Padre’s Hands-On Impressions of NBA Live 08’s “Hot Spots”
by 
So now with the first embargo lifted, those of us who attended the NBA Live 08 community event are able to discuss Hot Spots, Own the Paint, and Quick Strike Ball Handling. This write-up will focus on the Hot Spots.
As soon as the news on this new feature was revealed I knew that it was going to create some level of backlash. That was reinforced when I first saw it in person.
I had a handful of initial concerns. The first is that it dominates the screen when activated. It is very bright and essentially replaces the court completely with the colored sections. You don't see anything like that when you're watching on TV or live at a basketball game, and ultimately what these games have been going towards is a level of realism in how you view them so in a way it felt a little out of place.
The next problem for me was how it would be used. I figure if you're playing a head-to-head game, and your opponent pulls up the Hot Spots, you can assume two things. They are planning on shooting with that player, and they are going to head towards a red zone. It just isn't something natural to see pop up on your screen when you're playing defense and you automatically wonder what their motivation is for displaying the zones.
How it works though is the most important thing. Instead of three ratings for shooting, each player now has 14 based on how well they shoot from different spots on the court. That in itself is a significant improvement. This statistics being used for this are not being guessed at. They have pulled these numbers directly from NBA.com so they'll reflect exactly upon how well each player is from each section of the court based on their true performance from them.
What we noticed immediately was that just because you are in a red zone doesn't make it automatic, and just because you are in the blue zone doesn't mean the shot will be missed. The percentages are just slightly skewed to the individual players. No different than the previous close/medium/three point breakdown, only now it is being done based on the 14 sections of the floor.
So when playing the game, how much did it visually matter? In the games where the group was playing competitively, the Hot Spots were pulled up ZERO times. Not once. No one bothered with it. Other than when we were messing around with the game and trying different things out or while shooting in the practice gym, it didn't seem to be on anyone's mind.
I suspect for many others that will be the same way. If anything people will attempt to memorize the zones, at least for their important players. Working to to get open shots and get your players in the best position was the key. Not seeking out specific zones. If they happened to be in a red spot with an open shot, chances are better it will be made, but still there are no guarantees one way or the other based on these zones. It is just a visual representation of their ratings in each area.
One of the things I don't think I really touched upon enough in my community day impressions (because it was overwhelmed by the discussion of the poor interior defense and trouble containing guards driving to the basket) was how if your player was in the face of a shooter they were making shots at a far less rate than if they were wide open. Thats how it should be, even though in pretty much all the basketball games it seems there has been a problem getting that right on. So if someone was in a red zone, but a defender was in their face, the chance of that going in dropped significantly. Of course if the player is Kobe Bryant, hes still going to make a decent amount of those. But he is good from all over the court so zones really don't factor in.
This addition to the game isn't something that can be seen as an "exploit" when people try and shoot too much from specific zones. That is where these players are best from in real life, so it adds to the authenticity of the game by representing that. A defense can attempt to keep players out of these areas if they choose to. Knowing that Bruce Bowen is most effective from the corner, makes it possible to try and prevent him from getting open looks there.
The most important thing I found? Getting an open shot. Regardless of hot vs cold, having a good look at the basket led to the best chance of success. In one of the tournament games, Shawn from 5w-g hit a critical three with Allen Iverson. Only after the game did he realize that his shot came from a blue zone. Of all the shots I made, there wasn't a single time I sought out a specific red zone to shoot from. If Ray Allen was open, I was going to take the shot regardless.
So I don't see Hot Spots as being a problem, actually creating the 14 ratings will make the game that much more realistic. However I would like to see the boldness of the colors toned down and in head-to-head games I feel that seeing your opponent pull up the zones is distracting and creates the unnatural thoughts of wondering why they are doing it. Ideally I feel the zones should be available only in the practice gym so people could learn them, and not in the actual game. Maybe even just having them available during games when on the two lower difficulty levels. I feel that would be a good compromise. Still though at the very least the idea of what they represent is an excellent addition to NBA Live 08.
July 6, 2007 at 1:11 am
This is a gimmick.. sorry.. LOOK AT THAT SCREEN. Pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers, blue diamonds. I didnt know Skittles and EA sports teamed up to bring me a taste of the rainbow on the court.
Playing this online will result in fewer possessions as players run around to get to their hotspot.
What happened to “calling plays” setting up? Now I just hit the “Skittles” button and run to that spot. LOOK AT THAT FREAKIN SCREEN… Hello 2k sports… this just sealed the deal for me.
July 6, 2007 at 1:17 am
Your last paragraph is spot on! One question, I’ve noticed from the videos that all of the arenas have dimmed lights for the crowd. I know the lakers have that but is it something that the nba will do next season for all the arenas?
July 6, 2007 at 1:36 am
The answer I got on the darkened crowds is that for now they’ve had to do that to help get the game to run at 60fps. Its something they’ll be adjusting as time goes on, but ultimately if thats the sacrifice that has to be made I think people would be okay with it.
