From “NBA Live 18” publisher EA Sports:
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EA Sports has an exclusive license with ESPN that allows the company to integrate the authentic ESPN/ABC broadcast presentation — including the commentary team of Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy — in addition to the role “First Take” plays in the game.
The “NBA Live” series has gone through a tumultuous last seven years with cancellations outnumbering actual products released. What was once a proud franchise has been largely forgotten by fans as competitor “NBA 2K” has risen to previously unthinkable sales levels and cultural relevance. A mobile version of “NBA Live’” came out last year and has done very well, but it remains to be seen whether the series can pull itself up off the ground on consoles and avoid the fate that several other sports game franchises have faced over the last decade of contraction within the genre.
James Harden appears on the cover of “NBA Live 18,” which will release on Sept. 15 for just $40 as part of a pre-order bonus. In addition to the new career mode, the WNBA makes its debut in the game. A demo will go live in North America on Aug. 11 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and include the ability to start the career mode and carry over progress to the full game if purchased along with an NBA Finals rematch of Cavaliers vs. Warriors.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the “Press Row Podcast” and can be reached on [email protected].
