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Sports games struggle to gain eSports footing
The eSports industry is now drawing annual revenues of near half billion dollars annually, with growth continuing at a rapid rate, yet sports video games have almost no place in the picture. EA Sports and 2K Sports are trying to establish their franchises as legitimate eSports however there are some major hurdles for them to overcome. Chief among them is that, despite how many people buy sports video games, relatively few seem interested in watching others play them.
In a follow-up to the most recent Press Row Podcast episode, the stumbles from publishers so far and the inherent concerns about sports video games as eSports and their lack of appeal to viewers are analyzed today in a piece written for Sporting News.
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PS4 Pro support for PES 2017 pushed back but content update goes out next week
While NBA 2K17 and FIFA 17 supported the new PS4 Pro and its capability to enhance the visuals and framerates of games at launch, Konami had announced plans to follow later this month with an update for Pro Evolution Soccer 2017. The company has since announced a delay for that particular patch and a target now of mid-December.
The update for November was to include other additions and that will still be releasing as scheduled. Expected to go out next week on PS4 and XB1, the patch will provide enhancements to two of the teams that have marketing partnerships with PES. Anfield Stadium and the club’s songs and chants will be added for Liverpool. Signal Iduna Parkwill be added for Borussia Dortmund. The screenshot above also shows an updated likeness for Lionel Messi.
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Details on the second patch for FIFA 17
A second patch has just gone out for FIFA 17 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. While the first update to the game delivered a number of gameplay and presentation improvements, this one isn’t as substantial, though it does attempt to fix some minor issues and adds in several new languages for the story mode.  Read more
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Madden NFL 17 has its commentary update from regular season week 10
The 13th commentary update for Madden NFL 17 has gone out with the broadcast team of Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis reflecting on the events that took place and storylines that emerged from week 10 of the season. Madden will be receiving these real-world commentary updates regularly throughout the year which apply to Play Now and Online games. The duo is also recording additional audio for modes like Franchise and Ultimate Team.
Another commentary update is out in Madden NFL 17. Here's just a sampling of what's new coming out of week 10. pic.twitter.com/ArIRClTM3j
— Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre) November 15, 2016
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Start Today feature proving a worthwhile addition to MyLeague in NBA 2K17
As the season progresses the usefullness of the new ‘Start Today’ feature introduced for MyLeague in NBA 2K17 will continue to grow. The option allows for users to begin their season with up-to-date standings and statistics. Now two weeks into the season teams have anywhere from 8 to 11 games played, and some gamers may wish to jump on the bandwagon of those with hot starts or look to turn things around for those that have disappointed thus far.
In examining the accuracy of the feature it appears to be working almost exactly as intended. All teams have the correct win-loss records and player stats are also correct. The only thing that won’t match real life are the season awards which appear to be based on the game’s logic rather than feeding in the names of those who have actually won.
Have you used the new ‘Start Today’ method of playing a franchise in MyLeague? If not, are you considering doing so when the league reaches a deeper point of the season?
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Madden NFL 17 Pre-Black Friday Deal
Madden NFL 17 is currently available for $30 through Amazon Prime for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. With Black Friday nearing (Nov 25) it’s a great opportunity to secure it for about the same price it’ll be found then without having to worry about crowds or supply running out online.
[Update] Supply of both versions at that price have now been run through. Madden, NBA 2K17, FIFA 17 and others will be $27-30 on Black Friday.
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The Line Drive for November 13
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦The biggest movers in player ratings through midseason in Madden NFL 17.
♦Details on the new Most Beard promotion in Madden NFL 17 Ultimate Team.
♦Muthead breaks down the other new content of the week in Madden Ultimate Team.
♦Video from Zan looks at the WR Swerve exploit which was discussed in latest podcast.
♦2K Sports updated their player fairness policy and is banning accounts in NBA 2K17.
♦Digital Foundry did a video comparison for FIFA 17 with PS4 vs PS4 Pro.
♦Motorsport Manager is now available for $35 on PC through Steam.
♦F1 2016 is now available for a very premium $10 on iOS with Android soon.
♦Sign up for the Steep open beta which begins on Friday, Nov 18.
♦Amazon Prime members can pre-order MLB The Show 17 for 20% off.
♦Some details on the latest roster update to go out for NHL 17.
♦PlayStation Store’s 10th anniversary sale includes Rocket League for $12 w/PS Plus.
♦Turn 10 has released a premium DLC edition of the F2P PC game Forza 6: Apex.
♦Microsoft breaks down the new features in the holiday update for Xbox One.
♦Update on PS4 to ShareFactory lets you create animated GIFs and photo collages.
♦Blu-ray releases this week headlined by Finding Dory and Game of Thrones S6. -
Press Row Podcast: eSports Growing Pains
While it’s uphill battle for sports games in the world of eSports the likes of EA Sports and 2K Sports are dedicated to carving out a place for their franchises in the lucrative competitive arena. The games are battling the actual real-life sporting broadcasts for interest from viewers, while also struggling to prove a compelling watch when they often fail to look like the sports they are supposed to represent due to the way they are being played.
Madden NFL 17‘s first competition of the year is underway and a major exploit is already being utilized. When money is on the line will the video games ever be able to present a fair playing field and will an audience ever follow? Bryan Wiedey and Rich Grisham discuss the potential for eSports to grow within the genre and the stumbles that have been encountered in the early days in the latest episode of the Press Row Podcast presented by Hit The Pass.
Check out the podcast through iTunes for iOS, on Android with the Stitcher app, or with Pocket Casts on iOS, Android, and Windows. The show can also now be found on the recently launched Google Play Music for podcasts. Subscribe and review to help support the show! You can also listen with the streaming player below.
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