July 6, 2007 at 2:03 am
I agree with your assesment of how the hot spots should be used only in practice modes and i think having players real life shooting percentages incorporated on the court is a step in the right direction. But im afraid Lame has a valid point.
Gimmicks, Gimmicks, Gimmicks, and useless ones at that. They should have kept you guys under imbargo forever, because if they’re trying to pass off this uno card as an ace up they’re sleeve, then the shit has really hit the fan. They should just port NBA LIVE 98 to the 360 and ps3 and call it a day.
July 6, 2007 at 2:13 am
Thank You Dr. Logic.
This is a gimmick. I thought people were supposed to find their seats in the stands. Now it looks like the arena color coordinated seating chart on the court. Are the players supposed to pull out folding chairs and place them in the appropiate colors as well?
July 6, 2007 at 2:15 am
It isn’t gimmicky IMO. The logic behind it is sound. However I agree that the visual representation of it on the floor gives the sense of a gimmick. Once I played it some of that feeling went away from me. But I can understand how you guys see it that way.
July 6, 2007 at 2:20 am
Dr. Logic – I think you’re contradicting yourself. You’re saying that it’s a step in the right direction and it’s a useless gimmick? Or maybe i just misunderstood you, in which case i apologize
July 6, 2007 at 5:43 am
What I don’t understand is does’nt anybody that watches the nba somewhat now these hot spots anyway? I know that live has to advance and I guess this is their version of the passing cone but the avid gamer is usually an avid sports fan. We all know the Tim Duncan of the glass and the Bowan corner shot. Sorry to rant.
July 6, 2007 at 6:46 am
so your next post is going to be about Own the Paint, and Quick Strike Ball Handling?
July 6, 2007 at 6:54 am
Wow this takes ridiculous to another level. I hope no one has any hopes for playing this online, because that is going to be disastrous. Sorry but for those of you who are supporting this, I can’t help but think that you’re just EA fanboys.
July 6, 2007 at 7:34 am
Will- I will probably combine the two, because I don’t have as much to say about them as I did with the Hot Spots
July 6, 2007 at 7:55 am
This is funny how outraged some of you guys are getting over an “OPTION”. I’ve never seen so many people pissed over something you don’t have to use. However being an artist myself I understood when I first saw the screens of this it was not going to be well received. It’s really nothing more than artistic bad taste in leaving the zone so saturated with color. I think setting the opacity to no more than 50% would be bring less attention to it’s odd appearance on the court. I love the idea of dividing the court into 14 sections and I can see how it leans toward more realism. It’s just the visual presentation that takes on the appearance of a gimmick.
I like the idea that shooting is challenged by players being closely guarded. 2K is notoriously unrealistic when it comes to this. It’s seams in 2K you have a better chance when you are guarded closely to hit the shots you shouldn’t.
If EA tones the zones opacity down it’s a nice touch if not it’ll bug enough people into not caring what the feature is in the first place.
July 6, 2007 at 8:04 am
I’ve playing Live since Lakers vs Celtics, and the franhcise has been around the block. I just think it’s lost that special feel to it. With 2k being spot on when EA has constantly dropped the ball for the past 5 or more years has attracted the Live fan base. Even every year I buy Live and in a few days of dissapointing game play take it back for a trade in.. I just think its now or never for the old girl..if EA does’nt get it right this time ,2k will remain the undesputed champion
July 6, 2007 at 8:49 am
I hope u told them to switch the hotzones to practice mode only, in that case it would a good thing, but in a game where Im admiring how great live looks ands plays, thinking its almlost real,then my opponent hits L1 to turn the hardwood into a bowl of froot loops! No Deals! And has the embargo passed for Quick strike ball handling yet,? Need to know a little more in detail about dat.
July 6, 2007 at 9:09 am
Guts, I agree with artoficial, it’s just an option. It’s good to see that the game really knows that a player like Bowen will be more efficient shooting from the corner. I also agree that it should be used primarily in the practice gym and on the easier settings but it’s no big deal. Maybe it should be a feature during the starting line-ups menu: you could select any player on your 12-man roster and see a graphic with his confort zone. That would do.
July 6, 2007 at 9:54 am
Hey pasta, did you say anything to the EA developers about toning down the colors or only having this in practice? I think it would be a good idea if during a timeout you could choose to see a players hotspot and take advantage of that.
But like some body says if you watch the nba your gonna know hotspots so i probably won’t pull it up too often because i already know my boy t-mac’s hotspot
July 6, 2007 at 9:55 am
meloanswer-
To clarify myself, Yes this is a gimmick. Now thats a problem for two reasons.
1. You dont need gimmicks to make a solid basketball game. People want to feel like they are watching a game on tv yet they are in control of their preffered team. This issue will be takin care of so long as hot spots is used in a way described by padre.
2. However, the larger picture issue lies in the fact that EA considered Hot spots an innovative enough feature to slap an embargo on it. Thats embarrasing and also frightening. Having players reflect thier human counter parts on the court should be your goal anyway(no brainer). Don’t try to flash it by us as a cool new feature. In reality, they would have been better off not saying anything, and just putting those percentages on the court without any color scheme. THIS NOT A FEATURE!
