The Death of Console NCAA Basketball Titles

Over at Dubious Quality, Bill Harris posted an interesting article last night. Apparently EA is pulling the plug on this year’s annual NCAA Basketball title; I believe the 2K title was already canned.

I have never been a huge video game basketball fan, but I never thought I would see this day come. Is NCAA Football next?

From my perspective, I don’t think it is such a bad thing for EA to skip a release. Personally I would rather see developers focus on creating a really great title and then offer DLC, even if some of it is pay-to-play, in order to support and enhance the gaming experience.

Take Madden 2010 for example. While the game does have some faults, it is sold enough that I may consider not picking up 2011. I doubt EA would ever do this, but they could keep 2010 rolling – continue to patch the game and offer new content via DLC. Of course the patches should be free. EA could offer Madden 2010 gamers 2011 roster update subscriptions in two different tiers – post draft and post training camp, and an unlimited offer that would support roster updates throughout the year. EA has already shown the ability to add free DLC via Madden Ultimate Team, which can also drive revenue.

I passed on last year’s NCAA Basketball and NCAA Football titles, so I am not sure if continuing to release patches and DLC would even be an option, but it would be something that (I think) gamers would embrace. Could you image a year when the reviews did not claim “same game with roster updates?” Rejoice! That would be music to my ears!

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Less Static, Less Updates, Less Stuffs

Updates have been pretty sparse of late, but unlike past attempts at running Calvert Games I am not stressing. And why should I? Damned if I know, but when things were much more gaming oriented I would stress if updates were not timely, reviews were not long enough, and content was not flowing.

That was then, this is now.

Hopefully I will actually get some time to play and to write, but play time has been pretty limited of late. I got NBA Live 2005 on release date when I was in the UK, but have yet to play it, much less open the wrapper. A few days ago I got FIFA 2005, but I had company in town, so once again, wrappers remain unopened. Maybe today after the Georgia game.

Speaking of which, this is another week without an SEC update. I may do a recap despite not making any predictions. Free time of late has been limited, so I have to pick my spots.

The Falcons looked pretty pathetic last week, which was a surprise. I did not expect them to be world-beaters game in and game out, but I did not expect them to suck eggs against the Lions. Too bad I have wasted my season ticket this year, only attending a single preseason game. Easy come, easy go. Something like that.

Can someone please explain to me why the NFL has its collective head up its collective ass? The whole Pat Tillman flat is completely ridiculous, and stinks a nasty corporate world stench. It is simply ridiculous that Jake Plummer is not allowed to honor his former teammate by wearing a #40 sticker on the back of his helmet. I understand that the NFL has to have dress code rules, and I understand that the Cardinals are wearing the stickers the entire year, and I understand that the entire NFL wore the stickers a few weeks ago. Fine and dandy, but why not let former teammates wear the sticker regardless of their team affiliation? It is just freaking ridiculous, and despite the compromised reached earlier this week (not going to go into details here) the NFL has become too corporate for its britches. Too bad.

Despite the lack of updates, I still have plenty to say; I just have to find the time to speak my fill. Hope everyone has a great weekend, and hopefully, with a bit of luck, I can get back on my high horse and ride again.

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Sad, Sad Day

Finally back in the saddle, but have company in town so once again no SEC updates.

I am bitterly disappointed about the UGA/Tennessee game. I did not expect the Dawgs to go undefeated, but I certainly did not expect GA to take it right on the chin from the Volunteers.

How disappointing. UGA got beat in every single facet of the game. I have not seen very many good old fashion wood shed beatings in the Richt era, but yesterday way pretty nasty.

Oh well, there is always the Falcons going 5-0 against the Lions today. Hopefully.

NBA Live 2005 arrived while I was in the UK; hope to get some time with it soon.

More updates forthcoming.

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