NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

**neovsmatrix** · 08-15-2003, 11:06 AM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
ForTheCity said:
There was no hop step in ID 2003. That was a random motion. There was no button specific combination to do a hop step.

<hr /></blockquote>

That's kind of like saying Live 2003 doesn't have diving out of bounds to save the ball, because there's no button for it, it just happens automatically. ID 2003 DOES have the hop step animation, and that's all that really counts, IMHO. You're not going to see anyone other than a very good slasher do it in the NBA anyway, and that's what you should expect in a game. Only really good slashers should be able to do it in a game, and that too should be dictated by the defense, not done manually which would look a little goofy.

**SonicMage** · 08-15-2003, 11:44 AM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
NBAoz said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Sonicmage said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Shadow said:
I am very happy they put the direct dunk back in.

<hr /></blockquote>

What they added is not direct dunk, it is different. Direct dunking was that you can choose which dunk to do WHEN A DUNK IS AVAILABLE. This sounds like the button forces the player being controlled to attack the basket vs. shooting the ball no matter where they are on the floor (close enough to the basket, of course), much like in the old Shootouts.

I wonder which button this replaces by default. Did they take out the old crossover button on offense now that they have freestyle?

<hr /></blockquote>

You could never choose which dunk you wanted to do with direct shoot. When you held down the direct shoot button you had three choices:

1. Direct dunk button which would force a random dunk if close enough to the ring

2. Direct layup button which would force a layup if close enough to the ring

3. Direct hook shot which would force a hook shot attempt if in the general key area.

I think EAs idea to have two shoot buttons is good, but they could make it even better by forcing a player to hold down the turbo button whilst pressing the dunk/layup button to attempt a dunk. If you just pressed the dunk/layup button without holding turbo, then the player would just attempt a layup. So in effect, it would be like having 3 shoot buttons. What do you guys think?

<hr /></blockquote>

Here is quote from a guide for NBA Live 99:
"DirectShoot
-----------
DirectShoot makes for some pretty nice dunks. Using the L2 button in
combination with other buttons, you can control the type of dunk that you do.
The type of dunk is also affected by how long you hold down the button and
from what distance you jump. However, when you are running into the lane
you can press L2 and this button for this effect:

Press L2 and: for this dunk:
Square Double Pump
Triangle 360
Circle One Hand Tomahawk

Unlike Live 98 I found that the 360 dunk is harder to pull off than the rest.
You must be going a certain speed which is a bit slower than full turbo and
you must be at about the bottom of the circle that the foul line cuts across.
It has also been me experience that you can sometimes pull off dunks just
turboing down the middle and pressing shoot than you can using L2 and a
button."

What you described in numbers one and two is rhe feature that they just added for 2004. The original Shootouts are the only games that I remember having this feature before, though there could be more.

**SonicMage** · 08-15-2003, 11:44 AM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
NBAoz said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Sonicmage said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Shadow said:
I am very happy they put the direct dunk back in.

<hr /></blockquote>

What they added is not direct dunk, it is different. Direct dunking was that you can choose which dunk to do WHEN A DUNK IS AVAILABLE. This sounds like the button forces the player being controlled to attack the basket vs. shooting the ball no matter where they are on the floor (close enough to the basket, of course), much like in the old Shootouts.

I wonder which button this replaces by default. Did they take out the old crossover button on offense now that they have freestyle?

<hr /></blockquote>

You could never choose which dunk you wanted to do with direct shoot. When you held down the direct shoot button you had three choices:

1. Direct dunk button which would force a random dunk if close enough to the ring

2. Direct layup button which would force a layup if close enough to the ring

3. Direct hook shot which would force a hook shot attempt if in the general key area.

I think EAs idea to have two shoot buttons is good, but they could make it even better by forcing a player to hold down the turbo button whilst pressing the dunk/layup button to attempt a dunk. If you just pressed the dunk/layup button without holding turbo, then the player would just attempt a layup. So in effect, it would be like having 3 shoot buttons. What do you guys think?

