Headlines

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. ...