How will NBA Live 07 pwn NBA 2k7

[Tuomas]

I've done my part of hating Live and praising 2k series recently, but this year I have very high hopes for NBA Live. EA could learn something from 2k series rather than always going their own way in every things, since 2k6 is a lot of things right, and we do remember 2k ripping some features of past Live games.

Now 2k series isn't that appealing to me anymore, it's getting rather boring and as a Live preferrer I really want to see Live getting the upper hand in the competition.

What are the things Live has to do good and better to achieve this?

-Player appearance. While 2k series has had better player models, Live has recently been better with player faces. With a little more work this shouldn't be a tough task to overcome.

-Dynasty. 2k6 has a deep association, so Live could use a bit following, since 2k series ripped Live's shot adjusting and freestyle control a few years back.

-Gameplay. While 2k freaks claim that it's more realistic, Live has more experience to offer a smoother and more fun gameplay. Keep it fun and playable, and at the same time tweak the animations keeping it realistic.

-Authenticy. Since NBA Live is doing things with ESPN, it could be time to see some great uses of TV-style presentation. EA should also add a real TV-style camera-angle that 2k6 has.

-Extras. Shoes and jerseys have been a part of Live since 2003 and they should continue to develop this, since for us gear freaks it's a little peace of digital heaven Keep the game and the gear fresh


Now in order to keep this thread different from other wishlists, try thinking of things that

-EA has done better than 2k and should continue doing it
-What EA has the ability to do better than 2k
-What 2k is better that EA should think about doing

[koberulz]

It won't.

[Tuomas]

Come on, if you don't have something real to say, STFU!

I really think EA can top 2k.. at least at my perspective.

[J@3]

It won't.

Spot on.

The only thing EA can beat the 2K series at is graphics/display, nothing else. Even things EA are building up as huge gameplay improvements (foot planting) is being done in 2K7 aswell, only without the circus to follow it around.

Advantages Live has over the 2K series:

- Graphics
- Display
- All Star Weekend
- Brand name
- Available on PC
- Sound

Advantages 2K has over the Live series:

- Gameplay
- Dynasty mode
- VIP
- Commentary
- Create-A-Player
- Tendancy sliders
- Name recognition
- Unlockables
- Longevity
- Less irritating bugs
- Slider control
- In-Game presentation
- Player movements
- Player appearance

There's more, but I'll leave it at that. As a result of creating my own sliders (and not just relying on someone at 2K Sports forums) I could seriously care less about the NBA Live series these days. I've been loyal to them for years, ever since Live 97 to be exact, but there's just been too many let-downs from Live 2001 onwards. I think with EA being such a huge company, they seem to take for granted the fact that everyone knows what NBA Live is and they'll buy it regardless. The 2K Sports team listens to the people who play the game (they actually answer questions on their forums) and make adjustments accordingly. I'll never buy Live again unless they really lift their game, I have my replacement.

[Tuomas]

I have to agree with a lot of the things you said, I got my this year's NBA gaming from 2k6 is well. I still would like to make myself think that EA can top 2k in some areas it already has done and in some areas it has potential in.

EA should do more instead of just saying all the promises.

[J@3]

EA definitely has the capabilities. They would have alot more resources at their disposal, and they both work in the same period of time. I don't know for sure, but I get the feeling they concentrate more on gameplay gimmicks, as opposed to gameplay fixes. Like the free style superstars thing... it's a nice touch, but not what you want to build that years release on. Not mentioning the fact that it is somewhat buggy, and they did NOTHING to the dynasty mode. People were saying it's because of the next-gen release, they didn't have time etc but the 360 version of Live 06 has nothing in it. No dynasty mode, all star weekend, FSS etc.

[SHAFT23]

The thing with EA is that probably right after the Live 06 , they go and see what they can do with LIve 07. They ofcourse are gonna bring back some old lost feature. The jump- pass in spins? please....... who wants that? How often do you see that in an NBA game? It may even make it a stupid abusable move that guys are gonna abuse especially online. After they make some little improvements, they don't really get to change anythign big. This year it's the 360 rotation thing and the skating. It's great, but overall gameplay might still be the same . it may jus tlook better. The truth is that AE has it's own agenda and it goes by a couple of reviews online or by some first hand gamers and starts developing the next game too early sothat they don't have any real Live fans telling them what to improve.

