Joystiq

EA Sports' next-gen Ignite Engine shown off in trailer form

Mike Suszek — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:58:00 EST

EA Sports' next-generation Ignite Engine was on display at the Xbox One reveal event at Microsoft's Redmond campus today. We have four trailers that demonstrate the engine's capabilities, three of which can be found after the break.

EA Sports Executive Vice President Andrew Wilson told attendees of the Xbox One event that the Ignite Engine will perform "four times more calculations per second" than the publisher's current offerings. Wilson said the engine will allow for 3D crowds and dynamic sidelines.

EA will launch four sports games for the console within 12 months, namely FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, EA Sports UFC and NBA Live 14. Each game will be powered by the Ignite Engine.

Continue reading EA Sports' next-gen Ignite Engine shown off in trailer form

EA Sports' next-gen Ignite Engine shown off in trailer form originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA tweet points to NBA Live at Xbox reveal

Mike Suszek — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:45:00 EST

EA Sports' official NBA Live social media accounts sprang to life as recently as May 17 after being on hiatus since late September 2012. A recent tweet from the NBA Live team's Twitter account indicates that the game may be part of today's Xbox presentation, teasing fans with the words "Countdown to tip-off."

It wouldn't be far-fetched to believe NBA Live will have a presence at today's event, given the expectation that both FIFA and EA Sports UFC will be shown, or at least teased in some capacity. NBA Live was also listed among the publisher's 11 games planned for fiscal 2014, and will be a next-gen title. This comes after NBA Live 13 was canceled in September 2012, two years after NBA Elite 11 was also canceled and the same point at which the NBA Live team's social media accounts stopped updating. That brings us full-circle, like a basketball.

EA tweet points to NBA Live at Xbox reveal originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gibeau: NBA Live coming in fiscal 2014 [Update: Planned for next-gen systems]

Mike Suszek — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:40:00 EST

EA will launch a game in the NBA Live series in the 2014 fiscal year (April 2013 through March 2014), President of EA Labels Frank Gibeau said during EA's fiscal 2013 year-end investor call. Gibeau listed NBA Live among the publisher's core sports titles as one of 11 games the publisher is planning for the fiscal year. The standard launch window for NBA games is in October.

EA canceled NBA Live 13 in September 2012 after opting to "sit out the full year and stay focused on making next year's game great." The series has had a lengthy history of not seeing publication, starting with NBA Elite 11 being canceled in November 2010.

Update: Gibeau listed NBA Live as one of the games that EA has planned for next-generation consoles. He also noted that the publisher has a "brand new engine from EA Sports," that will be seen at E3 in June.

Gibeau: NBA Live coming in fiscal 2014 [Update: Planned for next-gen systems] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA 2K13 sets franchise records, ships 4.5 million copies

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:35:00 EST

The Bieber-licious NBA 2K13 has sold-in (i.e. "shipped") 4.5 million units to date, publisher Take-Two announced today as part of its third quarter financials.

2K Sports previously noted NBA 2K13 sold 49 percent more worldwide during its first-week sales than previous record holder NBA 2K11. The franchise has now shipped over 15 million units since NBA 2K11.

Part of the series' success has been the lack of competition from Electronic Arts. Last year's NBA Live 13 was canceled, after already being downgraded to a digitally distributed product. It was the third consecutive year EA dropped the ball and didn't show up to compete with a basketball game.

NBA 2K13 sets franchise records, ships 4.5 million copies originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA assured by EA next NBA Live will meet 'mutual standard of excellence'

Mike Suszek — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST

The NBA said it will "continue to work together with [EA] as we always have," when recently asked about the cancellation of NBA Live 13.

John Acunto, VP of Marketing Communications for the NBA told Joystiq that the NBA has "had a great relationship with EA for more than 20 years. We are obviously disappointed that EA will not be releasing NBA LIVE 13 this year, but have been assured by EA that the next release of NBA LIVE will meet our mutual standards of excellence."

