NBA Live 15: Is the Delay a Reason for Panic or Optimism?

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Submitted on: 09/09/2014 by

In case you have been living under a rock today, NBA Live 15 has been delayed until October 28. For EA to delay a sports game is pretty unprecedented, especially at this stage in the game. Given the slow trickle of PR releases, and the rumblings we've been hearing, this is a move that likely was made some weeks ago.

There are several things this could mean, it could mean the game isn't finished and may not be by October 28. It could mean the team simply needed a few more weeks to finish the game and it'll actually come out better. It could mean the game will be cancelled, it's not like this hasn't happened before.

So with that, what do you think the delay means for NBA Live 15?

James Kerti: Given the track record of the series over the last half-decade, it's hard not to fear the worst when hearing about the game being delayed. A delay this close to release leads to worry in general. This series hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt. Plus, we haven't seen much in the way of information and footage to comfort us. I'm worried.

Matthew Coe: This is a pretty big surprise to me honestly. I had hoped that the game was shaping up to be a surprise and restore some hope for the NBA Live franchise. This is a troubling sign.

While we don't have the particular reasons behind this delay, I think we can draw a couple of logical conclusions. One of them is that EA has seen the backlash of releasing an incomplete NHL 15 and was probably planning a similar strategy for Live, patching in extra modes, etc. I think that the NBA team couldn't risk even more negative press for a brand that is already tarnished so badly. So hopefully EA uses the extra time to work on franchise/dynasty modes and overall polish. NBA Live 15 cant afford a disaster like last year's game.

Robert Kollars: This is not a surprise to me at all as there were some odd signs out there that started to have the game's fan-base question things again.

This doesn't affect my decision to purchase the game, and I have no issue with a company delaying a game to tighten it up before retail release. If EA had a better track record the last 4-5 years with this title, people wouldn't think twice about the delay. Sadly though, the recent problems will be attached on a yearly basis until this title is has hit its groove and is consistently strong.

Dustin Toms: This is more than a delay. EA has to be throwing in the towel if the game is getting pushed back to the end of October. NBA Live 14 was a collosal disaster on next-gen consoles everywhere. If this year's iteration is in need of "more time," then why bother? EA has delayed Live before, which turned out to be a complete cancel. The track record is not good.

With the NBA 2K franchise becoming a top-selling video game, not just a sports game, EA should pull their funds (and Live team) and pool it in with NHL to give them the help they need. If NHL rises up on next-gen with quality franchises such as Madden and FIFA, EA will be just fine.

Leave NBA Live on the shelf. It was a (kind of) good run.

Chris Sanner: NBA Live 15 is not going to be like Live 13 or Elite 11 -- at least I don't think. At this point, EA still plans to release the game, but I'm sure that was the case the last two EA basketball delays as well. Simply put, Live 15 either has to come onto store shelves or the series will be dead. If the game can't ship this year, the series itself needs to be abandoned because there is no path forward.

On the other hand, the extra time will do for Live what a delay could have done for NHL -- it gives the developers a bit of extra time to fine tune the game and get some key elements they know they need to add into it. We don't know the exact condition of Live so it's impossible to judge how much work the title needs at this point. The gameplay videos tend to point to more week being needed.

The problem for Live will be its competitor will almost certainly be higher rated and more highly acclaimed -- and it will have three weeks to convince consumers of that before Live even gets a chance. While live is showing off its improved AI in teaser videos, players will be getting the chance to play NBA 2K15. The commercial success of Live is already going to be a disappointment, if the series is to continue, the critical success of the series has to take a step forward.

NBA Live 15 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 Rondee @ 09/09/14 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da ThRONe


	I guess it's a matter of opinions. I never thought Live 14 looked good at any point.

agreed. there is obviously a segment of the basketball games market that likes the arcady movements and overall unrealistic style and feel of Live. So there will always be people who will be impressed with whatever live puts out. both sides will never agree...

I prefer realistic look and feel, and 2K is moving towards this, while Live is just not. EA and the Live followers are happy with this style, and so they were all shocked at the overall negative reception to Live 14, even though they were all convinced it was fantastic.

there's a market for everything.

# 22 ProfessaPackMan @ 09/09/14 02:53 PM

I'm sorry but blaming the community is nothing more than a cop out.

# 23 The 24th Letter @ 09/09/14 03:13 PM

If you're going to blame the community, blame the part that would defend Live even if they announced that they wont be using actual NBA teams next year

As far as the delay, I don't think it's necessarily a reason to panic, but it worrisome based of the series history.

I still look forward to checking it out myself.

# 24 Haval93 @ 09/09/14 03:16 PM

No need for panic yet. I seriously doubt EA would cancel the game unless it's worse than Live 14, which it won't. EA has been delaying a couple of big franchises lately that have competition in the genre. Madden, NHL, and FIFA are lone wolves and don't need to be pushed back because they only compete with themselves where as both Dragon Age and Battlefield were both delayed by a couple of weeks in Dragon Age's case and to a couple of months to Battlefield's case. There is no need to call for the death of any game, if you don't like, simply don't buy it. I never understood the need to bash a game and try to get the game cancelled. Try out the game and if you don't like it, don't buy it. No need for pitchforks and complaints if you were never going to give the game a fair shot in the first place. /End Rant.

