Live 03 - Promises a total new experience. Can they really live up to everyone's expectations for all the new improvements? I doubt it. Everyone has different opinions on what is missing and how to improve the game. I think the game sounds promising and hope they deliver. It should be much improved game. Maybe too much hype gonna hurt this game.
ID2003 - This game looks a lot like last years version with the addition of franchise and create a player. Of course the added new player models, animations etc. I question if the type of adjustments will be enough to satisfy with all the other titles promises for sweeping changes. The biggest change is franchise and creat a player which have been around for years. I guess it will depend on if the other companies can pull off their major changes.
Shootout - What can you say? It is created by 989 sports. Still they had over a year to work on the game. The game offers some interesting concepts and the screenshots aren't bad. If they could put it all together, it sounds interesting, but it is still 989. So My hopes are not too high on that happening.
NBA2k3 - Sega leaped into the B-bal arena with 2K on the dreamcast and has definetely made an impact to b-ball simulation. They have not made drastic changes in the game but I think offer more than ID2003 in updates from last years version. (Franchise and create a player have been standard for years). I am impressed with the fact they heard the complaints regarding the player faces from E3 and recently produced new head sculpts which look impressive.
I think this years crown will go either ID2003 or NBA 2K3. (IMO) They offer a better game of basketball because there is a resemblance of a post game and the ability to rebound. They have their faults with blocks and FG%. Live and Shootout are making such drastics changes is to keep up with the competition. I have serious doubts in the ability of 989 to pull off this feat and I think Live has the ability but has too far to go to pull it off in just one year. I enjoy the fact that Live and Shootout are being aggressive because they are introducing some great ideas for all titles to implement over the next couple of years. Here is my order:
1. NBA 2K3 - I personally like ID2003 but to this point am disappointed in what I have seen as improvements).
2. ID2003 - Above.
3. Live 03- I have high hopes but know it will be difficult to pull it off.
4. Shootout 03-maybe next year.
Even though this is a very early assessment let me know what you think.

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