Headlines

In conjunction with the release of the NBA LIVE 18 demo, EA SPORTS has announced that Houston Rockets star James Harden will be the cover athlete for the game. (Harden was previously one of the NBA 2K16 cover athletes.)

Along with a cover announcement, the company also announced that the game will be available September 15 and that those who pre-order the game from participating retailers can receive 33% off the cost, making it cost approximately $40.

Does the demo and lower cost make you more likely to try and purchase the title this year? Continue on to see the cover athlete reveal trailer. ...

EA SPORTS has announced the full soundtrack listing for NBA LIVE 18. The soundtrack will contain 31 songs featuring artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, and Kid Cudi.

After curating the soundtrack for NBA LIVE 14, NBA LIVE 15, and NBA LIVE 16, Mick is no longer involved. Continue on to see the blog entry and full track listing from EA SPORTS. ...

2K Sports has posted a new video blog detailing the improvements made to the graphics, player models, jerseys, shoes, tattoos, body types, and more coming NBA 2K18.


Narrated by 2K18 Art Director Joel Friesch, the video showcases the visual improvements coming to the game this fall. The end of the video announces the free NBA 2K18 Prelude returning, coming September 8. No details on Prelude contents were announced at this time. ...

Ahead of next Friday's release of the NBA LIVE 18 demo, the NBA LIVE Companion App (v2.0) is now available on both iOS and Android. The app will allow users to scan their face for use in NBA LIVE 18's single-player mode, The One.

The app adds in a skin color slider setting for users, but lacks the ability to add in hairstyles and does not have a viewable 3D version of the final scan as were in the previous app (v1.0 for NBA LIVE 16). As in 16, users can enter player name and select college, hometown, state, and uniform number.

Download links: iOS - Android ...

Confirmed by EA SPORTS, NBA LIVE 18 will include the WNBA, joining EA SPORTS FIFA as including female squads.


GI's Matt Bertz notes that EA SPORTS treated the WNBA with the same level of detail as they do the men, getting face-scans and motion capturing female players, while also aiming for gameplay to match the style of the league. The teams & players will not be included in The One or Dynasty modes, but could not be ruled out for inclusion in Live Ultimate Team, per comments from Producer Mike Mahar. At launch they can only be accessed in Play Now or Online Versus match-ups. ...

In a series of videos showcasing the seven real-life streetball courts in the game, EA SPORTS has announced the NBA LIVE 18 demo will be available on Friday, August 11. No further information on the demo were made available at this time.

In a new area of the official product website, more on 'The Streets' aspect of 'The One' mode were disclosed. Users can participate in Live Events (appearing similar to the temporary challenges/events found in LIVE Mobile), LIVE Run (competitive multiplayer games), and Pro-Am Tour (solo story and throwback challenges).

The seven real-life venues are Rucker Park, the Drew League, Venice Beach, The Crawsover, Dyckman Park, Barry Farms, and Chesashore Playground. ...

Coaching Adjustments, a popular feature from the NCAA Football franchise, will be coming to Madden NFL 18. The feature will be very similar, but with some additions and updates since we saw it last.

One of the bigger additions is another highly requested community request, Cornerback Matchups. Users now have the ability to select from one of five ways for their CBs to be assigned to WRs: By Overall, By Speed, By Height, By Route Running, or By Depth Chart.

In addition, the CPU will also utilize the Coaching Adjustments feature in specific situations.

Continue on to read the blog from EA SPORTS on the new Coaching Adjustments feature. ...

Madden NFL Designer and former NFL offensive lineman Clint Oldenburg has authored a new blog on some of the new features and highlights coming to blocking in Madden NFL 18.

Some of the new features include ID the Mike, Offensive Line Unit Awareness, and a bevy of tuning and improvements to blocking logic.

ID the Mike is a risk/reward mechanic that allows users to identify the Mike linebacker or who the fifth target of the offensive line should be. Offensive Line Unit Awareness will see your O-Line play above their ratings in recognizing and picking up blitzes, led by the awareness rating of your center.

Continue on to read full details on the blocking improvements coming to Madden NFL 18 in the blog from EA SPORTS. ...

2K Sports has begun to start the reveal of NBA 2K18 game news and info beginning with a very in-depth blog from Senior Producer Erick Boenisch on the additions and improvements coming to MyLEAGUE and MyGM modes.

Some of the many additions & improvements listed include: a narrative-based, story-driven MyGM mode, a number of details from the 2017 CBA, G-League integration, draft-and-stash, an analytics tool, rebranding in existing arena, All-Star location selection experience, player accessory frequency, and much more. While 2K's depth and options may almost become daunting and overwhelming at times, at least the options are there for hardcore fans to engage in them.

NBA 2K continues to be the sports leader in franchise mode depth and options and it appears 2K18 continues that trend. As Boenisch states at the conclusion of the blog: "I shouldn’t be at this point, but I am continually surprised at how little support other sports games give their franchise modes. I vowed long ago to never let the NBA 2K franchise regress to that mean." The advantage and lead 2K now seemingly has in franchise/career modes over other sports titles may be large enough to almost become embarrassing. Will any of them try to bridge the gap in upcoming years?

Continue on to read the blog from Boenisch and 2K Sports. ...