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NBA Live 14

Assorted NBA Live 14 Previews

Various online publications have been posting preview articles and hands-on impressions of NBA Live 14. Here are five of the latest:

Some of the noteworthy points include the evolving experience thanks CourtQ and the partnership with Synergy Sports, an overview of the game modes, the user interface and customisation options. Check out the previews and feel free to sound off in the comments below, or head on over to the NBA Live 14 section of the Forum to join in the discussion that’s taking place here.

Interview with NBA Live 14 EP Sean O’Brien (Sportsgamerblog)

Glen Haag of Sportsgamerblog.com has posted an audio interview with NBA Live 14’s Executive Producer, Sean O’Brien. The interview covers a multitude of interesting topics including Sean’s background with EA Sports, the new IGNITE engine, ESPN integration and even whether or not the series could return to the PC platform.

Give it a listen and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as in this thread in the NBA Live 14 section of the NLSC Forum. Thanks to 22cedric for the heads up.

NLSC Podcast – Episode #53

As we find ourselves less than two weeks away from the release of NBA Live 14 and NBA 2K14, we’re getting more and more information on this year’s games. The 2014 season, although just a couple of weeks old, has also provided us with a few talking points. Join Arcane, Pdub and myself as we give our thoughts on the latest previews, news and real life NBA happenings in Episode #53 of the NLSC Podcast.

  • A new developer blog has given us more insight into the controls, signature styles and defensive strategy in NBA Live 14. Do we like what we saw?
  • We also got a couple of new tidbits from VSN Radio’s interview with developers Scott O’Gallagher and Ryan Ferwerda, leading to some speculation on a few features.
  • NBA Live 14’s soundtrack has been revealed and unfortunately for Arcane, there’s no J. Cole…yet, anyway.
  • Moving on to NBA 2K14, we give our thoughts on some MyTEAM snippets that have been mentioned on the official Facebook page during the past week.
  • MyGM is shaping up to be a deep and interesting mode in NBA 2K14 next gen, but might there be too much depth to the mode?
  • The PlayStation 4 version of NBA 2K14 will be getting some exclusive content. Fortunately, everyone on our panel will benefit.
  • We answer a mailbag question regarding NBA 2K14’s chances at winning Game of the Year.
  • Episode #53 wraps up with some talk about the real NBA. The Clippers’ fortunes, Bulls’ struggles, rookie performances and tanking are all discussed.

Click Play to listen to the show!

As has been the case recently, some really juicy news on both games broke a few hours after we finished recording this week’s episode. We’ll be sure to talk about all that good stuff next week but in the meantime, let us know what you think of Episode #53 and your opinion on the topics that we discussed. Sound off in the comments below or in this thread and don’t forget to post any mailbag submissions here.

NBA Live 14 CourtQ & LIVE Season Trailer, Information

EA Sports has posted a new blog over on the official NBA Live 14 website, revealing more information on CourtQ in this year’s game. The blog touts EA’s partnership with Synergy Sports, with Synergy data powering more than 70 player ratings and tendencies in NBA Live 14. Roster updates will also be coming daily and will account for new gear, accessories and even hairstyles.

A new trailer has also been posted, providing an overview of CourtQ as well as LIVE Season. It stresses the game’s commitment to having players look and play the way they do in real life, every single day, while also talking about some of the challenges that will be featured as part of LIVE Season’s Big Moments. Watch the trailer below or check it out here on YouTube if you can’t see the embedded video. Give us your take in the comments below and jump into the discussion taking place in this thread in the NBA Live 14 section of the NLSC Forum.

NBA Live 14 Hands-On Impressions from IGN

IGN have posted some hands-on impressions of the Xbox One version of NBA Live 14. The author, Ryan McCaffrey, notes that while the game doesn’t match up to NBA 2K14 next gen in the graphics department, it is more aesthetically pleasing than what we’ve seen in the trailers so far. He also praises the ESPN presentation, confirming the presence of Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy along with Jalen Rose, who will provide custom weekly commentary based on what’s happening around the league in real life. ESPN Wired audio will also be in the game and relate to what’s happening on the court.

The controls are described as an evolution of the old Freestyle Control, as indicated by last week’s developer blog. Ryan also delivers some good news on game modes, comparing Rising Star to MyCAREER while also noting a 30 year GM mode (presumably Dynasty), head-to-head seasons against friends, the previously announced FIFA-like Ultimate Team, a Best of Seven mode and LIVE Season, which will feature challenges based on individual game data.

Overall, the article sounded quite positive and promising. Check it out and add your thoughts in the comments below, as well as join in the discussion taking place here in the NBA Live 14 section of the Forum.