EA's Executive VP Andrew Wilson said the team plans on "making next year's game great."

Take-Two recently revealed record sales for the other major NBA licensed game this year, NBA 2K13, which sold 49 percent more in its first week than past games in the series.

NBA assured by EA next NBA Live will meet 'mutual standard of excellence' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Live 13 canceled by EA

Mike Suszek — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:03:00 EST

EA Sports has canceled NBA Live 13. The company plans on taking a full year off to work on the next game in the series.

"But making great games is not easy, and we're just not there yet on NBA LIVE 13. Having continued to look at the game over the past few days, it's clear that we won't be ready in October," EA Sports Executive Vice President Andrew Wilson wrote in a news release today. "And rather than launch midway through the season, we're going to sit out the full year and stay focused on making next year's game great."

The news comes after an announcement on the game's delay and its absence from EA Sports' E3 showing. More notably, the cancellation of NBA Elite 11 makes this the third year in a row that EA's simulation basketball series has failed to see publication.

"We're committed to delivering new innovation in online, and our progress in the visual presentation of the game continues to take big strides. We also know that a great game starts with great gameplay, and this remains a huge priority for us," Wilson wrote.

NBA Live 13 canceled by EA originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Live 13 footage leaks, shows basketballs are still full of air

David Hinkle — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 03:00:00 EST

Some leaked footage of NBA Live 13, claimed to be from a pre-alpha build, has appeared just as we started to doubt the sports game's existence. Aside from some wooden commentating, the above video from Operation Sports shows off 10 minutes of gameplay between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kotaku followed up with EA, who did indeed confirm this as NBA Live 13 footage - albeit early footage. A rep said the video "appears to be captured from a pre-alpha build months ago and is not an official EA Sports release. It does not represent a final build or feature set for NBA Live."

NBA Live 13 footage leaks, shows basketballs are still full of air originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Live coming back this fall

JC Fletcher — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:50:00 EST

Remember NBA Elite? EA would prefer if you didn't. It's bringing the NBA Live series back this fall. Concurrently, EA announced a new iteration in its NCAA Football series.

NBA Live coming back this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA's next basketball sim is NBA Live 13

David Hinkle — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:15:00 EST

Back in 2010, EA released a demo for an upcoming reboot of its basketball sim series, NBA Live. It was called NBA Elite 11 and the demo was, well, pretty bad -- bad enough that EA decided to cancel the game outright.

Since then, we've been bugging EA about when it's going to offer another basketball title -- heck, we didn't even know if EA would get back into the basketball game-making game, period. And with the NBA 2K series dominating, it's an even steeper uphill battle for EA. But this fall, EA is bringing its basketball series back.

The EA Sports Twitter account revealed today the series would return as NBA Live 13. EA says it had Cavaliers beat writer Joe Gabriele and Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving out to the studio to check out NBA Live 13, but neither could offer more info. We'll have to wait for EA's announcement for more.

EA's next basketball sim is NBA Live 13 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Elite 11 officially announced

David Hinkle — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:15:00 EST

We reported on EA's plans to reboot its basketball franchise last week and, sure enough, the company has announced NBA Elite 11 today. Set to hit the retail paint in October, NBA Elite 11 boasts "an all-new technology base, a new control scheme and a real-time physics system."

It's currently only in development for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and the new physics system means that players can now move around the court independently without being tied to another player. There's also going to be a new skill-driven shooting system that will require "accurate user input" and have its success tied into player orientation on the court -- no longer will there be "random dice rolls" to determine successful shooting. Finally, EA details a new "Hands-On" control scheme, which promises 1:1 movement, doing away with those long, annoying animations of the past.

Overall, it sounds like EA Canada is rebuilding things from the ground up for NBA Elite 11. But if you're going to do that, why not call it Hoop McGee and the Spalding Boys 11 or Slam Dunkerstein: The Legend of Curly's Gold 11? Why not get a bit more creative, you know?

