On July 23, 2024, an independent game studio called Play By Play, composed of former employees from Electronic Arts, formally announced its first title, The Run: Got Next. The studio’s founders have publicly stated that their goal is to revive the arcade-style basketball experience that was once popular in titles such as NBA Street.
Play By Play was established by a team of veterans who previously worked on major sports franchises at EA, including NBA Live and Madden NFL. The group left the larger publisher to create a smaller, more agile development environment. The studio’s leadership has cited a gap in the market for a modern, fast-paced basketball game that prioritizes fluid movement and street-style culture over simulation.
Background on the Studio and Its Mission
According to the studio’s public statements, the name Play By Play was chosen to reflect a focus on moment-to-moment gameplay rather than broadcast-style presentation. The team has emphasized that The Run: Got Next is designed to recapture what they describe as the “pick-up game” feel of earlier street basketball titles.
Scott Probst, the studio’s CEO and a former EA producer, told GamesIndustry.biz that the current market for basketball games is dominated by simulation-oriented products. He argued that the arcade sports genre, which once included franchises like NBA Street and NFL Blitz, has been largely underserved by major publishers in recent years. “These sports games that were loved and revered just went away,” Probst said in the same interview.
Details of the Debut Title
The Run: Got Next is described as a three-on-three street basketball game. It is being developed for PC and console platforms, though specific release dates and pricing have not yet been announced. The title is expected to feature stylized graphics, exaggerated physics, and online multiplayer competition.
The developers have indicated that the game will not include licensed NBA teams or players, opting instead for original characters and a focus on streetball culture. This design choice mirrors that of earlier arcade titles, which often used fictional players to avoid expensive licensing fees.
Market Context and Industry Reaction
The announcement has drawn attention from the gaming press and from fans of arcade sports titles. Many observers have noted that EA’s NBA Street series, which last saw a release in 2007, retains a strong cult following. Similarly, 2K Sports has focused its basketball efforts on the simulation-heavy NBA 2K series, leaving a void for arcade-style gameplay.
Play By Play’s team has stated that they believe there is sufficient demand for a non-simulation basketball game, particularly among players who grew up with the NBA Street and NBA Jam series. The studio is currently seeking additional funding and partners to complete development.
Implications for the Sports Gaming Sector
The formation of Play By Play is part of a broader trend in the game industry where veteran developers leave large publishers to form independent studios. Similar movements have occurred in other genres, such as the creation of Frost Giant Studios by ex-Blizzard developers for real-time strategy games.
For the sports gaming sector specifically, the studio’s entry suggests that there is perceived commercial potential in reviving genres that major publishers have abandoned. Whether this translates into sustainable sales will depend on the final quality of the title and its ability to attract a player base accustomed to free-to-play or subscription-based models.
Further details about The Run: Got Next, including a release window and gameplay footage, are expected to be released in the coming months as the studio progresses toward its alpha milestone.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
