Tuesday, March 5, 2013
1) 619 to RKO Combo
Double the damage is dealt to these created characters when a 619 spot leads to an instant RKO. It looks pretty goofy, but hey, I'd be marking out if I saw that on TV.
Watch it here.
2) The Undertaker REALLY is dead, and Scott Steiner auditions for Botchamania
This video is pretty hilarious, as 'Taker is doing more selling here than he's ever done in his entire career. Apparently he got hit with a dump truck, as he's just out for most of this segment. Pretty funny with Sin Cara and Steiner just kind of going through the motions while 'Taker is totally lifeless. Then, to top it off, you have Steiner break the table with 'Taker still floating in the air. Ridiculous.
3) Now 'Taker is Groovin'
Gotta love when people mash up a wrestler with a distinct style to someone with a completely opposite vibe. With that, you get Brodus-Taker.
4) The Sad Tale of Wade Barrett
Good lord. First Wade breaks his leg worse than Sid Vicious, walking around with a giant boot hoof that he's trying to show everyone in the crowd. Then he starts going all In The Mouht of Madness and transforms into some sort of nightmare demon. Finally, his arm is broken worse than Big Nog when he fought Frank Mir a little while back. Where's the ref putting up the "X" sign when you need it?
5) The Greatest Show on Earth
This last one has just about everything you can think of: floating wrestlers, stretching wrestlers, blown spots, wacky sliding, strange crowd interludes and some just overall craziness. Kudos to the youtuber for the clever "Botchamania" music choices.
(H/t to I'mTellinTim for posting the update in the OS Football Manager forums)
In case you missed it, Sports Interactive has released a new patch/data update-- with January transfers included and players' attributes updated-- for Football Manager 2013. Traditionally, this is the last official release from SI until FM 2014, barring any extraordinary circumstances.
The changelist can be found here: http://www.sigames.com/news/14218/Fo...Update+out+now
As always, to take advantage of the data side of things (updated transfers, attributes), you have to start a new game for it to take effect. And since I always forget to do this after a new data update, a friendly reminder to remember to do some, erm, "deleting" to make the German national team available before you get too far into a save.
Few quick thoughts (I've only played the newly patched game since yesterday, so I haven't gone through a whole season, just yet):
- It's easier to bargain during contract negotiations. While that's a good thing in most cases, I do miss the occasional times when I had to bite the bullet and knowingly overpay a player just because he was the only decent option out there (and in my mind I justified his demands by thinking that he knew that). Is it too easy? In most cases, no, but if you're playing with City? Sure, you can sign a few more stars.
- More transfers. Star players in small(er) teams are quicker to get restless and request transfers. Basically, add Falcao to your shortlist right away when you start the game-- it's hard to see him staying in Atletico by the end of the first season in most new saves.
- Lots of work done to player attributes. Young, emerging stars got suitable bumps in ratings, and certain "stars" who have underperformed consistently (even with new haircuts and a new Spanish manager at the helm) have had their attributes lowered.
- As with most patches, the most popular placebo effect going around the FM forums is the idea that the match engine plays better with the new update, even with SI stating that they didn't touch the match engine at all. Who knows? Maybe there has been work done and SI didn't want to mention it (very unlikely), or somehow the changed attributes made the teams play more realistically (could be), or maybe some of us are just seeing things that aren't there. Occam's razor suggests the last possibility as the most likely.
What do you think of FM 2013's new patch?
Monday, March 4, 2013
02:02 PM - March 4, 2013. Written by CPRoark
Operation Sports was granted an early review copy of MLB 13: The Show; while I spent a good deal of time with the title this weekend, all of the online/connected features weren't working as of this morning. This includes new areas like MLB Live and improved modes, like Diamond Dynasty. My review of the game will include these elements and more!
However, I have gotten the chance play a lot of exhibition games, and explored Road to the Show, Post Season, Franchise Modes.
Here are some quick impressions, prior to the review later this week:
- Veterans to the series are going to see and hear a lot of familiar elements, including animations and lines of commentary. This isn't bad, necessarily, since a lot has been improved.
- The best improvements, in my eyes, have been made to Road to the Show. It's not something I typically spent a great deal of time with in the past, but the modifications to fielding and base running have made it quite addictive.
- Visually, everything seems a little brighter: from the lights to the color palette of the menus. For what little has changed in the graphics department, this is easily the best looking Show to date. The new tutorials (at the bottom) and score bug look great.