NBA Elite 11 officially announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: EA retiring NBA Live name, replacing it with 'NBA Elite' [update]

David Hinkle — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:30:00 EST

According to the latest issue of OXM (via 1UP), EA is retiring the NBA Live name. Instead, the company will now be branding its franchise NBA Elite, starting with NBA Elite 11. We've checked the game's Twitter, blog and news feed to no avail. We did manage to get into touch with an EA Sports spokesperson, who offered this statement:

"We knew it was time to leave the past behind. We have exciting and significant changes coming to our NBA game this year that will usher in the future of basketball videogames. We look forward to releasing information on exactly how we'll be doing that over the next few months."

It's hardly confirmation of the name change, but suggests there's something to this whole NBA Elite business. Anybody have a copy of OXM to confirm this? We'd mightily appreciate it!

Update: A tipster sent in an image of the OXM article in question. It looks like the news is legit: look forward to EA Sports NBA Elite 11 this fall.

Report: EA retiring NBA Live name, replacing it with 'NBA Elite' [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 May 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA tells NCAA Basketball games to hit the showers, 'reviewing' future of franchise

David Hinkle — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:30:00 EST

"We do not have an NCAA Basketball game in development at this time, and we're currently reviewing the future of our NCAA Basketball business," said EA Sports' senior director of communications David Tinson in a recent Game Informer interview. "This was a difficult decision, but we remain a committed partner to the NCAA and its member institutions."

It's an odd move, considering EA's biggest rival, 2K Sports' NCAA College Hoops series, hasn't seen any new releases since its 2K8 installment, leaving the market wide open. Tinson confirmed that the team responsible for the series won't be laid off, but rather assimilated into the NBA Jam and NBA Live teams at EA Canada, dashing our hopes that an EA-developed Harlem Globetrotters game could come from this.

EA tells NCAA Basketball games to hit the showers, 'reviewing' future of franchise originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA assists Avatars with new gear on XBLM

David Hinkle — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST

Are you upset by the fact that people who see your Xbox Live Avatar don't immediately know your favorite NBA team? Well, you can rectify that with the new Avatar gear available on Xbox Live, courtesy of NBA 2K10 and NBA Live 10. The subtle difference between each series on offer is that NBA2K10's set has numbers on 'em, whereas the NBA Live 10 jerseys only feature team names.

You can snag your own virtual jersey for 240 ($3) right now on the Avatar Marketplace.

NBA assists Avatars with new gear on XBLM originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Live 10 gameplay footage hits the hardwood

Randy Nelson — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:25:00 EST

You were probably expecting the first gameplay footage of NBA Live 10 to feature a reenactment of the 2009 NBA Finals match-up between the LA Lakers and the Orlando Magic, but it doesn't.

It seems at first glance to be the Eastern Conference Finals between the Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers. But wait -- Shaq's in the game! He wasn't traded to the Cavs until after the Finals, so we can only guess this is one of those crazy "What If?" scenarios. (Or, more likely, EA wanted the game's debut video to include the power couple of Shaq and LeBron James.)

Time-traveling Shaq aside, it looks good to us. What's your first impression of EA's latest hoops sim?

NBA Live 10 gameplay footage hits the hardwood originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox Live deal of the week: NBA Live 09 subscription

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST

So what if we've known about this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week -- NBA Live 09's downloadable "Live 365" feature -- for, oh, say, three weeks now? That doesn't make it any less rebateful at 560 ($7), down from the usual 800 ($10). What does, however, make the now bargain-priced content less valuable, is the impending end of the 2009-2010 NBA season and the relative uselessness of the feature during the off-season.

For a feature that touts "updated player trades, injured players, free agent signings, starting lineups, as well as hot and cold streaks of players," buying the DLC at this moment, just months from the end of the NBA season, might not be the most fiscally responsible idea. How is EA Sports going to push all those hot, up-to-the-minute statistics to you when there isn't a season to push out?

[Thanks, Samit!]

