== NBA Live Depreciation Topic ==

[TheChancellor]

Welcome to the NBA Live Depreciation topic. To start things off, I'd like to say that I'm a huge fan of basketball and have followed the NBA Live series religiously since 1994. Through all these years, never have I been so disappointed with a game. Never. Honestly. This isn't an overstatement. I'm not just saying this because I am extremely pissed at the developers of NBA Live 07. I have NEVER been so disappointed with a game in my life, especially a basketball game.

I tried to enjoy the game. I tried to extract something positive from it, but it didn't work. To even enjoy the game, I had to rely on those outside of EA. The patchers (Thank god for you guys). These people took hours out of their lives to completely modify the way the computer acts in the game. Have you ever stopped to think about this? These people had to change the game! Not add to it. CHANGE IT!

What really bothers me after taking a second to think about it... Is that we now expect to make changes. EA has been putting out garbage for so many years that our standards have lowered to the point where changing their games have become commonplace. Graphically, the game is astounding. But if anyone ever uses "NBA Live 07" and "is realistic" in the same sentence, they deserve to be shot. This brings me to the core of my rant. NBA Live 07's animation.

Years ago when basketball simulation was at its best, there was more to animation than the "wow" factor. When a game sprite is in animation, it's doing something. When it does something, there's an effect. Such was the case even in NBA Live 95, but not in NBA Live 07. Allow me to show you.

Here we have a video comparing EA's two basketball games. NBA Live 95 and NBA Live 07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqNhBXOX9bk

You'll notice that in NBA Live 95, there's a pattern. If there is a loose ball that touches the game sprite, something happens. Be it a steal, block, or rebound. Something happens. And in order to make a successful steal, block, or rebound, you need to be precise in where you direct your player. In NBA Live 95, people are rewarded for their precision when it comes to making actions with their player. EA has steered far from this concept. In Live 2003, it was tolerable. Now it's just out of control.

In NBA Live 07, you'll see something completely different. If a loose ball touches a sprite, NOTHING happens, unless the game allows it through some silly dramatic animation. I feel like the moves and decisions I make aren't in my control. If I were to try a block with perfect execution so that my hand meets with the ball, the situation turns into a game of chance. I have to hope that the game will make me block the ball.

Notice The Blocking Glitch. Why the heck is the ball going THROUGH Troy Murphy's hand? Why? This is no minor glitch. This isn't something that can be ignored. If I press the block button, and I time it just right so that my player's hand connects with the ball, why does absolutely nothing happen? Am I crazy to expect the ball to be deflected? There's no excuse for this because as shown in NBA Live 95, a block can be executed without having to go through another stupid animation.

What's also annoying is that NBA Live 07 has a steal, and a block button... But when you push either of these buttons, the animation that follows isn't the same animation that would be seen when you're actually stealing, or blocking the ball. The Rebounding is fine, but even that sometimes gets out of control. An actual steal shows the defense leaning toward the ball and stripping it while the offense clumsily looks back as his pick pocket leads a fast-break. An actual block shows the defense flying through the air, and swatting the ball while the offense trips and stumbles. Why couldn't a normal swipe at the ball be a steal? Why couldn't a jumping swat be a block? What's even worse is that you could be half-way through the steal or block animation, and suddenly, like some kind of stunt-double, the player completely changes momentum because the game decided that the player actually blocked, or stole the ball.

These glitches are all intertwined with one another. One glitch isn't just one glitch. It leads to another. In the end, you're subconsciously playing a basketball game of glitches.

To close this article/rant, I want to address any EA representative who may have (by some miracle) stumbled on this and read it thoroughly. You need to step up. Step up and speak out on our behalf. Based on the video that you saw, would you honestly say that NBA Live 07 is even close to achieving proper basketball simulation? Watching the game you’d say yes. Playing it is a different story. We've all ranted on the NBA-Live boards before, but to no avail. PC users got a patch that didn't fix any gamplay issues. The substitution fix was wonderful, but all it did was make the starting point guard share half of his points with his relief.

If for NBA live 08, you plan to build on what's currently in 07. Don't bother. Trying to salvage anything from 06 and 07 is a step in the wrong direction. The only way we can enjoy NBA Live 08 is if you make a complete overhaul and start from scratch. Get rid of the freestyle superstars, get rid of the over-dramatic animations that follow a block or steal. Don't add a feature just for realism, make sure it serves a good purpose.

The "running start" animation that happens when you use turbo on a stationary player. That animation actually makes the player move slower in that second than he would if he weren't using turbo. Things like that are just plain annoying. If you want to revolutionize basketball simulation, then redirect your focus and pay attention to the way the game plays. If sacrificing good graphics and realistic animation means better gameplay, so be it.

Note: And please, don't turn this topic into a debate. The issues I've discussed are right there in front of your face. Anyone who is tempted to defend EA after reading this, don't bother posting. My response will be a link to this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmG3ELBoM1c

[TNazT]

BRAVO!!!! Everything I wanted to say executed perfectly with this well thought out arguement. The game is just not like it used to be........

[chungyfied]

exactly my sentiments.
since you have started this topic, i would like to add some opinions.
Like you mentioned, NBA Live is now so full of animations that serve only visually. These animations take control away from the player. As a result, there are many times when you are powerless to control your player as the animation has to be played out.

I feel this is the wrong direction the game is going, basketball is a game of how the player reacts to the situation at a given moment, a player utilises his moves at any point in whatever way to get pass his defender.

In NBA live, using the animation where the player tries to drive past his defender for example, robs you the chance use the moves that YOU as THE PLAYER want to use. When caught in animation, you are stranded to watch the animation to deem whether you get past your defender or not. I, THE PLAYER, would prefer to be able to spin, or do a hesitation move, anything at my disposal, simple because I am THE PLAYER playing a game, not watching TV.

Why cant i crossover when i see someone coming in for the steal? Why can't i adjust my layup if i see someone coming in for the block? Once the animation kicks in, im doomed to whatever the CPU determines This takes away control from the player. In real life, i do not care if my defender reaches in for the steal with no threat, howver if i think he is going to poke the ball away, i will react accordingly. Same with blocks, what i want to do in the game is to be able to react to situations, not caught in animation.

There are many examples of this which i shall not repeat because i am sure many players have felt the same problems.

Another gripe i have is with adjusted shots when the PC puts you into another animation. Other than the fact that a couple of them looks absolutely ridiculous, (one of them being the one where the player suddenly pulls the ball to his chest and attempts something horrible which looks a little like a jumpshot while incidently, remaining in the air for a world record hang time) they somehow are illogical in basketball sense.

