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

# 141 kingeo19 @ 10/02/13 11:34 PM

I remember posting something similar to this last year around the same time. All threads referring to NBA Elite and NBA Live 13 should be required reading. Roll 'em out 23!
Until a title is delivered on time, NBA LIVE as a series is irrelevant. They have done nothing to gain any potential consumers favor or trust in the last 3 and a half years.

Strongly beginning to think if LIVE doesn't sell 2.5-3 million units with the NG title (wont happen) they'll be done with the NBA.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...er-departments

I'm sure it's not a good thing when your new head of operations doesn't mention you when speaking of the companies major sports titles.

# 142 Sundown @ 10/02/13 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirs


	2k has released two hype trailers focusing on animations! Why animations I mean 2k has always been good visually with animations. Just more of the same crap with them... No mention of anything about the game other than stats and I don't see playable 5vs5 either. Knowing their history it's a port since history tells all. Ea has a trailer too. Yet in addition next gen tech ignite info, synergy, court q, playable Bouncetek demo and vid showing how it works. They have backed up what they are showing yet for some reason it's not enough. There is more coming this week and the weeks to follow. How is that scary?

EA's promo info videos are worthless until we actually see the game. It's the same sort of hype they released for... wait for it... Elite 11.

If history really tells all, then EA's lying through their teeth again and the game won't be released. But in all seriousness, if we are to trust EA's history and realities we know about their development situation, it'll probably be a bad to mediocre game with some interesting pieces of tech at the very best.

Anyway, you can't cite history and not have it cut both ways. And it doesn't cut well for EA and Live at all.

# 143 GisherJohn24 @ 10/03/13 12:48 PM

I'm hoping being built from the ground up for 2+ years, Live will just be fun again.

# 144 RandomPerson @ 10/03/13 10:06 PM

Obviously not. People are gonna buy the proven product, not the game from a series that hasn't even been good enough to see the light of day since 2009.

# 145 coolcras7 @ 10/05/13 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themove9


	I'm not a big fan of EA this gen but I feel 2k is overrated as a company and not much better if better at all than EA. I liked NBA Live 10 just as much as NBA 2k10 so I was confused on why the big change. 2k had the better bball engine and they milked it this whole gen. Rosters and the 2k insider have been maybe the worst rosters and updates of any sports game to date and still no change, just lies. Until 2k gets rosters right Live always has a chance. I have bought NBA 2k since dreamcast days i believe in 2001 always on release day. Before that I bought NBA Live. I purchased NBA 2k13 on ps3, 360, and wiiu last year for $60 each. I have not purchased Nba 2k14 because the rosters have not changed and 2k lied a storm about rosters heading into this years game. No chance I buy it or even play it if it was free.

You do realize that the NBA season has not started yet and there is a disclaimer stating that the game rosters are based off a certain date, which will not change until the season starts.

# 146 boltokPwnage04 @ 10/05/13 08:49 AM

Am I the only one who is feeling deja vu? I feel like I've been through this before.

At this point i'd consider it an accomplishment if Live is even released.

# 147 coolcras7 @ 10/05/13 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boltokPwnage04


	Am I the only one who is feeling deja vu? I feel like I've been through this before. At this point i'd consider it an accomplishment if Live is even released.

Because EA is all about the money and even if the developers love the game and want to release it the suits will not allow it to see the light of day if they know it can't compete with the other game, because it would destroy the brand name and face it the screams of wanting a 2k NFL game are getting louder after that weak video EA released about next gen madden, they can't afford to put out a subpar NBA game on top of that.

# 148 GisherJohn24 @ 10/05/13 11:58 AM

Live doesn't need to beat 2k, let alone compete with it, it just needs to be a unique experience in its own right. If its just simple fun again, then it can have a nice niche for some people and be viable again .

# 149 23 @ 10/05/13 12:38 PM

That's not enough for sales or else itll be less than live 10 which they felt wasnt oulling in enough aka even though it was the best of the series.

Galaxy Note 2 now Free

# 150 GisherJohn24 @ 10/05/13 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23


	That's not enough for sales or else itll be less than live 10 which they felt wasnt oulling in enough aka even though it was the best of the series. Galaxy Note 2 now Free

I think it will sell. Specially if reviews are good

# 151 FAM CEO @ 10/14/13 09:00 PM

I am just looking for something different, something fresh...I remember playing NBA Inside Drive back in 02 and loved that game. All the stat overlays and commentary. Wasn't the best animations or graphics, but I enjoyed the hell out of that game.

Hopefully Live will put something out that can be built on and not scrapped every 2 to 3 years. I have always purchased both 2k and Live (when available) because I always had friends that were loyal to one or the other. Those were the good o'l days.

# 152 Boilerbuzz @ 10/15/13 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GisherJohn24


	I think it will sell. Specially if reviews are good

To sell enough to satisfy EA, it will have to sell enough. Good reviews alone won't make it sell that much man. Many good games with great reviews don't sell. Especially when there is another product that directly competes with it.

