Could NBA Live = 2K Dead - Dazraz's Blog

Dazraz's Blog

Could NBA Live = 2K Dead

Posted on April 27, 2012 at 03:39 PM.

(10)

So NBA Live 13 is on the horizon & the first noises are coming out of EA's camp. And so the hype machine begins. Only this time EA may actually deliver on their boasts. Why? How can they not? Never before have EA actually had to deliver to quite such an extent. This time there is no exclusive license or well established market base with which to rest on. After the comical debacle that was NBA Elite anything but a stellar game will be seen as a fail. The problem, EA are going up against argubly the best sports simulation out there in NBA 2K.

If, and it's still a monumentally big if, EA do manage to overshadow 2K's game this year would that be for the benefit of the gamer? In an ideal world, to have 2 quality choices of any sports simulation is great. Unfortunately in today's industry it seems the costs are so high & coupled with a general decline in sales, developers need to be able to dominate the sales within a certain genre to make a profit. It is of course why we have so many exclusive titles. It's no secret that without their NBA game the 2K Sports brand would likely dissappear. An ailing MLB game along with the desicion to no longer produce an NHL title has left 2K as very much a one trick pony. If this happened & the NBA game became exclusive to EA could we really expect the standard we've come to expect to be maintained. NBA 2K, FIFA & MLB The Show are all games that got where they are in the wake of competition. It's no coincidence after all that EA's NHL game has barely changed since 2K decided to drop their title. It seems these days when it comes to sport games we have to be careful of what we wish for.

Comments

# 1 ironwork @ Apr 27

i agree with you! very cool read here. i touch on some things in my blog as well. as a consumer i really hope that the rivalry brings out the best of both companys. i hope to see more consumer input and better gameplay. thanks for the read.

# 2 RUFFNREADY @ Apr 27

Nice write up. I to concurr with you as 2K has turned into a one trick pony, and cant afford to be equal or even level with EA in the bball franchise, as it would mean the demise of 2K.

cheers

# 3 bigsmallwood @ Apr 28

2K is not going down because of NBA Live 13. They will be just fine.

# 4 statum71 @ Apr 28

Ummmm, no......sorry.

NBA Live is gonna have a VERY long way to go to catch up.

# 5 tril @ Apr 28

2k has quality
EA has good marketing.
Quality won out. so EA has to make an above average title.
Im a 2k sports loyalist so theyll always get my support which equates to dollars. 2k would really have to release a subpar game for me to even think of jumping ship.

# 6 jersez @ Apr 29

No, lack of competition destroys not just sports but all genre of video games. Lack of competition creatures complacency, I personally liked 2k12, but it didn't take the giant leap 2k11 did, 2k11 was great because of the success of nba live 10 and that EA was close to actually making a simulation basketball game. 2k12 was a really good imo but I feel that it could have used the competition from EA.

# 7 baller_of_the_year @ Apr 29

The short answer is no.

The long as is hell no.

The real question is "wtf are you smoking?" lol

# 8 DBMcGee3 @ Apr 30

I'm really excited to see what both titles bring to the table next year. Pressure has never been higher on EA, and I'm sure 2k has held a few tricks up their sleeves in anticipation of the showdown this fall. Now if only D Rose will heal up I'll be really pumped.

# 9 Dazraz @ Apr 30

Thanks for the responses guys. It will be an interesting few months leading up to this years basketball releases that's for sure.

# 10 bumpyface @ Apr 30

I just want to see both games at their best. NBA 2k12 is a good game but a step down from 2k11 in my opinion. I imagine the 2k developers took a well deserved break inbetween 2k11's success and 12s programming. Like I said, 12 is good, but 11 was great. But now with Live 13 on the horizon, 2k has to bring that "killer instinct" mentality back with the development of the next installment. I'm hoping to see improved online (including different difficulty lobbies), more fluid controls, better response time (on and offline), and less bugs upon release. I will rent both games (no pre-orders), and which ever is the greatest among the two, gets my $65. If they are both great games, maybe I will have to do a little OT, and cop both of em.