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Improvements to Career Mode for FIFA 16
With FIFA 16’s release nearing EA Sports has gone into detail on the upgrades that have been made for the game’s Career Mode. Those include Pre-Season Tournaments, Player Training, and feedback-based additions and adjustments. Read more
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Improvements to gameplay for NBA 2K16
NBA 2K16 releases three weeks from Friday but there is still quite a bit of information still to be revealed about the game. Today 2K Sports released a video going over, for the first time, what has been done for gameplay this year.
The main theme is the “Living World”, with improved atmosphere, smarter players, coaches that actually make adjustments, situational movement, physics-driven collisions, a new post-game, new foot-planting technology, and three dedicated buttons to make different types of passes.
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Live Pro-Am announcement had some traction, but can it carry the game to sales?
Both NBA Live 16 and NBA 2K16 are rolling out a significant online-based mode that shares the same name. The importance each one holds is wildly different however, with Live Pro-Am being the main feature of that game, while 2K’s Pro-Am is just one of several modes that offer considerable depth.
Based on the results of the poll on the two, Live has done well with its announcement as it has attracted some interest. 29% of respondents found themselves more intrigued by Live’s Pro-Am compared to 58% for 2K’s. Considering 2K dominates the basketball market with about 97% of all the sales, that’s a pretty decent showing for the EA Sports game that is in desperate need to demonstrate growth after a disastrous Live 14 and a Live 15 that stabilized the series but fell even further in sales.
NBA Live 16 will have a demo where people get an opportunity to not just try the game out, but do so within the Live Pro-Am, while 2K is unlikely to offer any demo at all. Live will have its chance to draw some attention and prove itself, but one mode may not be enough to sway those who feel 2K16 is the safest bet, particularly as the squeeze is on due to the sheer number of game releases creating intense competition for consumer dollars this month.
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Forza 6 demo is out now
The demo for Forza Motorsport 6 is now available to download on Xbox One. It can be done directly from the console or queued up through the Xbox website.
Experience the most beautiful and comprehensive racing game of this generation, named “Best Racing Game” of gamescom 2015. The Forza Motorsport 6 demo features a selection of the 450 Forzavista cars available in the full version, all with working cockpits and full damage. You’ll experience highlights from the game’s 70 hour career mode, including wet weather and night racing, all at a stunning 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second.
Forza 6 releases September 15 – or five days earlier for those who purchase the $100 Ultimate Edition – and introduces night racing and rain to the series, adds new race leagues and online spectator mode, includes races involving up to 24 cars both offline and online, and offers up 450 different cars to race in 26 locales.
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The downside to Draft Champions
Draft Champions mode in Madden NFL 16 has earned near universal praise. It’s a compelling concept involving the selection of players and construction of a team without the necessity of a long-term commitment or investment of money. Unfortunately what has become apparent in recent days is that the lack of stakes affects how people play the games online. Read more
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MLB 15: The Show week 21 roster update
While the roster update this week for MLB 15: The Show isn’t very significant on the surface, there is an intriguing set of new rookies making their way into the game. With rosters expanding in September there will be many more of them in the updates to follow.
Players with notable ratings movement this week: Zack Greinke (+1 to 95), Max Scherzer (-1 to 94), Kris Medlen (+4 to 83), Justin Verlander (+5 to 82), Hanley Ramirez (-5 to 82), Francisco Lindor (+5 to 81), Miguel Sano (+4 to 81), and Mike Fiers (+5 to 80). Read more
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The Line Drive for August 30
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Check out articles written and videos recorded for Sporting News and Hit The Pass:
   •Madden NFL 16 simulation shows the difference between Brady and Garoppolo
   •Madden NFL 16 review: it will change what you play, and how you play
   •The 28 players designated as “clutch” by Madden NFL 16
   •The new Vikings stadium that opens next season is in Madden NFL 16
   •The Madden NFL 16 review roundtable edition of the Press Row Podcast
   •Is a grittier, more mature NBA 2K16 worth the risk? (video)♦Amazon Prime deals still available: $5 off FIFA 16 and NHL 16 and $7 off Forza 6.
♦Youtube Gaming just launched, make sure to subscribe to the Hit The Pass account!
♦ThatSportsGamer has the play of the year so far in Madden NFL 16.
♦Returning NHL 15 HUT players will get a bonus for use in NHL 16 Hockey Ultimate Team.
♦EA Sports has answered some more questions about NHL 16 on the game’s official page.
♦Check out screenshots of the 26 mascots that are featured in NHL 16.
♦EA listed out the top 10 rated goalies and top 10 rated defensemen for NHL 16.
♦New commentary will accompany the upcoming course addition to Rory McIlroy PGA Tour.
♦A demo for Forza 6 is scheduled to go out this Tuesday on Xbox One.
♦EA Sports released a short video clip of an intro to a playoff game in NBA Live 16.
♦Bruce Lee has been added to the mobile version roster of EA Sports UFC.
♦Blu-ray releases this week include the sensational Mad Max: Fury Road. -
Press Row Podcast: Madden NFL 16 Review Roundtable
The latest Press Row Podcast features full panel discussion on Madden NFL 16 – always one of the most popular shows each year! We break down gameplay, Ultimate Team, Draft Champions, Franchise and more before taking on a number of listener questions. First though the show kicks off with a developer interview about the Prologue that opens up Madden 16: how it came together, the thought process behind it, and the technical challenges experienced at launch.
Check out the podcast through iTunes for iOS and the Stitcher app for Android– subscribe and review to help support the show! You can also listen with the streaming player below.
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