OS opinions about Dynamic DNA in NBA Live '09

[rdelizo35]

The "experts" at Operation Sports weigh in about Dynamic DNA feature in NBA Live '09.

Credit: Operation Sports

Link: http://www.operationsports.com/feature.php?id=630


"#2 The Dynamic DNA feature in NBA Live is a giant waste of time.

Wil Soistman: Fiction. Are you kidding me? I have been waiting for this in Madden for 5+ years. I cannot believe this is finally going to be integrated into a video game. I have been wishing that I could one day watch a pro sports game and replay it EXACTLY like I witnessed, with the same starters and bench players that were used. It may be rough in the beginning, but by the middle of the season I am sure that any kinks will be worked out, and hopefully EA will incorporate it into other franchises in the coming years.

Rob Fetter: Fact. The fact that they’re updating and spending time to attempt to keep the game fresh is a good thing, but so often the cry from developers when they don’t get desired features into a game is that there just wasn’t enough time. To me the daily roster update is just wasted time. I don’t really care if Kobe has an off night at the line and his free throw shooting goes from a 99 to a 97, or if Shaq hits a three in a blow out game and they raise his 3-point shooting ability to a one. If they’ve got the man power to spend on this then that’s fine (and they should considering Live 365 is coded in now and should be mostly outsourced), but I don’t want to hear them crying “we wanted to get it in, but just didn’t have the time” next year when it comes to actual improvements for NBA Live 2010.

Dave Branda: Fiction. I am going to be optimistic on this one. On one hand, it is a great idea that could possibly solve one of the all-time great sports video game problems: How do you distinguish between two players and make each one special and unique while mimicking the real-life playing styles?

On the other hand, this screams 'EA will totally botch the execution of this the first time around.' My guess is Live 09 is hopefully paving the way for this to be a revolutionary feature for Live 2010 and beyond.

Chris Sanner: Fact. Yes the actual updating is outsourced and yes this is going to be huge for guys who actually play the game online, but NBA Live needs to skip the glitz and glamour features and just try to play good, solid basketball again. The game just isn't that good and it doesn't matter how much you polish a turd, it's still gonna be a turd at the end of the day. If EA Sports wants to truly get NBA 2K off its back then the company will have to address the root issue sooner or later, and the root issue is that NBA Live hasn't been the best basketball game on the market in a long time, period."

[benji]

I cannot believe this is finally going to be integrated into a video game.
...
On one hand, it is a great idea that could possibly solve one of the all-time great sports video game problems: How do you distinguish between two players and make each one special and unique while mimicking the real-life playing styles?

I guess they don't play any non-EA games? You know, the ones that have had player tendencies for years?

Chris Sanner speaks the truth.

[ThaLiveKing]

In a way I agree with most of them. . .I'm not really BIG into the online stuff, but we'll see how it pans out

[Andrew]

Interesting analysis but again, I think there's too much focus on the roster updates rather than what is going to be updated. Player DNA is trying to achieve one of the things that has always been a staple of the Wishlists, namely that the players play like their real life counterparts. I'm not saying that's 100% guaranteed going to happen in NBA Live 09 but that's what they're going for with the Player DNA and DNA Tendencies. I reckon more people would be excited about it if they actually weren't doing the online part of it since that's the bit that seems to grab everyone's attention.

[fjccommish]

The issue discussed wasn't Player DNA. The issue discussed was Dynamic DNA. Player DNA and DNA Tendencies are exciting, but it seems that every time EA discusses it they talk about Dynamic DNA.

[benji]

That's because the Player DNA/Tendencies aren't anything new. The "dynamic" thing is the only new thing. (And even it is questionable in theoretical execution.)

[Andrew]

The issue discussed wasn't Player DNA. The issue discussed was Dynamic DNA. Player DNA and DNA Tendencies are exciting, but it seems that every time EA discusses it they talk about Dynamic DNA.

It's all under the same umbrella. But that's my point, the focus seems to be on the online element and daily updates which is understandable but gives the impression that NBA Live 365 will be is a daily roster update.