NBA 2K14: My GM Interview, Hands-On Impressions, More! (Next-Gen)

[Sundown]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

I believe it may be argued as to whether certain RPG elements make the game more realistic or more like a fictional story.

For instance, I think many would not have hesitated to agree that the introduction of "Player Roles" was a move in a realistic direction years ago. However, in many cases, it yielded unrealistic results and forced gamers in fictional directions (ex: certain off-the-bench staples in real life refusing their "Sixth Man" role in-game, demanding a trade or else ruining your entire team's chemistry). As a result, I actually found my Associations were more realistic without player roles, even though it was a realistic-based idea.

Regarding being fired, I have to believe that's an option that can be turned on and off. Wasn't that a feature in 2K before as well? I'm not someone who starts a franchise as the Detroit Pistons and hopes to keep my "job" as fake general manager. I start a franchise with the Pistons so I can do what I want, for as long as I want, with the Detroit Pistons. I'd hate to think the game would arbitrarily fire me after year one in Detroit because I mimicked a trade that occurred in real life and my fictional owner didn't like it.

I can agree that some of the realistic features were not well implemented, but there's nothing sim about being able to set your lineups any way you want without repercussion regardless of player role.

The right solution is to fix these issues and move forward, and allow people to turn it off if it doesn't work well for them, which is exactly what they've done. The right solution isn't to just leave these features out and make no progress because some players are more content faking results themselves in an association that has less gameplay mechanics and rules.

If there's anything to harp on 2K for it's not their willingness to innovate. It's their slowness to fix what's broken and move the genre forward.

[cthurt]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

Why would you guys even assume that? The whole point of association is to win games and championships. The whole point of GMing is to put together a team to do so. They shouldn't have to detail the obvious when introducing features.

We don't assume that there are no layups in the game just because they show new dunks. We don't assume the score doesn't matter in game's now just because they advertise highlights. They shouldn't have to say, "by the way, higher score still wins" after every new feature bullet point.

I understand concerns but the fear mongering gets a little much here sometimes.

I understand what your saying and I admit I said that without watching the entire video, Ill just hold my thoughts until we get all the info about this mode, I can see the direction 2k is going and if everything works it should be a good thing, Its just hard to forget 2ks history when it comes to ai logic in association mode.

[Sundown]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

Again, I believe that point could vary from person to person. I kind of feel that, if I wanted to, I'd probably be able to manipulate current gen 2K's to put together a 2013 Detroit Pistons team that'd be championship ready almost immediately. But I've done that, and for me, it's not always fun.

More times, the point of Association for me is just to feel like I'm the Pistons. Through this current era, that's meant miring in a little bit of mediocrity (or altogether awfulness) in hopes of building myself up in the future. At some point I like to envision my Pistons being contenders, but I don't like the idea of being cut down and not being allowed to proceed through my Association just because the computer feels I'm not doing a good enough job.

So in short, I play Association for the realistic experience, and winning is just a part of that experience. I'm not sure if I view watching a virtual version of my 29 year old self pretending to be GM of the Pistons chatting in the same chair position with players in hopes of leveling up as a realistic experience.

I know winning is not the only goal, but it's an "implied" goal. I was just pointing out that it's somewhat silly to think that winning doesn't factor into an association at all.

Why not make a MyPlayer that looks like the actual pistons GM? I'm hoping that we can have more than one MyPlayer (don't have my hopes up though) and model one after our franchise GM. Except the CAP system is probably not good for making old dudes. At least GSW GM Bob Myers is actually relatively young so lucked out there.

[VDusen04]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

I can agree that some of the realistic features were not well implemented, but there's nothing sim about being able to set your lineups any way you want without repercussion regardless of player role.

The right solution is to fix these issues and move forward, and allow people to turn it off if it doesn't work well for them, which is exactly what they've done. The right solution isn't to just leave these features out and make no progress because some players are more content faking results themselves in an association that has less gameplay mechanics and rules.

If there's anything to harp on 2K for it's not their willingness to innovate. It's their slowness to fix what's broken and move the genre forward.

