NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

[vtcrb]

Let me start by saying this is NOT bashing anyone who works on the NBA Live Development Team or any individual giving feedback for the game.

The 1st thing that Stands out to me with the Current NBA Live Series is the LACK of Replay value outside playing Pro-Am or On-Line games. There is basically No Dynasty Mode depth, no ability to customize to make custom players in Season Mode. No Draft Classes. UNLESS you are a On-Line Head to Head Gamer or a Pro AM player the game will get stale quickly.



The Focus on Visual Effects(which are great) and Pro Am seemed to be the Sole Focus of Live 16, Which for Me and alot of Gamers I know is not reason enough to buy the game. I played the DEMO and after about 4 days I just didnt see a Reason to purchase the game. Anyone who knows me, knows that Customization & the Dynasty Mode are My Main things that i look for in ANY game. Below I am going to list my Personal Opinion as to what I believe could help Elevate the NBA Live Series back to the Level we all want it to be. They are in No Particular order.


1. Focus on Dynasty/Association Mode- Make it Long term capable. Include CUSTOM Draft Classes and in Season Editing. Give users ability to Change teams Playbooks, Rotations, Team Play Style and any other Team Options included in the game.

2. Bring back Full Customization- Full Player & Team Editing is a MUST. If it is a Matter of SPACE, cut out some of the GIMIC stuff in the game. I mean do we REALLY need a Pro Am, MyPlayer and a MyTeam in the game? If you ADD in the Editing guys can Still make themselves and play out their Career in a Dynasty Mode. This will keep the guys happy who are Already buying the game But will Also BRING BACK the Guys who used to buy the Game.

3. BRING in some guys to test or Work on the game EARLY. No knock on guys already involved, but maybe some Fresh eyes to help focus on issues we continue to see in the Game. The competition Uses the Community to Bring in Fresh eyes and ideas to work on their game, just think it would benefit the NBA Livee Series.

Ton of Guys to choose from like Playmakers, Tomba, Tonyattia, CW Sapp, Nick_Sr, Rockchisler, The 24th Letter and more for feedback and to test things out.

I know EA has the GameChangers, and NO Offense to any to them they provide valuable Feedback, but it seems that FRANCHISE Mode is lacking in ALL EA Games.

Also Dont make it a PR event and just bring in Youtubers.

4. Be up front with Your Fans. Nothing worse than Silence. IF a question is asked and it CANT be answered because of NDAs, let them know. It gains confidence from your Fan Base. I know it can be tedious, BUT guys know you are listening.

Let's get Back to what made NBA Live Great.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

You forgot about the EA Ronku program, they bring in those guys too to test and give feed back. But anyway, NBA Live need a complete over haul. Out of all the EA Sports games this year, Live 16 is the least improved from last year.

What they need specifically:

1. Get rid of synergy

2. Better mocap animations in the post and in the paint when there is a crowd going for a rebound.

3. In game injuries.

4. Way more sliders, full roster editing, way more ratings and tendencies.

5. A COMPLETE individual team playbook and make that editable for what plays teams runs in certain situations.

6. Better physics when players bump into each other.

7. Better ball physics. I find that the ball is too attached to players hands in Live. As though it is a magnet.

8. Slow the game down. NBA Live plays too damn fast that it makes it feel like an arcade game due to how fast everyone moves. Game speed slider would be helpful.

9. Better AI. AI need to adjust to what is going on, track the ball better and adjust to what you are doing. You literally can do the same thing all game long in NBA Live and they never adjust to it. Help D is very lacking at times. Far too often players can drive to the hole, defenders can be in the hole but they don't react, instead they just stand there and watch the player score on them. On the offensive side of the ball, they are clueless to score and time. Some times I will see a player dribble in the post non stop and let the shot clock expire.

10. Freelance system. Play breaks down in Live 16, the AI just becomes clueless.

11. Manual bounce passes & over head passes.

12. Historical teams

[Playmakers]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

I agree with everything 100%

But all of this has been said and posted before for years now and EA hasn't seem to really take our concerns seriously with these type of post.

