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Press Row Podcast: Calm Before the Storm
News of the week is discussed including details on a major patch for Madden NFL 19, trailer for MyCareer Mode in NBA 2K19, and comments from EA regarding the possibility of MVP Baseball making a long-awaited return. Before that Bryan and Rich update on progress with the Madden 19 Online Franchise and early returns from the experiment running with the Arcade setting combined with All-Pro difficulty and slider adjustments.
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 now also be found on Spotify! Subscribe and give the podcast five star reviews to help support the show. You can also listen with the streaming player found below.
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Demo for NBA Live 19 available now
While both basketball games will be providing opportunities to play selected portions prior to release, it’s NBA Live 19 that is first out of the gate with a demo on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Featured in the demo is Play Now with the reigning champion Golden State Warriors taking on the Boston Celtics, and from the WNBA it’s the Los Angeles Sparks vs Minnesota Lynx. Play Now has to be unlocked however by first completing two games of “The Rise” through career mode The ONE. Also included is the ability to practice and play drills, a number of Live Events, along with court and character customization.
Unlike previous years there is no online co-op play found in the demo. The ONE, which has been prominently featured in practically all the marketing for NBA Live 19 over its other modes, gets the focus of the demo to the point where it’s being forced onto people before the ability to play a regular NBA game is even offered.
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NBA 2K19’s MyCareer Mode goes international, gets skippable cut scenes
Over the past six years MyCareer became the the most popular way to play the NBA 2K series and today the trailer was released for the mode which goes international and to the G League before reaching the NBA. “The Way Back” stars Anthony Mackie along with some other recognizable faces from Hollywood.
In addition, cut scenes will finally be skippable, resolving a longtime complaint from fans of wasted time and diminished incentive for starting over with a new character. The Prelude, which offers a chance to get started on the story, will go out August 31.
“The Way Back” begins with you at the center of the experience of a hoops player with NBA dreams working to succeed in the Chinese Basketball League. As you develop your skills and gain recognition in China, the opportunity to return stateside comes when you receive an invitation to play in the G League. Through hard work and perseverance, your chance to play on the main stage in the NBA comes late in the season when a roster spot opens up.
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Details on the first post-release patch for Madden NFL 19
While the day-one patch for Madden NFL 19 addressed feedback coming out of the series’ first ever beta, today’s update to Madden NFL 19 includes changes that respond to data collected since the game has been in the hands of consumers.
There are some major improvements and fixes made, including a significant change to the Hit Stick, a reduction to dropped passes with possession catches, a fix to game speed in MUT Solo Battles, and the addition of a notification regarding what player has been injured off-ball (something that had been missing and was noted in my review). Likenesses have also been updated for at least 29 players. Read more
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The Line Drive for August 19
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦No certainty on which but The Golf Club 2019 will release either the 21st or 28th.
♦The demo for NBA Live 19 is slated to arrive this coming Friday.
♦Details on all the improvements and new features for MyTeam Mode in NBA 2K19.
♦Few were watching the NBA 2K League playoffs despite a monumental upset.
♦The NBA 2K League will be expanding into four new markets for its second season.
♦Details on the new Primetime Performers program for MUT in Madden NFL 19.
♦A gameplay update to the Madden NFL Overdrive mobile game has gone live.
♦Details on the expansion of features and authenticity to LaLiga in next month’s FIFA 19.
♦There will be six different PlayStation 4 bundles with FIFA 19 to release in Europe.
♦View the full list of licensed legends for MyClub Mode in Pro Evolution Soccer 2019.
♦The licensing has been lost for the Brazilian National Team in Pro Evolution Soccer 2019.
♦View the full list of licenses and stadiums that will be featured in PES 2019.
♦F1 2018 releases this week and with the Amazon Prime discount can be had for $47.
♦New developer video goes over all the new features coming for NASCAR Heat 3.
♦The Press Row Podcast can now be found among the featured podcasts on Spotify.
♦Blu-ray releases this week headlined by Deadpool 2 and digital gets Ocean’s 8. -
Major scouting improvements for NHL 19
The first news on Franchise Mode for NHL 19 has arrived, with the focus at least for the initial reveal entirely on the scouting element of the mode. That’ll now involve putting together teams of up to 20 scouts for the pro and amateur ranks, along with the option to hide some attributes that are only revealed by having actual scouts in attendance for players’ games. Read more
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Press Row Podcast: The Weeks Ahead
With several sports games nearing release the discussion in this episode of the Press Row Podcast centers on the two upcoming basketball games and the two soccer games. The first opportunity to play them comes even earlier, with Pro Evolution Soccer 2019’s demo out already, a demo for NBA Live 19 and Prologue for NBA 2K19 expected before the month is up, and FIFA 19 a little farther out. How well are the games shaping up and what will the competition between them be like this year? Before all that, Bryan and Rich debate whether the Arcade gameplay style in Madden has become the best way to play.
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 now also be found on Spotify! Subscribe and give the podcast five star reviews to help support the show. You can also listen with the streaming player found below.
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Soundtrack for NBA 2K19
With the exception of last year’s edition 2K Sports has been involving big names from the music world to help craft and promote the soundtracks in the NBA 2K series. Those have included the likes of Jay-Z, Pharrell, and Imagine Dragons. Today the full soundtrack was revealed for NBA 2K19, which features a playlist purportedly put together at least in part by rapper Travis Scott. Listen to the soundtrack on Spotify which features all 47 songs. Read more
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