NBA Live 11 News Post

Mike Wang Has Left EA Canada and the NBA Live Development Team

06:11 PM - February 1, 2010 by BrianFifaFan

NBA Live 11 has just taken an incredible blow.

Quote:


	"Mike Wang has left EA Canada and the NBA LIVE development team and will be heading back to the United States. I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank Mike for his contributions during the 18 months that he was working on NBA LIVE. His vision and leadership within gameplay on NBA LIVE 10 was part of the reason why that game was critically reviewed as having taken a tremendous leap in quality and at least as good as any other basketball game on the market. Our goals for NBA LIVE 11 are simple. We want to be one of the best sports games on the market � on par with franchises like NHL, FIFA and Madden. In the coming months, we will show you just how we will do that. I wish Mike and his family the best of luck. Sean O�Brien"

Game: NBA Live 11Hype Score: 8.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 7 - View All

Member Comments

# 161 sportskid84 @ 02/05/10 01:26 PM

Don't know if it was posted but i think he's speaking the truth

# 162 Benicio10 @ 02/05/10 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomba


	Listen why even be worried. We are sport gamers...We've always found something redeeming in these sports titles esp NBA Live. It's IF they take out editing abilities that it starts to dawn on you that you are then playing a product you have no control over and that means it would be THEIR total take on the sport of basketball not unlike say NBA Jam now or even nba street... I'm not necessarily asking for open source code(well....) but I'd like to have the ability still retool it the way I have over the years. that for me is part of the fun factor in ANY sports game...the rosters and sliders. taking that out would be uninspiring to play though it's not necessarily even half the market of NBA live gamers. The fact that beluba aka wang is indeed a hardcore sim guy and left because of the serious notion that Ea was not trying to be serious sim is a bit of bait and switch if they initially wanted beluba on the team to begin with...So it's kinda weird The reason why their most heralded sports game is good and sells well is because it projects so much realism and that game is fifa. they rewrote everything about the game engine and it's become just a tweak every year thing of beauty. i don't even feel the need to edit it it's so darn good...if thats where Nba live can go then i'm all for it it adds a cheerleader section to tombasports lol. It could happen because the xbox is now moving into ps2 territotory where it'll be around for about 4 more years along with project natal stuff(which i liken to being at a amusement park trying to win your girl a stuffed animal honestly) but enough lets see some gameplay lol

don't want to sidetrack but FIFA isn't even close to a sim compared to PES.

now, on the issue at hand ...

all i ask for is for a sim experience out of the box for any game. tomba, i know you love editing ... your work is well appreciated, but like i told mike wang before in chats, it's not our jobs to fix and edit these games...

2K is a dunkfest out of the box, Live is a 3pt shooting fest out of the box... tone things down to realism is all we ask.

# 163 CX1329 @ 02/06/10 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benicio10


	don't want to sidetrack but FIFA isn't even close to a sim compared to PES. now, on the issue at hand ... all i ask for is for a sim experience out of the box for any game. tomba, i know you love editing ... your work is well appreciated, but like i told mike wang before in chats, it's not our jobs to fix and edit these games... 2K is a dunkfest out of the box, Live is a 3pt shooting fest out of the box... tone things down to realism is all we ask.

Well, I won't use this thread to defend FIFA, but you can't honestly say the last few iterations of PES have been "sim" by any stretch of the imagination. PES 2008 was too fast, PES 2009 was a ping pong fest, and PES 2010 continues to be much too offense oriented, in that low scoring games in that game are the exception, rather than the norm. Thus, I usually rack up an inordinately large amount of goals along an ML season, which isn't "sim" at all.

But anyway, I disagree. It is our jobs to fix and edit these games, because we are not the target demographic for basketball games. Unless they provide us with Regular/Hardcore presets, then we will always have to do some sort of editing, because both the 2K and the Live series will always try to please the average gamer in some way.

# 164 rockchisler @ 02/06/10 03:22 AM

What I hope is that we are able to continue to edit sliders and edit them fully if I want to start a league or a custom match, If I am allowed to tweak to get a sim game Im happy, But if im forcefed arcade happy bball I will not be pleased.

# 165 Pared @ 02/06/10 10:03 AM

"Fix" is so relative. As long as the gamer has options it shouldn't be a concern.

These games have to appeal to a large user base. It shouldn't matter how they do that, they just need to do that.

# 166 23 @ 02/06/10 01:51 PM

Problem with this game though is the customization options are either lacking, dont work, or arent worth it.

For real man its getting real old

# 167 Benicio10 @ 02/06/10 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	"Fix" is so relative. As long as the gamer has options it shouldn't be a concern. These games have to appeal to a large user base. It shouldn't matter how they do that, they just need to do that.

they market their game as sim though ... i think 2K stated they make "the most realistic basketball game on the market" or something of that nature ...

