Tuner updates

[Mirmidon]

Re: Tuner updates

Yeah, Live 14 is a crappy game as far as graphics, animations, physics and total production value. But as far as the AI, it's something else. I was playing vs. the Rockets the other day and Harden was as dominant as ever - shooting threes, pull-up midrange J's, step back J's, going to the basket, Eurostep, passing to Dwight, moving the ball...etc. etc.

You best bet to have NBA live 18 at good price is to wait for a sale on the playstation store. The best price here in the north was 6$ for psn+or 10$ regular version.

[youvalss]

Re: Tuner updates

You best bet to have NBA live 18 at good price is to wait for a sale on the playstation store. The best price here in the north was 6$ for psn+or 10$ regular version.

Yeah, I know, I just don't shop online nor digital. I'll wait...I'm not a person who's tempted easily to buy stuff, I hardly buy anything for myself, most of my purchases are things for the house or food. Sooner or later the game will be around $15-$20 here at stores, and if not then I'll make a decision if it's worth the extra $10.

I would have paid $29.99 if I was sure the AI is as good/realistic as I want it to be. But I can't be sure right now.

Anyway, to me, from everything I have seen, it's the first time EA has released a NBA GAME(!) this gen. When I say "GAME", I mean not a "foundation", not a "they're heading int he right direction, maybe next year"... but an actual basketball GAME with decent animations, nice physics, nice player mannerism, acceptable signature style, awesome graphics and at least some player/slider editing capabilities.

I don't care about any modes other than quick games and season/dynasty. I don't play street basketball or online and don't care about creating a player to make him the GOAT. All I care about is a decent game that I can play a season and enjoy the gameplay...and/or tweak it for my liking. And Live 18 seems to be the first Live title in a long time that I can actually consider as a game. It's where they were supposed to be in 2014.

[Calvenn]

Re: Tuner updates

I will say this much. After the most recent patch and tuner updates, the gameplay has improved noticeably! The defense is more formidable, especially in the post (at the very least point conversions are more challenging) and the mid range game is evident. Mind you, prior to the patch I was able to elicit an average 7 to 9 mid range shots per game from the cpu, depending on team. Today that average is roughly 9 to 14 shots per game, 5 minute quarters!

Also, it's important to note that the camera angle that allows you to play the best and most effective defense will yield more mid range shots from the cpu. In my case that happens to be Baseline High. The EA Action Low cam just wasn't cutting it. The added bonus now is that the cpu proactively seeks midrange shots via step backs, pull ups, post fade away, screens, etc.

[youvalss]

Re: Tuner updates

That's good to know. Now let me ask you this: When the CPU has a wide open midrange J with a decent shooter, does it take it or runs to the basket? I would love to hear that the CPU takes any open jumper with a decent shooter.

[Calvenn]

Re: Tuner updates

As mentioned earlier, the cpu, more than ever, now proactively seeks and takes the mid range shot. As opposed to almost always making it a last resort only after exhausting " the path of least resistance", as before. I have been conducting various cpu validation tests on both sides of the ball in Franchise/Season mode (where this game truly shines in regards to the AI and overall gameplay!) and can tell you unequivocally that the cpu will take that mid J if you back down!

I have also found myself, on various occasions, when my player has been out of position, frantically rushing toward the cpu player in an attempt to thwart an open 2 point mid range shot that the cpu willingly executes. You will see this a lot especially with the likes of Derozan, Lamarcus Aldridge, Tobias Harris, etc. You will also see a player like Marcus Smart take the mid shot as the end result of the cpu swinging the ball from strong to weak side. There are definitely more elbow shots, step backs, stop and pops, drive and kick outs, turn around jumpers, etc, being utilized now as well. Really good to see such improvements by the devs.

They've also improved various animations like rebounding and ball interception/swatting/lane jumping to look and feel a lot more natural and organic compared to the spastic/lighting quick movements that were present previously.

It must be restated that I have increased "jostle vs blow by" for the cpu from 50 to 60 to tighten the lanes. This might also cause the cpu to shoot slightly more mid Js. Suffice to say I still witnessed similar cpu play or behavior on default sliders.

Finally, i would like to see the devs improve upon (reduce) the frequency of the put back dunks, though this appears to be more prevalent in Play Now mode.

[Mintsa]

Re: Tuner updates

Does the demo get these updated tuners ?

(Yes, I’m in the “I live in Canada and I’m waiting for the game to
Get cheaper because I only buy physical games nothing online or digital”.)

But I do still have the demo and I’d give it a spin again If it had new tuners.

[youvalss]

Re: Tuner updates

Can you still download the demo? I was looking for it and maybe I missed it...