The game is improved a bit from previous years but no one can argue this series of all sports games on next gen lags behind every one else.

It's easy to say they started over and we should give them the benefit of the doubt but the truth of the matter is we have given them the benefit of the doubt for the past decade IMO......

They are still doing things that just makes you scratch your head as to why we can see the issues and yet they can't or they just refuse to see it.....

The game seems half complete with all the options that other sports games offer yet it still sales for full price $60 bucks unless you shop around and get a great deal

We all love the series and what it used to be and represented but i'm not sure any of that matters with the game as of today in regards to their (EA) vision)

[vtcrb]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

I agree with everything 100%

But all of this has been said and posted before for years now and EA hasn't seem to really take our concerns seriously with these type of post.

The game is improved a bit from previous years but no one can argue this series of all sports games on next gen lags behind every one else.

It's easy to say they started over and we should give them the benefit of the doubt but the truth of the matter is we have given them the benefit of the doubt for the past decade IMO......

They are still doing things that just makes you scratch your head as to why we can see the issues and yet they can't or they just refuse to see it.....

The game seems half complete with all the options that other sports games offer yet it still sales for full price $60 bucks unless you shop around and get a great deal

We all love the series and what it used to be and represented but i'm not sure any of that matters with the game as of today in regards to their (EA) vision)

You hit it right on the head. We post every year what needs to be improved and it seems to fall behind a New GIMIC Mode.

Just figured I would give it one more shot and make the post at the Beginning of the Live 17 DEV Cycle, so it cant be said it was too late to Add things.

Now i have heard the Live DEVs say that Dynasty Mode will be a Priority this year. Let's hope they Include the D-League to make it a TRUE In-depth Dynasty with Draft Classes available as well.

[iFnotWhyNoT]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

My guess is 17 will be 2 years away from being 2 years away.

[vtcrb]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

Been seeing some crazy sales numbers for Live 16. I dont believe sales are as low as reported, but i think it does show the game Needs to go in a different direction as far as Which Modes and Options should be addressed.

[Walt Frazier]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

I don't like to say it.............................................but the whole LIVE team needs to go. They are simply not up to it.


They are the worst communicators I have seen on ANY product...they clearly have no idea about fixing the bugs, shoddy animations etc that have plagued the series...it is just clear at this point they are not up to it.


FIFA 16 is absolutely brilliant.


EA needs to somehow get those guys in to work on LIVE...the whole team, the animators, the PR guys, the social media guys, the franchise people, the guys who do the updates, the whole team....or at least, hire entirely new people and have them train under the FIFA team.


It was only five years ago FIFA was a laughing stock...now it is getting 9/10 type scores on hard core sports gaming sites like this one.

[vtcrb]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

I don't like to say it.............................................but the whole LIVE team needs to go. They are simply not up to it.


They are the worst communicators I have seen on ANY product...they clearly have no idea about fixing the bugs, shoddy animations etc that have plagued the series...it is just clear at this point they are not up to it.


FIFA 16 is absolutely brilliant.


EA needs to somehow get those guys in to work on LIVE...the whole team, the animators, the PR guys, the social media guys, the franchise people, the guys who do the updates, the whole team....or at least, hire entirely new people and have them train under the FIFA team.


It was only five years ago FIFA was a laughing stock...now it is getting 9/10 type scores on hard core sports gaming sites like this one.

I dont think the whole team needs to go but they do need NEW guys in there, not alot of guys. Someone to Focus on Gameplay issues thru tinkering with Rating/Tendencies/Playbooks/Coaching Profiles. It is just hard to tell what the game is capable of since we cant dig under the hood.

Edit:If i had one week with the game unlocked, i can Guarantee I can do 1 of 2 things. #1 Improve the game. Or #2 Figure out what needs to be tweaked for NBA Live 17. There are others who can do the same.