For example, if i have my step on my defender driving towards the basket, im gonna hit the layup button because I WANT to lay the ball in. If my defender is going to crash into me, i am still going to attempt the layup the same way, I am not going to suddenly do a lame weird move that looks like a hook shot, or suddenly throw the ball up like a jumpshot. If my defender crashing into me hard, the way I would adjust my shot is probably to loft the ball higher on the layup, or move my hand further away to prevent the block, which would also affect the shot accuracy. If it is Shaq crashing into me, i am going to throw up the ball earlier and higher before landing on my butt then in the hospital.

Why do i say that? Because I, as the player, press the layup button once. The CPU can aid me to adjust my shot but only in the simple ways i suggested please. Now, if i hit the layup button twice (once in mid air), that would be different, simple because as the player, i decided i WANT to change my move. So till then, when i hit the layup button, i just want to layup the ball, CPU can make help determine little adjustments, but there is a reason why i did not hit the layup button a second time.

All those above applies same logic to dunking. If i want to go up strong, i want to go up strong and maybe fail, not adjust into a lame animation. If i wanted to adjust, i would hit the button a second time in midair

Bear with me as I gripe about the last part.

I feel that freestyle superstars is completely going in the wrong direction. Freestyle superstar celebrates visual animation. Thats all. For example, no matter what type of moves you use, one type of layup or another, be it one type of dunk or another, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE in game sense. All it does is add flashy moves.

Freestyle superstars should instead, celebrate a player's ability that is above the average. If i do a up and under layup, its because there is a defender right in front of me and i want to extend my arm under and behind him then scoop the ball into the net. Why not make freestyle superstar add more MOVES to ur arsenal, rather than add more VISUALS.

Maybe if i move the right analog down right as an outside scorer, i would like to up and under with my right hand, and as such, should the defender contest the shot with the same direction in mind (or in the AI's case, whatever direction determined by the CPU), then it will successfully block my superstar move.

There can be many suggestions for this, but i would just like to point out.

Highflyers are celebrated for their ability to dunk while heavily contested and also to make difficult dunks. (this i have not much gripes)

Outside scorers are superstars that can attempt difficult layups or shots with good consistancy. (Add more control over moves, and let different moves actually make a different effect)

Inside scorer superstars are good in the post, they have superb footwork and post moves. (let these super stars execute different post moves instead, rather than finishing moves..any NBA player can hook shot, turn around jumpshot like the existing moves)

Power players are like Inside scores. (let them have power post moves, rather than dunks. whereas inside scorers of more finesse, power players focus on post moves that rely more physical)

Good shooters simply shoot high percentages and well under contest (No need for special moves, any player can fake a pass, shoot high arcing shots, quick release, superstar shooters simply just make mroe shots)

In short,
give us control over the players (how many times in a certain situation you keep mashing the jump button the contest but your player doesnt react?)
Make animations meaningful, that they actually have a different effect, and give you escape clauses from animation (reaction to situation)

Thank you for bearing with this post, I am very sorry for how insanely long it is.

[TheChancellor]

In NBA live, using the animation where the player tries to drive past his defender for example, robs you the chance use the moves that YOU as THE PLAYER want to use. When caught in animation, you are stranded to watch the animation to deem whether you get past your defender or not.

Exactly my thoughts. I would have included that example but that would have resulted in a longer post.

Another gripe i have is with adjusted shots when the PC puts you into another animation.

It happens WAY too much. With the new rules in the NBA today, guys aren't getting bumped THAT much in the paint. There's no need for all these in-air collision animations. If anything, it makes the game more unrealistic.

I feel that freestyle superstars is completely going in the wrong direction. Freestyle superstar celebrates visual animation. Thats all. For example, no matter what type of moves you use, one type of layup or another, be it one type of dunk or another, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE in game sense. All it does is add flashy moves.

THANK YOU! I hate the freestyle superstar feature with a passion. It ruins the game in more areas than it improves. If there is to be any signature moves, it should be jump shots only.

[Patr1ck]

I agree 100% on the animation issue. Being locked in some animation only hinders your ability to control your player. I would much rather go back to the Live 2003 block/steal system. Even though it was flashy/arcade-like, you still had to have position and timing just right in order to block a layup or dunk, although you could toss jumpshots at will after finding the cpu's timing. Also, its now pointless to use the steal button to try and steal a players' standing dribble. All you can do is hope you snatch a pass or get them to lose it on a double team(again a morphing animation). I do like the new animation where you take a chance on the steal and end up getting lost when you don't get the steal.

Alot of those glitches you showed in the 07 video are collision detection issues, and the Live series has had a problem with that for the last few years.

The biggest problem in Live to me, is that they are building on their previous game flaws. What they should do is get the basic game of basketball down first, then add the incentives. Remember what made 2004 such a great game? The 10-man mo-cap. Getting the basics of team movement.

I can honestly live with the morphing animations, but the frustration of not being able to control your player builds up along with other issues with the game. If it weren't for such shoddy play by the cpu, I could overlook it.

(how many times in a certain situation you keep mashing the jump button the contest but your player doesnt react?)

Yes! I hate it when I try to play help defense on a player who is in a contact-animation and all of a sudden I can't jump to block the shot. I can with inside stoppers, but not regular players.

[TheChancellor]

2004 was great. 2005 was tolerable too but I noticed that a lot of people, at the time of its release, shifted over to the 2K series and stuck with it since.

It's just a matter of reverting back to the older style. You know what they say. "Simplicity is key."

[JohnnyLi]

I definitely agree with most, if not all, of the issues you guys have already presented. Even so, I'm just a casual fan. I don't really mind most of these issues, but at times they can be frustrating. If they fix them, great for EA, its customers, and NBA Live, but if not, us PC players are still stuck with the game with no other choices, if we like it or not (I still like NBA Live, since I'm still just a casual fan).

[cyanide]

"Simplicity is key."

That's exactly what I was thinking of when I watched the 95 vs 06 video. I mean, 1995 wasn't exactly perfect, it looked bad, but at least it made sense. I think a lot of problems relate to having to "cheat" to give the illusion of making sense. For example, the matrix-like blocks, I think is only triggered at a certain time but doesn't take into account the distance and animation synchonization of the players.

[TheChancellor]

I think a lot of problems relate to having to "cheat" to give the illusion of making sense.