Its a good learning tool to at best. And if EA wants a pat on the back for incorporating court shot percentage in an F-ing basketball game they are trippin.
In conclusion, they are trying to pass it off as a gimmick
A: because thats what EA does
B: because they think its really that big a deal(which if so, shoot yourself) or
C: because they don’t have much else up their sleeve.
In any case, this just once again shows how EA is completely out of touch with what a basketball videogame is all about.
July 6, 2007 at 11:04 am
http://www.nba.com/hotzones
July 6, 2007 at 12:04 pm
“Mr. 17.5 Says:
July 6th, 2007 at 6:54 am
Wow this takes ridiculous to another level. I hope no one has any hopes for playing this online, because that is going to be disastrous. Sorry but for those of you who are supporting this, I can’t help but think that you’re just EA fanboys.”
Sigh…I hope you realize what you’ve done by labelling others “fanboys”…
July 6, 2007 at 1:15 pm
But if u think about it hotzones are gonna help make the game realistic, because lets be real, when you play online all everyone does is dunk, whether its 2k or live, but if they know they they have a good chance of making the shot by shooting from a players comfort area then they will take alot more shots, and this will lead to less forcing the ball inside, the game will play much more like a real game, and less like a dunkfest
July 6, 2007 at 1:46 pm
It seems to me that they are simply looking to cut their losses with this game and that they don’t truly believe that there is a future for the franchise. And that is unfortunate for consumers not only this year but in the future.
July 6, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Shawn from 5w-g has his thoughts up
http://www.5w-g.com/?p=228
July 6, 2007 at 2:48 pm
That is entirely untrue.
First of all, the hot zones in no way effect the success of your shot. All it does is show the statistics on where he has been hot in the past. You could go 3-14 shooting from your hotzones all day. As for the “cut their losses” comment, again…completely untrue. If you’ve read pastapadre and the other community leader’s reports, you will clearly see huge differences and improvements in this game.
July 6, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Also, when you play online, your opponent cannot see you pull up the hotzone data
July 6, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Your faithful readers have said it well, gimmick. I can just imagine a guy using Dirk and calling Picks and Popping from a red zone all day, regardless of defense. Boo you EA! Close, Mid, 3pt(like 2k) If you look at their stats Bowen is 77, 74, 83. That means he can shoot baseline 3s and not top of the arc 3s. simple. Whats with the Pie Chart? LMAO. This is basketball, not a Marketing Meeting.
July 6, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Smokez4Dayz,
I challenge you to do that in NBA LIVE 08 and see what your statistics are.
July 6, 2007 at 5:49 pm
SmokezDayz:
please explain your logic on this or lack there of
“Close, Mid, 3pt(like 2k) If you look at their stats Bowen is 77, 74, 83.”
If you are talking about his player rating from 2K (which I play) those three ratings are range rating, I think thats a bit different from what EA is doing here. Which of those three rating (77,74,83) states that that player shoots better from a particular spot on the floor.
July 6, 2007 at 10:16 pm
pastapadre, did you ask any questions about the ps2/pc version of the game???
July 7, 2007 at 4:48 am
Only the 360 was on display and up for discussion. I believe nba-live.com submitted an interview regarding those versions that they’re expecting to get back from EA in the near future.
July 7, 2007 at 9:39 am
I personally think the only way for this to work is to have the player indicator change colors according to the zone you are in.
July 7, 2007 at 10:18 am
100% in agreement with sean’s reply (the one that is before this)
July 7, 2007 at 11:56 am
Why r yall arguing? Dont like, dont buy!
July 7, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Sean, good idea on the indicator color change for hot spots.
July 7, 2007 at 5:36 pm
How about low difficulty levels you could pull up the zones, but on the higher ones you would only have an indicator color? That sounds pretty neat to me.
Only thing is how much would it matter? Would people still attempt to seek out only red zones that way? If you had an open shot, but saw your indicator was blue, would that change whether you took it or not?
July 8, 2007 at 7:15 pm
i think online play one might be more likely to take the shot. playing against AI in Dynasty may be a different case.
July 9, 2007 at 12:10 pm
actually if you think about it, it’s not very surprising to see something like this. With MVP Baseball, the strike zone had a sort of color coded hot/cold zones. Now the guy from MVP has come over to Live and they’ve implemented the same thing. Problem is a basketball court is MUCH bigger than a strike zone lol. They probably could have just put in the 14 ratings and called it a day. The display could show up when looking through the rosters before a game, or as some said in practice mode.
And could someone actually define what a “gimmick” is. It gets thrown out there so much I don’t know what qualifies lol.
July 10, 2007 at 4:54 am
i read from a new nba live 08 blog at ign that they’ll have a front end screen for hotspots of every player. i think that they should just add a disable option for hotspots during the actual game so that it won’t be distracting if you’re playing with another person or online.