Calvenn, thank you for taking the time to conduct these tests, it means a lot! I guess I'm ready to buy it once another price drop happens...and if it doesn't happen within a month I may just go and buy it and pay whatever. Let's just hope EA doesn't mess it up with another update. And let's hope that next year we can edit tendencies as well, Synergy or no Synergy

[Calvenn]

Re: Tuner updates

Can you still download the demo? I was looking for it and maybe I missed it...

Calvenn, thank you for taking the time to conduct these tests, it means a lot! I guess I'm ready to buy it once another price drop happens...and if it doesn't happen within a month I may just go and buy it and pay whatever. Let's just hope EA doesn't mess it up with another update. And let's hope that next year we can edit tendencies as well, Synergy or no Synergy

Always glad to present my findings! The gameplay is shaping up quite nicely with the tweaks and I expect it will be at a very good place by playoffs!

One other point I would like to make is that I normally don't play the game while logged into the EA servers. I only log in to obtain the updates then close out the game making sure to bypass the logon process upon restart. Ultimately the frame rate is always more stable and predictable when I apply this approach. In addition, since I don't play while logged in, I can't tell you if the game plays any different as it pertains to the AI decision making. Try without the server if you don't see enough mid range shots or good ball movement, etc. Do keep in mind that the nunber of mid shots will be higher with Spurs, etc and varies by team. I also believe Franchise mode most likely is better tuned to allow for this.

[PVarck31]

Re: Tuner updates

Do they really not have post trade deadline rosters? I just started a game for the first time in forever and the post deadline deals aren't there.

Am I missing something?

[Johnnythelegend]

Re: Tuner updates

Do they really not have post trade deadline rosters? I just started a game for the first time in forever and the post deadline deals aren't there.

Am I missing something?

I have all of them, don't really know why you don't

[The 24th Letter]

Re: Tuner updates

Do they really not have post trade deadline rosters? I just started a game for the first time in forever and the post deadline deals aren't there.

Am I missing something?

If you skip past the initial update too fast it'll load without them sometimes...you have to wait until it says its completed....

Sent from my SM-G955U using Operation Sports mobile app

[DJ]

Re: Tuner updates

Mid-range game from the CPU is still lacking for me. I sag off of guys begging them to shoot, and yet they seem determined to drive to the basket. The CPU does attempt more 3-pointers, so that's something, but would like more variety in their offensive attack.

[youvalss]

Re: Tuner updates

Always glad to present my findings! The gameplay is shaping up quite nicely with the tweaks and I expect it will be at a very good place by playoffs!

One other point I would like to make is that I normally don't play the game while logged into the EA servers. I only log in to obtain the updates then close out the game making sure to bypass the logon process upon restart. Ultimately the frame rate is always more stable and predictable when I apply this approach. In addition, since I don't play while logged in, I can't tell you if the game plays any different as it pertains to the AI decision making. Try without the server if you don't see enough mid range shots or good ball movement, etc. Do keep in mind that the nunber of mid shots will be higher with Spurs, etc and varies by team. I also believe Franchise mode most likely is better tuned to allow for this.

I usually turn off network connection once I get my game with all the most recent updates. Can I be logged off from the EA servers and play with my own edited roster file? From what I understand edited rosters are saved locally, so I shouldn't need to play logged in to EA, right?

It's always something weird, the way EA basketball games work. Connecting to the servers may affect the way the game plays, but you can never be 100% sure. I don't get this, why is it like that? I should be logged in just to retrieve updates and nothing else, but there shouldn't be an update every single day. Shouldn't the game play the same no mater what - as long as you have the most recent patch and use the same rosters? Maybe I just don't understand this updating system they have in place this generation.

[openureyez]

Re: Tuner updates

Mid-range game from the CPU is still lacking for me. I sag off of guys begging them to shoot, and yet they seem determined to drive to the basket. The CPU does attempt more 3-pointers, so that's something, but would like more variety in their offensive attack.

I have some success using the Pack Paint defensive setting. It stops the excessive driving to some degree

[Calvenn]

Re: Tuner updates

Mid-range game from the CPU is still lacking for me. I sag off of guys begging them to shoot, and yet they seem determined to drive to the basket. The CPU does attempt more 3-pointers, so that's something, but would like more variety in their offensive attack.

Interesting. What level of play? I forgot to mention that I play on Superstar mode. In my case, I have often noticed that the cpu will kick out the ball to a teammate, sometimes for an unsuspecting mid range shot, if you impede their path to the basket. Have you witnessed this at all? Also, I have observed that the cpu will now take more 2 point or mid range shots very close to the 3 point line. Anytime I review the shot chart I'm usually surprised to see the number of these type of shots listed in the chart.

Personally I employ both on and off ball defense. I also make every attempt to cut off cpu momentum on offense by first attacking and keeping the cpu point guard from gaining an advantage as it crosses half court.These actions (and others) overall impact the cpus offensive calculations and more than ever with Live 18, you should see a more proactive mid range game as the game progresses, especially when the above and other defensive measures are religiously executed.