The key word there is "cheat." A perfect way to describe how the game operates.

For example, the matrix-like blocks, I think is only triggered at a certain time but doesn't take into account the distance and animation synchonization of the players.

And it's ridiculous. When I push say... the block button, one of three things should happen.

1 - I deflect the ball
2 - I don't deflect the ball
3 - I foul

In NBA Live 07, the list is the same. Just add one more:

4 - I go through some superman animation and block the ball out of bounds while the offense stumbles and becomes the last man back.

[BadWolf]

that's what you call a patch, not this ea shit
and have in mind that the game was great from the box

Football Manager 2007 v7.0.1
----------------------------

General
=======
- Fixed wrong player listed in international Set Friendly Instructions for replacement players.
- Fixed a display bug with the teams table on MLS manager’s achievements screen.
- Fixed player milestones declaring that a player was about to make a landmark appearance (e.g. 50th league appearance) for a club when in fact it was his debut.
- Fixed When you move a player to your reserve squad for <time period> the option is no longer available once this time period is complete, or when you manually moved him back to the first-team.
- Fixed when you move a player to the reserves for <time period> and then go on holiday, he comes back straight away.
- Fixed morale being too high across the board.
- Fixed a potential crash in some situations where data was edited in an unexpected way.
- Fixed an array access out of bounds warning when a team has more than 127 players in its squad.
- Fixed bug where matches in regional leagues would sometimes get played in full detail.
- Fixed a problem with the "Move Matches For TV" setting not being remembered sometimes.
- Fixed morale being globally too high in first season, and also made it less prone to extremes going forward.
- Fixed an issue where sometimes reading in a custom human manager picture caused an infinite loop/hang to occur.
- Fixed an issue with stadium expansions where if you had more than one ongoing at the same time (such as underoil heating and seats) one of them may sometimes would never be completed.
- Fixed an issue where big teams were accepting friendly proposals for no fee.
- Fixed an issue where stadium expansion would be completed the day after specified.
- Fixed problem with German II Teams if human is in control of first team.
- Fixed strange dates in manager achievements screen.
- Fixed a crash when responding to a media question regarding a human managers constant job application whilst still employed.
- Attendances are now less peaky to form during the early part of a season.
- Improved Referee selection for matches.
- Updated Community Credits.
- If running up a second instance of FM07 it would clear down the FM temporary folder, which could subsequently corrupt a save game if you tried to save the game from the first instance of FM.
- Cut down number of injuries from low detail matches.
- "Time at club" manager record now reset for computer managers who get put out of jobs by human managers.
- Less high potential ability non-players created from blank potential ability at game start.
- Ensure that managers who give themselves a high reputation at the start of the game are less likely to be offered an international job too early on until they are at a club which is more established.
- Tweaked AI allocation of squad rotation/backup statuses.
- Any crash dump files are now generated in the user data folder ('crash dumps' sub folder) rather than in the FM installation folder.
- .cmp files now go in "comps" in the user data folder like everything else (and not in the FM installation data folder).
- Made interest from bigger clubs slightly more likely to trigger player wanting move to bigger club.
- Fog of War now unmasks player attributes when the player has featured in a match against the Human team.
- Greek teams now arrange friendlies in the 2nd season.
- Altered the manner in which attendances change year-on-year slightly.
- Made it easier to sign unemployed staff when the user is in charge of far flung countries such as Australia/USA.
- Fixed a rare occurrence of 'array index out of bounds' error on loading the game.


Feeder Clubs
============
- Fixed an issue where players would be unlikely to move to Polish Feeder Teams.
- Players are now more likely to move to a Feeder club if they are a Young/Hot Prospect or if they need a Work Permit.
- Improved the chances for Semi-professional teams with low finances to get some sort of Feeder Club.

Newgens
=======
- Fixed an issue with Basque generated names sometimes choosing a random name rather than a Spanish one (if no Basque name could be found).
- Fixed an issue with Female generated names sometimes not being counted as female.
- Improved technical-mental-physical attribute balance in newgens and players with empty attributes in starting database.
- Newgens technical-mental-physical attribute balance retweaked a little when loading pre-patch saved game.

Board Takeovers
===============
- Fixed an issue with clubs promoted into active leagues without researched Chairman which caused a Board Takeover to occur.
- Improved criteria for a plc board takeover.

Scouting
========
- Fixed Scout Report using Offside as the initial "worst stat" rather than Passing (which has more to do with the player's general play).
- Fixed crash when trying to assign scout when there are more than 127 possible competitions to scout.
- Fixed an issue where a Scout could sometimes fail to spot an obviously highly talented newgen player.
- Fixed scout not always scouting next opposition.
- Scouts no longer provide excessive asking prices on their Report Cards.
- Users no longer get scout reports on USA draft players if they are not managing in the MLS.

Training
========
- Fixed bug that could cause some players' attributes to respond better or worse to training than should be the case.
- Players in German reserve teams no longer forced to do youth training schedules.

Transfers
=========
- Fixed extreme cases of high asking prices.
- Fixed a crash which would occur sometimes when negotiating MLS transfers.
- Fixed an issue with low asking prices for players in the Portuguese league (as well as similar sized/finance leagues too).
- Fixed player rejecting loan extension just before big game.
- Fixed issue where you could sign a player at the end of the forthcoming season.
- Fixed board accepting bid on behalf of the management which were way below players basic value.
- Reduced the number of obscure players being offered to Human clubs.
- German clubs no longer continue to release players outside of Transfer Windows.
- Clubs in "View Only" leagues no longer try to get rid of player's with a Squad Status better than "Not needed by the club".
- MLS roster cut down tuning. Teams try to keep their better players.
- Stopped teams from making multiple enquiry offers for same player.
- Stopped rich AI clubs from occasionally spending stupid amounts of money on non first team players.

Contracts
=========
- Fixed an issue where a news item would report a player signed a zero-year deal.
- Fixed an issue when a virtual player signed a youth contract which incorrectly triggered a news item suggesting he'd signed a professional contract.
- Fixed an issue where the Human couldn't offer a contract to a co-owned player after both bids had been accepted.
- Fixed being able to offer staff shorter term deals than what they want (or are currently on) without rewarding them with higher wages.
- Fixed crash when clicking 'View Summary' in news item when human manager takes over a club and their contract is N/A.
- Fixed problem whereby some players would allow you to remove theirappearance fees and not offer additional money.
- Allowed free Mutual Termination of former player-manager's contract at club when Human manager takes charge (example Ipswich's Jim Magilton).
- Stopped Human user being able to slowly decrement a players wage by offering less wages in new contract talks.
- Added text to contract offer screen to indicate player's bonus demands.
- Reduced the number of youth players who are set for pro deals at start of a new game.

