NBA LIVE Post Launch Support

[blackflash83]

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I popped in to talk to you guys but it's good to be back talking to you guys.

One of the things that have been on my mind has been what we can do to improve the post launch experience for NBA LIVE. It's easy for me to come up with ideas to improve post launch support but I would like to hear from you guys regarding what you would like to see done better regarding post launch support. I can't promise that EVERYTHING that is listed by you guys can be done but the key thing here is that we should be working toward trying to make the experience better for you guys throughout the year that a title is launched.

With that let me know what you would like to see improved.

[ehh]

You guys had a constant presence on the board and communicated with us damn near daily. You fixed what you could (goaltending glitch, DS lineup issues, etc) and listened to all the other complaints. Seeing how you aren't required to even be here, as gamers we can't really ask for much more.

But we'll certainly take more if you're offering.

[blackflash83]

It's all about giving you guys what you want in a basketball game. The game team knows that a lot needs to be done but they're working hard to make a better game for all of you to enjoy.

It's great to be able to provide information to all of your regarding what's going into the game but it's also important that we give you guys incentives to continue wanting to play NBA LIVE after the game comes out. I know we can do a lot better in that area and I want to hear what you guys think needs to be improved in that area. I want to you all to be able to enjoy NBA LIVE and continue coming back to the game all year so knowing what you guys want to see improved is important.

Thanks.

[ehh]

Well, the answer you are probably going to get from a lot of OSers is to beef up the Dynasty mode a great deal. Granted that doesn't fall under the Post Launch Support tent, it certainly will give gamers around here much more incentive to continue playing Live after the game comes out.

The constant roster updates are great but I feel like most OSers did not find much replay value in Dynamic Season. But again, OS has mostly hardcore gamers who are big into Dynasty/Franchise type modes. Casual gamers may have loved DS.

I know that online gaming is the wave of the future (and present) but it would be awesome to have an improved Dynasty mode. Right now, it's the only thing that is unquestionably better in your competitor's game. Just about every thing else can be debated - the dynasty mode cannot.

I for one really, really enjoyed the gameplay in Live this year. But I barely touched the game from mid-December until last week. There just wasn't enough there for me to continue playing the game, even though I was more impressed with Live's gameplay than any other basketball game I've ever played.

What are some of the ideas you have, if you can share them without giving away too much? Outside of the constant roster updates being more accurate (eliminating the PG/SG lineup bug) and getting the appearances/sneakers/accessories more accurate and updated more frequently I'm not sure what other post-launch support can be done on your end.

[adub88]

I think Ehh just about covered it all. There could be more of a presence in the player accessories, shoes, etc thread.

This is not post launch related, but I was happy to come back to Live after playing 2k for the past few years. Just give us way more signature style and add some replay value to the game for Live '11.

[Pared]

Post launch support is meaningless if your bosses can not *grasp* the concept that sports gaming needs to evolve based on user input.

There are TONS of things that are asked for year in and year out that never transpire. There needs to be less focus on the guys that "love NBA Live the way it is" and more on the guys that want to see it become a great NBA title.

There is a reason why the game sold so poorly. Being sloppy seconds to features and innovation isn't going to do anything other than continually put this series behind 2k's efforts.

For years the player has wanted more control of online leagues. Still hasn't happened.
Players have wanted better presentation - Better, but still VERY behind what is possible.
Franchise mode = stale.
Player specific animations are few and far between.

I'm actually holding a good deal back in this post as well. I could go on and on but that wastes everyone's time since I've done so before and it has been met with hesitation.

I understand the developers need to answer to the "suits in charge." But until they can have a little more freedom to actually implement feedback from the gamer, the series won't advance with an incredible turnaround in just one year, no matter how solid the game is. Too much harm has already been done.

They just need to put in the massive amount of work needed now. And detailing what that is, so far, has been useless.

[noshun]

I agree with everything Pared just wrote. These guys wanna show up now trying to save face, after not showing up after NCAA 10 dropped and think that the people forgot about that.
Years of wishlist, surveys, and "we're back" rhetoric. Damage is done, and overdone. As much as I love NBA basketball, Live isn't on my radar even for rental this year, much less purchase. I'll still check in but thats the extent of it for me.

Mike Wang wasnt inspired to stick around and ditched the series. Marcus felt need to try something else.

Quote:

being there and spending some time over at EA, it was clear that they do things a different way, and in a way it's just inefficient and just not the place to be to make the best games

Quote: Originally Posted by blackflash83

It's all about giving you guys what you want in a basketball game.

We've heard this 5 years in a row. I even QA'd a few Live's a few years ago only to see the same stuff I said were issues make it into the final game.

Im only speaking for myself when I say this, but why bother?

[joel0078]

I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, because I mean no offense. But I'd rather see you spending your time making improvements on this years game instead of using it to conjure up ideas for post launch support. The simple fact you're asking for ideas for post launch support, has me concerned. I'm hoping post launch support isn't needed as much this year as in past years!

The only thing I can think to ask for is MORE of a presence, post release. It really bothered me as a devoted consumer that the development staff spent a great deal of time here hyping the game and providing info, pre release (which was much appreciated). But after the game released and problems arose, the developers time spent here had drastically decreased, and that was frustrating (to me anyways).

Everything "Pared" said is dead on.