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

[23]

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

BiggD...after copping a massive dump on their game like that from Beluba (and, let's be realistic, that was a massive dump from a respected producer)...EA should be coming out and saying "hey, new direction isn't true".

The fact they are so quiet about it / no response + the fact he's not the only one who left the game.....the vibe is definitely that Mike is speaking the truth.

Truthfully they dont have to answer to anything a former employee says

We knew changes were coming when Steph was off the project, but at the same time they still offered no explanation and to us they didnt really have to, and chose not to.

Now the NCAA thing is just wrong, and im glad I didnt waste my money for an update game with no support.

We still need to wait and see whats going to happen with the game before next year, but as of right now its not looking good as far as perspective from the fanbase.

[Court_vision]

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

Dre...I think they do need a response when the attack was so personal.

For those of you who are going on with "hey, he's only one guy"...facts are facts and that is that the two teams before him on LIVE 06 and 07 were sacked / let go because the games were garbage.

Live 08 was a mess.

Beluba came in and got a bit of work on Live 09.

Live 10 was his first full cycle and most people agree it was "the biggest leap forward" of just about any sports game they've seen in one season.

He goes to management and outlines his plans for LIVE 11...Management says "no", he walks.

A week ago everyone on these forums was saying "LIVE 11 is going to be something special. Trust Beluba".

Now the dude has walked it's like "hey, he was only one guy".

Kind of funny

[noshun]

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

For those of you who are going on with "hey, he's only one guy"...facts are facts and that is that the two teams before him on LIVE 06 and 07 were sacked

The teams that worked on Live 06/07 werent sacked totally. There are a few guys from those teams that worked on 10. One of them is Matt LaFreniere. Most of them didnt get sacked at all, theyve been on the games since 07.

[BiggD]

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

CV, honestly... i can understand that they should release a statement saying "the statements made are false ad have no substance" but honestly.. the game itself has to do the talking, no more PR schemes(surley EA must know this) . If they fail with live11 its almost certain the LIVE series is done.....right???

[23]

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

CV , you didnt even believe backflash when he came on and gave his thoughts.

Everyone started yelling damage control. Truth is you really dont believe anything EA says anymore anyhow. That's the point they've gotten to.

Its put up or shut up time... maybe they arent going arcade but as was stated, arent interested in a long term plan rather than doing something different again. I can understand how that can frustrate any employee at a corporation, in a sense this situation has been suffered by many everyday people.

Maybe Mike was told he could carry his 3 year or 5 year plan on in the beginning and that was the final straw in him thinking he could do somethings at EA maybe he couldnt at VC at the time.

Remember guys were in the midst of all the buyout talk of Take Two and such, pre gta IV... I've gone thorugh that, its not fun.

Im not speculating but im saying, whats a response to this going to do? Nothing for anyone.

[Hulkules]

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

Hey guys I contacted Blackflash about Beluba leaving because EA wanted to go a different direction and expressed my concerns about where the game was headed, and that I would like some conformation. This is what he wrote:

"I can assure you that the LIVE team are committed to creating a realistic representation of NBA basketball (of course this being a SIM). While the team will miss Mike, there are a lot of very dedicated dev team members that are working very hard even as I write to you that want to make the best NBA LIVE possible."

He then posted this on the EA forums also to respond to the current situation:

"When I'm able to begin dropping info about the game you will know what I'm talking about. NBA LIVE 11 WILL be a great game to look forward to.
Guy I understand the concern that all of you may have towards next year's title but RELAX. None of you know what's going into next year's title. One thing I can tell all of you for sure is that NBA LIVE 11 is aiming to replicate the NBA experience, which means the game will be a SIM basketball title.

When more info comes my way that I can begin to share with all of you then I will be sure to do it. But I will re-iterate to all of you and I can say this because I work alongside the development team, NBA LIVE 11 will be a SIM basketball game."

I am really hoping they come through with a great game.<!-- Attachments -->

[BiggD]

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

Hey guys I contacted Blackflash about Beluba leaving because EA wanted to go a different direction and expressed my concerns about where the game was headed, and that I would like some conformation. This is what he wrote:

"I can assure you that the LIVE team are committed to creating a realistic representation of NBA basketball (of course this being a SIM). While the team will miss Mike, there are a lot of very dedicated dev team members that are working very hard even as I write to you that want to make the best NBA LIVE possible."

He then posted this on the EA forums also to respond to the current situation:

"When I'm able to begin dropping info about the game you will know what I'm talking about. NBA LIVE 11 WILL be a great game to look forward to.
Guy I understand the concern that all of you may have towards next year's title but RELAX. None of you know what's going into next year's title. One thing I can tell all of you for sure is that NBA LIVE 11 is aiming to replicate the NBA experience, which means the game will be a SIM basketball title.

When more info comes my way that I can begin to share with all of you then I will be sure to do it. But I will re-iterate to all of you and I can say this because I work alongside the development team, NBA LIVE 11 will be a SIM basketball game."

