OS Editors Mailbag - 12/23/11 - EA Sports NBA, College Basketball's Future, More! - RaychelSnr's Blog

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OS Editors Mailbag - 12/23/11 - EA Sports NBA, College Basketball's Future, More! Stuck

Posted on December 23, 2011 at 12:25 PM.

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Welcome to the very first edition of the OS Editor's mailbag. I tweeted last night to all of you awesome @operationsports followers to ask me any question you want and I then decide which questions I want to answer. Well you asked, so now you will receive! Here we go!

@mopeman -- Will EA Sports ever make another baseball game??

Chris - Yes. Without a doubt. Think about it this way, they were forced out by a third party exclusive license by 2K Sports. There's a near 0% chance that license is renewed by 2K as it was a giant mistake to sign the deal in the first place. EA rules every major sport but basketball and baseball -- I think that's something which just can't last in EA's mind. They're going to try to get back into both and in a big way.

@scottbrandis -- do EA Sports realise how big of an opportunity they have to sweep in on 2K with NBA next year?

Chris - I wrote about this recentely in a blog post. I think so. 2K Fans who don't think so are possibly out of touch with reality. If the brass at Take Two thinks their game is safe, they're in for a rude awakening. EA's game, quality wise, won't beat any effort from 2K for at least 3 years. Sales wise, well two years isn't too big of a stretch if they market the game correctly.

@RS17times -- Is FIFA 12 the best sports game of the year, in your eyes?

Chris - I only speak for one of about 20 staff votes for game of the year, but it received my pick. No other game launched as smoothly as FIFA while also getting solid/good/great reviews. And let's face it -- it's long overdue to finally win the award at OS. Those two things pushed me to vote for it. Will it win though? You'll find out next week

@infermousss -- Why does offline franchise in Madden crash when you destroy the cpu by 40+ points?

Chris - It's obvious isn't it? Skynet is becoming self-aware.

@11b1v -- What are you giving me for Xmas???

Chris - How about this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH2-TGUlwu4

@educated_QueMB6 -- a college bball game? Is it possible next year?

Chris - Possible? Yes. Likely? No. The last college basketball games from both EA and 2K sold pretty lackluster-like. Both were well under 1 million units shipped and for a major title and sport like college basketball, that's tough to make any real money. Eventually, with a better plan, someone will release a title. Might be 2012, it might be 2015. Regardless, it will happen sooner or later.

@Yaboythecib -- whats the name goin to be for the new ea sports nba simulations?

Chris - I'd hope they just stick with NBA 13. Don't go with any frills, and definitely don't use the Elite name. Or maybe, just go with NBA Live. Seems to fit eh?

Every Friday OS Executive Editor Chris Sanner (@ChrisSnr) will answer your questions addressed to either him or @OperationSports on Twitter.

Comments

# 1 Gramps91 @ Dec 23

Please. I really would love to have a college b-ball game. I'm glad it's still at least possible.

# 2 wat3 @ Dec 23

I got a question. Will we ever see a simulation football game in our lifetime? Maybe an NFL 2K of sorts?

# 3 kidmadison32 @ Dec 23

College Hoops 2K13 & NFL 2K13 sound really good right about now.

# 4 eye guy @ Dec 23

Chris, you've answered the questions already, but can you answer a few more?

Why do you think EA's marketing will be the end all, be all of 2K's title?

What second tier product have you bought lately (maybe yearly) because of superior marketing?

# 5 truintellectplaya @ Dec 23

Chris why are u so sure of a EA basketball product that you allegedly have not seen in action? How do you know it want be as laughed at and ridiculed as Elite? Can't you see how some would think that sounds much like touting (you marketing for them)? Lastly, why would anyone who plays games for the quality be so excited about a game possibly doing well because of marketing rather than actual meat and potatoes which the competition has shown to be superior at?

# 6 andy112382 @ Dec 23

Only reason EA Sports 'dominates' every sport except baseball and basketball is because no one else makes college or nfl football games...this was the first time in my life I got rid of a game (madden 12) after the first game of my francise, commentary was horrible and I prefer the gameplay of NCAA Football 12, personally........FIFA and NHL are EA Sports top two and they just happen to be the two sports I rarely, if ever, touch.

# 7 William J Alvarez @ Dec 23

I cannot wait until the day I see the EA Sports MVP series back on the market. Man did they make an awesome baseball game.

# 8 AMYO @ Dec 24

This is a joke riding EA like crazy...I don't expect anything good from them as far as any games go madden was horrible but ppl are forced to buy cause its the only nfl game pout blank and period if they had comp they'd get swept up and put in the trash. Gameplay was slightly better but still no where near where it should be but commentary was the worsted I ever heard lonnnngggg moments of......
....silence COME ON SON!!! STEP YOUR GAME UP!!!

# 9 BaylorBearBryant @ Dec 24

College basketball please!

# 10 AlwaysBased @ Dec 25

I dont see how a College Basketball game sales could be so low it seems like everone wants one.. They should just go ahead n make one

# 11 knighthawksfan @ Dec 25

ea sports better not take over everything that 2k sports make or I will be ****ing pissed off

# 12 SpacialJones @ Dec 26

i think EA will make a quality basketball game... but lets be serious... Take Two isnt gonna take time off... Theyve bought it EVERY YEAR FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS!... No one acknowledges that... just because theyre things people dont like about 2k12 doesnt mean that theyll slack... Seriously im tired of hearing people say that... I use to buy both titles and the only time EA came close to 2k's title was live 03 and 04... it was down hill from there IMO... And honestly for those of you who complain about myplayer... that is a joke... my player is an RPG and i would prefer if it was removed... It doesnt promote basketball as a sport.. its just for selfish accolades... if u want more Myplayer modes... stop being a bum and go to the gym and get your game up... 2k12 isnt a rpg.. its a basketball simulation FIRST! whatever comes after that is filler...