EA lost its Wang, 2K got theirs back...is there a point here? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

EA lost its Wang, 2K got theirs back...is there a point here? Stuck

Posted on February 2, 2010 at 01:39 PM.

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First off, a stern apology to Mike Wang for my blog title of choice. But it's just such an easy target in this case. Secondly, let's all take a collective deep breath before assuming all sorts of things about this story.

While many will undoubtedly want to blow this story out of proportion and even make it out to be something along the lines of a death blow to the NBA Live series, let's just think this whole thing through. While reading between the lines in Wang's interview here on OS, I definitely had the feeling he just didn't like how he fit in at EA. As many of you know, sometimes you just don't mesh with a certain workplace because of the environment which is in place.

Secondly, I don't think this spells doom for NBA Live 11. I think the fact Live is struggling sales wise this year spells more doom than anyone coming or going ever could. I highly doubt EA will ever cut it's NBA franchise, but they certainly cannot be happy about getting their tails kicked by 2K in the sales department. We don't know the full story, but perhaps EA is looking to try to take NBA Live in a bit of a different direction to try to appeal to more NBA fans?

When you start to realize you are getting beat rather soundly by halftime, you don't just keep the same strategy going. You tend to make adjustments and perhaps that's what is ultimately going on here. I'm not saying EA is looking to take NBA LIve into the direction of NBA Jam, but I could see EA not wanting to copy 2K's success verbatim going forward. The truth of the matter is we won't know what went on behind the scenes (and in many ways, it's a good thing), but we will know if both titles are heading in opposite directions by this upcoming fall.

Until then, it's all just speculation. Let it commence.

Comments

# 1 mikemulloy @ Feb 2

just an idea.

2k is struggling with the MLB license. EA is showing poor sales numbers with the NBA.

2k gives EA the MLB license in exchange for having exclusive ownership of the NBA. everyone wins. including me. I love NBA 2k, and I loved MVP baseball

# 2 IceNHL @ Feb 2

good summary and speculation. I just can't buy the whole "EA is inefficient" excuse when Mike Wang was sitting in the same building as the teams behind the amazing NHL and FIFA series. Just sounds like he personally didnt along there. Maybe his ego was too big.

# 3 SHAKYR @ Feb 3

@IceNHL, Fight Night Round 4 was sitting in the same building as NHL and FIFA series but didn't get the same treatment. I understand what Wang did he know fans want a sim experience of their sports titles. NBA Live is going to fail if it strays away from realism.

# 4 Valdarez @ Feb 4

Morale of the story... never let someone else have your Wang. They won't be able to keep your Wang excited, they'll try to take your Wang to places he doesn't want to go, and when it's all done you'll find your Wang sticking to you in the end.

Sorry... I resisted as long as I could before I responded. heh

# 5 videlsports @ Feb 4

Mike Wang can return to his old stomping grounds. NBA Had the most improved gameplay for their franchise and they let a visionary go. Shot stick is still the best b-ball video game invention ever.