NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

[luv_mist]

Re: New Live article on ign (Beluba is helping)

Do you guys like this idea?

I like how it sounds but my imagination isn't exactly reality. I'm definitely more interested in how this game plays. It's closer to a buy/try than a watch the impressions. SO far, the body models look better because they're filling out the little things and making differetn body parts thicker like they should be in comparison to their real-life counterparts.

Please let the Tall Blacks be in this year.

What are the Tall Blacks??

[Court_vision]

Re: New Live article on ign (Beluba is helping)

Do you guys like this idea?

Yep

[Jonesy]

Re: New Live article on ign (Beluba is helping)

What are the Tall Blacks??

That is the name of the New Zealand basketball team. Their rugby side is called the "all blacks" (As in all black jersey's etc) so the tall blacks is a play on that.

The best possible thing for the live franchise is to get those guys that actually seem to know and love the sport of basketball like Mike W working on this. I think their problem in the past is that they have talented computer programers working on it who probably haven't played a game of bball in their lives. It's the only way i can explain why the last few editions have looked beautiful but played nothing like real basketball.

[luv_mist]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

I just want to know why they went away from the Freestyle control and crippled the dribbling system instead of improving on the freestyle to a level comparable to 2k's dribbling system? That is one of the biggest questions I've had since they moved it.

[23]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

They feel the quickstrike is a progression of freestyle. I disagree, but thats just MO

[wco81]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

I haven't played hoops games much recently because they were poorer compared to NHL and NFL games.

In particular, I hated the force field which was used in pretty much all hoops games.

Only way you got away from the force field was with "ankle-breaker" moves, especially in something like NBA Street where you had no control when the defender you were controlling just fell down.

Similarly, trying to defend some dunks/layups in the paint, they'd just make your defender fall on his butt sometimes.

It's too bad this is the only way to get away from the force field. In the NBA, best players don't need to make defenders break their ankles. Just need to have them lean the wrong way or be unprepared when they make their move to the hole. So the whole idea of ankle-breakers is ridiculous. Sure they happen in real life but shouldn't be the only way you separate from the defender.

The LDD seems to be another feature in this same vein. You activate certain animations but you really don't have control over the outcome.

No hoops games has captured the fundamental interaction between ball-handler and defender. People complain about how OL/DL interaction or how WR/CB release at the snap of the ball is still not done correctly in Madden but those representations are still way better than offensive player/defender in hoops games.

Only hopeful thing in the preview is the promise of news about something connected with OTP.

[23]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

What is OTP

[wco81]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

What is OTP

Online Team Play.

Up to 5 vs. 5 online, each from their own console.

[Pared]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

So the whole idea of ankle-breakers is ridiculous. Sure they happen in real life but shouldn't be the only way you separate from the defender.

Don't buy into the name as that's mostly for marketing to the public; It looks to be just a way of separating yourself from the defender in the same way you're asking.

[Mhancock]

I don't see a downside to the improvements to be honest. I took two years off of NBA live until 08 and I was impressed with what I took from it. This years should be better with the improved animations and the FIBA 24 team expansions. Too bad we still can't import draft classed from March Madness.

[streetballa1555]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

I am most excited about the new playcalling system and the lockdown stick addition, I was wondering when they were going to add this since the MM series had this since 07. I just hope it is not as "clingy" as in MM. Kind of like the right stick down in Live 08 where they kinda going into a defensive stance and make it so it is like 2k's lockdown or whatever you call it. I personally want this kinda system incorporated also into NBA 2k as this is the way they play in real life. The action just flows and it's not as set as NBA 2k. I think 2k has always had that kinda scripted feeling when running plays.

[edubbs]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

I'm glad that one of EA's main gameplay features for 09 is the pick and roll. Putting extensive focus on this part of the NBA game is long over due.

No game has implemented it correctly to this point IMO.

As a matter of fact, the AI utilizing the pick and roll is 'almost' non-existent in both games in comparison to how much it is used when watching real games.

The pick and roll is the main staple of most team's playbook IRL.

You see some variation of the play almost evertime down the court in the NBA. My hope is that the 'AI' is able to utilize it at the appropriate time AND with the right personnel in LIVE09.

For example I would love to see the cpu controlled Cavs utilizing the pick and pop with Big Z, the Suns using the pick and slip with Amare/Nash, and the Hornets and Jazz using the pick and roll with Dwill/Boozer and CP3 with whoever......

Who knows how well AND how often the cpu will be programmed to use this feature?

However If the 'AI' is tuned correctly with this new pick and roll feature, Live09 will be the 1st title to actually make the importance of executing AND defending the play relevant in a videogame.

[23]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

Closest thing to it is in the video that Czar made last year I think when he was explaining the AI and used that Jason Terry/Dirk play from the right wing.

Beyond that, hopefully the AI will exploit the PnR much more which would be a beauty to see.

[auburntigersfan]

Re: New Live article on ign (Beluba is helping)

let the Wang perform its magic! LMAO

[OneBadMutha]

Re: NBA Live 09 Previews: IGN, GameSpot, 1UP

I'm now tracking and looking forward to NBA Live for the first time in two console generations. Reason being...Mike Wang. The guy understands how to translate the game to the video game better than anyone.

Inside Drive 2003 and 2004 were the two best basketball games on the Xbox. NBA 2k8 is the best basketball game since. I'm disappointed that he's no longer with the 2K team and expanding on what they've done well with 2K8 but it'll be interesting to see what happens with EA's money behind him.

I'd just say to fans to be patient. This year's game will likely only be a start but NBA Live will probably be the best basketball franchise again by the 3rd version two years from now. I'm interested to see what sort of tweaks could've been made in a short time but we gotta be realistic.

On a side note, the NBA has moved from an iso league to a pick and roll league. It's the most important play to get right. If NBA Live masters it this year, it's a huge step in the right direction to make this franchise appeal to sim fans.