What matters the most to you guys?

[loadleft]

Forgive me if this is a taboo subject and I am not trying to start an argument but, what I want to now is: What matters most to you as a purchaser of a particular game?

1. Like is it more important that it play like "Real Basketball"? (when I drive to the hoop does the defense collapse? When I swing the ball does the defense rotate? No matter if he slides a little or not, does the guy that was in the proper positon to get the rebound end up with it? etc.)
2. Is it more important that it look like "Real Basketball" or more importantly NBA? (does Kobe's accessories need to be the right color? Does the courts have to have the benches in the right place? Do the Jersey Fonts have to be exactly like IRL? etc.)
3. Is it more important that the characters move or are animated exactly like they are in real life? (Does Shawn Marion's exact release have to be shown in the game? Does Derrick Rose's character have to dribble exactly like he does IRL? Do post moves need to look exactly like Tim Duncan's or is it ok that as long as I know my guy did an "up and under" the animation does not have to be perfect? etc.)

I am asking all this just to figure out why my opinion of these things always seems to be in the minority. I agree all these things matter but for me they are listed in order of relevance and more importantly on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being a must have) of how relevant each would be: #1 would be a 10, #2 would be a 5, and #3 would be a 2.

Also I think I am noticing a pattern of differences between fans of the two games and this question serves as a little research to confirm or disprove my theory. So if you don't mind tell me what's most important to you in a game and then on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being a must have and 1 being not necessary) how important that thing is. For example I may say it is more important that they show coaches on the sideline than Mascots but on a scale of 1-10 I'd rate both as an 8 meaning they are both very necessary.

[pbz06]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

Forgive me if this is a taboo subject and I am not trying to start an argument but, what I want to now is: What matters most to you as a purchaser of a particular game?

1. Like is it more important that it play like "Real Basketball"? (when I drive to the hoop does the defense collapse? When I swing the ball does the defense rotate? No matter if he slides a little or not, does the guy that was in the proper positon to get the rebound end up with it? etc.)
2. Is it more important that it look like "Real Basketball" or more importantly NBA? (does Kobe's accessories need to be the right color? Does the courts have to have the benches in the right place? Do the Jersey Fonts have to be exactly like IRL? etc.)
3. Is it more important that the characters move or are animated exactly like they are in real life? (Does Shawn Marion's exact release have to be shown in the game? Does Derrick Rose's character have to dribble exactly like he does IRL? Do post moves need to look exactly like Tim Duncan's or is it ok that as long as I know my guy did an "up and under" the animation does not have to be perfect? etc.)

I am asking all this just to figure out why my opinion of these things always seems to be in the minority. I agree all these things matter but for me they are listed in order of relevance and more importantly on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being a must have) of how relevant each would be: #1 would be a 10, #2 would be a 5, and #3 would be a 2.

Also I think I am noticing a pattern of differences between fans of the two games and this question serves as a little research to confirm or disprove my theory. So if you don't mind tell me what's most important to you in a game and then on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being a must have and 1 being not necessary) how important that thing is. For example I may say it is more important that they show coaches on the sideline than Mascots but on a scale of 1-10 I'd rate both as an 8 meaning they are both very necessary.

Good questions.

(1) This is very important and why I liked Live 09 better than 2k9. I don't want this to be a vs. thread please, but just explaining why. Live 09 had solid defensive rotations and the AI played a better core game of basketball. Also, since I played video games for a LONG time, I think I have a more realistic expectation for certain things (like minor sliding). Seems like the younger crowds nitpick about the slightest imperfection of a video game.

(2) I was never a big accessory guy. I love how they added them and prefer it now, but I don't nitpick like some of the guys here. I wouldn't even notice a lot of the things people whine about, like a slightly off jersey font, or if so and so player wears a different color wrist band on every other home game, lol. I don't care if in Live that Ray Allen wears a black arm sleeve, or if they have Kobe's socks the wrong color. Sure, the more authentic the better, but it's not game killers. The arenas/courts should be authentic I think. I don't care about mascots, cheerleaders etc, but it would be a nice tough if the arenas were modeled accurately. They're not as important as getting them down perfect like in MLB or NFL games, but they can add to the flavor. At least if the lighting was arena specific, that would be great. Watching NBA on tv, you can tell that each arena has different lighting. From the new Live screens, it seems like they nailed this aspect.

(3) This is important as well. I don't think it *has* to be exact, as long as it's a great effort to accurately portray the player on the virtual court. I mean, we want accurate batting stances in our baseball games, so we want accurate styles in our NBA games too. I'm not going to nitpick like other guys here, where they complain about something being slightly off, or so and so player has a 2 degree higher arc etc. Some people get carried away with the complaints. You can show them real NBA footage but make it look like it's CGI, and they would STILL nitpick and complain.

