The Gaming Tailgate Video Podcast
Grouped by respective categories, but in no specific order, here are 17 things we hope to see in NBA LIVE 17 - and beyond. What are the top five or ten items you hope to see in the basketball title this fall? What items did we miss or how would you build upon any of the ideas expressed below? After viewing our list, make sure to share your thoughts with the community below.
Continue on for the lengthy read.
The Fundamentals
- More Accurate Rosters, Editing & Sharing: Perhaps the most basic starting point for any sports game, rosters have been a sore point for the franchise since its return with NBA LIVE 14. While the goal seemingly began to utilize Synergy for updated daily rosters, it currently takes weekly updates for roster changes to be implemented and reflected in-game. d Each year it has taken weeks for rookies and new players (acquired or traded) mid-season to finally be reflected in-game. Players/rookies who have yet to play are bad enough, but when key contributors are missing, one of the lowest base expectations of the game (correct rosters) has not been met. In addition, there have been weeks in which no roster update was issued - with no communication from the studio/dev team. These issues have existed for three years under three different designers in charge of rosters which indicates a larger issue with the roster technology and methodology, especially when the competing basketball title can push out daily roster updates.
This issue could have been somewhat alleviated if the game included roster editing, player creation, and roster sharing similar to that found in the Madden NFL franchise.
- Community Involvement & Interaction; Marketing: There is a passionate group of NBA LIVE fans who tweet, livestream, post videos featuring game ideas and feedback, and genuinely desire to see the franchise succeed. Some of these same fans have felt their feedback and ideas are not being heard as there is an understandable lack of response - it would be impossible for all videos and comments to be noticed and/or receive a reply. While the idea behind their public game feedback and ideas are genuine and well-intentioned, the franchise needs more public videos of bugs and issues like the proverbial hole in the head. After all, isn't that part of the reason the franchise is in the position it finds itself in?
There are ways to channel this feedback into a productive manner, such as establishing a public e-mail account for feedback to be sent to or perhaps copy what NCAA Football and Madden NFL have done in the past with crowd-sourcing information. If the feedback is truly welcome, this could help ensure as many details as possible are included and properly represented in the game as well as fostering and growing the community.
Community members who share feedback want to know they are being heard or feel that they are helping in some small way with the title. As the franchise keeps improving, the community payoff in waiting to see if feedback has been heard or utilized cannot come only once a year - it needs to be an on-going practice. Currently, the inability to develop consistent feedback and interaction with the community is only alienating fans and perpetuating doubts that the franchise is not long for this world.
Perhaps most importantly, the company needs to market the game. With the lack of mainstream marketing efforts for the title at launch, some fans take it as a vote of 'no confidence' by the studio while leaving casual fans in the dark about the mere existence of the title.
- Big Moments & LIVE Season Working from the Get-go: Another issue that has existed in the franchise for the past three years (and may have actually gotten worse the last two years) is the infrequency of updates and playable games in the Big Moments and LIVE Season modes, respectively. It took until mid-December for Big Moments and Rewind features to begin working in NBA LIVE 16 and as of this writing, it appears Synergy/Rewind is barely working and Big Moments are not being added to match the season. (Currently, the Trophy/Achievement for completing a Big Moment within 24 hours of being published has been unattainable all year due to this issue.) As with other aspects above, there has been no communication or statement from EA SPORTS as to the status of the feature(s). If these modes cannot work as intended or designed, there is a strong argument to be made that they should be removed.
Gameplay
- Improved/Revamped Post Game: For as much as the perimeter game in NBA LIVE has improved in the last three years, the post game has received little to no help or focus. Signature moves, more variation of moves and outcomes, and more animations would go a long ways here. Worth noting is that the franchise has been solid in terms of making top shot blockers and rebounders stand out. Rebounding animations and logic have been cleaned up in 16, but there's still work to be done.
- Improved Defense (Help Defense, Lane Denial, etc.): Perhaps the biggest complaint regarding NBA LIVE's gameplay is that it's just too easy to get to the basket. Players under the basket are slow to come over and contest drives in their role as the last line of defense and are just not effective enough when they do.
- In-Game Injuries: Perhaps the one gameplay feature that has the biggest ripple effect. Aside from the obvious realism, in-game injuries would help (force?) users to manage a roster in Dynasty Mode, think twice about always driving the lane during gameplay, and utilize a range of players in Ultimate Team.
