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EA Sports Working on Second NBA Game
A new survey advertising a play-session later this week with a conceptually new NBA game at EA Canada has been discovered by NLSC. Those in the Vancouver area who are interested in taking part are asked to complete the survey which includes questions gauging experience with sports video games and level of sports fandom in general.
A “new concept” implies something unorthodox and an arcade-style game to counteract NBA 2K14 with the arrival of the new consoles would make more sense than going head-to-head with it in the sim space. With an initially small consumer base any return on NBA Live’s four years in development would be inconsequential. Early generation technology can also be utilized as a showcase – in the manner that Fight Night Round 3 did in the early days with the Xbox 360 and NBA Street Homecourt a year later – and that could then help to rebuild some trust with consumers when considering potential future NBA Live titles. A new NBA Street would certainly be the far more anticipated of the two should either accompany the launch of the new consoles.
Last month EA Sports appeared to have let slip that they are working on new franchises. With the struggles they have faced with getting NBA Live off the ground – apparently still targeting release this fall – few would have surmised that a different NBA game from the studio the sport moved away from in late 2010 would be one of them.
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MLB 13: The Show Week One Roster Update
SCEA has released the first in-season roster update for MLB 13: The Show. This is always a significant one as players who made their major league debuts can then be added. Continue on for a look at all the inserted rookies and their ratings along with the other significant changes that accompany this update. Read more
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Deal on Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14
Only two weeks after release and there is already a huge deal on Tiger Woods 14 available at some retailers. Amazon has the standard version of the game at just $40Â with the Xbox 360 but $50 on PS3, while the Historic Edition sits at $60Â for both systems. With the Historic Edition content available on the marketplace for $20 there is no advantage to buying one over the other for the 360 if desired.
If there is any interest in picking up Tiger this year the deal would be hard to pass up. It’ll be months before it can be found for cheaper new and buying used would add the cost of the $10 Online Pass. With Tiger 14 being the standout golf game of the generation it’s at least worth considering at the current price point.
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First Madden NFL 25 Pre-Order Bonus Spotted
The Gaming Tailgate has come across the first pre-order promotion for Madden NFL 25. Walmart is offering an exclusive “Oakland Raiders Franchise Pack” which presumably (unless there’s a new mode to reveal or ties into Connected Careers) relates to Ultimate Team.
The info comes from a Walmart in-store standee and none of the pre-order bonuses have been posted on any retailer websites yet. Based on this find then in all likelihood each retailer will offer a team pack of their own and those selected will be ones with a rich history of success, impact players, and ties to the Madden franchise throughout its now 25 years.
One has to question whether an individual team pack is going to be any sort of draw for retailers however. Raiders fans may seek out Walmart but that would surely be a small contingent to cater towards. In fact some consumers, if their favorite team isn’t available as a bonus, may opt to avoid certain ones more so than pursue them. At least in the case of NCAA Football 14 the Ultimate Team packs involve entire conferences where potential interest becomes expanded.
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The Line Drive for April 7
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
•Amazon has $10 off Tiger Woods 14 – Historic Edition $60, standard version $40.
•ESPN has the first uninspiring screenshot for Madden NFL 25.
•All the NCAA Football 14 screenshots released so far can be found in the FB Album.
•If you haven’t already vote for the best MLB faces – Part ONE – Part TWO – Part THREE.
•ThatSportsGamer discusses a significant design flaw in MLB 13’s Diamond Dynasty.
•Kotaku explains why all golfers are stuck with generic outfits at The Masters in Tiger 14.
•One site found a problem already with NCAA Football 14 just through the trailer.
•EA Sports released a post-trade deadline roster update for NHL 13 but did not lay out details.
•A new NHL Moments Live in NHL 13 is available and offers HUT “pucks” for completion.
•A patch for the Vita version of MLB 13: The Show arrived on Tuesday.
•250 perfect games were pitched in MLB 2K13 in just the first two days of the competition.
•Yahoo examines the damage done in the Kevin Ware t-shirt mess.
•Georgia is getting new uniforms for the upcoming season.
•A look at the new camo helmets to be worn by Virginia Tech this season.
•The full 2013 NFL Preseason schedule is out – regular season expected 4/16.
•Goal line technology is being introduced in the 2014 World Cup.
•Not a terribly significant deal but MLB 13: The Show can be had for $55.News and content that may have been missed from the last week around the site.
•Arrested Development S4 Releases May 26. All 15 episodes through Netflix streaming.
•Zoe Saldana Cast in Guardians of the Galaxy. She’ll play Gamora in the Marvel movie.
•Sequel to Finding Nemo Announced. Finding Dory Will Release Thanksgiving 2015.
•Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two Early Look. Some concept images.
•Trailer for Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. Sequel to the 2010 Percy Jackson film.
•Trailer for The Purge. Upcoming horror film starring Lena Headey and Ethan Hawke.
•Deal on the  Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy Giftset. Normally $120 but going for $48. -
WWE 2K14 Cover Goes to The Rock
The lead-up to Wrestlemania is always the biggest time of the year in terms of consumer interest and interaction for WWE. With Wrestlemania 29 on Sunday the company even made video game news with still over seven months until the typical release time frame for the series arrives.
Executive Vice President of Consumer Products Casey Collins announced that The Rock will be featured on the cover of WWE 2K14.
Dwayne Johnson has become one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry let alone “sports entertainment”. Some might take issue with the fact that a part-time performer gets the top billing – the same grumblings have been made regarding The Rock and his current title reign – but there is no one that could offer near the exposure and awareness levels that he provides.
The WWE license is now in the hands of Take Two, with also acquired Yuke’s continuing on as the development studio at least in the short term, and falling under the 2K Sports label.
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Press Row Podcast: Episode 18
The latest edition of the Press Row Podcast features expansive discussion on Tiger Woods 14 and all the news related to NCAA Football 14 from the week. A number of listener questions are also attended to.
Check it out through iTunes, with the embedded player at Operation Sports, or through the direct MP3 link here. Feel free to leave any feedback and suggestions on topics for future podcasts as well as the sixth show of the Press Row Hangout next week!
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Part Three of Player Face Comparisons Between MLB 13: The Show and MLB 2K13
With baseball one of the last remaining sports that have competition – whether that continues to be the case in 2014 is up in the air at this point – the player face comparison between the two games has been one of the most popular features of the spring the last few years. The Show has won out in all three battles: 21-6 margin in 2012, 14-6 in 2011, and 11-8-1 in 2010.
For 2013 the set of faces has been expanded to 40. If you haven’t already make sure to vote for the better faces that went up earlier in the first set and the second set.  Here are the final 14 to vote on – results and analysis will be posted next week. Read more
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