Demo for NBA Live 08 now available
by 
With just under four weeks to go until release (October 2nd) the NBA Live 08 demo has made its way out for the 360. It can be found now on the Xbox Live Marketplace. It is also now up on the PS3 as well.
A rematch of the NBA Finals is featured as the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs are selectable (along with France and Spain of FIBA) with a half at 2 minute quarters. The download comes in at 562.57 MB.
Feel free to post your impressions by leaving a comment or discuss it in the forum thread dedicated to the topic.
September 6, 2007 at 2:35 am
Due to I do not have Live access, I would be curious about your reviews. 08 really became better than 07?
September 6, 2007 at 2:50 am
im downloading rite now thanks pasta
September 6, 2007 at 2:54 am
Grabbing it now, thanks for the updates Padre.
Let the hating begin.
September 6, 2007 at 3:31 am
downloading now let me know what u guy think hoefully ill be excited about live again!
September 6, 2007 at 3:40 am
hopefully lol!
September 6, 2007 at 3:41 am
this site is the bomb better than ign fr curent news no other site has this info!!! thanks
September 6, 2007 at 4:13 am
I played the demo its better than lasts years EA game but 2K engine from last year still beats the new and improve basketball game from EA. Note to EA leave the NBA alone this game is weak.
September 6, 2007 at 4:19 am
not a fair statement this game is much better than last year and u havent even seen 2k this yr so how can u say tht and this is just a demo! but the demo is good to me.
September 6, 2007 at 4:21 am
I’ll be doing a write-up trying to compare what is different (or hasn’t changed) from when I played the game back in late June.
I’ll also try and get up some videos and screenshots at some point today.
September 6, 2007 at 4:28 am
i like hot spots and quick strike hotspots u can actually learn where ur player can shoot from instead of guessing all the time im liking demo just need more than 2 minutes lol.plus 2k wont have fiba.
September 6, 2007 at 4:29 am
do you think the demo will be the same as the final game? or will ea still be able to tweak some things?
September 6, 2007 at 4:36 am
[quote comment="3563"]do you think the demo will be the same as the final game? or will ea still be able to tweak some things?[/quote]
At this point no there really isn’t opportunity to change things much, its just too late. We’re probably about 2 weeks away from it going gold (finished and sent to be replicated). However one thing to consider is we don’t know what build the demo represents. It is at the very least 3 weeks old. So the game could actually have improved somewhat naturally since then. I’ll see if I can find out what the demo represents in terms of the timeline later today.
September 6, 2007 at 5:24 am
Yay, now I can see what all the fuss is about… It better be nice the way you been pumping it down peoples throats on here…
September 6, 2007 at 6:07 am
I may be under the influence of the euphoria that has taken over me, but the first impression compared to last year’s game is like night and day. What a diference a year can make counting that the development team knew they had put a bad product on the shelves last year. 60 frames per second does so much for a game. I liked it, I liked it a lot. I guess this is the year we’ll be playing two nice b-ball games instead of one.
September 6, 2007 at 7:17 am
http://forums.operationsports.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=219708
Looks like the same issues as alast year. Although Live improved over last years trash, the verdicts is in: hello 2k8 for a true sim experience. Live fans might enjoy this years version, but from what these diehard OSers, even old Gumbz aka Alburt aka Afro is saying… still problems from 06 popping up.
September 6, 2007 at 7:29 am
Well I only got a chance to play through it once and I have to say I immediately noticed a few improvements over my initial impressions of the game back at the Community Event. I’ll have to play through it more and then I’ll pull out those areas I talked about and evaluate them a bit. Of course not everything is going to be perfect and not everything I brought will be adjusted to my liking. But just based off the one game it felt pretty good.
September 6, 2007 at 7:34 am
It felt pretty good to me too. I played trough it 3 to 4 times. Of course it won’t be perfect, but it’s already enjoyable. I’m still amazed by it, but that’s mainly because last year’s version was terrible. The quickstrike controls felt very intuitive and the default camera angle (yes, camera angles can break a game) is the best I’ve seen in a NBA Live iteration. The negatives will obviously pop up in time but this one is a keeper. I’m getting one.
September 6, 2007 at 8:05 am
You can expect the 2K fan boys to complain. I’ve played about four games so far. From what I can tell with the quarters being so short is that this is nothing like the previous two years, this years is vastly improved. I’m still learning all the little things in the game.
what i’ve noticed so far.
1) 60fps is amazing, a must for any sports title.
