Do You Think They Have Time? Give Feedback And Critiques!

[John-John Joe]

....have time to implement create-a-team? Call me greedy with all the new fantastic features we're getting but I'm a teensy bit disappointed that once again this feature will be omitted. If I recall correctly, it dated back to Live '97 where you could create a team, why not have it now? It can serve two purposes......

Expansion Mode

1. The ability to add a new twist to Franchise mode, "Expansion Mode". What happens is you create a team, design the uniforms, color scheme, logo, and choose the city/state and nickname. Perhaps the audio database would have over 100 nicknames and 30-45 cities/states to choose from so you don't have to go through your franchise being referred to as "the custom team".

Then you would choose players from the expansion draft and have the option of pulling off some deals with other clubs. You then attempt to navigate your franchise to the promised land, the NBA championship.

But it won't be easy, free agents won't be eager to come and play for you. You'll have to decide whether to let the young talent develop or decide to overpay for 2nd and 3rd tier free agents. This would make for some fun times!

Frathouse Mode

2. Frathouse mode is perfect for the guys who get together, chugging beers and talking trash while going head to head in Live. You and the boys can use the create-a-team feature and go into the fantasy draft.

After the cpu decides via the lottery balls who as the first pick etc. the pressures on. You'd better have your gameplan and draft notes in order because you're on the clock! After the draft the cpu will generate a schedule based on the amount of teams in the customized league. 6 people might have a 60 game season, etc.

Essentially an upgrade of tournament mode, the cpu will keep track of stats and will even choose an MVP, sixth man, defensive player of the year, etc. Of course it will all lead to a playoffs and Finals for the ultimate bragging rights.

I know that "Frathouse Mode" isn't for everyone, it's geared toward people who play alot in this fashion like myself. My friends aren't as much die-hard gamers like I am, but we always start up a season with a basketball game and even make trades, have a free agent pool, etc. With Live we have to do everything manually and use NBA teams which we save to another roster file, that sucks!

There's nothing more hilarious than two grown men arguing in a restaurant after a night at the club about who's trying to swindle who in an impending trade. Basically, my point is this, with a feature like create-a-team it opens the doors for an even broader experience in the world of NBA Live.


Bring It Back!

[Matthew]

Expansion Mode

1. The ability to add a new twist to Franchise mode, "Expansion Mode". What happens is you create a team, design the uniforms, color scheme, logo, and choose the city/state and nickname. Perhaps the audio database would have over 100 nicknames and 30-45 cities/states to choose from so you don't have to go through your franchise being referred to as "the custom team".

Then you would choose players from the expansion draft and have the option of pulling off some deals with other clubs. You then attempt to navigate your franchise to the promised land, the NBA championship.

But it won't be easy, free agents won't be eager to come and play for you. You'll have to decide whether to let the young talent develop or decide to overpay for 2nd and 3rd tier free agents. This would make for some fun times!

This reminds me of Madden 2002 with the Texans. It was a great mode, you had to go a season through, then you had the choice of being the Texans, or sticking with your franchise. If you stayed with your original team, you had to select which players you wanted to keep, and the texans were givin the number 1 pick in the rookie draft. Live really should of done the same with the bobcats in 2004... but they didnt.

Frathouse Mode

2. Frathouse mode is perfect for the guys who get together, chugging beers and talking trash while going head to head in Live. You and the boys can use the create-a-team feature and go into the fantasy draft.

After the cpu decides via the lottery balls who as the first pick etc. the pressures on. You'd better have your gameplan and draft notes in order because you're on the clock! After the draft the cpu will generate a schedule based on the amount of teams in the customized league. 6 people might have a 60 game season, etc.

Essentially an upgrade of tournament mode, the cpu will keep track of stats and will even choose an MVP, sixth man, defensive player of the year, etc. Of course it will all lead to a playoffs and Finals for the ultimate bragging rights.

I know that "Frathouse Mode" isn't for everyone, it's geared toward people who play alot in this fashion like myself. My friends aren't as much die-hard gamers like I am, but we always start up a season with a basketball game and even make trades, have a free agent pool, etc. With Live we have to do everything manually and use NBA teams which we save to another roster file, that sucks!

There's nothing more hilarious than two grown men arguing in a restaurant after a night at the club about who's trying to swindle who in an impending trade. Basically, my point is this, with a feature like create-a-team it opens the doors for an even broader experience in the world of NBA Live.

