.

[hmm]

....................................

[Andrew]

I don't think it was a matter of laziness. I'm guessing they've been trying to improve the previous Franchise/Dynasty Mode and have come to the conclusion they can't do what they want with it. Thus, they've scrapped it and rebuilt it, as indicated by the interviews and other previews we've seen so far.

People have often accused of EA Sports of releasing what they deem a bad product intentionally. To me, that's just foolishness. Even with brand recognition and a virtual monopoly of the PC market, there is no advantage in releasing a bad game on purpose. Eventually, people would stop buying it, even the hardcore fans. They'd stick to their favourite title and patch it. Or in the case of console gamers, switch to another game.

It's strange, because people have accused EA of only caring about money in the same breath as accusing them of intentionally releasing subpar games. That simply does not make sense. It does not take a genius to realise that a bad product will not make a lot of money.

Also, I think it's a case of the intentions being good but the finished product missing the mark. Take NBA Live 2003 for example. I didn't mind it and because of the new features I did not go back to an older edition of NBA Live, but I stopped playing it long before I usually stop playing the latest game on a regular basis. In other words, I did enjoy playing NBA Live 2003, though I had my gripes the same as everyone else.

The reasons I don't blast the production team for NBA Live 2003 is that I know what it's like to put a lot of work into something, not have it quite reach the expectations and get ripped apart. I feel that constructive criticism is much more useful than "Fuck you, EA!" or something similar. If you've been around the forum for a while, you're familiar with my stance. Constructive criticism and suggestions are more useful than insults and vulgar suggestions.

The aim was to make NBA Live 2003 fun. The result was a fast paced game that was action-packed and featured some "lighter side of the NBA" cutscenes. Unfortunately, this took away from the simulation elements and thus the realism that the game always strives for. Potentially, this was a game that could have been a lot of fun but since most us are realism freaks, it didn't quite meet our expectations. It wasn't the game that most of the fanbase was hoping for.

I don't think there will be any great delay for the PC version. As far as I'm aware most places are reporting that they'll all be released around the same time, but I'm guessing there'll only be a short delay (say, a week or so), if at all. I could be wrong, but that's my guess based on previous years.

[Silky Smooth Vlade]

I'm not sure if it was laziness, but it was something. We have gone far too long with a big overhaul in franchise mode. Although I will never blast EA Canada, because they produce my favorite series, NBA Live. It's obvious that they are always trying to put something new in their games to increase the quality of the game and give the fans something to help us stay interested. 2003, freestyle. 2004, two shoot buttons. 2005, finally a new franchise mode. EA Canada is not lazy. Maybe just confused on the fact that a revamped franchise mode has been due for a long time.

[John-John Joe]

Hi Homer, I know what it's like to look for something in a product you love and for it to fall short of expectations. But to call EA lazy in that regard is a bit irrational.

I honestly think that we the fans give them too hard a time if you ask me. Of course we are the consumers and have every right to voice our displeasure with certain aspects of the game, but often times our expectations would be virtually (pun absolutely intentional ) impossible to meet.

You used Tiburon's fantastic work with their franchise mode as an example which I think is a bit unfair. Why? Because face it, basketball games are by far the most difficult sport to represent in a videogame.
Football like baseball at least has moments during actual gameplay where things will come to a virtual standstill. From calling the plays in Madden to awaiting the pitch in MVP baseball but with basketball's perpetual motion and split second changes of direction it makes it a daunting task for programmers.

What does this have to do with their franchise mode? Simple, they can't devote as much time to it as they'd like because of the constant challenge of meeting gamers demands gameplay wise. Tiburon has it easier with football so they are able to go as in depth as they do with their franchise mode. Who ever thought we'd be able to set ticket prices and concessions in Madden? Wow.

But if EA Canada decided to take the year focusing on the Franchise mode instead, then gameplay nuiances would suffer. And could you imagine all the complaints you'd hear then? WHOA. So they've focused on adding freestyle control, separate dunk/lay up buttons, pro hop and other innovations to continue striving toward basketball gameplay excellence much like Madden has with football.

As a basketball gamer like all of you are, I've always felt like a second class citizen. Like, when is there going to be a basketball version of Madden? When, when when, when??? Until I sat down and thought about it, it's pretty frickin' hard to do a basketball game.

EA has shown me with their consistent innovations as well as scouring the 'net and inviting Live fans to their EA summit that they are far from lazy. They are a hardworking dedicated team who will stop at nothing to reach the plateau that we expect the Live franchise to reach. I think we need to be more patient as well as more appreciative of what we do have. The best basketball game on the market, hands down.

[hmm]

....................................

[John-John Joe]

Well they are not excuses. i agree with basketball being the hardest sport game to produce.but think about it. Franchise mode is not that hard.

Look at madden.

