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Gibeau: NBA Live coming in fiscal 2014 [Update: Planned for next-gen systems]
EA will launch a game in the NBA Live series in the 2014 fiscal year (April 2013 through March 2014), President of EA Labels Frank Gibeau said during EA's fiscal 2013 year-end investor call. Gibeau listed NBA Live among the publisher's core sports titles as one of 11 games the publisher is planning for the fiscal year. The standard launch window for NBA games is in October. EA canceled NBA Live 13 in September 2012 after opting to "sit out the full year and stay focused on making next year's game great." The series has had a lengthy history of not seeing publication, starting with NBA Elite 11 being canceled in November 2010. Update: Gibeau listed NBA Live as one of the games that EA has planned for next-generation consoles. He also noted that the publisher has a "brand new engine from EA Sports," that will be seen at E3 in June.
Let's say goodbye to 2010's dearly departed
Is there anything sadder than a canceled video game? Years of man hours, creativity, blood, sweat and tears down the drain without a single player ever being able to appreciate the effort. Are we better without the This Is Vegases (Vegi?) of the world littering the shelves? Perhaps. But shouldn't we be allowed to find that out for ourselves? But you know what? Let's not mope. Let's start 2011 off right. Let's go over to 1UP and feel sad about all of 2010's canceled games all at once so we can move forward with a full heart. Which do you wish you'd gotten to know before it passed on?
NBA Elite cancellation 'squarely on my desk,' EA CEO says
According to CEO John Riccitiello, EA's perhaps unprecedented decision to cancel NBA Elite 11 so late in its development was his. "There aren't many decisions that are essentially squarely on my desk," he told Kotaku. "This was one." Riccitiello found this to be the least worst solution to the problem of a game riddled with bugs on the eve of release -- a "bad game," as EA Sports' Andrew Wilson put it. Either EA could have launched the game as it was (against the impressive NBA 2K11 competition), delayed it beyond the limited release window for basketball games (which would have drastically reduced market share and given the team less time to work on the next sequel), or it could cut its losses. "So there's the table: You can ship a product you're not proud of and compete for marginal share; [or] you can delay the game to get a better product, but that's going to have a knock-on effect," Riccitiello recalled. "And we made what I judged to be the best call given the circumstances." The cancellation of Elite was tempered by EA Canada's ability to quickly assemble a standalone release of NBA Jam for PS3 and Xbox 360 (in addition to the original Wii version), but it did mean that the company would not release a simulation-style competitor to go up against the NBA 2K series this year. Riccitiello seems okay with that outcome. "I don't think the consumer was served badly by buying 2K," he admitted. "It's a good game. And I think we're better served." As for releasing the full version of NBA Jam on more platforms, Riccitiello believes "people got to see what a good game that is" ... since the downloadable version got benched alongside Elite. [Image source: stayfly2407/YouTube]
EA on NBA Elite 11: 'It was just going to be a bad game'
"It was just going to be a bad game." And with that, Andrew Wilson, EA Sport's head of worldwide development summed up the reason behind the cancellation of what was meant to be this year's premiere installment in the basketball series reboot. Speaking with IGN, the executive noted that although NBA Elite's controls showed promise, the idea of having one stick for dribbling and shooting, and the other for movement, needed more time to percolate. Wilson explained, "At the very core, we have to build a great game first and foremost." The executive also noted that the company's decision to move all future production of the NBA Elite series to Madden developer Tiburon shouldn't be seen as a slight against EA Canada. Wilson made no mention of the NBA 2K11 wrapped van that pulls up to EA headquarters every Sunday at noon and, while nobody is around, lets Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick out to deliver his most heartfelt rendition of "Danke Schoen."
NBA Elite 11 canceled, series handed off to EA Tiburon
EA Sports has decided to give NBA Elite 11 the longest delay possible, updating the game's release date to never. EA's John Schappert confirmed during a recent investor's call that "we have elected to cancel NBA Elite 11." Elite had attempted to completely rework EA's basketball pedigree, abandoning the gameplay and namesake of EA's long-running NBA Live franchise. The gamble appears to have backfired, and development of the next EA Sports basketball title is being moved from EA Canada to the studio famous for Madden. "Future development of that franchise will be handled at EA Tiburon in Orlando," Schappert confirmed.
