NBA 2K9 Conference Call Recap and Demo Videos

by pastapadre
Posted October 3rd, 2008 at 7:29 pm

Earlier today I had the chance to sit in on the NBA 2K9 developer conference call. Various media outlets were given the opportunity to present questions in advance that would be addressed during the call. Generally these 2K calls are pretty informative but given the amount already known about the game, the demo being out, and others who have retail copies already there wasn’t much additional to be added. At the same time it is always good to hear directly from those involved in making the game and hear about more personal topics such as their favorite improvements or additions.

Because there wasn’t a whole lot for me to relay regarding the call I’ve also included a couple videos from running through the demo. Continue on for a short recap and those videos.

The main focus this year was providing the “full package expereince”. Practically every aspect of the game was improved upon. Some of the areas that will be immediately evident are with presentation, AI, and graphics. At the same time additional features were added such as the Player DNA and ability to trade created players with 2K Share, 5 on 5 online play, and The Other Season reverse fantasy league.

While 2K8 was highly regarded there was sure to be areas that needed to be worked on. Through feedback the team feels that they addressed many, if not all, of the major gripes fans had with the game last year. One that was specifically mentioned was the lead pass.

Association mode also received a big upgrade with the NBA.com presentation of news and stats. There is now also the ability to turn on or off everything so that users can customize the experience they want to have. When something is turned off the assistant coaches will automatically take care of it instead of having to do it manually.

The game does include alternate and throwback jerseys, something that apparently neither of the other two NBA titles can lay claim to. The biggest graphics improvement is being seen in player faces, which may be due in large part to the skin looking much more realistic. While I haven’t ever really felt comfortable with the shot stick, it has received enhancements which allow for many more offensive options such as changing the shot in mid-air, controlling when to shoot a floater, and attempting to draw fouls. So far from the demo I’m enjoying that feature more than in the past.

Of course the Living Rosters and 2K Insider was discussed at length. While this is essentially just a promise to update rosters more often, what had been the most intriguing element was how they will be able to give players new animations throughout the year. The way it sounds is that players performing better or worse than expected will receive or lose animations to balance out how well they play. They’ve now stated that they are “unlockable” animations, meaning that someone could be given one of Kobe Bryant’s animations. It isn’t as though they are going to mo-cap a new dunk that someone just did and add that to the game.

Overall I don’t think anyone is going to be surprised by NBA 2K9. Those familiar with the franchise will almost certainly find it a satisfying experience enhanced by the wide ranging gameplay improvements and feature additions.

Tags: Videos

pastapadre

[quote comment="40040"]@ pasta just wonderin wen are U puttun those 1st quarter vidz U were talkin bout out if it wll by dis weekend or monday[/quote]

Probably in the morning/early afternoon.
pastapadre

[quote comment="40040"]@ pasta just wonderin wen are U puttun those 1st quarter vidz U were talkin bout out if it wll by dis weekend or monday[/quote]

Probably in the morning/early afternoon.
pastapadre

[quote comment="40040"]@ pasta just wonderin wen are U puttun those 1st quarter vidz U were talkin bout out if it wll by dis weekend or monday[/quote]

Probably in the morning/early afternoon.
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

aight thx
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

aight thx
http://pastapadre.com sdot

aight thx
Masako

nba 2k9 = better gameplay, player models, player faces, animations, crowds, presentation, net and ball going through the rim physics PLAYERS PLAYING LIKE THEMSELVES and overall realism.
nba live 09 = better commentary, textures, practice mode and it updates every day.

Putting all the bullshit fanboyism nonsense aside nba 2k9 is clearly the better game and a bball sim players dream. nba live is however a great pick up and play game for casual bball fans. Either way both games cater to their respective crowds.
Masako

nba 2k9 = better gameplay, player models, player faces, animations, crowds, presentation, net and ball going through the rim physics PLAYERS PLAYING LIKE THEMSELVES and overall realism.
nba live 09 = better commentary, textures, practice mode and it updates every day.

Putting all the bullshit fanboyism nonsense aside nba 2k9 is clearly the better game and a bball sim players dream. nba live is however a great pick up and play game for casual bball fans. Either way both games cater to their respective crowds.
Masako

nba 2k9 = better gameplay, player models, player faces, animations, crowds, presentation, net and ball going through the rim physics PLAYERS PLAYING LIKE THEMSELVES and overall realism.
nba live 09 = better commentary, textures, practice mode and it updates every day.