Finances
=============
- Fixed an issue where some Season Ticket money was not being calculated for all clubs in the first season.
- Fixed a problem where clubs could keep getting under soil heating upgrades.
- Lowered match day costs for small teams.
- Some tweaks to 'other' cost model for certain types of teams.
- Generic finance tweaks to overall model.
- Tuned specific finances model for Argentina.
- Tuned specific finances model for Belgium.
- Tuned specific finances model for Brazil.
- Tuned specific finances model for Denmark.
- Tuned specific finances model for France.
- Tuned specific finances model for Germany.
- Tuned specific finances model for Greece.
- Tuned specific finances model for Holland.
- Tuned specific finances model for Italy.
- Tuned specific finances model for Ireland.
- Tuned specific finances model for Malaysia.
- Tuned specific finances model for Poland.
- Tuned specific finances model for Portugal.
- Tuned specific finances model for Spain.
- Tuned specific finances model for Slovakia.
- Tuned specific finances model for Slovenia.
- Tuned specific finances model for Wales.
- Tuned the amount of money you could get from merchendising feeder clubs down a bit.
- Lower Tax burden from prior year profit (estimated) in first season slightly.

Media
=====
- Fixed minor player_bio logic where players joining a loan club talked about their ambitions for their contracted club.
- Fixed players being offered injections if they're unavailable for the next match.
- Fixed club former favourites being able to comment about themselves in news items.
- Fixed media saying a player has been in superb form in recent weeks when he hasn't played many competitive games.
- Fixed transfer window roundup news mentioning teams who have just been promoted from inactive leagues as the teams who have done the most transfers.
- Fixed being able to praise players recent form when he's only played in last match and not the ones before that.
- Fixed competition_bio runners-up string: "Although neither team have ever won the <comp>...".
- Fixed board becoming annoyed at 'persistent requests' when only one board request had been made.
- Fixed newly-signed player looking to learn from an idol who is currently away from the club on loan.
- Fixed Celtic being described as winning the Scottish League Cup zero times.
- Fixed controversial news items not coping when the aggrieved person is the same as the other incident person.
- Fixed duplicate news items about players being called up for international teams.
- Fixed issue with promotion media question response.
- Fixed player_bio logic where the interested club was the club the player was currently playing for.
- Fixed a 'controversial incident' being made newsworthy when the same team lashed the ball into the net seconds later!!
- Fixed news items being created where the previously-used formation and latest formation are identical. e.g. "Changed from a 4-4-2 to a previously untested 4-4-2".
- Fixed fans criticising you for negative tactics when the tactics weren't negative.
- Copa America cup stage now keeps teams from same group stage apart.
- Stopped tactical analysis news being generated for play-off second leg matches as it wasn't coping with the aggregate score line.
- Don't allow co-owned players who are not currently at the club to be regarded as potential replacements for injured players.
- Ensured that landmark game in charge news item is only generated before a competitive match.

Database
=============
- Hernia injuries are now included in the game.
- Fixed an issue with the Indonesian league not retaining enough players from the database.
- More UK based players are kept in the database now when any of the UK leagues is selected.

User Interface
==============
- Fixed players being sent to reserves until match fit then not returning all the time when match fit.
- Fixed being able to confirm your media comment on certain questions when the radio button had not been selected.
- Fixed slow down when changing year to view previous group stages in competitions.
- Fixed problem where continue button on menu bar would sometimes not stretch to fit the text.
- Fixed the team news panel summary from showing overall goals and instead it now shows league goals.
- Fixed a colour clash bug where sometimes teams would play each other both wearing red kits.
- Fixed 'Export' button not appearing clicked.
- Fixed action area arrows being cut off on Flexion Right skin.
- Fixed missing results when doing a staff search and using 'is not' <job> filter.
- Fixed a rare freeze when viewing a human's shortlist. This was caused by a player getting added to the shortlist twice.
- Fixed a problem where the training workload slider setting would not be stored sometimes.
- Fixed a bug where teak talk feedback could not be viewed for an assistant manager sometimes.
- Fixed kits being cut off on the team information screen when lots of information is present on this screen / larger kits are used.
- Disabled shortcut for changing users (Ctrl+Shift+C) while a new manager is in the process of being added.
- Player "Selection Details" did not show a scrollbar in some situations where it needed to.
- Double clicking on title bar during start up doesn't move the window slightly.
- If asking a coach to pick your team while on the tactics screen in a tactics-specific view, the tactic slider or popup button disappeared until you clicked the View menu again.
- The New Game Wizard is not shown if the last game was created with four or more nations.
- The "Show Wizard" menu item is disabled if the user picks more than three nations when setting up a new game.
- Nations on Job Security weren't displaying flags, causing text to be misaligned with clubs.
- News items with goalkeeper coaches or fitness coaches display specific coaching attributes instead of a generic one.
- Some panels on the manager snapshot screen were visible for national manager when they were club only.
- If panels were hidden on snapshot screen the entire box, including the header and menu were hidden, making the user unable to change snapshot panel for that sub-section.
- Disable "Shortlists" button on the staff search, because you can't shortlist staff, or save the staff search as a shortlist.
- On the person filter dialog (customise player/staff search filter) you could not use mouse wheel to scroll through various filter types.
- You couldn't delete bookmarks in a sub-folder.
- Oceania was selectable in the view menu of continents when starting a new game even though there are no active rule groups on this continent.
- If you started a new game from within a game, the initial screen title would keep the name of the old save game.
- Team finances salary panel now doesn't include wages of players paid by other clubs (loans and co-ownerships)
- Removed duplicated Employed filter rule from staff filter dialog and added Reputation filter rule
- In certain cases 'arrange friendly' and 'cancel friendly' buttons were hidden if you cancelled attempting to arrange a friendly.
- Opposition Player Instructions squad list would not always display the correct position for substitutes coming on.
- Opposition Player Instructions squad would display S247 or similar erroneous text for players having been sent off.
- When multiple players are selected, coach reports now work for all players and not just the first.
- Disabled load game from within a game when browsing off the match screen.
- Increased display time hints & tips both while saving/loading and on the FM Live panel slightly.
- Transfer delayed news was sometimes not displaying the new date properly in the news item.
- Added some more match highlight speeds.
- When 2 humans play each other on the same PC with team talks handled by the assistant manager, the away team manager no longer gets forced to make a team talk.
- In certain situations changing the picture on the Add Manager Wizard did not update the displayed image (though it would use the correct image on the manager profile when actually adding the manager).
- Sometimes the "FM Live" or the "Hints & Tips" panel could be hidden when it should be shown.
- Manager snapshot panel was displaying some financial information about computer controlled teams - these are now hidden.
- There was a slight text overlay ('bleed') on some of the player comment/response screens.
- USY player status icon in Major League Soccer teams now takes you to a players transfer panel instead of not doing anything.
- Automatic squad numbers button now makes sure players picked for a match get squad numbers.
- You can now go to "Main Menu" from the "Options" menu if you are viewing a match from the Main Menu (i.e. loaded a pkm).
- Manager/coach release clause now appears on the contract offer screen when you add the clause.
- Manager snapshot panels displayed b-team (and possibly some other) players in the overall player stats summary when they had not played for the first team.
- In some situations the competition team stats panel only showed a limited number of teams (e.g. 'Conceded' stats).
- News items relating to fitness coaches now display somewhat more relevant information in the details panel.
- Transfer budget values for the 'personal message' news item and on the person search section could be slightly inaccurate due to using an approximate/rounded value.
- Edit boxes that had multiple lines (such as notes) cut off the upper part of the first line.
- Players on a saved shortlist (i.e. not the default one) would not show up with yellow text colour in player lists.
- Cannot view budgets from computer controlled teams now.
- Mac specific: If the CD was not in the drive, and the user pressed Return or Enter, FM would ask to start a new game when it should actually 'Retry'.
- Using Quick Flicks when viewing 'Domestic' -> 'Clubs' in a nation would only go to the first or last nation in the breadcrumb list and not iterate through all of them.
- "Use 'user data' folder for temporary files" setting on the Preferences screen was not remembered.