<hr /></blockquote>

Here is quote from a guide for NBA Live 99:
"DirectShoot
-----------
DirectShoot makes for some pretty nice dunks. Using the L2 button in
combination with other buttons, you can control the type of dunk that you do.
The type of dunk is also affected by how long you hold down the button and
from what distance you jump. However, when you are running into the lane
you can press L2 and this button for this effect:

Press L2 and: for this dunk:
Square Double Pump
Triangle 360
Circle One Hand Tomahawk

Unlike Live 98 I found that the 360 dunk is harder to pull off than the rest.
You must be going a certain speed which is a bit slower than full turbo and
you must be at about the bottom of the circle that the foul line cuts across.
It has also been me experience that you can sometimes pull off dunks just
turboing down the middle and pressing shoot than you can using L2 and a
button."

What you described in numbers one and two is rhe feature that they just added for 2004. The original Shootouts are the only games that I remember having this feature before, though there could be more.

**SonicMage** · 08-15-2003, 11:44 AM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
NBAoz said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Sonicmage said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Shadow said:
I am very happy they put the direct dunk back in.

<hr /></blockquote>

What they added is not direct dunk, it is different. Direct dunking was that you can choose which dunk to do WHEN A DUNK IS AVAILABLE. This sounds like the button forces the player being controlled to attack the basket vs. shooting the ball no matter where they are on the floor (close enough to the basket, of course), much like in the old Shootouts.

I wonder which button this replaces by default. Did they take out the old crossover button on offense now that they have freestyle?

<hr /></blockquote>

You could never choose which dunk you wanted to do with direct shoot. When you held down the direct shoot button you had three choices:

1. Direct dunk button which would force a random dunk if close enough to the ring

2. Direct layup button which would force a layup if close enough to the ring

3. Direct hook shot which would force a hook shot attempt if in the general key area.

I think EAs idea to have two shoot buttons is good, but they could make it even better by forcing a player to hold down the turbo button whilst pressing the dunk/layup button to attempt a dunk. If you just pressed the dunk/layup button without holding turbo, then the player would just attempt a layup. So in effect, it would be like having 3 shoot buttons. What do you guys think?

<hr /></blockquote>

Here is quote from a guide for NBA Live 99:
"DirectShoot
-----------
DirectShoot makes for some pretty nice dunks. Using the L2 button in
combination with other buttons, you can control the type of dunk that you do.
The type of dunk is also affected by how long you hold down the button and
from what distance you jump. However, when you are running into the lane
you can press L2 and this button for this effect:

Press L2 and: for this dunk:
Square Double Pump
Triangle 360
Circle One Hand Tomahawk

Unlike Live 98 I found that the 360 dunk is harder to pull off than the rest.
You must be going a certain speed which is a bit slower than full turbo and
you must be at about the bottom of the circle that the foul line cuts across.
It has also been me experience that you can sometimes pull off dunks just
turboing down the middle and pressing shoot than you can using L2 and a
button."

What you described in numbers one and two is rhe feature that they just added for 2004. The original Shootouts are the only games that I remember having this feature before, though there could be more.

**RubenDouglas** · 08-15-2003, 11:52 AM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

You're rewarded for both team and individual performances throughout NBA Live 2004. The NBA Store is where you'll be able to spend NBA Store points you've earned from playing all different aspects of the game and buy goodies for your team. Store points can even be used to buy Dynasty points if you're desperate. The NBA Store however is where you'll find headbands, socks, practice gear and throwback jerseys like the glorious 1986-87 Cleveland Cavs orange nightmare worn by Ron Harper and the now old-school smiley Houston Rockets jersey. But the biggest draw in the NBA Store will be the genuine Nike hoop shoes available including Classics like the Revolution, the new fangled Shox and the Holy Grail of all basketball footwear: the Air Jordan. Apparently Nike has a bit more experience at playing the role of dominant arrogant empire because they've only allowed EA to use the Air Jordan I's, IV's, XII's and XVIII's (hi and low) in NBA Live 2004. But then again that's 100% more Air Jordan than we've seen in any other hoop game to date.