- Postseason mode is interesting and welcome, but nothing in it is entirely unexpected. Actually, I was surprised to see that you can set up the brackets nearly anyway you want. For instance, if you want all five teams from the AL East in, you can do that. Also, when I played a Wildcard game, some of the commentary kept referring to "game 1" or "the first game of the series."
- Franchise mode interface is well done, but will take veterans some time to get used to. The new scouting system makes that aspect of the game much more interesting, but I haven't seen the results play out long term yet.
- In terms of gameplay, hitting seems a lot more balanced. My outs tend to be well hit outs now, instead of a lot of weak hit dribblers. I've been able to hit home runs with more frequency than previous years, though it's not over done. Hitting a hung curveball or guessing right on a fast ball is very satisfactory, partly because the results "feel" like they fit the swing.
- Fielding is relatively the same, with animations kicking in pretty early. The new button throwing system will take most users a while to get used to. I'm still not clear how strength of throw is factored in (the meter is for accuracy), but if you don't hit the green, expect an error. While I'm talking about this--while everything else in The Show looks great, those throwing meters are pretty jarring. They can be turned off--or you can elect a different throwing mechanic.
10:30 AM - March 4, 2013. Written by JohnDoe8865
NFL Free Agency kicks off March 12 and that means it's time to look at the top players available this offseason. Where these players sign will have significant carry over for gamers in Madden NFL 25, great players give the user the power to enhance defensive schemes and add new offensive options. There's no need to mention free agents who aren't going anywhere, either by re-signing with their current team or being slapped with the franchise tag. So you won't find Joe Flacco (just re-signed to a record deal), Ryan Clady (franchised tagged), Dwayne Bowe, or Tony Gonzalez on this list. You will find impact players who change the expectations for the team that signs them in 2013.
4. DE Cliff Avril – Avril is seen by most as the best pass rusher in this year's free agent group and possibly the best free agent available overall. He turns 27 in April and looks to be in line for a huge contract. The words “Mario Williams money” have been thrown out by Avril himself. Avril picked the perfect time to peak coming into his free agent year and now it's going to pay off. Avril notched 9.5 sacks last season and with so many teams needing dynamic players who can get to the quarterback his value will never be higher. He's also seen as “scheme versatile” by many insiders, meaning he fits into both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. Avril claims he'd love to stay in Detroit but that may not be financially feasible. The market is wide open for Avril with the Lions having first crack at him, but no team leading in his pursuit. Indianapolis would make a ton of sense, as they will be replacing Dwight Freeney and have a ton of cap room. Other teams where he would be a great fit (but not necessarily affordable) include Cleveland, Jacksonville, Green Bay, and Pittsburgh. Avril finished the year rated an 85 OVR in Madden NFL 13.
3. FS Ed Reed – Reed might not have more than one or two seasons left at most, but he is still an elite defensive play maker in the NFL. His combination of leadership, toughness, and anticipation make him a valuable commodity. Baltimore would love to re-sign Reed and they will try hard. Reed has flirted with the idea of joining Bill Belichick this off-season, making Ravens fans everywhere queasy. It seems to be a two team race to sign Reed, but don't count out the dark horse in this, his hometown New Orleans Saints. While it's impossible to transfer all of Reed's intangibles into Madden NFL 25, he will be still be an impact player. He's rarely out of position and he just makes plays. He's clearly on the decline, but still very, very good. Reed finished the year rated a 92 OVR in Madden NFL 13.
2. RB Reggie Bush – Reggie Bush comes into 2013 free agency trying to find his niche in the NFL. He isn't really seen as an every down back although he did carry the ball 200+ times each of the last two seasons with Miami. Bush has a history of injury problems but seems to have overcome that the last couple of seasons. Most teams view him as a 3rd down back and slot receiver combo, similar to his role in New Orleans. Bush has drawn interest from Detroit, San Diego, and Atlanta early on. His ability to further spread the field in Detroit with Calvin Johnson and the lack of a healthy Jahvid Best the last couple of season is intriguing. A return to the NFC South with the Falcons (now that Michael Turner had been cut) sharing the backfield with Jacquizz Rodgers would make an exciting offense even more explosive. His value in Madden has always been higher than his real value in the NFL and that will likely be the case again. Fans of the team that signs Bush will be happy to have him at their disposal in Madden NFL 25. Bush finished the year rated an 84 OVR in Madden NFL 13.
