Out of Bounds: The Sad College Basketball Void

[PR Laxer T]

I miss my 2k basketball. But what I am DYING for is a legit lacrosse game. Yeah, there's a lacrosse indie game, but it doesn't hold my attention. When one does come out, that's where all of my sports gaming time will go. Until one does actually come out, however (probably not for another 30 years), I can only hope.

[SDJHood93]

It's sad that we won't be getting our hands on a college hoops game any time soon. It would have been great to have 2K revive the series.

[Boilerbuzz]

Do what I did and contact these jackasses and tell them to stop being greedy SOBs and let BOTH companies make a product without fear of them trying to price gouge either one of them:

http://www.clc.com/clcweb/publishing.nsf/Content/contact+us.html

Quick refresher: the top rated and top selling version got used as a bargaining chip to make the company of the other title up the licensing fee to some ridiculous amount. Company 1 didn't play along (ala NFL) and Company 2 said "our game doesn't sell enough for what you're trying to charge us. F* off!". I applaud both companies.

[Pokes404]

Is there any chance 2K could use the exact same gameplay engine from their current NBA game and hire a smaller development team to just create the college uniforms and arenas? It seems like that would save on development costs for 2K. Perhaps enough to make College Hoops fiscally viable for 2K? I really don't care if the game is exactly the same on the floor as NBA 2K, I just want my college basketball back.

I love College Hoops 2K8, but as NBA 2K progresses every year, I get used to the new additions made to those games and it makes it harder to go back to a game that is missing those gameplay enhancements.

[frbroussard]

EA Sports Basketball SUX. EA should have never bought the rights to NCAA or ESPN. It takes away from the consumer. Imagine if ESPN went BACK to 2ksports and Imagine if College Hoop came back out. EA sports had there time with NBA LIVE SERIES, now its time to move over. Because at the end of the day if you dont have choices the only people that suffer is the consumer.

[canucksss]

somehow there's no point in producing every year a game such as College Basketball. few improvements could be just d/l for a fee. i still play my College Hoops 2K7.

why not have both 2K and EA produce NBA and then have college sports included in the game? of course that will somehow balloon the price somewhat, but instead of paying $59 x 2 for same genre (basketball) you can pay say...$80 for both =)

[Mjphillips]

Perfect Article!!!! Great read!!!!!!!!

[SDJHood93]

Yeah EA ruined college basketball video games IMO but oh well I just hope somebody makes another college hoops game soon.

[buckeye02]

2K PLEASE PICK UP THIS LICENSE. Atleast give us another good college basketball games, bc lord knows college football games aint coming though.

[bears5122]

Yeah, it's really sad to not have a college hoops game year after year. EA's attempts after 2K got nudged out by them was embarassing. I can't fathom what College Hoops 2K11 would be like considering how far ahead of its time 2K8 was.

College basketball is by far my favorite sports game to play and I wish 2K would re-consider and bring back their amazing title. I'd even just be happy with some minor gameplay tweaks, updated rosters/conferences, and some other minor features. The game really didn't need a whole lot.

[smithdynasty]

I see where you are at but the comparisons to Lacrosse and MMA and rubgy are a bit misleading. Those 3 sports, although their fan bases are smaller, are all ridiculously passionate. Theyre all like hockey fans in the sense there almost arent casual fans of those sports...just hardcore fans and non fans. Almost no middle ground. Basically, id be willing to a bet a higher percentage of lacrosse fans would buy a lacrosse game vs. basketball and football. In the end, that could be a nice figure. Just a gut feeling.

College basketball is almost entirely casual fans (or current students who just like going to games when football isnt going on) in my opinion. Most people will only watch in March...and i doubt regular season games are pulling huge tv numbers. Maybe some big matchups, but with 68 teams in the tourney...regular season isnt that exciting.

I consider myself a college bball fan, but i will still only watch a handful games of my own team and maybe 3 big regular season games. And even with those im probably half-watching while doing something else.

Normally, I would somewhat agree with you but when you have a franchise as good as 2k's College Hoops franchise it will eventually trandscend the limitations of the casual gamer as it relates to sales. A great example of this is EA's NHL & FIFA franchises. Many people that have do not have an affinity for these sports but still play these games and it's because they are phenomenal games and great to play, it's not necessarily about the sport. CH2k8 was a great game that was still building its fanbase and to be completely honest, the gameplay was good but not great, it was the unparalled depth of the game that kept people intrigued. I NEED ANOTHER ONE!

[elprez98]

I still break out my CHoops franchise from time to time. I love that game. I really wish 2k had the resources to take a loss and make this game.

J/K, but I'm do wish it was profitable for them to make it. Greatest b-ball game of all-time to me(before NBA 2k11).

[iceberg760]

GREAT read.....yes, as you all do/i wish there was an updated version...this game was a gift when it was first released and this is still one of the BEST titles that i've evep played~~taking IU into the blue devil stadium and hearing the Cameron Crazies getting louder & louder UNTIL i get hot....yep, College BBall leaves a BIG VOID!!