete. Last fall I went out and did the motion capture as a goalkeeper. It was fun to see how in-depth these games are ... the production to make it as real as possible really surprised me. To be a part was a pretty enlightening process. But they were really curious to get my feedback.

“As these games progress, they wanted to make it as real as possible. In terms of angles and going down or not going down … as a fan of videogames it was refreshing to see them making it as real as possible.

“For them to actually ask my input in a lot of instances was a real honor.”

When he was doing the work in motion capture or talking with producers, did the experience help him key or perhaps realize his own tendencies in the net?

Marty: “You’d be really surprised by what you learn from and anything that helps you get better, we’d be foolish not to listen to. We are always trying to get better; players are getting better and faster.

“When I was doing the motion capture, there wasn’t any shooter because of the cameras, and I had to become an actor of sorts and really focus on making saves like you would in a game without the puck. I had to put a lot of structure into this to make is as real as possible.”

What other teams do you like to use when you play these?

Marty: “The last few days when I was playing I was, of course, being Dallas. But growing up … in this particular game they are using the CBC Hockey Night in Canada announcers” which stirred a lot of memories of the weekly games featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs and it as the Maple Leafs. Of course, when he sits down to play a videogame, he knows many of the players on whatever teams take to the cyber ice. 

“It was kind of surreal at times because having played with these guys in all-star games and you really don’t want them to do well,” he said with a laugh.

“I’m more for the old-style jerseys and rinks that they have in the game. And having the announcers that we had when I was growing up.” 

Where does being the cover boy rank in your career?

Marty: “My whole premise when growing up was in wanting to be a better goalkeeper and represent my country.

“I have a tremendous respect for the game of hockey and the fans, and it is an honor but it also means a lot of work. To do the motion capture and promote the game …

“This game has never had a goaltender before. … It’s pretty cool to have a package going around the world with your picture on it. It blows me and my family away.”

What elements do you think is the biggest difference in regards to the way goalkeepers will work in the coming game, thanks to your input?

Marty: “From my style of play, in particular, I hate to use the word flashy, but a lot more reactive and agile. Some of the saves are really going to stand out.

“I think having myself here and being part of the group the push was to make the goaltenders better and more exciting to watch … I’ve really taken on a leadership role and pushed the envelope.”

Have you played it online?

Marty: “I haven’t, I don’t think I’m ready yet,” he said laughing and then remarked that he really doesn’t want some “punk” to beat him, so will stick with the gamers he knows for now. He said that videogames have come and long way and changed so much and  “I’m still in the Donkey Kong age.”

Now here is where that part about logging in early to a conference call comes into play. Earlier Marty took on a sports editor on NHL 2K6, and after surrendering two goals to his opponent, came back to win 3-2 in overtime.

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