MLB The Show markets their game as realistic, and they strive for default sim settings. the game isn't a HR fest out of the box ... people play 162 game seasons with default settings...

If 2K or Live are coming out saying they're making a game that appeals to the casual players first, sim players 2nd ... then come out and tell us that ... don't hide behind the sim name

# 168 Pared @ 02/06/10 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23


	Problem with this game though is the customization options are either lacking, dont work, or arent worth it. For real man its getting real old

Agreed.

# 169 HOLLIDAY1183 @ 02/07/10 11:59 PM

Pared is in here spitting some MUCH NEEDED TRUTH & SENSE. I respect everyone's opinion and honest reaction, but there is WAY MORE that we DON'T know, than we do know. Like the SPECIFICS on why Mike left. Okay, "direction," & "vision" but, what specifically was the boiling point for Mike; what was it that happened that made him turn? We know NONE of this.

Also, I understand we're the ones most passionate about these games, but let's be realistic. Whoever thought EA would weigh in, or respond at all, to Wang, and on these boards, is being very unrealistic. It's great that CV has pretty much kept wood in the fire, EA needs it. A coupla guys from EA I saw earlier in the thread, even responded to him briefly.

But consider this: the vast majority of the sports gaming market DON'T KNOW WHO WANG IS, don't even know what OS is.

Bottom line- we have VERY LITTLE info into the real truth of this situation, much less it's eventual fallout. Keep in mind, Wang has a ton of credit with all of us, but also consider that 2K signs his checks now. That might not have had MUCH impact as to what was said, but you think it had any? Just a little... ? And wasn't this the guy saying that 2K's "tech was limited" just over a year ago?

Can we at least try to give this some time, wait till info starts leaking on both games? See some media, feature lists.
My initial reaction was "Well if he's saying "direction" than it must mean that Live doesn't want to be SIM".... but now as I give it more thought, really guys that coulda been just one of several or MANY factors leading to his departure.

I'm just really, really interested in seeing the early media of both games in a few months. Because I've said since right after Live dropped when they were releasing "Holiday Sneaker Packs": it's about priorities with EA, I really believe that. And this is where Wang's comment about EA's processes being "inefficient" rings true. Why in the F are you spending ANY time creating colorways for Lebrons or Kobes, when players are running out of bounds on the break? WTF are you so concerned and diligent about getting EVERY SINGLE throwback in there, when I am seeing players shooting routine layups off the top of the glass, or the same exact eurostep Manu does, being done by Haywood down low? PRIORITIES.

From my personal experience, Live 10 was the first playable one this gen, coincidentally Wang was the lead for it. Now that he's gone, Live is NOT getting my $60 unless 100% of the pre-release media looks solid and the demo is damn near perfect. I don't trust them at all.

# 170 23 @ 02/08/10 12:20 AM

Look man, it doesnt matter why the guy left. Thats all between him and EA

Im sure the way the news came out was something EA wanted to keep to a calm because of the line they're skating on right now but, an employee departure is really nunya. There is a book that tells you in a corporation if you dont like where the boat is going, get off and get on another boat. Its as simple as that.

I honestly dont think Live will go straight arcade next year and I dont know what to expect, but we need to wait and see. Sadly im not as hopeful but we will see.

# 171 Haval93 @ 02/08/10 01:43 AM

It's honestly funny seeing an entire board of people going crazy about whether or not Live will be heading simulation or arcade route. Yaw and the rest of the NBA Live team have assured us more than once that they will continue to go the simulation route. Why would they quit the direction they have been striving for since Live 08. With all the improvements in the series and resources they have been working on since then, you really think they would simply drop everything and say lets just make a NBA Jam port for the 360/PS3 and be done with? Now some say without Mike they have nobody there, but rest assure they still have tons of talent on the team such as Jeff Antwi, Matt Lafreniere, Novell Thomas, Ryan Santos, Garreth Reeder, and Sean O'Brien. That's a pretty stacked team and each of them have very great traits that they bring to the table. So lets give the NBA Live team the benefit of doubt that they can produce a solid basketball simulation, instead of saying that NBA Live 11 will suck because they don't have Mike.

My .02 Cents...

# 172 23 @ 02/08/10 01:43 AM

If the graphics remain as they are then that wont happen.

Still... thats not what people liked most about this game.

# 173 The 24th Letter @ 02/08/10 02:39 AM

Freestyle passing was in 2K? What version? None. Innovative creation by EA

Size up mechanic was in 2K? What version? I dont know what a "size up mechanic" is...But you have been able to size up, jab, explode in various ways for a LONG time now in 2k's games.

Freestyle quick strike was in 2K? What version? I mean, thats their dribbling system..."quickstrike" has been there since Live 06..still a great system IMO.

Manual box out was in 2K? What version? "LT" since 2k7

Tip in shot rebounds were in 2K? What version? since 2k7, plus tip dunks

real Weight/Momentum physics were in 2K? What version? Psh. Im still trying to find this in Live 10.

