OS Roundtable: NBA Live's Digital Release a Good Idea?

Feature Article

Submitted on: 09/04/2012 by Bishop Tart, Keni Glover, Steve McPherson, Aaron Ondrey

Bishop Tart: Here's the quote from IRB Gamer: "It’s been almost 3 years since we’ve released an NBA title. The tactic is to get feedback from gamers. However, it’s a bit risky to not run it as the AAA title as thedecision has been made to NOT put the game on disc.

Live will be looking at a price point around $19.99."

EA and Tiburon are testing every single one of us this year. They're trying to see if there is any interest at all left in the series. If it does release as a downloadable game for $20 and only a few people purchase it, we can say goodbye to NBA Live.

I've read some of the comments on Operation Sports, and I think EA releasing NBA Live 13 for $19.99 is a GREAT idea. We all know the debacle that was NBA Elite, so EA trying to release a basketball game this year at a full $60 price-point is just absurd. Releasing it as a downloadable game at a cheap price means a low entry level and EA wants to get people to believe in the franchise again. This is the perfect way to do that. Now that would mean the game has to deliver. With NBA 2K pretty much owning the video game basketball world, EA and Tiburon know they can't have a half-assed game come out

People are also thinking EA will hold onto modes and features to release as DLC. That's possible, but NBA Live 13 will have Dynasty and online modes. It's an EA title, so of course, DLC will probably happen. But people panicking that DLC will be modes or features from previous iterations are being a bit paranoid.

I understand people are invested into the NBA 2K series, but there are a lot of basketball fans here on Operation Sports. Is spending $20 on NBA Live 13 going to really break the bank for fans of the sport?

While yes, that's not the only question most of us are asking, but until we get more solid information that's what I'm asking myself. I'm not making a decision based off a video from a pre-alpha build.

It's not that NBA Live 13 shouldn't be released, but who is going to care if the game isn't good?

Keni Glover: In my opinion it's not so much the $20 digital release that seals the fate of NBA Live; it's the resignation implied by this release that potentially dooms the franchise.

After a two year layoff, fans of the series had big expectations for Live 13 and even non-fans were at least curious to see what EA had cooking. It was a bit shocking to see how far the series actually digressed in the latest gameplay reveal, which granted wasn't official or even the latest build, but it was still ugly. The cancelled NBA Elite and NBA Live 10 both look superior in quality to Live 13 and it just doesn't seem that EA put significant resources behind this game.

Did EA resolve from the beginning of this project that NBA Live 13 was going to be a $20 digital release? Or, did they make this determination after they received critical feedback of what they allege to be a pre-alpha build of the game? If before, it might imply an intention to minimize overhead of the project, perhaps due to a lack of confidence that the game would be profitable. If after, it was an enlightened choice in that they realize Live 13 has little chance to be competitive this year, particularly with the bad press it has received to this point. Either way, its a bad omen for NBA Live.

The NBA Live franchise has a long way to go to be competitive in this genre. At this point, the popular NBA 2K franchise has a full head of steam while Live is still trapped in the starting gate. And considering the cancellation of NBA Elite last year and now this, it might only be a matter of time before EA quits on this series altogether.

The problem isn't the price point, it's the reasons behind why Live has to be $19.99.

Steve McPherson: The price point itself isn't so much troubling as the reasons behind it being put out there at $19.99. There's a big difference between something that was designed around being a downloadable title—with tight focus, a lean, mean approach, and maybe a la carte DLC options—and one that has simply come up short and been shoved out to market at a discount. It's one thing to have two car options where one is a Lexus and one is a Corolla, and quite another when the second option is a Jaguar someone is selling cheap because it doesn't work.

The failure of EA to put together Elite and then to mothball the entire series until now doesn't speak well of this decision, and it would seem that the lateness of the announcement in relation to the release window indicates that this is an audible, not a designed play. In sports gaming, it seems like there's always the champ and the runner-up, and by making this move, EA is definitively placing themselves in the runner-up slot.

Now, do I think that Live might actually offer some interesting gameplay wrinkles? In fact, it could even do some stuff better than NBA2K13? It's theoretically possible, but that's where the price point hurts even more because by coming out at $20, EA is essentially asking us to take this game less seriously. Its successes will always be cast as being "good for a downloadable title" while its failures will be underlined by EA's decision to go discount bin with it right out of the gates.

Bottom line is EA might woo some consumers into giving it a spin, but it's not the way to build the brand back up. After all, what if it's a smashing success at $20 and they decide to bump it back up to a retail title at $60 next year? I can't see people standing for that.

Failure at this juncture could mean an end to the franchise.

Aaron Ondrey: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. NBA Live 13 will be released digitally in October, perhaps as the franchise's last-ditch effort for revival. I remember a time when NBA Live was the head honcho of basketball video gaming, and now, it will be a downloadable, $19.99 game.

