If NBA Live Has a Future, It Has to Look Radically Different

[Acrewed]

It feels like EA doesn't care about NBA Live anymore. Even Madden is improving but Live has gotten more horrendous each year.

[WTF]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

I think you guys need to realize that you when you compare this game to other sports games and whether or not it meets consumer expectations it fails. You can find redeeming qualities in anything; that's only personal opinion. I remember guys really looking at NBA Live 07 and claiming it was so revolutionary others just couldn't grasp it. Same thing here.

It's not the redeeming qualities that I'm seeing. I'm playing a good game of basketball. Whether or not the masses like it or not, that's fine. I know what I'm seeing. You know the type of game that I play. I wouldn't be playing a game if it were garbage.

The game is fun, the game is good, and it's consistently getting better. I just had probably the best game that I've had yet, and I lost in OT to the Thunder as the Pacers, 63-53. In overtime, the Thunder made the strategic move that they were not going to let PG24 beat them. And it ultimately paid off. I tried to go with my other players, and when I wasn't getting the instant satisfaction, I started forcing things with PG. That was the nail in my coffin. It was great.

I saw excellent ball movement by the Thunder, whipping it around the perimeter to beat my zone. My rotations couldn't keep up. I'm finding the rebounders, and boxing them out, then timing my jumps to grab the boards. I'm using my basketball knowledge and rotating when I'm playing zone, or else the CPU knows exactly where to beat it. I saw them get the ball into the middle of my zone, and the baseline cutters cut right to the spots where they should. It is fundamental.

It needs some tweaks, and it needs to be "prettier". That's what I'm seeing. And I'm happy with it.

[Pared]

Wil - you have ALWAYS been the gamer that is ok with a "potential" bball game though. You've played live (ok, it was 06 not 07) way back in the day and enjoyed it. It's along the same point I just made. In fact, the only reason you stopped playing is because someone stepped on your game disc.

No matter how bad a game is, as long as it has SOME semblance of basketball you are ok. For the general gamer, I think they are looking for more now. It's 2013, almost 2014.

What I am seeing in terms of presentation, gameplay, graphics... this stuff was ok 6-7 years ago. Not now and CERTAINLY not for a series as prominent as Live.

[WTF]

No, it needs AI. I haven't played a sports title for a long period of time since prior to the Police Academy. I played 2k11 on PC for a little bit, but was moreso of a modder and interested in making the screens look pretty. This games basketball awareness is beyond that of anything out there right now. I can post some videos of the most recent 2k14 game that I played, and I immediately turned it off because of one play.

This game finds the open man when it makes sense. It doesn't have a rubber band AI. There is some clipping issues, but it's not the type where the ball mysteriously finds its way through 3 defenders to allow a score. It's just random legs or hands going through another limb, etc. I've got a clip of 2k14 that the CPU got on their rubber band, I'm going to score no matter what you do, where they drove and dished the ball through... THROUGH the crotch of 3 of my defenders in the paint, and then THROUGH the hand of my attempted block, only to score. That's not a good game. That's a scripted game. It's "pretty" sometimes from afar. But it's not basketball. I can't recall the last time I had a basketball mysteriously morph through my body to allow someone to score. Have you ever went up for a block, only to have the ball go through your forearm for the game tying duece? I've not.

I am glad that people are enjoying the other game. But this is not a "potential" based basketball game. I want one that has good gameplay. It's not pretty animation wise, but the spots the CPU picks on the floor is what I see when I'm playing ball, and when I'm watching the game on tv. The graphics arent' up to par and the "emotion" isn't celebrating like crazy when they've made a superhuman play, and I'm okay with that. I'd rather go back and play NBA Inside Drive 2003/04 to see the cutters running off of screens, hitting their spots, doubling the hot guy, rotating and making true basketball plays.

Graphics, I'll agree. The game isn't a next gen graphics game. But it does play a next gen game. It needs graphical improvements out the wazoo. It needs animations out the wazoo. But it does not need to sacrifice what it does right, to make it another 2k game.

I played 2k12, 2k13, I'd say for about a month. I can't take any more of the scripted style of gameplay. You may be right, as long as it resembles basketball, I'm good. But what I'm seeing the past few years is, well, not basketball. It's pretty sometimes, and has it's highlights moments. But it's not a basketball simulation.

I'll continue to play this title, and enjoy the things that they do right. I'm hoping that gameplay wise, they don't change it much with patches. Add some better textures for players during gameplay. Add the option to edit players, sliders for those that want it. If they can add animations without making it canned, then great. But what I'm seeing from the game, pure gameplay and AI, I'm happy.

Oh, and for the record. NBA Live 07 was a turd. There was no playing that game. None.

[RayRay34]

And to think I actually thought these threads would be done with all the EA vs 2k and how sucky Live is instead of actually being productive discussions..... Guess I was wrong. Be back in a few weeks.

[Pared]

I guess you're going to have to post videos from the full game then. I only have the demo to go off of and this game needs much more than what you mention 2k needs to be a "complete" basketball game both on and off the court. Again, this wasn't about 2k... But compare this to even a game like Madden and this game isn't even close to being worthwhile for a "next-gen" title IMHO.

[WTF]

I'm posting a ton of videos in the video thread and several in the impressions thread. Those who are liking it are definitely in the minority no doubt. The game has had a ton of negativity surrounding it.

I'm going to be just as vocal with my impressions and the positives that I am seeing with the game play. Hopefully the other respected members who have picked up the game will see the same. I don't want 2 of the same game. This is a totally different animal and I'm glad.

I don't think I have ever had so much fun finding the open man and boxing out. The best thing about it is, when you box out, and time your jump, you're going to get a rebound and not have it mysteriously warp to another player. I've had a few times where I've blocked out to the point that the ball hits the floor because I was focused on keeping my guy off of the glass.

[TheHypeMachine6]

Quote: Originally Posted by WTF

I'm posting a ton of videos in the video thread and several in the impressions thread. Those who are liking it are definitely in the minority no doubt. The game has had a ton of negativity surrounding it. I'm going to be just as vocal with my impressions and the positives that I am seeing with the game play. Hopefully the other respected members who have picked up the game will see the same. I don't want 2 of the same game. This is a totally different animal and I'm glad. I don't think I have ever had so much fun finding the open man and boxing out. The best thing about it is, when you box out, and time your jump, you're going to get a rebound and not have it mysteriously warp to another player. I've had a few times where I've blocked out to the point that the ball hits the floor because I was focused on keeping my guy off of the glass.

Are you sure your not an EA Sports Rep? Your defending this game like theres no tomorrow, and after the sub par effort Live turned out to be there might not be! Coming to the defense of this game is as bad as the EA Producers feeding us all the B.S that the game would be "Great" or "Competitive", I'm hearing give this game a chance, well I gave this game the best of 7-8hrs, and if you feel this game is a true replication of an NBA game your kidding yourself, the trust is gone, and IMHO Live has reached its ceiling, if that is their best shot at Next Gen then id scrap it and walk away now. I'm all for competition and yes NBA 2K14 has some noticeable flaws that EA Sports could have jumped on but didn't, geez they saw what they were up against months in advance but remained dormant, IMO i think they knew it would fail, but relied on fans such as WTF & others to promote their game before and after. Sorry b'ball game fans but i think we will be back to 1 game again in 2014-15