Post by: NWR_Neal on April 23, 2010, 09:48:54 AM
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/previewArt.cfm?artid=22958
When NBA Jam was released in 1993, it was a trailblazer for the burgeoning field of arcade sports titles. Developed by now-defunct Midway, it offered up rock-solid two-on-two basketball gameplay with outrageous dunks, the ability to go 'on fire', and digitized graphics. The series spawned numerous sequels after its mainstream success in arcades and home consoles, but eventually met its demise with the Acclaim-developed PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions in 2003.
The realm of arcade basketball was not dead, though. EA Sports' NBA Street series had a number of successful entries during the GameCube, PS2, and Xbox era, but fizzled out following a 2007 release. Midway, not using the NBA Jam license, released another entry in their recent NBA Ballers series in 2008 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Mario even tried his hand at basketball on DS in Mario Hoops 3-on-3. Still, the unbridled success of NBA Jam hasn't been duplicated.
With the success of the Wii, EA Sports has been trying to figure out how to succeed in the vastly different market. Their last NBA game on Wii, NBA Live 09 All-Play, was met with a 51 Metacritic average. Since then, EA Canada has been working on a new basketball game specifically for Wii. Initially, this game was called NBA Kids, according to NBA Jam's Creative Director Trey Smith.
It wasn't until EA Sports wound up talking to the NBA about licensing the proposed game that they made a startling revelation. "The NBA owned the Jam license," Smith said. "Midway only licensed it."
So Smith and EA Canada changed gears and began work on an NBA Jam title. As they worked on it, they discovered that Mark Turmell, the creator of the original game, was working at EA Tiburon. Turmell was sent an early build of the game, and he sent back a laundry list of things that weren't in the style of NBA Jam. Later, Turmell spent a few days working with the team at EA Canada, and following that, critiquing the updated builds he sends them. All of this echoes Smith's mantra about the upcoming game: "Stay as true to the original as we can."
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And they are, with a Classic campaign that feels like it's straight out of 1993, a cheesy announcer, the 'on fire' mechanic, and a graphical style using 3D models and high-resolution photography that echoes the original's digitized graphics. There is also an all-new Remix mode that throws some power-ups into the fold, and in-game achievements that unlock bonus characters.
Outside of the recent announcements of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the team is playing coy with the other unlockable characters. "Just think of any relevant player from the original and any great NBA player since then and we've probably tried to get them," Smith said. "We're trying to get everyone we can."
As far as more outlandish characters, such as Bill Clinton, various sports stars (Warren Moon, Frank Thomas), and mascots, Smith merely reiterated what he's obviously been saying to everyone who asks him about the game: "We're going to stay as true to the original as we can."
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NBA Jam is set for a fall release exclusively on Wii.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 23, 2010, 06:30:06 PM
Post by: broodwars on April 23, 2010, 06:59:52 PM
Post by: Halbred on April 23, 2010, 07:01:04 PM
Post by: NWR_Lindy on April 23, 2010, 10:15:57 PM
Post by: Mop it up on April 23, 2010, 11:09:51 PM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 23, 2010, 11:34:05 PM
Thank God. that the NBA owned the Jam license.
And it's just as funny that after they realized they could license the name Jam from the NBA, that's when they realized the creator of the funnest NBA basketball game ever(Mark Trumell) was actually working for their company. Hows that for utilizing your talents.
Post by: NWR_Neal on April 24, 2010, 11:52:50 AM
Hopefully EA does their market research. This game would sell gangbusters at $30.
Post by: Toruresu on April 24, 2010, 12:11:10 PM
Post by: Nemo on April 24, 2010, 01:25:57 PM
Post by: Mop it up on April 24, 2010, 03:59:20 PM
I also wonder if the two Endless Ocean games suffered from being $30. They have the content and quality of $50 games, but people might not have realized that and lumped it in with other "budget" games.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 24, 2010, 04:32:18 PM
the $49.99 version should come with a limited edition basketball skinned wiicondom for my wiimote.
they should do that for Madden too(condom made to look like a football material).
Post by: NWR_Neal on April 24, 2010, 06:49:04 PM
condom made to look like a football material.
Ribbed for your pleasure?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 24, 2010, 06:53:24 PM
condom made to look like a football material.
Ribbed for your pleasure?
Her pleasure!!
Brown Right 23 Push!!
right up the middle.
Post by: NWR_Lindy on April 25, 2010, 12:09:32 PM
Post by: ControlerFleX on April 26, 2010, 04:55:08 AM
$39.99 is the magic price point.