You know, with the online capailities for not only pc, but ps2 and xbox, this mode would be lots of fun. As long as they were online enabled, id be all for it. We could have our own nlsc nba live league

[Matthew]

Whoops, double post. Fucking internet connection

[cyanide]

I definitely agree. One of my hopes for this year's version was the custom teams, but since we're getting the entire All Star Weekend plus many other improvements, I'm not complaining. For next year's version, it'd be great to see something that Dre Naismith proposed. I'd love to pick a custom (or create) expansion team, pick my city (Edmonton), do a fantasy draft with my friend's custom team (include a Legends Pool to draft from too!), and play. Or even go Dynasty with only two teams in the league (hardcore one on one!). Add multiplayer compatibility, and you're looking at a potential internet tournament with custom teams and players that can range from legends to current NBA players to created players. The sky's the limit when it comes to custom teams, and it'd be great for us patchers too who want to innovate with their own invented logos, colors, etc. This is definitely something EA could use to expand longetivity in playability.

[John-John Joe]

I definitely agree. One of my hopes for this year's version was the custom teams, but since we're getting the entire All Star Weekend plus many other improvements, I'm not complaining. For next year's version, it'd be great to see something that Dre Naismith proposed. I'd love to pick a custom (or create) expansion team, pick my city (Edmonton), do a fantasy draft with my friend's custom team (include a Legends Pool to draft from too!), and play. Or even go Dynasty with only two teams in the league (hardcore one on one!). Add multiplayer compatibility, and you're looking at a potential internet tournament with custom teams and players that can range from legends to current NBA players to created players. The sky's the limit when it comes to custom teams, and it'd be great for us patchers too who want to innovate with their own invented logos, colors, etc. This is definitely something EA could use to expand longetivity in playability.

So true cyanide, it's tough to complain when you have maybe the best basketball game in history on the horizon. I'm impressed and eagerly excited for everything to come in October, but I suppose a main proponent for my displeasure is based on the 2K series......

The 2K series does in fact have the create-a-team feature as well as a slimmed-down primitive version of my vision: "Frathouse Mode." Because of this it seems like the fellas are swaying toward the 2K series this year, which is driving me absolutely nuts. Don't get me wrong, if worse comes to worse I'll adjust and dominate like I have the last 4 years (and counting! ) but I'd hate for Live 2005 to be relegated to one player usage only. Not to mention that I detest 2K's "arcadey" gameplay and wack animations........

[Andrew]

First of all, I'm going to nitpick and say that the custom team feature actually dates back to NBA Live 95.

Second, I'm going to say that I like those ideas. I don't think there's time to implement them in NBA Live 2005 but they're certainly things that could be added in future titles.

About "Frathouse Mode", would that exist as a seperate tournament mode or just as a customisation of Season/Playoff Mode? With a Create-a-Team function and the ability to place these teams in Season/Playoff Mode, you might be able to set up your own season/tournament play without the need of a whole new mode.

Expansion Mode would be a great idea, especially as an add-on to Dynasty Mode. It requires more features to be added than Frathouse Mode so it would certainly stand apart from the Create-a-Team function.

One of my hopes for Create-a-Team if/when it returns to the series is a wider selection of logos, specifically some more generic basketball orientated logos...maybe some NBA/old school All-Star style logos could find their way into the game. The Create-a-Team function in older games was nice, but certainly lacking in this department.

[John-John Joe]

First of all, I'm going to nitpick and say that the custom team feature actually dates back to NBA Live 95.

Second, I'm going to say that I like those ideas. I don't think there's time to implement them in NBA Live 2005 but they're certainly things that could be added in future titles.

About "Frathouse Mode", would that exist as a seperate tournament mode or just as a customisation of Season/Playoff Mode? With a Create-a-Team function and the ability to place these teams in Season/Playoff Mode, you might be able to set up your own season/tournament play without the need of a whole new mode.

Expansion Mode would be a great idea, especially as an add-on to Dynasty Mode. It requires more features to be added than Frathouse Mode so it would certainly stand apart from the Create-a-Team function.

One of my hopes for Create-a-Team if/when it returns to the series is a wider selection of logos, specifically some more generic basketball orientated logos...maybe some NBA/old school All-Star style logos could find their way into the game. The Create-a-Team function in older games was nice, but certainly lacking in this department.

Live '95? Wow, it dates that far back? I didn't even remember that.....And yeah those logos were atrocious, like the spider and the drill......

Frathouse Mode would be a separate feature from season mode. Mainly because the scheduling would be set up differently. In Frathouse mode you wouldn't be tied in to playing certain games like the season where the games are "locked in".