1. WR Mike Wallace – Most sports writers have Wallace headed to South Beach this off-season where his impact would be maximized. With Brian Hartline a free agent, the Dolphins don't have any real receivers on the roster besides Devone Bess. The Dolphins currently sit at #12 in the draft and the wide receiver class looks a bit uninspiring at that spot. Wallace however has options. The Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns are the other teams rumored to be in hot pursuit of Wallace and his ability to spread the field. He would be an immediate upgrade for Carolina, lining up opposite Steve Smith. The pairing of Wallace and AJ Green would be downright scary for opposing defenses if he signs in Cincinnati. Wallace would be the best receiver on Cleveland, adding to a young core of Greg Little and Josh Gordon. Wallace has the ability to be the biggest impact free agent in 2013. Wallace finished the year rated an 88 OVR in Madden NFL 13.
There are many impact free agents to be signed this off-season but the above guys head the list. Keep an eye on the following players too: Greg Jennings (who just missed this list), Steven Jackson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Osi Umenyiora, Paul Kruger (who will get massively overpaid), Branden Albert, and Jake Long.
What do you think OS? Which free agent will have the biggest impact on their new team in 2013-2014? Which one will make the biggest difference in Madden NFL 25?
Friday, March 1, 2013
01:28 PM - March 1, 2013. Written by jmik58
Exiting a basketball court with fans rushing the floor leaves players swimming upstream without a paddle.
Rushing the basketball court just isn't what it used to be. Such a response was once reserved for the rare occasion when a top-five team would get upset by an unranked squad. As time has passed, however; I've noticed a growing leniency for when fans rush the floor. Beating the 15th ranked opponent deserves a raucous cheer, but hardly worthy of a mid-court fiesta.
The apparent increase in frequency of fans crossing the hardwood also means more opportunity for something bad to happen. All it would take is one idiot to screw it up for everyone -- much the way things go in life.
The SEC has taken steps to fine its member schools (up to $50,000 for a third offense) if their fans rush the floor, but no other conference has taken the leap. That may all change, however; as an ESPN report has cited an ACC official who believes the conference may look into a similar ban in the near future.
Being the coach of a top-tier program, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is very familiar with the experience of trying to complete the formalities of a post-game handshake will dodging passionate fans as he and players flow against the stream of humanity in an attempt to exit the court.
When asked about his concern in such moments, Krzyzewski stated, "I'm not saying any fan did this, but the potential is there all the time for a fan to just go up to you and say, 'Coach, you're a [expletive],' or push you or hit you. And what do you do? What if you did something? That would be the story."
Love him or hate him, I've never had the feeling that Coach Krzyzewski is the type to steam after an upset loss (see last night's contest at Virginia). Therefore, I think he has a legitimate concern and the idea that he's part of a pro-active approach to stopping a problem before it starts is commendable.
However, in watching last night's contest, Virginia literally created a human wall of security personnel (see: ushers) to create a barrier along the baseline so that fans would not come in physical contact with the Duke players as they shook hands and left the court. Short of exiting immediately without shaking hands, this is one of the best strategies I've seen a school implement to protect the safety of a visiting team's players and staff.
We tend to live in a reactionary culture where we allow tragedy to strike before we make monumental changes. Often times, preventative measures are seen as unnecessary because "it's never happened before." But is this something that the SEC -- and possibly ACC in the near future -- is getting right?
Sound Off: What are your feelings about fans being allowed to storm the basketball court after an upset win?
Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Give him hell in the comments below or on Twitter: @long_snapper.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Wouldn't you know it, we're heading into the dog days of March already, and that fresh excitement you got from firing FIFA 13 up is probably long gone. But for those of us who still want to spend a few hours on the game every weekend-- and especially those who don't do the Ultimate Team thing too often-- just how do you keep the game fresh?
Why, give yourself a challenge or two, of course.
Here are three that can extend the shelf life of FIFA 13 immensely:
Complete Every Skill Game
For a lot of players, the skill games get lost in the shuffle because we're so conditioned to jump right into the actual match. But here's the thing: Not only are they immensely fun once you take the time to play them, but they really do help your on-pitch play. The shooting and dribbling games, especially, force you to experiment with modifiers such as finesse shooting and precision dribbling.
Win the Champions League with a Lower League Team
It's hardly a secret anymore, but newer players to the FIFA series (and perhaps, if I may generalize just a little, to the sport itself) may still immediately flock to the big teams in Career Mode and never take a look at managing the likes of Huddersfield and Aldershot Town, not knowing how much they're missing out on.