[Walt Frazier]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

If it was my decision...and I had to base it purely on business...

I would scrap the series and start on a new engine for the PS5 and next Xbox.

I mean, a real new engine...not one based on Live 08.

Get a huge head start on 2K and start brand awarness stuff about two years in advance.

This generation is lost.

Come up with something really revolutionary for the next gen in about five years. The 'Live' brand will not work, so just call it NBA 2020.

I really like 2K, and I love 2K16, but their engine has only so many more releases in it. It is getting stale.

[Raisnets]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

If it was my decision...and I had to base it purely on business...

I would scrap the series and start on a new engine for the PS5 and next Xbox.

I mean, a real new engine...not one based on Live 08.

Get a huge head start on 2K and start brand awarness stuff about two years in advance.

This generation is lost.

Come up with something really revolutionary for the next gen in about five years. The 'Live' brand will not work, so just call it NBA 2020.

I really like 2K, and I love 2K16, but their engine has only so many more releases in it. It is getting stale.

This is all wishful thinking.

[bkluvsm3]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

I agree with u guys 1000% I think live team has given their best effort but 2k series is a beast of franchise in NBA department and I think their idea is to bring a completely different experience than what the other game are offering and IMO I like that idea ....but simple things like Roster Editing , Deep Franchise Mode and Robust Gameplay , Stable Online Game Modes with quality Animations should be Standard ....What EA Isn't doing Well is listening to there Community the ppl who support their series and supported their series since the beginning .....2k feeds off the community support EA doesn't They have A Try Our game if u don't like who cares policy ...They need to listen to the community listen to the feedback it's not only about ROSTER EDITING it's about not adding QUALITY ANIMATIONS. ......

-BRING BACK LIVE FREESTYLE from live 06
-ADD TONS OF MO CAP ANIMATIONS BRING IN MORE NBA PLAYERS
-Put time in on key core animations such as Box Outs , Rebounding, Shot Blocking, Players Going for loose balls, On ball D, Steals, Tip Off , Loose ball fouling, Fastbreak, Passing, Manual Bounce pass etc
- ROSTER EDITING AND CUSTOMIZATION
-ADD IN Connected Franchise Ie Like Madden Series
-Keep Engine it's Fine give us more ANIMATIONS and Player Authencity
NO WAY SHOULD EVER PLAYER HAVE SAME SHOOTING ANIMATIONS AND DUNK/LAYUP PACKAGES IT SHOULD VARY Player Specific
- Bring Back LIVE SEASON MODE from 10
-Add More Presentation Packages show stats from actual nba season
League Leaders , Players Who having MVP seasons , upcoming team schedules , Key Matchups, Trades ETC ...BE LIVE !

[CEOHaize]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

Focus on the Pro Am. Maybe release NBA Street as a Digital only game. I truly feel they can't make a great SIM game. I'd focus on the fun factor and as long as Live in presented as a simulation NBA game they will always be playing catch up.


Make the game as fun as possible label it as an arcade style game and they'll see a profit. As fans we all want a good sim game but I don't think the masses will ever take them seriously again. But the Pro Am is extremely addictive. An NBA Street/Jam game with a similar online mode would be great.


EA sports has to be dangerously close to the point where the NBA license isn't profitable for them. Either they'll stop making NBA games or have to drastically change their approach. Right now for the general public when they here the name NBA Live they associate it only with a sub par sports game not worth their time.

[Crunky]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

I've posted this on another thread but these risky ideas would make the competition fans pretty jealous

They might as well go over the top with arcade elements and not consider themselves sim. They could get risky and add things the competition won't risk like arguing foul calls as a player/coach against a referee by pressing a, for example recieving a technical boosting team morale.

Another risky move is after a hard foul an option cutscene pops up and you could confront that player in a staredown or shove or trash talk by pressing x,a,b. The NBA and Adam Silver won't approve of it but you have to take risks when fans want it.

