History of NBA Live in Timeline

NBA Live is a basketball video game series published by EA Sports. Starting in 1994, it succeeded the previous NBA Playoffs and NBA Showdown games. As a flagship title for EA Sports, the series aimed to replicate the experience of professional basketball, featuring real NBA teams and players.

1989: Release of Lakers vs. Celtics for MS-DOS

In 1989, Lakers vs. Celtics was released for MS-DOS-compatible PCs, marking the first game in the NBA Playoffs series, the predecessor to NBA Live.

1990: Lakers vs. Celtics adapted for Sega Mega Drive

In early 1990, Lakers vs. Celtics was adapted for consoles, specifically the Sega Mega Drive.

1991: Release of Bulls vs. Lakers

In 1991, Bulls vs. Lakers was released, continuing the NBA Playoffs series.

1992: Release of Bulls vs. Blazers and Team USA Basketball

In 1992, Bulls vs. Blazers and Team USA Basketball were released, with the latter being an Olympic basketball spinoff using the same game engine.

1994: Debut of the NBA Live series

In 1994, the NBA Live series of basketball video games debuted, published by EA Sports as the successor to the NBA Playoffs and NBA Showdown series.

1995: Create-A-Player feature not available

In 1995, the Create-A-Player feature was not available in the NBA Live versions of the game.

1999: Inception of NBA 2K series

Since its inception in 1999, NBA 2K had sold 37.24 million copies

2000: NBA Live uses all 4 digits of the year

In 2000, the naming pattern of the NBA Live series began using all 4 digits of the year.

2000: Introduction of NBA Live Legend All-Stars Teams

Starting in NBA Live 2000, the series featured NBA Live Legend All-Stars Teams, that included some biggest names from five decades (50s to 90s).

2001: Sixth generation production started with NBA Live 2001

In 2001, Sixth generation production for the NBA Live series started with NBA Live 2001, continuing all the way through NBA Live 2009 on the PlayStation 2.

PlayStation 2 Slim Console PS2 (Renewed)

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2004: Michael Jordan removed from the '90s team due to licensing

In 2004, Michael Jordan was removed from the '90s team due to licensing issues.

2005: Addition of Freestyle Air and NBA All-Star Weekend

In 2005, NBA Live 2005 brought the addition of the Freestyle Air, NBA All-Star Weekend, which includes the Rookie Challenge, Three Point Shootout, Slam Dunk Contest, and the NBA All-Star Game, and Freestyle Challenge.

2005: NBA Live uses all 4 digits of the year

In 2005, the naming pattern of the NBA Live series continued using all 4 digits of the year.

2009: Sixth generation production ended with NBA Live 2009

In 2009, Sixth generation production for the NBA Live series ended with NBA Live 2009 on the PlayStation 2.

PlayStation 2 Slim Console PS2 (Renewed)

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November 2010: Development moved to Tiburon studio

In November 2010, development of the NBA Live franchise was moved from EA Canada studio to Florida-based Tiburon studio.

September 27, 2012: Cancellation of NBA Live 13 Release

On September 27, 2012, it was announced that EA would cancel the release of NBA Live 13.

November 2013: Return of the series with NBA Live 14

In November 2013, the NBA Live series returned after a three-year hiatus with the release of NBA Live 14.

2013: Release of NBA Live 14

In the fall of 2013, NBA Live 14 was released, marking the return of the series.

September 29, 2015: Release of NBA Live 16

On September 29, 2015, NBA Live 16 was released.

July 6, 2016: Release of NBA Live Mobile

On July 6, 2016, NBA Live Mobile was released.

September 15, 2017: Release of NBA Live 18

On September 15, 2017, NBA Live 18 was released, featuring players from the WNBA and adding a new single player mode called The One.

September 7, 2018: Release of NBA Live 19

On September 7, 2018, NBA Live 19 was released, expanding on The One by adding the ability to make a female player, as well as other game modes.

2018: Release of NBA Live 19

In 2018, NBA Live 19 was released, marking the last installment in the series to date.

2023: NBA Live series in indefinite hiatus

As of 2023, the NBA Live series has been in an indefinite hiatus, with no official confirmation from EA regarding its continuation after the cancellations of NBA Live 20 and NBA Live 21.