NBA Live 08 Wishlist

[hagahunden]

on allstar-weekend


skills challenge


maybe air on the jerseys like x360 and ps3 .

[NBAFanatic23]

the freestyle superstar junk is a joke

they need to scrap the whole engine and build a new game from the ground up

I know, I hate the freestyle superstar crap. It just made the game worse and easier to win. Maybe that's why I liked Live '05 so much. Man, that was a great game.

[frenchy]

What I would like:
-Harder Dynasty mode (but maybe only 10 years)
-Hidden players that could be released with dynasty points (rookies expected to be drafted during the 3-4 next years; legend; european all stars...)
- Possibility to add a custom team and play D mode with it
- realistic stats for bench players
- A great show at the end of the season when you win the tittle: not only one player with the trophy but also the MVP trophy, firelights etc (something like in 2003 but longer and better)

[deang]

would like a created player mode like in madden where you get drafted to a team and than from there go on like in a dynasty but you can get traded and everything and move to another team

[Andrew]

-Hidden players that could be released with dynasty points (rookies expected to be drafted during the 3-4 next years; legend; european all stars...)

That one is impossible due to licensing rights.

[Pistol]

LOL, after reading most of all this I noticed...youar e all wishing for stuff that 2K has, lol...Although one thng Live has on 2K (only reason I bopught live this year) All-Star weekend, lol...Plus some thing sin dynasty i like, such as redoing the draft and other stuff, but when you play 2k and then play live, gameokay is horrendous and graphics too...

[mertek]

I would like just one more difficulty.On superstar i win always by ten points or more.

[Oznogrd]

mertek play with your sliders...lower your shot ratings to 0 and jack the CPU's all the way up...see if you still win then....

As for the thing andrew mentioned: college players cannot be licensed because they lose eligibility which is why all NCAA games use numbers instead of names from March Madness to MVP...not sure why them being on the cover is still ok (they should use like the mascot of the champion from the year before or something i think)

[jay74]

1. Bring back custom teams. It's also just a reality that there is league expansion in dynasty too.

2. Allow all teams (including legendary, allstar, custom, etc. teams to be added in season mode and playoff mode. Be nice to have the competition.

3. Make teams added to season more flexible, rather than requiring the league to have 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 teams.

4. Allow a season league type to be the old 4 division (2 per conference) format. (Would solve wish #3)

5. Add historical NBA champions to the legendary or all star teams. Either all NBA champions (similar to what an old sn baseball game did), or the 10 greatest of all time, etc. Sometimes the players themselves are not legal to add--but this can be worked around similar to older NBA live games, for example when you had "Roster SG" on the Bulls in place of Jordan in Live 98.

6. Keep improving computer player intelligence. For example, no one throws up a half court shot with 3 seconds like a programmed robot--they try to get closer until there is a second left. On the other hand, when past half court with 1.0 seconds, the player doesn't keep dribbling.

7. Have a "Home Court Advantage" option, much like the momentum option. Could be as simple as more momentum, more referee calls, or better shooting (considering teams shoot better at home cuz of more familiarity with the backgrounds).

8. Allow sophomore and rookie teams to be used in games just like other all star and legendary teams.

9. Keep up the good work.

[Andrew]

5. Add historical NBA champions to the legendary or all star teams. Either all NBA champions (similar to what an old sn baseball game did), or the 10 greatest of all time, etc. Sometimes the players themselves are not legal to add--but this can be worked around similar to older NBA live games, for example when you had "Roster SG" on the Bulls in place of Jordan in Live 98.

I wouldn't mind that if that's something they could get away with since I'm primarily a PC player and we could patch that. However, it would leave console players out in the cold. It's possible that EA Sports are avoiding going back to the "Roster Player" method even if it is perfectly legal because some people would still feel disappointed that the real players aren't included and describe it as a half-hearted attempt (even though legal issues, not a lack of effort is the barrier in getting this feature in the game). Whichever route EA Sports take - dummy players or leaving players out whom they cannot license - people are going to be disappointed that the actual players aren't represented in the game.

If they did implement dummy players though, they would have to include the ability to edit their names and appearances, since they can use neither unless they are licensed. Dummy players would need generic names and couldn't resemble the players they are meant to represent, which isn't much of an issue for the PC version since it can be modded but console players would be stuck with generic placeholder players should the game lack the ability to modify them from within the game.

[jay74]

5. Add historical NBA champions to the legendary or all star teams. Either all NBA champions (similar to what an old sn baseball game did), or the 10 greatest of all time, etc. Sometimes the players themselves are not legal to add--but this can be worked around similar to older NBA live games, for example when you had "Roster SG" on the Bulls in place of Jordan in Live 98.

