Hands on w/NBA Live 360

tsunami · Post by **tsunami** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:38 am

From IGN: http://sports.ign.com/articles/663/663958p2.html

Doesn't sound all that positive. As expected, it looks good, but will be a stripped down version of the current gen. The most telling comment:

At the Buzzer
NBA Live 06 is the most next-gen looking of any of the sports games if you take it athlete by athlete, but as far as the visuals have come, you have to wonder why so much was left out of the product. You have some animations, some dunks and dips that look so realistic, it's exactly what you're looking for from the 360. But if this is next gen, if this is 360, why do I have to do a 180 and wonder what happened to the dunk contest, to the superstar moves that made the series what it was on current gen?

And here is another EA trademark of adding ridiculously useless options rather than focusing on things like gameplay, AI, phyiscs, etc..

The Low Down
Forgetting about the big men for a second, though, and switching to small ball, EA Sports unveiled to us a secret code in create-a-player that enables you to turn even Yao Ming tiny. Enter the name Lil' for the created player, then head out to the loading screen to find the small dude out on the floor. What's funny is this small player can still dunk even though the ball is bigger than his head. Add a second player like Melo at normal size, and this turns into a mini-game where every time the small player hits a shot, he gets bigger and Melo shrinks. The more shots Lil' hits, the smaller Melo gets, but if Melo hits a shot, he can start to grow back to his normal height. To top it off, if you leave Lil' on the court when you start a new game, all of the players in the 5-on-5 game are small, making for a fast-paced game of ant-sized basketball, complete with alley-oops and double clutch dunks from the way (and I mean way) down low.

Oooohhh...sounds like fun. I have to get a 360 now! This crap was so important that EA actually wasted development time with it.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:41 pm

That tiny sh*t has been in all of the EA games...it's just an easter egg thing that's pretty stupid.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:26 pm

Wow...this is the first time I've ever seen Jon Robinson say anything negative about any EA game. It's sunny outside here in Atlanta, but it must be an awfully cold day in Hell today.

reeche · Post by **reeche** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:02 pm

GTHobbes wrote:Wow...this is the first time I've ever seen Jon Robinson say anything negative about any EA game. It's sunny outside here in Atlanta, but it must be an awfully cold day in Hell today.

Pretty much. Wanna bet he still gives it a fairly decent score. Jon Robinson equals money in the bank when it comes to EA games.

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:09 pm

But what's important to note is that the things that are drawing ire from IGN are things like the removal of the Slam Dunk contest. Which is to say, they get upset when features that had nothing to do with the game of basketball are removed from a basketball game. I suppose you can get upset on principle when anything gets removed, but really, for the most part the stuff cut from EA next gen games has been overwhelmingly extraneous in nature. Somehow all that junk supposedly adds up to "value," but when I turn on a basketball game, it's because I want to play a game of basketball.

The gameplay footage I've seen of Live over the past few days has been very impressive, and I'm definitely open to the idea of picking it up shortly after launch (a console, Madden and Call of Duty 2 pretty much wipe me out on the 22nd).

reeche · Post by **reeche** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:17 pm

seanmac31 wrote:for the most part the stuff cut from EA next gen games has been overwhelmingly extraneous in nature.

Yes the very extraneous franchise mode and the superstar features which they touted as their A #1 feature on old gen (and was very unbalanced anyway). Very minor subtractions....

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:19 pm

seanmac31 wrote:I suppose you can get upset on principle when anything gets removed, but really, for the most part the stuff cut from EA next gen games has been overwhelmingly extraneous in nature. Somehow all that junk supposedly adds up to "value," but when I turn on a basketball game, it's because I want to play a game of basketball.

That would be great and all if they had a FRANCHISE MODE. Pssh who needs to play more then one season anyway, "it's just junk". Plus it gives us something to trademark in NBA Live 2007.

Jon Robinson is the scourge of the sports gaming press. Just read his writeup on TW 2006 360.

http://sports.ign.com/articles/663/663469p1.html

To be honest, I'm someone who has grown tired of the Tiger series the last couple of years…the game is just too easy. But the advancements made to the six courses (undulations, realistic terrains), combined with all of the advanced Tiger 06 swing mechanics that now really make a difference in terms of ball placement and positioning really have me anticipating a return to the greens with the Xbox 360.

Besides, where else can I aim a wood right at a crowd of onlookers and swing away for a good laugh? It's like the Colt 45 of videogames…works every time.

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:27 pm

reeche wrote:
seanmac31 wrote:for the most part the stuff cut from EA next gen games has been overwhelmingly extraneous in nature.
Yes the very extraneous franchise mode and the superstar features which they touted as their A #1 feature on old gen (and was very unbalanced anyway). Very minor subtractions....

And as you say, Superstar mode broke the game, which is to say that people should be happy that it's not in the next gen version.

There is a legitimate beef with the lack of a franchise mode. It happens not to impact me, as I just about always prefer playing over single seasons rather than letting the rosters get hopelessly out of whack by taking a franchise to year two, three or four. But I can understand someone who does utilize the franchise mode being upset.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:29 pm

More hands on impressions:

http://www.gamedaily.com/xbox360/previe ... ameid=4505

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:13 pm

There's a lot of stuff about Live making its way onto the net now. Has anyone seen anything about 2K6? Anything with game impressions or in-game footage?