Competitions
============
- Fixed not being able to change players for Copa Libertadores.
- Fixed a crash when running the Northern Irish league in view only mode.
- Fixed Concacaf Champions Cup winner América (MEX) not being in 2006 World Club Cup.
- Teams from the same group in the Copa America cannot play each other in the quarter final.
- Brazil U23 cannot qualify for the Confederations Cup through the Gold Cup.
- European Champions Cup and UEFA Cup group stages now use clubs own coefficients to seed teams instead of using the co-efficients of teams they have beaten in qualifying rounds.
- League history entries where a team finished 1st were being ignored when working out teams highest league positions.
- Stopped reserve matches being scheduled on 2 consecutive days.
- New European U21 Championship format implemented.
- When teams have multiple stadium moves planned, they now should go through on the correct dates.
- Correct teams take part in the 2006 Sudamericana Cup.
- Max squad size for African Cup of Nation teams is 23 not 22.
- Corrected Sudamericana Cup format for the later rounds.
- Brazilian Champions now always play in the Copa Sudamericana.
- USA take part in the 2007 Copa America (previously there was a random chance they would not).
- North Americana Gold Cup: Only North American teams now take part in the competition.
- Updated Champions Cup Prize money.
- Wayne Rooney's international ban now gets updated properly after each match.
- U19 teams/leagues now used in Spain.
- Yellow cards in Friendlies don't count towards suspensions.
- Confederations Cup now takes place every 4 years.

Australia
=========
- Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) now cannot buy players.
- Squad rules now do not include players on loan to or from clubs.

Brazil
======
- Fixed wrong semi-final matches in São Paulo and Minas Gerais State Championship.
- A team is now relegated properly from the Brazilian Pará State Championship.
- Guarani starting Brazilian Second Division with -3 points.
- Brazilian teams playing Copa Libertadores now don't play in Brazilian Cup.
- In Brazil emergency goalkeeper sub rule shouldn't exist.
- Brazilian Pará State Championship: If one of top 2 play Copa Libertadores in the same year of the Brazilian Cup, then the next team in line (the 3rd placed team in the 2nd phase) play the Brazilian Cup instead.
- Some tuning for promotions from inactive leagues.
- Brazilian Potiguar State Championship: Corrected the playoff schedule.
- Players on trial are not allowed to play in Brazilian competitive games.

Belgium
=======
- Belgian Cup 6th round draw now takes place 3 weeks prior to game date.

China PR
========
- Fix for Chinese league foreigners rule: if 0 Hong Kong players in the squad, then we still can only have a Maximum of 3 foreigners in the club squad.

Colombia
========
- 2 U21 players now must be included in the squad for Colombian matches (one of whom must be U19).

Croatia
=======
- Fixed Croatia reserve leagues being setup.
- Fixed a warning to do with Croatian Cup when all leagues are selected and Croatia is set to 'View-Only'.
- Croatia U19 Second Division now has only one group of 16 teams.

Denmark
=======
- Danish Premier Division Wednesday scheduling update (games now kick-off at 19:00).

Ecuador
=======
- El Nacional of Ecuador in real life do not sign foreigners.

England
=======
- Players no longer incorrectly appearing to be one yellow card away from a match ban.

Czech
=====
- Fixed Czech First Division last 2 round matches not playing on Saturday.

Finland
=======
- African/Oceanic/Caribbean nations no longer treated as non-EU for Finland.
- Some Finnish competition dates fixed.

France
======
- French League Cup now has a maximum of 7 subs been able to be named.
- French League Cup later rounds format updated.
- Croatian players no longer treated as non-EU in France.

Germany
=======
- Stopped league games been scheduled at the same time as international fixtures.

Holland
=======
- Moved the Dutch Cup Final to 6th May.

Iceland
=======
- Teams now in correct divisions for 2007 season.

Ireland
=======
- Removed Cross Border competition.

Italy
=====
- Siena docked 1 point in Serie A for late payment of taxes.
- Italian teams playing Champions League matches on Tuesdays get their Sunday match moved back a day.
- Penalty points reduction for Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina.
- 2 points deduction for Sassari Torres (Italy, C2/A).
- Correct teams now play in the Italian C1 Super Cup.

Israel
======
- Players are now eligible to play in the Israeli Under-19 league.

Mexico
======
- Fixed Mexican First Division Repechaje seeding problem.
- Fixed wrong Mexican teams being entered into the Copa Sudamericana.
- Fixed wrong Mexican teams being entered into Primera A promotion final.
- Fixed wrong teams being relegated from First Division A.