NBA Elite 11 still coming this month ... to iPhone
EA might have stopped the presses of NBA Elite 11 console discs, but the iPhone version is still on track for release this month, according to EA Mobile. The division announced its fall lineup today, with FIFA 11 and EA Sports MMA rounding out the sports titles for iPhone (and iPod Touch) in October. Additionally, Heroes Lore, a popular mobile RPG in Korea (we're told), will be released this month in the App Store. An iPhone version of Battlefield Bad Company 2, "based on the best-selling console game," leads EA Mobile's November charge, which includes High Caliber Hunting, a Retina Display-enhanced critter capper, featuring a multitude of brand-name firearms and gear. For iPad? There's SimCity Deluxe. And for poor Android this fall? Just ... the Game of Life.
Pachter: NBA Elite 11 delay to cost EA 1.1 million sales this year; NBA Jam no savior
In a recent investor communique, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter noted his belief that Electronic Arts would lose 1.1 million sales due to NBA Elite 11's delay and reduced the company's holiday quarter earnings estimate by $60 million. Also, because the sports sim will miss the beginning of basketball season with its 2011 release, he predicts that by the end of the company's fiscal year next March, Elite 11 will have only sold around 500,000 units -- if it doesn't succumb to the "possibility of being canceled." Pachter's note briefly mentions the standalone versions of NBA Jam as "not a true substitute," so we followed up with the analyst extraordinaire to find out why he believes EA's other NBA game can't make up the difference. "The standalone versions on PS3 and 360 might sell well, but I question whether they will be priced as $60 games, when the company had previously said it was giving them away with NBA Elite." He continued, "More likely, they'll be discounted to $50 or lower, and gamers will still balk at the price, given that it was going to be bundled with NBA Elite -- and likely will be, if the latter game ever comes out. So I'd say another 200,000 units, maybe." As for the Wii version, he explained that the game was coming out anyway for the console, so the lack of NBA Elite may give it a "very small" bump of 100,000 units.
NBA Elite 11 delayed, NBA Jam coming as standalone product for 360 and PS3
Well, it seems like the details regarding the release of the NBA Jam reboot on the 360 and PS3 have changed yet again. EA Sports just announced that its upcoming basketball title, NBA Elite 11, has been delayed beyond its release next month to an undisclosed launch window. You know, NBA Elite 11 -- that game that would come with a download voucher for NBA Jam, serving as "the ONLY way" players could grab Jam on Microsoft or Sony's home consoles? Seems that line's changed too. The delay announcement also revealed that "we're going to ship NBA Jam as a standalone product on the Xbox 360 and PS3 in time for the holidays. Watch for more news soon on the exact timing of that release." We're going to hound EA to find out more about these plans -- will it be a retail release (the use of the word "ship" certainly seems to indicate as much). If so, will it carry a $60 price tag? Will NBA Elite 11 still come with a free copy of Jam, or has that offer been summarily revoked? Is this a test? Are you testing us?
NBA Jam download included with new copies of NBA Elite 11 on 360 and PS3 [update]
EA announced this morning that customers will receive a download code for NBA Jam on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 with every new copy of its upcoming (and far more serious) basketball game, NBA Elite 11. To some of you, it may be best to think of it as a free NBA Elite 11 with every NBA Jam. The way EA explains it: if you drop $60 on NBA Elite 11, due on October 5, the game will offer a "one-time download code" for three modes of NBA Jam, including Play Now, Classic Campaign and Online. The "Remix Tour" mode remains exclusive to the Wii version. By now, brilliant reader, you've likely caught on that there seems to be something missing here, like an individual release date or price for a standalone NBA Jam. We're following up with EA on that, but this deal already serves as an explanation for NBA Jam's appearance on several ratings boards -- sans official confirmation that the game would launch on anything else but the Nintendo Wii. (Also, would this be the wrong time to bring up that a large portion of a Wii game just got Project Ten Dollar'd?) Update 2: Official word from EA: "NBA Jam has been optimized for the Wii, but the content of the Classic Campaign and Play Now modes will be the same as the Wii version. Jam is only available with the purchase NBA Elite 11. There are no plans to sell it as a standalone product on the X360 or PS3 at this time." Update: On the PlayStation Blog, NBA EA Canada community manager Yaw Obiri-Yeboah emphasizes: "Another important note to share with all of you - the ONLY way you will be able to play NBA JAM for the PS3 is to buy NBA ELITE 11." ESPN reports the same goes for Xbox 360.