Xbox Live deal of the week: NBA Live 09 subscription originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC09: EA quietly announces iPhone versions of major franchises

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:54:00 EST

Of the many GDC 2009 announcements taking place this week, we were most shocked to see EA sneakily introducing some of the company's most popular franchises to the Apple device some are calling the newest gaming platform -- the iPhone. Travis Boatman, VP of worldwide studios at EA Mobile, made the announcement at GDC Mobile, naming SSX, Wolfenstein RPG, Red Alert, FIFA 10, Madden 10, NBA Live 10, American Idol, Spore Creatures, Clue, Risk, Mystery Mania, Connect Four, Battleship, Tiger Woods and Star Trek, according to reports from Patrick Klepek (former MTV Multiplayer writer) and Shacknews.

While most of the titles are the to-be-expected EA mutliplatform titles like Madden 10 and NBA Live 10, the SSX series will be getting its first update in two years according to this announcement. Also of note, Wolfenstein RPG is of no relation to the just released Wolfenstein 3D for the iPhone; rather, it makes up half of the two iPhone games id Software is purportedly working on. Details are unfortunately scant at the moment but we've reached out to EA for comment.

On a personal note, we'd like to extend our personal "WHAT THE HELL?!" regarding Risk being announced for the iPhone and still not hearing a peep on it coming to XBLA/PSN. Seriously, EA. What the hell?!

[Via Shacknews]

GDC09: EA quietly announces iPhone versions of major franchises originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA teams get 'In the Game' to scope talent

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Sports, Business

Apparently, all it takes to manage an NBA roster these days is a working knowledge of a game console and a copy of NBA Live 09. (LA Times seems to think you'd do just fine with the '08 edition, too, but it's simply not in that version's "DNA.") You don't even need to know how to play -- just sit back and let the game run its own simulations, as Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey recently admitted. While it sounds like the sort of desperation measure fit for a Clippers GM, reportedly, roughly half of NBA teams use EA's NBA Live to evaluate players around the league. "Say if you're thinking about acquiring Ron Artest," explained Morey, "On the game, you can see how adding Artest can change the dynamic of your team. You can program it to run offensive sets with Artest and any combination of your players."

On the flip side, "you can't simulate a player being out too late the night before or his body language on the bench or how he interacts with teammates" conceded Morey; or his potential to attend practice in a bathrobe or put out an embarrassingly clichéd hip-hop record. (All great ideas for the next installment of NBA Live, by the way.)

[Thanks, Wonderflex]

NBA teams get 'In the Game' to scope talent originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retail and download releases for the week of Oct 6th

David Hinkle — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: News, Virtual Console, WiiWare

We could get used to this, folks. Around this time of year, we're bombarded with new games, across all fronts. Well, this week is no different, so we won't waste time yakking it up here, other than to say no dice on Gradius II. Head past the break and get the lowdown on this week's releases.

Continue reading Retail and download releases for the week of Oct 6th

Retail and download releases for the week of Oct 6th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA Sports looking into possible subscription program future

Xav de Matos — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

During yesterday's EA conference call, EA Sports boss Peter Moore briefly mentioned concepts the studio is considering for the future of their various titles. Moore stated they were looking at instituting "subscription programs" to the EA Sports library in order to "take advantage" of customer loyalty. Of course this could translate to a number of ideas so before we get bent out of shape we should consider it doesn't have to be a bad thing.

Consider a subscription based model that would drop by-the-minute roster updates for your favorite sports games over multiple seasons rather than having to plunk down another full retail chunk of change. While we can't guess what might, if anything at all does, come of this idea we can at least credit EA for being one of the publishers that keeps trying to innovate. Whether some like it or not.

EA Sports looking into possible subscription program future originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq hands-on: EA Sports All-Play

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Sports

"All-Play" is the new brand of Wii-exclusive EA Sports titles that takes the publisher's perennial franchises and simplifies them in ways that make the games accessible to, well ... all. It's the obvious direction to take, as the changes in the Wii versions of EA Sports' games continue to distinguish themselves from the linear advances of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. All-Play isn't groundbreaking, it just wants to fit.