# 153 Gosens6 @ 10/15/13 12:28 PM

When the developer of the game himself comes out and says they're not where they want to be with this series yet, do you really think game reviewers are going to give this title good reviews? If you're not confident in your own product, neither should anyone else be.

It's sad what's happened with Live, because this is the game I grew up on, but they did it to themselves. Bad decisions business wise, and development wise. They're in this position because of no one but themselves.

# 154 Gosens6 @ 10/15/13 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skopin


	You failed to mention what he said immediately after that. "It's not exactly where it needs to be yet, but that's the exciting part." I don't think any developer should say the game is where they want to be. They should always strive to be better.

I get that, trust me I really do. But if this is supposed to be THE game to get you back on track, and you've had more than enough time to plan and develop, it should be where you want it to be. It will NOT be good for them to start of this generation of consoles with a game that they're not satisfied with. Not with the competition at the top of their game, and not with them trying to win back some of their fanbase that forgot all about them.

This game needs to be good, it cannot be step 1 of another 3 year plan, they'll just be letting 2K gain even more ground than they already have, that's all i'm saying.

# 155 GisherJohn24 @ 10/15/13 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boilerbuzz


	To sell enough to satisfy EA, it will have to sell enough. Good reviews alone won't make it sell that much man. Many good games with great reviews don't sell. Especially when there is another product that directly competes with it.

I disagree. 2 nba games back in the day that were at least good went head to head and both made money. There is a huge fan base for nba. When Live was good it went head to head with NBA ShootOut and eventually 2k. And both did well for years. . 06 was when Live went to crap on the 360. Took it about 4 years to make a decent comeback with 10. Well, almost 4 years later, we might see a good game again. Good games sell by good reviews and word of mouth. I hope both 2k and Live are great

# 156 23 @ 10/15/13 06:20 PM

Dude live 10 made them go th3 hockey route even though it qas a pretty decent rated game and the best in the series. You can't disagree with something that happened

Galaxy Note 2

# 157 Sundown @ 10/16/13 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gosens6


	I get that, trust me I really do. But if this is supposed to be THE game to get you back on track, and you've had more than enough time to plan and develop, it should be where you want it to be. It will NOT be good for them to start of this generation of consoles with a game that they're not satisfied with. Not with the competition at the top of their game, and not with them trying to win back some of their fanbase that forgot all about them. This game needs to be good, it cannot be step 1 of another 3 year plan, they'll just be letting 2K gain even more ground than they already have, that's all i'm saying.

Live 14 is not going to be the game that gets them fully on track in all likelihood. However, if they do one thing REALLY well, like say, dribbling, then they have something noteworthy to build off. If they take that approach with their other gameplay systems every year, they could have a stellar game if they stay hungry in 3-4 years.

If they nail dribbling but the game sucks, it's still a major accomplishment, as that is probably one of the hardest things to get right in a game. Of course while they're shoring up the other systems and basic basketball, the other product can focus on weaknesses in their dribbling model (which is good for everyone).

# 158 bigeastbumrush @ 10/16/13 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundown


	Live 14 is not going to be the game that gets them fully on track in all likelihood. However, if they do one thing REALLY well, like say, dribbling, then they have something noteworthy to build off. If they take that approach with their other gameplay systems every year, they could have a stellar game if they stay hungry in 3-4 years. If they nail dribbling but the game sucks, it's still a major accomplishment, as that is probably one of the hardest things to get right in a game. Of course while they're shoring up the other systems and basic basketball, the other product can focus on weaknesses in their dribbling model (which is good for everyone).

I'm sorry but that's a cop-out.

If they nail dribbling it's a success? Dribbling?

Man, the game will be a success if it is animating (without major bugs) smoothly and has an above average dynasty mode. Those are the things that will keep people playing.

Dribbling is just an icing on the cake factor.

It was NEVER an issue with the Live series. Never.

Sad day when we give a game credit for dribbling. My man Boozer can rocket dunk from the FT line but he has a sick handle to get there?

Nah.

# 159 GisherJohn24 @ 10/16/13 08:21 PM

Gameplay vid announced . Will be online tomorrow

# 160 Sundown @ 10/16/13 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeastbumrush


	I'm sorry but that's a cop-out. If they nail dribbling it's a success? Dribbling? Man, the game will be a success if it is animating (without major bugs) smoothly and has an above average dynasty mode. Those are the things that will keep people playing. Dribbling is just an icing on the cake factor. It was NEVER an issue with the Live series. Never. Sad day when we give a game credit for dribbling. My man Boozer can rocket dunk from the FT line but he has a sick handle to get there? Nah.

I'm not saying Live 14 will be a success as a GAME if they just nail dribbling. It will be an abject and abysmal failure. Make no mistake about it.

What I'm saying is that Live's developers will have succeeded for *themselves* by accomplishing something that gives them a fighting chance at making a decent product years down the line, even if they totally fail their customers (and should rightfully be shamed for doing so).

Problem is, if it's a failure as a game, EA might just cancel it again and they won't be able to build from that foundation.

Seems moot though because Nash looks terrible dribbling in the latest teaser video.

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