NBA 2K9 Previews
August 19, 2008 by pastapadre · 46 Comments
NBA 2K9 is now seeing a fair share of hands-on previews to flesh out the feature list that came out a while back. While much is known of both of the main NBA titles, 2K9 apparently still has a secret online mode in its back pocket to reveal at a later date. Gamespot and TeamXbox recently shared their thoughts on the game and more details on what to expect.
TeamXbox discusses the improvements to the graphics, the ability to share created players, highlight sharing via Reelmaker, and 2K’s version of online team play.
Gamespot also touches on the online mode as well as the presentation, association mode improvements, and gameplay specifics.
NBA Live 09 OTP Screenshots
August 18, 2008 by pastapadre · 34 Comments
EA Sports has sent over a batch of new screenshots featuring the Online Team Play in NBA Live 09. Last week I was able to detail the improvements made to the mode. These screens show some gameplay with the new meter displaying how well your player is performing, club joining and inviting, the trophy room, blog area, user scouting, and the recap screens following the game.
You can find all of the screenshots in the gallery. If you have any questions about the mode or what is seen in the screenshots feel free to ask in the comments.
NBA Live 09 Online Team Play Improvements
August 14, 2008 by pastapadre · 50 Comments
Online Team Play is easily the aspect of the NBA Live 09 that I am most excited about. EA knew it was a big hit not only by the overwhelmingly positive response from gamers last year but also by seeing how online usage quadrupled after being released. Producer Julien Carron even talked with me about the list I published of how the mode could be improved and how a good deal of those suggestions were met.
This year you’ll be able to form “Clubs” which will have their own ranking system. A large group will be able to form a club of up to 50 people. As long as an OTP game is played with at least three club members on the same team it will count into the rankings and record/statistics. In theory there could be multiple games taking place at the same time for a club.
Positional success is tracked and is a way of the Club’s GM to scout potential members and put together good balance. A player gets credit on their performance bar for making good plays related to their position, while making bad plays or allowing their assignment while on defense to score will hurt your rating. At any time the GM can remove a player from club, so performance along with desire to stay in a club will provide incentive for people to play the right way.
Some other details: The camera in OTP is similar to the broadcast camera except that it pulls out to provide a wider view when away from the action. The mode includes menu areas for blogs and trophies. You can set screens this year. There are areas for “Club Tryouts” which are ranked games that can help build up history and stats as well as regular unranked OTP. There are no additional tie-ins to EA Sports World unfortunately.
I’m really excited about the forming of the Pastapadre Club! This will be a better way to really involve the community and I think we could have a club that competes at the highest level.
NBA 2K9 E3 Presentation Video
August 5, 2008 by pastapadre · 93 Comments
The first footage of NBA 2K9 gameplay has made its way out thanks to a site having recorded the presentation that was made at the E3 press conference a few weeks back. You can check out the three minute first quarter here.
I like the frenzy of the crowd in the 2K9 video though the non-reaction to the alley-oop at the end would need to be fixed (early build). The net animations are noticeably better than Live. Both games now have a somewhat intrusive crowd though which I’m not sure about. In Live it is how a few of the courtside fans at the bottom of the screen stand most of the time and the camera flashes, and here with 2K9 it is the foam fingers waving back and forth constantly from a couple fans at the bottom of the screen. Presentation wise 2K9 feels to be more like a TV broadcast but the commentary in Live is superior.
This amount of gameplay just about matches up with how much there has been seen of NBA Live 09. How do you think the two compare just from those videos?
First NBA Live 09 Gameplay Video
August 1, 2008 by pastapadre · 75 Comments
The first footage of actual gameplay from NBA Live 09 has made its way out, and it appears to have come from a more recent build than the one that was played at the community event. This is evidenced by the addition of camera flashes in the crowd (seriously) and a properly functioning basketball meter above the head of the player setting a pick.
The video shows off some impressive animations as well as general fluidity of the game, however from this there is no way to determine if any of the issues that were laid out at the event have since been addressed.
You can watch the video here and leave your thoughts in the comments.
