RaychelSnr's Blog
NBA 2K12 Accomplished One Thing: EA Has an Open Door to Online Gamers Hearts 
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 01:51 PM.
If you would have told me a year ago that EA Basketball would have an in-road to the most hardcore of the basketball gaming crowd without releasing an NBA game in roughly 24 months, I would've called you crazy.
But here we sit, 2K Sports' flagship (and really just about only) title still has proven it can't do online well. While fixes are abound, we all know the most important period for the game is in the first few weeks. After all, what happens to Battlefield 3 or Call of Duty if it's game servers continually crash the first week after the game is released?
Yeah, that wouldn't be pretty either.
I've written extensively about how 2K Sports is in a precarious position -- and I don't like to say that -- but they're one great NBA Title from EA away from being out of the game for good. 2K Sports has always set the sports simulation bar (and they're good for business here at OS), but I'm officially putting them on the endangered list after the events of the past week.
2K Sports flagship title promised huge updates to My Player (underwhelming), Online (non-functional at least half the time), and to the Legends mode (a second dip into novelty, can't last forever). A lot of the focus this year has gone by the wayside because a lot of the new additions have basically fallen flat on their face.
The lockout has something to do with a bit of a cold attitude among many about 2K12, but also creating such a good game last year is something else you can't discount as a reason for the discontent this year.
NBA 2K11 was the pinnacle of this series, and the follow-on attempt was going to be met with huge expectations. In many ways, 2K12 delivers but in many others, it disappoints heavily. Some gamers are saying the game is a huge disappointment -- it's not because the gameplay or presentation are lacking.
The gameplay and presentation this year are unmatched in our genre. Actually get into a game of basketball in 2K12 and you'll find an experience more enjoyable than most any other games out there. It's to the games credit that with some of it's game modes essentially broken, the game STILL got an 8.5 on our new scoring scale.
That's a HUGE accomplishment all things considered.
At the same time, gameplay and presentation are things which can always be improved but eventually -- especially if you have competition -- people are going to grow tired of it. It happens with real broadcasts much less in a video game where the rules are more static. Watch an NBA broadcast from 5 years ago and one from today, there are several subtle if not outright differences in how games are presented. Narrow the ability for variety and you'll see why video game presentations are always in constant danger of becoming stale.
While 2K12 offers a gameplay/presentation package pretty much unmatched, the rest of the game is completely vulnerable, especially the online modes. The folks at EA Tiburon have to keep that in mind. EA's new NBA Title set for release next year should focus on Online Play. Thus, a smooth and balanced gameplay experience with a solid presentation should be their primary focus. You don't have to beat NBA 2K13 in quality to be a success -- but you do have to offer an alternative to the marketplace people will find value in.
The door is wide open. If EA succeed where 2K fails time and time again -- with online -- then the NBA 2K series' fate will already be sealed.
If EA gets that in-road into the hardcore basketball gamers heart next year, NBA 2K will simply biding it's time until EA overtakes them in sales. 2K has to fix the servers this year ASAP to just get some goodwill back. And next year, they have to deliver from day one. Another year of failing at online, especially in the face of a competitor that is serious about winning the digital NBA arms race, will spell total disaster.
NBA 2K, you've been put on notice. You are basically the Lebron James led Cleveland Cavaliers, good enough to win and win big in the regular season -- but when the playoffs come around, you've got some serious flaws that your competition can take full advantage of.
If NBA 2K's vulnerabilities aren't solved and soon, the 2K Sports brand isn't long for this world.
Chris is the Executive Editor at Operation Sports and hosts the OS Radio show. He is a Jesus-Freak, Entrepreneur, Speaker, Stom Chaser, owner of the Tornado Titans Brand, and generally an incredibly busy man. You can follow Chris @ChrisSnr on Twitter.
