Could Linsanity Lead to Jeremy Lin NBA 2K13 Cover Deal? - Forbes
With Jeremy Lin, thus far, proving that he's not just a fad with his on-court heroics for the New York Knicks, the NBA All-Star could be getting more than just multiple in-game player upgrades for NBA 2K12. Jeremy Lin is one of the frontrunners to be on the cover of an NBA videogame for next season. Let the Linsanity go virtual.
Remember that next season, EA Sports returns to the hardwoods for the first time in several years. The game publisher canceled NBA Elite and bowed out of the simulation game for a few seasons, but it's coming back this year to face off against 2K Sports NBA 2K13. The new EA basketball game's name has yet to be announced.
"I would bet both Take-Two Interactive and Electronic Arts go after Lin," said Michael Pachter, videogame analyst, Wedbush Morgan Securities. "Take-Two is in New York, so they are living through the hype. He's a great story, and will boost sales of either game, so I expect that there will be a bidding war for him. As the de facto market leader, Take-Two has more to lose, and as the new entrant, EA has more to gain. It will be interesting."
Lin has already graced the cover of Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated and other big outlets over the past three weeks, so a videogame cover would be icing on the cake. Lin's popularity today in sports transcends just about any other NBA athlete out there. And with the NBA lockout over, both EA and 2K Sports can focus on current NBA All-Stars for their covers. There's simply no one bigger today than Lin.
Even if Lin fails to continue to put up those amazing numbers, the return of Carmelo Anthony should help Lin and the Knicks keep their winning ways. And just getting into the NBA Playoffs this year will solidify his place in NBA history. Should the Knicks fail to go far into the Playoffs, the name recognition and value of Lin isn't going to dissipate. He's going to grab the attention of parents and grandparents next Christmas should he be on the cover of millions of videogame boxes at retail outlets.
Another advantage for Lin, who seems very down-to-earth and accessible to the media, is that he's an underdog who isn't coming into a game deal with a millionaire lifestyle like so many NBA elite players. There's usually a big difference between when you interview an NBA rookie and an established NBA player as a member of the media. Lin would be coming into promoting the videogame more along the rookie route, which would be a benefit for any game publisher he partners with.
In the past, EA Sports has released multiple covers of NBA Live targeting different global audiences. Pachter said a game publisher could use Lin in this capacity with next year's game.
"I don't see huge a sales bump in Asia, as the installed base of consoles in China is nil, and Lin is not Japanese, so a large installed base there won't help much," said Pachter. "But sales in other regions will benefit, perhaps by a couple of hundred thousand units."
The bottom line is that Lin will bring a boost of sales to either of the competing NBA games. And that competitive landscape provides the perfect storm for Lin to step in and partner with EA or 2K on the next game. Either way he goes, one thing that will change are those low player ratings. Lin should be a much better virtual player next year with no need for upgrades.
22 Feb, 2012
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Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHTTgJ5LjnalFFFmHiQyeOFbIyd9w&url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngaudiosi/2012/02/21/could-linsanity-lead-to-jeremy-lin-nba-2k13-cover-deal/
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