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:19 pm

Plenty - search NBA 2K6 360

http://digitalsportspage.com/modules.ph ... ile=search

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:11 pm

A new hands on from Gamespot

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ ... id=6137217

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:45 pm

It actually sounds semi-promising (coming from Eckberg especially) if all you want to do is play a season or something (which is all I do anyway so I could care less about the stripped features).

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:29 pm

I'm really torn regarding which basketball game to pick up. I watched the Gamespot segment on 2K6, and even while accounting for the fact that the feed wasn't great, the game looked very similar to the Xbox version. The only time that it was clear that this was in fact the 360 version was on replays, when the close-ins on the player models looked terrific, but in a cut and pasted kind of way. I have a hard time dropping $100 on one basketball game, which is what I'll have done between the Xbox and the 360. On the other hand, 2K6 is the best basketball game I've ever played, ID 04 included. Aside from a few minor issues, it plays an incredibly smooth, incredibly fun game of ball, and it gets high marks for all kinds of important things like off-the-ball movement and accurate team tendencies, stuff that gives a game real longevity. If I'm going to play a basketball game, why wouldn't it be this one?

Live, on the other hand, has arguably the best visuals I've seen for any launch game. The difference in the quality of the Live and 2K6 graphics is at least as big as the difference between NFL2K5 and Madden. The player models and the arenas look absolutely amazing. Live also has the added benefit of being an unknown commodity- it's clearly not the same game as the '06 version released for the Xbox, and from what I've seen, it's better (slower game pace, no superstar moves, just for starters). That said, I would be very surprised if it plays as well as 2K6, and there are already some troubling things on display in the game videos to go along with all the good stuff- questionable rebounding, just for starters.

As much as I want to grab a basketball game at launch, I'll probably wait a few weeks for impressions to come through. (Then I'll break down and buy both games regardless.

)

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:51 pm

Just a suggestion. Gamefly both games. Keep the one, or both, or none if they do not float your boat.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:33 pm

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ ... ay=6137205

Developer Video Interview has been added.

Lots of good in game video. Beware: Middle Aged French Canadian discussing a basketball game.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:43 pm

bdoughty wrote:Just a suggestion. Gamefly both games. Keep the one, or both, or none if they do not float your boat.

We don't need these type of posts. We don't need to turn this into a forum where we can't post one's own thoughts on a subject.

I think seanmac is well aware of the concept of renting, buying and not buying. He's just posting his thoughts on the matter. Let the moderator ego in you go.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:49 pm

JRod wrote:
bdoughty wrote:Just a suggestion. Gamefly both games. Keep the one, or both, or none if they do not float your boat.
We don't need these type of posts. We don't need to turn this into a forum where we can't post one's own thoughts on a subject.

I think seanmac is well aware of the concept of renting, buying and not buying. He's just posting his thoughts on the matter. Let the moderator ego in you go.

It was a genuine "suggestion". You might want to look up that word as it has nothing to do with your little rant. I am sure that this has been mentioned by others on numerous threads as a solution to people interested in 2 or more games of the same genre. Isn't there a sentence somewhere you have failed to fragment or butcher? Jackass...

P.S. There is a difference between "we" and "you." Also a difference between "contributing" to a thread and "what you brought to the discussion." One of us is providing links to interviews, previews, footage, etc, in an attempt to help people with their purchasing decisions. Ponder on that for a few.

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:29 pm

"It was a genuine "suggestion". You might want to look up that word as it has nothing to do with your little rant. I am sure that this has been mentioned by others on numerous threads as a solution to people interested in 2 or more games of the same genre. Isn't there a sentence somewhere you have failed to fragment or butcher? Jackass...

P.S. There is a difference between "we" and "you." Also a difference between "contributing" to a thread and "what you brought to the discussion." One of us is providing links to interviews, previews, footage, etc, in an attempt to help people with their purchasing decisions. Ponder on that for a few."

The above is from one of your most recent posts. I know that it is hard to control your anger and many people do struggle with it, but it is destructive. I have struggled with this in the past also and it is one of several reasons why I have stopped visiting and posting in the forums. IF only people would fight evil with good and turn the other cheek, the world would be a much better place. People often attack others to feel better about themselves and it is motivated by pride. Yes, I have attacked EA and others also and I know that it was not right and I was wrong. It is not my intention to slander or embarass you, it is just friendly advice. I hope for the best for you and your battle with Type II Diabetes.

The Judgement is going to be very harsh and there is nothing worse than unending torment in Hell.

Love,
TRI

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:39 pm

TRI wrote:
The Judgement is going to be very harsh and there is nothing worse than unending torment in Hell.

Love,
TRI

Is it okay to call you TRI or should I just stick with "God" or "My Creator?" I would really like to get that much right before progressing any farther.

You can play coy with your comment on my problem with Diabetes. I work with graphics often and can spot transparency from a mile away. Others have been there and done that. Bothers me not, as I have it under control and people in my life that support and love me.

God Bless?
Brent

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:26 pm

I can't say I took any offense at bd's comment, myself.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 12:38 pm

seanmac31 wrote:I can't say I took any offense at bd's comment, myself.

I appreciate that. It was a genuine reply. I use Gamefly myself and think it will be even more valuable in the next gen with game at higher prices.

EDiddy · Post by **EDiddy** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:40 am

Geesh, whats with the explosion, It was an absurdly harmless suggestion. But, the unintentional comedy is off the chart. Especially with TLC post. Brother, I hold my faith dearly, and your posts make my job really hard trying to convince people faith is not a circus act.