2) graphics of coarse
3) the game play is actually holding its on against stellar graphics (sorry 2K fan boys)
4) the Defensive lock on is actually nicer than I thought and it’s not a method of cheating.
5) no more dunking through backboards. I’ve actually been trying all the angles to see if I could get it to happen.
the one negative I have at this point is I haven’t notice more than one play going up for a rebound as EA stated was a new feature in this years game. Well i’m off to see if they hit us with a bit of false advertising on this on.
If 2K is better then my prediction is of two solid hoops titles will be a reality. Of course this will send all 2K fans into a spastic rage of nonsense!
September 6, 2007 at 8:14 am
Artoficial, I’ve been trying to see the rebounding animations as well. But I played it only 4 times. Anyway, as I already stated, 60 fps goes a long way for giving the game a whole new look.
September 6, 2007 at 8:15 am
I think, all 2k (as basketball-gamers) fans are happy, that EA found the right path of basketball again, which means, that EA was listening to the “spastic rage” of the dissappointed gamer communities.
It is better for everyone, if there are 2 solid games on the market, competing with each other, so none of them will rest, as EA did in the last few years…
September 6, 2007 at 8:44 am
exactly so stop hating 2k boys this game looks good!
September 6, 2007 at 8:46 am
when is ps3 version dropping so i can compare those 2.
September 6, 2007 at 10:16 am
Im not a 2k fanboy, NBA2K7 was the first year I made the switch because of dissapointed i was after I purchased Live07.
After playing the Live08 demo its safe to say that NBA live 08 is leaps and bounds ahead of Live 07′, however it did still feel a little clunky a slow. Im not sold on the animations either. Its like Its looks polished graphics wise, but the player movements look weird. From the video Pasta posted 2k8’s animations lok a lot more fluid. Even 2k7 looks more realistic(as far as motion is concerned).
Im glad that EA has gotten back on the right track but I think they still have a lot more to do. Sadly this is not the year the Live Franchise will be reclaiming the Basketball thrown.
September 6, 2007 at 10:45 am
[quote comment="3573"]Artoficial, I’ve been trying to see the rebounding animations as well. But I played it only 4 times. Anyway, as I already stated, 60 fps goes a long way for giving the game a whole new look.[/quote]
Okay i’ve played more and noticed my teammate going for the same rebound, so it’s in the game. One negative a noticed when going baseline with LaBron he clearly stepped out of bounds and jammed it in for a vicious reverse and the cpu didn’t catch the step out. That was one play though and I haven’t noticed any other ones like it.
I can say it’s a very fluid game and the fast brakes are nice (spacing is great).
In the beginning I was skeptical about the lack of “D” mentioned but if been able to successfully play some solid D and even get the blocks I needed.
So far so good.
September 6, 2007 at 11:03 am
okay whoever says this game sucks is dum because this game is 10 times better than 07 i will deff be buying this game this yr and 2k8 so i will have 2 good basketball games to mess around wit … thanks ea for finally making a good live for next gen
September 6, 2007 at 2:49 pm
I’ve only played the demo once but I liked what I saw. My only complaint is that I found ally-oops to be a bit awkward to execute. I traditionally use the direct pass to run my offense and the first time I hit the RB I threw a lob pass with Larry Hughes from beyond the 3-point line to Gooden in the post during a half court set. Another time I was leading a 3-on-1 fastbreak with Gibson and had LeBron filling the right lane. I tried to lob it to him but instead Gibson basically threw the ball straight up in the air to Larry Hughes on the left side. He jumped and caught the ball from a standing position and dunked it. Maybe it was because Gibson isn’t an experienced player that it was such an ugly play but I hope stuff like that doesn’t happen a lot.
September 6, 2007 at 3:59 pm
yh im impressed as well i was never a big 2k fan so ill def get live 2k maybe.
September 6, 2007 at 4:10 pm
NOTICE:
As expected, out for PS3 now as well.
September 6, 2007 at 4:33 pm
anyone check out ps3 version yt
September 6, 2007 at 4:34 pm
is one better than other???
September 6, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Review on Xbox 360v
NBA Live 08 is a big improvement over 07.
Plus: Graphics and hot spot shooting is the only + can true baler can find with this demo
-Great graphics
–game looks like your watching basketball
-hot spot shooting is implemented perfectly.
