Exclusive NBA Live 08 Kevin Durant screenshot

EA has sent pastapadre.com an exclusive screenshot from NBA Live 08 featuring the new Seattle Supersonic Kevin Durant. Click the image above to view the full size screen.

As a fan of the Sonics I can't wait to use Durant in the game. Losing Ray Allen is a killer though, as I rely on his outside shot to really stretch the defense. Wally Szczerbiak will have to pick up some of that for me now. The additions of Durant and Jeff Green though will make for a fun team to play with (especially if they hang on to Rashard Lewis) but since they're rookies losing an All-Star like Allen will still sting when it comes to initial ratings.

Padre’s The BIGS Rookie Challenge: Part 2

Click here for Part 1

Next up was a series of training mini-games. One was for fielding, in which a ball machine shot at you and you had to make a play on them. Padre caught 9 and missed 2, which was good enough to move on to the one for contact hitting. In this one you had to hit enough fair balls out of 10 pitches and Padre hit 10/10. The final one was for running, in which you had to run through an obstacle course using RT to sprint and A to jump over or slide under. After completing that it was on to the final preseason game.

This game was a 2-1 win for the Padres over the Royals. Brian Giles hit a HR in the 1st inning, but the Royals loaded the bases in the 2nd. An infield single scored a run to tie it up. However in the bottom of the 4th, Padre hit an RBI single to score the go ahead run. Trevor Hoffman came in and shut the door getting a double play and groundout to end the game.

In that I was able to activate “Big Heat” which when you fill your meter full from making big plays you can do that when pitching or when hitting. Here it made Hoffman’s fastball go 109 mph and his changeup 59 mph. Doesn’t make it impossible to hit, but is much tougher to handle.

After the game a player upgrade was unlocked. Eye black is now in my attitude section.

It was time for the season opener. The Giants came to San Diego. Padre is currently batting 2nd in the lineup. He went 0-3 but made a few really nice plays in the field.

It was a 4-0 victory for the Padres. Check out the video for highlights from the game.

All-Pro Football 2K8 new trailer and gameplay videos

2K has released a new official trailer for APF 2K8 and Gamespot has posted up some gameplay videos.

It is refreshing that now, instead of the marketing being the topic of discussion, it will be the actual game that is talked about heading towards release. The demo is going to be a big part of that, something I’m sure everyone is looking forward to.

NBA Live 08: Own the Paint

IGN has done a feature article on "Own The Paint" for NBA Live 08.

As an offensive player in the post, you'll have far more options than merely backing down a defender and then shooting close to the hoop. Using the analogue sticks, post players now enter into a shot/countershot battle of fakes and quick moves to the hoop. Moves in the paint are contextual and are based on the player, their position in the paint, and how you manipulate the sticks.

If defending has been a problem for you in the past, fear not. EA has added a defensive assist (Left Trigger), which will help your controller player stick with a defender. Sure, it's a cheat, but it essentially works as a way to attempt a quick step in front of a driving ball-handler.

All of this is both fine and dandy, but the most impressive aspect of Own the Paint are the collisions. EA's motion-capture sessions were done in pairs, so that the collision of bodies looks natural. Bodies bang in mid-air and for the first time, it truly matters who is involved.

We are under embargo in talking about our experience with "Own the Paint", so in the near future I'll be able to post up more about it and our impressions of it.

Football games on PS3 to only run at 30fps

One of the biggest factors to the new football games being enjoyable are that they run at 60fps. Of course we've only seen footage on the Xbox 360 and it is very apparent that it really does make a significant difference.

1UP however has confirmed that the PS3 versions of Madden 08, NCAA Football 08, and All-Pro Football 2K8 will only run at 30fps. Only the 360 versions of those games will run at 60fps. That is a HUGE deal.

Now not only does the 360 have the advantage with rumble, achievements, and larger online player base, but also fps. There really isn't any question which version people should be going with this year. 

Starting off The Bigs Rookie Challenge

Just getting back from a long day of travel and hassle, I figured I would just get home and rest up. Yet with The Bigs sitting here I couldn't resist putting it in despite feeling worn out. Here is a recap of how far I have gotten as I started on the Rookie Challenge.

With the Rookie Challenge, you create a player and add him into an existing lineup. You then gain experience points based on what you accomplish to help improve your player. Basically through that you play a season mode.

I created Pasta Padre, the new 3B for the San Diego Padres. You adjust and choose the make-up of your player. It isn't exactly deep, but it is sufficient for a game like this. Having the Xbox Live Camera import in your face would've been awesome though.

After that I went into a Spring Training game. That is better described as a tutorial, as it explains the different aspects of the game throughout. I played on medium difficulty.

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NBA Live 08 commercials

EA Sports has released three commercials for NBA Live 08 featuring Live’s cover athlete Gilbert Arenas and March Madness 08’s cover athlete Kevin Durant.

Click through to find the other two commercials.

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Full Madden 08 soundtrack

The complete soundtrack for Madden 08 has been revealed.

Airbourne — “Runnin' Wild"
Atreyu — "Becoming the Bull"
The Bravery — "Believe"
Brother Ali — "Whatcha Got"
Daddy Yankee — "Impacto"
Datarock — "The New Song"
Earl Greyhound — "S.O.S."
Enter Shikari — "OK, Time for Plan B"
From Autumn to Ashes — "Daylight Slaving"
Hellyeah — "You Wouldn't Know"
The Hives — "Tick Tick Boom"
Jupiter One — "Countdown"
MIMS — "Cop It"
Murs — "Dreadlocks"
O-Solo — "Monsta"
Operator — "Soulcrusher"
Ozzy Osbourne — "I Don't Wanna’ Stop"
Pharoahe Monch (featuring Showtyme) — "Desire"
Pitbull (featuring Don Omar) — "Fuego" (remix)
Queens Of The Stone Age — "3's & 7's"
Red1 (featuring Afu-Ra) — "Dem No Worry We"
Shadows Fall — "Redemption"
Swizz Beatz — "It's Me Snitches"
Sum 41 — "Underclass Hero"
Team Shadetek (featuring 77Klash & Jahdan) — "Brooklyn Anthem"
The Used — "The Ripper"
Timbaland (featuring Justin Timberlake) — "Release"
Yellowcard — "Fighting"
Zion I & the Grouch — "Hit 'Em"

New All-Pro Football 2K8 trailer

2K Sports has released a new trailer for APF 2K8 showing off a wide array of catch animations.

For the most part they do look really good. It is encouraging that they released something new for the game and a trailer such as this does a good job increasing awareness and getting it more attention. The animations were expected to be a strong point so it is no surprise that they come across well in a highlight trailer.

There will be five more of these type of videos coming in the near future.

New Madden 08 trailer

EA has released the second official trailer for the game. Amusingly enough, it begins with Mario Williams sacking Vince Young. There is some really impressive stuff shown in this video.