Absolutely! This way, anyone that remotely recognizes the franchise will impulse buy it...
Those of us who'll scrutinize it will wait for more hands on and word of mouth are more likely grab it after the majority thumbs up...
And Grandma with two Andrew Jackson's and some pocket change that's looking for Jimmy's new sports game with the sweaty mens will be all over it.
What WILL hinder this title(not hurt) is not having the opportunity to have DLC and firmware updates. I understand there going to give us Charters via unlock and if it were the other two consoles we would have to pay for it but it still limits the possibilities...like so...
...everything they put into the game has to be agreed upon NOW, so if the Guerrilla(Suns), The Hornet(New Orleans) and Michael Jordan don't roger up at first then we miss out, but if they were to see the game's success they could change their mind...
I know some people have there feelings hurt when there ready to play their game but needs to update on the PS3/360 but it fixes things, if this game has any form of emulation in it, it could be buggy as all hell..
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 26, 2010, 11:20:19 AM
Anyone with a little internet savvy knows they can find 2GB SD cards for $5 and, 4GB for $10 & 8GB for $20, so getting an SD card shouldn't be a problem.
Post by: ControlerFleX on April 26, 2010, 04:00:08 PM
Actually, they could program the game to use the SDHC support of the Wii and save and load DLC and any other game updates there.
Again you are correct.....
But we can add that to THE LIST;
Nintendo could rid us of friend codes..
Nintendo could support more WiiWare demos...
Nintendo could have used the SD feature to "fix" Conduit's Online hack...
Nintendo could...
Nintendo could...
Nintendo could...
We sure do say that alot.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 26, 2010, 04:18:55 PM
Actually, they could program the game to use the SDHC support of the Wii and save and load DLC and any other game updates there.
Again you are correct.....
But we can add that to THE LIST;
Nintendo could rid us of friend codes..
Nintendo could support more WiiWare demos...
Nintendo could have used the SD feature to "fix" Conduit's Online hack...
Nintendo could...
Nintendo could...
Nintendo could...
We sure do say that alot.
1: Friend codes are how the system was set up. 3rd parties have circumvented it already, so if 3rd parties don't want it they probably don't have to use it. Hopefully a singel profile code (with a Mii attached?) will replace it.
2: WiiWare demos...... well, videos, screen shots, reviews and demos, all something the service could use more of. But since the system it self was not planned to take advantage of such things, Nintendo tied their own hands.
3: The conduit wasn't programmed with SD card use in mind.... again it's a problem with how Nintendo designed the system. Hopefully something that is addressed on the next go around with a background OS that can be updated and handles everything.
Nintendo suffered from some serious shortsighting issues this gen, and the thing above are just a few of them that we have all complained about.
Post by: ControlerFleX on April 26, 2010, 05:18:54 PM
...touche..
But to put the thread back on track this game could better serve if it were resealed sooner. By waiting till fall they can have the NBA champ at the top of the tier but that doesn't matter in this type of game Or hopefully they'll be running their campaign during the NBA playoffs. Prodding nostalgic NBA fans is a key component.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 26, 2010, 06:13:37 PM
Before 4th of July, before the end of June.
Post by: broodwars on April 26, 2010, 06:18:27 PM
I think it would be a perfect summer release.
Before 4th of July, before the end of June.
Honestly, the best time to release this would be in early June to coincide with the NBA Finals. Releasing this game during the offseason would be a missed opportunity, unless they were to release it just before the start of the new season.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 26, 2010, 06:41:40 PM
I think it would be a perfect summer release.
Before 4th of July, before the end of June.
Honestly, the best time to release this would be in early June to coincide with the NBA Finals. Releasing this game during the offseason would be a missed opportunity, unless they were to release it just before the start of the new season.
I agree, but this is EA we're talking about here. Not only would early June be too soon considering the game isn't done yet, but this is a Wii exclusive. It's all about missing opportunities.
Don't forget that this game started off as NBA Kidz afterall.
I'll be all over it Day 1, but it's earlier announced suspected release date was Q3 FY 2011 (Oct. - Dec. 2010), which would line it up with the start of next season since it's too late for this season.
I just think it would be a good summer release since that's when the audience they were aiming this at would have the most time to get with friends and play it(gotta think of the kidz ;)).
Post by: broodwars on April 26, 2010, 07:03:31 PM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 26, 2010, 07:13:27 PM
it's a feature that should have been introduced ever since last generation with the Xbox HDD.