[Tuomas]

EA definitely has the capabilities. They would have alot more resources at their disposal, and they both work in the same period of time. I don't know for sure, but I get the feeling they concentrate more on gameplay gimmicks, as opposed to gameplay fixes. Like the free style superstars thing... it's a nice touch, but not what you want to build that years release on. Not mentioning the fact that it is somewhat buggy, and they did NOTHING to the dynasty mode. People were saying it's because of the next-gen release, they didn't have time etc but the 360 version of Live 06 has nothing in it. No dynasty mode, all star weekend, FSS etc.

It's definetly true that they make a big fuss about little things, like freestyle in 2003 and pro hop in 2004. They should definetly base and market the games purely through the whole package, not just a new feature.

I was shocked myself with 2006 version of Live on any platform, I skipped it wisely, but I truely hope 07 will be a new beginning to the franchise rather than another patch.

[Scotty]

-EA has done better than 2k and should continue doing it
-What EA has the ability to do better than 2k
-What 2k is better that EA should think about doing

that's true and it feels like they are going downhill because they know they have been winners and they can quit while they're ahead, but if they're gonna act like that 2k will pass them come release.
EA has the brand name and popularity over 2k, so they think they can just stay on par with the previous live and update rosters, well 2k is slowly overcoming this factor and it could be the death of them if they dont watch out.
2k is better because they have nothing to lose........

[The X]

I have owned the following versions of Live:
'95 & '97 (Mega Drive), '98 & '99 (PC), '00 (PSX), '02 (PS2), '04, '05 & '06 (PC)

as you can see I've only missed 3 versions of Live ('96, '01 & '03 which were probably the 3 worst in the series) & have owned Live on 4 different platforms which is an unbelievable feat in itself....all that being said, unless something dramatic happens there is a good chance that Live '06 could be my last....I'm about to get my XBox 360 & get NBA2k6....NBA2k7 will have better graphics than 2k6 & will be a better game & not a port....if 2k6 impresses me a lot, Live could see the door....it's pretty bad when you think about it, I'm about as loyal a Live fan that you could find anywhere in the world & I'm ready to walk away from it....I guess it just goes back to the old adage, once a cheater, always a cheater....if a girl (EA) was to cheat on you (let us down) then they will do it again & again (let us down time & time again)....I guess eventually the poor sucker (me in this case) gets the idea & reluctantly moves on.....all this being said, I would not rule out getting Live again if they put out a quality product....to use my example, say the cheating girl has a younger sister who is even hotter than your ex & doesn't cheat or let you down

NB: I've never been cheated on, that is merely a real life illustration of what the producers of NBA Live do....

[Scotty]

oh and multiplayer Association in 2k7
everyone has been waiting for that

[The X]

oh and multiplayer Association in 2k7
everyone has been waiting for that

can't forget that....I can finally start a dynasty with my brother

all this 2k7 positive talk is great, but since it's a Live forum, I really would love to see Live '07 & future Lives being great games....I've invested a lot of time & money into the Live series & would love to see it get to the level of Madden....as a consumer, it is better to have 2 superb bball titles on the market to choose from than 1 or none....

[Metsis]

We don't know dick about the new NBA Live... Only some very random stuff from the graphical side of things that were shown in E3... It's been nearly a month and they are still holding back...

What are they hiding? I really hope they are hiding something... Since a few graphical gimmicks can't make a game... There has to be something more... I'm waiting on EA to reveal it's playbook for this year!

We still don't know anything of NBA Live 07... So don't judge before they actually tell us what they have done with the game.

2k series will never beat Live in my books... Or at least as long as its not coming out for the PC. I'm not going to get a console for this...

