2K Sports Announces Jay-Z as NBA 2K13 Executive Producer, 24 Song Soundtrack Included

[Retropyro]

How many people actually listen to the soundtrack? I hope they don't take away the option to mute it because it's Jay-Z putting it together.

[jbthegreat]

I think people have read that, they just don't know what it means. For starters, mostly everyone understands how the marketing game works. Even if all Jay-Z did was make a soundtrack and then hang around for a day and watche the game get made, 2K would still spin this very positively in a news release ("Jay-Z not only put together an exclusive soundtrack, he was also here firsthand playing a role in the development process"). So in that regard, I think folks are at least a little tentative as to what his role means and whether 2K is just fluffing up another media release.

Secondly, if other folks are anything like me, I think we're wondering what it is Jay-Z could have provided that'd be unique to him. What information about the atmosphere would Jay-Z be able to provide that 2K employees somehow couldn't grasp themselves? Are people assuming he's in there saying things like, "First of all, during time-outs, it's not always the same 7 cheerleaders out there doing the same dance" while the rest of the 2K crew nods their heads in amazement?

You're right, he does know how to brand, and that worries me a little as well. I was satisfied with 2K's integration of classic players and legends into their game because they're all a part of the NBA and its experience. On the contrary, I feel someone like Jay-Z has less to do with the NBA than many may believe. I wouldn't be looking forward to an NBA video game setup that reminds me it is clearly and obviously branded by Jay-Z every single time I start things up.

I'm hoping this all ends up being Jay-Z complementing the 2K series instead of stamping himself all over it. I'd prefer it similar to Trent Reznor's approach to doing the soundtrack to The Social Network. We knew it was him, but his music didn't scream "I'm Nine Inch Nails and this is my music dominating a movie!" Instead, it was a small contributor to a total effort that knew its role in the grand scheme. As such, I'd favor an NBA 2K13 that benefitted from the presence of Jay-Z over a 2K13 that had Jay-Z stamp his mark all over it, essentially making it "NBA 2K13: With Jay-Z" instead of just "NBA 2K13".

In short, maybe "low key" would be the phrase I'd be looking for.

# 325VDusen04 @ 08/01/12 03:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by theprocess

I said it in the other post when they released the video.

"o Jay-Z didn't just curate the game's soundtrack (at right). "The level of detail he wanted to talk about—down the road, you'll find out about some of the ideas he had—was really surprising," Argent insisted. "Getting a phone call from Jay-Z in the middle of the day, with him saying 'You know, here's something I've been thinking about,' is a surreal experience."

Argent referred a couple of times to professional basketball as a sport where the intersection of lifestyle, competition and culture is more visible than in other sports. It would seem that Jay-Z coming aboard would help deepen NBA 2K's appeal as a broader lifestyle product, as opposed to a hardcore sports simulation."

Nobody wanted to listen to me.

I think people have read that, they just don't know what it means. For starters, mostly everyone understands how the marketing game works. Even if all Jay-Z did was make a soundtrack and then hang around for a day and watche the game get made, 2K would still spin this very positively in a news release ("Jay-Z not only put together an exclusive soundtrack, he was also here firsthand playing a role in the development process"). So in that regard, I think folks are at least a little tentative as to what his role means and whether 2K is just fluffing up another media release.

Secondly, if other folks are anything like me, I think we're wondering what it is Jay-Z could have provided that'd be unique to him. What information about the atmosphere would Jay-Z be able to provide that 2K employees somehow couldn't grasp themselves? Are people assuming he's in there saying things like, "First of all, during time-outs, it's not always the same 7 cheerleaders out there doing the same dance" while the rest of the 2K crew nods their heads in amazement?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yeah...THAT Guy

I'm guessing we're in for an even bigger upgrade to presentation this year. I don't even love Jay-Z as a rapper, but he's a very talented guy, and he knows how to brand.

You're right, he does know how to brand, and that worries me a little as well. I was satisfied with 2K's integration of classic players and legends into their game because they're all a part of the NBA and its experience. On the contrary, I feel someone like Jay-Z has less to do with the NBA than many may believe. I wouldn't be looking forward to an NBA video game setup that reminds me it is clearly and obviously branded by Jay-Z every single time I start things up.

I'm hoping this all ends up being Jay-Z complementing the 2K series instead of stamping himself all over it. I'd prefer it similar to Trent Reznor's approach to doing the soundtrack to The Social Network. We knew it was him, but his music didn't scream "I'm Nine Inch Nails and this is my music dominating a movie!" Instead, it was a small contributor to a total effort that knew its role in the grand scheme. As such, I'd favor an NBA 2K13 that benefitted from the presence of Jay-Z over a 2K13 that had Jay-Z stamp his mark all over it, essentially making it "NBA 2K13: With Jay-Z" instead of just "NBA 2K13".

In short, maybe "low key" would be the phrase I'd be looking for.

[LRBTODAY]

LOL. 70-80% of NBA2k's soundtracks have always been rap/hip-hop. The same as this year.

Bottom line is the game is 7 weeks away and there will be plenty of videos, blog posts and screenshots for people. Today wasnt a day for OSers...its was for the casual fan.

I agree. I'm not going to get all butt hurt because I'm not getting the news right away. They seem to be taking there time releasing info on the game. They actually have comp this yr in NBA Live 13 so I really don't expect them to give all the goods away so soon. When Live puts out there big (WE BACK TO TAKE THE CROWN) news, that's when I expect 2K to drop the bomb. I mean that's what I would do.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: 2K Sports Announces Jay-Z as NBA 2K13 Executive Producer, 24 Song Soundtrack Incl

I'm curious as to whether or not he might provide some ideas for My Player mode and getting more of the lifestyle into the mode.

