NBA Live 15: Is the Delay a Reason for Panic or Optimism?

Feature Article

Submitted on: 09/09/2014 by

In case you have been living under a rock today, NBA Live 15 has been delayed until October 28. For EA to delay a sports game is pretty unprecedented, especially at this stage in the game. Given the slow trickle of PR releases, and the rumblings we've been hearing, this is a move that likely was made some weeks ago.

There are several things this could mean, it could mean the game isn't finished and may not be by October 28. It could mean the team simply needed a few more weeks to finish the game and it'll actually come out better. It could mean the game will be cancelled, it's not like this hasn't happened before.

So with that, what do you think the delay means for NBA Live 15?

James Kerti: Given the track record of the series over the last half-decade, it's hard not to fear the worst when hearing about the game being delayed. A delay this close to release leads to worry in general. This series hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt. Plus, we haven't seen much in the way of information and footage to comfort us. I'm worried.

Matthew Coe: This is a pretty big surprise to me honestly. I had hoped that the game was shaping up to be a surprise and restore some hope for the NBA Live franchise. This is a troubling sign.

While we don't have the particular reasons behind this delay, I think we can draw a couple of logical conclusions. One of them is that EA has seen the backlash of releasing an incomplete NHL 15 and was probably planning a similar strategy for Live, patching in extra modes, etc. I think that the NBA team couldn't risk even more negative press for a brand that is already tarnished so badly. So hopefully EA uses the extra time to work on franchise/dynasty modes and overall polish. NBA Live 15 cant afford a disaster like last year's game.

Robert Kollars: This is not a surprise to me at all as there were some odd signs out there that started to have the game's fan-base question things again.

This doesn't affect my decision to purchase the game, and I have no issue with a company delaying a game to tighten it up before retail release. If EA had a better track record the last 4-5 years with this title, people wouldn't think twice about the delay. Sadly though, the recent problems will be attached on a yearly basis until this title is has hit its groove and is consistently strong.

Dustin Toms: This is more than a delay. EA has to be throwing in the towel if the game is getting pushed back to the end of October. NBA Live 14 was a collosal disaster on next-gen consoles everywhere. If this year's iteration is in need of "more time," then why bother? EA has delayed Live before, which turned out to be a complete cancel. The track record is not good.

With the NBA 2K franchise becoming a top-selling video game, not just a sports game, EA should pull their funds (and Live team) and pool it in with NHL to give them the help they need. If NHL rises up on next-gen with quality franchises such as Madden and FIFA, EA will be just fine.

Leave NBA Live on the shelf. It was a (kind of) good run.

Chris Sanner: NBA Live 15 is not going to be like Live 13 or Elite 11 -- at least I don't think. At this point, EA still plans to release the game, but I'm sure that was the case the last two EA basketball delays as well. Simply put, Live 15 either has to come onto store shelves or the series will be dead. If the game can't ship this year, the series itself needs to be abandoned because there is no path forward.

On the other hand, the extra time will do for Live what a delay could have done for NHL -- it gives the developers a bit of extra time to fine tune the game and get some key elements they know they need to add into it. We don't know the exact condition of Live so it's impossible to judge how much work the title needs at this point. The gameplay videos tend to point to more week being needed.

The problem for Live will be its competitor will almost certainly be higher rated and more highly acclaimed -- and it will have three weeks to convince consumers of that before Live even gets a chance. While live is showing off its improved AI in teaser videos, players will be getting the chance to play NBA 2K15. The commercial success of Live is already going to be a disappointment, if the series is to continue, the critical success of the series has to take a step forward.

NBA Live 15 Videos

Member Comments

# 101 WTF @ 09/15/14 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da ThRONe


	I'd much rather wait 3 weeks for a more polished game than get one and either have to wait for a patch or even worse never have it addressed. On a side note I know last gen games had a limit on the number of patches developers could release. Those the same hold true for the nexgen systems?