Does that mean you can edit all of your players on your Franchise team to wear whatever accesories and shoes they want???

That's what I'm beginning to think from what IGN is saying.

**RubenDouglas** · 08-15-2003, 11:52 AM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

You're rewarded for both team and individual performances throughout NBA Live 2004. The NBA Store is where you'll be able to spend NBA Store points you've earned from playing all different aspects of the game and buy goodies for your team. Store points can even be used to buy Dynasty points if you're desperate. The NBA Store however is where you'll find headbands, socks, practice gear and throwback jerseys like the glorious 1986-87 Cleveland Cavs orange nightmare worn by Ron Harper and the now old-school smiley Houston Rockets jersey. But the biggest draw in the NBA Store will be the genuine Nike hoop shoes available including Classics like the Revolution, the new fangled Shox and the Holy Grail of all basketball footwear: the Air Jordan. Apparently Nike has a bit more experience at playing the role of dominant arrogant empire because they've only allowed EA to use the Air Jordan I's, IV's, XII's and XVIII's (hi and low) in NBA Live 2004. But then again that's 100% more Air Jordan than we've seen in any other hoop game to date.

Does that mean you can edit all of your players on your Franchise team to wear whatever accesories and shoes they want???

That's what I'm beginning to think from what IGN is saying.

**RubenDouglas** · 08-15-2003, 11:52 AM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

You're rewarded for both team and individual performances throughout NBA Live 2004. The NBA Store is where you'll be able to spend NBA Store points you've earned from playing all different aspects of the game and buy goodies for your team. Store points can even be used to buy Dynasty points if you're desperate. The NBA Store however is where you'll find headbands, socks, practice gear and throwback jerseys like the glorious 1986-87 Cleveland Cavs orange nightmare worn by Ron Harper and the now old-school smiley Houston Rockets jersey. But the biggest draw in the NBA Store will be the genuine Nike hoop shoes available including Classics like the Revolution, the new fangled Shox and the Holy Grail of all basketball footwear: the Air Jordan. Apparently Nike has a bit more experience at playing the role of dominant arrogant empire because they've only allowed EA to use the Air Jordan I's, IV's, XII's and XVIII's (hi and low) in NBA Live 2004. But then again that's 100% more Air Jordan than we've seen in any other hoop game to date.

Does that mean you can edit all of your players on your Franchise team to wear whatever accesories and shoes they want???

That's what I'm beginning to think from what IGN is saying.

**Rasco11** · 08-15-2003, 02:51 PM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

I still think this game is shaping up nicely. Say what you want about the player models, but I feel like EA pays better attention to what the players look like. At least they have Kenyon's tat's and armband, Dirks armband, Moochies fro, etc....I bet ESPN still won't have that. I also think Live's addition of the "runner" is great. You see more and more guards going to the tear drop (Nash, Van Exel, Parker, Bibby, etc...) I think this game is taking it to the next level. EA always seems to have the best dynasty/season modes and their new NBA Store sounds cool! I hope ESPN steps it up too. I am looking forward to a great year for hoop games both pro and college.

***after viewing the screenshots, I am curious why EA still has Shaq's goofy shoes?!?!?!? He's had those hideous rainbow kicks for the past 2-3 Live's? What the hell is that?

Now I probably sound like a shoe/accessory complainer, but it does add to the game somewhat...especially in hoops!

**Rasco11** · 08-15-2003, 02:51 PM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

I still think this game is shaping up nicely. Say what you want about the player models, but I feel like EA pays better attention to what the players look like. At least they have Kenyon's tat's and armband, Dirks armband, Moochies fro, etc....I bet ESPN still won't have that. I also think Live's addition of the "runner" is great. You see more and more guards going to the tear drop (Nash, Van Exel, Parker, Bibby, etc...) I think this game is taking it to the next level. EA always seems to have the best dynasty/season modes and their new NBA Store sounds cool! I hope ESPN steps it up too. I am looking forward to a great year for hoop games both pro and college.

