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

# 41 nick_sr @ 09/09/14 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braves_94


	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.

don't know what the budget is like but I don't understand why dynasty wasn't a major focus!! let's hope game modes are taking more seriously next year.

# 42 GisherJohn24 @ 09/09/14 06:36 PM

Can we edit the rosters?

# 43 Guard-ian @ 09/09/14 06:42 PM

As a basketball junkie, this is a good thing, first I won't have time to play both games from october 7th, so I will happily start with 2k15 while I wait for Live 15 to be released. Then if the demo convince me, I will purchase Live 15 also, you know, sometimes I get frustated with 2k ball, so to have another alternative basketball sim which plays differently is a very big pro to me.

Besides, to have more development time to polish the gameplay can never be bad, I know that quite well... Patience is the mother of science.

Cheers! ;-)

# 44 WTF @ 09/09/14 06:43 PM

Well, it's at the Gamestop Expo today, playable. Find Ty Stover:

Come find me at the #GameStopExpo and get your hands on NBA LIVE 15. Tonight only.
— Ty Stover (@Ty_Stover) September 9, 2014

# 45 KyotoCarl @ 09/09/14 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GisherJohn24


	Can we edit the rosters?

Wrong thread.

# 46 BigBadTom @ 09/09/14 07:57 PM

I can't tell what is causing such a bad game. Is it a lack of talent on the Dev Team? Is it their inability to set a reasonable time frame? I know Live was bad, but why did they go from the ground up with the next game? If I were producing the game, I would give the head designer a blank check and 4 years to build the game. I assume they would be able to produce a solid product at that point.

# 47 scottyp180 @ 09/09/14 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guard-ian


	As a basketball junkie, this is a good thing, first I won't have time to play both games from october 7th, so I will happily start with 2k15 while I wait for Live 15 to be released. Then if the demo convince me, I will purchase Live 15 also, you know, sometimes I get frustated with 2k ball, so to have another alternative basketball sim which plays differently is a very big pro to me. Besides, to have more development time to polish the gameplay can never be bad, I know that quite well... Patience is the mother of science. Cheers! ;-)

This is a good way to look at it. From a customer stand point the delay is good, unless the customer is someone who will only buy 1 basketball game and is unwilling to wait for Live.

In terms of sales for the game, however, I feel this move could hurt Live unless a demo proves the game is for real. Seeing how 2k has been the reigning champ for both sales and game rating I fear most fans will buy 2k and never look back, perhaps trying out the Live demo at best. There will be those who will buy both, such as the basketball heads who like variety, as well as the loyal Live fans who will buy the game for support but, IMO, giving 2k a 3 week advantage means the Live team has its work cut out for them to prove that there game is worthy of either a double purchase (as in people buying both 2k and Live) or worth holding off on 2k in order to try out or buy Live. The only other advantage I see for Live is if 2K falls on its face and is completely disappointing or if people get the game and after 2 or 3 weeks are bored and want something different

# 48 Ermolli @ 09/09/14 09:27 PM

Am I worried or panicking? No. Do I think it's a good move? I don't do.
I actually don't care about the delay, I've no feelings one way or the other because if the game ends up being good then great and if not there's always next year. I do wish they end up delivering a fantastic game though since in my opinion having two good basketball games is better than just one.

# 49 jaronh20bk @ 09/09/14 09:37 PM

I actually was going to get this but after hearing that create-a-player is back for next gen and better for 2k15. Live can kiss my ***.

# 50 asu666 @ 09/09/14 11:07 PM

Since 2K brought back offline single-player with local saves, I'm set.

# 51 Shadojoker @ 09/10/14 12:34 AM

They have a good Visuals trailer...getting everybody hyped..then this??? I think the fat lady is warming up her vocal chords..and my faith with EA Sports coming back strong this year has been displaced. :-/

# 52 Herman925 @ 09/10/14 04:27 AM

Sad to see history repeating itself on EA. Elite, then this. So they tried to clear their bad name and said 'it was Elite that was a shame to us, not Live', and when they figured they'd be determined, they decided to trip us all over.

I'm not here to judge whether it is a good move or not. But all that lack of info, that gameplay footage? I wanna be a believer but I guess not anymore.

Live has to come around with ground-breaking and jaw-dropping features that deliver to have my money this year

# 53 bumpyface @ 09/10/14 04:53 AM

All I want to know is how hard is it to make a basketball game. With all the gameplay issues 2k has, and EA not getting it right with Live for half a decade, it must be tough. EA, 2k, somebody make me a FUN, RESPONSIVE basketball game. PPPPLEEEAAASSSE

# 54 WTF @ 09/10/14 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumpyface


	All I want to know is how hard is it to make a basketball game. With all the gameplay issues 2k has, and EA not getting it right with Live for half a decade, it must be tough. EA, 2k, somebody make me a FUN, RESPONSIVE basketball game. PPPPLEEEAAASSSE

EA is making a FUN, RESPONSIVE basketball game. Just give the game or demo a go when it comes out. Those 2 things are key for me. Fun and responsiveness.

# 55 DonWuan @ 09/10/14 08:32 AM

3 week delay+conspiracy theories+2k post= entertainment.

What's happens If the game is actually decent?

# 56 shutdown10 @ 09/10/14 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonWuan


	3 week delay+conspiracy theories+2k post= entertainment. What's happens If the game is actually decent?

It would be beneficial for all of us basketball gamers if it is decent, but most people won't give them the benefit of the doubt due off past rep. They have to show more because 50 second clips of gameplay will not do the trick to convince enough people.

# 57 The 24th Letter @ 09/10/14 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonWuan


	3 week delay+conspiracy theories+2k post= entertainment. What's happens If the game is actually decent?

Your "conspiracy theory" post in every thread + the lack of conspiracy theory's actually being made = repetitive.

Anyway, I think if the demo is good, assuming they are still dropping one, people will definitely give the game a chance....I know I will...don't have time to play anything i've already decided not to like.

I wonder if EA will at least drop the demo on the 7th..

# 58 DBMcGee3 @ 09/10/14 09:50 AM

I'd love to see this game turn out great, but I'd have to say that so far 2k is killing them on the eyeball test. These Live 15 clips look better than Live 14, of course, but in my opinion the visuals still fall a bit short of the bar set by their competitor. If the gameplay turns out great they could potentially make up some ground, but I just don't see it being THAT great.

I've seen around 5 or 6 dunk animations so far for Live, and more than half of them looked really unnatural, including the LeBron dunk in these clips they've just released.

# 59 23 @ 09/10/14 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonWuan


	3 week delay+conspiracy theories+2k post= entertainment. What's happens If the game is actually decent?

You're trolling the line of trolling FYI

# 60 Rhinoboy50 @ 09/10/14 10:41 AM

I wonder if the delay is a response to the bashing they are taking over NHL 15. They MAYBE are starting to realize that it is better to delay than to release garbage half products.

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