What Type of OTP Do You Prefer?

by pastapadre
Posted October 13th, 2008 at 9:26 am

With the recent releases of NHL 09 and NBA Live 09 we’ve had two different forms of Online Team Play provided. NHL brought the EA Sports Hockey League which allows for the use of a created player in the club games. It is MMO style in that performance and experience lead to the development of the player. With NBA Live it is more of the standard take over of an NBA Player OTP that was introduced last year.

There was some level of disappointment when the realization came that Live would not have the EASHL style of OTP. There is reasoning why that may not work as well in a basketball game though. In hockey it is easier to disguise low ratings. You don’t really feel as though you’re at much of a disadvantage even starting off with a newly created player. But if you start with a player from scratch in a basketball game and they have trouble dribbling, or miss practically every shot, or are too slow to compete, or get dominated over and over that could lead to a great deal of frustration. Ultimately the experience has to be a fun one and there is no question that the EASHL achieved that. There may need to be different elements involved and some more planning in order to provide the same with an NBA game.

Looking at the two types of OTP it was much more important for NHL 09 to have the EASHL than it was for NBA Live 09 to have similar. Most people don’t know the majority of NHL players which would make it hard to identify with them or have an understanding of their skills. With the NBA though most fans can recognize a team’s starters and know how to utilize them.

There is no denying that having your own name on the player’s jersey and being in control of the development makes for a much more intimate and involved feel. That was an overriding impression I had when first getting into the EASHL. That alone could make people take more responsibility for their style of play and contribute to a better overall online experience. Not having particular real life players to control would eliminate any potential arguments over who controls who, though despite that concern I’ve never actually seen materialize as a problem.

A downside now being seen with the basic OTP in NBA Live is that only a handful of teams are used. It will quickly become stale because of that. With the EASHL every club has a different build and different strategy and skill levels. I’d just like to see the ability to create the club’s logos and uniforms added. That would make the club experience even better.

So vote in the poll and leave your thoughts in the comments. What type of OTP do you prefer? And would you like to see NBA Live 2010 adapt the MMO style of OTP?

{democracy:42}

Tags:

http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

nice

if ur NOT 1st ur LAST
http://pastapadre.com sdot

nice

if ur NOT 1st ur LAST
Peruvian Idol

I think created players could work in NBA Live. If you look at NHL, you have a number of pre-defined skill templates (Snipers, Grinders, Offensive Defenseman, etc.) which could easily be applied to NBA positions (Playmaker vs. Shoot-first PG, Finesse vs. Power C, etc.). This way you’d be decent at skills required to effectively use that player type and could build on those skills or other skills that are less developed over time.

With NBA Live’s system, there’s no real incentives or penalties to be in good position or to pass the ball. It’s like a really bad pickup game. If they improved the grading and added the ability to improve your skills it would go a long way towards encouraging real team play.

The limited number of teams is definitely a problem as well. Adding NBDL teams (and possibly Euroleague teams) like NHL’s inclusion of AHL and foreign club teams would add a lot more variety of uni’s to choose from.
Peruvian Idol

I think created players could work in NBA Live. If you look at NHL, you have a number of pre-defined skill templates (Snipers, Grinders, Offensive Defenseman, etc.) which could easily be applied to NBA positions (Playmaker vs. Shoot-first PG, Finesse vs. Power C, etc.). This way you’d be decent at skills required to effectively use that player type and could build on those skills or other skills that are less developed over time.

With NBA Live’s system, there’s no real incentives or penalties to be in good position or to pass the ball. It’s like a really bad pickup game. If they improved the grading and added the ability to improve your skills it would go a long way towards encouraging real team play.

The limited number of teams is definitely a problem as well. Adding NBDL teams (and possibly Euroleague teams) like NHL’s inclusion of AHL and foreign club teams would add a lot more variety of uni’s to choose from.
boucher

nice

if you NOT 3rd ur LAST
boucher

nice

if you NOT 3rd ur LAST
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

I stopped creatin playas in NBA games a while ago & really DON’T have any intentions of goin back

unless dey come out wit sumthin like da Life & NCAA Campus Legend for da PS2 / Xbox versions (as it was betta back den)
http://pastapadre.com sdot

I stopped creatin playas in NBA games a while ago & really DON’T have any intentions of goin back

unless dey come out wit sumthin like da Life & NCAA Campus Legend for da PS2 / Xbox versions (as it was betta back den)
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