I wouldn't mind that if that's something they could get away with since I'm primarily a PC player and we could patch that. However, it would leave console players out in the cold. It's possible that EA Sports are avoiding going back to the "Roster Player" method even if it is perfectly legal because some people would still feel disappointed that the real players aren't included and describe it as a half-hearted attempt (even though legal issues, not a lack of effort is the barrier in getting this feature in the game). Whichever route EA Sports take - dummy players or leaving players out whom they cannot license - people are going to be disappointed that the actual players aren't represented in the game.

If they did implement dummy players though, they would have to include the ability to edit their names and appearances, since they can use neither unless they are licensed. Dummy players would need generic names and couldn't resemble the players they are meant to represent, which isn't much of an issue for the PC version since it can be modded but console players would be stuck with generic placeholder players should the game lack the ability to modify them from within the game.

Real names would be ideal, but most understand it is a legal issue. On Live 98, I just changed Roster SG's name to jordan and his number to 23--didn't care much that his college wasn't NC. His abilities were pretty much the same, and it preferred that to not having him at all.

[Andrew]

No question and as I said, on the PC version it's no issue because can mod everything and even give him a face and portrait along with his real name and bio data. Console players don't have that luxury though, so if EA Sports did go for dummy players ideally they should include the ability to modify their details (aside from ratings) in Edit Player.

[jaiel26]

1. Being able to use the controller to interact with the menus. How dumb is it to have a controller in your hand and still have to use the mouse?

2. A profile where you can set your team plays and transition defense to go with you no matter what team you play with. It's a little tedious to to set plays every single game especially when you play with the same team.

3. A player meter that contains a yearly fatigue, game fatigue, and injury bars that effect your game play. All players go through slumps and it would force you to actually use strategie like resting certain players or risking major injuries.

4. Expand the team chemistry, eliminate team events, because as long as you win they really don't effect the team chemistry. Instead each player should have a style of play attribute that has to mesh with the coach and the rest of the team. If he is not a good fit he won't play well and will constantly ask for a trade or won't resign.

5. Dynasty mode should become more like owner's mode, where you have to hire a GM (that has his own ideas) and a coach (that has his own ideas). The coach only has one style (defensive minded, fast break, half court) and have personality traits that can grow such as inexperienced, average, good, great, and legend, that boost team play. The general manager should have similar attributes, and the less experience they have the more mistakes they make. For example the GM has to scout players for the upcoming draft, and scout free agents, and you can only sign or drafted players he scouted The more experience he has the more he can do and the more options you will have. With the coach there should be an auto submode where you cannot sub a player at any point through the first 3 quarters of the game. Kind of like fair play mode on madden where you can't run the 2 minute offense until 2 minutes left in the half.

6. Get rid of the alley oop button and make that a low post button. The alley oop should become situational only. Too many times you throw an alley oop to a guy standing on the sideline. Now you can use that button for low post moves just like superstar moves. Real drop steps and backdown would be so much easier to perform.

7. Get rid of the animations that allow they CPU to just run into you and know your hands down as you attempt to block their shot. Either you jump and block the shot, draw a charge, or get a foul called. That gameplay is just dumb. Also get rid of the dazed staggering player animation after a blocked shot. You basically become immobile for 5 seconds looking dumb. Change it to the player getting knocked to the floor, but you never losing the control over the player.

[DanteDolge]

defintly would like be able to save while in the game like in prior versions and i would love to see a superstar mode like in madden. Maybe you could import a draft class from an ncaa b-ball game or some shit and paly as the player throught his carear

[Shing]

- Add the ability to start as an expansion team, the way the Bobcats did, with some teams releasing players that the expansion team can choose.

[beau_boy04]

They need to revamp the off-season big time, sort of what Madden did in 2007.
MLE needs to be added for the greatest common good!

come on EA do some for us, you have ripped us off many years now... its time for you to pay us back.... i'm tired of being dissapointed and waiting waitng

[Andrew]

MLE needs to be added for the greatest common good!

NBA Live 07's Dynasty Mode features the MLE.

[den64]

i ve got lil wishes for live 08 :
- add stuffs about scouting of the draft prospects (stats, analysts comments, short clip videos of rooks)
- bring back animations when signing or releasing guys
- it will be fun to propose a job to a player when he retire->suns propsose to hire steve nash as a gm or assistant coach after his career
- create a d-league assignement

[jusay_mitch29]

i also want a realistic jersey that moves like xbox 360's jerseys not like pc jersey which look like armor... add this to the live 08 andevery one wil be happy

[Elbeen]

i ve got lil wishes for live 08 :
- add stuffs about scouting of the draft prospects (stats, analysts comments, short clip videos of rooks)
- bring back animations when signing or releasing guys
- it will be fun to propose a job to a player when he retire->suns propsose to hire steve nash as a gm or assistant coach after his career
- create a d-league assignement

this would be dreamy

i also want a realistic jersey that moves like xbox 360's jerseys not like pc jersey which look like armor... add this to the live 08 andevery one wil be happy

has already been posted by someone here and yeah that would really pump pc versions

[Andrew]

i also want a realistic jersey that moves like xbox 360's jerseys not like pc jersey which look like armor... add this to the live 08 andevery one wil be happy

I don't disagree it would be great to see, but somehow I don't think that's the one feature that would leave everyone satisfied with the game.

