The Future of Basketball Gaming: Has NBA 2K Just Won? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

The Future of Basketball Gaming: Has NBA 2K Just Won? Stuck

Posted on October 1, 2012 at 03:04 PM.

(49)

That...just...happened.

Now granted, all signs were pointing towards Live never seeing the light of day -- but still can you say you are surprised?

I personally gave EA a lot of the benefit of the doubt the past several months, mainly because it seemed inconceivable a company as successful and large as Electronic Arts could mangle a release not just once, but twice.

"You keep using that word, I don't think it means what you think it means."

But here we are. And now we have to ask the tough questions: is NBA Live 14 really going to happen? If so, can it truly be any good? Can the franchise even stick around to find out?

What we've seen thus far basically gives that theory zero credibility. It's possible yes, but so is 2K reversing it's sports game attrition and actually releasing more games next year vs. this year including an NHL and MLB title.

In short, I don't see it as being likely. EA doesn't seem to get basketball given the early demo previews of Live with robotic player animations and hardly any player movement on the court. A passable title won't work in the face of greatness, NBA 2K will make anything less than a great effort seem amateurish in comparison.

I'm pretty sure EA will try to pump even more money into an NBA Product, and I'm sure they'll try to release it again, but at this point can anyone catch up with NBA 2K? I'm really not so sure.

We know direct sport competition is not a prerequisite for producing great games -- contrary to the popular groupthink in the sports gaming community. If so, NHL would never have been able to be great, much less trying to explain MLB 2K's failure in becoming a great game (and it ultimately folding) because it simply can't match MLB: The Show.

One could argue compellingly that competition will always result in a winner and a loser in sports gaming, and you'd be largely right -- it's tough to argue against the shrinking list of sports game titles being released each season after all. Competition may have propelled a game to become great, but it's not necessary to keep a game there.

So relax NBA 2K fans, your baby is going to be just fine.

What EA has done this year is basically wave the white flag to 2K Sports, but promise to return someday. This isn't like General MacArthur's promise when he left the Philippines in World War II though, because returning to win might not be possible now for EA.

NBA 2K has entrenched itself in several ways. It outshines any possible EA effort in sales, quality, marketing, and it's virality at least for a couple of release cycles minimum. Simply put, NBA 2K is the firm go-to product and brand in the gamers mind as the NBA game for NBA fans.

NBA Live's appearance next year, if it does make an appearance, will take some incredibly amazing marketing and a game which is really good in quality to even begin to dent that -- adequate or average won't cut it. Borderline great may begin to turn the tide.

May.

The sales won't come initially regardless, and if quality isn't there they never will. That's the problem EA has, and it's the problem they're going to have.

NBA 2K is the Miami Heat, NBA Live is more akin to the Bobcats.

One is going to be a championship contender for some time, the other probably won't be leaving the basement for years to come.

Another sports game marked off the release calendar and the march to universal exclusivity continues onwards.

C'est la vie sports gamers, it's our lot in life.

Let's just hope the games that keep winning look more like NHL and NBA 2K than the Madden's of earlier this generation and all will be forgiven.

Comments

# 16 Jimbo614 @ Oct 1

One scenario that no one has the courage to consider.... That EA simply opens up it's substantial checkbook, and purchases the Rights to the NBA effectively putting 2K out of business. Then makes 2K an offer they can't refuse...

# 17 atc43 @ Oct 1

@Jimbo614 If EA pulled that BS id hope 2K would sue the brakes off of them and then use that premise to battle the monopoly that EA has with the NFL...dont hate me, im a dreamer lol

# 18 eaciv973 @ Oct 1

This is where 2K Sports and Visual Concept fill the void created by EA's cancelation and breathe some air back into the College Hoops franchise. There will be a form of title competition and you will be begin to target a broader market.

# 19 jyoung @ Oct 1

I wouldn't go so far to equate Live to the Bobcats, who have never been good.

I would say Live is more like the Sacramento Kings. They had a great run a while ago then lost their way and fell into the gutter through bad ownership.

# 20 jwtucker710 @ Oct 1

Say what you want, but LIVE 10 was pretty good. Problem: EA Sports was trying to make LIVE similar to NFL with Elite, and it just got messy. Not sure what happened with 13; I thought it was strange they wait till the end to cancel it. They kept saying it was coming out, and maybe so, but I think they knew a few months back that what they had wasn't going to work. I knew something was up when there wasn't a cover athlete by Aug 1. All EA had to do was use LIVE 10, update the player models, rosters, and improve the online and franchise, and it would compete. I think they're trying to go with a home run shot and it's complicated programming. I think we do need competition, and it's a shame that EA has gone south with its bb sim. Maybe next year, maybe not.

# 21 jwtucker710 @ Oct 1

sorry, meant NHL with Elite 11.

# 22 ggsimmonds @ Oct 2

Wasn't a article just like this one posted around this time last year and the year before that?

# 23 DatKid16 @ Oct 2

I've been playing 2k since Dreamcast and all I can say is that it's been a long time coming. IMO EA lacks innovation when it comes to comparing them to 2k.

# 24 iReP PHiLLY @ Oct 2

Im not surprised this is becoming the new trend for EA basketball games, and my hat goes off to the 2k team they really care about their product and customer.....imagine what would of happen if they were able to keep making 2k football! looking forward to nba2k13 this year!

# 25 cgalligan @ Oct 2

2K has been "throwing a punch" for many years now... Its just that its taken this long to finally take down EA because of their extreme marketing power... 2K has ALWAYS had the better hoops game, but, until recently, people simply didn't know that...

Given the opportunity, I would expect 2K to do the same thing to Madden... Although, It would take awhile longer because of Madden's ridiculous following...

# 26 elgreazy1 @ Oct 2

Great job 2K, now go out there and make me a new friggin' football game already!!!!

# 27 Steven1562 @ Oct 2

NBA live has been dead since 07 ... i swear 07 and 08 were practically the same game ... 10 was an improvement then came Elite 11 which bombed now 13 is down the drain .... they should have just improved 10 instead of trying all that right stick shot crap ...

# 28 bccards13 @ Oct 2

2K has basketball just about wrapped up. EA's NFL license ends in 2013. Chances are the NFL will extend the license at least 1 or 2 years. But I still reserve hope for an agreement for 2K to bring back their old NFL series.

# 29 BOSsTOwN @ Oct 2

revive the BIG brand and put out a new Street. street 2 is a classic. Live has been terrible to average for well over a decade

# 30 cmidd @ Oct 3

I doubt 2k fans were worried that much, to late in the console cycle to rival nba 2k, let alone take it's place at number 1. Just to bad EA choose to build this turd, rather than combine that team of devs with those that work on madden... Might be able to adjust your depth charts, trade logic might not be so illogical

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