So if you're willing to invest the time in playing Career Mode with a lower tier team, it's a surefire way of breathing new life into the game. Not only do matches play differently in these less skilled leagues (there's definitely a lot more chaos and varied touches), it also ensures that there is much more at stake when it comes to your off-field moves, and consequently will test your managerial mettle much more than a stint with Manchester United will. These clubs have tiny budgets, tiny squads, and one bad transfer (or for that matter, injury) can derail your entire season. And if you're going for the jugular and aiming to win the Champions League (erm, sorry, Champions Cup) during your tenure, you better make all the right moves, because while 15 seasons may seem like a lot of time, it also takes a while to amass the budget (from winning competitions and gaining promotion) and the players needed to win it all.
Create a Virtual Pro to Play in a Less Popular Position
So basically, any position that isn't striker or winger.
I've played as a defensive midfielder in one save and a centerback in another, and while the result can be a bit of a mixed bag, depending on how the rest of the team's defenders play, it's certainly interesting (and refreshing) to play the game from a totally different perspective, which is also the reason why it can give the mode an extra shot of longevity. If you've always played as an attacker-- where your first thought upon getting the ball is always to take on defenders or shoot on sight-- a stint as a more defensively-oriented player will certainly get you seeing the game differently. (See? It's educational too.) Besides, it's a different kind of fun to play in a more composed, if you will, position-- reading plays, making interceptions and tackles, recycling possession, and picking your moments to go for a run up the pitch.
Conversely, if you've always played as a defender, why not create a virtual pro striker and see how you get on? Playing in an unfamiliar position can really help break the monotony on the pitch, and it might just rejuvenate your passion for the game for a good month or two.
So OSers, what's your way to keep FIFA 13 Fresh?
Hey all! Just checking in with some more NHL 13 links. How about Chicago just wrecking people? They're looking for 20 games without giving up both points, and it very well could happen, as Chicago's next game is against St. Louis, who is definitely good but not unbeatable.
Kind of shocking to see Toronto still hanging in the mix as well, as they seem to be getting some timely goaltending from their mostly unproven netminders, and Nazem Kadri is showing that he actually belongs on the team for the long haul.
Plays of the Week
EA has released another cool plays of the week video. Check it out here.
Get a 99-Rated Crosby in EAHUT
Until March 2nd, you can play HUT and get a chance to acquire a 99-rated Sidney Crosby to use on your team. You'll be able to find him in limited edition gold packs in the store.
Check out the info.
The EA Factory
Here's a creepy image of floors of developers smithing away on EA Sports products at EA Canada. Do they work in a silo?
Want a Chance to Play NHL 13 Against Claude Giroux?
The Flyers are running a promotion where you can win an autographed copy of NHL 13 and play against Claude Giroux. You'll do so with four tickets to the Flyers' "Wives Fight for Lives" carnival to support charity. There are also some other prizes thrown in as well. Reading the particulars, you'll only get one period of play against Giroux (and Brayden Schenn), which is pretty dumb, but hey, it's for a good cause.
Read the rules for full details.
Submit a Game Idea for NHL 14
Ever wanted to tell EA what to do for the next game? Consider submitting an idea on the "Gamechangers" website so that the developers can at least mull over what you have to say. As with all things, try and think of something concise and specific that they could actually implement.
Realignment?
TSN has a breakdown of the possible realignment for the NHL next season. What do you folks think? Too many playoff games against the same teams? Wild cards a dumb idea? Unbalanced divisions?
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
We are within a week of MLB: The Show's launch, and information is pouring out. Two of the more interesting pieces of press material are the player and team ratings.
Without further introduction, here, in no particular order, are some of my Winners and Losers of the ratings game:
Winners
1. Andrew McCutchen, 99: I get that he had a great season last year--enough to get him a cover spot--but I'm not sure that translates to a 99 rating. Prior to 2012, his OPS never crested .900. He's showed the ability to get to a 99, but I'm not sure it's deserved yet.
2. Carlos Ruiz, 94: Like The Cutch, Chooch's 2012 season was a career best. But this guy's never hit more than 20 home runs, and prior to last year, never more than 10. The rest of his pre-2012 stats are also pretty pedestrian. I will buy that he calls a great game, which may elevate his rank; I'm just not sure he's the third best catcher in the game.