I am really hoping they come through with a great game.<!-- Attachments -->

So there it is in black and white

[Court_vision]

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

The teams that worked on Live 06/07 werent sacked totally. There are a few guys from those teams that worked on 10. One of them is Matt LaFreniere. Most of them didnt get sacked at all, theyve been on the games since 07.

The fella who ran the big LIVE forums...what was his name? Tim or somthing. The German guy. He was brought in for LIVE 06 / 07 and I know he got the bullet.

[Court_vision]

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

CV , you didnt even believe backflash when he came on and gave his thoughts.

Everyone started yelling damage control. Truth is you really dont believe anything EA says anymore anyhow. That's the point they've gotten to..

So true man. You got the PR guy saying one thing, PMs saying other things and Beluba coming out in public and dumping all over them. Crazy stuff

Anyway, if they want me buying their game in 11...they can release a patch for NCAA first.

[Hulkules]

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

More from Blackflash:

"I can tell you for sure that what they're adding to the game is going to really make things exciting. The game is going to be SIM but wait until we start dropping info about the game. It's going to be an exciting year for NBA LIVE and despite the negative flack facing the game right now, the team have something to prove with LIVE 11 and I can assure you that the game is going to be great."

[Court_vision]

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

More from Blackflash:

"I can tell you for sure that what they're adding to the game is going to really make things exciting. The game is going to be SIM but wait until we start dropping info about the game. It's going to be an exciting year for NBA LIVE and despite the negative flack facing the game right now, the team have something to prove with LIVE 11 and I can assure you that the game is going to be great."

Hopefully the guys say "hey, screw you Mike and your 'we can't get it done' insults" and sit there determined to prove him wrong. That interview + all of Rob Jone's quotes should be all the motivation they need.

I like 2K and respect their team...but these games are like boxing, you like to see a rivalry and a bit of bad blood

[noshun]

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

More from Blackflash:

"I can tell you for sure that what they're adding to the game is going to really make things exciting. The game is going to be SIM but wait until we start dropping info about the game. It's going to be an exciting year for NBA LIVE and despite the negative flack facing the game right now, the team have something to prove with LIVE 11 and I can assure you that the game is going to be great."

They said this same spew for Live 06...rinse that Live 07... rinse that Live 08... rinse that Live 09... rinse that Live 10.... rinse that now starting for Live 11.
The only thing theyve proven is theyre consistenly inconsistant, and earned consecutive slumping sales 2yrs running.

VVV what 23 said in his comment...

[23]

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

So true man. You got the PR guy saying one thing, PMs saying other things and Beluba coming out in public and dumping all over them. Crazy stuff

Anyway, if they want me buying their game in 11...they can release a patch for NCAA first.

lol , well Live 11 = wait and see, info or not

[Behindshadows]

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

Hopefully the guys say "hey, screw you Mike and your 'we can't get it done' insults" and sit there determined to prove him wrong. That interview + all of Rob Jone's quotes should be all the motivation they need.

I like 2K and respect their team...but these games are like boxing, you like to see a rivalry and a bit of bad blood

Why do you assume, they have to take shots at Mike. Why can't they just respect his move and move on to their focus on the game.

These guys are adults, and so far they've been the most professional about the move. They haven't countered any of Mike's comments with insults to him. Instead, BlackFlash came out and even said," he respects Mike and considers him a friend". He didn't want to talk the situation overall.

Even Marcus came in and post his feedback without the negative feedback, nor did he take shots at Mike.

Maybe EA's Live Team is just working on the game and not really sitting around thinking of ways to take shots at Mike or 2ksports.

Why do you continue to think these guys are just negative nannies?

[ataman5]

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

Hey guys I contacted Blackflash about Beluba leaving because EA wanted to go a different direction and expressed my concerns about where the game was headed, and that I would like some conformation. This is what he wrote:

"I can assure you that the LIVE team are committed to creating a realistic representation of NBA basketball (of course this being a SIM). While the team will miss Mike, there are a lot of very dedicated dev team members that are working very hard even as I write to you that want to make the best NBA LIVE possible."

He then posted this on the EA forums also to respond to the current situation:

"When I'm able to begin dropping info about the game you will know what I'm talking about. NBA LIVE 11 WILL be a great game to look forward to.
Guy I understand the concern that all of you may have towards next year's title but RELAX. None of you know what's going into next year's title. One thing I can tell all of you for sure is that NBA LIVE 11 is aiming to replicate the NBA experience, which means the game will be a SIM basketball title.

When more info comes my way that I can begin to share with all of you then I will be sure to do it. But I will re-iterate to all of you and I can say this because I work alongside the development team, NBA LIVE 11 will be a SIM basketball game."

I am really hoping they come through with a great game.<!-- Attachments -->

After i've seen imminurbase twit message of his saying lots of gameplay changes, this has definitely no credibility in my eyes.

And i believe what they understand from the term sim is its literal meaning from now on.

I just can't see it through having lots of gameplay changes from live 10 and then having a sim live 11, either my logic is wrong or they must be thinking that we are stupid or what.