EA's NBA sim still on track for 2012

[Andrew]

EA's NBA sim still on track for 2012

No new info, just some comments that reiterate that they're returning to the sim market next year and that they're committed to a successful reboot of the series.

"Anytime you're looking to reboot a franchise, you're looking to find a different type of creative energy," Wilson told me as I sat down with him at a recent EA Sports event. "When we rebooted the 'FIFA' franchise, we introduced a whole new team that rebuilt that engine from scratch. We did the same for 'NHL.' We completely rebooted and rebuilt that game with a new creative team.

"And while the 'NBA' creative energy could've happened anywhere, it just so happened that we had some developers in the EA Tiburon studios who were very, very passionate basketball fans. The Orlando Magic literally train 100 yards from our studio there, so we have a big basketball culture built around that creative energy, and what we will deliver will be a fantastic game."

It also mentions that the decision to delay the game another year had nothing to do with the lockout, though given that announcement came long before the lockout was underway I would've figured that went without saying.

[TGz Champion]

Finally some news on this game. Im very excited

[Andrew]

I'm definitely hoping they can come back strong. I still feel there's a market for two sim oriented titles, with different approaches to control schemes. EA's title does need to lift its game in overall gameplay, strategy and depth of game modes but if the last couple of years have been put to good use, it has a shot. It could also win a few people back with robust online support, which NBA 2K12 has obviously had problems with so far. Hopefully our Wishlist materials can have a positive impact, the dev team were very receptive to the feedback.

[Ermolli]

I really hope EA delivers a great sim NBA game so people can decide between two competitive games.

[saharor1]

yeah finally they said something about the game
now the question will be if they will release the game for PC too

[Andrew]

Fingers crossed.

[RLeWorm]

i'm so excited for this game! For the past 4 years i've been buying 2k games and now i'm tired of them. Its not that its getting old it sucks. They never get the online right when it has been the biggest problems in the games. I'm just tired of 2k and the excuses they make with all of the problems.

[Andrew]

The door certainly seems to have been left open and I still feel that competition is good for both sides. Hopefully EA's game is solid across the board, I'm not expecting it to wipe the floor with 2K or completely catch up in all areas straight away, that's setting the bar way too high. Getting on the right track and taking some big steps forward is feasible though and should still result in a good game.