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

# 16 TreyIM2 @ Jan 17

Yea, they shouldn't promise what they can't deliver but I do understand what it's about - Dev cycles. I'd prefer them to move on to the next iteration of a sports game than dwell on the current one, if they don't have the resources to fully dedicate to the updates....but, again, they SHOULDN'T sound like car salesmen with all that jazz....

# 17 Geolink @ Jan 17

I knew the updating art and player models for 2K would turn out to be B.S.

It's never been done, and it's never been done as often as 2K promised it would with a sports game.

# 18 Matty Aqua @ Jan 18

Extremely disappointing by 2k...for a company that prided itself and attracted it's major market due to it's attention too little things, and focus on Sim style bball, It's a shame the series is where it is....Major Bugs in all Modes,Unrealistic Stats & Non Updated Rosters,Unfulfilled Promises(Art Files)!....

I just thank God we have dedicated people willing to give us the SIM WORLD ROSTER PROJECT...I would much rather pay them if i could!

# 19 DW3 @ Jan 18

Like others have stated, I'm done purchasing these games on release day. We have to wait on a patch before the game plays correctly anyway. As a consumer, it just doesn't seem logical to buy a game for $65.00 on release date just to wait till November for a patch! Is there really a difference between 2k and EA in regards to post release support now?

# 20 BlackRome @ Jan 18

Fool me one. Shame on you. Fool me twice. Shame on me.

Yet they have fooled me since 2k8. Which turned out great but the game was unplayable when they released it.

I learned my lesson after 2k8. Never again will I buy a 2k game on release day. The other thing I learned is to never trust a review on NBA2k by operation sports.

It's laughable how the review states 2k12 moves better than 2k11 when it doesn't. Yet 2k11 was supposedly great because they slowed the game down.

# 21 Bulls321974 @ Jan 18

From now on I will definitely not buy an NBA 2K game as sooo as it got released. I will wait and read through various threads and forums in order to eventually decide whether to buy the game or not. I've been the kind of customer that couldn't wait to play the game asap, but 2K has disappointed me so tremendously this year that I'm almost through with the company and its franchise. I'm not an online player, so my question remains: Where are the regular roster updates? It's so ridiculous to read through their loudmouthed announcements saying they will even update courts (!) to make the game as realistic as an NBA game can possibly be. Now it's January 18th 2012 and still so many players are missing in various teams. Where's the point anyway, 2K? Walk it like you talk it! Otherwise many customers will think you're plain untrustworthy.

# 22 futhamucka @ Jan 18

2K has patched the console versions of NBA2K12 a couple of times already, but there has still been no patch for the PC!

# 23 bezbeats @ Jan 18

I say No1 Should buy 2k13 on release day..wait 2 weeks..teach these guys a lesson..Having 3 top lengends on the worst 2k..smdh

# 24 bezbeats @ Jan 18

2k will be gameflyed for now on..they will not get my $65 ever again...and iam starting with baseball

# 25 KOYO78 @ Jan 18

NBA2K12 is starting to feel like madden; since its the only game in town u get what u get really do u think the developers care? Till we hv competition blogs like this will always be here it's at a point now where the companies don't even try anymore

# 26 charter04 @ Jan 18

Is anyone really surpised that 2K did the same thing with their B-Ball game that EA has been doing with football. Once there is no competition companies get complacent. Next year B-ball games should be good again with EA getting back in the game. That is why football games will be a let down every year until there is legit competition.

# 27 salute2you @ Jan 18

The only reason I purchased 2K12 (and I prefer 2K11) was the updated rosters to play online. If they are not going to be updated and I can't play online with user updated rosters, then there is NO point in buyin 2k13 and I won't...Don't get me started on how each year Madden Franchise Mode seems to go two years backwards!!!

# 28 Yankees_CT @ Jan 18

Have to agree with everyone here, very disappointed this year all across the board (can't complain about the Show though, still playing 11 with no problems). But the empty promises are getting old. The worst offender in my opinion, and most likely not too many here have played it, is THQ with their wrestling game. That has to be the very worst online experience I have ever had. I don't play anything online but I purchased that game for the community downloads aspect and it has been downright pitiful. THQ has done nothing but make promises of fixes and still nothing. Anyway rant over...hopefully 2012 brings quality and follow-through along with it.