Interview with NBA Live 13 Developer Scott O'Gallagher

Feature Article

Submitted on: 07/16/2012 by Dustin Toms

When Andrew Bynum made his debut as the Lord and Savior, the future of EA Sports basketball was in immediate danger. The backlash of the YouTube video and NBA Elite 11 demo led to the series being shut down for two years.

When Scott O’Gallagher tore his hamstring last June, his wife asked him what he wanted to do if he couldn’t play professional basketball anymore. He responded with what he considers, a joke.

“I told her I wanted to make video games,” O’Gallagher said.

Within months EA Sports turned that joke into something more. O’Gallagher became NBA Live 13’s newest gameplay designer.

O’Gallagher has more than just his gaming experience at his disposal. The 6-foot-1 developer used to play point guard. Between having interest from the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz, O’Gallagher took his talents everywhere from Portland State University, Bulgaria, New Zealand, Australia to Macedonia. But his injury led him to focus on his other hobbies: gaming.

Hitting the sticks has always been one of O’Gallagher’s pastimes. He created his own website, OGSports, where he focused on NBA games. He earned the respect of simulation gamers and made his stamp on Sim Nation.

His involvement in the community earned him one of seven spots on EA’s NBA Live 13 Advisory Council. Back in April he flew down to Orlando where he hit it off the development team.

“I really liked the direction EA was going with the game,” said O’Gallagher. “I loved their ideas and concepts.”

O’Gallagher is confident that his experience playing the sport will help him take NBA Live to new heights.

“I think it’s huge that I’ve played in every system overseas,” he said. “You know every nuance, how the players sync, how they play. The game in Europe as a whole – they’re more fundamentally sound over there.”

After an unimpressive showing of a way too early build of NBA Live 13 at E3, EA received backlash from all corners of the Internet. The community wasn’t necessarily outraged, but you could sense that 2K Sports' NBA 2K series was slowly pulling away from the competition.

By deciding to bring in someone directly from the community, EA is hoping to show that they mean business when it comes to putting out the No. 1 NBA simulation game on store shelves. O’Gallagher is first and foremost a gamer, so he knows what the community is looking to see.

“I know exactly what the community wants,” he said. “I am the voice of the community and will never for get where I came from. I know how important it for them to feel involved. That’s what it’s all about.”

O’Gallagher, known as OGSports on Operation Sports, is already putting in more than 40 hours a week creating Live 13. His connection to the sports gaming community is no joke: he is well-known by Operation Sports, EA’s Game Changers, Dynasty League Gaming and even everyone’s favorite Sim Nation Leader, Da_Czar. And, he is just as nit picky as the worst of us.

"Scott ... is a die hard sim gamer," Da_Czar said. "He brings with him the shared passion and enthusiasm that any of us would have given the same opportunity. That energy and passion can only mean good things for the Sim Nation as well as for EA and Live."

So with the well-deserved backing from the community, and the experience he has garnered playing overseas, O'Gallagher is poised to make big changes for NBA Live 13.

EA Sports just might have found their new savior.

You can follow Scott on Twitter at @ScottOGallagher.

NBA Live 13 Videos

Member Comments

# 101 Conda @ 07/19/12 02:21 PM

Ok... Where's the "interview." Did I miss something?

# 102 JerzeyReign @ 07/19/12 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conda


	Ok... Where's the "interview." Did I miss something?

First page, lol. Whats happening now is basically discussion after CR shook the hornet nest which is the OS basketball crowd with his 2k comments

# 103 TUSS11 @ 07/19/12 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23


	The problem with posts like his is that you spot the discrepency immediately.. its hard to even say as noshun replied that you haven't touched a game in 3 or 4 years and can't give any direct answers to what exactly needs to be fixed but tries to pour it on the comp.. even showing little knowledge in that area

I understand. The comment just seemed like an over-generalization.

# 104 striker3771 @ 07/19/12 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	Its a bit suspect when someone affiliated with EA says a game by a competitor that has been pretty much universally seen as one of the best basketball games ever...describes the game as not a "true representation of the sport." Gamechangers aren't the same as employees of EA but imo they are part of EA's marketing machine. So anytime comments like these come from a GC, I'm a little suspect. No matter if they say its coming from a fans perspective.

