Cavs Legion GC finished 2-1 in Group A to advance to the next stage of the Tip-Off TournamentNBA 2K LEAGUE
The NBA 2K League tipped off yesterday, and there were some "exciting moments," as five of the six games "were very competitive," according to Derek Helling of FANSIDED.com. At times the action "felt slow, however, and games when both teams combine for just over 90 total points are probably going to leave fans wanting more offense." There were several "two-minute commercial spots during the night that are currently void of content, but the brand power of the NBA and Take Two Studios should enable the league to fill those spots with content from actual sponsors soon." That "begs the question to be asked: if not for the backing of the NBA and Take Two, would even the audience these games did draw have cared enough to fire up Twitch?" An obvious difference "between most Twitch feeds and this broadcast was the audio." The NBA 2K League "filled Twitch feed viewers’ ears with traditional commentary and play-by-play." Most Twitch feeds’ audio is "filled with commentary and reaction by the gamers themselves." It is "uncertain how this choice by the league is going to go over with esports fans." That gamer commentary and reaction "allows viewers to get a feel for who the gamers are." The league will have to "find some other way to fill that void if it isn’t going to mic up the gamers during the competitions" (FANSIDED.com, 5/2).
STRONG START: In Cleveland, Joey Morona writes watching the action on the virtual court was "eerily similar to watching an actual NBA game." There were "play-by-play announcers and analysts, replays, pre- and post-game interviews, and boisterous fans in both the video-game and real-world arenas." The teams even "ran set plays like their NBA counterparts" (CLEVELAND.com, 5/2). FORBES' Brian Mazique writes the engineers and development team from 2K "deserve some kudos." The build of NBA 2K that was played yesterday "looked like the most realistic version of the game." Fans can only "hope and pray that this is available to them in NBA 2K19." Most everything regarding presentation was "nicely done." The courts, uniforms and even player likenesses "were solid." The "on-screen graphics and most of the commentary was strong." The biggest issue was the "lack of statistical overlays and endgame boxscores." This should be "included either at the end of every game, or at the very least, the data should be tweeted" (FORBES.com, 5/2).
TWITTER REAX: Some Twitter commentators were critical of the debut, though on-air talent generally got high marks. ESPN's Darren Rovell: "A modest 9,000 people watching the first NBA2K League game on Twitch. It’s early, but league is going to need 10 times that audience for games to make it a real business." Sports gaming journalist Bryan Wiedey: "First day of NBA 2K League not big for viewership numbers. Peaked at 13K and hovering most of the time a few thousand below that. Higher than Madden's numbers but promotional push and backing more considerable. Will undoubtedly take some time to grow an audience. ... The games haven't been particularly fun to watch due to sloppy and unorganized play. That should improve." NBA 2K League blog The Green Release: "The #NBA2KLeague chat on #twitchtv is the absolute depths of hell. No one says anything positive, it's a true shame." Twitch personality and YouTuber Bryan Barrister: "@ScottColeShow absolutely killed it on commentary. Sounded so professional and it felt like watching a real game." Pro gamer Corelli: "NBA 2k League could not have picked a better host in @mrlarryridley."
GAME ON: The NBA 2K League yesterday signed a multiyear deal designating Scuf Gaming as its official gaming controller. The partnership includes a merchandising component, giving fans the chance to game with the same controllers used in NBA 2K League competition. Meanwhile, on the team level, Pacers Gaming signed the Indiana National Guard as its first founding partner in a multiyear deal. The agreement includes signage and logo placement at the new Pacers Gaming Training Facility in Indianapolis in addition to digital media and marketing elements such as a video series. Monumental Sports & Entertainment will make Events DC a sponsor of Wizards District Gaming. Celtics Crossover Gaming signed a partnership with Dunkin' Donuts, making it the official coffee of CLTX Gaming. Celtics Crossover also signed a deal with Vertagear, making it the official gaming chair partner. Cavs Legion Gaming Club announced Quicken Loans' Rocket Mortgage as one of its founding partners (THE DAILY).
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