Norway
======
- Norwegian leagues now use 3 from 7 subs rule.
- Some Norwegian league date scheduling issues fixed.
- Bigger attendances for matches on the 16th May.

Poland
======
- Polish Second Division now has 2 TV games per week.
- Polonia Warszawa (Polish Second Division) have had their points penalty cancelled.
- Away goals rule now applies for Polish FA Cup.
- Polish league clubs can choose any squad number to be given to a player.

Portugal
========
- Portuguese Squad Selection rules fixed.
- Portuguese players can now get squad numbers over 30 at the start of the game.
- Players are now correctly classified as Home Grown players when registering European Squads for Portuguese teams.

Russia
======
- Set minimum stadium capacity for Russian Premier League to 10,000 seats.

Serbia
======
- Updated Serbian Disciplinary System.
- Updated Serbian Transfer Window dates.
- Players from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina can get second Serbian nationality 1 year after they come to a Serbian club.

Slovakia
========
- First Division games are no longer played when International Friendlies are been played.

South Korea
===========
- Fixed inappropriate naturalization in South Korea.
- Korean Reserve League format change.
- South Korean FA Cup now uses three out of seven substitutes.
- South Korean All Star Cup match date now 15/08 (national holiday).
- South Korean FA Cup match venue: lower division teams now play at home.

Spain
=====
- Updated number of Spanish Segunda Division TV games.
- Updated number of La Liga TV games.

Sweden
======
- Non-EU players in Sweden who have lived there for 3 years or more now don't count towards Non-EU player quota and at the same time don't gain Swedish Second Nationality.
- Fixed Swedish Second Division Middle Gotaland missing a team.

Switzerland
===========
- Summer Transfer Window now closes on 31st August.

Turkey
======
- Turkish Cup Revenue update.

Ukraine
=======
- Players from Russia, Uzbekistan, and Belarus now treated as foreigners in Ukraine.
- Ukraine High League schedule update.
- Updated transfer periods for Ukraine.
- Updated Ukrainian Cup.

United States
=============
- MLS wage cap adjusted from $350k to $310k.

Uruguay
=======
- Uruguayan Reserve and Youth Leagues updated.
- Uruguayan First Division: All teams now play at the same time for last round of Apertura and Clausura stages

Network Game
============
NOTE: any clients using the 7.0 version cannot join a Network Game hosted by a 7.0.1 exe (and vice versa).
- Fixed an issue when using 'Declare Interest In Job' on a Network Client would use the wrong Human manager.
- Fixed a crash issue when the Network Client exits the game whilst on the Tactics screen.
- Fixed client crash when host quits game when client is adding a new manager.
- When a client machine is on holiday whilst the game saves, the save progress dialog now gets removed at the end of the saving process.
- Alliteration headlines no longer appear in English for clients using a foreign language when the server is running in English.
- If user tries to clear his team selection immediately after confirming it, the game will not allow the players to be unpicked.
- Icon showing number of managers yet to continue now shows properly.

Assets
======
- Added Morecambe player pictures.
- Added MK Dons player pictures.
- Added Nuneaton player pictures.
- Added Oldham player pictures.
- Added Sunderland player pictures.
- Added Swansea player pictures.
- Added Swindon player pictures.
- Added Wycombe player pictures.
- Fixed Chris Moore (Brentford) player picture incorrectly mapped to Sam Moore (Brentford).
- Updated Democratic Republic of Congo flag.
- Updated Rotherham away kit image.
- Updated FC Twente, Roda JC and Sparta Rotterdam logos.

Match Engine Version History
============================

Match v543
----------
- Fixed ball thrown back to far at goal kick bug.
- Fixed unrealistic quick free kick shot.
- Fixed dribbling bug where players move ball 90 degrees and lose it.
- Tuned player interception judgement AI for longer passes.
- Sub keepers now only warm up if their on field counterpart is injured.
- Made hoofs up field a little more random in direction.
- Stopped occasional instance of players taking a simple interception early with their head and giving ball away cheaply.
- Players now check for near post and far post when deciding if a shot on goal is within their sights.
- Slight tweak down on keeper match ratings.

Match v544
----------
- Fixed a few keeper AI anomalies that caused dodgy goals.
- Fixed occasional slow headers back to keeper that get intercepted.
- Fixed human team marking opposite player flaw.
- Cut out some dangerous back passes.
- Tuned AI used of subs.

Match v545
----------
- Fixed another goalie AI anomaly re not picking up through ball.
- Fixed issue that caused human set piece tactics to change mid match.
- Reduced occasional instance of "ball thrown back too far at goal kick" bug.
- Reduced occasional extreme curve on pass.
- Reduced speculative ambitious passes that almost always fail.
- Reduced occurrence of strikers playing in dead central position making runs into channel unless they have the ppm for it.
- Stopped keeper trying to "narrow angle" when ball already beyond him ( Dudek sideways movement bug ).
- Made defenders more careful with making dangerous passes near own goal area.
- Made defenders keep closer eye on opponents even when their team has ball.
- Make players less likely to get caught in possession in area dangerous to own team.

Match v546
----------
- Fixed missing commentary just before red cards.
- Fixed dissent commentary being shown before red card commentary.
- Fixed obscure possibility of free kick being given just off pitch.
- Fixed sympathise and encourage causing occasional player unrest from team talk.
- Fixed AI bug where defending team would not track back in event of wayward backward header by team mate.
- Extra time now played before seeding decides result if applicable in match rules.
- Made subbed or red carded players disappear from pitch rather than lurk at edge of "tunnel".
- Made defenders a little more aware of interceptions when heading ball clear.
- Slight increase in chances of appropriate players attempting lobs.
- Stopped commentary stating team "wins division" when winning play off final.

Match v547
----------
- Fixed a few anomalies in AI team mentality choice.
- Fixed rearrangement of 541 formation when down to 10 men - wingbacks always retained now.
- Fixed over effective first time control of players receiving long high ball to run onto.
- Fixed obscure crash.
- Assistant manager now takes full charge of team when human on holiday.
- Reduced further risky dribbles by defenders in dangerous areas.
- Stopped end of period whistle being blown when player has good chance to score.
- Stopped player manager reacting to his own talk!
- Stopped "fight ball" variable being set when a player is running with the ball.
- Stopped keepers reacting to long balls forward unnaturally quickly.
- Made defensive teams time waste earlier ( not going to corners though ).
- Made players try to avoid intercepting at awkward heights when possible.
- Improved sensitivity of mentality slider in terms of player formation shape.
- Improved goalkeeper headed clearances.
- Cut down on clearances across own area.
- Cut down on yellow cards for minor fouls unless player has been persistent.