Putting all the bullshit fanboyism nonsense aside nba 2k9 is clearly the better game and a bball sim players dream. nba live is however a great pick up and play game for casual bball fans. Either way both games cater to their respective crowds.
leglockfan

The 360 demo of 2k9 is LIGHT YEARS beyond the PS3 version… I’m really glad I downloaded it.. it does look really good

I think Live looks better graphically but that’s my opinion, I don’t care to argue it.
leglockfan

The 360 demo of 2k9 is LIGHT YEARS beyond the PS3 version… I’m really glad I downloaded it.. it does look really good

I think Live looks better graphically but that’s my opinion, I don’t care to argue it.
leglockfan

The 360 demo of 2k9 is LIGHT YEARS beyond the PS3 version… I’m really glad I downloaded it.. it does look really good

I think Live looks better graphically but that’s my opinion, I don’t care to argue it.
JG

so is the demo still only available to gold members?
JG

so is the demo still only available to gold members?
JG

so is the demo still only available to gold members?
Liam

i think nba live 09 this year is gona be better than nba 2k9

because of the 365 update thing.

i mean i have sin the demo at the top of this page and most players look the same

e.g bynum, pierce, and ray allen.

i think nba live 09 will be the game to buy.

(coz we can edit players finally)

peace
Liam

i think nba live 09 this year is gona be better than nba 2k9

because of the 365 update thing.

i mean i have sin the demo at the top of this page and most players look the same

e.g bynum, pierce, and ray allen.

i think nba live 09 will be the game to buy.

(coz we can edit players finally)

peace
Liam

i think nba live 09 this year is gona be better than nba 2k9

because of the 365 update thing.

i mean i have sin the demo at the top of this page and most players look the same

e.g bynum, pierce, and ray allen.

i think nba live 09 will be the game to buy.

(coz we can edit players finally)

peace
twan

nba 2k im back….hi hater

that being said im not gonna talk about yall game no more since yall get emotional about it, since i can express my opinion without sumone cryin ill leave yall board alone. so wipe the tears from your eyes im gone.
twan

nba 2k im back….hi hater

that being said im not gonna talk about yall game no more since yall get emotional about it, since i can express my opinion without sumone cryin ill leave yall board alone. so wipe the tears from your eyes im gone.
twan

nba 2k im back….hi hater

that being said im not gonna talk about yall game no more since yall get emotional about it, since i can express my opinion without sumone cryin ill leave yall board alone. so wipe the tears from your eyes im gone.
Masako

nba 2k9 = better gameplay, player faces, player models, crowds, animations, player mannerisms, ball going through the rim and net physics, players playing like their real life counterparts, presentation and overall realism.
nba live 09 = better commentary, textures, practice mode and it updates every day.
Masako

nba 2k9 = better gameplay, player faces, player models, crowds, animations, player mannerisms, ball going through the rim and net physics, players playing like their real life counterparts, presentation and overall realism.
nba live 09 = better commentary, textures, practice mode and it updates every day.
Masako

nba 2k9 = better gameplay, player faces, player models, crowds, animations, player mannerisms, ball going through the rim and net physics, players playing like their real life counterparts, presentation and overall realism.
nba live 09 = better commentary, textures, practice mode and it updates every day.
Masako

One great thing about these two games is that they’re pushing each other to put out even better games next year which can only mean better games for gamers. My point being that competiton is needed.. Having one company bring out a stale game year after year (Madden and mlb 2k8.. mvp baseball and nfl 2k needs to come back asap) is not helping the game industry.
Masako

One great thing about these two games is that they’re pushing each other to put out even better games next year which can only mean better games for gamers. My point being that competiton is needed.. Having one company bring out a stale game year after year (Madden and mlb 2k8.. mvp baseball and nfl 2k needs to come back asap) is not helping the game industry.
Masako

One great thing about these two games is that they’re pushing each other to put out even better games next year which can only mean better games for gamers. My point being that competiton is needed.. Having one company bring out a stale game year after year (Madden and mlb 2k8.. mvp baseball and nfl 2k needs to come back asap) is not helping the game industry.
slacker77

does anyone know when we are going to start seeing reviews of the three games? Also I read that the ps3 demo looks a lot worse then the 360 version. Do you think this is the case with the final product as well? Thanks.
slacker77

does anyone know when we are going to start seeing reviews of the three games? Also I read that the ps3 demo looks a lot worse then the 360 version. Do you think this is the case with the final product as well? Thanks.
slacker77

does anyone know when we are going to start seeing reviews of the three games? Also I read that the ps3 demo looks a lot worse then the 360 version. Do you think this is the case with the final product as well? Thanks.
q-dizzle

