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E3 2011: NBA 2K12 preview


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#1 Trademark

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Posted 08 July 2011 - 12:19 PM

E3 2011: NBA 2K12 preview
Credit: CBSNews.com, IGN (for screenshot)

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CBS News) A year after releasing NBA 2K11 -- one of the greatest basketball and overall sports titles in recent memory -- the questions facing the development team at Visual Concepts are impossible to sidestep. How can you top a game that was hailed by critics and eclipsed 5 million copies sold -- a rare feat for a sports release -- the next year? Compound that with the fact that 2K's biggest competitor, EA, is taking a year off from the hardwood, and even the most loyal fans must wonder if a letdown is all but inevitable.
Though the developers were tight-lipped on new features, the hands-off demo that was shown at E3 provided a glimpse at some notable improvements. Presentation was at the forefront of the demo, which featured a Finals matchup between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks. The pregame introduction has an even greater broadcast feel to it. Each team's starting guards, forwards and centers are showcased by position casually dribbling or spinning the ball on their finger with stat breakdowns below each player. The developers said this kind of presentation would be saved for playoff games but that other pregame scenarios would be used during the regular season.

Many of the player models have received a facelift -- literally. NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki, who the developers admitted has not received a fitting facial recreation in past editions, looked spot on in the demo. Even his hair, which has looked more like a helmet than actual follicles in past years, has undergone an overhaul. The revamped lighting system also plays a role in accentuating the facial textures.

But, as has been the case in every iteration in the NBA 2K series, it's the little touches that really stand out. During the playoffs, crowds known for dressing up in the same color T-shirts will do so in NBA 2K12. The demo showed the Dallas fans decked out in Maverick blue shirts, another key presentation tweak that adds to the authenticity. In-game promos to upcoming contests have also been improved. The demo showed a graphic in the lower left corner displaying the next game's time and date while LeBron James and Nowitzki interacted with each other during a stoppage of play. It's these sort of presentation tweaks that further the game's rich authenticity.

"We know we're not going to be competed against this year [by EA's basketball series]," 2K Sports gameplay director Rob Jones said. "But we don't measure ourselves against our direct competition. We really measure ourselves against the sport itself and sports games in general."

Few sports titles measured up to NBA 2K11, winner of 21 sports game of the year awards. It was a benchmark for sports titles, which usually offer minimal upgrades each year. But despite all the awards and sale figures, NBA 2K11 had some issues that hopefully will be addressed in 2K12.

NBA 2K11 made great strides in online connectivity, an issue that has plagued the 2K series the past few iterations. But despite the improvements, it still didn't measure up to the standard most games this generation has established. Consistent lag and connection issues, though both improved from NBA 2K10, were still present in 2K11. After its tremendous success last year, hopefully 2K12 will be a seamless experience online.

Another point of frustration in 2K11 was the balancing issues in the My Crew. This online mode allows you and your friends to team up with your created basketball players and compete against other players. Veteran players of the mode began to run into teams that abused the created player system -- building players who were 7-5 and could run and shoot like a point guard. As more teams used this ploy, it began to ruin the mode for those who were trying to play a realistic brand of basketball.

The developers didn't provide too many details on both issues but said they ran into the same problems and were addressing them in NBA 2K12. With the bar set so high after last year's tremendous success, expectations are high. But the 2K Sports team has proven it has been up to the task before. NBA 2K12 will be released in October for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.



#2 Shyseven

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Posted 08 July 2011 - 04:10 PM

My only hope for 2K12 is that we can download roster updates injury-free. Pain in the ass...

#3 Blizzard

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Posted 09 July 2011 - 07:43 PM

View PostShyseven, on 08 July 2011 - 04:10 PM, said:

My only hope for 2K12 is that we can download roster updates injury-free. Pain in the ass...
Very true.