[kevin23]

I love you guys you want to know why? Because you have not left me on my own when I say we are not suckers! I'm so sick and tired and everything being about hype hype hype. When you think about this being a big announcement it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how underwhelming this announcement is. Whoever runs their PR must have a handbook close by because this marketing campaign this year is absolutely terrible starting with needing to preorder a game that doesn't even have all the details released just to get all-star mode. These scumbags are trying to slowly release details while forcing us to preorder. You may be pinching every penny from others and I but in terms of having a good reputation as people, I don't respect the guys at 2K.

[Dirk504]

Re: 2K Sports Announces Jay-Z as NBA 2K13 Executive Producer, 24 Song Soundtrack Incl

NBA 2K14 featuring Justin Bieber's playlist

I don't even like Jay-Z so I could really care less about this announcement or his involvement in the game. Until I feel like I'm actually in control of my player and it doesn't fell like an ANIMATION train wreck, or the cpu AI is fixed, then they can keep all that fluff. Oh and good job by making us preorder in order to get the All Star weekend. Yea that was done for the fans? LMAO... I wasted my money last year, but not this year. Good thing I don't only play sports games.

[kevin23]

This is a huge announcement for casual gamers and another fail for the minority of sim players. It's us against the world and 2k isn't going to pass up a dime for us.

[NDAlum]

Re: 2K Sports Announces Jay-Z as NBA 2K13 Executive Producer, 24 Song Soundtrack Incl

I was hoping for substance, not flash. Hopefully it will come at a later date.

This announcement does nothing for me, personally. I think Jay-Z is alright and the soundtrack is just that, alright. I don't see how Jay-Z could positively influence the game from a basketball perspective and I don't see why they'd want his input on presentation.

I would prefer hip-hop culture not be a focal point in the game. I want what I see on television, not what I would see at Rucker park or in and And-1 game. If the game is so geared towards it I'm just going to have to move on and stop playing 2K basketball.

We'll see...

[Dirk504]

Re: 2K Sports Announces Jay-Z as NBA 2K13 Executive Producer, 24 Song Soundtrack Incl

It amazes me how some people feel that various forum members have no affect on casual game sales. Are you kidding me? Games like Call of Duty, Halo, Uncharted etc., were all recognized by the hardcore individuals first. Through our voices, news of the games spread to our friends and on various sites like Youtube and Amazon that "casuals" visit. Do you think casuals just walk into Best Buy and pick the game with the best box art? Marketing departments can only do so much. They still need to spread the word. Duke Nukem was advertised like crazy and now you can find that game for $4.99 because the fans were not pleased. Still don't believe me? Then why are Madden sales going down each year? And why is Treyarch and Infinity Ward feeling the heat for Call of Duty that started with the hardcore fans complaining? Now their campaign mode will have a dynamic campaign. Now I'm not saying this "announcement" will cause that kind of frenzy, but if 2k doesn't fix the gameplay issues, they'll start getting that EA treatment.

[Tomba]

AS much as i like a good soundtrack...This is marketing that is not gameplay or game related in ANY WAY. NBA Street 2 had a amazing soundtrack. This is essentially jay Z's personal playlist for a game....Which is fine with me just makes sure the music doesnt stink at least

[King_B_Mack]

Re: 2K Sports Announces Jay-Z as NBA 2K13 Executive Producer, 24 Song Soundtrack Incl

I'm curious as to whether or not he might provide some ideas for My Player mode and getting more of the lifestyle into the mode.

This here. I want to see him and the rest of the guys fully flesh out My Player. I don't want to lose my jersey number at the end of my contract with a team when I re-sign with them because I was completely removed from the roster during the free agency process. I wanna see Jay's fashion sense on display with my guy's clothing choices for pre-game and post game interviews instead of that same suit that I wore at the draft. I'm ready to hear the rest of Jay's involvment already.

[kevin23]

The reason I know this is all hype is because why should I get excited about Jay's involvement without knowing what he will contribute. It's not like he is a basketball genius. This is my point. This is all fluff and I'm not an airhead. I can;t get excited without more details. Jay does music and you showed the tracklist. What will he contribute when he is not a software designer? He can only do so much so this announcement, even with more coming, is a disappointment in multiple ways. You don't explain what he's doing but there's supposed to be excitement. Sounds like the only excitement should be from 2K themselves getting their name out there but what's in it for me? Why should I care even a little bit at this point with zero details.

[kevin23]

Since I'm already ranting this is alchemy. Just how paper money has no value it is rooted in faith. This announcement has zero substance but is rooted in our faith in Jay as a difference maker without having any details. The easiest way to generate wealth is to tie it to faith instead of substance because all you have to do is just keep people believing in you by using the fact that everyone else does it or plays this game. Ok I'm done.

[OG_McNabb]

Re: 2K Sports Announces Jay-Z as NBA 2K13 Executive Producer, 24 Song Soundtrack Incl

The reason I know this is all hype is because why should I get excited about Jay's involvement without knowing what he will contribute. It's not like he is a basketball genius. This is my point. This is all fluff and I'm not an airhead. I can;t get excited without more details. Jay does music and you showed the tracklist. What will he contribute when he is not a software designer? He can only do so much so this announcement, even with more coming, is a disappointment in multiple ways. You don't explain what he's doing but there's supposed to be excitement. Sounds like the only excitement should be from 2K themselves getting their name out there but what's in it for me? Why should I care even a little bit at this point with zero details.

All of the above. Jay-Z involved in a Basketball game......So. MJ is already involved. This cant be the biggest announcement in history. I was planning on sticking with 2K11 anyway but damn. I'm still pretty sure 13 will be nice.

[b0z1c]

First the guitar hero slam dunk contest and now this...strike two