[Hapa]

Hey everbody.
I've been long time reader and patch user here,also "fan" of the Live series since mid-90's('97 edition featuring Mitch Richmond on the cover).Unfortunately, not because its a closest thing to bball simulation, but rather cause its the only basketball simulation avaliable on PC.When i started playing Live series, i truly enjoyed and had fun with it.But it was less and less with each and every new version, with 07 being the last nail in the coffin.
Live 07 was and still is a terrible game for me.Mainly because no major improvements were maded compared to older versions, and on the top of all it was buggy as hell.Also, my level of disappointement with this yr version was by far biggest. I still cant believe how lame the gameplay actually is.

Forget the fancy features like new and improved ASW, expanded shoe brands, player videos in main menu and whatnot.Im talking about the part of the game when you press play button, its flat out lame(even with 397 gameplay patches applied).Its called gameplay.

Anyway, here is my half-a-rant-half-a-wishlist:
-Major redoing-
of FSS thing, or even termination.Its getting too arcadish for me, when you're able to dunk a windmill with Amare while being triple teamed, then transformation from Vince Carter/TMac/Wade/LeBron etc. from standing still with player on them, and the very next moment dunking over that very same player(w/o even dribbling the ball), while defying the laws of psyhics.Give us the normal dunks, except if player is alone on the break or has enough space and time to do all that fancy crap.Dunks through the table are also especially annoying.Overall ability to utilise FSS move anytime you want is stupid.I find myself disinterestingly yawning when i press FSS move, cause i know it wont be reallistically contested/or stopped.Save that stuff for the NBA Street, and give the true simulation look to the Live franchise.If you wanna make a difference between superstars/stars/average/below average players, then get rid of the generic player look and behavior.For instance, i was playing vs. Rockets with Jazz.I was guarding TMac and Yao pretty well, but it didnt mattered.Battier, Snyder, Alston, Lucas and co.(including Steve freaking Novak) didnt have a single problem carrying the offense.It wasnt like they were hitting open shots, no, they were hitting all those off-the-dribble-with-a hand-in-their-face shots, driving and handling the ball superbly, etc.Aside from the lack of FSS moves, i really couldnt tell the difference between superstar and causal starter.There is the reason why TMac is earning $20 mil. per season, and Snyder 10 times less, ya know?
Also, PG superstar.His impact is much more than being able to throw a fancy behind the back pass in traffic.Maybe giving him some kind of "charm" factor, where he positively impacts entire team while on the court(like they move better, making them to be more effective whole hes on the court)
-Gamespeed-
whats the point of having a speed slider from 0-100, when on 37 players act like Suns on steroids?What 100 like, warp speed?
-Improve AI-
a)Team styles-too generic, everbody run, run and then run some more.Even with edited team playbooks, i couldnt see much of the difference when playing Suns or Pistons.
b)Way too few layup/dunk animations, with some of them being retarded.That layup animation is the most retarded thing i ever saw(cant remeber the layup name, one where the player leanes on the side and lays the ball like he has some serious mental and physical issues).Gives us more up and under, double clutch, 360 layups.Also, will we ever see anything more than generic jumpshooting style, unless its on next-gen console?Why can we change 3 pt style only for the 3pt contest(in database)?
More non FSS post moves, baby hooks, spins, leaners, fadeaways.Better the player, better/more frequent usage rate and animation.
-Better block/steal animations
-Remove pushing the player out of bounds.
Overall, more animations, but in the same time more ability for user to control/participate in those actions, rather than pressing the button and watching computer doing his thing.
-Better stat simulated engine-self explanining.
-Return of the animated playbook, with ability to create custom plays.
-Better AI logic related to awards.Maybe even an option for user to select the award winners.
-Make the game recognize mismatches-if you controll Iverson and Shaq is guarding you, you should be able to blow by him for a layup.In this game, no way Jose. Same is if Iverson somehow ends up guarding Shaq in the post, no, he wont be able to hold his own, making Shaq struggling to establish poisition or to even move.Please EA, remove this "feature" .
-Gameplay, gameplay, gameplay.

