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First look at the new features for NBA Playgrounds 2
While it was always clear that developer Saber Interactive had a long term plan for the NBA Playgrounds series it came as somewhat of a surprise to find it now as an annually released title. Arcade-style games are few and far between these days, but featuring the official league license is a big selling point that most games of this nature wouldn’t have behind them. NBA Playgrounds showed a lot of promise and post-release support was strong which bodes well going forward.
Now the first video for the game has been released that goes beyond just acting as a teaser. This video touches on the various new features and improvements for the sequel which includes new player models, animation system, season mode, venues, power-ups, and online co-op.
The release date of May 22, which was leaked earlier through the PSN pre-order page, has also now been confirmed along with the $20 price tag. It’s earlier than the “summer” time frame first announced which allows it to settle in a prime time for NBA interest given the start of the NBA Finals on May 31st and the Draft which takes place in June that will lead to new rookies soon after being added to the game’s roster.
Check out all the new features & additions to NBA Playgrounds 2, coming May 22nd! #PlayWithoutLimits pic.twitter.com/epr0BsfPoX
— NBA Playgrounds (@nba_playgrounds) May 9, 2018
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PES 2019 first trailer and feature details
When Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 releases on August 28 it’ll have lost Champions and Europa League licensing but promises new licenses, stadiums, club partnerships, and more legends. Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona will appear on the cover of the standard edition while David Beckham gets the placement on the special edition. Read more
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The NBA 2K League got off to a very slow start
After a year-and-a-half of build-up and a big promotional push from the NBA with assists from the likes of ESPN, the NBA 2K League began play last week with a $100,000 prize pool tournament but very few bothered to tune in. Check out the extensive piece written for Sporting News on the numbers it generated and analysis of the gameplay and presentation.
Millions of dollars are being spent with no immediate return and only the hope that it will grow into a profitable venture. Sports games are at an inherent disadvantage in the competitive space given that superior alternatives already exist to watch.
The best hope to break out appeared to be the 2K League due to the backing of the NBA and natural rooting interests that accompany its teams. Based on the early returns that hasn’t meant much and it should be alarming that the already paltry numbers from day one dwindled by the final day of the tournament with the Finals barely reaching 7,000 viewers at its peak.
The NBA 2K League is undoubtedly a long-term investment but significant growth will need to happen for it to become even mildly successful, and the indifference from both the 2K community, general sports fans, and Twitch stream-watchers suggest that may never come about at least on the scale that they are striving to reach.
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The Line Drive for May 6
The Line Drive is a weekly collection of news, links, deal alerts, and updates that didn’t necessarily warrant their own postings.
♦Full review of Super Mega Baseball 2 which is so much more than an arcade game.
♦The NBA 2K League struggled to get any viewers for its first big event.
♦76ers GC went on to beat Blazer5 Gaming for the first tournament crown in 2K League.
♦ESPN took a look at the 17 different court designs being used in the 2K League.
♦John Madden Football has been inducted into the video game Hall of Fame.
♦Late work will need to be done to kickoffs in Madden NFL 19 if league approves changes.
♦Post-launch plans have been laid out in a post from the devs of Super Mega Baseball 2.
♦Continued concerns regarding gameplay issues in MLB The Show 18 prompted a response.
♦New Monthly Awards Cards made their Diamond Dynasty debut in MLB The Show 18.
♦Details on the May Season Awards and new Program in MLB 18 Diamond Dynasty.
♦Trailer was released for the free World Cup DLC coming May 29th to FIFA 18.
♦Twitter poll for NBA 2K19 asked whether shot timing should be optional in Park/Pro-Am.
♦Black Panther releases on digital this week and Blu-ray next week. -
Press Row Podcast: More New Beginnings
With the late-breaking news that Madden creative director Rex Dickson has left EA Sports and the mention of the series going in a “new direction” we welcome the person that previously held that same position, Ian Cummings, on this episode of the Press Row Podcast. He’s got a new mobile game that just came out right in time for the Kentucky Derby (Horse Racing Manager 2018) and he’s able to provide unique perspective on what the change in leadership for Madden might mean for the long-running franchise.
Later in the episode there’s discussion on the just-released Super Mega Baseball 2 and an early assessment of the first event being held for the NBA 2K League. Download Horse Racing Manager 2018: iOS – Android
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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Ronald Acuna Jr. and Shohei Ohtani headline latest roster update for MLB The Show 18
Today’s roster update for MLB The Show 18 is notable for developments related to the two most highly-touted rookies this season. Making his debut in MLB The Show is Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. while Shohei Ohtani will now be playable in a different way. After last week’s update was the first to introduce ratings changes none have been made this week.
Acuna has been given a base roster rating of 78 Overall with ‘A’ Potential for Franchise Mode. In Diamond Dynasty he’s rated 76 Overall and is now the third most pricey player to acquire on the Braves. Acuna has only played in 8 games so far, making it a small sample size, but he’s hitting .382 with 2 HR and 5 RBI.
In other MLB The Show 18 content-related news the first position-player card for Ohtani has been introduced to Diamond Dynasty. With a primary position of right field and secondary of left field, Ohtani is rated 82 Overall with 81 Contact vs Righties and 88 Power vs Righties. Those are higher than his hitting stats from his starting pitcher card.
Ohtani has only been available in the game as a pitcher (currently 78 in DD) who could in theory be inserted in the lineup only as a pinch hitter. In DD he would at least get at bats when pitching due to the lack the DH in the mode. This new card will find him ineffective if moved to the pitching mound so it’s not the dual-Ohtani everyone has hoped for since the game released.
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Madden creative director Rex Dickson has left EA Sports
Rex Dickson, the creative director of the Madden NFL series since 2012 when Ian Cummings departed the EA Tiburon studio, made it official today that he has left EA Sports for a position with mobile gaming company Backflip Studios. Read more
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New patch for MLB The Show 18 further addresses the most pressing gameplay issues
Three areas of gameplay that have been heavily scrutinized since release are at the center of another patch for MLB The Show 18. Issues have been identified with the PCI jumping up or down during a swing, fielders struggling to make a play on balls that they should be able reach, and fastball speeds that have made the pitch practically unusable in online games.
The latest update to MLB The Show 18 hits on all three of those problematic areas. However, pitch speed has only been adjusted for Diamond Dynasty and some questions remain whether the PCI problem has truly been fixed. Read more
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