The patch number, I'm not sure if that's still there or not. The good thing with EA though, is that they have the internal "Live Update System" which can deliver as many as they want through the season, the same way they do the roster updates. Pretty slick stuff.

# 102 The 24th Letter @ 09/15/14 06:14 PM

They will likely still need a patch even with those 3 weeks, just like all the other sports franchises...., just hope this time the patch focuses on the real issues...

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk

# 103 bigeastbumrush @ 09/15/14 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTF


	It's not a cause of concern. I understand with the series cancellations in the past, why guys are "weary", but this is not a reason for concern. It's actually a positive to fix these items prior to release. For all we know, it could be minor aesthetic things to enhance all of our experiences collectively. As much as it stinks for everyone not to be able to get their hands on it 3 weeks earlier, like we all anticipated, but it's no cause for concern. The game will come out, and you can judge upon it's release if you want it or not. There is gameplay coming, there are podcasts and blogs coming. You'll see plenty before release to base your decision on. Pushing it back a few weeks to give "you", the buyer, a better, more complete product is not a bad thing.

Come on WTF.

A game that was delayed last year and cancelled in years prior not giving anyone pause?

I'm all for every team trying to improve their product.

But this smells more like catchup than polishing.

There's a reason they wanted leaked gameplay videos pulled.

# 104 WTF @ 09/15/14 06:21 PM

I don't blame you for feeling that way. If I was in anyone else's shoes, I'd probably feel the same. Fortunately I'm not, and I dont. It's not catchup, but I know that it's not easy to take their word at face value.

# 105 ProfessaPackMan @ 09/15/14 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTF


	The patch number, I'm not sure if that's still there or not. The good thing with EA though, is that they have the internal "Live Update System" which can deliver as many as they want through the season, the same way they do the roster updates. Pretty slick stuff.

What's the difference between this year and last year with this feature?

# 106 WTF @ 09/15/14 08:56 PM

From my knowledge, it's just evolved into what they wanted.

# 107 I Djm @ 09/15/14 10:59 PM

Technically speaking the demo can now release early

# 108 wacko11 @ 09/16/14 11:09 AM

WWE got delayed, where's the big front page panic thread......they won't be one, only live gets that treatment.

# 109 The 24th Letter @ 09/16/14 11:21 AM

Agreed. With WWE 11, 12 & 13 being cancelled, and the half *** effort that was WWE 14, there's definitely a need to be concerned with the pattern the company has established.

..............wait.

# 110 Hengist @ 09/16/14 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTF


	Awesome, so you have your game of choice, I'm truly happy for you. However, for others, myself included, there are several facets of 2k that have not made "massive advancements" since 2k11. In fact, quite a bit of what Next Gen 2k14 was, was a regression to many. While its great that you enjoy it, respect that others don't, and others look for a viable alternative that suits the style that they're looking for. I'm someone who wants 2 good basketball games. I'll buy both games. I'll try to play both games. I'll stick with the 1 that feels best to me. If you want to just buy 1 game on namesake alone, or because it better suits your wants and needs, then that's great. To come on a separate forum to belittle others opinions and attempt to dissuade anyone instead of holding tight for your game isn't needed.

Your right. I was a bit "loose" with the cannon. But if past events are a reliable rubric to determine future outcomes, then the delay could be cause for serious panic. I say instead of inciting panic for Live fans by announcing yet another delay, just release the game as is (akin to how Madden is released yearly) and do the necessary patchwork post-release.

# 111 El_Poopador @ 09/16/14 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88SiegHeil88


	Your right. I was a bit "loose" with the cannon. But if past events are a reliable rubric to determine future outcomes, then the delay could be cause for serious panic. I say instead of inciting panic for Live fans by announcing yet another delay, just release the game as is (akin to how Madden is released yearly) and do the necessary patchwork post-release.

It's one of those situations where you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. If they release early when there are still big issues they want to correct (that can be done so in a short time), then the game starts off with bad initial impressions, which they do not need. If they delay, everyone speculates the worst, based on the recent history with Elite 11 and Live 13.

