LOS ANGELES, CA--When it comes to sports video games, EA Sports has added another exclusive to its stable of game franchises. Beginning December 2nd with the launch of the new NCAA Basketball 09, EA Sports will be the only college hoops video game in town. Gamers previously had a choice of EA's March Madness and 2K Sports' College Hoops games at retail. EA Sports already holds exclusives for NCAA Football, as well as the NFL, FIFA, PGA TOUR, NASCAR and Arena Football League.
At UCLA, EA Sports recently held an exclusive first-look at its inaugural NCAA Basketball 09. Former UCLA All-American Kevin Love, who graces the cover of the new Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 game, was on hand for the event, along with his old coach, Ben Howland. EA has signed an exclusive deal with the National Association of Basketball Coaches to incorporate coaches into the NCAA Basketball franchise. Sean O'Brien, producer of the franchise at EA's Vancouver studio, took some time to talk with GameDaily BIZ about the exclusive license and the potential for future NCAA video games to include player names and likenesses down the line in this exclusive interview.
GameDaily BIZ: How did EA Sports end up with the exclusive NCAA Basketball video game license?
Sean O'Brien: The decision was made easy for us because 2K Sports walked away from college basketball. For us, we're trying to grow this market and we were challenged not to have that full piece of the pie as revenue to grow it. We're excited to really grow this business, as we've done with NCAA Football once they went exclusive. Having the partnership with the NCAA gives us the opportunity to work directly with all of the partners that are part of the NCAA and that helps us build a better game. We feel this was a great opportunity for us to grow this business and make the college basketball game that we all want, and that the fans want as well.
BIZ: What does working with the National Association of Basketball Coaches bring to the NCAA Basketball franchise?
O'Brien: The NABC partnership is a huge thing for us. We were in Kansas City at their annual board meeting a few weeks ago and we sat down with a number of different coaches to get their insight into the game. We asked them what role tempo and atmosphere play in the game. When you look at our screens before you head into the game, that last screen is like the coach's chalkboard before you go onto the court. That type of statistical information is important pre-game, half-time and post-game. Having your coach give you feedback throughout the game defines the coach's role. It's been invaluable to us to have their insight and expertise and we're taking that information and putting it in the game. The coaches communicate to the users what they need to do in the game, just like they do with players.
BIZ: Your demo showed the coaches in the game through picture-in-picture. Will you be using real coaches' likenesses in the game?
O'Brien: We signed this deal a month ago, so we won't have the individual coaches in the game this year. But we'll have the names. Next year, we'll have the coaches' names and likenesses in the game for NCAA Basketball 10.
BIZ: How have you incorporated coaches throughout the game this year?
O'Brien: What we're hearing from the coaches is that style of play is a coaching thing. When Coach Howland first got here, UCLA didn't have his type of guys. Once he started recruiting guys for his style of play, he became more successful. We allow you to go in and do that in the game. It's an appealing element for Dynasty mode. You can even dress your coach or create yourself and take over the coaching for your alma mater.
Reader Comments (2)
Get in my belly!
Is that producer guy for real? Is it possible that he ate Kevin Love?