I'm surprised that Steve has given these GC guys the VIP treatment on this site. I agree, they are biased towards EA as part of their marketing blitz.

# 105 VUUAASSHHH! @ 07/19/12 10:19 PM

Give us the demo, Jesus!

oh wait O.o"

# 106 sportjames23 @ 07/20/12 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noshun


	Elite 11 = cancelled by Hard8times.

# 107 BizDevConglomerate @ 07/20/12 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumpyface


	I don't think the vast majorityconsider nba212 better than 11. 12 is more for the casual gamer which 2k admits to. For the people who have been spending their hard earned on 2k basketball games over the years, 12 isn't as appealing. But yet and still, 2k is squatting on all the previous EA basketball titles over the years. EA has had to years to construct a basketball game (laughing as I type) and don't even have gameplay videos out to market their product. I might be ol fashion, but I swear we the consumers do not get what we pay for anymore. EA expects us to read their little hype articles and be sold. We're supposed to run to gamestop and pre-order with our 5 bucks, and then come midnight release date give up the remaining $60? It's a no go for me. I have nba 2k12, got it at midnight launch, but I won't be doing that ever aain. I'm not a casual nba2k gamer. I've spent countless hours on and offline competing. When you take a game that requires skill and know-how to be effective at and then render it to a state where an 8 year old with no B-ball IQ can pick a top team and compete with a 30 yr old vet who has played the game for over 2 decades, you're telling that experienced vet that he is the minority and the 8 year old is the majority. Apparently the loyalty the fans show to these game developers and companies isn't recipricated.

Agree with you on the case of Hype marketing. EA does this every year. And you'd think we get the picture already. They have to sell us each year because they deliver bad games. I mean I've basically switched my love of sports from football to Soccer because since I don't play anymore the game is closest thing to living it. I know it's crazy but hey. Anyway. 2K is the best choice but it's been the only choice I don't think 2k is all that great. I liked 2k5 the best with CP3 in the cover. That was fave NBA game since the 2k on Dreamcast. And live 99. EA continually drops the ball. And they have the entire community's attention with college basket ball and football. Unlike 2k they have titles that are no longer produced that are unplayable. At least 2k has titles on different consoles that are still getting burn. But EA thinks looks are most important and they even completely miss there.

I think things are changing its a global society now. Soccer is king. It has the most fans. And EA defeated PES. I don't know if the slipped a mickey to the devs but yo PES has been slippin.

As for this NBA Live. Hey maybe they're gonna come correct and that will be on time really. They've changed alot so they say. I want then to come strong. Cuz I'm not the 2k lover and grew uo on EA.

# 108 ruggedrum @ 07/21/12 09:33 AM

Does anybody remember the NBA street series that EA created? The dribbling the dunking was top notch yet extreme. If EA could take that engine and tone it down to an NBA sim, I believe we would really be on to something phenomenal. That was just my 2 cents. Now, EA is smart to not give much info of the game yet stupid at the same time. I am an NBA Live advocate and I trust that with the way NCAA 13, Madden 13 NHL 13 and FIFA 13 are looking that they would take a 2 year absence from this sport and then still manage to Fu#k it up. I refuse to believe this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I will be patient and view these sights each day until I see an update on what I really feel will be a great NBA experience, this is the last opportunity for this game and for EA to 1st bring it back they know what is at stake here. Graphically I am certain Live 13 will look better then 2k, Online play I know will be better then 2k, the big question is can EA get the shooting, dunking ALLEY-OOPS, rebounding, blocking and post game improved and down pact. I need some many different dunking animations that I could play 200 games and still not see all of them, Blocks and rebounding need to be realistic and oh no slow motion ALLEY-OOPS and they need to be easy to complete and just as effective when defended correctly. It seems like a lot, however if EA truly wants to start the process of taking down 2k and has some passionate developers who want to make the game as perfect as I want it to be the we should be good. PS. Please give me all of the presentation as possible, but still be able to hit the "A" button to pass the scene...look how fabulous NCAA 13's cut scenes and crowds look "we as EA fans need this, want this and deserve this for what you have put us through EA" and look we still are excited to get our hands on Live 13. Do the right thing and don't make fools out of us for defending and hyping your game make it happen cap'n!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I too still have NBA Elite as a 360 Demo and I refuse to delete it just to remind myself what not to do in life...I mean that game can be shown to drug addicts, alcoholics and young kids to help them stay on the right path in life!!!!!! Don't and I mean don't put your fans through that again...I trust in you...And to all you 2k folk out there that just won't shut up, play your game and have fun with what you have it is a great game..stay in your sand box until both games are out then we can have a conversation. Past is the past lets get it on 10/2 and then the real posts will be out there no more speculations..

