NBA 2K Is the Champ

[wrestlinggod1]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

I thought this was part 2 of the preview.

[ChaseB]

I thought this was part 2 of the preview.

We changed things up once Aaron was going to see the game -- and we'll be out in Cali seeing the game in great detail in the near future.

[KSOR24]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

It's really not fair how EA has the rights to everything and cannot produce a decent game except for FIFA, if 2K had all those NBA licenses such as ESPN presentation and commentary and all that the game would be even more incomparable. But I've come to like the flow of Kevin Harlan and Clark Kellog's commentary as opposed to Madden's sucky commentary. Plus adding Steve Kerr, awesome.

[mreyes930]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

Just for the record, the article is not really about Live vs. 2K in any real way, I just wanted to use the comparison in the intro as a backdrop to remind folks about where we stood at the start of the generation.

However, I still remember how excited I was when I watched this trailer way back when:

<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-9TPbtKzjB4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'm amazed that you actually found this video. I've been looking all over for it since the day I saw it. I remember sitting in awe with my jaw on the floor.
Sadly, since that video, I've seen nothing too impressive from the EA team. I was big on Live (04 being my favorite), but 2K found a way to continue to raise the bar and as a basketball fan, I am forever grateful.

[Spartan901]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

Great write-up. That actually brought back memories, cause i too remember exactly where I was when I downloaded NBA 2k7. I didn't have Xbox Live yet, so I went to my friends house and downloaded it to his system. I remember playing it in his living room and hearing him ask me from the kitchen "Is it everything you hoped for?" and yelling back "YES!". He and my other friends had been Live guys, but from that moment on they were hooked on 2k. I have alot of respect for the company and its vision when it comes to this franchise. I always felt like EA just didn't get it, because with all the Liscensing and game modes (All-star weekend, FIBA) they had such an oppourtunity to make an unprecedented game if they could put it all together and fix the fundamentals. But when they put the Hockey Guy in charge of the NBA game, I KNEW whoever was in charge CLEARLY didn't get it. But for our sakes as gamers, I am very greatful that 2k does, and provides us with the chance to play such a great franchise.

[illwill10]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

yea its amazing, Fifa is really the only sports game EA does well anymore. They just have the name recognition and more importantly the exclusive rights to make NFL & NCAA Football games. Madden is still big simply for the fact that its Madden. Everyone grew up playing Madden and even though 2k Football was and probably still is the most complete football that came out, Madden always had that name recognition which made it bigger. But we've seen how Sony produces the best baseball game, 2k the best basketball game and how much closer those games are at representing a true to life sim for those respective sports, Madden & NCAA Football aren't close to that level yet. NBA 2k is the most enjoyable sports game because of how well it plays, how well it looks, the presentation, the depth and the replay value. Even though The Show & NBA 2k aren't flawless or without bugs, those games are so good that you can usually look past those issues no problem. But with the football games the bugs are so obvious, so glaring and they effect the way the game is played. Add to that the fact that everytime they come out with a patch for something like NCAA Football, it fixes a few things and then creates even more problems.

Agree
NBA 2k and MLB the Shows flaws are either excusable or noticeable to hardcore, but not a big of deal. With Madden and NCAA their flaws are very noticable and sometimes game killers. With Ea Football, their game gets good after a few patches and tuners. I find EA Football appealing to the casual gamer more than the hardcore. Sure both NBA 2k The Show has its needs, but both of them built a good foundation of great gameplay, commentary, offline, and great direction. Something that EA doesnt. EA most of the times skips on features and focus heavily on 1-3 features. Even if 2k or The show doesnt improve a feature greatly, the tweaks they make are noticeable and make a difference.
For NBa 2k from here till new consoles, it is improving on what they did last year rather than having huge holes to fill

[jwilphl]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

Perhaps this is a more appropriate thread for this question, but I am honestly curious why EA can't produce the same level of detail and depth, not to mention overall quality, as 2K does with their NBA series. I would have to think EA has more overall resources to commit to their sports games, and yet 2K just seems to create a better overall product (even going back to 2K5, which is arguably still the best football game ever. I can't imagine how their football series would be today if they had continued to make one).

Is it bad direction? Lack of competency? Simple lack of motivation due to monopolistic rights?

Even though 2K has the only basketball game, it seems they continue to do big things and there does not seem to be that "well whatever" attitude. Now 2K12 is not out yet so I don't want to be too hasty, but I think many agree that 2K11 was probably the best (and most complete) sports game of at least the last decade.

So what is holding EA back from doing bigger things with their titles?