All-Play succeeds in its commitment to consistency. Whatever whip Riccitiello is cracking has got the herd moving together in the right direction. We recently spent time with four of the five featured All-Play titles (sorry NCAA Football!) and can report that each has been treated with a certain level of care above the usual year-to-year tweaks EA Sports has come to be criticized by. These treatments are most definitely shaping a more casual product, which gives EA an advantage at both ends of the current-gen playing field.

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: EA Sports All-Play

Joystiq hands-on: EA Sports All-Play originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA Sports reveals its 'All-Play' line-up for Wii

David Hinkle — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

Following word that they would be doing so, EA has revealed its EA Sports 'All-Play' line-up of Wii games. These Wii titles feature a new casual approach, which include mini-games, as well as simplified controls. The titles also include simplified versions of each individual sport, including 5-on-5 in Madden or 8 vs. 8 in FIFA.

[Via Joystiq]

EA Sports reveals its 'All-Play' line-up for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA Sports drafts Wii 'All-Play' lineup

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Sports

EA Sports today announced its Wii-exclusive "All-Play" brand lineup: five familiar franchises with a new wrapping. Inside you'll find passable versions (jaggies alert!) of the usual, hardcore simulations, but the reason you might choose All-Play over the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 editions is the new casual focus that aims to appeal to, um, well, just about anyone with a few minutes to waste. Yes, that means minigames ("Party" modes in All-Play), but also simplified versions of the sports -- like 5-on-5 in Madden or 8 vs. 8 in FIFA -- and optional All-Play control settings, which balance the playing field by going as far as to auto-control players. Hear that? That's grandma in your face after she just dunked on you ... and didn't even press a button.

Check out our hands-on with the All-Play lineup right here.

EA Sports drafts Wii 'All-Play' lineup originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worldwide PSP releases for the week of Feb. 3

Chris Powell — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Software

~~Despite the fact that there's not much PSP action in North America this week~~, the two other major regions are getting some games that should please just about all PSP owners.

North America Games

Downstream Panic!

Europe Games

Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy II

Asia Games

It seems weird that the Final Fantasy remakes are just now getting their European releases, since they were released Stateside in June and July last year. In Asia, gamers are getting yet another Gundam title, and they usually sell like hotcakes so it will be interesting to see how well it does.

[Edit: Oops, we were wrong, or should we say Sony's official PSP site failed to list Downstream Panic! as shipping this week.]

Worldwide PSP releases for the week of Feb. 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Live 08 to get 5v5 Online Team Play upgrade

Dustin Burg — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Xbox Live Marketplace

Ballers from around the world will be happy to know that EA has plans to "unlock" a new feature in NBA Live 08 which will allow for big team basketball gaming. The free "Online Team Play" download will be available later this month and will allows ten gamers to control all players on the court in the same game over Xbox Live.

It's a nice move by EA and we couldn't agree more, out with the AI and in with the human intelligance. Maybe this type of true sports team online play will slowly become the standard from now on. We can only hope.

NBA Live 08 to get 5v5 Online Team Play upgrade originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA adds dumbed down control options for Wii sports games

Ross Miller — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Sports

The Electronic Arts sports titles on Nintendo Wii are making every effort to appeal to every Wii owner possible. In addition to throwing on minigames like they were free gifts in an informercial offer, the publisher is also introducing Family Play controls to their upcoming Madden, NBA Live and FIFA Soccer releases.

According to the press release, those who opt for the Family Play controls play without the nunchuk adapter and handle the key actions (e.g., shooting, passing, snapping, and throwing) while the game handles everything else. It sounds a lot like how Wii Sports handled tennis and baseball.

More fleshed-out and advanced controls are still available and can be used alongside a Family-style player. Let's hope the Family Play-assisted AI isn't too helpful and gives them an unfair advantage in multiplayer.

Gallery: Madden 08 Wii Screens

Gallery: FIFA 08 (Wii)

EA adds dumbed down control options for Wii sports games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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