Match v548
----------
- Fixed occasional bug regarding injury probability caused by overload of non perfect pitch condition and high injury proneness.
- Fixed instance of keeper dribbling into trouble when over 30 yards from own goal.
- Stopped "incredible 40 yard strike" commentary line for shot on open goal from distance.
- Stopped attackers reacting to long balls forward unnaturally quickly.
- Stopped stranded keeper standing to watch ball that has rebounded off post.
- Rebalanced number of injuries in match and training accordingly.
- At set pieces, made defenders staying back more likely to stay on their original man longer as play develops.
- Made red cards for professional fouls slightly more likely.
- Slight reduction in incidences of high player aggression.

Match v549
----------
- Tuned AI manager team talks including human assistant ones.

Data Editor v7.0.1
==================
- Fixed game crash when changing an official to a player or non player.
- Fixed problem with changes not being stored on Mac.
- Fixed problem with displaying Used For National Team on stadium.
- Fixed not being able to change the name and season data for Weather.
- Fixed spelling error in award based rule.
- Fixed not being able to change Media Source URLs.
- Fixed all regions having "No Name" when setting Media Source Scope to Regional.
- Fixed issue with peoples City Of Birth, which would sometimes cause it show up as "Unknown" in the game.
- Removed Nation Population field, as it is not for editing and is not used by the game.
- Removed Average Club Rep At Start and Average Club Cash At Start fields from competition panel, as it shouldn't be changed by the user.
- Changed the layout of the player attributes to make it more similar to the game, and to sort them alphabetically.
- Changed the limit of the Competition Reputation field to 20.
- Changed the weather field limits to 100.
- Added kit and colour editing for clubs and nations.
- Added filters to all searches.
- Added option to change user data folder.
- Added ability to add new Clubs, Cities, Stadiums, Weather, Injuries, Media Sources and Awards.
- Added ability to delete People, Clubs, Cities, Stadiums, Weather, Injuries, Media Sources and Awards.
- Added Club & Nation Relationships.
- Added extra information columns to search dialogs, to make it easier to select on of several players with the same name.
- Added Nation Region field.
- Enabled Board Confidence editing for Chairmen (to modify Chairman Status).

[BadWolf]

and the way you should respond to the bug letter

Hi,

Following the release of 7.0.1 yesterday a number of you have discovered a contract bug which, under the right conditions, can result in the length of the player's contract changing when they reject a contract offer.

Note: This bug ONLY affects contract renewals.

Firstly, our apologies to anyone who has experienced this bug.

We have been spending the day analysing why it happens and hope to have a fix out for you at some point early next week.

Until we are in a position to release this updated patch, we are hereby telling you the exact conditions under which this bug appears so that you can stop it affecting you in your game.

Workaround
In short if you offer the player exactly what he wants and accepts then this bug will not occur.

In response to offering a lower weekly wage than he is currently on, I would advise against this until the new patch is out.

Cause
You would need to offer the player a weekly wage that is either equivalent or greater than his desired weekly wage.

You would also have to offer him a contract offer that is unnacceptable to him due to another factor in the contract offer, such as appearance fee/goal bonus/signing on fee etc.
Then the contract offer you have offered him is worse than the current contract he is on overall.

This would result in the player rejecting the contract offer and a possibility of his existing contract end date being either increased or decreased.

Thanks,
Francis Cole

[mchakko]

I don't really have a problem with the telekinetic powers, and imperfect collision detection; some of these things are just a consequence of the graphics becoming more detailed faster than the physics engine can come up with. If you really had to line up your hand perfectly with the ball to block a shot, you'd never block a shot, because it's impossible to line things up that precisely with the controls. The only reason this wasn't a problem with the old games is that the graphics weren't detailed enough for you to notice.

That said, I overall agree with the post. The problem is the lack of fluidity and responsiveness of the controls.

[Axel]

Has anyone else noticed how offensive foul/blocking fouls are completely messed up in this version? I think Live 03 had it pretty well, but on 07, I can completely camp out in the lane while the CPU player charges down the court on a fastbreak, stand in position to take the charge, and get hit with the defensive foul each and everytime. Also, perhaps due to the cheating factor, the CPU gets fouls called 10x less often. Sometimes the blocks look more like a tackle, but I still get no foul called. It's ridiculous.

[LakersRule24]

So true. I had a guy get like 4 fouls in the 1st half like that before. The dunking is bad too, I've had big men make 360s in traffic before. This game is not as bad as some people say it is but its still to the point that it's unplayable even with Ea's patch.

[Oznogrd]

So true. I had a guy get like 4 fouls in the 1st half like that before. The dunking is bad too, I've had big men make 360s in traffic before. This game is not as bad as some people say it is but its still to the point that it's unplayable even with Ea's patch.

The end of your statement doenst make any sense. "The game is not as bad as everyone says it is." There's not different levels of unplayable. If you dont like it, dont buy it or return it. Plain and simple folks. We've established they fucked us this year, can we please just accept that fact, take our private actions against EA and not broadcast them to the world? I know this is a discussion forum for NBA Live 07, but if you look we have about 80 threads JUST like this one already. Hell check out the bug report sticky, it gives you PLENTY of reason to depreciate this game...

[chungyfied]

Hmm, I do not view this post as one that is pointing out bugs and glitches or copmlaining about the crappiness of the product.

Like the original poster, as well as myself, I tried to point out areas of the game which are fundamentally flawed. I also try to point out the notion of the develeopers thinking more flashy animations = better product. It is in these areas that the developers try to improve in each year (animations, freestyle superstars) and i'm just trying to say that the further they go down this path, the further away they get from what NBA Live players actually want.

I agree we already have more than enough posts detailing bugs and glitches. However, i think what this post points out is that NBA Live is going in the wrong direction.

Somewhere deep down I guess im still hoping someone important will actually read this and somehow affect future NBA Live releases.

LOL

[TheChancellor]

I don't really have a problem with the telekinetic powers, and imperfect collision detection; some of these things are just a consequence of the graphics becoming more detailed faster than the physics engine can come up with. If you really had to line up your hand perfectly with the ball to block a shot, you'd never block a shot, because it's impossible to line things up that precisely with the controls. The only reason this wasn't a problem with the old games is that the graphics weren't detailed enough for you to notice.