Even better would be to add mini-games to the game when they plan to go the Arcade route. Have a mini-game pre tip-off, for example at the layup line where we can practice our jumpers shoot at least five jumpshots with one player if you hit enough shots it will affect whether your hot and cold to start the game.

Have mini-games happen randomly after or before the halftime show. You could create a mascot mini-game where you control a mascot by jumping on a trampoline, flipping going through the ring of fire and doing all types of spectacular crazy dunks on a point system would be very addictive to the Arcade gamer. The next mini-game you would control a fan and attempt to hit a halfcourt shot for a cash or prize.

Last idea that would be cool is if you could hang on the rim doing pull-ups slapping the backboard etc. If you hang on the rim too long you could recieve a technical, have an option to argue and maybe recieve an ejection. Final thought go all out on player celebration,trash talking, staredowns,shoving and let us control all of it as in player input

How about going all out and crazy on presentation for 1year its where the competition is at its weakest. I and many others still play nfl 2k5 because of the presentation 10yrs later calling it the GOAT. Allocate all your recourses to it if you have to, at least you'll be able to hang your hat on something better than your competition. I'm talking a pre game show, varied cutscenes for pre tip-off, weekly wrap up show for Dynasty mode. Post game show after the player of the game highlights. Animated commentators discussing both teams, running down stats after game. Also fictional commentaters hire a couple random dudes doesn't really matter have breen,jackson and gundy work the key matchups this will make your competition fans want to purchase this game even if the gameplay stays the same.

[Raisnets]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

I've posted this on another thread but these risky ideas would make the competition fans pretty jealous

They might as well go over the top with arcade elements and not consider themselves sim. They could get risky and add things the competition won't risk like arguing foul calls as a player/coach against a referee by pressing a, for example recieving a technical boosting team morale.

Another risky move is after a hard foul an option cutscene pops up and you could confront that player in a staredown or shove or trash talk by pressing x,a,b. The NBA and Adam Silver won't approve of it but you have to take risks when fans want it.

Even better would be to add mini-games to the game when they plan to go the Arcade route. Have a mini-game pre tip-off, for example at the layup line where we can practice our jumpers shoot at least five jumpshots with one player if you hit enough shots it will affect whether your hot and cold to start the game.

Have mini-games happen randomly after or before the halftime show. You could create a mascot mini-game where you control a mascot by jumping on a trampoline, flipping going through the ring of fire and doing all types of spectacular crazy dunks on a point system would be very addictive to the Arcade gamer. The next mini-game you would control a fan and attempt to hit a halfcourt shot for a cash or prize.

Last idea that would be cool is if you could hang on the rim doing pull-ups slapping the backboard etc. If you hang on the rim too long you could recieve a technical, have an option to argue and maybe recieve an ejection. Final thought go all out on player celebration,trash talking, staredowns,shoving and let us control all of it as in player input

How about going all out and crazy on presentation for 1year its where the competition is at its weakest. I and many others still play nfl 2k5 because of the presentation 10yrs later calling it the GOAT. Allocate all your recourses to it if you have to, at least you'll be able to hang your hat on something better than your competition. I'm talking a pre game show, varied cutscenes for pre tip-off, weekly wrap up show for Dynasty mode. Post game show after the player of the game highlights. Animated commentators discussing both teams, running down stats after game. Also fictional commentaters hire a couple random dudes doesn't really matter have breen,jackson and gundy work the key matchups this will make your competition fans want to purchase this game even if the gameplay stays the same.

None of this addresses the fact that the gameplay is god awful.

[Crunky]

Re: NBA Live 17 and Beyond. What needs to be done to bring back the FanBase

None of this addresses the fact that the gameplay is god awful.

The truth is the gameplay will never be good with this core engine they had for the past decade. Now is the time to put lipstick on the pig with crazy and over the top ideas. The competition has more to lose in putting these risky ideas since their on top. Being a true alternate is the way to go.