2 is NOT a winner

(boucher) 3 NOBODY remembers

KidN
http://pastapadre.com sdot

2 is NOT a winner

(boucher) 3 NOBODY remembers

KidN
Jonathon

NHL OTP is awesome…without a doubt the most fun i have had in awhile (though FIFA 08 was pretty sweet for OTP)…other than the boneheaded calls for a pass from a goalie who is surrounded by defenders for an easy goal or the same bonehead never passing the puck or bothering to play defense…when you get a good five or six guys together…the game is really amazing…hopefully we can get a EASHL game going this week, because playing with the same people and developing some familiarity with people would be even more enjoyable than the random scrubs i have been playing…
Jonathon

NHL OTP is awesome…without a doubt the most fun i have had in awhile (though FIFA 08 was pretty sweet for OTP)…other than the boneheaded calls for a pass from a goalie who is surrounded by defenders for an easy goal or the same bonehead never passing the puck or bothering to play defense…when you get a good five or six guys together…the game is really amazing…hopefully we can get a EASHL game going this week, because playing with the same people and developing some familiarity with people would be even more enjoyable than the random scrubs i have been playing…
BiggieFatz

pasta,
you know my thoughts on this, I’m not an NBA or an NHL fan but I got nhl due to the mmo style otp and that’s it, I don’t play offline at all. I realy don’t think I will be getting any of the nba games.
BiggieFatz

pasta,
you know my thoughts on this, I’m not an NBA or an NHL fan but I got nhl due to the mmo style otp and that’s it, I don’t play offline at all. I realy don’t think I will be getting any of the nba games.
zack

NHL all the way
zack

NHL all the way
Mr. 707

Pasta…I understand that these features are fun but are you going to cover anything else? This is definitely not a personal attack because you do a good job keeping people informed but there are other games out there. I’ve been throwing out FIFA09 (which is out tomorrow by the way) references for a couple weeks now and was hoping for some info and impressions BEFORE the game came out.

Also, I just want to be first to say that both NBA games this year aren’t that good. The more time I get with both Live and 2k9 the more I notice how bad they are. Live is just way too animated (and I mean that in a negative way) and 2k9 just has a lot of gameplay issues. I see why the 2k camera view isn’t going to work online…it’s because it sucks offline!! The chopiness of this view is terrible. I played one game against a friend offline and it felt like i was playing a laggy online game.

Overall, I find myself getting more irratated then satisfied when I play 2k9 and Live. I’m actually contemplating taking both in to get store credit to buy FIFA. I’ll be taking Live back for sure.

Sorry about the extra negativity in this post…it’s Monday.
Mr. 707

Pasta…I understand that these features are fun but are you going to cover anything else? This is definitely not a personal attack because you do a good job keeping people informed but there are other games out there. I’ve been throwing out FIFA09 (which is out tomorrow by the way) references for a couple weeks now and was hoping for some info and impressions BEFORE the game came out.

Also, I just want to be first to say that both NBA games this year aren’t that good. The more time I get with both Live and 2k9 the more I notice how bad they are. Live is just way too animated (and I mean that in a negative way) and 2k9 just has a lot of gameplay issues. I see why the 2k camera view isn’t going to work online…it’s because it sucks offline!! The chopiness of this view is terrible. I played one game against a friend offline and it felt like i was playing a laggy online game.

Overall, I find myself getting more irratated then satisfied when I play 2k9 and Live. I’m actually contemplating taking both in to get store credit to buy FIFA. I’ll be taking Live back for sure.

Sorry about the extra negativity in this post…it’s Monday.
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

choosin soccer ova BALL

50 sed it BEST

Sumthin REALLY W-R-O-N-G dat (CENSORED)
http://pastapadre.com sdot

choosin soccer ova BALL

50 sed it BEST

Sumthin REALLY W-R-O-N-G dat (CENSORED)
Mr. 707

How am I choosing soccer over hoop? I actually like basketball more then soccer by far. I’m just tired of hearing about two games that aren’t that good.

And reading your posts is like trying to figure out a riddle. No disrespect but you should try and write in plain english sometimes.
Mr. 707

How am I choosing soccer over hoop? I actually like basketball more then soccer by far. I’m just tired of hearing about two games that aren’t that good.