3. Philadelphia Phillies Pitching (#1): I was surprised to see my favorite team grab the top spot in the pitching category. On paper it makes sense: 3 top-shelf starters, a promising bullpen, and two pretty dominant guys for the 8th and 9th innings. But Kyle Kendrick and John Lannan seem a little over-rated (mid-high 70s) and Halladay (while still being Halladay) is a giant question mark.
Losers
1. Joey Votto, 98: It's hard to say that 98 is losing, but I think if Pujols gets a 99 for a relatively average year, Votto deserves one for a truncated--but still productive--2012. In his nearly 500 at-bats, Votto got on almost half the time. And while his home run numbers were down, he certainly has shown a history of big-time play. I guess one point is a little nit-picky, but this guy is often picked as the number one first basemen in the game.
2. San Francisco Giants (#17): I can't stand these guys, so it doesn't hurt me to admit that I think they outplayed their ability last year. But still, they won the World Series. Judging by these rankings, they will finish 4th in their division, behind the Dodgers (#12), Rockies (#13), and Diamondbacks (#15). Certainly, they deserve more respect than that. (Is their farm system is bringing down the overall ranking that much?)
3. Jim Johnson (85): I'm guessing that these ratings look at multiple years, so I can see Johnson being a bit lower than some established closers. But he did have 51 saves last year, an ERA below 2.5, was an All-Star, and finished 7th in Cy Young voting. But in The Show, he doesn't crack the top 18 (!) closers.
These winners/losers are all pretty subjective, so don't read too much into my analysis. In fact, unless there's a secret evaluation tool that systematically creates players rankings based on statistics, I'm guessing the whole process is a bit subjective. Still, it's a fun debate.
That said, who won or lost in your opinion?
01:49 PM - February 26, 2013. Written by VisceralBishop
The developers of Ridge Racer: Unbounded and the FlatOut franchise are teasing a new game, conceptually titled, Next Car Game. Very little is actually known, but the studio stated that they are "going back to their roots." You are probably asking, why are they making this type of game? Well, they are confident in saying that they are "doing it because nobody else seems capable of delivering the kind of game our fans have been asking from us every week." Codemasters did put a demolition derby mode in their game DiRT Showdown, but it looks like Bugbear wants to make a game built just around that specific mode. When it comes to what platforms you will be able to play it on, PC is the only one confirmed, with "other platforms" being teased.
As more information is revealed, we will be sure to bring it to you. For now, enjoy the teaser video Bugbear has provided for us. For those wondering, they did confirm that the video features all in-game footage.
Image Source: Bugbear Entertainment
12:40 PM - February 26, 2013. Written by jmik58
The men wearing black and white stripes had a trick up their sleeves, one-upping ISU's Hilton Magic
For Iowa State fans, visions of the Paul Shirley block-charge nightmare are dancing in their heads all over again.
This time the stakes weren't quite as high but the end result more definitively cost the Cyclones a win.
With only seconds remaining in last night's contest between the Kansas Jayhawks and Iowa State Cyclones, KU's Elijah Johnson drove to the bucket in an attempt to tie the game with a two-point layup. Johnson appeared to charge through ISU's Georges Niang but no call was made. As Johnson fell to the floor, however; Niang was whistled for holding -- sending Johnson to the line for two game-tying free throws. The game went to overtime where the Jayhawks pulled out the victory.
Regarding the apparently blown call at the end of the game, Big-Twelve officials have spoken out by stating that "calls are under review" from the game. But is this little more than a public relations formality?
Granted, games are full of moments where human error on the part of officials or referees cause the game to change in various ways. But when a missed call at the end of regulation causes the victory to change hands from one team to another; should something be done?
If college basketball (looking at you, Big-Ten) can retroactively change a three to a two on a play that took place six possessions ago, shouldn't something as important as the win itself be eligible for correction?
It would be near impossible to restart a contest from the point of error in basketball. We're not talking about George Brett and a pine-tarred bat involving teams that will see each other multiple times over the course of a season. Perhaps if a win-altering call should be deemed so egregious, allow officials to consider the game a draw.
Human error is a natural part of playing and officiating games. But when the error on the part of the referee occurs so close to the end of the game and the scales are tipped extremely in one way, there's no reason a progressive and intelligent race of beings can't put idealism and traditionalism aside to simply get it right.
Sound Off: Should game results be altered when blown calls clearly cost a team the win? What ideas would you propose to handle similar situations?
Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Give him hell in the comments below or on Twitter: @long_snapper
10:10 AM - February 26, 2013. Written by Wiggy
As I've pontificated on here before, all three of the "big" fighting franchises are at a crossroads. Boxing, wrestling and MMA have all had some successful games in recent years, but each franchise currently sits in limbo, with future titles of each announced but with very little known about them. It's painful to say, but boxing will probably be on the shelf for a while, so that leaves UFC and WWE.
In that case, I thought it would be interesting to speculate on which of the two games releasing this year -- EA's UFC game and 2K's WWE '14 -- has the best chance of carrying forward momentum from past successes into the new development reality. The categories I'm comparing each game in are arbitrarily chosen by me, but I figure it will give a fairly good breakdown of where each brand is at and where they might be heading.
Critical Success
Checking out Metacritic, the WWE games have consistently scored moderately well, but only with the release of WWE '13 did the brand experience some meaningful press love. WWE '12 received scores in the low and mid-70s, averaging around 72 for the current generation systems. WWE All Stars improved somewhat with its crazy style, netting a couple of 75 averages for Xbox 360 and PS3, but it did have some lower scores for Wii and portables.
WWE '13 scored only a 74 on the Wii, but PS3 averaged a 76, and the Xbox 360 version shook out at 78, which is frankly pretty good growth for a franchise that had been kind of stagnating. This holding pattern was reflected in the increasingly disinterested critical opinion on the series over the last few years.
Over on the UFC side of things, the "Undisputed" brand has been quite highly praised all throughout its three iterations. The 2009 release scored 83 and 84, proving itself to be one of the strongest starts for a new franchise. The 2010 sequel crept up to 84 and 85, showing that critics were happy with the changes but not seeing the necessary improvements required in an annual franchise to give it top marks. For UFC Undisputed 3, it reached a bit higher, hitting 85 and 86 on current-gen consoles, once again showing solid improvement but not quite hitting critics hard enough to be declared something truly great.
Verdict: I'd say UFC's constant upswing bodes well for the future, more than even the recent success of WWE '13. While sales are important (as I'll show below), it helps to be able to point to accolades and pull quotes to sell a brand, whoever is developing it.
Commercial Success
I figured I'd look back at the last three releases for each franchise and see what kind of number they've been pulling. Consulting VGChartz, WWE '13 has sold a combined 1.93 million units on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. Pretty respectable numbers for a sports franchise that's been annually churning out similar games for years now. Also, it's trending higher than WWE '12 did, so that's great for the brand.
Before this release, it was WWE All Stars, and it didn't fair as well, only selling just 1.16 million copies across all platforms, including mobile and PS2. Previous to that, WWE '12 sold 2.43 million copies worldwide on all current gen platforms, which is a pretty good number.
On the whole, that's close to 5 million units for the last three WWE releases, and that's an encouraging sign. With a fresh start and considerably more resources behind the brand going forward, these are decent numbers.
For UFC, the last three versions have sold fairly well, but they are trending in the opposite direction to that of WWE games. UFC 2009 Undisputed had a crazy debut, selling 3.7 million copies across Xbox 360 and PS3. After that, UFC Undisputed 2010 sold considerably less across those platforms, ending up just shy of 2.6 million copies (plus another 150-200k for PSP). Finally, UFC Undisputed 3, which took its time with a longer development cycle that actually produced a better product, only sold 1.35 million copies across PS3 and 360, which is definitely a disappointment.
All told, the UFC brand has sold around 7.8 million copies for all three of its releases, which is still pretty impressive, but the steady trend downwards has to be a big concern for EA.
Verdict: I'd say that although UFC has had good lifetime sales, WWE is riding more momentum right now, and wrestling consistently enjoys a much wider appeal. WWE gets the nod here.
New Developer Pedigree
WWE will be leaning on 2K for marketing and Yuke's, once again, for development. With Yuke's, you've got a known commodity. They did end up spearheading the phenomenal attitude era content in WWE '13, and they have released consistently solid games. However, I think they actually creeped closer to top-level gameplay with their work on the UFC games. I'm not saying either product got the gameplay perfect, but I think Yuke's got closer with the UFC brand. As for 2K, they can help with their relatively decent marketing muscle, but it seems unclear as to how much steam they'll really put behind this game. We'll likely know more at E3 as to where WWE '14 will sit amongst 2k's other products.
For the UFC game, it gets the best of both worlds. From EA, they have a marketing partner that produces tons of sports product, and they know how to do it, user feedback be damned. While EA deserves some criticism for how they do business, like or not, they release games each year, and many of their franchises are winners.
