"These sports games that were loved and revered... just went away" – How a group of ex-EA devs are launching a new NBA game
in newsletterGamesIndustry.biz · 8 min read · top_stories
Play By Play, a studio founded by EA veterans, secured an official NBA license for NBA: The Run, a three-vs-three arcade-style basketball game inspired by EA Sports Big titles like NBA Street. The studio announced the game on July 23, 2024, and the NBA approached CEO Scott Probst the same day. The game retains its core arcade DNA while now featuring official players and outfits. Probst cited the late-2000s economic downturn and EA's shift toward fewer, larger titles as reasons why arcade sports franchises like NBA Street disappeared after 2007.
Mentioned entities
2K GamesBattlefieldElectronic ArtsFIFA StreetMike YoungNBA 2KNBA 2K26NBA JamNBA StreetNBA Street HomecourtNBA: The RunNational Basketball AssociationPlay By PlayScott ProbstSports BigTake-TwoThe Run: Got Next
Appeared in 2026-06-02.