Post-Release Support MIA from NBA Titles - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

Post-Release Support MIA from NBA Titles Stuck

Posted on January 17, 2012 at 03:33 PM.

(37)

It's the political season.

We're getting all sorts of big promises with no possible way they will be delivered by multiple people as I type this blog. I, of course, didn't expect that same sort of mentality to creep into NBA Gaming -- but it has.

Both EA and 2K promised big things once the NBA season got underway. For EA, there was a vague promise of updated rosters which seemed to indicate there would be post-release support. For 2K it was regular roster updates to get everything up to speed for the new season.

Fast forward to today, January 17, 2012. The NBA season is 23 days old, and neither company has even come close to fulfilling their promises to customers.

In their announcement blog, EA Sports promised roster updates in the following quote, "More NBA JAM Hotness: Online roster updates, more NBA superstars, legendary NBA players, over-the-top animations, JAM challenges, secret teams and unlockable characters than ever before!"

Now granted, that statement is vague enough that EA could have simply meant that the rosters were updated in the game so good luck to you -- and in fact that could be their eventual line they run with. I won't accept it and neither should you.

But to me, to our friend Pasta Padre, and to most of you -- that line meant that there would be roster updates provided online for the game as soon as the lockout was over.

Being able to update rosters was one of the key features being touted with the new NBA Jam -- today we sit here with no updates and no sign that one is coming.

How many people bought NBA Jam: On Fire Edition on that promise? If it was just one person, that's still one person too many. Surely the folks at EA have to see exactly how damaging this kind of a move could be to the relaunch of EA's sim NBA series later this year.

What gamers want is an explanation -- and a good one at that -- about what exactly is going on with what was seemingly a promise to update rosters.

2K is another story entirely. In a game built around being authentic, updated rosters is a simple necessity. The initial efforts to catch NBA 2K12 up to the action were solid with a single initial updates, but those efforts have ultimately fell short, especially now that the update well has gone dry.

Many players who are either injured or suspended are still on rosters -- ultimately some players are on the wrong team as well (it'll get worse as the season goes on). There are several second round draft picks which are missing in action as well. All of this results in rosters which look outdated each day the season progresses.

Something is going on, and I don't like it when it comes to either of these games. Remember NBA 2K12 also has an art-updating feature where the art within the game could be updated on a regular basis. The announcement there was entirely vague, but the delivery has been non-existent regardless of the intent.

What we have right now are two NBA games which made big promises for a post-lockout period and neither of which have delivered.

The question now becomes: do we see both companies act on behalf of their customers, or do we see them give us the preverbial middle finger when it comes to video game basketball?

As with the political season, only time will tell if the promises made months ago are kept. Hopefully, as with the political season, customers hold EA and 2K accountable by not voting for them with another willing $60 for undelivered promises and missing features when their time to vote comes up again.

Update: EA has confirmed to Kotaku that a roster update for NBA Jam: OFE is forthcoming. "We will be providing roster updates for NBA Jam: On Fire Edition this season." She didn't say when or how many, specifically, adding only "more information to come."

Comments

# 1 The GIGGAS @ Jan 17

This came across today on Kotaku: http://kotaku.com/5876875/nba-jam-on...ea-sports-says

Quote:


	Responding to a Kotaku request for comment, an EA Sports spokeswoman said that's not the case. "We will be providing roster updates for NBA Jam: On Fire Edition this season." She didn't say when or how many, specifically, adding only "more information to come."

# 2 BaylorBearBryant @ Jan 17

Let me put it this way, I'm very selective with my EA titles. It seems I'll have to be that way regardless of the developer.

Rather disappointing, but the time has come to stop purchasing on release day.

# 3 Gotmadskillzson @ Jan 17

Too much hype is what is going on. As my dad use to always say, don't let your mouth write a check your butt can't cash. And this is what happened for this whole year of sports games.

Talked a big game, but couldn't deliver.

# 4 RaychelSnr @ Jan 17

Thanks Giggas -- updated the original blog post!!

# 5 mdiggitydawg @ Jan 17

Just another way to show the consumers that once they get their 60 dollars...they just don't care about any of us.

# 6 elprez98 @ Jan 17

Its an arms race to the 2013 titles. I'm not saying its right, but I understand what both companies have at stake. 2012 was a down year for b-ball in general (lockout) and both companies knew that going in. Again, I don't condone it but 2012 is really irrelevent when you compare it to the real battle that comes next year.

# 7 schnaidt1 @ Jan 17

2k sports has dropped the ball on rosters, but i prefer community edited rosters anyway for gameplay so i am not that upset. but ea has really dropped the ball in 2011, the release of a horribly buggy ncaa 12 that took months to get it really working like it was supposed to. then release of madden where everyone has a rating of 80 or higher and a broken ai in franchise mode coupled with absolutely zero tuners released even tho it was another feature they talked about to help boost sales. all of this has resulted in my decision to not buy any title from ea in 2012...this is just ridiculous....why there is no bate and switch lawsuit in action right now baffles me...

# 8 ronyell @ Jan 17

THOROUGHLY annoyed at the abundance/size of the promises that were made only for them to be INEXPLICABLY left hanging. not getting some of the things promised is one thing but to nake the promise as a pacifire for things that the consumer has been clammoring for & then NOT do those things in which you promised is a whole different monster! being the only release in a year where we were slated to have no actual games, you'd think they'd put thier fut on the gas but no, they Solja Boy'd & Lil Wayne'd us & just gave us whetever & made false promises because they knew we would buy off of name recognition alone.

# 9 alexthegreat @ Jan 17

2K has definitely lost a step this year. They have just totally given up on keeping the game current like they promised.

# 10 Control-X @ Jan 17

Broken promises. I can see why a new company will rise one day that will compete against EA and 2K in terms of sports gaming and win its consumers by not telling lies. Or I'm just being ridiculous.

# 11 kennyacid @ Jan 17

When it comes to 2K it really doesn't make sense to me. How you have a guy who's sole purpose is to do rosters not do them. Its not not like he has a big role in NBA 2K13 just yet, so why cant he focus on the rosters. What he has to wait for whoever design player models to help out? All i know is its getting to the point where im looking for to 2K13 so i can play with all the rookies from this year smh lol.

# 12 wallofhate @ Jan 17

Im shocked a little that 2k hasnt been going over and beyond due to the fact of the lockout situation. I figured they would do art changes and even the 2k insider would step his game up as well. I guess im going to hold out and hope they have a change in attitude

# 13 Kry @ Jan 17

I agree with BaylorBearBryant. Im done with buying games on release day and developers not keeping them current. Honestly, I feel like 2k12 was a step backwards and wish I wouldve waited a while before the purchase. I pretty much perfer 2k11 to 2k12 now. 2k12 just seem too arcade like now.

# 14 sactown_13 @ Jan 17

Im tired of these companies going on twitter saying, "will update shortly" or "in the future". just not being honest with the consumer. The roster insider either needs help or should be replaced because it is a fail. I also didnt appreciate 2k dancing around the fact that they removed online modes, especially crew mode. Im fine with the logic that they need to take a step back in order to step forward, but why did i have to wait until i bought the game to find out this was the plan? And where are these online improvements?

# 15 eko718 @ Jan 17

The sparse and incomplete updates by 2k is frustrating. Even more frustrating is the lack of communication over the last 3 weeks regarding updates, and the fact that the insider is in hiding and unreachable except by 2k employees. The season is 1/4th over and rosters are still incomplete. This definitely puts a foul taste in my mouth regarding 2K13.

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