For instance, let's say the only one over my house is one person and we want our games to "count" we can play two or even three games in a row without disrupting the schedule. All the cpu would care about is that we don't exceed our 10 game (or whatever applies) maximum for playing each other. Perfect for when one or two of the fellas has to do some quality time with the ol' lady and can't make it on a Friday night.....

I'm all for giving multiple logos and old school logos would be fantastic. The ability to design your own would be the icing on the cake where I'm concerned.....

[Andrew]

The custom teams in NBA Live 95, 96 and 97 were fairly primitive though - the Slammers, Jammers, Blockers and Stealers. You could select players to fill the rosters but that was it. NBA Live 98 introduced the Create-a-Team feature that we all want to see return, while Live 99 and 2000 built upon it.

Frathouse Mode would be a separate feature from season mode. Mainly because the scheduling would be set up differently. In Frathouse mode you wouldn't be tied in to playing certain games like the season where the games are "locked in".

Ah, I see. I like the idea, though like I said they wouldn't have time to squeeze it into NBA Live 2005 (at least with the level of detail you outlined). Additional tournament modes would definitely increase the replay value (and would probably help out people who want to make special roster patches for the PC version ).

[NNpF]

I know I am talking about Madden a lot lately but in 2004 the 'Create-A-Team' was really good. The logos themselves were alright but you could also import one of your won. You could make almost any jersey imaginable if you put the time into it. And when your done the game automatically generates a different team for you each time. And even though these players were referred to as #??, you always had the option of signing free agents to get rid of that. I think that Create-A-Team for Live 2005 with an expansion draft would be awesome, I could finally make a team with pink jerseys.

[Dr J]

I think the create a team to include in the franchise mode is a great idea, but we'll probably ave to wait to further installments of the Live series...

[Steve [The Spiderman]]

well if they could at least do some kind of create a team for this year with good features that would be good for me, it would really add to the whole create a player IMO. and they dont have to implement it in franchise this year, cuz that will take a while, but if they could at least have a pretty good create a team for 05 that would extend longevity and make the game a lot better IMO

[Matthew]

I dont think create a team would add that much replay value to 05. It would be a nice feature, certainly not a detriment, but a huge asset? i dunno. the create a team for custom and online leagues sounds better to me. each to their own i guess..

[abdula_da_rauf]

create-ateam it would be fantastic. i can make maccabi telaviv and jasikevicius win mvp!

[Sauru]

i have said several times that haveing the ability t create and run an expansion team through the dynasty would be really fun. nba live did it once before with the raptors and grizz but it had 1 major problem that would need to be fixed imo. when team left players unprotected they always pick the 4 lowest rated guys. now in the real nba sometimes they leave good players with huge contracts unprotected to try and clear cap space. if there was a way they could make it so the cpu would offer both crap players and ok players with big contracts but without sometimes offering you a starter by mistake(would be lame to see them offer up a pierce or a duncan by mistake as a glitch) then i would use this mode instantly.

[John-John Joe]

i have said several times that haveing the ability t create and run an expansion team through the dynasty would be really fun. nba live did it once before with the raptors and grizz but it had 1 major problem that would need to be fixed imo. when team left players unprotected they always pick the 4 lowest rated guys. now in the real nba sometimes they leave good players with huge contracts unprotected to try and clear cap space. if there was a way they could make it so the cpu would offer both crap players and ok players with big contracts but without sometimes offering you a starter by mistake(would be lame to see them offer up a pierce or a duncan by mistake as a glitch) then i would use this mode instantly.

Yeah, that could be a problem. Perhaps the AI could be tweaked so the players left unprotected aren't always based on low ratings......

[SoLow]

hey saura............. i was just wandering, ive been lookin at the forums everyday for a long time and i think i remeber u saying u werent gonna get live for some graphical reason. correct me if i am wrong but did u say that.

[Andrew]

If it's the post I'm thinking of, Sauru was being sarcastic.

[Sauru]

yeah i was being very sarcastic in that post. trying to add a little humor to the whole "espn will own you cause of graphics".

i have been buying nba live since before it was nba live, wont stop either until someone makes a better game.

[Incubus]

Frathouse Mode

2. Frathouse mode is perfect for the guys who get together, chugging beers and talking trash while going head to head in Live. You and the boys can use the create-a-team feature and go into the fantasy draft.

After the cpu decides via the lottery balls who as the first pick etc. the pressures on. You'd better have your gameplan and draft notes in order because you're on the clock! After the draft the cpu will generate a schedule based on the amount of teams in the customized league. 6 people might have a 60 game season, etc.

Essentially an upgrade of tournament mode, the cpu will keep track of stats and will even choose an MVP, sixth man, defensive player of the year, etc. Of course it will all lead to a playoffs and Finals for the ultimate bragging rights.