And reading your posts is like trying to figure out a riddle. No disrespect but you should try and write in plain english sometimes.
Ryan

NBA is a joke compared to NHL. It’s not even a close contest. So far this year NHL 09 is the best sports game out there, and in my mind the online team play makes it the best sports game ever made. You can change your player so easily and your club’s uniforms so easily that this game will never get old. I’m already sick of NBA Live 09…I’ve played about 5 games and 4 of them were Lakers vs Celtics. There is no variety on it’s own, and then you compare it to NHL, it’s just laughable. NHL wrecks NBA, in my opinion anyways.
Ryan

NBA is a joke compared to NHL. It’s not even a close contest. So far this year NHL 09 is the best sports game out there, and in my mind the online team play makes it the best sports game ever made. You can change your player so easily and your club’s uniforms so easily that this game will never get old. I’m already sick of NBA Live 09…I’ve played about 5 games and 4 of them were Lakers vs Celtics. There is no variety on it’s own, and then you compare it to NHL, it’s just laughable. NHL wrecks NBA, in my opinion anyways.
DaveDQ

I’d go with Created Player with the skill based on position. The created player has another layer that I think gives more depth. Both features are fresh ideas for online though.
DaveDQ

I’d go with Created Player with the skill based on position. The created player has another layer that I think gives more depth. Both features are fresh ideas for online though.
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

@ ryan NHL is da BEST sport game On-Line
but
Off-Line 2K9 winz EZ

@Mr.707 dis is bout as english as itz gonna get readin 1 of mu post

& 2K9 is FIRE Off-Line & da couple of times dat I actually got 2 play it on-line was pretty good too

didn’t hav a lag issue da times I was successful like sum1 sed if U play wit 8 or less lag doesn’t really factor in (@ least in my experience)
http://pastapadre.com sdot

@ ryan NHL is da BEST sport game On-Line
but
Off-Line 2K9 winz EZ

@Mr.707 dis is bout as english as itz gonna get readin 1 of mu post

& 2K9 is FIRE Off-Line & da couple of times dat I actually got 2 play it on-line was pretty good too

didn’t hav a lag issue da times I was successful like sum1 sed if U play wit 8 or less lag doesn’t really factor in (@ least in my experience)
Josh

[quote comment="41798"]Pasta…I understand that these features are fun but are you going to cover anything else? This is definitely not a personal attack because you do a good job keeping people informed but there are other games out there. I’ve been throwing out FIFA09 (which is out tomorrow by the way) references for a couple weeks now and was hoping for some info and impressions BEFORE the game came out.

Also, I just want to be first to say that both NBA games this year aren’t that good. The more time I get with both Live and 2k9 the more I notice how bad they are. Live is just way too animated (and I mean that in a negative way) and 2k9 just has a lot of gameplay issues. I see why the 2k camera view isn’t going to work online…it’s because it sucks offline!! The chopiness of this view is terrible. I played one game against a friend offline and it felt like i was playing a laggy online game.

Overall, I find myself getting more irratated then satisfied when I play 2k9 and Live. I’m actually contemplating taking both in to get store credit to buy FIFA. I’ll be taking Live back for sure.

Sorry about the extra negativity in this post…it’s Monday.[/quote]

2K9 doesn’t lag on Broadcast view offline though. However I also noticed that if you play on any other view besides Broadcast the framerate lags. The framerate also lags when you play with old school teams. I hope 2K can patch this because honestly this is the only issue I have with the game. The game is great besides this. I can’t stop playing it. I noticed a new animation everytime I play it!
Josh

[quote comment="41798"]Pasta…I understand that these features are fun but are you going to cover anything else? This is definitely not a personal attack because you do a good job keeping people informed but there are other games out there. I’ve been throwing out FIFA09 (which is out tomorrow by the way) references for a couple weeks now and was hoping for some info and impressions BEFORE the game came out.

Also, I just want to be first to say that both NBA games this year aren’t that good. The more time I get with both Live and 2k9 the more I notice how bad they are. Live is just way too animated (and I mean that in a negative way) and 2k9 just has a lot of gameplay issues. I see why the 2k camera view isn’t going to work online…it’s because it sucks offline!! The chopiness of this view is terrible. I played one game against a friend offline and it felt like i was playing a laggy online game.

Overall, I find myself getting more irratated then satisfied when I play 2k9 and Live. I’m actually contemplating taking both in to get store credit to buy FIFA. I’ll be taking Live back for sure.

Sorry about the extra negativity in this post…it’s Monday.[/quote]

2K9 doesn’t lag on Broadcast view offline though. However I also noticed that if you play on any other view besides Broadcast the framerate lags. The framerate also lags when you play with old school teams. I hope 2K can patch this because honestly this is the only issue I have with the game. The game is great besides this. I can’t stop playing it. I noticed a new animation everytime I play it!
Bumble14

Overall I LOVE the MMO style of NHL, but with that being said, the MMO style would not work as well in NBA for all the reasons Pasta stated.

It is far too easy to make NBA OTP all about hogging the ball and individual play. NHL is geared more towards true team play- you really can’t be a 1 man show in NHL even if you want to. MMO style NBA would be an absolute drag, I can see it now, one player maxes skills out and completely hogs the ball the entire game. There is no incentive in an NBA style MMO to share the ball. At least in NHL you get assists that are scored the same amount of points as a goal. In the NBA only points matter if you really think about it.