NBA Elite 11 video passes along NBA players' thoughts
EA has a lot riding on NBA Elite 11, the reboot of its once-great-but-gone-stale NBA Live series. Using its brand-new control scheme primarily utilizing the analog sticks, our time with the game was a breathe of fresh air -- and it would seem a few NBA players agree. Past the break, you'll find a video of Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings and cover star Kevin Durant sharing their feelings on the game. Overall, they seem to agree that the new control scheme feels natural. Oh, and just because it's an EA-created video, we don't think you should write off its content: Curry's tale of failed three-point shots speaks volumes about the new skill-based shooting. %Gallery-96126%
Preview: NBA Elite 11
There's a lot riding on NBA Elite 11. Now that EA has decided to retire its NBA Live series -- which graced consoles for the last 15 years -- and completely overhaul its game engine, it's hoping to reclaim the throne it lost to the NBA 2K series so many years ago. The first change that's apparent is the new controls. Gameplay is handled primarily through the use of both analog sticks -- the left stick acts as your feet, while the right stick represents your hands. It was jarring at first trying to link together moves in succession. But after only a few minutes, I was able to execute lay-ups, crossovers and even dunks. Once I really started to think of it in terms of feet and arms, it all really became intuitive. %Gallery-96126%
NBA Elite 11 trailer has a vision
It's one thing to talk the talk, but it's entirely something else to walk the walk -- and this NBA Elite 11 dev diary strolls gallantly. EA wasn't just yanking your chain when talking about the changes made to the series. Frankly, we haven't been this excited for a basketball game since NBA 2K1!
NBA Elite 11 officially announced
We reported on EA's plans to reboot its basketball franchise last week and, sure enough, the company has announced NBA Elite 11 today. Set to hit the retail paint in October, NBA Elite 11 boasts "an all-new technology base, a new control scheme and a real-time physics system." It's currently only in development for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and the new physics system means that players can now move around the court independently without being tied to another player. There's also going to be a new skill-driven shooting system that will require "accurate user input" and have its success tied into player orientation on the court -- no longer will there be "random dice rolls" to determine successful shooting. Finally, EA details a new "Hands-On" control scheme, which promises 1:1 movement, doing away with those long, annoying animations of the past. Overall, it sounds like EA Canada is rebuilding things from the ground up for NBA Elite 11. But if you're going to do that, why not call it Hoop McGee and the Spalding Boys 11 or Slam Dunkerstein: The Legend of Curly's Gold 11? Why not get a bit more creative, you know?
Report: EA retiring NBA Live name, replacing it with 'NBA Elite' [update]
According to the latest issue of OXM (via 1UP), EA is retiring the NBA Live name. Instead, the company will now be branding its franchise NBA Elite, starting with NBA Elite 11. We've checked the game's Twitter, blog and news feed to no avail. We did manage to get into touch with an EA Sports spokesperson, who offered this statement: "We knew it was time to leave the past behind. We have exciting and significant changes coming to our NBA game this year that will usher in the future of basketball videogames. We look forward to releasing information on exactly how we'll be doing that over the next few months." It's hardly confirmation of the name change, but suggests there's something to this whole NBA Elite business. Anybody have a copy of OXM to confirm this? We'd mightily appreciate it! Update: A tipster sent in an image of the OXM article in question. It looks like the news is legit: look forward to EA Sports NBA Elite 11 this fall.
