OS Roundtable: Does Live Stand a Chance?

Feature Article

Submitted on: 09/12/2013 by Jayson Young, Matthew Coe, Robert Kollars, Bishop Tart, Evan Crilley

Let's face it, NBA 2K is king currently.

There are no other game series which are awaited as anxiously by OS'ers than NBA 2K, and for the last couple of years the game has gone unchallenged on the marketplace.

Of course, changes this year as NBA Live 14 is entering stage right.

With such an ingrained dominance on the marketplace right now from NBA 2K, does NBA Live even stand a chance to make a mark on gamers this year and establish a foothold to work off of?

Bishop Tart: EA knows they have to release NBA Live this year, and it will of course see the light of day come this November. Does it need to be the best basketball game ever? No; but it does need to be a competent basketball game at the very least.

Although we have yet to see any 5-on-5 footage (2K has yet to show any for NBA 2K14 next gen as well), I think they can establish a foothold. The one positive they have is that NBA Live 14 is being developed only for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. That means they can dedicate everything to those next gen consoles and get the most out of each one. They won't win the battle against 2K with one relase, but competition is always good for the consumer.

Matthew Coe: The surprising answer is yes and I'll tell you why with two points. The first reason is because despite the incredibly consistent quality of NBA 2K, some gamers are tired of 2K's style of basketball and are looking to change it up. Even if it means buying an unproven, potentially inferior basketball title. The second reason has to do with NBA Live 14 releasing exclusively on next generation consoles. This was a smart move by EA no matter what your opinion of the game or the company is. It has the advantage of being on new hardware and having unknown potential. The excitement of the game's potential on next-gen hardware can only be a positive.

Having said all of that, EA has to show some 5-on-5 footage and they have to do it soon. Even the fans of the Live series are starting to get impatient and that doesn't bode well. I think everyone wants competition in every sports gaming category. If NBA Live 14 releases as a competent basketball title with some simulation elements, and a working franchise/dynasty mode then I think it does have a chance.

NBA Live 14 will not beat 2K14 in terms of sales or review scores, but the series will have a chance to come back and regain a small foothold in the NBA basketball gaming market. That's all that EA Sports could realistically hope for right now.

Evan Crilley: I honestly think EA can steal a steal a sizeable portion of 2K's market share as long as they focus in the right places and deliver unique features. I equate it to the Battlefield series vs Call of Duty series, both sell a ton of copies despite being within the same genre so both have to find ways to differentiate from one another.

Battlefield (2K) is more realistic. Rounds take forever, but feel complete and full of options, strategies, and gameplay elements to choose your route to victory. Call of Duty (EA) is all about get in and get out as quick as you can in multiple game resembling a military shooter, but sacrificing some elements of realism to lead to a more fun, arcady, and social experience with a small group of friends.

I believe the EA NBA series can borrow a page from their EA NHL brethren and pick up users where 2K is weak, that being the online play. Imagine an EASHL type mode with 5v5 (user v user) matchups of created players vying for wins and titles versus one another. Basketball is probably the only sport other than hockey or soccer which lends itself to such a mode with grab and go appeal.

If EA adopts this strategy and throws in an addictive Ultimate Team mode (which they never fail to do) they can chip away at pretty much everywhere where 2K leaves their customers wanting more. Start with this as a base point and use the revenues and expanding user base to build and add on to the online and offline franchise/association modes, and EA has a recipe for success to take on 2K in the next-gen battle for hard court supremacy.

Jayson Young: As someone who enjoyed NBA Live 10's five-on-five team play mode until the servers were shut down, Electronic Arts undoubtedly has an opportunity to bring in online players who are tired of NBA 2K's continually weak multiplayer experience.

Even after rewriting their entire online code base, 2K Sports still hasn't been able to deliver a multiplayer mode that is worth playing. It has been amazing to watch a sports franchise that was so ahead of its time on the Dreamcast fall so far behind the times on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

If Electronic Arts can successfully incorporate the team play mode from FIFA and match that with the connected career mode from Madden, then NBA Live 14 could be a huge seller for online-starved basketball gamers.

