NBA Live 15: Review of Initial Roster and Title Updates

NBA Live 15 just released Tuesday, and the game is already setting an admirable pace with its roster and title updates. Just over 24 hours after release, this tweet was sent out by the game's official Twitter account detailing the newest inclusions.

Here's a list of what has changed in this update:

• Updated scanned player heads for Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Kawhi Leonard and Carmelo Anthony.
• Updated San Antonio Spurs Championship jerseys.
• Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets courts have been updated.
• Updated jersey icons for Minnesota Timberwolves alternate, Miami Floridians (Hardwood Classics), Philadelphia 76ers road, Cavaliers alternate 2.
• Updated accessory colours for new Cavaliers uniforms.
• Updated “Pull The Chair” Post Move.
• Updated catch animations on inbound passes.
• Updated “Up and Under” layup animations.
• Updated team shoe colours for the Sacramento Kings.
• Jordan shoes updated for players in Rookie Showcase.
• Steal rating updated for Kris Humphries and Jordan Hamilton.
• Updated accessories on several players.
• Updated rosters to reflect recent player moves.
• Updated player shoes in the All-Star Game.
• Moved some players to the Free-Agency Pool.
• Updated player portraits in LIVE Ultimate Team.
• Info updated on several players, including play styles, positions, jersey numbers and more.
• Foot planting with pump fakes has been updated.
• Shot timing updated for free throws.

The scope of the update covers everything from gameplay and rosters to presentation and graphics. This is great news for fans of the series, and it lays the groundwork for what could be the most dynamically updated sports video game we've ever seen. People are noticing.

These updates may not even scratch the surface of what is to come in the way of player ratings progression, thanks to the partnership with Synergy Sports. EA Sports has said that players' ratings will be affected on a nightly basis based on their real-life performance and the data being fed to EA from Synergy Sports and then transferred to gamers via nightly updates.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of these initial updates is the fact that player heads were added. 

The renders, while better than NBA Live 14, were still hit and miss in many instances. It was especially the case when it came to rookies like the Orlando Magic's Elfrid Payton. In the retail version, Payton looks nothing like himself. He doesn't have the signature hairstyle, and he's the wrong complexion and build.

Payton wasn't a target in the first update, but the fact that heads are being redone at least provides hope that the Orlando Magic rookie and others will see more accurate renders in the weeks to come.

Overall, this is a very smart approach to take by the series. As of right now, the game can't compete visually with NBA 2K15, and the gameplay is still a few steps behind. But early on, we're seeing that NBA Live 15's server game is tighter than its competitor.

As we move further into the online gaming age, that will be a major determining factor for consumers.

Follow Brian Mazique, aka FranchisePlay, the Sports Video Game Journalist