- Increased User Control & Strategy Controls/Elements: One of the most-repeated lines regarding the direction and goal of gameplay within franchise the last three years has been in providing the utmost control to the user, typically in the form of quick responsiveness. However, that same amount of control does not exist or has been removed in other game areas, such as the ability to select the screener on pick & roll and a manual control options for bounce passes and floaters.
Furthermore and more importantly, some strategy settings do not appear to work or are bugged (legacy issues, at that) - making both the interface and implementation so discouraging that the game is virtually forcing users away from using strategy elements. These non-working or bugged strategy options may be one of the reasons team play styles do not match their real-life counterparts, another big ticket gameplay item that needs addressed.
- Authentic Team Styles, CPU/Player AI, etc.: While NBA LIVE 16 helped make top players stand out and become offensive threats (as compared to being excessively PG-centric in the past), there is little to no differentiation in team playing styles. As mentioned above, this issue may be due in part to some strategy settings/options not working, such as Tempo & Crash Boards. Working plus additional settings, options, and plays (team-specific, offensive, and defensive) may help address this issue.
AI has been an issue for the franchise, namely as it relates to situational and late-game moments. Making the CPU appear more realistic, engaged, and intelligent throughout the course of the game would help each team and game feel unique, as well.
- Improved Animations, Player Movement & Transitions, etc.: A given in terms of natural progression and development for the game, but still worth mentioning. Improved animations have greatly aided the game both visually and in terms of gameplay the last few years. However, there are still plenty of old or disjointed animations that stand out, almost jarring the user's ability to be immersed in a game that is very sharp visually in many areas.
Presentation
- More Details: Signature Moves, Celebrations; Accurate Arena Details, Jerseys, Accessories, etc.: Historically, NBA LIVE has prided itself on getting the details right: uniforms, shoes, crowd chants ('MVP', booing certain players), etc. While still very good overall, the franchise appears to pick its spots on where it wants to be incredibly accurate. Missing/incorrect uniforms, inaccurate courts & arenas, additional sig moves and celebrations are some of the areas where LIVE could stand to reassess its accuracy and how it can improve.
To be fair, many of the assets in-game are based off designs the NBA and/or teams submitted during game development. However, fans of a team will not care why something is inaccurate, they only care that it will be fixed.
- Improved In-Game & Post-Game Atmosphere, Team Celebrations, etc.: Perhaps the most unspoken area of improvement for the franchise is in-game and post-game atmosphere. As is, the game atmosphere only exists from dead ball to dead ball. The crowd may get into the moment, but all crowd momentum is wiped out during a timeout. Should the game be won on a buzzer-beater, the user may be jumping off their couch celebrating as the game seemingly moves at breakneck speed to the end-game presentation and menu screens. Improved in-game atmosphere may include teammates celebrating heading into an opponent's timeout as the crowd roars or walking dejectedly if a big lead has been lost, for example. Post-game team celebrations - particularly if the moment warrants it - would put the proverbial icing on the cake for a great game.
- Surfaced Strategy Controls; Refreshed/Revamped Menus & Screens: Unlike in football titles where users get to pick a play before each snap, basketball gamers must call the majority of their plays and strategy on the fly. NBA LIVE 16's offensive playwheel helped to make it relatively easy to call offensive plays, however it is still very cumbersome to call defensive plays and select strategies during the action.
With the game utilizing ESPN broadcast elements, many parts of NBA LIVE will appear the same each year as ESPN rarely makes sweeping changes on a year to year basis. This can give users who do not or have not played much of the franchise a feeling of déjà vu - those who watched game clips or played demos of previous versions of NBA LIVE will think not much has changed. The menu layout, font, and interface - in-game and menus - needs an overhaul to make them appear fresh as well as making them more user-friendly and intuitive.
Missing and other inaccurate elements include: quarter-by-quarter box score, presenting players by 1-5 in lineups & menus, surfacing pertinent info in menus, et al.
Features
- All-Star Weekend: One of the most-requested features, NBA LIVE fans have been asking for All-Star Weekend (ASW) to return for years. Currently, the game only has the All-Star Game. Fans have been hoping for other festivities to be included which could include the Rising Stars Challenge, All-Star Celebrity Game, Shooting Stars, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk competition. The Slam Dunk competition would be the most difficult considering it would require its own set of mechanics.