Robert Kollars: I think Live has a great chance if they can put out a quality product - and quality doesn't mean it has to be perfect.

Of course EA has a ways to go recoup some of their fan-base, but that is a given considering the last game released was NBA Live 10. We all know the story of the past promises and cancellation debacles - I think it's time to finally move past that storyline. I for one plan on judging this Fall's release on it's own merits, and not that of previous development teams.

I am a firm believer that there is plenty of room for two quality basketball titles, and never understood the idea of rooting for one to fail. Competition means quality, and if EA can deliver a solid product come November, everyone comes out a winner.

What do you think OS? Does NBA Live stand a chance to establish a foothold in basketball gamer's hearts and minds?

NBA Live 14 Videos

Member Comments

# 61 dat boi Q @ 09/13/13 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poloelite


	Live 10 was decent, yes, but anyone who thinks a sequel of that game would've been able to compete with 2k11 is utterly foolish. Live 10 gets props because it was the best Live in years. Now that they haven't released a game since Lebron wore a Cavs' jersey, people are acting like it was better than 2k10 lol. Getting 5 on 5 Bball correct is a multi year thing and takes a lot of fan feedback. EA is probably 3-5 years away from even getting a good all around experience out there.

Like I said right NOW they would be neck and neck not that next year after live 10.
Building off live 10 would have been best for EA.

# 62 cincy14fan @ 09/13/13 07:36 AM

I won't even give Live a look this year, and if they come out with it next year still won't give it a look. Call me a 2k fan (I do love their NBA), but Live will do decent but still won't be a game changer. You will have the fans of Live Series come back, and of course people going to try a new game.

One thing I think is funny is how everyone says "Live is coming out on next gen so all their resources are in one bag and how next gen everyone is going to be on the same playing field." Not to say that Live is going to be terrible, but when the 360 and PS3 we had madden and what they shown before the game was released and everyone was going bat crazy over it. Then we got it and it was nothing we expected and was worst. You get the whole "3 year plan" so I guess when Live doesn't do well I can always resort to hearing people say "It's their first year back on a new system and they are still learning" or "It's the first year in the 3 year plan!"

Again it all comes down to play style. 2k is sim (i personally like it) so I stick with that. If you like it more arcade style then Live is your game. Multiple choices for sports is good, but to actually believe that EA can complete with 2k in the first year of next gen is pretty crazy. Only thing EA would have better is online servers cause even I will admit it is frustrating with all the errors with their online association. As for gameplay Live, for me, will never come close to 2k ever since 2k is sim and I tend to go in that direction. Unless some crazy reason Live try's to be sim then maybe I would look into it.

# 63 barimanlhs @ 09/13/13 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EAGLESFAN10


	Hell yeah Live stands a chance the thing that make LMAO is how fans of 2K think that Next-Gen will automatically be better than Live based on past history lets put it this way Madden and NCAA were good XBOX/PS2 days but when it came to Current-Gen they took steps back Also 2K has been slacking with NO competition on Current-Gen these last few years but some people don't want to acknowledge it I know I'm probably one of the few who want ALL of EA's games to be good Next-gen but that's just me

There is no guarantee that Live will be any better in the next generation either. Live was a lot of fun until it came to the PS3 and 360. Now it hasnt been released in 3 years...why should we believe it will be any better come the PS4 and Xbox 1?

At the very least 2k has a solid foundation that they will be building from. It could very well suck next gen but I have more confidence in 2k making a good basketball game than I do with EA making one, based on their history. Im pushing for Live to be good so we, the consumer, can get the best possible product or products.

