NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

[Kstat]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

The simplification of PnR/transition D responsibilities was something that's long frustrated me as a defender that prefers broadcast cam. Thank you for finally addressing it.


On a side note, is auto-jump finally out of the game? I know they mentioned it was in last year only as a glitch, but it was definitely there and there was nothing more frustrating than watching my player go for a fake even when I know the fake is coming and I'm standing my ground controller-wise.

[Becanes]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

I love all of the responses, guys! I plan to respond to as many as I can. It looks like some of you are just finishing this blog. I want this to set in before I go into deep dive mode with you. Apologies for the length!

Deep Dive away and please don't apologize for the length.

[Retropyro]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

I love all of the responses, guys! I plan to respond to as many as I can. It looks like some of you are just finishing this blog. I want this to set in before I go into deep dive mode with you. Apologies for the length!

Don't apologize for the length, more info the better.

I just need to find out if the loading issues from last year have been addressed. And I'm all set.

[eko718]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

I love all of the responses, guys! I plan to respond to as many as I can. It looks like some of you are just finishing this blog. I want this to set in before I go into deep dive mode with you. Apologies for the length!

You never need to apologize for length! The more detail the better.

[OGSPORTS]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

Good job 2K as a simhead this is the stuff I look forward to hearing about the most..

Only thing I didn't like was in the clip with Fultz running pick n roll & Ben Simmons in the corner. Yes the defender should play off but he literally ran under the rim and left Simmons open.. Even though he's not a shooter Fultz still makes that pass and then you have Simmons going downhill towards the rim.. Playing off doesn't mean both feet in the paint just saying.. And giving their best player that much room to catch n drive is not smart.. A simple fix just thought I'd say it in case nobody else noticed but otherwise this was perfect..

I disagree. This happens all the time in these situations. This is a high PnR. If you can't "Tag" from the weak side he can take this depth to the strong side low post on a below average shooter. If the ball get's pushed to that side, he will tighten up. If the ball is moved from the top, he's moving immediately to a "short" close out. This limits the down hill effectiveness. With the perception improvements, you will see the defense much more responsive.

[eko718]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

Yeah, and if that is the case I don't know why the Cavs would need to be higher overall defensively than the Warriors. The Warriors are vastly superior on the defensive side of the ball.

I think the Team Offense and Team Defense overall ratings are in reverse in 2K17 by the way (what is showing as the offensive overall is really the defensive overall and vice versa)... I forgot about that. If you play with the ratings you'll see what I mean.

[DolfanDave]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

The Ben Simmons clip -

How is that not a 3 second defensive violation?

My concern (especially against the CPU) would be too many wide open 3s especially in transition where the defensive player is "confused" as where to be while lagging in transition. This plagued 2K17.

You are correct, this is a legacy PNR issue in the Bill Simmon video and acting like it's a new great defense ai improvement because Simmons can't shoot. No player leaves a defender in this manner when the ball is on the strong side or top of the key. This defenders runs to the middle of the paint and stands under the goal as soon as someone calls a PnR .

The AI is overreacting to the PNR call as he is under the goal before the pick is even initiated and it is a 3 second violation but 2K modified the code from last year so they can camp in the paint longer rather than fix the player running into the paint like a madman because in the early days of 2k17 too many 3 second calls was happening due to this but like Jay z would say "ok"

[OGSPORTS]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

The simplification of PnR/transition D responsibilities was something that's long frustrated me as a defender that prefers broadcast cam. Thank you for finally addressing it.


On a side note, is auto-jump finally out of the game? I know they mentioned it was in last year only as a glitch, but it was definitely there and there was nothing more frustrating than watching my player go for a fake even when I know the fake is coming and I'm standing my ground controller-wise.

Perceptions have improved the transition defense game. The same principals apply: stop ball, someone has to take the basket, back flow the wings to match ups. We're not flying out of the way from the basket to corner shooters to give up wide open dunks like CLE in games 1 & 2 of the finals.

[WTF]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

Off topic of AI from the Blog, but in the KAT clip, Wiggins has his cornrows. In the Sacramento Clip, he has an afro. Probably different builds, but if not, could we see the return of the Ben Wallace days, where guys rock different hairstyles? If so, I demand a hairstyle blog, lol.

[RogerDodger]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

This is why 2k is allowed to call out other sports games for their authenticity. Whether it's gameplay mechanics like this or authentic shot styles, footwear, mannerisms not to mention all the My League/My GM stuff... 2k year on year builds something innovative and these new gameplay features are amongst some of the deepest ever.

*claps*

[Kstat]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

Perceptions have improved the transition defense game. The same principals apply: stop ball, someone has to take the basket, back flow the wings to match ups. We're not flying out of the way from the basket to corner shooters to give up wide open dunks like CLE in games 1 & 2 of the finals.

If I might piggy back on this, are the responsibilities based on which defenders are the furthest back at the time of transition, or by which are best equipped to handle them? I'm trying to play the scenarios out in my head.

I take it the basket takes first priority, then ball, then wings? If Patrick Beverly is the first one back on defense in transition followed by Blake Griffin for whatever reason, does Beverly take the rim while Griffin stops the ball?

[Rockie_Fresh88]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

Off topic of AI from the Blog, but in the KAT clip, Wiggins has his cornrows. In the Sacramento Clip, he has an afro. Probably different builds, but if not, could we see the return of the Ben Wallace days, where guys rock different hairstyles? If so, I demand a hairstyle blog, lol.

Thought that was confirmed already ? Or was that just for accessories ?

[coachcolbert]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

read the post/vids/comments - good readand thanks for examples. also good to see everyone so excited about the improvements/changes

what i liked reading about the most

- overall AI recognition of repeatedly sucessful sets.
- all the lebron clips, but especially depicting the ai's response to lebron iso'd and melo iso'd.
- defensive communication (calling out ball), would be nice addition if it worked in proam/park
- being able to call zones i the proam without losing grade
- the rozier clip of him fighting over the screen was really nice
- coaching systems is what made me say "damn b..". if it works out as explained by OG that would completley change how myteam is played. im curious how it would effect trade logic for mygm/myleague

again, good read.

[Pound4pound]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

Continuing on the Otto Porter/Simmons clip..

Sagging off of Simmons allows him to help stop the penetration of Fultz forcing him to either hit the roll man, Simmons who can't shoot or a skip pass, or back out and try something else.. Situations like this is what would often lead to a turnover by the PG but if Porter runs completely under the rim the entire defense is screwed and he really isn't guarding anyone

[OGSPORTS]

Re: NBA 2K18 AI Improvements Blog From Scott O’Gallagher

If I might piggy back on this, are the responsibilities based on which defenders are the furthest back at the time of transition, or by which are best equipped to handle them? I'm trying to play the scenarios out in my head.

I take it the basket takes first priority, then ball, then wings?

Yup. You will also notice that if there's only one player back that he's going to move slightly towards the most dangerous man before committing to stop the ball.