NBA 2K12 News Post

NBA 2K12 Cover Athletes - Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

11:00 AM - July 21, 2011 by Steve_OS

Jordan Returns: 2K Sports Announces
Trio of NBA® 2K12 Covers Featuring Three NBA Icons

Michael Jordan, joined by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson,
to grace three unique artistic covers in celebration of NBA legacy

New York, NY – July 21, 2011 – 2K Sports announced today that NBA® 2K12, the next installment of the top-rated and best-selling NBA video game simulation franchise*, will offer three separate covers for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft featuring three of the NBA’s greatest legends of all time, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

The new stylized NBA 2K12 covers are a unique, one-time departure from the traditional 2K Sports brand artwork, and will spotlight each legendary athlete on his famous team: the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. The covers featuring Bird and Johnson will be available at launch in a limited quantity.

A new feat in sports gaming, this three-part collection extends the strong legacy established by NBA 2K11, which has sold-in more than 5 million units worldwide and garnered over 20 video game accolades, including 14 ‘Sports Game of the Year’ honors.

“Bringing Michael Jordan to the virtual hardwood last year was a huge success for NBA 2K11; however, we didn’t want to stop there,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “We’re bringing ‘His Airness’ back to the NBA 2K franchise as part of a multi-year extended partnership, along with two other legendary icons – Larry Bird and Magic Johnson – for a special cover athlete collection representing the NBA’s greatest heroes.”

The unprecedented, stylized artwork covers underscore 2K Sports’ passion for bringing fans authentic NBA basketball across generations, while celebrating the legacy of legendary hoops athletes, past and present.

The cover artwork for NBA 2K12 was created by Adam Larson of Adam&Co. Larson has created dynamic artwork for galleries, magazines and various product advertising campaigns. His work has received numerous honors, including the Kelly Awards, Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, and two primetime Emmy nominations

NBA 2K12 can now be pre-ordered from leading video game retailers nationwide, and will be available on October 4, 2011, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360, Wii™ system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Windows PC.

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Member Comments

# 41 Fitnessboy @ 07/21/11 11:54 AM

Is this the big break through for us covers we have to wait for so long for such stupid news covers? Instead of giving Three videos of how they would be represent the three athletes but no just covers and everyboddy is excited man man i cant believe this, that you all think this is nice i want to see the game in action all the wait for nothing for a cover that you only see when you open the box what the heck this really sucks. Not even a screenshot. I am really frustrated for waiting on this news. Really 2K verry disapointing news at all. And i am a big fan but this...

# 42 Mbalmer @ 07/21/11 11:55 AM

I don't know how this is going to work with the different systems, but I would like to have the Bird one. However, I don't really care about covers so it really isn't that big of a deal to me. All I know is I will be getting this for XBOX instead of PS3 this year.

# 43 slliMMills @ 07/21/11 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitnessboy


	Is this the big break through for us covers we have to wait for so long for such stupid news covers? Instead of giving Three videos of how they would be represent the three athletes but no just covers and everyboddy is excited man man i cant believe this, that you all think this is nice i want to see the game in action all the wait for nothing for a cover that you only see when you open the box what the heck this really sucks. Not even a screenshot. I am really frustrated for waiting on this news. Really 2K verry disapointing news at all. And i am a big fan but this...

I agree with fitnessboy...this is "cool", but more info is needed.

# 44 Steve_OS @ 07/21/11 12:00 PM

Updated the OP w/ the press release. FYI

# 45 King_B_Mack @ 07/21/11 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfsolo


	I bet I'm going to get a new signature, courtesy of some kid, like the guy last year who called Mike a bum.

Wait, someone really said what you have in your signature? If he hasn't already, he should've been banned on principle alone.

Awesome covers though, I'll be snatching up Mr Jordan on day one once again. Nobody is getting **** from me this holiday. The gaming industry has decided they want all my money from October to at least December.

On another note as far as I remember the cover athletes going, Larry Bird has just made 2K history....I'm sure everyone can figure out how with a little light research.

# 46 blues rocker @ 07/21/11 12:00 PM

good strategy considering the lockout...plus, today's NBA players are mostly unlikeable douches....2k is tapping into the nostalgia that people have for the golden age of basketball when players were actually respectable human beings.

# 47 fang @ 07/21/11 12:05 PM

Let's see the cover makers on OS try and replicate those lol

Covers look good

# 48 exposedaking @ 07/21/11 12:06 PM

its ok, nothing to go oooooh about tho....

# 49 ClevelandinDistress @ 07/21/11 12:11 PM

From Kotaku.com

"A pre-order bonus could be a hint at what that might entail. Preorders will receive codes for two classic teams for use in the game, the 1990-1991 Golden State Warriors of Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond, and the 2000-2001 Sacramento Kings of Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Jason Williams."

Sounds good to me!

# 50 NINJAK2 @ 07/21/11 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fang


	Let's see the cover makers on OS try and replicate those lol Covers look good

Co-sign. Those covers all look great to me. I'm surprised they got all 3 to be on the cover. That could not have been cheap! Hopefully the gameplay matches the greatness of it's cover athletes.

# 51 VDusen04 @ 07/21/11 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandinDistress


	From Kotaku.com "A pre-order bonus could be a hint at what that might entail. Preorders will receive codes for two classic teams for use in the game, the 1990-1991 Golden State Warriors of Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond, and the 2000-2001 Sacramento Kings of Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Jason Williams." Sounds good to me!

