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

[Dr. Poe]

There is no opening. 2k had the best next gen game out. Live has to do some dramatic changes in order to compete.
1. Need to improve graphics
2. Need to improve presentation
3. Need to improve controls

[aholbert32]

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

alot of useless arguments.
the EA vs 2k debate = belonging to the Democratic party or the Republican party.
IMO the lines have been clearly drawn on OS.
In addition, EA has to go above and beyond what 2k does to even have a chance. a decent game will not cut it. the bar has been set by 2k, and its pretty high.

This is complete BS. Many would argue that Live 10 wasnt better than NBA2k10 but Live 10 got ALOT of love on OS because it was a good basketball game that gave NBA fans another option.

Its crazy how EA can come out with a subpar video game (which they even admitted was subpar) and OS gets blamed for saying its a crap game.

[tril]

This is complete BS. Many would argue that Live 10 wasnt better than NBA2k10 but Live 10 got ALOT of love on OS because it was a good basketball game that gave NBA fans another option.

Its crazy how EA can come out with a subpar video game (which they even admitted was subpar) and OS gets blamed for saying its a crap game.

I sincerely believe that LIve 10 got the majority of its good reviews from EA supporters.
Live 10 IMO opinion was way overrated here on OS. thats why I stated my original comment. Again, with next gen, EA has to go above and beyond. Seriously, a decent games will not cut it, especially when it comes to EA. Either they come correct with a sim, or change focus all together

[KingofATL]

Nice Piece!

NBA Live has a long ways to go to even compete with 2K Sports. And I don't speak as a 2K "fanboy", I say that as a fan of sports gaming. I am impartial to either company. But NBA Live 14 is a disgrace to say the least.

Anybody who is saying this game is on par with NBA 2k is delusional. NBA Live is clearly the worst game EA Sports is making at the moment. Madden has even made good improvements in the right direction. I feel like Madden will eventually come around with the next gen systems. But from what I've seen and played with NBA Live, I don't see them being competitive for at least another 5 years.

The main problem is animations, or I should say the lack of animations. 1000's of animations are missing from NBA LIVE 14. Once EA realizes that it's all in the animations then they will be in contention.

I mean really?......REALLLY???????? COM'ON MAAAAAAAAN!!!!

[Scribe1980]

Left out the most important thing:

If EA is even going to attempt another NBA effort, the name Live must now be buried and forgotten. Forever this time.

It is poison.

[datruth251]

Dude you're comparing apples to oranges. GTA has great graphics.. they have a certain STYLE. It's called ART DIRECTION. GTA5 looks the way it does because that was the art direction for the game. Also, they can go down that route because games like GTA 5 are not trying to replicate something in the real world for authenticity sake.

Bringing up COD, just stop. The graphics arent BAD.. they just don't look any different on next gen than from current gen that much.. but its not like it looked AWFUL on current gen to begin with. So you really need to just stop on the COD thing.. this choice of game was a weak choice to make your point.

Now a SPORTS GAME. I mean one that falls in line with major sports where you are REPLICATING things from the real world.. (players, uniforms, animations, etc) then the quality of the game can factor in the graphics and animations. When you put an NBA or NFL logo on your game to sell it.. and one of the draws to people buying your game is because it's got the same players and teams, and etc etc from the real life counterpart, then you legitimately as a company open the door to be judged on just how close you ARE coming to the real thing. LIVE DOES NOT DO THIS, WHICH IS WHY 99% OF PUBS GAVE IT REALLY LOW SCORES.

To make my point even further.. Look at a game like Hot Shots golf. It's always got great reviews and the graphics don't look realisitc at all.. but they DONT HAVE TO because Hot Shots Golf wasn't slapping the PGA TOUR LOGO ON THE COVER WITH A PICTURE OF A REAL GOLFER.

Make sense or was that over your head?

Couldn't have said it better myself

[Boilerbuzz]

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

In my opinion, what NBA Live is doing with the franchise right now is great for competitive gaming. The game is much more skill based than 2k and that alone sets it apart from the competition. The fact that you
actually have to "learn" how to play before becoming successful is great.

I'm sorry, but how do you come to this conclusion? I see no basis for this. I've seen very little PvP Live gameplay that would support any such claim. And all anyone has posted here has been the six Live zealots posting sandbox videos and how the more they play it, the more they love it. (I call these the "Jedi Mind-trick" posts) Those are funny. But how in the world is Live so "skill based" (da-hell does that even mean, anyway)? I'm not saying you're wrong. I just want to know what makes you feel this claim is valid.

The bottom line of the OP is that this was their chance to make up ground. And whether you like the game or not, the fact remains that the game is failing. It doesn't matter if you think it's a good game. If the vast majority of gamers don't want a game that is your idea of "good", then you won't have a game. It should also tell you that you need to reevaluate your sense of judgement, frankly.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Flightwhite24]

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

I'm sorry, but how do you come to this conclusion? I see no basis for this. I've seen very little PvP Live gameplay that would support any such claim. And all anyone has posted here has been the six Live zealots posting sandbox videos and how the more they play it, the more they love it. (I call these the "Jedi Mind-trick" posts) Those are funny. But how in the world is Live so "skill based" (da-hell does that even mean, anyway)? I'm not saying you're wrong. I just want to know what makes you feel this claim is valid.

The bottom line of the OP is that this was their chance to make up ground. And whether you like the game or not, the fact remains that the game is failing. It doesn't matter if you think it's a good game. If the vast majority of gamers don't want a game that is your idea of "good", then you won't have a game. It should also tell you that you need to reevaluate your sense of judgement, frankly.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Hilarious how almost every thread that you chime in on if impressions aren't in line with yours we are the issue/clueless. Lol

You do know that our opinions have about the same weight as yours on forums right??

It's cool Boilerbuzz if you don't like the game. I get it.


Sent from my iPhone

[AlreadyKnoJ]

Poor graphics dont deter people from buying GTA5 and COD. Those two games basically had the same graphics last gen and still continue to dominate in sales. Those games have an addicitve gameplay that keep its gamers coming back over n over.

gta5 had bad graphics?

[Pared]

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

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.

[Acrewed]

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

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

[WTF]

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

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]

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

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]

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

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]

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

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.