2K has the No.1 basketball retail game, but EA wants to be top dog in digital.
And should NBA Jam: On Fire for Xbox Live and PSN prove a success, it could pave the way for more digital EA Sports titles for more niche sports like cricket, rugby, even lacrosse.
[Downloadable games] don’t ask for a big investment for a new triple-A IP,” Trey Smith NBA Jam creative director told MCV.The development cost is a fraction of what it is on those big titles. I’m hoping it might get us to bring back cricket or rugby or lacrosse. Is the audience big enough to justify a full packaged goods release for them? I don’t think so.
Digital distribution isthe future. Jam represents our best foot forward inthe space.”