Shuuuut uuuup. (I mean that in a good, disbelieving, coolest-thing-ever way)

# 52 NINJAK2 @ 07/21/11 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandinDistress


	From Kotaku.com "A pre-order bonus could be a hint at what that might entail. Preorders will receive codes for two classic teams for use in the game, the 1990-1991 Golden State Warriors of Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond, and the 2000-2001 Sacramento Kings of Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Jason Williams." Sounds good to me!

Thanks for the info. I will be pre-ordering for sure.....

# 53 23 @ 07/21/11 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandinDistress


	From Kotaku.com "A pre-order bonus could be a hint at what that might entail. Preorders will receive codes for two classic teams for use in the game, the 1990-1991 Golden State Warriors of Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond, and the 2000-2001 Sacramento Kings of Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Jason Williams." Sounds good to me!

Yes I will preorder one this year

Sorry BlackOps

Oh and some interesting terminology used here

The new stylized NBA 2K12 covers are a unique, one-time departure from the traditional 2K Sports brand artwork, and will spotlight each legendary athlete on his famous team: the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. The covers featuring Bird and Johnson will be available at launch in a limited quantity.

A new feat in sports gaming, this three-part collection extends the strong legacy established by NBA 2K11, which has sold-in more than 5 million units worldwide and garnered over 20 video game accolades, including 14 ‘Sports Game of the Year’ honors.

“Bringing Michael Jordan to the virtual hardwood last year was a huge success for NBA 2K11; however, we didn’t want to stop there,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “We’re bringing ‘His Airness’ back to the NBA 2K franchise as part of a multi-year extended partnership, along with two other legendary icons – Larry Bird and Magic Johnson – for a special cover athlete collection representing the NBA’s greatest heroes.”

# 54 23 @ 07/21/11 12:17 PM

Since its limited quantity Im going to get Magic and Jordan

# 55 ClevelandinDistress @ 07/21/11 12:21 PM

yup this will probably be the first game ive ever pre ordered!

# 56 OGKing @ 07/21/11 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandinDistress


	From Kotaku.com "A pre-order bonus could be a hint at what that might entail. Preorders will receive codes for two classic teams for use in the game, the 1990-1991 Golden State Warriors of Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond, and the 2000-2001 Sacramento Kings of Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Jason Williams." Sounds good to me!

WOW, 2001 Sac Kings, amazing.

# 57 BigBlue @ 07/21/11 12:21 PM

Here's hoping that we could use Classic Teams online, ranked or unranked!

BigBlue

# 58 Goffs @ 07/21/11 12:21 PM

i already have Jordan covered so im getting Magic and Bird

# 59 sportjames23 @ 07/21/11 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_OS


	Jordan Returns: 2K Sports Announces Trio of NBA® 2K12 Covers Featuring Three NBA Icons Michael Jordan, joined by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, to grace three unique artistic covers in celebration of NBA legacy New York, NY – July 21, 2011 – 2K Sports announced today that NBA® 2K12, the next installment of the top-rated and best-selling NBA video game simulation franchise*, will offer three separate covers for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft featuring three of the NBA’s greatest legends of all time, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The new stylized NBA 2K12 covers are a unique, one-time departure from the traditional 2K Sports brand artwork, and will spotlight each legendary athlete on his famous team: the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. The covers featuring Bird and Johnson will be available at launch in a limited quantity. A new feat in sports gaming, this three-part collection extends the strong legacy established by NBA 2K11, which has sold-in more than 5 million units worldwide and garnered over 20 video game accolades, including 14 ‘Sports Game of the Year’ honors. “Bringing Michael Jordan to the virtual hardwood last year was a huge success for NBA 2K11; however, we didn’t want to stop there,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “We’re bringing ‘His Airness’ back to the NBA 2K franchise as part of a multi-year extended partnership, along with two other legendary icons – Larry Bird and Magic Johnson – for a special cover athlete collection representing the NBA’s greatest heroes.” The unprecedented, stylized artwork covers underscore 2K Sports’ passion for bringing fans authentic NBA basketball across generations, while celebrating the legacy of legendary hoops athletes, past and present. The cover artwork for NBA 2K12 was created by Adam Larson of Adam&Co. Larson has created dynamic artwork for galleries, magazines and various product advertising campaigns. His work has received numerous honors, including the Kelly Awards, Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, and two primetime Emmy nominations NBA 2K12 can now be pre-ordered from leading video game retailers nationwide, and will be available on October 4, 2011, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360, Wii™ system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Windows PC.

OH. HELL. YES!

# 60 sportjames23 @ 07/21/11 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDusen04


	That was my thought as well. It's actually a wise move, however coincidental it may be (they may have had this plan in place before a lockout became likely). I am not disappointed, these covers are all awesome. "The Greatest is Back With a Vengeance" makes sense now. And not to be that guy, but I don't particularly care about cover design, and nine times out of ten, I won't really care who's on the cover. But when it's three legends, it's a big deal to me because it makes me hopeful that 2K will have made more strides in the historic department. I know for a fact there will be monster strides in the "current" department, I'd just be happy if they continued going down the history path too, as there is so much to draw from.

This. Straight up, this.

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