From comments that I've seen on the Operation Sports forums, it seems like this may be the only option Live 13 has. Fans aren't happy, and the leaked footage wasn't impressive at all for a game that has been off of shelves for two years. A digital release gives off the impression from EA that they know they can't compete with 2k, and are hoping that dropping the price and creating an easy-access game via download can create some buzz.

I was always a fan of the NBA Live series. But as the franchise started to fall, I jumped ship. Personally, I would like nothing more than to see the series make a comeback and become relevant again. Nothing is better for fans of virtual hoops than to have both NBA Live and NBA 2k competing with each other again.

The question is, can NBA Live 13 even knock on the door to a comeback, or will that door be slammed shut for good?

What do you think OS'ers? Is the NBA Live franchise in trouble? Are you looking to buy the game at it's $20 price point? Sound off!

NBA Live 13 Videos

Member Comments

# 81 JimLeavy59 @ 09/06/12 02:09 AM

Lets be honest EA wants to make a buck before they give up on the Live series.
NBA Live is dead simple as that. I was at the gamestop midnight release and people were asking about Live 13 and employees were telling them it won't come out this year. You really think people are going to shell out cash that could go towards 2k13?

# 82 King_B_Mack @ 09/06/12 07:36 AM

Just thought I'd say that I saw a commercial for NHL 13 today. Info/announcements/commercials I've seen this sports gaming season for EA? Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13, FIFA 13, NCAA Football 13, Madden NFL 13 and now NHL 13. All of these games have gotten ample promotion in print and televised. Live 13? Not a damn thing. We still don't even have official confirmation on this download thing. This situation is truly pathetic.

# 83 DaSmerg @ 09/06/12 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwtucker710


	Been hearing a lot about this Mike Wang guy ... he wasn't the only one who worked on LIVE 10. He jumps Visual Concepts and goes to EA for a year and then back to Visual Concepts (2K). WTF? Show's you his loyalty.

Not to single jw out but ya see this kind of post frequently. A lot of these guys and gals work on contract. When your contract is up, you go where the next one is. Would you do any differently?

I have no idea what the uproar is about Live 13. I really, really don't get it. The footage we've seen, it looks exactly like what NBA Live was for years.

In this veteran gamers opinion, Live 13 looks like a glossy update to the last Live release and that, barring presentation, not much else has been done to the game. Is that a bad thing? In some folks minds it might be...actually gauging some of the reaction, it seems to be a crime against all humanity LoL. But the NBA Live series had a pretty decent and loyal following. Not saying that's an excuse but I know a few Live title fans who are going to be thrilled that they don't have to pretend anymore with updated roster files.

I don't know if I'll pony up 20 bucks though at this point. I'll get to see it thanks to season's pass though (at least I hope I do LMAO) and decide from there.

# 84 cmidd @ 09/06/12 02:22 PM

It makes sense to not make physical copies, now they can sell the game for a little over what it's going to be worth ($7.00). your looking at a game that is going to look and play like it was developed in 2006 b/c they pretty much started from scratch It's poor frame rate can be tuned but the main build looks crappy.. Once again, EA proves that their business plans are thought up by chimps... Instead of spending the time and extra resources on Madden, they tasked their supposedly overworked devs with a project that has no future. Good thing they changed the name back to live, nothing ELITE about it

# 85 barimanlhs @ 09/06/12 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chandlerbang


	WOW EA just canned their head mod on their live forum for telling the truth and expressing his frustration with the series direction!!!! EA playing cleanup watch what you say about them

Smh well I guess that shows the status of the game. What was once a great franchise has turned into a joke....its a shame.

# 86 King_B_Mack @ 09/07/12 12:22 AM

Meanwhile, at EA Headquarters

# 87 Pared @ 09/07/12 09:16 AM

Mack - chill with that. You're basically trolling at this point.

# 88 SHAKYR @ 09/07/12 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chandlerbang


	WOW EA just canned their head mod on their live forum for telling the truth and expressing his frustration with the series direction!!!! EA playing cleanup watch what you say about them

This is how EA works. They got rid of me for not support their product(Fight Night) and expressing my dislikes. I was a respected forum member and Senior Mod there.

# 89 King_B_Mack @ 09/07/12 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	Mack - chill with that. You're basically trolling at this point.

You got it.

# 90 SHAKYR @ 09/07/12 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirlonius


	Eh you have the tow the company line in any job you are at. Going public with frustrations is always going to end up without a job... All these haters of EA and their basketball games, I think you guys should make your own game cause apparently you are way better at it.

You know Mods don't get paid,right? Consumers or potential buys have a right to complain, especially when it seems like the company is going backwards, way back! They had a clear foundation with NBA LIVE 2010, but EA love affair with arcadey gameplay threw them into the realm of Elite and what we have saw.