All in all, it takes a lot of things to bring the whole package together. My expectations are realistic and I don't let little things be game breakers, such as every player doing the same celebration while running back on D after they score a basket. Like really, are we going to cry about that? I also think the net/rim physics are perfectly fine. This is a video game. I want improvements every year, but I won't pver analyze and nitpick to death a game to the point where I don't enjoy it anymore.

Also, the controls are one of the biggest aspects too. The user needs to have full control of the player and be able to make split second decisions (welcome to basketball), and not watch canned out animations take over. All the dribbling moves should be responsive, and the passing fluid etc.

[SageInfinite]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

For me the cosmetic stuff matters to me pre-release. Jerseys, courts, sneakers, ect. Once I get my hands on the game animations and controls matter. Once I get used to everything and the "wow" factor is over, gameplay takes over. Gameplay is what keeps me there. So I'd say everything matters, but gameplay is what keeps you there in the end.

[Jamin23]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

For me the cosmetic stuff matters to me pre-release. Jerseys, courts, sneakers, ect. Once I get my hands on the game animations and controls matter. Once I get used to everything and the "wow" factor is over, gameplay takes over. Gameplay is what keeps me there. So I'd say everything matters, but gameplay is what keeps you there in the end.

I agree. A mixture of everything is what makes a great game.

[Jano]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

For me playing like real basketball is the most important thing, because like Sage said gameplay is what keeps you goin in the end.

The next important thing would be for the animations it doesn't have to be exact but it does need replicate NBA ball in some fashion.

And then the look would have to be the least important one out of those 3 options.

So my setup would be:

1. Gameplay
2. Animations
3. Looks

[RayDog253]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

For me playing like real basketball is the most important thing, because like Sage said gameplay is what keeps you goin in the end.

The next important thing would be for the animations it doesn't have to be exact but it does need replicate NBA ball in some fashion.

And then the look would have to be the least important one out of those 3 options.

So my setup would be:

1. Gameplay
2. Animations
3. Looks

That's what everybody says, then a game like Pro football 2k8 comes out and it's only relevant for a couple months.

[odbman]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

ability to play a season with all teams not jsut stuck with one.
Graphics
camera angles
simulation
sound

[loadleft]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

I am betting that most video game ballers prefer in order: 1st- graphics/looks, 2nd- animations, 3rd- true to life game play

[RayDog253]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

I am betting that most video game ballers prefer in order: 1st- graphics/looks, 2nd- animations, 3rd- true to life game play

You can't have true to life game play without animations and good graphics. Right???

[loadleft]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

You can't have true to life game play without animations and good graphics. Right???

In my opinion: yes you can. I could play with simple stick figure as long as they moved and reacted as they should. I am thankful that I don't have to play with stick figures, but I don't think that graphics and animations are tied to gameplay. I think that each of those aspects stand on their own and a particular mix of them makes up a gaming experience. I can appreciate that others feel differently though and seeing your response I understand how "sim" doesn't mean the same thing to everyone.

[RayDog253]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

Okay, I see what you mean.

I can appreciate that others feel differently though and seeing your response I understand how "sim" doesn't mean the same thing to everyone.

I don't know what that means, but okay. I know a sim is like the true representation of the sport right? So it should look, sound, feel and play like it. Am I wrong? If so let me know...

[yungflo]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

For me the cosmetic stuff matters to me pre-release. Jerseys, courts, sneakers, ect. Once I get my hands on the game animations and controls matter. Once I get used to everything and the "wow" factor is over, gameplay takes over. Gameplay is what keeps me there. So I'd say everything matters, but gameplay is what keeps you there in the end.

that sounded like a mike wang answer

[23]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

You can't have true to life game play without animations and good graphics. Right???

Ever played NBA Inside Drive?

Wasnt animation heavy, wasnt the best graphics by far, but the gameplay was ahead of its time.....there is a reason people always bring it up

[RayDog253]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

Ever played NBA Inside Drive?

Wasnt animation heavy, wasnt the best graphics by far, but the gameplay was ahead of its time.....there is a reason people always bring it up

I have, but briefly, and I don't remember the game at all.
I guess when I was thinking gameplay I was thinking about the whole package. I had my whole definition of gameplay all screwed up. I get now what you guys are saying when you talk about gameplay.

[23]

Re: What matters the most to you guys?

I think gameplay is the most important because its the thing that keeps your attention the longest.

You dont sit up and say, man I cant wait to see Duncan's player model again.

You don't say, how many armbands can I put on my CAP

(DISCLAIMER) I think graphics and accessories belong in the games, and I hate it when something is missing

That said, the thing that gets you is the gameplay....If the CPU is doing to you what you would do to it.. if you can replicate a few nice plays that leads to the wow moments, if you can replicate some things you saw your favorite real life player do, then yes that's the thing you think about the most when you aren't playing.

In the end, thats where most of the gripes are