Live 16 sales look Horrible in the US

[kingpnp]

http://www.designntrend.com/articles/63 ... -sales.htm

According to sales results from September, "NBA Live 16" managed to sell just over 8,000 copies in North America. Compare that to "NBA 2K16's" one million-plus sales, and you see how EA's game continues to struggle. Pasta Padre also reports that at peak online hours, no more than "120 or so people are connected and playing."

and you guys know i'm a live fan, but you gotta report the truth as it comes.

Aussies you guys better hold live down or i'm not sure if we will see a 17 edition. Thats so bad i think its a hoax. lol. i hope its a hoax. 8k, is indie numbers. indie numbers for a first time dev team thats making a pretty decent game that caught fire by word of mouth. thats what that looks like. not a game made by a giant corporation(even if they have a low budget). not a game that everyone knows and remembers who from the first live to live 10 before it all went down hill.

and i still think they have done some nice things in 16. but they do have a long ways to go ,if they continue the path they're own while trying to focus on all of these modes vs just focusing on 1 thing, gameplay(in 5 v 5 and rising star). if they ever get those funky transition animations together. Then and only they could start getting excited about the other modes. But thats difficult to pull off with everyone asking for modes to match 2k. Do you want modes or do you want the game play to be on point? me... get the game play on point. that is the foundation.

[Andrew]

It's definitely not the impact they were hoping for. Izzy Snow has thrown out the idea of going the NFL 2K5 route and charging $19.99 for it. And I think that could definitely help.

As far as I know, they have the NBA license through next year, so I expect we'll see NBA Live 17. I agree that core elements of gameplay need to be the focus, particularly animations, collisions, and the paint game. But I also think they need to pay attention to at least one depth mode, preferably Dynasty. While gameplay is paramount, there needs to be replay value there, and that comes in the depth modes. Roster customisation is also a must.

[Patr1ck]

I haven't played for at least a week, but there were over 300 people online then. However, as you play online, you play with some familiar people after a while.

[zz21]

I still haven't found a lut game online since release. Kind of tipped me off that sales weren't great.

[[Q]]

I'm still playing the demo occasionally. It's still fun, but I'm not paying $60 for this game, especially if no one else is playing it

[ChrisCP3Paul]

They tried, they failed...... quote me on this, there will be no Live 17 next year..... as passionate as the guys making the game are, their bosses the EA suits don't want another loss in the books....

Also, they did this to themselves and deserve this painful and embarrassing death, it's an awesome payback for us original hardcore fans whom they let down, it's for them insulting our intelligence with these last few years of Live.
They really thought they could come back and give us what basically is an updated copy of Live 11 with even less features, and they thought we were gonna jump on the train, like it's the future or something ??
They tried soooo hard lol, they actually worked harder at marketing and hyping the game than the did at actually creating the game, and therein lies the problem... I'm glad they shot themselves in the foot, and I'm glad it's ending in this hilarious and embarrassing fashion.

We will welcome you back if you bring us something new, otherwise thanks for trying EA but your 90's glory days are over, and you showed us that you still are, and always will continue to be E fcking A
bravo you arrogant sob's, take a good look in the mirror before you talk to us again, we're not idiots

[Patr1ck]

I read that their license runs through next year, so there will be a live 17.

[Andrew]

That's my understanding of the situation, too. What happens after that remains to be seen, but I'd say there'll at least be an NBA Live 17.

[JBulls]

Sales will probably pick up in the holiday season but I still predict less total sales than Live 15 in the same period, unfortunately.

[[Q]]

Would you guys buy it if they went the NFL 2K5 route and charged $30 for it?

or at least $30 for Live 17? I'd consider buying 17 for $30 on launch day

[Andrew]

As I said, Izzy's been mentioning that idea on Twitter. I think it has a lot of merit.

[[Q]]

The lower price point would definitely get some of those parents who aren't in the know who are buying the games for their kids

[Andrew]

And, depending on what improvements can be made, would be a better selling point for anyone who might at least consider getting both games.