Owner Mode: Not a big deal.i am no programmer but i believe it is not that hard to put owner mode to Live's franchise mode.Just a small merchandise screen,stadium info . i am not even including relocation into deal. Create jersey will be in 2006 i am sure. They gave signs about it.

Retired players being coaches is another easy thing. Give coaches some ratings. it is not realistic to play with Memphis and having hubie in 2026 season when he will be almost 100.

Madden has sick simulation engine. it can be the hardest thing for live but i am sure it is doable but about the other things, they can easily be done and they should be.

in .org they gave great mini-camp examples. Making a mini-camp drills before the start of season is pretty easy too i believe.

All EA gotta do is change the list of priority. Put Franchise at the 1st place. i am looking for this year. it wont still have a mode like owner mode madden has but whatever.

And also one last word. Madden sells real good. EA makes millions of benjamins out of Madden. Simply because it is a great game. American football is mainly restricted to America unless guys like me discovers it.

But Basketball is global and NBA is loved greatly all over the world. Put some real effort make a flawless game(with flawless franchise) like Madden. And Live will sell more than Madden and will give EA much more profit.

Homer, you bring up so many excellent points. I've been a Madden fan since the first edition where they didn't even have an NFL license! So I know exactly where you're coming from, you feel that they need to switch up their priorities. I used to feel the same exact way.

But being a sports gamer who will play anything from Hockey to Jai Alai to Synchronized Swimming , I can tell you that basketball games are always the worst of the bunch.

Look at all the companies that entered the fray only to bow out with their tails between their legs. Remember In the Zone? Or NBA Shootout? You're absolutely right, basketball is the more global sport so it should get the most attention. Fact is, I think they're honestly doing everything possible.

You say that Franchise mode isn't that difficult? I used to say the same thing until cats like Mr. Shane, DANet and others were able to share their first hand experiences with the NBA Live programmers (lucky bastards!). From what they told me even the simplest thing takes weeks maybe even months of typing, tweaking and reprogramming to make sure it is implemented correctly.

So while to us it is frustrating almost as if they are a bunch of inept guys who have no clue, they most certainly do. It's just tough to get NBA Live where they want it to go when they have to still get the gameplay going in the right direction.

Now a fair question may be, shouldn't they be able to get more programmers to alleviate this problem? That I can agree on. I don't know if they are financial constraints where this is concerned but certainly if you had just one team dedicated to franchise mode alone, it would be a blessing.

All those points you brought up I totally agree with, and hope and pray every year that Live steps up in that fashion. But I respectfully disagree with your assessment that it's easy.

[bestclubowner]

im willing to bet that this years franchise mode wont be that different than 04.

[John-John Joe]

im willing to bet that this years franchise mode wont be that different than 04.

Que?!? Have you even been reading the previews and first hand accounts from Mr. Shane and Co.? Franchise mode has been completely overhauled.

[Steve [The Spiderman]]

i think with them implementing so much into the gameplay it is gettin pretty damn good IMO, and either in '06 or '07 they will just fix the glitches and minor things with that and focus on dynasty mode, because every year they do things with gameplay. and add to it like pro hop or two shot buttons for example. soon they wont have too much more to add, or just decide to take a break and really focus on dynasty mode. and IMO a great dynasty mode really increases the replayability of the game. Like live 2000 i played till 03 came out...thats how good it was

[hmm]

....................................

[John-John Joe]

Yet another thing is practice in franchise.

i want to be able to practice with my team. Bench players vs starters. it is not that hard. There doesnt have to be a score. Just training,seeing my players efforts. We would be able to change line-ups. imagine wouldnt it be cool ?

And it is so easy to make. Just a simple 5on5 practice mode for franchise. i would love it.

Wow, I like how you think Homer! I posted something very similar and I'm dying to get some feedback.

[cyanide]

I can understand and relate to Homer's frustrations. Although I do believe that EA has been doing a good job with 2004, which is the best title since 2000, I did find some obvious bugs that I could not believe that EA could not even catch. In franchise mode, Tim did admit the foundation was old, but as long as they could make improvements to the old foundation while concentrating on gameplay aspects, that's fine.

But what hurt their credibility as programmers is the fact that some old bugs, or even obvious ones like in training camp where players ratings would go down. I find that there is no excuse for that, something so obvious could go missed. I'm sure they hire game testers, and they're not doing a good job either. If they did catch it, are they being sloppy with the testing or too rushed with releasing the game that they just skipped fixing that bug?

Even in the process of creating the game, don't they suspect sloppy or awkward player animation? This issue does seem to come up often every year. If they hired a professional basketball player to watch the player animations in the game, I'm sure they can tell you what doesn't look right (i.e. passing).

I'm glad they're making a good direction with 2005, finally being able to do something about franchise mode, but I hope they were able to hire somebody who had experience with game management simulations. Having one group focused on franchise while another with GUI and another group with in-game play would work out well, imo, if they're not doing it that way.