Saturday, January 28, 2012

NBA Live: Taking Real Life Basketball into the Video Game World

Basketball has long been played by children, teenagers and even grown-up.  It affords a great way to bond with friends and family, while also giving you an intensive workout.  What is more, basketball is a downright intellectual sport, requiring a master plan for each of the players on the team.  Basketball is one of those sports that need superior teamwork along with individual skills to play.  It can be fun and competitive, making it enjoyable to play and even watch.

Along with baseball, football, ice hockey, basketball is one of the most favourite team sports in the United States.  Indeed its popularity extends to around the world, even in the Philippines where it is avidly watched.  It is not surprising that basketball has produced several luminaries like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, George Mikan and Wilt Chamberlain, among others.

Similarly, basketball's professional league, the National Basketball Association is one of only four major sports leagues in North America, along with the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball and National Football League.  Founded as the Basketball Association of America in 1946 and becoming what it is now in 1949, the NBA currently has 30 teams representing major cities in the country, including the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls.

Therefore, it is also not surprising that it has spawned its share of video games, the most popular of which is the NBA Live franchise, which is now on its 10th reincarnation.

Electronic Arts' NBA Live 10 was released in October 2009, at about the same time Sony launched NBA 2010 and 2K Sports unveiled NBA 2K10.  The scramble for releasing a basketball video game with two other competitors should say a lot about basketball itself.  In any case, NBA Live 10 has sold more than 300,000 copies in the less than two months of release, continuing the success of the franchise. Sony and 2K Sports also reported brisk sales of its basketball titles.

As always, Electronic Arts have scored with introducing style moves that look great, graphics wise.  With each franchise, the games have been more and more visually appealing than the previous games, although critics would say that it can improve some more.  Game play for this installment has also been simplified, making the game easier, more playable and far more enjoyable.

NBA Live 10 has also ironed out most of the movement and control issues that plagued the earlier version, although admittedly some minor issues remain.  The most notable control issue is that loose balls are very difficult to catch, because of a glitch in the control systems.

NBA Live also integrates real life happenings to your chosen team, making it feel like you are playing with the team as the current season progresses. If you choose the Season mode, you get to follow the team you select as if what is happening to the team in real life affects your game.

For instance, if somebody from your chosen team gets injured, or is traded, the game will know it.  So you would have to manage without one of your players, if the real player has been indisposed in real life.  This technology, Dynamic DNA is not new, but the synchronization with real life events is.  In previous incarnations, the Dynamic DNA feature only changed the statistics associated with each player and even that was barely noticeable.

NBA Live 10 also features realistic game play, including a great arsenal of defensive and offensive plays that you can use.  Indeed, it allows you become the spectator, player and coach all at the same time.  It is as easy as calling up the playbook then choosing what the best play would be.

Multiplayer is also very much alive -- and appreciated -- in NBA Live.  You and up to 29 friends can create an online league where the rules are entirely up to you.  You could, each own a team, and have your own season.

NBA Live 10 may need some improvements, but in terms of realism both with the game’s features, and the game play itself, it is already top-notch.  Not only does it make you feel like a basketball player or coach, it also makes you feel like a part of a real NBA team.

Take advantage of your visit to www.webnba.com by bookmarking or sharing us below.