Kinda random list here, im writing it in frustration after playing couple hours of Live.If some of the things are mentioned before, sorry, just wanted to echo the sentiments.
Honestly, i dont really have much faith in all those super-dooper features EA's gonna give us with the next release.I still see the game with the same old gameplay flaws.Sadly, it will again be the only bball game avaliable on PC...

[Hapa]

Couple of things i forgot:
-reassign backdown button back to r1 button on joypad(i think it was r1)
-being able to walk and run with ball
-redo rebounding and passing.Stupid CPU is grabbing offensive rebounds as a part of a comeback code, boxout is useless.Also, i find current controls awkward and not too responsive(like when jumping for rebs, players jump way to unpredictably). The game actually pisses on all your hustling and hard work on defense when an opposing PF or C(again, regardless of his status/ability/ratings) is getting 3-4 consecutive off. rebs and easy putback while my reatrds are helplessly jumping around like a bunch of 5 yr olds.
For passing, you can throw the ball in the traffic(with anybody) w/o worring will it be intercepted.Players always recieve pass, even when surrounded with multiple defenders.
Also, about a such a blatant and obvious CPU cheating known as comeback code. I know they need to make the game challenging, especially on harder levels, but c'mon, make it look realistic.
I manage to drive to the hoop with a clear path to lay or dunk the ball in.But, opposing player who guards me somehow initiates invincible contact-non foul behind my back and causes a miss.I know that missed dunks and layups happen in real life, but not at this rate.EA makes it to be a pattern.Not to mention stupid force field shields that CPU defense possess, you just bounce off the defender and cant get past him or even dare to start dribling vs. almighty CPU, unless you do a spin move, which is effective only sometimes.
-Contact animations cause very awkward and retarded reactions, which do not belong to basketball whatsoever.That animation for offensive foul, where player falls on his head is especially retarded.
-Whenever i recieve ball in the post CPU doubles it it.Whether its Tim Duncan or Rafael Araujo, they double it.So in most of the cases i get a open look with my SG and easy three.Improved logic here would do wonders...
Set plays-my a$$.. Way the game is played equals some pickup no defence game(except for the CPU part, of course), featuring HarlemGlobe Trotters and AND1 Mixtape clones.There are no basic pro ball trademarks,like discipline, patience or something like that. Players just bully their way through the basket, hitting shot after shot, getting offensive boards, passing the ball around w/o any limitations.Game is cheeser friendly and extremely easy for posting big individual stats with any player.Also,you cant have realistic stat averages(per 48 min), when in order to stay competitive you need to equal CPU-s gunners mentality and shoot 115+ shots per game, grab 75 rebs etc., etc.If i really give a good effort, i can produce nice looking meaningless empty stats similar to those in real life, while killing any type of supposed enjoyment in the process.Well, atleast i have all correct shoes,dornas, and headbands, like in real life.

If it wasn't for all the great effort and work patchers around here put up, i wouldnt even bother playing this game straight out of the box.Mostly for health reasons..

[Shing]

More non FSS post moves, baby hooks, spins, leaners, fadeaways.Better the player, better/more frequent usage rate and animation.

There should be an abilities feature to replace FSS.

For instance, Andrew Bynum is clearly learning a lot of moves from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's coaching in Los Angeles IRL. What I'm saying is, if you've got Abdul-Jabbar coaching for your team, you could assign him to offensively train Andrew Bynum. After enough training, Bynum will develop a competent SkyHook move that will improve in potency with even more training (learning from the greatest skyhook-er ever to play the game would improve this move faster).
The SkyHook should be one of many, many moves that can be taught by coaches (or learned by the players themselves, by playing against others with skillful ablities or purely by figuring it out for themselves). So instead of there being a simple Inside Scorer FSS Icon next to, for instance, Tim Duncan's name, there'd be a list of moves (and Duncan's individual proficiency in executing those moves) that Tim Duncan can make and his level of proficiency in each.

Also, on the flip side of this abilities feature is physical ability. Players like Josh Smith or Dwight Howard might not have the skills necessary to defend a 100rated skyhook, but their overpowering physical abilities would allow them to defend high-rated-skill-moves regardless. So the game would become a mix of physical and skillful abilities.

All players could learn all types of moves. Allen Iverson could have a 100 rated SkyHook. But the game would also have to realize that at only 6ft tall, if Allen Iverson tried to SkyHook over Shaquille O'Neal he'd fail. So certain abilities would work more often for certain players (depending on their physical ability).

I hope this makes sense...

[beau_boy04]

I would like them to add the ability to trade future first and second round picks.

Examples - NY and Chicago (06 first round and 07 swap)
Atlanta and Suns (ATL first round pic top 3 protected)