Cons: This game is a cheesers dream, hopefully all the cheesers will choose live 08 for its ‘easy alley-oop all day made for 10 year old style’ gameplay over 2k and leave us 2k for most of us real sim gamers
-Poor controls, right stick on offense and defense don’t respond
-it is so easy to alley-oop all game long, defense doesn’t even react to it, all you have to do is press the RB button.
-you have to hold the RB button for direct passing. If you press the RB button, you do a alley-oop. This has to be the worst controls configuration ever for a basketball game.
Overall this game made great strides however I believe it would take 2 years of work on this game. Sports games normally get 6-8 months to work on a game. I think next year it will be Live’s year to shine, their game already has the graphics and some nice features implements very well, however their controls and their control scheme are horrible, no, horrendous.
Remember Live has a lot to fix in their game, they will need more than 6-8 months to fix the huge failure that was 06-07. I believe NBA Live 09 will be the year where they can compete with 2k. 2k7 will beat NBA Live 08, 2k doesn’t even need to put out a new game, just roster updates. People here are using a excuse well 2k has yet to put out a demo???
2k puts out the same game with upgraded features just like EA does. If last year version 2k7 will kill Live 08, 2k8 will abolish it. 2k has great graphics also, but they back it up with gameplay and great controls.
September 6, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Sad but I agree keithh but on another note yo pasta your site is what that is bro
September 6, 2007 at 10:34 pm
honestly live 08 demo is very improved from the 06′ 07′ versions… but still falling short compared to gameplay of nba 2k7…so i know 2k8 will be even more domoniate!…live 08 does look good and i mean its a functional game but i say it deserves a 7.6 out of 10
September 6, 2007 at 10:36 pm
oh yeah and for some reason the offensive control have very late response!
September 7, 2007 at 10:41 am
Wow, I am really loving this demo. EA has made some huge improvements. I am really impressed. I like how the game has a certain simplicity to it. The hot spots is working out quite nicely in my opinion and I like the help defense feature. All I have to say is NBA Live 08 is back and better than ever.
September 7, 2007 at 11:35 am
The demo is great! I kept playing and I noticed there are some minor problems; however, the gameplay is great and the game looks amazing! There is no doubt in my mind I will purchase Live 2008. I tried 2k7 and the graphics are subpar; on the other hand, the gameplay is outstanding. What seems to bother me is that indivduals are so nitpicky with Live and Madden! Hey, it’s a video game!!!! They will always have flaws. In NBA 2k7, the players run through the basketball goal stance. No one ever mentions that defict. While playing in a game, the player’s s shorts will begin to tear away from there body, that looks like a bad horror film. I feel NBA 2k8 and Live 2008 will be great games. Believe it or not, both will have pros and cons as well. Meanwhile, all of the “2k fan boys” stop acting like NBA 2k is perfect, because it’s not! It wasn’t perfect on Dreamcast and it’s not on XBOX 360. I have owned both games, I know!!!!!!!!
Knowlegde is power!!
September 7, 2007 at 1:28 pm
^^^Thank you a smart guy right here. Whats up with 2k do they hypnotize when the game starts up or something b/c this is a lil weird.
September 7, 2007 at 1:34 pm
The NBA Live 08 demo is great! Once I played the game and I noticed there are some minor problems; however, the gameplay is very much improved and the game looks amazing! There is no doubt in my mind I will purchase Live 2008. I tried 2k7(it does not look smooth), the graphics are subpar; on the other hand, the gameplay is outstanding. What seems to bother me is that indivduals are so nitpicky with EA products! Hey, they are a video games!!!! They will always have flaws. In NBA 2k7, the players will run through the basketball stance. No one ever mentions that defict. While playing in a game, the player’s shorts will begin to tear away from their body, that looks like a bad horror film. However, I feel NBA 2k8 and Live 2008 will be great games. Believe it or not, both will have pros and cons. Meanwhile, all of those “2k fan boys” stop acting like NBA 2k is perfect, because it’s not! It was not perfect on Dreamcast and it’s not perfect on XBOX 360. I have owned both games, I know!!!!!!!!
Knowlegde is power!!
September 7, 2007 at 5:08 pm
both 2k and 08 are good…its just that 2k has always kicked lives ass and i hate that cuz i always buy both and always get disappointed wit EA, i mean they make great games like need for speed and what not so come on!
