NBA LIVE 20 has been cancelled

Perhaps not too surprisingly, the not-even-announced NBA LIVE game for this season, NBA LIVE 20, has been officially cancelled by EA.

This isn’t the first time that an NBA LIVE game has been cancelled. EA Sports has also previously cancelled four other NBA games, including NBA Elite 11, NBA LIVE 12, NBA LIVE 13, and NBA LIVE 17. It’s worth nothing that Elite 11 at least received an iOS port, though.

In a blog post on the official EA website, the company issued the following statement regarding the cancellation of NBA LIVE 20:

“It’s in the game. That’s EA SPORTS.

It’s why we create the products we do; so that millions of players around the world can grow their love of sport. 

For the past few years we’ve been making real progress with NBA LIVE, but we’re still not where we want to be. So with continued support from the NBA and the NBPA, we’ve been working on something new and meaningfully different – an experience that operates at the pace of culture, and will change the way you can play, connect and create in basketball.

We’re excited by what we’ve built so far, and yet we know the world is changing. New platforms are coming that will bring social connection, accessibility and player creativity to the fore. In a future of new possibilities, players shouldn’t be content with a game built for today’s realities and based on what we know to be possible, we feel we can go so much further with the new design.

So, we’re not launching a new NBA LIVE HD product this season.

Instead, we’re expanding our vision, leaning hard into the new leading edge platforms, and taking the time to ensure we deliver against the opportunity for our players.

We’re continuing to work closely with the NBA and NBPA on this project, and commit to returning with more details next year. Until then, we’ll be building.”

Rest in peace, NBA LIVE 20. We quite literally hardly knew ye.

On the bright side, this means that the next NBA LIVE HD instalment should be available on next-gen platforms, including Xbox’s Project Scarlett and PlayStation 5. Hopefully this will give the franchise the kick it needs to get back on par with other seasonal sporting games.