[J@3]

Is it a good thing that we don't know anything though? I mean you know as well as any of us, EA loves to brag about their new game improvements as far as Live goes. All we heard about last year was free style superstars, they rammed it down our throats like never before... no mention of dynasty mode or anything (which wasn't improved). It's not really EA's style to hide things or to keep secrets, we can all hope they're using the time to improve the game out of sight but you never know.

[R.J.]

I've never played 2k6, but at least this time I won't buy Live out of the gate. I'll play it a little from Blockbuster, listen to some reviews, and then make my choice. No more buying it every year.

Years bought:

98
02
03
04
05
06
?

[Andrew]

It may sound like a cop out answer and I guess in some ways it is, but if NBA Live 07 is going to gain more critical acclaim as well as more fan support than it's rival NBA 2K7, to "own it", it's going to have to be better in every aspect or at least most of them. Otherwise in the eyes of players and the video game media alike it will be at best a tie.

The only 2K game I've played is this year's version and while I was impressed with Association and would love to see some of those features make Dynasty Mode, I still prefer NBA Live. Perhaps it's just simply a matter of what I'm used to but I personally prefer Freestyle Control to 2K's moves system, the dunks and some of the other shooting animations in 2K6 looked a bit awkward and with slider settings I get pretty good results out of NBA Live 06. Call my crazy, call me stuck in my ways or whatever, but I'm still a Live player though I have my gripes. That's not a knock on the 2K series, Live remains my personal preference.

I know not everyone shares that point of view so NBA Live 07 will have to deliver across the board if it is to eclipse NBA 2K7 in the minds of the wider gaming audience. Seeing as it's my game of choice and I'd like the NBA Live series to fulfil its potential, I hope it succeeds in doing that. Not out of spite but simply because I want to see NBA Live be as good as it can be.

[Nick]

Let's not forget that this year EA have the "ESPN" name under their belt. If there's a year when EA lessen the massive gap between 2k's greatness and EA's lameness, then you would think that this year would have to be it.

But, i've had my heart broken ( ) too many times. Therefore i'm not expecting much from EA at all.

If EA didn't make their game on PC i wouldn't even bother with them. Which is dissapointing, since i've loved EA's games so much over the years. I wish i still could, they just make it hard, because thier games are such tacky commercial garbage.

[Anthony15]

If 2k7 comes out for PC, forget Live, I'm definately gettin 2k7.

[Ruff Ryder]

When I think about this, it's kinda funny actually. Call me backwards, but from reading all of you guys's responses, I'm the only one who started with the 2k series and went to Live. Don't get me wrong, I've played almost all of the NBA Live games but I never owned any other than for PS2. I played 97 at my cousins house alot, and I had 99 demo for PC but never really got into it other than that even though I played it for hours on end. But I played alot of NBA Jam 99 at my friends house but I was never a serious gamer because I couldn't afford a console or games.

Anyway, I had always been too poor to own a console. I remember begging my parents for a playstation or n64, but we just couldn't do it. I finally found a deal in this newspaper like thing called "the bulletin boards". Inside of it was a bunch of people selling used stuff from cars, beds, skateboards to videogames, china(plates and stuff), and cabinets. Anyway, I would look in the "Toys & Games" section everytime we got it and one day I found a deal on a Sega Dreamcast. This was in 2001 or 2002 I think. Anyway, it was the DC, 22 games (I think), 2 controllers, stearing wheel+pedals, all for like $150. I showed it to my mom and dad and begged them daily. Heck, I even found a pic of a dreamcast on my dad's pc and set it as the wallpaper to keep reminding him, because he was such a procrastinator. Well I had heard tons of good things about the 2k series, so I was really eager to see if it was one of the available games. And what do ya know? Yep, NBA 2k1!

So when we got the console finally I was ecstatic. I played 2k1 to death. I was also pissed off at the lack of options in it though. Number one, you couldn't edit players or their ratings. Number two, in the gameplay the only crossover guys like AI could do was the behind the back. No between the legs crossover, heck, only bad ball handlers had a normal crossover. So I was really looking for some kind of alternative to this game, but there were no other bball games available on Dreamcast.