# 91 noshun @ 09/07/12 04:35 PM

I dont get why people say that select gamers "hate" Live. Its not even about hate. People are confusing hate for critique of things that have been put on wishlist for years, and still havent been improved upon or never even asked for.
I cant recall one wishlist where I saw anyone ask for new controls(from Live 10). Most were asking for more animations and transition animations so that things looked smoother and more within the limitations of what is humanly possible. Lives biggest problem (Madden too) is animations, run animations. In both Madden and Live, Madden 13 run cycles look like someone running with a broken ankle on 1 foot. You can see the 'pop' when the animation loops the run cycle. Also its too slow of a run, for the distance the loop covers, so in the end the player looks like hes jogging, but covering ground at a sprint pace.

In Live 13/Elite 11, there are run cycles where its too slow like light jogging. It looks odd in comparision to some of the other run cycles in the so called alpha vid.

To get on topic, I think for that this is the safest route for EA to go as far as putting the game out. Being as there hasnt been current updates on whats going on, and that PSN/Msoft certs take like 1-2 weeks there isnt enough time to really print disc, so digital would be the better of the 2. Now sales wise, thats a mystery.
Im def interested in the demo, to see what if any changes from the vid occured, how it plays and animates, etc.

# 92 Lockett392 @ 09/08/12 11:08 PM

# 93 bamalam @ 09/09/12 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirlonius


	Eh you have the tow the company line in any job you are at. Going public with frustrations is always going to end up without a job... All these haters of EA and their basketball games, I think you guys should make your own game cause apparently you are way better at it.

YES!

I think a few intelligent programmer dudes should try it. Why not ?

or other established developers should look into becoming #2 instantly, then work towards competing with 2k.

lol at haters because we want a quality game where players move like real human beings, and basic basketball NBA AI.

# 94 Kanobi @ 09/09/12 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoTiCe_O


	[i][b]" It seems like just because the game is releasing for $20.00 people assume its terrible and not a full effort from the development teams.

NFL2k5 was $20 and is still considered the best nfl football sim available. It's not about the price. It's about the gameplay.

# 95 Thunder Storm @ 09/09/12 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirlonius


	Eh you have the tow the company line in any job you are at. Going public with frustrations is always going to end up without a job... All these haters of EA and their basketball games, I think you guys should make your own game cause apparently you are way better at it.

baby bye bye byyyyyyyyeee.

# 96 LouYorkCity @ 09/11/12 06:42 AM

$20 of my hard earned money for my feedback?? No thanks, I'll give my feedback for free.. Let 2k handle the NBA games from now on. Live is finished.

I'd rather spend the extra $40 on a quality product.

# 97 aholbert32 @ 09/11/12 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamalam


	YES! I think a few intelligent programmer dudes should try it. Why not ? or other established developers should look into becoming #2 instantly, then work towards competing with 2k. lol at haters because we want a quality game where players move like real human beings, and basic basketball NBA AI.

A few programmer dudes cant afford to pay the licensing fee the NBA charges.

# 98 Boilerbuzz @ 09/11/12 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamalam


	YES! I think a few intelligent programmer dudes should try it. Why not ?

Are they sending in resumes to the game developers? People talk a big game like this stuff is simple, but when it's all said and done, folks don't really have a clue as to what it takes to make AAA video games. Someone at his home can sit there and do things his way on his time making Angry Birds. He's not responsible for making sure other people get their jobs done on game for a full console. People talk about modders and whatnot - but they are working on a completed game. They're only doing about 5-10% of the work each of the real programmers/designers/artist have to do. But I give modders MAD respect because they are doing it for love of the game only. Top of the respect ladder to them.

Quote:


	or other established developers should look into becoming #2 instantly, then work towards competing with 2k.

If it were that easy, there would be one. Or EA would have acquired them. Don't act as if everyone in the games industry wants to work on a sports title. They don't. They want to work on the original titles or the mega titles like Gears of War or God of War. Same for artists. They don't want to make a friggin' Gatorade cooler. They want to make a walking turret or a 8-eyed demon.

Quote:


	lol at haters because we want a quality game where players move like real human beings, and basic basketball NBA AI.

Absolutely agreed. But none of this is easy and the devs efforts should be respected even if it falls short. That's all I would say.

# 99 King_B_Mack @ 09/11/12 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boilerbuzz


	If it were that easy, there would be one. Or EA would have acquired them. Don't act as if everyone in the games industry wants to work on a sports title. They don't. They want to work on the original titles or the mega titles like Gears of War or God of War. Same for artists. They don't want to make a friggin' Gatorade cooler. They want to make a walking turret or a 8-eyed demon.

Agree with your premise, but let's not act like everyone wants to work on turrets and Halo's either. That argument goes both ways.

# 100 Boilerbuzz @ 09/11/12 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_B_Mack


	Agree with your premise, but let's not act like everyone wants to work on turrets and Halo's either. That argument goes both ways.

I didn't say everyone. It's clear that the team at EA and, especially, VC love working on sports. So they are out there. But don't get it twisted - the typical dev is more into video games and not into sports. It's a generalization - true - but it true to a large extent.

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