# 62
stillfeelme @ Oct 11
Right now it comes down to business. If not having a fully functional online caused a significant drop in sales then the problem would be fixed is my opinion. So to me that means the majority of online complaint will go unresolved until then. I say that but I believe 2k is trying everything they can to fix online. No company can sit there and ignore complaints from the consumers and I am starting to believe it is more than what we think. Complaints are bad for business and hurts sales. Now this blog I don't agree with if EA has a functional online will people jump ship from 2k I think not. I am not sure there is room in the market for two NBA sim games for EA to make enough money to justify staying in the game. I hope I am wrong because competition or the threat of competition forces the company to step up or be put out of business.
# 63
AgaliareptX @ Oct 11
Coming back to this thread, (I had the first post, yay!), I'd like to say that 2k has no excuse that their online should be this bad, or even getting worse from year to year. Online isn't something that needs to improve every year, it just needs to stay stable. Obviously servers get a heavier load every year, but all 2k really needs to do is spend more money in the server department and have a competent staff.
That being said, I would still pay $65 for 2k even if they removed online completely. (Well, I'd want 2k share and roster updates, but if they removed majority of online features)
That being said, I would still pay $65 for 2k even if they removed online completely. (Well, I'd want 2k share and roster updates, but if they removed majority of online features)
# 64
Steven123 @ Oct 11
Servers has really been terrible but I feel like it's due to the lock out, which isn't excusable by any means. Seriously though, these things can be fixed fairly easily unlike EA's game which was so much of a mess that they had to cancel it. If EA put the same effort that they do now into Madden and there was a 2k football, I honestly believe we would have seen Madden cancellations as well.
# 65
stillfeelme @ Oct 11
AgaliareptX,
It can't be that simple or the problem would have been fixed last year. It has to be something else, there has to be. I am sure they are smarter than that. I actually want to play more online association this year.
It can't be that simple or the problem would have been fixed last year. It has to be something else, there has to be. I am sure they are smarter than that. I actually want to play more online association this year.
# 66
Jeuro05 @ Oct 11
This sever crap has been going on since NBA2K10 (KB ON COVER) till now. that means I've spent $180.00 + TAX for half *** online play to top it off the NBA has a lock out going on. gives me no motivation to play NBA2K12 I'm strickly and online gamer ... the hell with this I'm getting FIFA 12 p.s. someone needs to make a college basketball game again please
# 68
AgaliareptX @ Oct 11
Stillfeelme, if it was something that was really difficult to do, I would think that gamers would be more understanding that there are problems.
# 69
eye guy @ Oct 11
@TheDevilscure
I'm not happy with the issues 2K have or rather, have had with their online services for the better part of the the past 3-4 years, but some (if not most) of us have been hounding them about gameplay, really since the beginning of this generation of consoles.
This is why, most of us are happy with the product. They have continued to polish their game and we have, quite possibly the best basketball game available; online issues aside.
I understand where online gamers are coming from, but online doesn't make or break this game, in my opinion. There's a difference between, say BF3 and NBA 2K12 where the main focus for BF3 is online, again my opinion. That's one reason why I disagree with this blog.
And with all that in mind; What is - has been - 2K's main focus?
If., if they were to focus on the online aspects of this game, how would you react to the changes or downgrade (note: I say downgrade because from what i've been reading, modes, lobby's etc, have been completely removed from online) in gameplay, additional modes, presentation, etc, etc...?
Again in my opinion, it sounds like it's a never-ending tug-of-war for 2K/VC to balance it out without downgrading what makes them unique.
In their case, it's gameplay.
I'm not happy with the issues 2K have or rather, have had with their online services for the better part of the the past 3-4 years, but some (if not most) of us have been hounding them about gameplay, really since the beginning of this generation of consoles.
This is why, most of us are happy with the product. They have continued to polish their game and we have, quite possibly the best basketball game available; online issues aside.
I understand where online gamers are coming from, but online doesn't make or break this game, in my opinion. There's a difference between, say BF3 and NBA 2K12 where the main focus for BF3 is online, again my opinion. That's one reason why I disagree with this blog.
And with all that in mind; What is - has been - 2K's main focus?
If., if they were to focus on the online aspects of this game, how would you react to the changes or downgrade (note: I say downgrade because from what i've been reading, modes, lobby's etc, have been completely removed from online) in gameplay, additional modes, presentation, etc, etc...?
