The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

[Steve_OS]

The unfortunate predicament I find myself in is the same one that has continued to trend a...

Written By: Operation Sports

Click here to view the article.

[Gosens6]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

EA knows their market for this game is in the street ball mode.

I see very minimal effort on their part in promoting the actual NBA aspect of this game.

My prediction is in a year or two, they’re going to make 98% of the game “The One” mode and just have NBA teams playable in exhibition


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[DJ]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

WTF coming through with a top-notch article on OS. Great work, man!

[TecmoZack]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

Excellent Read. Game plans and playstyles are what I need/want most in my Franchise.

[jong85]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

Thank you for this article....Reading this is like you took thoughts from my mind. I guess we are from the same generations and been playing NBA/basketball games since I've been gaming (NES Double Dribble). I hope NBA LIVE 19 gets it right.

[vtcrb]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

This is a top notch article. Hits home with what alot of us have been saying for years(especially this summer). They are more worried about Street ball(won't use Playground anymore), than actually making a NBA game. It honestly reflects bad on the NBA & EA SPORTS to advertise the game as an authentic NBA game. Yes it has NBA players but they play nothing like themselves and you Can't build a Dynasty which I thought were the whole point of an NBA Game.

I understand it's a business, but to disguise this game as an NBA experience is bad.

[Gramps91]

Franchise Mode is always where my heart has been too. I always have a blast with offline MyLeague and I've been playing Franchise/Association/Dynasty modes since NBA Jam 2000 on the N64,  it's beyond a doubt one of my favorite hobbies. I too was disappointed with NBA Live 18's  Dynasty Mode. I eventually ended up just playing "The One" which has some promise but NBA 2K's Offline MyLeague is still what I found myself WANTING to play most days. 

[scottyp180]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

EA knows their market for this game is in the street ball mode.

I see very minimal effort on their part in promoting the actual NBA aspect of this game.

My prediction is in a year or two, they’re going to make 98% of the game “The One” mode and just have NBA teams playable in exhibition


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

The way they are promoting the game thus far is one thing. I'll give EA leeway because it's still early and plenty of time to show off improvements to the NBA side of things. However, what worries me far more is the gameplay that has been shown so far which displays players, in NBA games, pulling off And 1 mixtape like moves. Kyrie bouncing the ball around other players or through their legs. That's not the NBA. It's a videogame and should be fun but leave that stuff in the street mode. It indicates to me that EA's focus isn't on a realistic, sim, NBA experience.

[howboutdat]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

Great article . Sad but true news really. Not a big surprise, EA constantly just chases the easy money.

I really enjoyed the gameplay in Live 18. The One was ok , i enjoyed playing with people with my created player as well. That said , it in no way , shape or form makes up enough content like having a deep franchise mode can do. Thus making it not worth a purchase without that (not when its competitor has one already).

Live came out swinging last year after a 2 year hiatus. I thought to myself, they are catching up with 2k ( gameplay and graphic wise imo). The one thing 2k really holds a large lead over Live is Franchise Mode.

1. They just have a very deep Franchise mode.
2. The ability to run an online league (not as deep but still more than Live has)


I still feel like, if EA wants to really compete with 2k, they will have to rely on building up a deep franchise mode and make it online. In all honesty, i believe if they made a deep franchise mode and made it deep for both online and offline, it could push them past 2k in a coupe years easily.

I run an online madden league ( for 7 years). Ive wanted to do a basketball online league ( of sim minded people). Tried it with 2k16 as it was the only choice, but it was so shallow. You play 1 season then just start over, no offseason , no draft, nothing. Just was boring after a season. I feel if EA came out swinging with franchise mode and made it deep off and online , it could be the thing that helps push them by 2k putting Live back where it once stood. The gameplay is already getting close, graphics, and the one mode is good for those who like that kinda thing. The thing holding Live back right now is a poor Franchise Mode.


I keep holding out hope they will surprise us this year. But im not holding my breathe because well , as i said i run an online madden league, i know how much they value franchise modes sadly....

[Peter_OS]

Excellent article! Couldn't agree with you more on several points. I too grew up with the games noted above in this article. I vividly remember NBA Inside Drive 2003 and how game changing and defining that series was.

I hope EA and the team working on NBA Live are listening. The only reason I buy these sports games is for their franchise mode and having the ability to manage and control a team or teams in a season. I could care less about being "the one" and putting myself in the game. I'm not looking to transform myself into a basketball player, i'd rather look at running my favorite team and making it better.

[WTF]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

Great article . Sad but true news really. Not a big surprise, EA constantly just chases the easy money.

I really enjoyed the gameplay in Live 18. The One was ok , i enjoyed playing with people with my created player as well. That said , it in no way , shape or form makes up enough content like having a deep franchise mode can do. Thus making it not worth a purchase without that (not when its competitor has one already).

Live came out swinging last year after a 2 year hiatus. I thought to myself, they are catching up with 2k ( gameplay and graphic wise imo). The one thing 2k really holds a large lead over Live is Franchise Mode.

1. They just have a very deep Franchise mode.
2. The ability to run an online league (not as deep but still more than Live has)


I still feel like, if EA wants to really compete with 2k, they will have to rely on building up a deep franchise mode and make it online. In all honesty, i believe if they made a deep franchise mode and made it deep for both online and offline, it could push them past 2k in a coupe years easily.

I run an online madden league ( for 7 years). Ive wanted to do a basketball online league ( of sim minded people). Tried it with 2k16 as it was the only choice, but it was so shallow. You play 1 season then just start over, no offseason , no draft, nothing. Just was boring after a season. I feel if EA came out swinging with franchise mode and made it deep off and online , it could be the thing that helps push them by 2k putting Live back where it once stood. The gameplay is already getting close, graphics, and the one mode is good for those who like that kinda thing. The thing holding Live back right now is a poor Franchise Mode.


I keep holding out hope they will surprise us this year. But im not holding my breathe because well , as i said i run an online madden league, i know how much they value franchise modes sadly....

Agree with you completely.

[pslieber]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

Yes, yes, and yes! Even as a diehard Live fan myself, all of the suggestions WTF makes are omissions that remain serious pet peeves for me.

Even during the old Lakers vs. Celtics days, the games were intended to have a true, NBA feel. That essence needs to return.

Enough with the Streetball/build-a-player obsession. Many of us simply want to manage a franchise or play versus mode with our buddies.

[Guard-ian]

Re: The State of NBA Live Franchise Mode

Great write up mister WTF!!! It's frustrating to realise that those interested in a fully featured Franchise experience we are a minority nowadays...

But hell, we are still here and want our virtual NBA back!!!

[dynastymgrguy]

WTF = a man after my own heart. Very on point article. You mentioned ALL the issues I care about.

[CujoMatty]

Could not agree more with this article. Honest and a great representation of how a lot of us feel.

I feel like EA has just gotten tired of playing catch up to 2k and thinks the Street and the one modes are where it can compete. They might actually be correct in that philosophy but it makes me sad none the less.  

I think where this article nails it for me is when he says this is NBA live.  We expect everything that this article points out in a game called NBA live.  If what they are putting out was called NBA street I think I would be pretty excited for what they are offering. Maybe that’s semantics but I just can’t get on board for an NBA live game that has  a poor representation of the day to day league.