# 109 Viz105 @ 07/22/12 09:16 AM

I hope LIVE 13 has SIGNATURE dunks.. No generic bull like Elite 11. I really hope they've implemented that this year.

# 110 scottyp180 @ 07/23/12 11:43 AM

I am a little surprised by the lack of news and info for both games. Madden, NHL, and even Fifa have been releasing a lot of info, screens, and videos for the past couple months; however it is a little over 2 months until the release of the NBA games and there is little info about either title. I was expecting EA and the NBA Live team to come out swinging this year knowing they have something to prove but the longer they keep quiet the more I suspect a lack of confidence in their title. They hyped the **** out of Elite and it was garbage...I wonder if they are afraid to over sell their game at the risk of fans being utterly disappointed. I have a feeling that 2K is just waiting for EA to make the first move and show something off so 2K and throw a counter punch and blow Live out of the water. 2k has said that they feel like this year was a big step for the game, saying its a similar leap as 2k10 to 2k11, so I am expecting a lot from them this year. Can't wait to see what both games have to offer.

# 111 22cedric @ 07/23/12 12:05 PM

NBA 2K team said that NBA Lives return doesn't affect them & that NBA 2Ks competitors are themselves do you think that the NBA 2K team is being a lil cocky or over confident ?

# 112 scottyp180 @ 07/23/12 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBMcGee3


	Agree to disagree I guess. I think Live 10 was better than 2k10 in nearly every way. Better player control, better passing, better contact animations, and most importantly, more realistic stats. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Live 10 is the ONLY basketball game I've ever owned that produced realistic stats when playing 12 min quarters, right out of the box with no slider adjustments. With 2k I spend more time tinkering with sliders than I do playing the game, which gets really old and frustrating. I'll give 2k credit where it's due, they knocked 2k11 out of the park, and 2k12 was a good, not great, game. I guess for me it's just about wanting something new and refreshing. I saw that brief gameplay demo of 2k13 a month or so ago, and honestly I couldn't tell the difference at all between it and 2k12. Same crappy dribbling, same crappy collision animation, etc. I stopped playing 2k around January this year out of sheer boredom, so the thought of another nearly identical game coming next year just doesn't excite me....at all. I'll agree that the lack of gameplay footage so far worries me about this year's Live, but it's gonna have to be really bad for me to not at least give it a chance. Hopefully it's at least good enough to, as you said, compete with 2k and force their hand a bit in the innovation category.

I have always preferred 2k over Live and I can remember playing the demos for 2k10 and Live 10 and not knowing which game I was going to purchase. I ended up going with 2k10 but looking back I think I would have enjoyed Live more. After 2 years without Live I admit that I am also getting bored with 2k. Its not a bad game by any means and there is a lot I like about it but I the same time there has not been any big game play enhancements over the past couple years. The control has been tweaked and improved, as well as presentation and animations being updated but it is not making the changes that a lot of the other sports games are making, NHL, FIFA, and now even Madden (the game that is notorious for being the same year in and year out) have made gameplay changes over the year, most notably new animation/physics engine which make the games look, feel, and play better and more realistically. Yet 2k is still on the same engine from dreamcast. Based on 2ks history I am not going to hold the E3 footage against them because early 2k footage typically looks nothing like the finally product; however I am 2k can deliver with something that, at the very least, feels and controls better than past games.

