Sneakerheads will be excited to discover that the upcoming NBA Live 15 video game, set to launch late in October 2014, will feature a variety of retro Jordan shoes.
Game developer EA Sports revealed that the new basketball video game will include popular models from the Jordan Brand series. Steve Noah of Operation Sports tweeted, "Retro Jordan's in NBA Live 15", and shared an image featuring sought-after Jordan shoes like the black and red Air Jordan I, Air Jordan III "White Cement", Air Jordan IV "Toro", Air Jordan VII "Raptor" and Air Jordan IX "Cool Grey". More colorways and models are expected to surface as soon as the game is released.
In a report by Fansided.com, NBA Live 15 is aiming to provide more realism in the new game, and adding the signature pairs of famous players will definitely help increase the hype. Even EA Sports' rival, 2K Sports, has featured signature shoes being worn by players on court in past graphics. Gamers will be given the option to customize the look of various NBA players, by changing their clothes, shoes and accessories.
According to Theshoegame.com, NBA Live 15 is aiming to convert more fans by offering customizations from a sneaker perspective. As sneaker culture continues to grow and influence sports, related products like video games will also present popular pairs more. NBA Live 15 released a visual trailer which features Russell Westbrook, an endorser of the Jordan Brand, rocking the new Air Jordan XX9 University Blue PE. Other signature basketball shoes from top brands like Nike and Adidas will also be included in the graphics of the upcoming game. Some of the revealed graphics featured the new purple and gold Kobe 9 and the new Adidas Crazylight Boost, Damian Lillard's signature shoe.
Nba-live.com writes that Michael Jordan himself will most likely be excluded from the roster of NBA Live 15, since he still has a current exclusive deal with 2K Sports. Sean O'Brien, executive producer of NBA Live 15, shared in an open letter that the game's release date was pushed back to October 28, 2014 from the original date of October 7. NBA 2K15 is also set to launch on October 28, at the beginning of the 2014-2015 NBA regular season.
According to O'Brien, the design team needed a few more weeks to polish the game and produce the best product for fans. Fan response to NBA Live 15 has been so far positive.