Can a new Console Generation Cure What Ails Sports Games? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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Can a new Console Generation Cure What Ails Sports Games? Stuck

Posted on May 17, 2012 at 03:04 PM.

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The year was 2005. The day was May 12.

Microsoft unveiled it's second gaming console, the XBox 360 on that day. Gamers rejoiced and marveled at the new hardware.

New hardware means new possibilities after all. And new possibilities mean new experiences for users/consumers. And new experiences mean new sales.

But there was a side effect of the new console generation for sports gaming. With the new hardware came new demands for realism, new demands for more detail. When you got down to it, consumer expectations became quite unrealistic when mixed with promotional trailers like the trailer embedded above.

In retrospect, that trailer was an abomination of public relations and marketing. Without a doubt, it was the worst thought out release EA has made in its companies history (followed closely by Madden NFL 06).

I wonder how the developers must have felt, knowing what they were working on, when that was released -- knowing there was no chance of what they were making meeting THOSE expectations?

Regardless, our psyche hasn't recovered from that. Our expectations are still sky high when it comes to sports gaming and our demands are only set to rise with new hardware.

The last time this happened we saw the first half of our generation lose a ton of features or take no appreciable steps forward until about 2008 or so, 3 years into the new console generation as developers struggled to catch up with the demands of the new hardware presented to them.

To avoid that type of an outcome this time around, developers and publishers need to rethink sports games. The new hardware is going to make a lot of really cool things possible when it comes to sports games -- but there is a little less than a 0% chance that those types of expectations will be able to be squeezed into yearly development cycles.

It's time to rethink sports games before the new console generation hits.

Why?

Because on their present course, sports games are incredibly self destructive. They allow nowhere near the time they require to accurately simulate the sports they try to simulate -- at least to be worth a new $60 purchase each and every year.

It's as if when EA launches a new three year plan, we get a preview of what an actual end product would look like if it was given two actual full years of development time. Instead, developers have to develop a game to reach a yearly goal and it results in an incredibly inefficient approach. As consumers, we get to periodically beta test a game once a year as it's developed over three years AND we get to pay $60 for that privilege.

That hardly seems like a smart process for customers to accept.

What happens with the impending new generation is probably keeping many a sports game project manager awake at night. Both with the possibilities and with the realities.

That much more detail to put into a game. That much more which could go wrong.

And you still have to develop sports games as if it were 2001.

What a shame. How unrealistic.

What are your expectations of the new console generation?

Want more of my random stream of consciouness? You can follow me on Twitter.

Comments

# 1 chi_hawks @ May 17

I think in a perfect world, yeah, they would only release a new version of the game every 2 or 3 years. Hell, I wouldn't mind paying 180 bucks for a stellar NFL title if I knew it would last me for a couple years. Seems no different then spending 60 three times over three years.

Each iteration of madden seems to have fewer and fewer updates. But, at some point in time, if they release a "perfect" game of football, with users given teh ability to modify jerseys, teams, stadiums, rosters etc, they will cut off their own future revenue streams. And lets not forgot, that is why they are in business...revenue.

I don't expect next gen to bring about anything special - I'm actually predicting another step back (but not as bad as Madden 06 was).

# 2 RaychelSnr @ May 17

I've never bought the perfect game concept, because no game will ever be perfect. No matter what, you can ALWAYS change the presentation, turn off the online servers, etc. to force new buys. The presentation is really the key to keeping any game fresh -- it's not like football or basketball changes enough to make you go, 'I have to buy this game this year to take advantage of the new football."

# 3 PRO318 @ May 17

great read chris

# 4 sydrogerdavid @ May 17

Yeah. I'm not expecting an improvement on the next gen first releases. That is why I don't want the new consoles to come out yet. The games we are getting today are still state of the art.

I'm not worried about the football games, they really don't have anywhere to go but up with next gen. I'm mostly concerned with The Show. I wonder how they will be able to continue their success into a new generation and then how they will adapt with the rumor of the PS4 supposedly using inferior "guts" than the PS3.

I also wonder how much better the graphics can get. Less jaggies? I can't comprehend.