On the development end, EA is using the Fight Night team to help make the transition for this MMA product. The Fight Night series has generally been seen as critically and commercially successful, even if it's simulation-style gameplay veers into arcade territory sometimes. Still, EA has a deep bench of development talent who know how to make games on a deadline.
Verdict: For just straight developers, I'd say it's close to a push, but when you add in EA's marketing prowess, it's UFC all the way.
Final Outlook
I'm going to give the narrow victory to UFC for my "optimism award." I just think EA brings a little more to the table in terms of marketing, and the UFC continues to thrive as a brand, even though the previous THQ games flagged in sales.
Even though this is a razor-thin decision for UFC, I'm still optimistic for both titles. UFC has to reverse the trend of sagging sales, but it can lean on EA's considerable marketing muscle and large development resources. 2K can build off what WWE '13 brought to the table, but I sort of wonder if they'll have the time to build on that good faith when a new game is coming out so soon.
Friday, February 22, 2013
It's somewhat upsetting knowing that when I countdown the top NFL games of this gaming generation, EA Sports' Madden NFL series is my only option. Clearly, Madden NFL has built up a reputation to cause the vocal minority to start a riot any chance they get.
But Madden NFL is our NFL. The Madden series, good or bad, log countless hours on our systems each season. We make awful trades and keep it a secret so we don't get flamed by our OS peers, and we have online matchups with our friends that we remember for long periods of time. For most fans, Madden NFL is the only time of year they can sit back, have a beer, and relish in their team's recent Super Bowl success.
But which version of Madden is the pinnacle of this generation? We all know Madden NFL 06 doesn't even deserve to be on the list, and Madden NFL 07 is nothing but a collector's item for a (loyal) Seattle Seahawks fan.
So to keep the list from straying into redundancy, here are the top three EA Sports Madden NFL games of the console generation.
3. Madden NFL 08
Shoot me. I'm sure you want to.
Madden NFL 08 was awesome. For it's time, it could be called a Madden game that didn't ultimately disappoint. Plus it had Vince Young on the cover, who at the time was kind of awesome. What Madden NFL 08 got right was in the gameplay. Five years ago the gameplay was polished, the graphics looked solid and you could win a football game using some real football knowledge.
This is the only other Madden game still sitting on my shelf outside of Madden NFL 13. And it's there for reasons more than nostalgia.
2. Madden NFL 11
Two years ago EA Sports gave us a mixed bag of good and evil. On one hand, locomotion and Pro-Tak damn near promised to alter the way Madden games were played; and it did, kind of, maybe. Gameflow was added, which is a very solid feature considering how many casual gamers pick up Madden. Basically, Madden NFL 11 had all of the ideas it needed to be great, but the execution was off which led to split opinions. However, in the end, Madden NFL 11 seems like it possibly set the foundation of what eventually became...
1. Madden NFL 13
Isn't it a lovely feeling knowing that the best game in the Madden NFL series happens to be the most recent. It's a very rare feeling for any sports gamer, not just a Maddenite, to take in.
Madden NFL 13 did pretty much everything right that a Madden game needed to do right. The gameplay itself is the best the series has ever put out, with the beginnings of a real and true real-time physics engine.
But what really separates Madden NFL 13 from the rest of them? Connected Careers, obviously. In what was the best new feature in all of sports gaming in 2012, Connected Careers let you create your own NFL experience. I've always been a franchise guy, and I've always thought NBA 2K's Association Mode was the cherry on top. But CCM gives out a feeling that it really is your own world. EA Sports captured the essence of the NFL and put it on a silver platter for all of us to eat. There's room for improvement, there always is. But for now, Madden NFL 13 offers a great NFL experience.
Who the hell can beat that?
What about you OS? Which EA Sports Madden NFL game was the best of this past generation?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
We finally have solid, concrete information on Sony's next system, the PlayStation 4. During last night's event we received a lot regarding the new controller and what the system will actually have inside. The technical info is great, but we also had a handful of game announcements, one of those being DriveClub. Developed by Evolution Studios, the studio behind the MotorStorm franchise, DriveClub has been a concept in development for "almost ten years." In one of my most recent features, I mentioned how we wanted a new MotorStorm title, or maybe Evolution Studios was working on the next WipEout. After hearing about DriveClub for just a couple of minutes, I'm actually happy with what their next game will be and that it's something completely different.