September 8, 2007 at 5:40 am
Might want to take a look at this guide to quickstrike ball handling
September 8, 2007 at 8:44 am
wow im liking this the more i play it i cant wait till oct 2
September 9, 2007 at 5:50 am
[quote post="1531"]Dr. Louis Says:
September 7th, 2007 at 11:35 am Quote
The demo is great! I kept playing and I noticed there are some minor problems; however, the gameplay is great and the game looks amazing! There is no doubt in my mind I will purchase Live 2008. I tried 2k7 and the graphics are subpar; on the other hand, the gameplay is outstanding. What seems to bother me is that indivduals are so nitpicky with Live and Madden! Hey, it’s a video game!!!! They will always have flaws. In NBA 2k7, the players run through the basketball goal stance. No one ever mentions that defict. While playing in a game, the player’s s shorts will begin to tear away from there body, that looks like a bad horror film. I feel NBA 2k8 and Live 2008 will be great games. Believe it or not, both will have pros and cons as well. Meanwhile, all of the “2k fan boys” stop acting like NBA 2k is perfect, because it’s not! It wasn’t perfect on Dreamcast and it’s not on XBOX 360. I have owned both games, I know!!!!!!!!
Knowlegde is power!![/quote]
Hey I am not a 2k fanboy. I am a fanboy of the best basketball game. When did anybody say 2k had no problems? Had nothing to fix? It is a video game, every game is going to have glitches and problems. If they made every game perfect why would we want to buy the new release the following year?
Fact is, 2k has better online, 2k servers are ten times better than EA servers. 2k has better leagues, Live is just implimenting it this year, yes, once again EA copies from 2k.
Also who is saying 2k is copying from EA with their tendancies meter? They both came out with it the same time, and 2k has done that better. At least with 2k cell bar also acts as a cold and hot meter, your not telling people where you are going to shoot the ball. I think EA has taken this idea, because I think after thinking it over, the grid that also shows your opponent where your going to shoot, could have been more thought out, like 2k did.
Players still move like robots in Live 08 demo, bad controls, and unresponsive and late responding moves.
Now I can think like a EA fanboy, or I can think like this, both games will be $60. Buying both games is $120.00. That is a lot of money to spend when 2k8 will be the game to own in the end once again. Why would I waste my money. I did that in 05 and 06. In 07 I just bought 2k7 and saved myself $60.
Remember it is not just about the game, it about the money it costs to buy it. I can spend that $60 on COD4 or Halo 3.
September 9, 2007 at 6:47 am
[quote post="1531"]Hey I am not a 2k fanboy. I am a fanboy of the best basketball game. When did anybody say 2k had no problems? Had nothing to fix? It is a video game, every game is going to have glitches and problems. If they made every game perfect why would we want to buy the new release the following year?
Fact is, 2k has better online, 2k servers are ten times better than EA servers. 2k has better leagues, Live is just implimenting it this year, yes, once again EA copies from 2k.
Also who is saying 2k is copying from EA with their tendancies meter? They both came out with it the same time, and 2k has done that better. At least with 2k cell bar also acts as a cold and hot meter, your not telling people where you are going to shoot the ball. I think EA has taken this idea, because I think after thinking it over, the grid that also shows your opponent where your going to shoot, could have been more thought out, like 2k did.
Players still move like robots in Live 08 demo, bad controls, and unresponsive and late responding moves.
Now I can think like a EA fanboy, or I can think like this, both games will be $60. Buying both games is $120.00. That is a lot of money to spend when 2k8 will be the game to own in the end once again. Why would I waste my money. I did that in 05 and 06. In 07 I just bought 2k7 and saved myself $60.
Remember it is not just about the game, it about the money it costs to buy it. I can spend that $60 on COD4 or Halo 3.[/quote]
Hey,
The demo is the demo!! It’s not the full version of game! I have played the demo for hours at a time and the problems people are mentioning did not make or break my playing time. Listen, if you walk the street looking for a problem, you will get one!!!
A wise man unveil that to me!! Next, not to brag, but I can buy both; however, that would be a poor choice of money management! If I returned the undesired game (in my case NBA 2k8) to GameStop or EBgames, they will not give me nearly what I paid initially. Therefore, I have lost money on my investment , not smart!!!! Oh by the way, do not mention 2k’s servers because it’s not a concern. I have Madden 08 and the online game is great! I hope I did not go above your head!!!!Enjoy 2k8, it should be fun, HA!! Knowledge is Power!!!
September 10, 2007 at 7:36 am
i downloaded it am im not even gonna comment on the game, how can you compare that to… shit 2k6. that game is def not a sim game, I couldnt even pump fake… it shot the ball everytime. Im shocked that this is even a topic, but wow.