Well, I was at Youth Camp in Florida, my first year I did it. I think I was about 12. Well, we brought a PS2 (I was hyped! A couple of my friends had one but I never really got a good chance to play it. Plus NBA Street!). During my freetime I would come back to the cabin and just play videogames all the time. Then I discovered this game called "NBA Live 2002". I had always wanted to play a game of the NBA Live series, but I never could. I remember looking up reviews, screenshots, and movies for the Live series, which even brought me here to the black and white site. I remember reading Andrew's reviews (I think) and he didn't have one for 2002 because it didn't launch on PC.

Anyway, this game was pretty sharp graphically. It had alot of dunks, Vince Carter doing windmills, and crossover moves! Behind the backs, between the legs, wow! Now the animations weren't as fluid as 2k, but I could definately work with this.

That's how I got attached to the Live series. I had always held an optimistic view for the following years version because I really wanted it to be better than 2k. I eventually got a PS2 and Live 2003 which I played the hell out of lol.

But most of you guys never played the 2k series in between and I did but IMO it just wasn't good enough. I remember renting 2k4 for PS2 and hit had really good graphics but there were bugs and stuff I hated. Guys like Gilbert Arenas could jump from the FT line and dunk it like LeBron. They added an animation where a player juggles a pass and tries to tip it to themself but it often made them step out of bounds and that really made me mad. Live had just debuted the freestyle dribble deal but 2k couldn't match it so they added a "Pivot mode" which was just gay and pointless.

And this year I've found some of the gameplay in 2k6 really boring compared to Live. Number one, it's severely limited in dunks. I was really impressed when I went into practice mode with a highflyer and found all of these crazy dunks. Then I decided to test out other dunkpacks and I practiced with Amare and OMG! He dunks like himself! Power slams! Wow, I swear I saw Amare do that dunk in a game! 2Ks dunks are just boring, the game isn't quite as exciting. But I traded Live 06 in for 2k6 and got Live for PC. I thought all of this freestyle superstar stuff was great.

But I guess you can say I've favored EAs game over Segas for the same reasons you favor 2k over Live. You guys all started with Live and looked for an alternative and were very impressed with what you got. Vice-versa for me, and I'll continue buying Live as well as 2k.

I wanted to add something else that actually had something to do with this thread in this post, but I made it too long and I doubt you guys would read all of it. I'll just post it later.

[M Harlem]

I think EA is doing the right thing by holding back because 2k do everything EA do like the footwork 2k wasnt thinking about doing footwork untill EA unveiled it at E3 2ksports steal EA ideas all the time like freestyle, shot adjustments, charge button, on the fly subs EA is capable of out doing 2k EA come up with the best ideas point blank but their problem is its either to powerfull or to weak now if they come up with something to outshine 2k7 I bet it will be in 2k8 EA is doing right I wouldnt say nothing untill I know 2ksports dont have time to develope what they did.

[Ruff Ryder]

Do you know what a fucking period is? "." Use them.

And 2k never took "Footwork" from EA, they've had it in the game since 2k5.

[volsey]

yea i couldnt understand a thing you just said Harlem. Anways, to me it just seems like the makers of 2k sports are more basketball fans than those at EA. 2k talked about wanting to make a more fluid game with the on the fly subs, and choosing what type of pass you want to make, while EA always brags about something new in their graphics, or new way to do sweet dunks and so on, to me it just seems like the makers of 2k care more than the makers of EA. I dont really care who copied who, i just care about who did it better.

[M Harlem]

Do you know what a fucking period is? "." Use them.

And 2k never took "Footwork" from EA, they've had it in the game since 2k5.

Stupid biatch like I said untill EA unveiled footwork at E3 2k wouldnt never even put it in their game sony press conference was before the game show. Their game is 50% done shouldnt footwork be one of the first thing they work on?

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ ... media.html

Listen to Rob Jones (show demostratoin video) now they have a team working on footwork and you claim it been in their game come on dude.

[BIG GREEN]

The Black Death is right, I suggest you take an english class A.S.A.P

[M Harlem]

The Black Death is right, I suggest you take an english class A.S.A.P

I suggest you to stay off my d**k