# 25 GisherJohn24 @ 09/09/14 03:23 PM

Nahh. I think the game is basically ready, just want to tweak the kinks. It's not a bad sign.

# 26 GisherJohn24 @ 09/09/14 03:24 PM

I would actually support a delay till late November if they wanted to make it even better.

# 27 worstsportsgamer1977 @ 09/09/14 03:36 PM

nba live kickstarter campaign! i hope this game does not get canceled. ea must have gave them a very small budget for this project. if it does not get off the ground they should consider crowd funding.

# 28 nick_sr @ 09/09/14 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The 24th Letter


	If you're going to blame the community, blame the part that would defend Live even if they announced that they wont be using actual NBA teams next year As far as the delay, I don't think it's necessarily a reason to panic, but it worrisome based of the series history. I still look forward to checking it out myself.

You really believe that? Guess you guys like to ignore the negative things I have said about live.

# 29 ProfessaPackMan @ 09/09/14 03:46 PM

Who wastes $60 on a game just to not give it a fair chance? I think most of us(talking about the regulars that have been here for a while)have always intended on giving Live a chance just like we have the last few years.

# 30 The 24th Letter @ 09/09/14 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick_sr


	You really believe that? Guess you guys like to ignore the negative things I have said about live.

Actually man, even though you can definitely go hard for Live at times, you will turn right back around and break down it's issues in detail...no generic "it's not perfect" etc. but the actual issues that need to be addressed...and I respect that...we need more of that in the community...

# 31 El_Poopador @ 09/09/14 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haval93


	No need for panic yet. I seriously doubt EA would cancel the game unless it's worse than Live 14, which it won't. EA has been delaying a couple of big franchises lately that have competition in the genre. Madden, NHL, and FIFA are lone wolves and don't need to be pushed back because they only compete with themselves where as both Dragon Age and Battlefield were both delayed by a couple of weeks in Dragon Age's case and to a couple of months to Battlefield's case. There is no need to call for the death of any game, if you don't like, simply don't buy it. I never understood the need to bash a game and try to get the game cancelled. Try out the game and if you don't like it, don't buy it. No need for pitchforks and complaints if you were never going to give the game a fair shot in the first place. /End Rant.

These are not yearly release titles though, and games like that can often be delayed simply because of the sheer volume of content. You can't really compare them to sports titles that are released every year.

# 32 Gramps91 @ 09/09/14 04:19 PM

I want to be optimistic because I really want to see the Live series become successful once again but from the history of the way things went from Elite 11- Live 13 it's hard to be optimistic.

# 33 Anthony292 @ 09/09/14 04:19 PM

2k got this in the back nobody is challenging them. For a long time .

# 34 jeebs9 @ 09/09/14 04:53 PM

Not good news at all.

# 35 NUH_UHHHHHHHHHHH @ 09/09/14 05:00 PM

YUK! the players look skinny and pale. no beuno

# 36 braves_94 @ 09/09/14 05:09 PM

IMO, EA was probably as blown out of the water, as the rest of us, with all the crazy updates to Dynasty mode 2K is doing this year. There's raising the bar, then there's that. To me, if Live has ONE thing on 2K, it just might be player handling. 2K is still the better looking game. But it feels like how the players handle suffer for it. And if Live can pull that off, they just might get a ground swell of younger gamers to build off of. Sort of like the difference between Madden 05 and NFL2K5. 2K5 was the better simulation, but, and this was to me when I was 18, Madden seem to play better from an arcade stand point. If Live can develop a base, and grow the complexity of the game around it, we might have competition. But to the flip side, EA really needs to nail down it's own brand. The company doesn't carry as much weight as it did in the SNES and Genesis days for me.

# 37 dOm_CaTz @ 09/09/14 05:12 PM

I feel like they just need to cut this and get back to whats important. Getting back to MVP baseball.

# 38 Pokes404 @ 09/09/14 06:33 PM

Not a good sign for Live 15. I guess we'll see though.

I really would like for Live to get on their feet to create competition and give gamers more options, but man, we've seen too much of this stuff from Live over the years to not look at this delay and say "Here we go again."

# 39 nick_sr @ 09/09/14 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The 24th Letter


	Actually man, even though you can definitely go hard for Live at times, you will turn right back around and break down it's issues in detail...no generic "it's not perfect" etc. but the actual issues that need to be addressed...and I respect that...we need more of that in the community...

just something ive been playing since '95 and I have a hard time of letting go things that I love.

at times '14 can play well imo, but there's also times where I just turn the console off without quitting the game due to certain things.

some of the things still exist and i'm hopeful they can fix it.

you guys will never understand the love/passion I have for nba live, but that's not going to stop me from being critical or going out to buy the other game which I have done for the past 5 years

# 40 KyotoCarl @ 09/09/14 07:26 PM

I think it should be considered a warning sign. Just like The Sims 4 when noone was given review copies.
If EA doesn't release a demo or release review copies before release then we should be worried.

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