Only problem is...say NBA Live 17 is a big step forward, and the series continues on a better path. They'd have to raise the price again at some point.

[mp3]

There was so much hype for nba live 16 not sure where it all went wrong!

I've played the game quite a bit with friends and it has being a fun pick up and play and I know I haven't bought the game for ps4 yet but I intend too when the price falls, there is no way EA can expect to charge the same as 2k does so I think them lowering the price is the way forward.

[ThePointForward]

Only problem is...say NBA Live 17 is a big step forward, and the series continues on a better path. They'd have to raise the price again at some point.

Well, PC version of NBA 2K was half-priced for several years as it lacked features. I don't think the price raise of 2K15 on PC managed to hurt revenue (I mean it's twice the price, so if half the people buy the game, it's still the same-ish revenue).

[Patr1ck]

There is a Senior Game Designer job opening for NBA Live.

[Andrew]

Only problem is...say NBA Live 17 is a big step forward, and the series continues on a better path. They'd have to raise the price again at some point.

Well, PC version of NBA 2K was half-priced for several years as it lacked features. I don't think the price raise of 2K15 on PC managed to hurt revenue (I mean it's twice the price, so if half the people buy the game, it's still the same-ish revenue).

Fair point. I suppose if subsequent games demonstrate that they're worth the price tag, people will buy them. I was just thinking of the controversy after Madden lowered their price and then raised it again, though the exclusive license is obviously a factor there as well.

There is a Senior Game Designer job opening for NBA Live.

Makes it seem like they're intent on going through to the end of the license, at the very least.

[Patr1ck]

Whether it is an addition to the team or a replacement is the question. Would have to do some digging in to the credits to find out. Hopefully an addition. I think the more EA puts into the game, the more they will get out eventually. I just want to go on record and say that I think the NBA and EA will renew the license because they have a great relationship, and the NBA has nothing to lose from doing so. It's not like the poor sales of Live are costing them any money.

[Andrew]

Agreed, it'd be the higher ups at EA who pull the plug if it comes to that, not the NBA itself.

[Patr1ck]

At least we can say we are one of the few people who have the game. It's a rarity!

[mp3]

I don't think nba live 16 is a bad game at all and I am very surprised by the sales after the summer if hype.

The more I play live 16 though the more it is clear that they put very little into the "nba live" side and rolled out the red carpet for the pro am thing which is a nice feature but in an nba sim game that's what it should only be a feature, they could of made a completely different game with just "nba Pro-Am" and released nba live a long side with it.

2k managed to mold both into one game but there proam was not at the cost of the rest of the game.

[Andrew]

I think they were looking for a hook, and in that respect, it's not a bad idea, especially with the popularity of team play and the like. And the NBA side of gameplay did get some enhancements with upgrades to player movement and playcalling. But I agree, I'd like to see a bigger focus on the NBA content, particularly Dynasty, in addition to further gameplay improvements.

[CEOHaize]

I think they really shot themselves in the foot by making the pro am free in the demo. Also all the faults of the demo (player likenesses being way off, glitches ETC.) really killed them in social media and out a stigma on the game. The pro am is very addictive. Honestly I would pay $20 for the pro am by itself. EA has to do something to differentiate them from 2k. like focus on a more arcade like game or come up with a fresh mode (which I believe pro am was supposed to be).

[Andrew]

That's an interesting point, I think there's some merit in it. It seemed like a good idea in theory, but it might've given away too much, even with the player cap. Beyond issues with the gameplay, Dynasty and Rising Star didn't really get much attention this year, so they don't really serve as an incentive to unlock the full version.

[CEOHaize]

Hopefully they're giving serious consideration to coming out with an NBA street title with an online mode similar to pro-am. I think they can be very successful with that. talking to people in other communities it seems the pro-am is popular because it plays somewhat like NBA street. I just hope these sales number serve as a wake up call to EA that something has to change in a major way.