EA Announces NBA Live 14 Soundtrack, Partnership with MICK

EA Sports has unveiled the complete soundtrack for NBA Live 14, which they’re referring to as the NBA Live Mixtape. This year’s soundtrack covers a few different genres including hip-hop, dancehall, indie rock, EDM and trap. It was put together by MICK (formerly known as MICK Boogie), former DJ for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the man behind the NBA Live 10 mixtape and ’93 ‘Til Infinity mixtape for NBA Jam. MICK has also provided 30 custom mixtape bumpers that play in between the tracks.

It’s also been revealed that it will be possible to customise the soundtrack for each game mode, if for example you would like a different playlist for Dynasty Mode and LIVE Season. Interestingly, new music will be a part of the LIVE content updates being delivered throughout the season, as MICK will continue to select new songs and artists to be added to the soundtrack. Check out the full soundtrack listing below and have your say in the comments, as well as here in the NBA Live 14 section of the Forum.

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VSN Arcade Radio Interview with NBA Live 14 Developers

VSN Arcade Radio has posted an interview with NBA Live 14 developers Ryan Ferwerda and Scott O’Gallagher. Topics include the dribbling controls, dynamic crowd responses, post moves and the ability of big men to handle the ball. The devs also hinted at some pleasant surprises with the ESPN presentation and mentioned that more details on Ultimate Team will be coming soon.

Give it a listen and feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below, as well as in this thread in the NBA Live 14 section of the NLSC Forum. Thanks to 22cedric for the heads up and Mr LostSoul for the recap.

NBA Live 14 Developer Blog: Gameplay & Controls

EA Sports have posted a very detailed developer blog over on the official NBA Live website, providing a deeper look at dribbling controls, strategy and signature styles in NBA Live 14. Key points include:

  • The controls include a Turbo/Sprint trigger, so the game will definitely not be taking the same approach as NBA Elite 11.
  • Dribbling moves are performed using very similar right stick movements to previous NBA Live games.
  • Different dribbling moves suit different players, according to their signature styles, speed, quickness etc.
  • Defensive controls include slides and an auto-charge option, which is balanced and carries a risk/reward factor.
  • Several new strategy and coaching options have been added, similar to what we’ve seen in NBA 2K.
  • Defensive AI has also been enhanced.

The blog also features screenshots of the controls and another video demonstrating how to perform dribbling moves. Check it out and take a look at the screenshots below, or here in our NBA Live 14 gallery. Add your thoughts in the comments below and join in the discussion taking place here in the NBA Live 14 section of the Forum.

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NLSC Podcast – Episode #52

Episode #52 of the NLSC Podcast is out now and for once, we were able to record a show without some big news breaking within an hour of us finishing up. Nevertheless, there was still plenty to talk about this week, so please join Arcane, JaoSming and myself as we recap and react to the latest NBA Live 14, NBA 2K14 and NBA news.

  • Last week’s NBA Live 14 Developer Blog delivered some insight into Signature Styles and dribbling controls. Was it what we were hoping to hear?
  • The PlayStation 4 Trophies have been revealed, giving us a few snippets on NBA Live 14’s game modes. Dynasty Mode is back!
  • A few more details on Ultimate Team have also been made available, leading us to ponder: Ultimate Team or MyTEAM?
  • We react to the latest soundtrack reveals, as well as the newest screenshots.
  • Last week’s press conference delivered a HUGE amount of information on NBA 2K14 next gen. We recap the highlights and give our thoughts on each.
  • The same event provided us with some raw next gen gameplay footage. Does it live up to the OMG Trailer?
  • NBA 2K14 next gen will reflect the change back to the 2-2-1-1-1 format in the NBA Finals. No word on current gen yet.
  • We also have some new screenshots, NBA Today news and a sneak peek at the Momentus Trailer to talk about.
  • Elsewhere, NBA 2K14 current gen has been receiving a few official roster updates. The Doctor is back in the house!
  • The 2013/2014 NBA season is underway. We offer a few thoughts from the first couple of days of the regular season.
  • We wrap up with some next gen console news.

Click Play to listen to the show!

If you’ve got any feedback on Episode #52 or thoughts on any of the topics we discussed, we’d like to hear from you! Sound off in the comments below or here in the new central discussion thread for the podcast in the NLSC Hub section of the Forum. Mailbag submissions for future episodes are also most welcome.

Latest NBA Live 14 Screenshots; More Info Coming This Week

EA Sports have released three new screenshots of NBA Live 14, spotlighting Derrick Rose, Andre Iguodala and Dwight Howard. You can check them out by clicking the thumbnails below, or view them over in the gallery section of our NBA Live 14 subsite, along with all of the other screenshots released so far.

In addition to the screenshots, it seems we’ll also be getting some more information on the game this week, perhaps in the form of another developer blog. Needless to say, we’ll be covering all of the details that come our way but in the meantime, feel free to add your thoughts on the latest screenshots in the comments below, as well as in the NBA Live 14 section of the NLSC Forum.