That said, I overall agree with the post. The problem is the lack of fluidity and responsiveness of the controls.

Not that I'm trying to be controversial here, but have you ever created a basketball game? If you have, then I retract my post. If not, then you can't really say that your statement is a fact. I'm basing my arguement off of what I see and what I've experienced.

You justify these glitches through how detailed the graphics are. But to me that's not a proper justification. Remember Live 2004? When you contested a shot with good timing, you blocked the ball, and it showed the hand deflecting it. That shows me that it IS in fact possible to line things up precisely with the controls. 07's graphics are better than 2004's, but as far as player animation goes it all looks similar.

Going back to your post...

some of these things are just a consequence of the graphics becoming more detailed faster than the physics engine can come up with.

THIS is my problem. I once thought the same thing because I wanted to convince myself that 07 was a good game. I settled with the glitches. What you say isn't a fact, it's you trying to do the same thing I was doing. There are many games that have a perfected "physics engine." Don't make excuses for EA's laziness. With today's technology and games that have already been put out, am I crazy to assume that they could have done a better job?

Also, perhaps due to the cheating factor, the CPU gets fouls called 10x less often. Sometimes the blocks look more like a tackle, but I still get no foul called. It's ridiculous.

It's crazy. In the game some blocks show all kinds of contact, but no foul call.

We've established they fucked us this year, can we please just accept that fact, take our private actions against EA and not broadcast them to the world? I know this is a discussion forum for NBA Live 07, but if you look we have about 80 threads JUST like this one already.

That's true. My aim was to make a statement in a more mature, formal fashion. The bug report is flooded with rants. And plus, who wants to make a post that nobody will read? lol

I also try to point out the notion of the develeopers thinking more flashy animations = better product. It is in these areas that the developers try to improve in each year (animations, freestyle superstars) and i'm just trying to say that the further they go down this path, the further away they get from what NBA Live players actually want.

Beautifully said.

I agree we already have more than enough posts detailing bugs and glitches. However, i think what this post points out is that NBA Live is going in the wrong direction.

This is what I wanted the post to be.

Somewhere deep down I guess im still hoping someone important will actually read this and somehow affect future NBA Live releases.

I'll be honest. It may be silly but the thought of someone from EA reading this was what tempted me to make the post. lol I guess for me there was more than one motive behind making the topic.

[Oznogrd]

OK, i see yalls point about trying to be mature about it. Andrew is doing all he can to talk to EA and get something positive to happen, i know that, as are many other members of the community. I'm just really sick of people lambasting this game but then continuing to play it. ...sorry for the going off on you guys. The stupidity of "the game is unplayable but its not that bad" statement just irked me. Perhaps NBA Live Depreciation is the wrong title...

My only true gripe of this game is the subs bug. I know there alot of other things wrong, but i dont feel like they truly affect my game. I've managed to get pretty good with the sliders i've set for myself and tend to get semi-realistic stats with 5 minute quarters.

[LakersRule24]

So true. I had a guy get like 4 fouls in the 1st half like that before. The dunking is bad too, I've had big men make 360s in traffic before. This game is not as bad as some people say it is but its still to the point that it's unplayable even with Ea's patch.

The end of your statement doenst make any sense. "The game is not as bad as everyone says it is." There's not different levels of unplayable. If you dont like it, dont buy it or return it. Plain and simple folks. We've established they fucked us this year, can we please just accept that fact, take our private actions against EA and not broadcast them to the world? I know this is a discussion forum for NBA Live 07, but if you look we have about 80 threads JUST like this one already. Hell check out the bug report sticky, it gives you PLENTY of reason to depreciate this game...

Well, there are some people making a such a big deal like "OMFG THE GAME SUCKS, DOWNLOAD THE CRACK!" and there are like 100 videos of NBA live sucks. It's not THAT bad but still unplayable.

[Terp]

Collision issues are worst down in the post. Currently, if you have the ball right beneath the basket, hitting the dunk button allows you to ignore the defense and do some insane dunk.

First, hardly ever are you able to make so many entry passes into the lane and not get picked off. The defender on the passer can never steal FSS passes and hardly any normal passes, and the post defender allows the offensive player to just stand under the basket.
Second, the freestyle dunks ignore the defender's position. A power dunk just barrels through the defender every time.
Third, the dunk animations apparently don't take into account the defender's position but instead are just some random slam.

[russain2k6]

I enjoy Live 07, I think taht the game has been unplayable right out of the box, but with sub patch it is quite playable. I am going to try Jimmy's patch tonight, but even without it it is quite fun for me. I have been playing Live since 03, and yes Live's developers are asses for not even caring about community, but with PG domination fixed and subs woring game has great features and is quite fun.

[bluesteel]

THIS IS A CRAPPY GAME. RUSSIAN2K6, DO YOU KNOW THAT NBA LIVE 07 IS A BASKETBALL GAME? I THINK YOU DON'T KNOW COZ YOUR SAYING THAT IT IS A GREAT GAME BUT IN FACT, IT'S ALL CRAP!! AS IN CRAP!!! NBA LIVE CRAP 07!

[TheChancellor]

I no longer play the game. I can't play it, and I won't try to play it. This topic follows me finally being fed up with the game. No hypocrisy coming from my way.

Anyone who enjoys this game or looks past the bugs have unknowingly lowered their standards for good basketball simulation. And it's all because of EA putting out trash on the shelves.

They've succeeded in getting the most money for the least amount of effort. Had they put in more effort and accepted feedback about the gameplay, we probably wouldn't be in such a mess.

[ryanator]

one word of advice for EA. don't release the game before the NBA season. Can't you wait for a december release? this way you have enough time and dont rush the product

[el badman]

one word of advice for EA. don't release the game before the NBA season. Can't you wait for a december release? this way you have enough time and dont rush the product

I'm not sure that more time to develop necessarily means less bugs and issues, since there's obviously something very wrong that's proper to EA's QA department...
Considering the game engine and everything, it's not like EA has to come up with an entirely new product from scratch each year, so I don't think that they're rushing anything, they've just been very sloppy with the testing process.
Hopefully, they heard the complaints, petitions and bad reviews, and they'll do a more thorough job net year...
As for Live 07, with the proper fixes and patches from this community, I finally enjoy it, most of the time at least.