# 64 xman2k @ 09/13/13 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincy14fan


	I won't even give Live a look this year, and if they come out with it next year still won't give it a look. Call me a 2k fan (I do love their NBA), but Live will do decent but still won't be a game changer. You will have the fans of Live Series come back, and of course people going to try a new game. One thing I think is funny is how everyone says "Live is coming out on next gen so all their resources are in one bag and how next gen everyone is going to be on the same playing field." Not to say that Live is going to be terrible, but when the 360 and PS3 we had madden and what they shown before the game was released and everyone was going bat crazy over it. Then we got it and it was nothing we expected and was worst. You get the whole "3 year plan" so I guess when Live doesn't do well I can always resort to hearing people say "It's their first year back on a new system and they are still learning" or "It's the first year in the 3 year plan!" Again it all comes down to play style. 2k is sim (i personally like it) so I stick with that. If you like it more arcade style then Live is your game. Multiple choices for sports is good, but to actually believe that EA can complete with 2k in the first year of next gen is pretty crazy. Only thing EA would have better is online servers cause even I will admit it is frustrating with all the errors with their online association. As for gameplay Live, for me, will never come close to 2k ever since 2k is sim and I tend to go in that direction. Unless some crazy reason Live try's to be sim then maybe I would look into it.

It's like everyone is waiting for the EA "glory days" to come back. A lot of these same people never bought a Dreamcast and witnessed NFL2k day one. Had they, all would have switched. A lot of people stuck on Madden and choked until it finally came on PS2 in 3d. Fast forward and NBA 2k11 forced people to switch, no longer could the hold onto Live, so they hold a resentment to that. You get so much more with other brands but it's the brand people grew up with and hated admitting that it got stomped. I admit, I dislike EA, mainly to the monopoly of the NFL, yet I've enjoyed GrandSlam over Topspin. Lakers vs Celtics was the reason I begged for a Genesis,, so I was an EA fanboy from the beginning, although I preferred Joe Montana over Madden every year.

# 65 Guard-ian @ 09/13/13 09:10 AM

Once upon a time there was a soccer game called PES, this game was much better than its competitor, called FIFA... But then, a new gen of consoles appeared... FIFA did a better job with them and it became the best soccer sim of both in that generation... True history.

I mean, yes 2k has the advantadge, but anything can happen, specially when we are changing to machines with much more power... who will adapt better? Too early to know.

Cheers! ;-)

# 66 DatGD12guage @ 09/13/13 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincy14fan


	I won't even give Live a look this year, and if they come out with it next year still won't give it a look. Call me a 2k fan (I do love their NBA), but Live will do decent but still won't be a game changer. You will have the fans of Live Series come back, and of course people going to try a new game. One thing I think is funny is how everyone says "Live is coming out on next gen so all their resources are in one bag and how next gen everyone is going to be on the same playing field." Not to say that Live is going to be terrible, but when the 360 and PS3 we had madden and what they shown before the game was released and everyone was going bat crazy over it. Then we got it and it was nothing we expected and was worst. You get the whole "3 year plan" so I guess when Live doesn't do well I can always resort to hearing people say "It's their first year back on a new system and they are still learning" or "It's the first year in the 3 year plan!" Again it all comes down to play style. 2k is sim (i personally like it) so I stick with that. If you like it more arcade style then Live is your game. Multiple choices for sports is good, but to actually believe that EA can complete with 2k in the first year of next gen is pretty crazy. Only thing EA would have better is online servers cause even I will admit it is frustrating with all the errors with their online association. As for gameplay Live, for me, will never come close to 2k ever since 2k is sim and I tend to go in that direction. Unless some crazy reason Live try's to be sim then maybe I would look into it.

The only reason we say live can compete is b/c it has a head start on 2k what dont you guys understand about a head start? Yeah 2k has a foundation but how long will that last? Its the same one from that dreamcast is it.....? Live has had time to do more testing with their new engine.

