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Latest lawsuit faced by NBA 2K is over dances
It’s not just legal action regarding copyrighted tattoos that Take Two, the parent company of 2K Sports, is having to fight off in court these days. Now it’s the potential that NBA 2K is utilizing copyrighted dances without authorization.
The latest filings come from actor Alfonso Ribeiro (The Carlton), rapper 2 Milly (Milly Rock), and the owner of a popular Instagram account (The Floss). Take Two is joined by Epic Games’ Fortnite as defendants which also prominently features recognizable dances. That’s two of the biggest video games in the world with publishers that have deep pockets.
There is some debate over whether a dance move can actually be copyrighted. Essentially the name can be trademarked but the moves themselves are thought not to be protected. Where the real question arises is when money is being made off something that is undeniably recognizable as someone else’s creation. The Carlton is a great example of just that. Everyone knows where and who it originated with and just taking it for use elsewhere may constitute infringement.
Fortnite did recently partner with the NFL to bring in team uniforms, and that led to speculation that some of the player celebrations from the league could also make their way over in due time. Along with NBA 2K, and any other games that look to replicate potentially copyrighted material, publishers may need to approach doing so more delicately in the future or reach specific deals for their inclusion ahead of time.
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End of Year Community Awards: Best Gameplay of 2018
With 2018 coming to a close it’s time to start looking back on the developments that have taken place in sports gaming and acknowledge the various efforts that have been made in the genre with the 10th Annual Pastapadre Community Awards. You can check out all of the PCA winners from previous years here.
The categories will include Sports Game of the Year, Best New or Non-Yearly Sports Game, Best Mobile Game, Best Racing Game, Best Gameplay Best Online Play, Best Presentation, Best Franchise Mode, Best Career Mode, Best Post-Release Support, Best New Feature, and Best Team-Building Mode. All winners will be announced in early January!
Next up for 2018 is Best Gameplay, which had long been dominated by the NBA 2K series until MLB The Show was able to break through and win the last two years. MLB The Show 18 however won’t even have a shot at a three-peat for the franchise after an extremely troubled year gameplay-wise. NBA 2K19 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 return as nominees along with a first-time nod for NHL 19.
Categories now OPEN: Best Story/Career Mode – Best Gameplay
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The Line Drive for December 16
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 now has it’s free-to-play edition available to download.
♦Vote in the first of many categories to come in the annual PCAs.
♦2K Sports released video promoting holiday content added to NBA Playgrounds 2.
♦NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 on PS4/XB1/Switch remains on sale for just $20.
♦Details on the latest patch to have gone out for The Golf Club 2019.
♦The PC version of FIFA 19 is on sale for $30 for an Origin digital code.
♦Details on the latest patch to have gone out for NBA Live 19.
♦Details on the changes that have been made to MUT Drafts in Madden NFL 19.
♦New additions have been made to the Zero Chill program running in MUT 19.
♦Details on the latest roster update to have gone out in NHL 19.
♦New video features the “Miami Miracle” recreated in Tecmo Bowl form.
♦Mutant Football League Dynasty Edition is on sale for just $20 through Amazon.
♦The first expansion to Forza Horizon 4 called Fortune Island has gone live.
♦Details on other new features and fixes made with latest Forza Horizon 4 update.
♦Details on all the holiday content that is about to launch in Rocket League.
♦Details on the latest patch including new paint schemes for NASCAR Heat 3.
♦A year subscription to Xbox Game Pass remains on sale for $70 which is $50 off.
♦Amazon has Shadow of the Tomb Raider on sale for just $30.
♦Blu-ray releases this week include Venom, The Predator, and A Simple Favor. -
Madden NFL 19 roster update details following week 14 of the season
The roster update for Madden NFL 19 featuring ratings changes based on regular season performance through 14 weeks has gone live to download on all systems. Derrick Henry and Amari Cooper won Offensive Player of the Week honors but were barely acknowledged in the update, with both going up just a single point Overall and in the former’s case not even being given an increase in Stiff Arm or Break Tackle attributes.
Notables on the move in ratings this week include Todd Gurley (+1 to 97), Travis Kelce (+1 to 96), Patrick Mahomes (+1 to 91), Keenan Allen (+1 to 91), George Kittle (+1 to 89), Russell Wilson (-1 to 89), Saquon Barkley (+1 to 88), Andrew Luck (+1 to 88), Eddie Jackson (+1 to 88), Alshon Jeffery (-1 to 88), Kyle Fuller (+1 to 87), Derwin James (+1 to 87), Julian Edelman (-1 to 87), David Johnson (-1 to 87), Cam Newton (-1 to 87), Ben Roethlisberger (+1 to 86), Leonard Fournette (-1 to 86), Golden Tate (-1 to 86), Jared Goff (-1 to 85), Carson Wentz (-1 to 85), Kirk Cousins (-2 to 84), and Baker Mayfield (+1 to 83).