Again in my opinion, it sounds like it's a never-ending tug-of-war for 2K/VC to balance it out without downgrading what makes them unique.
In their case, it's gameplay.
# 70
qnzballa5 @ Oct 11
They already have gameplay on lock.. They spend all their time on legends is wat gets me.. Be like the wrestling games n make just a legend greatest game for all the gamers who want that.. Focus on gameplay of course but focus on online also.. Its a fact that offline is very good, so of course the offline gamers dont care.. Basically the offline gamers have no room to talk period.. This is about online gamers.. Online gamers like myself have been complaining for years yet nothing has been done..
Its just sad that 2k8 online was a million times better then every 2k game after that n this is the worst online for 2k period.. They need to do something asap. Offline gamers stick to your offline.. Online gamers relate to this thread.
Its just sad that 2k8 online was a million times better then every 2k game after that n this is the worst online for 2k period.. They need to do something asap. Offline gamers stick to your offline.. Online gamers relate to this thread.
# 71
khaliib @ Oct 11
Wow, it's amazing how quickly folks highjack a thread/blog and turn it into a you vs me argument.
Anyhoo,
EA has to deal with the Offline history of their basketball game.
When they drop their Basketball back into the market, they can't be delivering from where '10 left off because by today's standards, even the good things it had is behind.
The expectations is to be "Better" not on par.
Especially after having a longer time to develope and see what sports games the community has set as the standard.
It's just difficult to see according to the blog, for EA to get back into the game via Online until their game proves it's no longer tied into it's Offline history.
The smart thing to do would be to get back into the game through a College version were there is no competition.
Online play during the NCAA Tournament would bring more fans back (if game is were it should be) than a head-to-head battle with the standard of this genre.
Then drop a Pro version as an extension, as 2K does not have this.
Heck, even I (offline gamer) would buy both games because of a College-to-Pro transition.
This basketball should be better than all of their other Sports games because they've seen gamer's feedback to current Sports games out and they've had the time to develope a game built around those expectations.
Anyhoo,
EA has to deal with the Offline history of their basketball game.
When they drop their Basketball back into the market, they can't be delivering from where '10 left off because by today's standards, even the good things it had is behind.
The expectations is to be "Better" not on par.
Especially after having a longer time to develope and see what sports games the community has set as the standard.
It's just difficult to see according to the blog, for EA to get back into the game via Online until their game proves it's no longer tied into it's Offline history.
The smart thing to do would be to get back into the game through a College version were there is no competition.
Online play during the NCAA Tournament would bring more fans back (if game is were it should be) than a head-to-head battle with the standard of this genre.
Then drop a Pro version as an extension, as 2K does not have this.
Heck, even I (offline gamer) would buy both games because of a College-to-Pro transition.
This basketball should be better than all of their other Sports games because they've seen gamer's feedback to current Sports games out and they've had the time to develope a game built around those expectations.
# 72
VUUAASSHHH! @ Oct 12
Gears of War 3 is an extraordinary game. But multiplayer takes long time to find a match, sometimes takes forever. Even so the game is great.
# 73
ForeverVersatile @ Oct 12
I'm sorry but, EA can have the best online experience in the world, but the overall quality of the game doesn't stack up to NBA 2K's and hasn't for a very very long time.
# 74
Galarius @ Oct 12
I don't think classic players and teams are a novelty at all....The fact is that a game with Michale Jordan on the cover last year is the best selling hoops game of all time....If anything, the stage is set for further expansion into the classic realm.I have been saying for awhile now that 2k had better co-score the NCAA Football license with EA or their days might be numbered
# 75
Galarius @ Oct 12
To Post#13...try playing more against team specific VIP's you create and you will find that playing against the CPU that way is nearly as fun as playing against another human.See my blog on VIP's
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Some lag in soccer or football games, heck even FPS's are not as bad b/c the nature of the split second timing is different.
The split second nature of passing and shooting in the NBA makes 2k11 impossible to play online.