Another one of your in the moment blogs. You are the same guy who was jumping off the bridge on NCAA on a pre alpha built remember "The WOW factor is gone". SMH. I guess I am able to play the cover of 2k11 while Elite has actually released real gameplay news.

@Chris... EA did not solely change the name of their game in hopes of generating more sales - that's just silly. They changed it because the game itself is completely evolving into a new product which is going to revolutionize the way we play video game basketball. This is the whole premise behind my argument on the validity of that poll a few days ago. Do you really think people are going to rush out and buy 2K11 because MJ is on the cover or is it because MJ is going to be playable in the game - first time since 2003? Likewise - do you think Elite is going to intrigue people because the game case says "ELITE" versus "Live"?? Of course not... they are getting due to the revolutionary attempt at recreating real life action on our TV screens.

This cannot be that hard to grasp but I realize I am better off shaking my head in disbelief and know that fan boys (not fingering you, Chris) will never be truly objective. But I'll keeping fighting the good fight... Cheers!

Yes John, people will rush out and buy 2K over Elite because MJ is on the cover and not because EA renamed the game. That's why 2K won this little spat, because their news was a product seller and EA's isn't. Michael Jordan commands sales because he's still that big of a name. People are going to buy the game because he's on the cover, that's not even in question, you saw a lot of people admit to that on the OS Boards that wouldn't otherwise buy the game. That's the hardcore gamers, think about the casual folks who are more easily swayed when they go and see Michael Jordan on a game's cover.

On the other hand, EA changed their game's name and while it may feel new and fresh to some consumers, it's dwarfed by Michael Jordan staring at you in the shelf space right next to Elite.

Chris - the people that you are referencing that will pick up 2K11 just because Jordan's face is on the cover is the vast minority... maybe even as little as 5% of the folks that buy it. If both games played the exact same and all things were equal (hypothetically, of course) - MJ is a bigger seller than anyone else Elite could possibly put on the cover. I get that. But the problem with your judgment that "2K wins round 1" is that the other 95% of basketball gamers will make their purchase based on 1) what the series has done in the past, 2) what new features are going to be implemented in the next installment, and 3) how the previews/reviews rate the games once they are released. These are the hardcore gamers who are tight with that $60 and want to get the best value for their dollar and are NOT going to buy a game just because MJ is on the cover. That is crazy talk, Chris.

We could go all day, bro, but from reading your replies I believe you too struggle with true objectivity. Not flaming you buddy, but read what you have written in these replies and ask yourself if you are influenced by NBA Live's past in making these hasty judgments. Just sayin...

I gotta say, a lot of the casuals I have seen actually like the Live name change to Elite (I hate it as well as a lot of people here), and a lot of people actually just want 2k this year because Jordan is on the cover and in game.

Man John, I guess I'm now an EA homer AND a 2K homer. I've been called both, so I guess I'll take both, even though Sony pays the best...oh snap!

What's so wrong about saying 2K won round 1? There's nothing wrong with that, in this little exchange both companies had, 2K clearly had the better bit of news. Does that mean 2K is going to win? No, but it certainly means they're off to a better start in marketing their game. To say I'm talking crazy is really kind of silly, because I'm simply stating 2K is off to a better start marketing their game and Elite needs to do something pretty big gameplay wise this year to start making a dent in the huge sales discrepancy.

Plus John, you list history as one of the big purchasing decisions by consumers and then you blast me for taking history into account with my opinions? What kind of sense does that make?

@SouthernBick, I dont see how the name change would either.

Chris - I'm not trying to be a jerk to you, man, it's just the news you posted is biased and those biased opinions can sway those who don't take the time to really take in all the info to make sound judgments... you know - that casual gamer market that could very well be that 5% I mentioned before. Besides, you just said yourself you are biased to the 2K game based on its previous history and that has obviously influenced not only your opinion on future offerings, but more importantly, what you spill to the public in headlines. With public influence comes a responsibility to the public and personal biases can guide and/or mislead. Putting 2K ahead of Live at this point without knowing anything about how the games will perform is poor judgment IMO.

Hey - I'm an OS regular and enjoy what you guys do here. It's my favorite site! We just have to agree to disagree, I guess. Cheers!

Also, Jordan on 2k doesnt signify any change that will change my expectation of that game. Where as NBA Elite has announced changes that alter one's expectation, something i can use vs all NBA teams and will drastically effect how I play the game. Jordan on the cover or modes with Jordan are pretty much 'meh' to me as it has nothing to do with NBA games being played.

So IMO, a neither a name change or a cover athlete can make a better game. Im definitely not buying either one because of those things. Although, the direction corresponding with the name change can lead to a better game....while Jordan on the cover cant (unless they are saying 2k will be the 'greatest' ever). But there nothing that backs that up at this point.

John...my blog posts are editorial in nature. I'm not here to deliver news without opinions. However once again, it's clear 2K has an edge in marketing their game at this stage. Can it change? Yeah...but ea is so far behind in sales any progress in quality likely not going to make a huge difference this year. I dont think that is anything more than stating the reality of the situation. I think you are overanalyzing for any signs of bias. I've said it several times I don't like any basketball games right now because being stuck in an animation the whole game isn't too fun. But maybe it's just me

Johndoh - I agree with your point about the MJ 2K11 thing vs Elite 11's ACTUAL GAMEPLAY announcement and that was apart of my original first post that I ended up deleting.

2K has people under their spell to the point where they can keep putting out the same broken, now, even wacker gameplay, thanks to what Live 10 introduced, and have people go ga-ga over a new coat of paint, basically. Now they have the biggest name in basketball, and possibly in sports, of all time to go with their big name. The name recognition carrot caught the rabbits, lovely, so far, but they still have to introduce what's going to be so good about 2K11. I'll keep on saying it - MJ being on the cover and in the game has NOTHING to do with gameplay so it's far too mindless for people to think THAT announcement is better than a new, real-time physics engine ala Backbreaker, with improved controls and game play announcement by EA for Elite 11.
I know how better Live 10 was in terms of gameplay and control to the point I didn't even buy 2K10 so to hear all that being IMPROVED sounds like a much better announcement. It has substance NOT flash.

@phant030 <<< Gets it. No disrepect to anyone else intended.

Signature packages for every single player in the game.
In dynasty the weird looking rookies have to go.

I believe Chris has said all that needs to be said. Hope you get what your lookin' for John. I'm done on this subject.