10 for '10: Online Play

[Andrew]

Another instalment in my 10 for '10 series, this time taking a look at online play.

Thanks for checking out the third instalment in the 10 for '10 series of articles. For those of you who missed the first two instalments on Gameplay and Dynasty Mode, in this feature I discuss the top ten fixes, improvements or additions I'd like to see in various areas of NBA Live '10. Today's edition covers elements of online play.

Check it out here.

[The X]

In relation to your first point about punishing cheesers, cheaters & quitters, I refer you to EA's NCAA Football '10. I believe that there new Season Showdown mode has some of the aspects you are talking about, i.e. running up the score late in 4th quarter, trying to convert 4th downs instead of punting etc. If EA are doing it for gridiron, they should be able to get some of it in the hoops titles.

Perhaps the biggest indicator of NCAA Football's drive to reward good play is the Season Showdown mode that functions as both a self-contained mode, as well as a feature you can turn on in other modes, such as Dynasty. This mode rewards you with points in various categories for accomplishing feats during the course of a game. For example, you can earn two skill points for executing a user tackle (which means the computer didn't provide any assistance) or several points for successfully running a specifically designated setup play where you run the same play a few times before faking out the defense with something different. To put it simply, picture running the ball up the middle several times before selecting a play-action pass play that fakes out the linebackers and defensive backs. Likewise, you can also earn points for good sportsmanship, such as punting on a fourth down--again, going back to the "play the game the way it's meant to be played" idea--but you can lose sportsmanship points for trying to run up the score on an opponent. While you can't actually participate in Season Showdown-specific competitions with other players until the start of the real college football season, there are leaderboards in place that serve as ample incentive to rack up those points as often as possible. And despite the fact that Season Showdown is a little too quick to rob you of sportsmanship points (is throwing a 10-yard pass on third down with more than three minutes left that bad?), it's a fun addition that almost serves as more of a true test of skill than the typical achievements or trophies that are easily earned in simulated games.

The other new feature is, for me at least, more exciting. Season Showdown mode captures the fanaticism of college football. You get to pick one team to be your Season Showdown horse. Pick wisely, because there is no going back. Once selected, you are part of a season-long tournament to see which NCAA Football 10 team can garner the most points. Whatever mode you play (even Family Play), you are earning points that go into a collective pool.

Say you're a Penn State alum. You play as the Nittany Lions in your Online Dynasty Mode and even make sure your created player in Road to Glory goes to State. You're just plain nuts about Happy Valley. When you play, all your skill points (for tackles, big plays, TD throws, etc.), your sportsmanship (for kicking on fourth down) are tallied at the end of every game and sent through Cyberspace to EA's servers. And your old college roommate who does the same has his score added to Penn State's total as well, as does anyone who choose Penn State as their Season Showdown team.

How this will play out over the course of a real college season remains to be seen, but it's a great idea. It's already begun to change how I play games. Sportsmanship is the only category where you can lose points. So where I would normally toss a bomb on fourth down for the hell of it, I'm more likely to punt. And when the score is 45-0 in the fourth quarter, I eat up clock instead of trying to double the score. You might not like that kind of alteration to your game, but give EA credit -- they finally found a way to get people to try and play true college football.

[Andrew]

I've heard about that. I think a similar system in basketball titles would be fantastic as you could reward little things like running out the clock at the end of a blowout and not attempting a shot or punish things like trying to run up the score or intentionally fouling when you're down 20 points in the final minute to try and give the opposition an ugly win. Quitting a game when you're losing should also deal a significant blow to your sportsmanship rating. In short, I really do like that concept and would love to see something similar in NBA Live.

[JaoSming]

i have nothing really to say on this one, all the features you suggested are doable and would be great additions. Especially the playoff mode online since they are heavily promoting the atmosphere portion of the game.

[Andrew]

If they bring back the standalone Playoffs Mode for offline play (which I'm really hoping they do), then I'd definitely like to see it online. I think it would be pretty popular as an online feature as you'd get to a final result quicker not having to play through a season first. Just get four, eight or sixteen people together, let them battle it out in a one-and-done or best of 3, 5 or 7 setting and I think you'll get a fair few tournaments going.