After 3 Month Layoff, NBA 2K11 Cracks Top 20 Most Played on 360 - Week of Jan. 16

[Steve_OS]

It seems there are still plenty of gamers out there, playing NBA 2K11, according to a recent article from Kotaku's Owen Good.

At first blush it doesn't seem to stand out: NBA 2K11 cracked the top 20 of most played titles on the Xbox 360 for the week of Jan. 16. But when you peel it back, that's actually quite astonishing, to see an old version of a sports video game resurface more than 15 months after its release.

This is not unprecedented. EA Sports' FIFA series routinely places its two most current editions in the Xbox Live top 20, especially around the time the new version is releasing. (FIFA 11 and FIFA 12 were top 20 from 12's Sept. 27 release to the end of the year.) FIFA's global popularity certainly explains its longevity here. Madden, EA Sports' long-running powerhouse, also does a double-dip in its release window, though it drops off more quickly.

But a look back suggests that when the old version leaves the top 20, it usually doesn't come back. Certainly not after a three-month layoff.

Source - A Puzzling Resurgence in Popularity for NBA 2K11 (Kotaku)

[OGKing]

Re: A Puzzling Resurgence in Popularity for NBA 2K11

I could use me some 2k11. The gameplay was so fluid.

[ksuttonjr76]

Compared to NBA 2K12, NBA 2K11 was the truth of video game basketball.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

[cdg0219]

Re: A Puzzling Resurgence in Popularity for NBA 2K11

If 2K11 is so much better (I think it's slightly better), why did it ever drop off in popularity? Did people just sell 2K11 because they believe sequels are ALWAYS better?

[nogster]

Re: A Puzzling Resurgence in Popularity for NBA 2K11

If 2K11 is so much better (I think it's slightly better), why did it ever drop off in popularity? Did people just sell 2K11 because they believe sequels are ALWAYS better?

"puts hands up".

I foolishly traded in 2k11 for 2k12.

I regret it, as I cant bring myself to play 2k12 anymore.

[ksuttonjr76]

If 2K11 is so much better (I think it's slightly better), why did it ever drop off in popularity? Did people just sell 2K11 because they believe sequels are ALWAYS better?

Blind devotion, perhaps? Isn't that the standard procedure for sports games? Sell the old to get the new, or am I the minority? I'm not going to lie. I know that I bought back NBA 2K11 after playing NBA 2K12. That was the first time that I EVER bought the previous year's version.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

[NINJAK2]

Re: A Puzzling Resurgence in Popularity for NBA 2K11

Because of the Jordan Challenge alone I held on to 2k11. Very cool and unique. I always trade in the previous 2k for the next but this is the 1st time I did not.

[mustardnmayo]

Re: A Puzzling Resurgence in Popularity for NBA 2K11

People on my PSN list that own 2k12, I see playing 2k11 more as of late.

Im glad I still own 2k11, I play it from time to time and enjoy it so much more on the court, but since 2k12 association mode has some improvements to some things I didnt like in 2k11 I cant go back and I already went very deep in that game.

Im just trying to look past the gameplay issues I have with with 2k12(no paint defense, PGs busting amazing post moves after they pick up their dribble to score in the paint over big guys cuz they are slid out the way, CPU having better success shooting buzzer beaters with hands in their face than regular shots, horrible fast breaks, being my main ones) and enjoy it the best I could.

This is the least fun Ive had with a NBA 2K release since Ive been buying it annually and probably wont be playing it until the next release for the 1st time ever.

[XenoZograscope]

Re: A Puzzling Resurgence in Popularity for NBA 2K11

People on my PSN list that own 2k12, I see playing 2k11 more as of late.

Im glad I still own 2k11, I play it from time to time and enjoy it so much more on the court, but since 2k12 association mode has some improvements to some things I didnt like in 2k11 I cant go back and I already went very deep in that game.

Im just trying to look past the gameplay issues I have with with 2k12(no paint defense, PGs busting amazing post moves after they pick up their dribble to score in the paint over big guys cuz they are slid out the way, CPU having better success shooting buzzer beaters with hands in their face than regular shots, horrible fast breaks, being my main ones) and enjoy it the best I could.

This is the least fun Ive had with a NBA 2K release since Ive been buying it annually and probably wont be playing it until the next release for the 1st time ever.

Same way on my PSN list as well, the majority of them have been playing 2K11 nonstop, I rarely see them play 2K12.

[JaySmooov]

Re: A Puzzling Resurgence in Popularity for NBA 2K11

"puts hands up".

I foolishly traded in 2k11 for 2k12.

I regret it, as I cant bring myself to play 2k12 anymore.

No offense, but I get tired of you saying the same damn thing my dude. This is something we already know.

[nova91]

Re: After 3 Month Layoff, NBA 2K11 Cracks Top 20 Most Played on 360 - Week of Jan. 16

I had to buy 2k12, I missed 6 months of playing 2k11 due to basic training and whatnot, I played a few games after the last patch and liked the way game played but I had missed so much time I couldn't get back into the game the way I had been. I assumed that 2k would build on the progress they had made on 2k11 from release in 2k12 while adding some features, boy was I wrong. I keep playing 2k12 because like basketball and it has features that 2k11 doesn't but the gameplay is lacking.

[lockdownD]

Re: After 3 Month Layoff, NBA 2K11 Cracks Top 20 Most Played on 360 - Week of Jan. 16

I traded in 2k11 before 2k12 came out thinking that 2k12 would be an improved 2k11. Boy was I wrong!

I try to play 2k12 every once in awhile, but whenever I play it I am always left being very frustrated at how sloppy the gameplay is. I re-purchased 2k11 last month and am having fun once again with the gameplay - playing crew, teamup, and the jordan challenges.

Some of the things I can't stand in 2k12:

2k12 gameplay feels like your instead playing ice hockey sliding all over the place, it doesn't feel like you have as much control over your guys movement. When you try moving in the opposite direction, go for blocks, set pics/charges it feels very delayed and sluggish too.

On-Ball defense got so much worse this year. With the horrible player movement and with 2k greatly reducing the force field (bumping) offensive players can slide right by you with ease.

Passing this year is way too slow. Many passes get tipped, stolen, or bobbled to much.

When your in the paint trying to make a simple layup or dunk the ball gets knocked loose, blocked, or just won't go in alot of times which gets very frustrating.

The realistic shot releases that were in 2k11 got removed and dumb downed so pretty much all the players releases now are the same. Used to be fun having to learn and master the various players shot releases.

In 2k11 you could perform so many moves with the "Y" button - step backs, hopstep, signature moves, ect. Now you have to hold down LT and go into a animation to do anything. I liked it so much better before being able to perform moves much more quickly.

The new "Live Ball" physics is frustrating and doesn't work very well at all. Passes, Blocks, Steals, and when trying to use Turbo the ball gets knocked loose or bounces off people way too much.

Not having Crew mode this year was a major disappointment.

Not being able to play with any of the Legend team with friends online this year was a disappointment too. At least in 2k11 you could play with them sometimes in team-up games. Why they didn't at least add the ability to play with the Legend teams in private team-up this year is beyond me.

[eye guy]

2K11 needs the contact engine in 2K12....

[Jrocc23]

Love NBA 2K11

[Goffs]

Re: After 3 Month Layoff, NBA 2K11 Cracks Top 20 Most Played on 360 - Week of Jan. 16

I still have 2k11 as I want to finish the Jordan challenges...