Not a ton of gameplay was actually shown, but certain mechanics and features were discussed. Of the few minutes of footage during the on-stage presentation, you could clearly see how gorgeous the cars looked; including the interior where even in the seat you could see even the smallest fabric particles and they talked about how they modeled each one individually. When speaking about how the game would be played, "first-person" was mentioned. The cockpit view is how the game will be played, with Evolution Studios wanting to immerse you in the racing world. Fans of that camera angle will absolutely love that news, while it will take some time for others to get used to it.
DriveClub is all about "team-based racing," and those words were thrown around quite often when game director, Matt Southern, took the stage to talk about the game. After creating or joining a club, the main objective when racing is to compete in challenges, with you trying to help your club fight to the top of the ranks. You help out your club even if you finish third of fourth in a race. Every track has numerous challenges for you to compete in, either in real-time races or asynchronous. These challenges have several options for you to choose from, as the weather pattern, track, time-of-day and more can all be determined by you before the challenge is set up and sent out to other drivers.
Mobile devices and tablets are also scheduled to be supported, with you being able to view and access clubs no matter where you are in the world. Since challenges are a major focus of the gameplay, you can even create those right on your phone or tablet. Of course, what good is a racing game without exotic cars and beautiful locations? Well, in the trailer above and during the presentation, car manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Pagani. As the release of the game gets closer, expect to hear more about what cars and cities will be included in the full retail copy (my bet is on E3).
To say we are intrigued by DriveClub, well, that would definitely be an understatement. The visuals are of course a step up from current-generation systems, but this new racing IP looks to try something fresh and unique with clubs. We salute Evolution Studios and look forward to hearing and seeing more about the game in the coming months.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
05:50 PM - February 20, 2013. Written by CPRoark
It wasn't too long ago that choosing a baseball game each year was a tough decision. MVP, High Heat, All Star, World Series, and even Home Run King brought individual strengths and features to the field.
I'd like to say that this generation replaced quantity with quality, but that's not entirely the case. The MVP series still has an active following on the PC, and if you ask those that only own a 360, I'm sure they'd welcome other options.
Here are my three picks for the best console baseball games for this generation:
3. The Bigs 2
This game does what any good arcade sports game should: reduce the sport to it's most exciting elements without losing the strategy that makes it interesting in the first place.
The Bigs 2 mixes some flair and style into heart-pounding moments without sacrificing tactical elements, such as crafting the perfect line up or knowing when to steal. It goes over the top without going crazy, and the story mode plays out like a lengthy sports movie.
Here's the original review.
2. MLB PowerPros 2008
It's odd seeing a Wii game on this list, but MLB PowerPros 2008 is a great baseball game.True, it doesn't look like one; but if you've ever played it, you'll be rewarded with a simulation-style experience, just wrapped in arcade trappings.
Like the Bigs 2, MLB PowerPros doesn't sacrifice the essence of baseball for the sake of a quick thrill. In fact, quite the opposite: MLB PowerPros is a very slow game, focusing on executing every pitch and making solid contact with every swing. There are some great physics at work here, though you wouldn't know it from the cover.
Our original review.
1. MLB: The Show 12
For some series, like Madden or NCAA, the newest title isn't always the best. However, MLB: The Show has continued to slowly improve each year. Last year's version contained the most refinements and features the series has seen, from Pulse Pitching to Diamond Dynasty to a reworked physics engine.
In fact, if I were writing this list a month from now, I think it would be a safe bet to name MLB: The Show 13 as the best console baseball game of this generation (though we'll see on March 5th).
Last year's Show review.
05:05 PM - February 20, 2013. Written by jmik58
Reggie Miller can't figure out what the big deal is.
Was it what I said, or who I said it to?
North Dakota's play-by-play radio man, Paul Ralston, may be asking himself this after being benched by the university for using the phrase "choke job" in a post-game interview with coach Brian Jones.
Following an overtime defeat at the hands of Northern Arizona -- a game in which North Dakota led in the final minute of regulation -- Ralston let his true feelings fly as the camera rolled.
This incident comes on the heals of Cal basketball coach Mike Montgomery controversially shoving player Allen Crabbe as he came to the sidelines during a timeout. Many people, however, feel the push was blown out of proportion and that Montgomery's tactic was actually a successful move considering how strongly Crabbe and the rest of the team responded.
Are we becoming too sensitive as a society? Is a phrase like "choke job" really that bad, or was it the unprofessional nature of the interview that cost Ralston in this situation?
Sound Off in the comments section below!
Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @long_snapper
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