Sure, an NBA MMO would be fun, and it would be like pick up rec ball at the Y, but I am much more likely to want to play with my favorite NBA superstars than some scrubby white guy trying to up my stats. The mode hasn’t really worked in NBA The Life, and it didn’t work with that mode in 2K (forgot what it was called), so I just don’t see it working online in Live. People recognize the stars of the NBA more so than the NHL just like Pasta said.

Now, with all that being said, if EA can somehow integrate the mode into next years NCAA game, where you can play through a dynasty season with 4 other buddies and your created players at a created/real school, then that will be revolutionary (hope someone at EA reads this!). That along with online hoops dynasty is the next big step for basketball gaming.
Bumble14

Overall I LOVE the MMO style of NHL, but with that being said, the MMO style would not work as well in NBA for all the reasons Pasta stated.

It is far too easy to make NBA OTP all about hogging the ball and individual play. NHL is geared more towards true team play- you really can’t be a 1 man show in NHL even if you want to. MMO style NBA would be an absolute drag, I can see it now, one player maxes skills out and completely hogs the ball the entire game. There is no incentive in an NBA style MMO to share the ball. At least in NHL you get assists that are scored the same amount of points as a goal. In the NBA only points matter if you really think about it.

Sure, an NBA MMO would be fun, and it would be like pick up rec ball at the Y, but I am much more likely to want to play with my favorite NBA superstars than some scrubby white guy trying to up my stats. The mode hasn’t really worked in NBA The Life, and it didn’t work with that mode in 2K (forgot what it was called), so I just don’t see it working online in Live. People recognize the stars of the NBA more so than the NHL just like Pasta said.

Now, with all that being said, if EA can somehow integrate the mode into next years NCAA game, where you can play through a dynasty season with 4 other buddies and your created players at a created/real school, then that will be revolutionary (hope someone at EA reads this!). That along with online hoops dynasty is the next big step for basketball gaming.
http://www.moesportsblog.com/ Maurice N.

Pasta when do you have OTP for NHL ?
http://www.moesportsblog.com Maurice N.

Pasta when do you have OTP for NHL ?
Pete

Does anyone know when NHL 09 roster update will be out now that the season started with all the current rosters? Or are they out already?
Pete

Does anyone know when NHL 09 roster update will be out now that the season started with all the current rosters? Or are they out already?
AzureEffect

I haven’t played NHL but NBA is not as bad as all these people are making it sound. I have a Club and we eqach play our roles respectively and just look to win…I don’t care how many Lakers vs. Celtics matchups come up…Nobody is going to play the EXACT same…sure it probably would be cool to have a created player but its not bad as its being torn down by people. It makes me think that these people either lose all the time or are not good at the game. NBA OTP is really fun.
nba2k

Can u edit Home and away shoes on NBA Live?
AzureEffect

I haven’t played NHL but NBA is not as bad as all these people are making it sound. I have a Club and we eqach play our roles respectively and just look to win…I don’t care how many Lakers vs. Celtics matchups come up…Nobody is going to play the EXACT same…sure it probably would be cool to have a created player but its not bad as its being torn down by people. It makes me think that these people either lose all the time or are not good at the game. NBA OTP is really fun.
nba2k

Can u edit Home and away shoes on NBA Live?
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

yea & deerz plenty of kix as dey NEVA remov’d da KIX from last gen
http://pastapadre.com sdot

yea & deerz plenty of kix as dey NEVA remov’d da KIX from last gen
nba2k

[quote comment="41830"]yea & deerz plenty of kix as dey NEVA remov’d da KIX from last gen[/quote]

Is it worth buying?
nba2k

[quote comment="41830"]yea & deerz plenty of kix as dey NEVA remov’d da KIX from last gen[/quote]

Is it worth buying?
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

well dat depends on ur expectations of it

I mean wut are U honestly expectin 2 get out of it if U buy it ?

answer dat & i’ll be able 2 give U a BETTA answer
http://pastapadre.com sdot

well dat depends on ur expectations of it

I mean wut are U honestly expectin 2 get out of it if U buy it ?

answer dat & i’ll be able 2 give U a BETTA answer
boucher

I PLAYED BBALL ONCE AND THEN I MOVED TO INDIA TO PLAY CRICKET INSTEAd
boucher

I PLAYED BBALL ONCE AND THEN I MOVED TO INDIA TO PLAY CRICKET INSTEAd
Mr. 707

No it’s not worth buying. Rent it first if you can.
Mr. 707

No it’s not worth buying. Rent it first if you can.