I think their best bet is to release the game when it's ready, and not before. If that means it's delayed, so be it. If the game is good, it won't matter. But if they release it half-baked, it's going to tank, patches or not.

# 112 ClevelandinDistress @ 09/16/14 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTF


	Awesome, so you have your game of choice, I'm truly happy for you. However, for others, myself included, there are several facets of 2k that have not made "massive advancements" since 2k11. In fact, quite a bit of what Next Gen 2k14 was, was a regression to many. While its great that you enjoy it, respect that others don't, and others look for a viable alternative that suits the style that they're looking for. I'm someone who wants 2 good basketball games. I'll buy both games. I'll try to play both games. I'll stick with the 1 that feels best to me. If you want to just buy 1 game on namesake alone, or because it better suits your wants and needs, then that's great. To come on a separate forum to belittle others opinions and attempt to dissuade anyone instead of holding tight for your game isn't needed.

Modes, not gameplay.

# 113 WTF @ 09/16/14 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandinDistress


	Modes, not gameplay.

I don't follow you. I'm a gameplay guy, so modes aren't big to me. As long as I have a serviceable Dynasty Mode, I'm good.

# 114 dtq @ 09/16/14 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTF


	I don't follow you. I'm a gameplay guy, so modes aren't big to me. As long as I have a serviceable Dynasty Mode, I'm good.

I'll connect the dots for you.

You wrote:

Quote:


	In fact, quite a bit of what Next Gen 2k14 was, was a regression to many.

ClevelandinDistress wrote:

Quote:


	Modes, not gameplay.

NBA 2K14 Next Gen only regressed in modes, not gameplay.

# 115 El_Poopador @ 09/17/14 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtq


	I'll connect the dots for you. You wrote: ClevelandinDistress wrote: NBA 2K14 Next Gen only regressed in modes, not gameplay.

A lot of people felt otherwise. I still see people commenting that the controls for last gen felt tighter, and that 2k14 for last gen has better gameplay.

# 116 UNabomb @ 09/17/14 02:05 PM

3 weeks is more than enough if you have a big and committed team that are willing to give to their fans what they really want, they can get the job done, i'm sure they are, and after all this years, if they haven't done it so, it is because they don't want to, because we are not talking about a rookie company, we are talking about EA SPORTS for GOD sakes.

# 117 shutdown10 @ 09/18/14 11:03 AM

We all want to see more footage of the game, but that is not going to happen because the game is still in a state where it does not animate well to be compared to the real thing. Why do you guys think we were only given two 15 to 20 second videos of gameplay footage. If they showed 5 minutes of that current build then the pitches and forks would have unleashed on them again because more awful animations would have been exposed. They are going to use those three weeks to try and address as many of those weird animations. A delay is still not good for their press, but we all just have to wait and see.

# 118 GisherJohn24 @ 09/18/14 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shutdown10


	We all want to see more footage of the game, but that is not going to happen because the game is still in a state where it does not animate well to be compared to the real thing. Why do you guys think we were only given two 15 to 20 second videos of gameplay footage. If they showed 5 minutes of that current build then the pitches and forks would have unleashed on them again because more awful animations would have been exposed. They are going to use those three weeks to try and address as many of those weird animations. A delay is still not good for their press, but we all just have to wait and see.

That footage isn't final build correct? Why not wait till final build then judge away. They will show more with final build .

# 119 thesniper321 @ 09/27/14 06:47 PM

I guess the game is about to go gold....
No?

# 120 yungflo @ 10/10/14 07:52 AM

What can you do in two weeks? My guess, it got delayed because of sales and maybe a day one patch. But for the most part, I think it has to do with sales. Most people game games within the release window, the majority of sales come within that time frame, unless its like a gta or something.

Live needs as much sales as it can get so they knocked it back so it will be closer to the nba season. Matter of fact, it comes out the same day as the start of the nba season. No brainer. Oct 28th rolls around, you'll see live adverts everywhere. Makes sense.

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