I'm in agreement with DBMcGee3 that I am ready for something new and different. I won't buy into Live13 just because its something different than 2k, it needs to prove that it is at least on par with Live13. For 2k however I am expecting a lot; I am done buying 2k for little tweaks that seem almost unnoticeable after playing for about a month. if neither game impresses then this could be the first year in over 10 years that I go without buying a basketball game.

# 113 Tyrant8RDFL @ 07/23/12 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leoribas3


	what the hell people ? all we know about the game is that the passing game is more advanced and realistic now ? thats ALL we know about the damn game... CHILD PLEASE

I share your fustrations, but having a solid passing game is very important. Im sure the game will offer more than a solid passing game.

2k annoys me with its passing game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRMosier_LM


	I have personally met Scott once and had a lot of interaction with him via twitter. He is a very knowledgeable and likable guy. Hopefully they can out his knowledge to good use. Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

I'm with you on this. I really hope EA can translate his knowledge of the game accurately into NBA Live 13.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwtucker710


	Five Strategies that can make LIVE 13 great: 5). Superior Online play. (no lag or drops during games that occur frequently in 2K) 4). In-depth Dynasty mode! Or Career mode. Legend's Fantasy Draft. '92 Olympic team as an unlocked feature. 3). Glitch FREE. No bugs at all. I mean NONE. At this point in the game, there really shouldn't be any. NextGen games have been out for 7 years. No reason to keep seeing the same glaring/annoying glitches found in other sports games. 2). Make the sliders as real to a live NBA game as possible. 1). From a marketing view: release it a week after 2K, and price it at $49. Profit margins won't be as good, but you'll make up for it in volume. Note to EA: bring back NCAA BB. And please include the option of exporting the collegiate players into LIVE 13. Do that, and I guarantee you'll be back "In The Game."

Once I read the 3 option I had to stop reading. Why would you even put something like this on the list?

# 114 Muzyk23 @ 07/23/12 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 22cedric


	NBA 2K team said that NBA Lives return doesn't affect them & that NBA 2Ks competitors are themselves do you think that the NBA 2K team is being a lil cocky or over confident ?

Ask this question to yourself : how many years do you think it takes to have a polished baketball game that gamers can appreciate?

Hint: Live hasn't been competetive since Live 2005.

# 115 NikeBlitz @ 07/23/12 03:07 PM

It's not really fair to compare what could be NBA Live 13 to NBA 2K12. I'm pretty sure the passing was very high on their "things-to-improve-list".

NBA Live will need consistency through the years. I'm glad O'Gallagher played in Europe, he knows the fundamentals and the balance between core basketball and flashing lights.

# 116 22cedric @ 07/24/12 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bifflefan30


	I wonder if we'll see a all-star weekend event or just the all-star game in NBA Live 13. Has anyone heard of anything or all-star weekend?

i'm sure that it will since @hiphopgamer mentioned it to a NBA Live developer.

# 117 Nicox707 @ 07/25/12 02:24 PM

Nba live 13 has great concepts which would make it better then 2k, but the gameplay will probably suck so bad its unplayable. I already heard it was no different then elite 11 on youtube from people who played it at e3.

# 118 Paul84 @ 07/25/12 02:34 PM

They should bring the game out for like 30$, seriously!

# 119 NealN42 @ 07/25/12 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicox707


	Nba live 13 has great concepts which would make it better then 2k, but the gameplay will probably suck so bad its unplayable. I already heard it was no different then elite 11 on youtube from people who played it at e3.

Umm...you do realize that Live 13 wasn't playable at e3 this year right? All they had was a behind closed door presentation for a select few. So whoever told you they played it is lying.

# 120 jmood88 @ 07/25/12 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 22cedric


	NBA 2K team said that NBA Lives return doesn't affect them & that NBA 2Ks competitors are themselves do you think that the NBA 2K team is being a lil cocky or over confident ?

No I don't.

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