Setting the Stage for NBA Gaming in 2012 - RaychelSnr's Blog

Arena Blog Dynasty Scores Sign Up ☰

RaychelSnr's Blog

Setting the Stage for NBA Gaming in 2012 Stuck

Posted on December 8, 2011 at 06:26 PM.

(21)

We are going to see what I believe is one of the more interesting (and important) battles next season between EA's NBA title and NBA 2K13. While many are going to be quick to dismiss EA's title in this space, I believe there is a very real chance EA will compete in sales (the most important number) once again this next season. Here's how I think it'll end up going down.

First off, NBA 2K13 will almost certainly be a great game. That's not the issue here -- it never was an issue with NFL 2K, College Hoops 2K, or NHL 2K either.

Where 2K has always lost to EA in the past has been in EA's ability to make a game which jives with the mass market on a much wider scale (read less simulation more ******ly based) and with an advertising onslaught which basically overwhelms it's rivals.

In a lot of ways, NBA 2K has been the aberration in the past five years, as it was the only title in 2K Sports library to go up against EA and win, as EA effectively surrendered NBA Live. I think there's a bit of pride at Take Two about it's NBA game, but it's basically the final stronghold of man against the advancing armies of Mordor at this point -- if NBA 2K falls then the 2K Sports brand is effectively dead.

EA knows it. Take Two knows it.

This is why I think 2012 is going to be extremely interesting.

The developers at 2K Sports have done an exceptional job in a lot of ways with NBA 2K12, but the simple fact is gamers have turned away from the game in droves this season -- partially due to the lockout and partially because I feel the game simply doesn't jive with a ****** gamer or online gamers at this point.

EA has an opening here, and for people to discount that (especially 2K brass) is a horrible mistake. The keys to success for EA next year are simple: create an easy to access, well presented, fun and balanced game of basketball which works perfectly online. It doesn't have to be as deep as NBA 2K13 to compete -- it simply has to work and be fun. EA's marketing engine would take care of the rest at that point.

2K on the other hand, needs to focus on three areas: First off is online play -- it simply has to work next year. If not, you are losing 15% of your sales to EA instantly, if you haven't already. Second and third, 2K has to make the game more accessible to ****** gamers but in a way that doesn't alienate their existing fans and in a way that captures consumers interest. NBA 2K is a victim of it's own success, and becoming deeper and more complicated simply isn't going to work if you want to drive sales. It's actually possible the game is 'too good.'

Man that felt weird to say.

Simulation nuts are falling over in their chairs right now as I continue to type I know -- or you simply pushed the x on the tab -- but I believe that both companies have a tough mission ahead of them.

If 2K can stand up once again to EA's prowess as a marketing machine and beat them back -- then it would potentially mark a watershed moment. But if EA prevails, and NBA 2K eventually falls behind EA's NBA game -- then expect Take Two to throw in the white flag at some point in the future, just as they have with their other titles.

2K Sports has a history of cancelling titles well before it was their time to go. While I can't help but feel sadness at the titles we are missing every year, I also recognize the future lies in less sports titles available and not more. It is an unfortunate trend that could easily continue in the coming years with NBA 2K if the series isn't taken in a carefully planned direction.

The last several years have proven that Take Two is not afraid of shelving great quality titles which underperform in sales.

Let's hope that trend stops with the NBA titles.

Comments

# 16 TheTodd84 @ Dec 11

Question #1... Chris, you are going to work for EA?! That's awesome that they value your opinion so much. Go over there and make some changes! (if this is true, of course.)

#2. Am I the only one who actually preferred NBA Live 10 over NBA 2k11? What I loved about NBA live was that you could adjust the sliders and play real basketball, and yes the rebounding was very suspect, but I came to terms w/ it. The other thing I loved that 2k seems to mess up every year is quick passing and the fast break, two of the most important aspects to basketball. It was a ton of fun, if not too much fun to run and gun with the Phoenix Suns, no, I wouldn't win every game, but running and gunning was awesome and I could truly have fast break after fast break if Lopez could grab a few boards here and there.

As soon as 2k gets rid of too much blocking, floaty passes and other nuances, then I will go back to it.

# 17 Lovesports @ Dec 11

first, i don't agree that "sales" is the most important number in predicting the quality of a game. Madden is the perfect example. Second, one thing that 2k is superior at is NBA games. EA will probably make a decent game, no question, but NBA 2K is one of the best sports titles out there.

# 18 Slava Medvadenko @ Dec 12

I think passing plays a huge part in how successful 2k is this year and next. I could play through other gameplay issues that the game has at launch, but the passing is...well, ya'll know. Its such a huge part of basketball that it affects the whole perception of the game. It should be a huge point of emphasis for 2k13 to improve it over the last two years.

Online will be key also, because EA's online will be good. Its a must for 2k to get this at least in the 'good enough' range.

# 19 kareem434 @ Dec 14

"EA sports can comeback" I agree. "2k should essentialy dumb down there product for ****** fans" thats where I disagree. 2k needs to deepen its simulation aspects to (if nothing else) draw attention away from the gameplay issues they have on every release date. There product is good enough with the gameplay where I wouldnt go changing everything about it like EA had to do because they suck at basketball gameplay. Now if they wanted to "dumb it down" as you suggested they should just add a custom gameplay slider setting just to make the game like NBA jam or some cheesy crap that might attract a couple of 13 year olds.

# 20 papoose @ Jan 10

I played EA bball many years, the last 2 years i had to switch to to live and learned to embrace it since it seemed like ea gave up. Jordan is greatest of all time but one of my least fav. player/owners ever, so i dont like to buy nike or play the last 2k, this 2k i felt robbed of my money because in some ways they managed to make the game worse. i miss you EA

« Previous 12Next »

RaychelSnr

Create Your Card Flip Card Over