Check out full details on current ratings and any changes in this week’s update through the form on the official Madden NFL 19 website.
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PES 2019 has been added to Xbox Game Pass
The latest Pro Evolution Soccer game has once again been made available through Xbox Game Pass. As of today the subscription service now includes PES 2019. Earlier this year PES 2018 debuted in Game Pass but only lasted a few months before being pulled due to the impending release of PES 2019. It’s likely the new game will be removed prior the arrival of PES 2020 but that is still a long ways away.
Xbox Game Pass features a number of high-profile Xbox One games including all first party titles at release. It is not heavy on sports given that EA Access is where all the EA Sports games are found, but there are a few there besides PES 2019 including NBA Playgrounds, Super Mega Baseball, The Golf Club, Tecmo Bowl Throwback, F1 2015, Rocket League, and Laser League.
Typically $120 for a full year Xbox Game Pass is still on sale for just $70, which is an incredible deal at less than $6 a month for the over 100 games that can be played.
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New Nike “Earned” jerseys have made their way into NBA 2K19
Having previously added the “City” jerseys NBA 2K19 has now turned to introducing the just-revealed “Earned” Nike uniforms. These are special alternates exclusive to the 16 teams that made the playoffs the previous season. Stylistically however they are just their respective City or Statement jerseys with different coloring.
Due to the recent patch these and all other jerseys added to NBA 2K19 should show up in ongoing MyGM/MyLeague/MyCareer saves. Teams with the “Earned” jerseys: Warriors, Cavaliers, Rockets, Celtics, Jazz, Spurs, Wizards, Timberwolves, Thunder, Blazers, Raptors, Heat, Bucks, Pacers, Pelicans, 76ers.
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End of Year Community Awards: Best Story/Career Mode of 2018
With 2018 coming to a close it’s time to start looking back on the developments that have taken place in sports gaming and acknowledge the various efforts that have been made in the genre. To start is the first category in the 10th Annual Pastapadre Community Awards. You can check out all ofhe PCA winners from previous years here.
The categories to look forward to include Sports Game of the Year, Best New or Non-Yearly Sports Game, Best Mobile Game, Best Racing Game, Best Gameplay Best Online Play, Best Presentation, Best Franchise Mode, Best Career Mode, Best Post-Release Support, Best New Feature, and Best Team-Building Mode. All winners will be announced in early January!
First up is Best Story/Career Mode, which is a category that has probably been the most diverse of all in terms of nominees and winners. MLB The Show and NBA 2K have each won it multiple times in the past while FIFA 17 took home the award with the debut of The Journey. Last year it was Madden NFL 18 capturing the prize with its debut of Longshot. This time around NBA 2K19 makes a return as a nominee with the much improved MyCareer story, FIFA 19 can go out on a high note if the third and final season of The Journey comes out on top, and The Golf Club 2019 is a first-time nominee for the series with the addition of PGA Tour licensing to its Career Mode.
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The Line Drive for December 9
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Kareem Hunt is the latest player to get scrubbed from Madden mid-season.
♦The Pastapadre Community Awards will open voting in categories this week.
♦Invites for the MLB The Show 19 closed alpha will start going out on Wednesday.
♦Details on the annual return of the Zero Chill MUT Program for Madden NFL 19.
♦Digital code for Madden NFL 19 on Xbox One going for just $30.
♦Amazon currently has FIFA 19 and NBA 2K19 on sale for $40.
♦NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 on PS4/XB1/Switch remains on sale for just $20.
♦Every NFL team’s most iconic play has been recreated in Tecmo Super Bowl.
♦Details on the latest roster update with ratings changes out now in NBA 2K19.
♦NBA 2K League’s first combine session couldn’t proceed due to server issues.
♦Details on the latest content update that recently went out for NBA Live 19.
♦Fictional boxers from Fight Night Champion added to EA Sports UFC 3.
♦Details on the latest patch with improvements/additions for PES 2019.
♦Xbox Game Pass will be getting Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 this month.
♦The Mutant Football League Dynasty DLC is free until December 13.
♦Mutant Football League introduced a new team coming to the game.
♦Details on the latest patch which includes some new jerseys for NHL 19.
♦New DLC pack priced at $2 features the McLaren 570S for Rocket League.
♦Forza Horizon 4 won for Best Sports/Racing Game at The Game Awards.
♦A new Press Row Podcast awards the Best Racing Game of 2018.
♦A year subscription to Xbox Game Pass remains on sale for $70 which is $50 off.
♦Amazon Prime members can see an exclusive early screening of Aquaman on Dec. 15.
♦Blu-ray this week includes Equalizer 2 and instant video headlined by Venom.
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