Uh, twan, you were the one crying. What happened to “BOOOOOO!!!! get off the stage 2k9″
q-dizzle

Uh, twan, you were the one crying. What happened to “BOOOOOO!!!! get off the stage 2k9″
Liam

6 days to go!!

i live in england

so nba live 09 is released on the 10th

cheers
Liam

6 days to go!!

i live in england

so nba live 09 is released on the 10th

cheers
Eric

Hey pasta, can u look into the association and post some vids on the season and offseason.
Eric

Hey pasta, can u look into the association and post some vids on the season and offseason.
xbox-sports gamer

Wow .. I am such a big EA fan and I am switching this year to a real game. Mind control of EA is telling me not too. Maybe they have bugged my little brain.
xbox-sports gamer

Wow .. I am such a big EA fan and I am switching this year to a real game. Mind control of EA is telling me not too. Maybe they have bugged my little brain.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ chris

i think 2k is a better game in a lot of ways. You will see in the reviews also. Yes i think Live has better players faces’s, court, and commentary, but that 365 idk about it. Updates everyday?? thats kinda to much and i wanna see how it really changes the gameplay. The things i live 2k over live is player models(Live are anorexic), crowds, animations(wayy better than live), and last the game play.
http://www.pastapadre.com chris

i think 2k is a better game in a lot of ways. You will see in the reviews also. Yes i think Live has better players faces’s, court, and commentary, but that 365 idk about it. Updates everyday?? thats kinda to much and i wanna see how it really changes the gameplay. The things i live 2k over live is player models(Live are anorexic), crowds, animations(wayy better than live), and last the game play.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ chris

also the sig shots are better in 2k
http://www.pastapadre.com chris

also the sig shots are better in 2k
scdb12

I never really liked to 2k graphics, they just always do the little things. Also anybody sayin that we need to look at operation sports for comparisons, well i say dont because to me that is the most bias site towards 2k ever. If it aint 2k then it isnt good. ex. NFL 2k5 greatest game ever, well guess what, Madden 2005 was just as good and to me better. If you say that over there you dont know what your talkin bout; your opinion is stupid. PP is the most unbiased site that i have seen to date.
scdb12

I never really liked to 2k graphics, they just always do the little things. Also anybody sayin that we need to look at operation sports for comparisons, well i say dont because to me that is the most bias site towards 2k ever. If it aint 2k then it isnt good. ex. NFL 2k5 greatest game ever, well guess what, Madden 2005 was just as good and to me better. If you say that over there you dont know what your talkin bout; your opinion is stupid. PP is the most unbiased site that i have seen to date.
nba2k

[quote comment="40081"]nba 2k im back….hi hater

that being said im not gonna talk about yall game no more since yall get emotional about it, since i can express my opinion without sumone cryin ill leave yall board alone. so wipe the tears from your eyes im gone.[/quote]

Umm ok???? This guy is wierd, How do you express your opinion by saying ” Booo get off the stage 2k9″ Thats Bashing not an opinion there is a difference.
nba2k

[quote comment="40081"]nba 2k im back….hi hater

that being said im not gonna talk about yall game no more since yall get emotional about it, since i can express my opinion without sumone cryin ill leave yall board alone. so wipe the tears from your eyes im gone.[/quote]

Umm ok???? This guy is wierd, How do you express your opinion by saying ” Booo get off the stage 2k9″ Thats Bashing not an opinion there is a difference.
nba2k

[quote comment="39957"]Yeah the 360 demo looked way better to me than it did on the PS3.[/quote]

For TWAN, this is an opinion.
nba2k

[quote comment="39957"]Yeah the 360 demo looked way better to me than it did on the PS3.[/quote]

For TWAN, this is an opinion.
nba2k

[quote comment="39990"]out of all the pic comparison the only one that 2k may have a slight edge on is lebron probably cuz his mouth is closed on the 2k pic other than that…..its all bad for 2k

maybe its just cuz im a big nba fan and i pay attention to little detail and im just picky i dont know but lives pic look exactly like the player to me[/quote]

For TWAN, This is stupidity.
nba2k

[quote comment="39990"]out of all the pic comparison the only one that 2k may have a slight edge on is lebron probably cuz his mouth is closed on the 2k pic other than that…..its all bad for 2k

maybe its just cuz im a big nba fan and i pay attention to little detail and im just picky i dont know but lives pic look exactly like the player to me[/quote]

For TWAN, This is stupidity.