I hope you guys also understand that 2k is not really sim the only ppl who say it is sim are mostly the offline ppl who use sliders who most likely only play quick games and offline assosiation which are NOT the most played modes. I say that b/c the AI is terrible period. Plus if you try to play sim it could look that way b/c some of the animations are realistic looking but in terms of realistic smart basketball ppl are being fooled by the flashy stuff. Its a fun game to play but not sim imo. Dont get offended b/c like I said im a fan of 2k but im just keeping it real. To make it look sim with another so called sim player you restrict yourself to make the game look good.

Online and the single player creation modes is where ppl want realism mostly b/c those are the most played modes not saying there wont be cheesers but 2k rewards cheating and unrealistic play.

All we want is a game that rewards you for atleast trying to play in a realistic manner and making the smartest basketball play possible. I think 2k11 was the closest thing we EVER had to that.

Again everything is emotional based when ppl talk about ea b/c of their past. Like I said I dont believe their hype either but I know they have a chance even tho their past is kind of rachet after 2k came into the picture.

Lets not act like 2k is totally prepared to release a ground breaking game with the same engine. Me personally? Im not expecting much of a different game from 2k. I think the best they can do with this engine is 2k11 with new graphics and more flashy animations. I dont really expect much from ea either b/c we havent seen xxxx in terms of gameplay even tho I wish both make the games better than I expect so we can have two great games.

I do think ppl are right when they say that if ea can produce a realistic experience online then their back in it b/c those are the most played modes HANDS DOWN. Plus ppl already know ea already had the best online experiece prior to but the gameplay was just wack or not up to par.

# 67 Behindshadows @ 09/13/13 11:28 AM

The level of immaturity and ignorance in some of these post still boggle my mind.

So what if you won't give Live a look, if you don't like EA and Live stop posting in their threads already, we get it!!!

Does Live have a chance? Really?

First off any company that is willing to put out a NBA game has a chance, you know why. Because there is this thing called choice and a word call both!!!

You have a choice to buy whatever you want and when you want it!!

You can easily get both games and enjoy them for their differences. No one wants to buy two games that are exactly alike!!!

This is where some peoples minds are so small, that in your little world a troll told you one day, that you can only pick one and only enjoy one....Life is about differences and choices.

Why not enjoy Live series for what they are, and enjoy 2k for what they are....instead of always trying to build a riff between the two with stupid rants.

I feel like half the negative ignorant post in here are just misguided energy's!

Seriously grow the ...... up!!! If you still can't enjoy both games because your mind can only dedicate to one a year, then I feel sorry for you. I can imagine what other games you've missed from such a biased aspect on life.

Remember it's about the sport, about the game, and not the company.

- Peace.

# 68 23 @ 09/13/13 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skopin


	Personally, I have always found Live's defense and AI to be much better than 2k's. I will say that 2k making the switch to right-stick dribble moves has greatly improved the offensive control.

Hilarious

Better?

The last game I edited was live 10 and it was atrocious. Derek Fisher having an 87 in defensive recovery was one awful example. As soon as you pump faked a guy he would immediately slide back in front of you when you drove while he was in the air.

How about when the CPU would do the sideways footslide all the way down the court full speed while you're on a break? That defies physics

That's just 2 examples and trust me I remember very well

2k's defense or lack of is clearly an issue, but its like people have forgotten about NBA lives areas of lack, and there were ALOT of them.

# 69 Behindshadows @ 09/13/13 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookatmenow


	You are absolutely right, life is about choices and EA took that away from us when they bought the rights to football. People are tired of water down products with no effort but to make a buck. I don't think you get it. It's not about some picking sides and don't want Live to succeed. This is mainly about the quality of product that one puts out. People use 2K in comparison to EA for that same reason. So when you hear someone acknowledging 2K Sports, it's not for 2k it's about what they do or have done. We all have a right to voice our opinion and let our voices be herd. After all it's our right and choice as buyers. When you decide to represent all in which EA chose to do when it bought the rights to football, then this is exactly what you subject yourself to and it's fair critisicum

oh boo hoo

cry me a river!!! The NFL License has nothing to do with all the other titles they released. And the subject is Live, not NFL....Your hatred for one companies business decision is just mediocre and stupid...

