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


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
# 61 da ThRONe @ 09/10/14 02:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhinoboy50
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.
Well 3 weeks aren't going to turn garbage into gold.
 
# 62 King_B_Mack @ 09/10/14 03:18 PM
How much extra time are they really getting though? They still have to make the discs, get approvals and ship everything.
 
# 63 GisherJohn24 @ 09/10/14 03:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBadTom
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.
It's a combination of things. When Wang left they had to start a whole new engine from scratch and I think they lost some guys too. Not to mention being rushed year after year to make stupid street dates. If the devs had their choice I'm sure they would love to have 3 years not 9 months to make a game
 
# 64 El_Poopador @ 09/10/14 03:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by King_B_Mack
How much extra time are they really getting though? They still have to make the discs, get approvals and ship everything.
The only logical explanation I can think of is that they want to have more time to work on a day one patch, rather than having the game out for a month before some of those fixes make their way online.
 
# 65 GisherJohn24 @ 09/10/14 03:22 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by da ThRONe
Well 3 weeks aren't going to turn garbage into gold.
Reason for the delay is unknown. Don't make assumptions. Could be simply to fix online modes or what have you.
 
# 66 da ThRONe @ 09/10/14 03:44 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GisherJohn24
Reason for the delay is unknown. Don't make assumptions. Could be simply to fix online modes or what have you.


Are you talking to me about making assumption? If so not sure why. I'm not saying the game is garbage that was the person I was addressing. My point is if the game lacks quality today pushing it back 3 weeks won't help that.
 
# 67 Rhinoboy50 @ 09/10/14 03:50 PM
[QUOT E=da ThRONe;2046571559]Well 3 weeks aren't going to turn garbage into gold.[/quote]


Touché!
 
# 68 GisherJohn24 @ 09/10/14 04:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by da ThRONe
Are you talking to me about making assumption? If so not sure why. I'm not saying the game is garbage that was the person I was addressing. My point is if the game lacks quality today pushing it back 3 weeks won't help that.
Well since we don't know the reason we are all making assumptions
 
# 69 da ThRONe @ 09/10/14 05:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GisherJohn24
Well since we don't know the reason we are all making assumptions


Yeah but not all assumptions are created equal. The notion that they can turn a game from awful to good in 3weeks are about as close to a fact as an assumption can get. Again I am, have, and will remain open minded and patient until the demo.
 
# 70 GisherJohn24 @ 09/10/14 05:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by da ThRONe
Yeah but not all assumptions are created equal. The notion that they can turn a game from awful to good in 3weeks are about as close to a fact as an assumption can get. Again I am, have, and will remain open minded and patient until the demo.
So by 45 sec of video you're saying it's awful?
 
# 71 Mauer4MVP @ 09/11/14 05:11 PM
I don't think a delay is reason for panic, but the gameplay videos and trailers certainly are.
 
# 72 da ThRONe @ 09/11/14 09:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GisherJohn24
So by 45 sec of video you're saying it's awful?
Huh? Clearly I have to do a much better job articulating myself. I'm not judging the game. My point is IF(key word being if) the game is awful 3 weeks aren't going to turn it around.
 
# 73 GisherJohn24 @ 09/12/14 09:21 AM
Remember everyone, keep this in mind, some of the greateset games in the world had mega delays. Zelda, Uncharted, Alan Wake, Red Dead Redemption, you name it. Delays can be good!
 
# 74 The 24th Letter @ 09/12/14 09:39 AM
Not saying that Live can't be good, but this is a yearly sports title that missed it's target date...it's apples and oranges.
 
# 75 the_future420 @ 09/12/14 09:39 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by WTF
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.
To be honest, the game looks like its fun to play. Hopefully its not so rough around the edges that it takes away from the fun factor, but I feel like Live has a very good chance to be the most FUN basketball game that drops this year
 
# 76 JBulls @ 09/12/14 09:39 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GisherJohn24
Remember everyone, keep this in mind, some of the greateset games in the world had mega delays. Zelda, Uncharted, Alan Wake, Red Dead Redemption, you name it. Delays can be good!
If history is any indication then not for this franchise
 
# 77 jadert @ 09/12/14 12:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GisherJohn24
Remember everyone, keep this in mind, some of the greateset games in the world had mega delays. Zelda, Uncharted, Alan Wake, Red Dead Redemption, you name it. Delays can be good!
What? You're talking about titles that generally take 3-5 years to make. Not a yearly sports title. The best basketball game in the world and the only football game in the world don't miss yearly dates. Not to mention the series history with cancellations/titles not coming out etc.
 
# 78 CaseIH @ 09/12/14 04:49 PM
It amazes me how such a big company like EA is that they cant get competent developers to make a solid basketball game. No matter what EA does with basketball wont effect me none the least ever as I decided after they shafted us customers with not patching NCAA basketball its last year of existence did me in for good with there lies and shady ways of doing business. Thankfully 2k makes a outstanding basketball game that EA has never came close to competing with so basketball fans do have a solid game yearly to play for the most part anyway.
Honestly if EA hasnt found competent devs for basketball by now they wont ever find them, so its probably in their best interest to just put those funds toward making Madden better, or some other game they make, I only play the 3 main sports baseball, basketball, and football so not sure what other games they make, but its obvious they have no clue how to make a basketball game and havent for the most part ever had a good basketball game.
 
# 79 youvalss @ 09/12/14 10:02 PM
I don't know the answer to the thread's title, but the whole situation reminds me of NBA Live on last gen. The question, in my opinion, is: Is Live 15 going to be like Live 08 (fixing many problem of the previous title, but still not being that good), or Live 09 (Almost there, just need a few more tweaks and getting rid of some issues)?

I sure hope Live 15 is the Live 09 of this generation.
 
# 80 GisherJohn24 @ 09/12/14 10:46 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaseIH
It amazes me how such a big company like EA is that they cant get competent developers to make a solid basketball game. No matter what EA does with basketball wont effect me none the least ever as I decided after they shafted us customers with not patching NCAA basketball its last year of existence did me in for good with there lies and shady ways of doing business. Thankfully 2k makes a outstanding basketball game that EA has never came close to competing with so basketball fans do have a solid game yearly to play for the most part anyway.
Honestly if EA hasnt found competent devs for basketball by now they wont ever find them, so its probably in their best interest to just put those funds toward making Madden better, or some other game they make, I only play the 3 main sports baseball, basketball, and football so not sure what other games they make, but its obvious they have no clue how to make a basketball game and havent for the most part ever had a good basketball game.
they certainly lost focus after Wang left. Were like chickens with heads cut off after wang left. IF 15 fails, they need a new crew, simple as that.
 


Post A Comment
Only OS members can post comments
Please login or register to post a comment.