I know that "Frathouse Mode" isn't for everyone, it's geared toward people who play alot in this fashion like myself. My friends aren't as much die-hard gamers like I am, but we always start up a season with a basketball game and even make trades, have a free agent pool, etc. With Live we have to do everything manually and use NBA teams which we save to another roster file, that sucks!

There's nothing more hilarious than two grown men arguing in a restaurant after a night at the club about who's trying to swindle who in an impending trade. Basically, my point is this, with a feature like create-a-team it opens the doors for an even broader experience in the world of NBA Live.


Bring It Back!

Yes ,i`d like this too. Chugging beers

[SoLow]

saura,
thanks for the feedback........... bcause i thought u were bein serious or something.

[John-John Joe]

Frathouse Mode

2. Frathouse mode is perfect for the guys who get together, chugging beers and talking trash while going head to head in Live. You and the boys can use the create-a-team feature and go into the fantasy draft.

After the cpu decides via the lottery balls who as the first pick etc. the pressures on. You'd better have your gameplan and draft notes in order because you're on the clock! After the draft the cpu will generate a schedule based on the amount of teams in the customized league. 6 people might have a 60 game season, etc.

Essentially an upgrade of tournament mode, the cpu will keep track of stats and will even choose an MVP, sixth man, defensive player of the year, etc. Of course it will all lead to a playoffs and Finals for the ultimate bragging rights.

I know that "Frathouse Mode" isn't for everyone, it's geared toward people who play alot in this fashion like myself. My friends aren't as much die-hard gamers like I am, but we always start up a season with a basketball game and even make trades, have a free agent pool, etc. With Live we have to do everything manually and use NBA teams which we save to another roster file, that sucks!

There's nothing more hilarious than two grown men arguing in a restaurant after a night at the club about who's trying to swindle who in an impending trade. Basically, my point is this, with a feature like create-a-team it opens the doors for an even broader experience in the world of NBA Live.


Bring It Back!

Yes ,i`d like this too. Chugging beers

Thanks Leddy! I didn't think Frathouse Mode would go over to well on the board being that most here are "One Player" NBA Live heads. But it would honestly do so much for those multi-player types like myself who I think have been ignored for too long.......

[Andrew]

I generally only play against the CPU, but none of my friends are basketball fans so it's difficult to convince them to play NBA Live. I still like the idea though, if only because it might be possible to manipulate it for patchmaking purposes (ie special leagues) on the PC.

[Jase23]

Hey Dre! Remember me? Im still waitin for Luc Longley to be on the cover, with mo-cap by Dicky Simpkins. Guess EA missed that memo.

Anyways......

Custom/expansion teams in franchise would be great. I'd get a bone that a dog couldn't bury in 10 weeks. I'd love it.
I play Bulls franchises all the time but a custom team would make me break out. I also occasionally play LANs with some of my EA lovin mates and we hoop it up. So frathouse would be cool. I had 45 cans of pepsi and 6 red bulls over 3 days recently playing games with friends, that sh!t makes you paranoid!!

Beer. Oh i love beer. Actually i don't descriminate i like most alcohol. Think I have a problem!!! And with the AFL final coming up (aussie rules football for all the non-aussies) well ....... its gonna get nasty at my house.

Yea i went off topic..... but who cares

Peace.

[John-John Joe]

Hey Dre! Remember me? Im still waitin for Luc Longley to be on the cover, with mo-cap by Dicky Simpkins. Guess EA missed that memo.

Anyways......

Custom/expansion teams in franchise would be great. I'd get a bone that a dog couldn't bury in 10 weeks. I'd love it.
I play Bulls franchises all the time but a custom team would make me break out. I also occasionally play LANs with some of my EA lovin mates and we hoop it up. So frathouse would be cool. I had 45 cans of pepsi and 6 red bulls over 3 days recently playing games with friends, that sh!t makes you paranoid!!

Beer. Oh i love beer. Actually i don't descriminate i like most alcohol. Think I have a problem!!! And with the AFL final coming up (aussie rules football for all the non-aussies) well ....... its gonna get nasty at my house.

Yea i went off topic..... but who cares

Peace.

OMG, JASE! Wussup Dude! Of course I remember you, and you still have the same witty, outrageous sense of humor! How did you know this is DRESPN?

I'm right there with you Jase, Frathouse Mode would be an absolute dream come true! Wait, how many cans of Pepsi? WHOA....

[John-John Joe]

BTW, can any of my Australian NLSC members confirm the release date for Live 2005 down under? I have an Australian member at my other site who's dying to know.