It's been 9 years and people want to rip EA for everything they've done for the loss of one 2k title...gtfo...

They didn't buy NCAA, where's college hoops...

They didn't buy NHL, where 2k hockey...

They loss the MLB, 2k baseball is poo x2

There are other sports, even Konami pushes out PES each year with not license for FIFA, but hey it's completely editable to have the real players and teams.

2k loses a license and creates All Pro Football and limits out any way to edit into a NFL game.

Backbreaker comes out and is edited into a NFL game. (Contradictory circumstances)

get over yourself and trying to hate every title they make for one exclusive license....

Back on Topic..

there is a chance for Live as there would be for Sony, if they revamped Shootout and bring it back....I said Shootout not NBA The Inside..that was trash...

Konami can return Inside Drive and I'd buy that...

# 70 23 @ 09/13/13 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skopin


	I never said Live didn't have issues. But 2k has those exact same two issues, even in 2k13. Speed means nothing in NBA 2k; there are several videos posted showing examples. And defenders warp back into place after pump fakes all the time in 2k13.

What does 2k have to do with the outlandishness of NBA Live. If you want to go on about issues this series is far and beyond anything 2k has right now. Its so far off the game hasn't released in years.

Im not into the fanboy games because Id rather have all 6 games back on the market, but its apparent to me with all of the 2k ranting in here that people have forgotten the game killing flaws this series had from day 1....

# 71 23 @ 09/13/13 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skopin


	You're completely overplaying what I said. I said that, in my opinion, Live had better AI and defense. I never said there weren't issues with the game(s). However, I brought up 2k because you used examples of issues from Live 10 (4 years old) that also exist in NBA 2k13 (11 months old). I'm not against either company or game. I want a realistic basketball game as much, if not more, than anyone else.

Thats an unbacked up opinion. I gave examples of defense because I know what kinds of issues that game had, and I used Live 10 as an example because it was the best of current gen they released.

I think we can agree both games have issues but my issue here is a roasting of 2k although they've undisputably made the best basketball game to date ever made, while this company has tripped and slipped over its own feet several times, but its being ignored by the same folks who aren't even acknowledging the ridiculous issues this series was plagued with because they were real bad.

It makes it much easier to talk about what NBA Live needs to do and improve on rather than to say whats wrong in 2k. If this games doesnt improve to the level of 2k it'll just be a 2nd hand basketball series because they are far behind in alot of aspects.

Screw dribbling because that was never the problem... what about the unrealistic rebounding, lack of and and bad movement and animations, hardly touched franchise mode, and so many things this series has been plagued with from day 1?

# 72 coolcras7 @ 09/13/13 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poloelite


	Live 10 was decent, yes, but anyone who thinks a sequel of that game would've been able to compete with 2k11 is utterly foolish. Live 10 gets props because it was the best Live in years. Now that they haven't released a game since Lebron wore a Cavs' jersey, people are acting like it was better than 2k10 lol. Getting 5 on 5 Bball correct is a multi year thing and takes a lot of fan feedback. EA is probably 3-5 years away from even getting a good all around experience out there.

One of the leading members of the Live 10 Team left EA and when back to 2k and helped make 2k11 as great as it was, so if you want to play what ifs there is that if EA had just stayed the course with Mike would they have been able to compete, i think they would have had a good chance.

# 73 23 @ 09/13/13 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skopin


	I replied to someone else's post with my opinion about defense and AI. You jumped in and exclaimed that Live has flaws completely irrelevant to my post, so I countered by saying that 2k has those same issues. I never said that Live was an amazing game, or that it was flawless. That being said, Live's major issue was player movement and interaction. There was a lot of sliding and warping to make things happen. 2k has similar issues, but to a different extent. The rebounding in 2k has been atrocious, especially in My Player/ My Career. Teammate AI on both offense and defense is also lacking. My point is that both games have issues. With a new engine and new consoles, EA actually has the opportunity to fix their player movement issues. I would love two solid NBA games.