All-Star Weekend has its own feel and is when many casual sports fans begin to pay close attention to the NBA. Incorporating ASW would add a mid-season break (and fun) to Dynasty and Rising Star modes. Including an online element to the festivities would add depth to this inclusion, while using licensed legends as part of the Shooting Stars event would ring nostalgic for many. As you can tell, there are many opportunities and possibilities for how All-Star Weekend could be incorporated into multiple facets of the game.
- More Engaging Dynasty & Rising Star Modes: Most likely the biggest areas needing improvement in NBA LIVE 17 are Dynasty/Rising Star - each needs to become more immersive, if not dynamic (or at least the appearance of being so).
The NBA season is a lengthy one, so long that it could be argued that there are several pieces to the year.
1) The year begins with fans and media 'ranking' players. Not just the best at each position, but how the best in the league stack up historically.
2) The early stages of the season typically see a focus on surprise teams/players, underachievers, etc.
3) Towards the middle of the season, focus turns to trade discussions and All-Star Weekend. What players will make the ASG rosters and take part in the ASW festivities?
4) Contenders attempt to bolster their roster and teams that have struggled begin to unload players for the future, if not outright tank for a better chance in the lottery.
5) Coming down the stretch, the battle for home-court advantage and making the playoffs.
6) NBA Playoffs & NBA Draft Lottery
7) NBA Finals
8) NBA Draft, Free Agency, Rookie League, Training Camp
Capturing the feel of each part of the season would give the perception of being 'dynamic' and help keep users immersed. This could be reflected in in-game presentation, commentary, even menu interface & design.
Perhaps the inclusion of team and individual game/season records as well as player historical stats would help users feel that they are part of this larger world. Imagine presentation elements for setting a new game or season scoring record; or perhaps playing as a great such as Kobe Bryant and trying to chase down the all-time scoring leaders as your career winds down.
To make some of these possibilities happen, each mode will need more options: Perhaps users can play as existing player in Rising Star, the option to join existing roster or alter draft (current methodology), option to play as team instead of Player Lock, etc. Dynasty Mode needs to look no further than NBA 2K for the multitude of options that users expect in Dynasty/Franchise.
A popular feature from NCAA Football that shockingly has not permeated all EA SPORTS titles is an in-game score, stat, and news ticker. Such a feature would reap benefits and increase immersion for both Dynasty and Rising Star modes. Seeing scores and match-ups from around the league, as well as stats, stat leaders, and league news would help users feel part of a larger world in these modes instead of the repeated 'one-off' experience that exists now.
Already mentioned above, All-Star Weekend would be a major addition to help more these modes more immersive and enjoyable.
How to accomplish the goal of improving this mode is the biggest point of contention. Should NBA LIVE feature storylines ala NBA 2K? Similarly to Madden NFL, should it rely on an XP system? Should NBA LIVE attempt to incorporate LIVE Pro-Am into the mode? Or perhaps more off-court elements (endorsements, player interactions, etc.) to make players reflect real-life personality traits?
Given how many elements Dynasty & Rising Star currently and could possibly share, should NBA LIVE merge these modes into one, ala Madden NFL's Connected Franchise?
- LIVE Pro-Am 2.0: NBA LIVE 16 featured the most popular community request, online team play. While a fun, popular mode there is still more that the community wants from it in the future.
1) Squads & Customization: The mode is currently very single-player oriented. Adding in the option for squads or communities with some methods of customization (courts, team name, uniforms, stat-tracking, etc.) would continue to build the LIVE Pro-Am community and attachment to the game.
2) Tournament Events: Aside from any new venues added throughout the year, there is very little difference in playing the mode between day one and day 300. Adding in special events, such as tournaments, would encourage the building of communities to work together as squads for these unique competitions. Adding in rewards for participating and/or winning (IE: RP, SP, LUT coins/cards, gear) would make each event meaningful.
3) Easily Viewable/Comparable Stats: While they exist, it is cumbersome to view and compare player stats. Should teams, leagues, tournaments, etc. be added, a way to view stats would be almost necessary to help scout opponents and also for friendly bragging rights among teammates.
4) An instant replay or highlights mode would allow content creators to show off their player in a more unique, personalized way.
5) Additional Modes: A popular request among the Pro-Am community are for more game modes. They include options for: Playing to 21, standard NBA game/rules (or custom quarter length), 2 on 2, 3 on 3, 4 on 4, NBA LIVE 10 LIVE Run format (pro players), etc. While obvious and logical additions, would adding numerous modes dilute the community too much?