Two more songs revealed for NBA Live 14’s Soundtrack

The official NBA Live Twitter has revealed a couple more of the songs that will be featured in NBA Live 14’s soundtrack: “Crown” by Diplo and “Freeway” by Dom Kennedy. EA Sports skipped revealing a song last week, which is presumably why two tracks were revealed today. The reveal of the full soundtrack is apparently coming next Tuesday, November 5th.

Have any thoughts on the latest songs to be revealed? Feel free to sound off in the comments below, as well as in this thread in the NBA Live 14 section of the NLSC Forum.

NBA Live 14 Ultimate Team Information

A new blog has been posted over on the official NBA Live 14 website, providing more information on Ultimate Team. The mode, which is making its NBA Live debut this year, allows gamers to build their own fantasy dream teams featuring the best players in the league, as well as a selection of legendary NBA players.

Packs containing new players, jerseys, arenas, coaches and logos can be purchased using in-game coins, which are earned through winning games as well as completing objectives such as dominant team performances and attaining individual player accolades. Fantasy Showdowns, which feature both real NBA teams and a mix of fantasy matchups, additionally provide an opportunity for gamers to win new packs. You can also pit your team against any NBA opponent or take them online to compete against other Ultimate Teams.

The blog touts Ultimate Team as being an evolving experience, mentioning that new Fantasy Showdowns, collectibles and other features will be delivered throughout the season. Check it out for the full scoop and add your thoughts in the comments below, as well as in this thread in the NLSC Forum.

NBA Live 14 Trophies Leaked, Reveal More Details

eXophase.com has leaked the list of Trophies for the PlayStation 4 version of NBA Live 14, which in turn has provided us with a few details on various game modes and features. The return of Dynasty Mode has been confirmed by the Trophies and it will apparently feature GM objectives, along with familiar features such as upgradeable staff and rookie scouting.

There are also Trophies for assembling Ultimate Teams full of Gold Level players, completely overhauling teams and completing a Fantasy Showdown series. LIVE Season and Head to Head Seasons are also mentioned, along with something called EAS HoopsNet, which appears to be an online level/rank system. More traditional challenges such as winning a championship, achieving a triple double and some basic career mode milestones for Rising Star are also included.

More information on the game should be coming out this week, but it’s fun to get a glimpse of some of the coming attractions and speculate upon them when a list like this is revealed. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below, as well as in this thread in the NBA Live 14 section of the Forum. Thanks to hiteshom for the heads up.

The Friday Five: 5 Criticisms of EA’s NBA Games I Disagree With

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to basketball video games, the real NBA or another area of interest to our community, either as a list of five items or in the form of a Top 5 countdown.

When it comes to basketball video games, we scrutinise them as only a dedicated gaming community can. With so much to prove and several missteps over the years, the NBA Live series has certainly attracted its fair share of criticism. Most of the time, I would suggest that the criticism has been fair-handed, constructive and warranted. However, I do feel that some of the criticisms that have been directed at NBA Live and some of EA’s other NBA offerings over the years have been wide of the mark.

It’s admittedly difficult to tackle this subject without sounding like an NBA Live or EA apologist, but it’s not my intention to make excuses or dismiss all criticism. I’m also not trying to downplay the success and brilliance of the NBA 2K series, which is the yardstick for NBA sims and has produced some of my all-time favourite basketball games. With that said, here are five criticisms of EA’s NBA games that I disagree with.

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NLSC Podcast – Episode #51

As the preview season for NBA Live 14 and NBA 2K14 heats up, we have plenty to talk about including two gameplay trailers. Join Arcane, JaoSming, Lean and myself as we talk NBA Live, NBA 2K and the real NBA in Episode #51 of the NLSC Podcast!

  • As we begin recording, we’re anticipating news on both NBA Live 14 and NBA 2K14 next gen within the next few hours. Against our better judgement, we speculate.
  • We react to the gameplay trailers for NBA Live 14 and NBA 2K14, taking a look at where both games are at.
  • What’s next for both games as the information and previews begin to flow?
  • We recap and comment on the latest details on NBA Live 14 including Ultimate Team tidbits, the return of NBA Rewind and another Twitter chat.
  • JaoSming provides us with a rundown of the Blacktop Revitalization mod for NBA 2K14 PC.
  • The 2013/2014 NBA season is almost upon us. We talk about a couple of the stories that are making the rounds leading up to opening night and offer some predictions.
  • Once again, we finish up with another installment of the listener mailbag.

Click Play to listen to the show!

Aside from our speculation at the top of the show, we don’t touch on some of the big news stories from the past 24 hours, as we had wrapped up recording by the time they broke. We’ll be sure to give our thoughts on those topics in next week’s episode. In the meantime, we invite you to give us your feedback on this week’s show, along with your thoughts on anything we discussed. Hit us up in the comments below or in this thread in the NLSC Hub. Submissions for future installments of the listener mailbag are welcome here.