..and again, how is 2ks rebounding issues in My Player even remotely relevant to NBA Live's players jumping without bending their knees, onlu jumping straight up and down, rebounds hitting the floor not matter who jumps and whos around?

Like I said, there are far worse problems to deal with than what you dont like in My Player in another game.

Live didnt just have sliding and warping either...and since the defense was so gimped, you had players literally hugged to the ball player like a snuggie, and the only way you could drive was to do a bunch of dribble moves.. even though I pointed it out they ignored the issue, which tells me all of that Synergy data didn't mean crap in the scheme of it because all of those ratings and tendencies were awful, and I mean worse than 2k insider awful.

PGs were grabbing rebounds over Centers until you looked at the ratings and saw everybody's ratings were input from Candyland.

I commented on your defense is better comment and gave examples why its not, and im adding more because as I said, it seems that people have forgotten in the middle of all of this crazy arguing, EA has to deal with EAs issues, not 2ks.

If 2k never makes another game, EA will still need to deal with its gimped on court interaction, players shrinking size under the basket which was in that E3 trailer as well as old Live's and I have video to point that out as well...

Its such a long laundry list that I have no idea how so many people can come in here to this graveyard trashing 2k.

# 74 DirtyJerz32 @ 09/13/13 03:58 PM

If EA would release NBA Live with the same gameplay that 10 had, I'm sold. I loved 10 and still play it. Just stopped playing when the season ended.

# 75 Rockie_Fresh88 @ 09/13/13 04:08 PM

wait for 5 on 5 videos probably the only answer at this point.

# 76 23 @ 09/13/13 04:11 PM

Honestly only a demo really truly would.

A 2 to 5 minute video can show you things but it can also not show you things

Galaxy Note 2

# 77 Rockie_Fresh88 @ 09/13/13 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23


	Honestly only a demo really truly would. A 2 to 5 minute video can show you things but it can also not show you things Galaxy Note 2

Agreed . I wonder how big of a jump 2k can make on next gen and what EA can do too.

# 78 23 @ 09/13/13 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirs


	Mod turning this in 2k vs live. Stay classy

Please contribute something more than a troll comment and nothing at all on the subject, and secondly being a mod has nothing to do with what I just said.

This is not about 2k which is the point and you would've understood that had you read what I said.

I dont care what 2ks issues are in the Live forum because 2k has a forum full of complainers already. Im talking about a ton of issues EA needs to address to be a relevant series, and not dismissing them with the facade that "2k has it too"

No matter, i said what I said and im leaving at that because until EA proves they can be relevant again none of this means anything.

# 79 nick_sr @ 09/13/13 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behindshadows


	oh boo hoo cry me a river!!! The NFL License has nothing to do with all the other titles they released. And the subject is Live, not NFL....Your hatred for one companies business decision is just mediocre and stupid... It's been 9 years and people want to rip EA for everything they've done for the loss of one 2k title...gtfo... They didn't buy NCAA, where's college hoops... They didn't buy NHL, where 2k hockey... They loss the MLB, 2k baseball is poo x2 There are other sports, even Konami pushes out PES each year with not license for FIFA, but hey it's completely editable to have the real players and teams. 2k loses a license and creates All Pro Football and limits out any way to edit into a NFL game. Backbreaker comes out and is edited into a NFL game. (Contradictory circumstances) get over yourself and trying to hate every title they make for one exclusive license.... Back on Topic.. there is a chance for Live as there would be for Sony, if they revamped Shootout and bring it back....I said Shootout not NBA The Inside..that was trash... Konami can return Inside Drive and I'd buy that...

best post I have seen on my short time on os.

# 80 noshun @ 09/14/13 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DucksFan28


	2k been the same game past 3 years.

So has Live...

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