NBA Live 14 hasn’t “gotten the kind of early feedback we had hoped for,” EA CEO Andrew Wilson said, adding that the development is “accelerating a number of game updates” to address issues such as improvements to the gameplay controls tutorial and more.
Speaking in an open letter on the EA Blog, before pointing to a post from the game’s executive producer Sean O’Brien, Wilson said the team has “built a strong foundation” for the franchise.
“Plain and simple, we haven’t gotten the kind of early feedback we had hoped for on this game,” he wrote. “I do think we have built a strong foundation, so we’re accelerating a number of game updates to address your biggest issues. “We promised to get back to top form with NBA LIVE, and we’re committed to delivering on that. We are in this for the long haul.
“Gamers deserve great experiences when playing our games, and everyone here at EA will continue working tirelessly to make sure that happens.”
O’Brien said his team has laid out a plan to make NBA LIVE 14 a better game as “quickly as we can.”
“First, you’ve told us that the game is too hard to learn, and that the only way to figure it out is through frustrating trial-and-error,” he said. “As a result, we are working on improving the way the game teaches the controls and on-boards new users. We realize that every single one of you is a new user and know we need to make the game easier to understand and simpler to pick up and play.
“We’re also conducting an ongoing series of Twitch Live Streams to teach the skills that will help make your game experience a better one. We have our producers and designers online seven days a week to answer your questions and to offer other helpful game advice. Additionally, we’ve posted Controller Guide, Perfecting Your Styleand Levels of the Dribble blogs on the NBA LIVE website which we hope will help you with basic offense, defense, play calling and more.”
O’Brien said those disappointed in the graphics and animations, will be pleased to know the team is making “drastic and immediate improvements.”
“In order to get gameplay up and running this year we had to prioritize,” he said. “We felt authentic gameplay, control and the connected experience would provide the best foundation for the future. As a result, game visuals and animation polish suffered.
“Improvements on these fronts are also in development now for NBA LIVE 14. You will notice in the coming weeks and months that the game’s visuals and animation will improve significantly.”
The team will continue updating LIVE Season with new BIG Moments and NBA Rewind games every single day of the season, and “some big announcements and major additions coming down the road.”