6) More Gear & Apparel Options: The lack of options in apparel became apparent as the year went on. The competitor's product went so far as to add Marvel superhero apparel, where as NBA LIVE's lone mid-year apparel update (to date) included very generic clothing options.
- Olympic, FIBA, NBDL, WNBA, CBA, NCAA, et al. Squads & Assets: With the sport having an international flavor, many basketball fans are familiar with teams and leagues from around the world. Including them in NBA LIVE would add more depth to the game than just the existing 30 NBA squads.
Inclusion of some teams/organizations could also be included in Rising Star/Dynasty. For example, imagine that your Rising Star must first rise through the NBDL or foreign leagues and have success in the NBA to earn an invitation to play in the Olympics or international basketball. Or in Dynasty Mode, you could monitor, follow, or even manage players around the world and on varying levels of competition to try and build your desired roster.
Inclusion of these assets could also add additional depth to Ultimate Team and help the likelihood of making each team truly unique. For example, adding in CBA assets would now allow many gamers in the midwest to have a logo or court in or nearby their hometown, increasing user attachment. These assets would also allow for a new level of apparel options within LIVE Pro-Am.
- LIVE Ultimate Team Improvements & New Features: While the most consistent and deepest feature in the game, many in the LUT community have been hoping for more from the mode, especially when comparing it to Ultimate Team in other EA SPORTS titles.
1) Collections, Trading Block: Pretty self-explanatory. #LUTologists tire quickly of auctioning off duplicates when they could put them into a collection for a reward or trade them to a fellow community member. (The Trading Block may be unlikely to happen given the chance for exploits and other shenanigans. However, perhaps there is a way or restrictions that can make it a possibility.)
2) Online Ultimate Team: Perhaps the most surprising UT feature that has yet to be created is 'Online Ultimate Team' - think Online Dynasty meets Ultimate Team. Users can compete with friends in a season/league mode with different options and settings for cards and purchases. Perhaps the first season allows all cards, the second Silver and below. The first season no new cards can be added in, the second could be the wild west and anything goes. Options galore could help keep each season different and satisfy the demands of users.
3) Draft Champions: With new content consistently being added, a mode resembling Madden NFL 16's Draft Champions mode could allow users to play - and subsequently pursue - cards they may not have otherwise.
4) Ability to Use Created Player: Currently you can use your created player in Rising Star and LIVE Pro-Am, so why not the same option in a mode designed for fantasy squads?
In a franchise that is trying to make its mark, why go barebones in this mode when it could be the testing ground for bold, outside the box UT features. The content added throughout the year has been great, but new ways to enjoy the mode could bring more on-board.
While this article is already very lengthy and we've hit 17 items, we couldn't help but add in one more...
- Practice Mode in All Modes: While Practice Mode is beneficial for new users, it is missing within Ultimate Team and LIVE Pro-Am. This means users cannot play with or get accustomed to the style of play or animations for LUT cards or their created Pro-Am player.
Additional options within practice & shootaround would help increase the depth and strategy for users. Options could include authentic game rules including fouls, always keep ball, always on defense, etc. to help users replicate the desired situational experience to get better at the game.
***
These 17 18 items are a lot to expect in one year for NBA LIVE 17, so they should be considered a starting point for community discussion and feedback not just for this year, but now and beyond. What are the top five or ten items you hope to see in the basketball title this fall? What items did we miss or how would you build upon any of the ideas expressed above?
Here are the 18 items to help you post your preferred order of choice:
- More Accurate Rosters, Editing, & Sharing
- Community Involvement & Interaction; Marketing
- Big Moments & LIVE Season Working from the Get-go
- Improved/Revamped Post Game
- Improved Defense
- In-game Injuries
- Increased User Control & Strategy Control/Elements
- Authentic Team Styles, CPU/Player AI, etc.
- Improved Animations, Player Movement & Transitions, etc.
- More Details: Signature Moves, Celebrations; Accurate Arena Details, Jerseys, Accessories, etc.
- Improved In-Game & Post-Game Atmosphere, Team Celebrations, etc.
- Surfaced Strategy Controls; Refreshed/Revamped Menus & Screens
- All-Star Weekend
- More Engaging Dynasty & Rising Star Modes
- LIVE Pro-Am 2.0
- Olympic, FIBA, NBDL, WNBA, CBA, NCAA, et al. Squads & Assets
- LIVE Ultimate Team Improvements & New Features
- Practice Mode in All Modes
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