[23]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

I think I made a blog post that came from both camps philosophies

Check this

In a Nutshell

2k
Quote: I think speaks volumes to the pride and dedication each member has towards delivering the most authentic simulation basketball experience possible. The goal for our team is very simple, deliver the absolute best game of basketball to our fans.



EA
Quote: So we needed to try something different. Something innovative. Something to bring back fans who'd left, and appeal to basketball fans who don't play video games.

That is where the emphasis on control and a dynamic, unpredictable gameplay experience came from.

Focus on fun and control, to draw in the people who play drop in at the Y and dream about competing in the NBA, but don't play basketball games.


Before you ask, yes both are partial quotes but definitely in the mix of what the feelings of basketball fans are and why they're responding the way they are.

I think 2k has done both but at the same time these guys show that they are hoop heads as well.. its not just them listening to fan input alone, those guys have a passion and love for the game too

[jwilphl]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

Agree
NBA 2k and MLB the Shows flaws are either excusable or noticeable to hardcore, but not a big of deal. With Madden and NCAA their flaws are very noticable and sometimes game killers. With Ea Football, their game gets good after a few patches and tuners. I find EA Football appealing to the casual gamer more than the hardcore. Sure both NBA 2k The Show has its needs, but both of them built a good foundation of great gameplay, commentary, offline, and great direction. Something that EA doesnt. EA most of the times skips on features and focus heavily on 1-3 features. Even if 2k or The show doesnt improve a feature greatly, the tweaks they make are noticeable and make a difference.
For NBa 2k from here till new consoles, it is improving on what they did last year rather than having huge holes to fill

I think, as an addendum to my last post, EA's "direction" may a bit of the problem. I don't think they can find a way to balance appeal to casual and hardcore gamers. But I do think they prefer to appeal to the former of those two groups. If you ever pick up Madden or NCAA, it definitely has a more arcade-style feel. NHL is probably a bit closer to sim, but still suffers from the same confusion.

The engine for their football games is apparently still very old, and again, that may still be part of the problem. But that should not stop them from doing better things in the presentation department--something they still haven't mastered even though it is a concept that should not be all that difficult to grasp.

[illwill10]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

I think I made a blog post that came from both camps philosophies

Check this



I think 2k has done both but at the same time these guys show that they are hoop heads as well.. its not just them listening to fan input alone, those guys have a passion and love for the game too

2k has done that before. But they have a great balance of appealling to Casual and Hardcore. The Greatest Mode/Legends appeals to both sides. For the peole who want to play with Legends. MP for Hardcores who want a change of pace or something different than Play now and Casuals who mainly play BAP.
That statement from EA mainly says that they want to appeal to casual crowd. They want to bring back gamers who stopped playing and take add NBA 2k players. They should try to worry about the ones who constantly buy the game. Madden is awhile away from NBA 2k level. Where not just being the Official Sports game, but a Must Have game.

[Josephlaker123]

It's really not fair how EA has the rights to everything and cannot produce a decent game except for FIFA, if 2K had all those NBA licenses such as ESPN presentation and commentary and all that the game would be even more incomparable. But I've come to like the flow of Kevin Harlan and Clark Kellog's commentary as opposed to Madden's sucky commentary. Plus adding Steve Kerr, awesome.

i agree 100% and have fiba lisencse and all that EA should just give us the liscense to those u listed and fiba teams because if there not going to prouduce why still have the rights

[Sinner]

Very good write up Chase, it reallys puts home the kind of company that 2k is and the kind of yearly work they put into NBA2k series...but hate to say it...makes me wish they could make a NFL Football game and a College Hoops basketball game. SMH

[jfsolo]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

These are of course unanswerable questions, but was NBA 2K's ascent to the stratospheric height it now resides at, only made possible by NFL 2K's death? Would they have gotten the resources necessary to create a game of such amazing depth if their former flagship title was still there soaking up all those millions of dollars needed to keep that game top shelf?

As I said, we can never know, but my gut says no.

[iLLosophy]

Great write-up chase. Catching Nostalgia watching all those old trailers

[illwill10]

Re: NBA 2K Is the Champ

These are of course unanswerable questions, but was NBA 2K's ascent to the stratospheric height it now resides at, only made possible by NFL 2K's death? Would they have gotten the resources necessary to create a game of such amazing depth if their former flagship title was still there soaking up all those millions of dollars needed to keep that game top shelf?

As I said, we can never know, but my gut says no.

That is something good think about. With it just being MLB 2k, they have the resources to make the game. But if 2K was there, who knows if they would of still be great. Would they been able to sign the Legends, go out the way with MP features.
I still think they wouldve been good with NFL 2K taking some of the resources, but not as good as they are. I would expected NFL 2k to try to be at the point of NBA 2k.