I'm with your general idea here. I do believe, however, that people setting their lineups to mimic real life is about as sim as it gets, whether computer data makes video game versions of real life players upset or not.

But again, I'm with you on the rest of your post. I think the issue here is abilities have been removed, as opposed to just being relegated as "on or off" functions. I'm personally holding out for information as to whether it's going to be possible to edit other team's players in Associations. If not, that may kind of compound the issue for me. It does not sound promising at this point in that regard.

I know winning is not the only goal, but it's an "implied" goal. I was just pointing out that it's somewhat silly to think that winning doesn't factor into an association at all.

Why not make a MyPlayer that looks like the actual pistons GM? I'm hoping that we can have more than one MyPlayer (don't have my hopes up though) and model one after our franchise GM. Except the CAP system is probably not good for making old dudes. At least GSW GM Bob Myers is actually relatively young so lucked out there.

Yeah, I suppose it'll depend on the multiple MyPlayer front. I guess I was operating under their recent push to allow just one single MyPlayer, almost as an avatar of sorts, for all modes. At least allowing us to create a separate MyPlayer for MyGM (Joe Dumars) and being able to hire a completely accurate coaching staff would be a push in the right direction.

[SoundsLikeScone]

Re: NBA 2K14 Hands-on Impressions of Graphics, Gameplay and Features (Bleacher Report

From that last screenshot, it looks like MyTeam got rid of pucks

[adub88]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

I would really wish people would stop dogging my man DeMarcus Cousins, it's a new season lol. New ownership new direction new everything. Nah seriously though, I appreciate 2k's willingness to always to make things authentic as possible.

[Number999]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

Really don't get some of your guys issue with this. Saying that all you wanna do is have a normal career mode and just play games, that's what 2k has been giving you for like what, the past 3 2ks? Tons of people (myself included) thought that Association mode was getting boring to death, and now they make changes so that you can't pay Brandon Jennings a max 7-year deal and if you don't like him, just brush it to the side. I'm happy that changes were made, and good to see that they're progressing in the Franchise mode direction. Very much looking forward to this.

[Sundown]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

I understand what your saying and I admit I said that without watching the entire video, Ill just hold my thoughts until we get all the info about this mode, I can see the direction 2k is going and if everything works it should be a good thing, Its just hard to forget 2ks history when it comes to ai logic in association mode.

I'm apprehensive about that as well. It may be better since they've obviously done little work on the old association, and I empathize with people who want to fix the AI rotations and trade logic by managing multiple teams.

They should at least allow a "commissioner override" that allows you to force trades and reject them between teams in the absence of real 30 team control.

[LingeringRegime]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

I would really wish people would stop dogging my man DeMarcus Cousins, it's a new season lol. New ownership new direction new everything. Nah seriously though, I appreciate 2k's willingness to always to make things authentic as possible.

If DeMarcus matures this year will we see personality updates? I wonder.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

It's a good idea. In fact, it's an amazing idea. Real GMs deal with this every day, and folks who follow their organizations closely know this is what it means to manage an association with all it's intricacies. If you just want to play ball, there's quick games. All the ball you want. No cause and effect.

Also I think they said you can actually turn some of the stuff off and just have a boring regular season.

Sounds like you're trying to convince me why I should like it.

I don't.

In any sports genre, there has been a weird sort of fun side to losing. Getting a high draft pick, watching your team develop players, signing the right free agent, turning things around, etc. If I'm the Charlotte Bobcats, I'm trying to build a team over seasons. We're not going to be a playoff team right out the gate.

Now, if I happen to answer a few questions not to 2K's programmed liking or if my team is losing money, I get fired and have to pick another team? That's bogus.

I feel like I'd be playing in 2K's controlled environment, not my own.

It is what it is.

Some will love it. Others won't.

But if I don't like it, trust me there's a reason for it.

[VDusen04]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

Really don't get some of your guys issue with this. Saying that all you wanna do is have a normal career mode and just play games, that's what 2k has been giving you for like what, the past 3 2ks? Tons of people (myself included) thought that Association mode was getting boring to death, and now they make changes so that you can't pay Brandon Jennings a max 7-year deal and if you don't like him, just brush it to the side. I'm happy that changes were made, and good to see that they're progressing in the Franchise mode direction. Very much looking forward to this.