I see you left out "hustle plays" out as well, lol..

# 174 sportyguyfl31 @ 02/08/10 06:53 AM

After my initial "Dang EA is crazy, it sounds like they are going back to arcade..BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" reaction, I'm taking a more of a wait and see approach now.

As I recall, NBA Live 09 did a lot of things right, and in some cases had signature animations that were taken out of this years game.

DNA, DNA hot zones, post move shimmies, signature fadeaways, were all in NBA Live 09...before Mike Wang got there....so there is "hope".

I'm gonna hold my breath and simply just wait to see what NBA Live '11 looks like, before I judge their decision.

# 175 edubbs @ 02/08/10 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportyguyfl31


	As I recall, NBA Live 09 did a lot of things right, and in some cases had signature animations that were taken out of this years game.

Horrible decision to take away signature moves and animations that were in Live09. It's one of reasons that Live10 'feels' like a generic basketball game IMO.

Not to mention all of the signature freethrow routines from Live06 and 07 that were removed and have yet to return.

There just isn't enough difference from player to player in regards to playstyles, and behaviors in this franchise.

Atleast, the signature post moves, signature free throw routines and other signature animations from previous versions helped a little.

Overall though, the game really lacks in this area and has done so for several years now.

Every year it's like this series is starting all over again, for some reason.

And the result every year is a product that 'feels' like a 1st year effort, instead of a project that has been consistently molded for about 6 years on the nextgen consoles.

# 176 Pared @ 02/08/10 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The 24th Letter


	Freestyle passing was in 2K? What version? None. Innovative creation by EA Size up mechanic was in 2K? What version? I dont know what a "size up mechanic" is...But you have been able to size up, jab, explode in various ways for a LONG time now in 2k's games. Freestyle quick strike was in 2K? What version? I mean, thats their dribbling system..."quickstrike" has been there since Live 06..still a great system IMO. Manual box out was in 2K? What version? "LT" since 2k7 Tip in shot rebounds were in 2K? What version? since 2k7, plus tip dunks real Weight/Momentum physics were in 2K? What version? Psh. Im still trying to find this in Live 10. I see you left out "hustle plays" out as well, lol..

lol "get 'em"

Answered it all for me.

# 177 Pared @ 02/08/10 03:16 PM

You're wrong. All of that has been in 2k for quite a while. If you're that interested, go research on the game and the series.

We're not going to keep on going back and forth this way though since you're more interested in an argument than a discussion.

# 178 The 24th Letter @ 02/08/10 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaeljordanjr


	Anything else?

I literally LOL'd at this. As if anything you said made sense...You mustve forgot you just said that you rarely purchase sports games in another forum...now you have in depth knowledge of all prior releases....LOL..

You think adding words like "chaining" and "strategically" changes what the feature is? Listen...

-Im guessing you conceed on "sizing up" since you had no witty retort
-"Freestyle quickstrike" has been in the game for 3 years now...add whatever verbiage you want to it...its been in the game..
- "LT" has been used to box out for a LONG time...before 2k7 as a matter of fact...Its the reason I still hold LT even when I play Live out of habit...you not liking it\ feeling its inferior doesnt mean its not there bro
- As for your vid, im not sure as to what you were pointing out...point still remains they have been there lol

I wont derail the thread anymore though....I just wanted to point it out. Sure Live has had some game changing features this year...(total control passing among others) but lets be clear what they actually were...

# 179 KG @ 02/08/10 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaeljordanjr


	Pardon....Pared? Freestyle passing was in 2K? What version? Size up mechanic was in 2K? What version? Freestyle quick strike was in 2K? What version? Manual box out was in 2K? What version? Tip in shot rebounds were in 2K? What version? real Weight/Momentum physics were in 2K? What version? Need credit where credit is due...

Quote:

Originally Posted by The 24th Letter


	I literally LOL'd at this. As if anything you said made sense...You mustve forgot you just said that you rarely purchase sports games in another forum...now you have in depth knowledge of all prior releases....LOL.. You think adding words like "chaining" and "strategically" changes what the feature is? Listen... -Im guessing you conceed on "sizing up" since you had no witty retort -"Freestyle quickstrike" has been in the game for 3 years now...add whatever verbiage you want to it...its been in the game.. - "LT" has been used to box out for a LONG time...before 2k7 as a matter of fact...Its the reason I still hold LT even when I play Live out of habit...you not liking it\ feeling its inferior doesnt mean its not there bro - As for your vid, im not sure as to what you were pointing out...point still remains they have been there lol I wont derail the thread anymore though....I just wanted to point it out. Sure Live has had some game changing features this year...(total control passing among others) but lets be clear what they actually were...

Yeah, that got a laugh out of me too 24.

# 180 noshun @ 02/09/10 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgx2thez


	Yeah, that got a laugh out of me too 24.

As Sage would say, MJJ ethered himself.

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