NBA Live 365 Trailer
July 23, 2008 by pastapadre · 57 Comments
EA Sports has released a new trailer for NBA Live 09, this one spotlighting the 365 feature. As detailed previously, this will update the game every day based on the latest data and not just in terms of ratings or roster movement. It will add in new players after their first appearance, update tendencies, reflect injuries, and lead into hot and cold streaks. The trailer also goes into NBA Live Rewind which allows you to replay any game from last season or the upcoming one with the AI and rosters that were specific to those games at the time.
Continue on to view the trailer and leave your thoughts in the comments.
NBA 2K9 Feature List
July 18, 2008 by pastapadre · 95 Comments
Though E3 came and went with little news on NBA 2K9’s features, one day after the event ends comes a full feature list for the game that will probably exceed most people’s expectations. It appears to have matched NBA Live 09 with it’s own versions of Online Team Play, uploadable replays, and Player DNA.
GAMEPLAY FEATURES
- Shot Stick Advanced: The revolutionary Shot Stick control system takes it one step further, allowing you to change your shots in mid-air.
- Adaptive AI: Adaptive AI will read, react, and adjust in real time to your strategies. Your teammates will initiate cuts, picks, and post-ups based on how you handle the ball, while your opponent modifies strategy to fit the pace of the game.
- The Association 2.0: The BEST just got even better. With NBA.com, you’ll have access to all the latest rumors, trades, scores news stories and more, plus new features like Player Personalities, Ambitions, and Player Roles, a plethora of customizable options, and NEW mini-game drills make this is the deepest and most robust Franchise mode on the market.
PRESENTATION FEATURES
- 2K-HD: Drastically improved facial and skin textures, better uniforms, improved eye movement and more realistic crowd reactions bring the game alive like never before.
- All-New Broadcast Team: Analyst Clark Kellogg and sideline reporter Cheryl Miller join color commentator Kevin Harlan to create one of the most knowledgeable broadcast teams in the game.
- Better Replays & Cut Scenes: End each quarter with enhanced, multiple angle replay highlights, and be rewarded like never before with all-new, true-to-life celebration sequences after you capture the NBA championship.
ONLINE FEATURES
- NBA 2K Online Features: 2K Sports’ industry leading online service gets all-new features like 5-on-5 Multiplayer mode with Total Team Control and a new ranking system–from Bench Warmer to Rookie to Pro to Superstar–that shows you how to match up against your opponents.
- 2K Share: Create, upload, and share rosters, sliders, and even players created with the all-new Player DNA feature. This also includes the newly revamped Reelmaker, where you can now direct your own digital video highlight reels and post them on 2KSports.com or your personal web page for all the world to watch and admire.
NBA Live 09 E3 Stage Show Video
July 16, 2008 by pastapadre · 67 Comments
Earlier today Gamespot hosted a live stage show demonstration of NBA Live 09 which included producer Brent Nielson. Of course one of the main topics discussed was the recently announced 365 and the player DNA along with “Rewind”. There is a great deal of gameplay shown throughout the 10 minute video along with the demonstration of signature play calling. It is also mentioned that the demo for the game should be out around mid-September.
Continue on to watch the video and be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments.
First NBA 2K9 Screenshots
July 16, 2008 by pastapadre · 63 Comments
While E3 was light on details surrounding NBA 2K9 at least the first five screenshots for the game were released today. You can check them out in the gallery and make sure to leave your thoughts on them in the comments.
NBA Live 09 365 Details
July 14, 2008 by pastapadre · 100 Comments
EA Sports has just revealed the “ground-breaking” feature for NBA Live 09 that will “change the way sports games are made”. Known as NBA Live 365, the feature will update Live 09 daily with the latest statistics and the game will interpret that with changes to player ratings and tendencies. Through an exclusive agreement, Synergy Sports Technology will be providing the data from every game played on a daily basis.
No longer are you stuck playing a game based on what happened last year, instead you’ll have the ability to play with up-to-that-date information that will reflect on how the game plays in standard play now and online games, as well as what you can begin your dynasty with. Synergy tracks every game on a possession by possession basis. At this time that includes only the tracking of offense and not defense. Not only are stats kept but player tendencies based on what is done every time they get the ball. The whole idea is to keep the game “fresh” throughout the year.