***after viewing the screenshots, I am curious why EA still has Shaq's goofy shoes?!?!?!? He's had those hideous rainbow kicks for the past 2-3 Live's? What the hell is that?

Now I probably sound like a shoe/accessory complainer, but it does add to the game somewhat...especially in hoops!

**Rasco11** · 08-15-2003, 02:51 PM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

I still think this game is shaping up nicely. Say what you want about the player models, but I feel like EA pays better attention to what the players look like. At least they have Kenyon's tat's and armband, Dirks armband, Moochies fro, etc....I bet ESPN still won't have that. I also think Live's addition of the "runner" is great. You see more and more guards going to the tear drop (Nash, Van Exel, Parker, Bibby, etc...) I think this game is taking it to the next level. EA always seems to have the best dynasty/season modes and their new NBA Store sounds cool! I hope ESPN steps it up too. I am looking forward to a great year for hoop games both pro and college.

***after viewing the screenshots, I am curious why EA still has Shaq's goofy shoes?!?!?!? He's had those hideous rainbow kicks for the past 2-3 Live's? What the hell is that?

Now I probably sound like a shoe/accessory complainer, but it does add to the game somewhat...especially in hoops!

**SonicMage** · 08-15-2003, 03:16 PM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

Nah, Live has always had a runner. In fact, there used to be a problem where you'd drive to the basket and the player would shoot the runner instead of dunking it or laying it in, but that was a couple of years back.

I'll agree with you about the player models though. I think Live has always certainly had the deepest lineup of closely resembling faces. 2k3 had too many bench players that looked totally generic, and even stars like Nowitzki were not quite done right. Don't know as much about ID but I think the superstars faces look better in Live than that game. However, faces looked better before in the Live series when they didn't look as much like bug-eyed cartoons.
The body models certainly looked better in Live than 2k3 to me.

**SonicMage** · 08-15-2003, 03:16 PM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

Nah, Live has always had a runner. In fact, there used to be a problem where you'd drive to the basket and the player would shoot the runner instead of dunking it or laying it in, but that was a couple of years back.

I'll agree with you about the player models though. I think Live has always certainly had the deepest lineup of closely resembling faces. 2k3 had too many bench players that looked totally generic, and even stars like Nowitzki were not quite done right. Don't know as much about ID but I think the superstars faces look better in Live than that game. However, faces looked better before in the Live series when they didn't look as much like bug-eyed cartoons.
The body models certainly looked better in Live than 2k3 to me.

**SonicMage** · 08-15-2003, 03:16 PM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

Nah, Live has always had a runner. In fact, there used to be a problem where you'd drive to the basket and the player would shoot the runner instead of dunking it or laying it in, but that was a couple of years back.

I'll agree with you about the player models though. I think Live has always certainly had the deepest lineup of closely resembling faces. 2k3 had too many bench players that looked totally generic, and even stars like Nowitzki were not quite done right. Don't know as much about ID but I think the superstars faces look better in Live than that game. However, faces looked better before in the Live series when they didn't look as much like bug-eyed cartoons.
The body models certainly looked better in Live than 2k3 to me.

**Crucial Mike** · 08-15-2003, 03:33 PM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

I don't know, the bodies in Live seem very cartoon-like. They tend to have exagerated features...2k3 body models, while less polished perhaps, seem more realistic in a way.

**Crucial Mike** · 08-15-2003, 03:33 PM

Re: NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

I don't know, the bodies in Live seem very cartoon-like. They tend to have exagerated features...2k3 body models, while less polished perhaps, seem more realistic in a way.

NBA Live 2004 Hands-On at IGN

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