I'd say, not all change is good change. Which does not mean all these changes are bad. I just do not believe the people clamoring for Association improvements must automatically accept any additions. It may be as simple as folks not viewing these changes as an improvement.

There's an Association wishlist that's been floating around this forum for the past month or so (likely longer). I'd be curious to see how those suggestions relate to 2K's new direction in this regard. My guess is the wishlist had more to do with true real life improvements, like bringing the D-League back, and less with implementing our MyPlayer as general manager.

[Sundown]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

I'm with your general idea here. I do believe, however, that people setting their lineups to mimic real life is about as sim as it gets, whether computer data makes video game versions of real life players upset or not.

But again, I'm with you on the rest of your post. I think the issue here is abilities have been removed, as opposed to just being relegated as "on or off" functions. I'm personally holding out for information as to whether it's going to be possible to edit other team's players in Associations. If not, that may kind of compound the issue for me. It does not sound promising at this point in that regard.

Yeah, I suppose it'll depend on the multiple MyPlayer front. I guess I was operating under their recent push to allow just one single MyPlayer, almost as an avatar of sorts, for all modes. At least allowing us to create a separate MyPlayer for MyGM (Joe Dumars) and being able to hire a completely accurate coaching staff would be a push in the right direction.

I agree in regards to rotations as well. I really do hope they open things up next year and allow more tweaking and modifying.

I also think they should try to leverage STATS data for rotations and trades in association as an option. I would love different options for syncing to the real NBA, at least for the first season, ie. match trade for trade on their dates, vs always sync to latest trade, and with some hybrid of both once you progress past the current real season. Same goes for injuries and rotations.

Basically some version of NBA Today meshed with Association and NBA Live Rewind.

[LingeringRegime]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

Thought I would post this here, it is posted in another thread.

For those curious about MyGM mode, know this. I only covered about 5% of what this mode is at the press event. This was a bigger media event, one where a large number of the attendees aren't exactly highly interested in the meat and potatoes of a mode like this. I simply provided an overview of what our philosophy was.

We'll be going into MUCH more detail (you know I will take care of you guys here) on what we've done in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

The takeaway you should have right now is MyGM is Association on steroids. Multi-user had to take a backseat for a minute while we rebuilt the entire foundation of how a franchise mode works. I assure you, this is all for the greater good. Leftos and I will make sure you're all happy at the end of the day.

SimBaller

P.S. For those who aren't into the concept of interacting with staff, players, etc., a Season mode (with variable season lengths) IS available so you can just focus on playing games and moving players around where you see fit.

[cthurt]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

I'm apprehensive about that as well. It may be better since they've obviously done little work on the old association, and I empathize with people who want to fix the AI rotations and trade logic by managing multiple teams.

They should at least allow a "commissioner override" that allows you to force trades and reject them between teams in the absence of real 30 team control.

Who knows maybe with enough complaints it will be patched in this year, wishful thinking but maybe 2k will shock the world and get the ai logic correct this year.

[Sundown]

Re: NBA 2K14—My GM News, Exclusive Interview with Senior Producer Erick Boenisch

Sounds like you're trying to convince me why I should like it.

I don't.

In any sports genre, there has been a weird sort of fun side to losing. Getting a high draft pick, watching your team develop players, signing the right free agent, turning things around, etc. If I'm the Charlotte Bobcats, I'm trying to build a team over seasons. We're not going to be a playoff team right out the gate.

Now, if I happen to answer a few questions not to 2K's programmed liking or if my team is losing money, I get fired and have to pick another team? That's bogus.

I feel like I'd be playing in 2K's controlled environment, not my own.

It is what it is.

Some will love it. Others won't.

But if I don't like it, trust me there's a reason for it.

Crazy idea. Try it first instead of assuming you'll hate it. And turn off the features you don't like or are not well implemented. Not to mention regular seasons are available with the features off.