# 5 TheLetterZ @ May 17

Nice work, Chris.

To me though, the article comes across as too defensive of EA.

You certainly have some good points, but is it really the hardware's fault EA has struggled with their football games?

If this problem was endemic to every sports game on this generation of consoles, I'd be inclined to agree with you.

But look around.

MLB The Show has gotten better every year since this generation started. It's a landmark game now.

Same with the NHL series. That series is spectacular.

FIFA, too.

And look what 2K did with the NBA 2K series. It's light years ahead of where it was on Xbox.

All of those other companies/sports have managed to take gigantic leaps forward on this generation of consoles.

EA's football games have not by any means. They actually regressed for several years.

Sure, EA has helped set some of those expectations with that ridiculous video. No doubt.

But if you base your expectations for the EA football games on what the OTHER sports games/companies have accomplished this generation, you still end up with seriously underwhelming football games.

# 6 AiDub @ May 17

The problem is despite the lack of progression in the game year after year, the consumer is still in the store buying it every year. I believe for something "revolutionary" to truly be at the tip of everyone's tongues at EA, the consumers need to speak up by not buying the game. This forces EA to shape up and give us what we want.

# 7 chi_hawks @ May 17

I think the bottom line is if there were no exclusive licenses, new consols would bring about greater leaps in gameplay, and in general, user experience. However, EA is making boatloads of cash right now. Madden is absolutely in the cash cow stage. The question is, what are they going to do when the slide begins.

# 8 Reed1417 @ May 17

i still think our console generation is fine and i think we can still go a bit more into it. but as far as the next generation goes i am trying to remain positive about it. hopefully they are better prepared this time around.

# 9 wat3 @ May 17

EA and what they do best, promos. Lol. I don't expect any game perfect. I just want to see fresh new concepts and game engines that work good and are fun to play. Something that sports games can really build on. The foundation of the first year games are really important and the devolopers that make these game really need to start with their core and build on that. I want the days of pre annimations and predictability to be gone. If I see any game build on the nature of that, I think next gen sports games will be a great success.

# 10 Spaced Ace @ May 17

That promo video is ridiculous. The actual product doesn't even come CLOSE to that video...

# 11 AussieChiefsFan @ May 18

Great read. Im hoping for some kind if real time physics

# 12 cmidd @ May 18

I meerly expected Madden and NCAA to be as good as 05 with better graphics!!! For dynasty and franchise mode to be on par with the other great sport games this gen! NBA 2k11 was not disappointing and neither was NHL 11. It has taken them almost an entire generation to release a Madden that has some form of trade logic, possibly a restricted free agency, it shouldn't have taken this long for these things to have been put into the game

# 13 SHAKYR @ May 18

I say a game be near perfect because games like NBA 2K and MLB The Show have huge elements that can enhance a game going forward. I thing some fans look for things in a game that fans ignore. You have to identify the people who are saying certain thinks aren't good enough and do these people have access to option to get the gameplay they want. You have groups of fans who are looking for realism, arcade, and a hybrid of both seperately.

The Next-Gen things will get better myth is just that. If a game is what a producer or company want, you are not going to get it. A company isn't going to give the perfect game on purpose because they want to keep making money.

# 14 Elgin2311 @ May 19

In all honesty I think ncaa has come a long way. I have always considered it the better ea football game. All big buisness put out cheap products to maximize profits. Look at what we eat, its no different then what ea has done, thats why you eliminate your competition.

# 15 eye guy @ May 21

For me, it isn't whether a new generation of consoles will be the cure, but rather what developers will spend most (if not all) of their time and resources on, how they will utilize the new hardware and how much content they will release annually.

We already have an example of how current hardware should be utilized, in MLB The Show. There is a near-perfect balance between gameplay and graphics, and I really think that this is a trend many developers may need to pick up with the release of next-gen consoles.

I also think developers need to spend more time in the development/creation stage, to be able to delve deeper into the hardware's capabilities, thus delivering more 'complete' titles. This is what i'm hoping EA's Live 13 will show.