New yearly franchises should introduce something new(like gameplay modes, improved gameplay, etc. etc.) and that should be the reason that makes people update, but you should be able to download a yearly roster update for a set amount of time (at a price of course) for that are happy with the version that they have.... for now.
Post by: Adrock on April 26, 2010, 08:13:35 PM
I actually wonder what the price should be... The price usually affects one's perception of quality. If the game is $30 then people might assume it is no different than all the other low-quality titles that release at the $30 price point, including some released by EA. If it is $50 then people will think it is up to the quality of EA's other sports titles that retail for $50.Yes and no. The difference is branding. NBA anything immediately holds more weight than Deca Sports. Furthermore, it depends on who's on the cover. If they pick one of the 5 best players in the NBA, this game could probably sell on fan recognition alone.
If I had to rank them:
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Lebron James
3. Dwayne Wade
4. Dwight Howard
5. Kevin Durant
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 26, 2010, 08:43:38 PM
Don't forget that this game started off as NBA Kidz afterall.
Where did you hear this? I have followed this game since it was announced and never seen that stated by anyone (EA, the NBA, websites).
Post by: broodwars on April 26, 2010, 08:51:59 PM
Don't forget that this game started off as NBA Kidz afterall.
Where did you hear this? I have followed this game since it was announced and never seen that stated by anyone (EA, the NBA, websites).
The very article you're posting in the talkback for says it. Re-read the article and you'll see it.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on April 26, 2010, 08:52:13 PM
Don't forget that this game started off as NBA Kidz afterall.
Where did you hear this? I have followed this game since it was announced and never seen that stated by anyone (EA, the NBA, websites).
I read it in this very thread
Quote from: The OP
With the success of the Wii, EA Sports has been trying to figure out how to succeed in the vastly different market. Their last NBA game on Wii, NBA Live 09 All-Play, was met with a 51 Metacritic average. Since then, EA Canada has been working on a new basketball game specifically for Wii. Initially, this game was called NBA Kids, according to NBA Jam's Creative Director Trey Smith.
Post by: NWR_Neal on April 26, 2010, 10:49:34 PM
Don't forget that this game started off as NBA Kidz afterall.
Where did you hear this? I have followed this game since it was announced and never seen that stated by anyone (EA, the NBA, websites).
Proof the article wasn't read.
That makes me cry. I should just start posting NBA Jam Preview with random text and see if anyone notices.
Post by: ControlerFleX on April 27, 2010, 04:03:17 PM
Where did you hear this? I have followed this game since it was announced and never seen that stated by anyone (EA, the NBA, websites).
Proof the article wasn't read.
That makes me cry. I should just start posting NBA Jam Preview with random text and see if anyone notices.
!!!! BADMINTON IS MY FAVORITE SPORT OF ALL TIME!!!! I CAINT WAIT FOR THIS GAME TO DEBUT 3DS!!!!
Post by: NWR_Neal on April 27, 2010, 05:05:40 PM
don't actually do that
Post by: ControlerFleX on April 27, 2010, 05:13:25 PM
ControlerFleX, if you like badminton, go read my Racquet Sports review. Then, go cut off your hand, because that's better than playing that piece of ****.
don't actually do that
Well NWR_pap64....., I'd rather play this one! P.S. I love your articles.
Post by: NWR_Neal on April 27, 2010, 05:16:35 PM
ControlerFleX, if you like badminton, go read my Racquet Sports review. Then, go cut off your hand, because that's better than playing that piece of ****.
don't actually do that
Well NWR_pap64....., I'd rather play this one! P.S. I love your articles.
I'll tell Pedro (NWR_pap64) you love his articles, but I'm Neal (NWR_Neal). :P
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on April 27, 2010, 05:28:27 PM
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, WAITING FOR YOU, IN THE PARKING LOT. with a net.
Post by: Stele on April 28, 2010, 10:10:22 AM
Actually, they could program the game to use the SDHC support of the Wii and save and load DLC and any other game updates there.
Again you are correct.....
But we can add that to THE LIST;
Nintendo could rid us of friend codes..
Nintendo could support more WiiWare demos...
Nintendo could have used the SD feature to "fix" Conduit's Online hack...
Nintendo could...
Nintendo could...
Nintendo could...
We sure do say that alot.
1: Friend codes are how the system was set up. 3rd parties have circumvented it already, so if 3rd parties don't want it they probably don't have to use it. Hopefully a singel profile code (with a Mii attached?) will replace it.
Tiger Woods 10 used an EA account for friends and matchmaking on Wii. I'm hopeful this will do the same, and I can continue playing sports with already established friends.
