NBA Playgrounds - a new IP from Saber Interactive - launches in May and the first gameplay information has been posted on the PlayStation Blog.

Shooting and dunking success will be dependent on releasing the shoot button at the peak of your shooting motion. Doing so will add bonus points if done perfectly. On the flip side, user will look to time the steal and push buttons/commands correctly to try and stop the offense.

Get enough buckets and the game will allow users to spin the 'Lottery Pick wheel' for s short-term bonus, such as increased speed, increased dunk height, increased shot percentage, et al.

The title will feature over 200 current and former players. Some of the revealed former players include Allen Iverson, Walt Frazier, and Shaquille O'Neal, among others. Players can unlock new players and signature moves by winning games.

Continue on to see the NBA Playgrounds gameplay trailer and a link to the gameplay info at the PlayStation Blog. ...

MLB The Show 17 has released game update 1.03. This update addresses gameplay, uniform, and functionality issues.

Among the most notable improvements include online gameplay fixes, adding in names to the back of the Tigers' road uniforms, as well as rectifying issues with year to year saves and message handling.

Continue on to see the released patch notes from Sony San Diego. ...

Even as the NBA regular season comes to a close, NBA 2K17 continues to put out game updates.

Game update 1.12 is now available for NBA 2K17 and includes notable gameplay improvements, such as improved double team logic and rotations, improved logic for off-ball collisions, offensive AI enhancements, and more.

Continue on to read the list of patch fixes courtesy 2K Sports. ...

Today, Saber Interactive announced that next month (May), they will be releasing NBA Playgrounds, an arcade-style basketball game in the mold of NBA JAM and NBA Street. Utilizing current players as well as legends, NBA Playgrounds features over-the-top moves and dunks in offline, online, and co-op modes in (based on the trailer, at least) 2-on-2 action.

Retailing for $20, NBA Playgrounds will be available on PS4, XB1, PC, and the Nintendo Switch. This helps give the Switch a sorely needed sports title, but appears to be Saber Interactive's first foray into the sports realm. Other titles recently developed by the company include Halo Online, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and the upcoming Quake Champions.

Due to his prevalence in the game trailer and social media profiles, it would appear that Allen Iverson will be the game's digital cover athlete. It will be his first time on the cover of a basketball game since gracing the cover of NBA 2K, 2K1, 2K3, and ESPN NBA Basketball (1999-2003). However, since then he has been featured as a playable legend in basketball titles developed by both EA SPORTS and 2K Sports.

Continue on to see the trailer and also some of the first info on the game courtesy IGN. ...

EA Play 2017 will take place June 10-12 from Hollywood, California. At this event, fans will learn about upcoming titles such as Star Wars Battlefront II, the next Need for Speed title, Madden NFL 18, EA SPORTS FIFA 18, and NBA LIVE 18.

EA Play began in 2016 when the company, Electronic Arts, decided to hold their own event around the same timeframe as the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). This change allowed them to standout from the gluttony of gaming news that emerged at once, while also giving them more freedom (or control, depending on your point of view) for presentations, media & public access, etc.

If you plan on being in the area, tickets will be available beginning April 20. EA plans to announce details on the ticketing process relatively soon. As an aside, E3 takes place just days later, June 13-15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Continue on to read the first information on EA Play straight from EA SPORTS. ...

NASCAR Heat Evolution developer & publisher Dusenberry Martin Racing has announced that it is rebranding to 704Games. Along with the name change, the company has hired Paul Brooks as CEO. Brooks is a former senior vice president of NASCAR and president of NASCAR media group. In 2016 he became an investor in DMR and serves as Chairman of the Board.

704Games will be releasing a NASCAR mobile racing game this spring and a sequel to the console version of NASCAR Heat Evolution this fall. ...

Game update 1.08 is now available for EA SPORTS FIFA 17.

The update focuses primarily on Ultimate Team, visuals/presentation, along with a few gameplay changes.

Continue on to read the patch notes via the PS4. ...

In the final Twitch livestream before the release of MLB The Show 17, the development team broadcasted what they referred to as a "Mega Stream."

In the lengthy broadcast, the devs showcased graphical improvements (including lighting, faces, grass tech, classic stadiums, & more), Road to the Show, and the annual developer tournament.

Continue on to see the archived segments featuring graphical improvements as well as a look at Road to the Show. ...

Game update 1.11 is now available for Madden NFL 17. This update addresses issues in gameplay, Ultimate Team, and also some stability issues.

The most noteworthy fix addresses a bug where the offensive tackle would play a blocking animation without actually engaging a defender.

Continue on to see the patch notes courtesy EA SPORTS. ...

Madden NFL Mobile has received its second update of 2017. The update adds in on the field playcalling, inbox improvements, and Defensive Gameplan tuning.

Continue on to read the blog entry from Madden NFL Mobile Designer Danny Doeberling. ...

Ahead of Thursday's MLB The Show 17 Road to the Show Twitch livestream, Senior Designer Steve Merka has posted a new entry at the PlayStation Blog detailing some of the changes coming to the mode this year.

In MLB The Show 17, RTTS will play out like a RPG (Role-Playing Game) allowing the user to customize the look, playing style, and path of their created player. The ultimate goal is to become a Hall Of Fame player and make it to Cooperstown.

Continue on to read Merka's blog.

(Also, if the name Steve Merka sounds familiar, it should: Merka is a former designer from EA SPORTS' NCAA Football franchise.) ...

March Madness is upon us and that means it is time for the 2017 TGT Tournament Challenge on ESPN.com. It is free to join the group and the winner of the Tournament Challenge group will receive their choice of either a $20 PSN, XBL, or Nintendo card if they are not a site Donator. If a site Donator wins, they will receive a free game of their choosing (up to $60 value). (Must be Donator by March 22, 2017.)

Feel free to invite friends and family to join the group. The more, the merrier! Continue on for a direct link to the Tournament Challenge group and then share your Final Four predictions with the community. ...

Follow the jump to view the archived livestream of the MLB The Show 17 Franchise Mode livestream. ...

After learning of Franchise Mode improvements such as Critical Situations, Player Lock, and Quick Manage coming to MLB The Show 17 in Monday's GameStop video, a new entry at the PlayStation Blog provides the first details on Player Quirks.

Based on this early information, Player Quirks appears to be similar to the 'Badge' system utilized in the NBA 2K series - a way to give players specific traits and skills beyond what ratings alone can provide.

More details on Player Quirks, Critical Situations, Quick Manage, and other Franchise Mode improvements are expected in this Thursday's MLB The Show 17 Twitch livestream. Continue on to read the Player Quirks excerpt from the PlayStation Blog. ...

In this week's Gamestop MLB Mondays video, Designer Matt Schaeffer provides a first look at three new Franchise Mode features: Critical Situations, Player Lock, and Quick Manage. As Schaeffer notes in the brief video, the improvements are designed to create quicker, more impactful game experiences while allowing the user to maintain full control over their team.

Critical Situations - As simulating games users can hop into late inning, game deciding moments instantly. Also includes lighter moments such as statistical milestones, including completing the cycle, for example.

Player Lock - Can play controlling only your 'favorite players.' This is similar to Road to the Show and also Player Lock as found in NCAA Football, for example.

Quick Manage - New text-based simulation mode. User can hop in and out at anytime, while having the full managerial decisions at your disposal, including pitching around batter, calling for hit and run, etc.

More Franchise info will come this Thursday during the Twitch livestream. Continue on to see the Gamestop MLB Mondays video. ...

In the latest Gamestop MLB Mondays video, MLB The Show 17 Designer & Script Writer Kirby St. John reveals some of the improvements coming to commentary & presentation.

Full MLB Network broadcast package including announcers, on-screen displays, and theme music. Two new color commentators have been added to the game: MLB Network's Harold Reynolds and Dan Plesac will be joining returning PBP man Matt Vasgersian. Reynolds & Plesac will be replacing Eric Karros and Steve Lyons.

Unique to the MLB Network experience will be Showtrack, a new presenation tool to help analyze and show off the action on the field as it happens, with the statistics behind the athletic feats.

Continue on to see the Gamestop MLB Mondays Commentary & Presentation video. ...

The third installment of NBA 2K17's 'Park After Dark' series takes place tonight at 10 PM CT (Saturday, February 25). This event will feature music 'produced' by DJ Premier and also music from Joe Budden.

The previous two events were highlighted by music from Snoop Doog and Future, respectively, however technical issues kept many from enjoying or even partaking in the activity. Issues including the inability to connect to the server/room and being unable to join or begin games or activities.

Continue on to see info regarding the event straight from 2K Sports. ...

On Thursday's MLB The Show 17 Twitch livestream, Designer/Community Manager Ramone Russell and Live Content Producer Stephen Hass were joined by other game designers to discuss 'the little things' - aspects of the title that are not 'back of the box' worthy, but would aid in game immersion for the user.

Some of the items mentioned in the 90+ minute stream: new legends include Jason Giambi & Luis Aparicio, a look at every uniform combination in the game, improved stadium Jumbotron graphics, improvements to Diamond Dynasty, and much more.

Continue on to see the Twitch archive as well as screenshots from the livestream. ...

The 2017 team update is now available as DLC for NASCAR Heat Evolution.

Currently retailing for $9.99 on XBL & PSN, the DLC includes team & roster updates, 2017 paints schemes and schedule, and more. This is the final paint scheme update and no further updates will be coming for NASCAR Heat Evolution as the next iteration in the series is expected this fall.

Continue on to see a quick look at the 2017 team update in-game, including a preview of the roster and paint schemes. ...