NBA 2K: A Noob's Perspective

[RaychelSnr]

As a UK-based contributor, I'm lucky enough to possess a unique perspective on the world of sports gaming from across the pond. Unfortunately, I'm also left out of my depth in regards to certain sports, and basketball is one such example. It's not that I don't understand the basics. I've played my fair share of basketball games over the past twenty years, but I've never ingrained myself in the culture of the sport to the point where I understand the tactical techniques or terminology involved.

Back in February, I published a 'noob's perspective' on Madden NFL 16, and following the recent weekend-long trial of NBA 2K17 on Xbox One, I set myself the task of tackling a new variation of this challenge. In the process, I gathered further impressions from a copy of last year's game to add extra longevity to my playing time.

Keep in mind that these are a small selection of initial thoughts from someone who doesn't understand the sport or the mechanics of 2K's NBA games all that well, but it might be illuminating to you as to how a more casual fan sees the games we play. Go easy on me, folks!


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[mcdowell31]

Nice! I've played 2K since 2K6, and I've witnessed their growth and the subsequent (inevitable?) attraction of the casual (or noob). I definitely enjoy your impressions.

"Outstanding Presentation"
My recent rants :

http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/33674-how-immersion-hurts-the-pacing-experience-in-myleague/

http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/34486-this-console-generation-and-face-zooms/

http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/34545-myleague-no-cut-scenes-doesnt-mean-a-fing-thing/

"I Love MyPark...But"
I can totally relate to you on this. I've played basketball of some sort since age 11 (I'm 51). I have more of an "every-man" basketball player interpretation as opposed to a basketball players as superheroes interpretation. I've barely touched MyPark; I prefer the "history" of MyLeague. Here's something I referenced that might improve MyPark:

http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/34553-nba-2k17-myplayer-taking-the-grind-out-of-grinding/

"a MyCareer story that isn't penned by Spike Lee"
agree definitely. Once more my blog references:

http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/34554-nba-2k17-immersion-storytelling-and-why-less-would-be-more/

I really appreciate your article.

[Nemesis Enforcer]

My noob experience...

Player models and shoes finally aren't oversized.
Best control offensively yet but still not to my liking.
Too much presentation. Care less about a talking halftime show and taking me out of the action requiring 10 button presses to get back.
Can really play good Defense.
All the modes and customization you could want.
Pro am not as good as other but has good elements
2vscpu couch play. Completely unable to run around with all the blocking animations and holding as on off ball player.
Just overall not a fun experience for whatever reason.

[deadlocked]

Yeah Madden has hit the perfect balance between real life and sim presentation wise. Just wish they used actual graphics and not EA Sports branded ones.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[tril]

nice write up.
with that this is the least amount of fun Ive ever had with a 2k title.

[AllureStoneDesign]

I love the game without a doubt. It has its flaws but I can live with them. The thing that irritates me the most is the long monologue commentary. It gets old the 3rd time you hear about Dorris Burke being classmates with Billy Donovan.. the ball can change hands 2-3 times before they comment on the game again. I think they should deepen the play by play and compliment it with more stat updates and team comparisons.

[mcdowell31]

NBA 2K presentation: Story-telling and killing momentum

I've just re-fired-up a game between Orlando (me) and Miami: Great intra-state rivalry interrupted by life (happens sometimes) :-D

I'm back; I'm rabid with hunger for some intense game-play and animations. I'm thirsting for the fastbreak; the jockey for low-block position.

Let's do this!

I'm only up by six in the first quarter; my new defensive plan is looking good early. Whitesides puts down a physical basket on Vucevic and a foul is called; insult to injury.

Whitesides (predictably) misses, and we're off to the races. Vucevic rebounds/outlets to the SG: I almost always do this on a free-throw because the SF is boxing-out the shooter.

The SF breaks away from Whiteside and gets lost in the shuffle of transition: I am hopeful for a good finish.

Sure enough, he outruns his opponent along the left and catches the ball at the FT-line extended where he is picked-up by a slow-footed PF. Sizing-up the situation on the run, he takes the baseline and flushes a semi-nice tomahawk.

Too easy.

We harass and get another bad shot: Run and score. The AI begs mercy as time-out is called. Satisfaction for those (me) who like to compete.

THEN IMMERSION BREAKS as presentation goes off into some tiresome tirade about something I've heard before.

MOMENTUM IS BROKEN. Possibly for my team (smart move by the AI). Great! Beautiful! This concept is part of every basketball story.

STORY-TELLING MOMENTUM IS BROKEN AS WELL. Not so cool.

See the difference?

I should be past the TO and continuing the battle. Instead I'm here typing because this idea is fresh in my mind: It is OK to kill players momentum within the game (on-screen). That is fun and funny. It is not so fun for the end-user (behind the controller) to have story-telling momentum killed.

There has to be a way to disengage timeouts: College Hoops 2K8 comes to my mind immediately. That would help story-telling. On-screen players might still be susceptible to TO penalties and positives (like rest), but a real-time is not necessary for digital players.

And, of course, while I'm on TO's: Throw the TO timeclock out. Timeouts are not a mini-game; they are a pause screen.

Save the TO timeclock for truly virtual basketball, already by 2K, that I've seen on YouTube. It will be even better when the AI assistant coach is truly sentient and will speak to me before, during, and after the timeout.

Coaches (joystick jockeys) are interested in what players (NBA 2K staff) are doing. We want to keep this going.

Thanks!

[Fraser G.]

Quote: Originally Posted by mcdowell31

Nice! I've played 2K since 2K6, and I've witnessed their growth and the subsequent (inevitable?) attraction of the casual (or noob). I definitely enjoy your impressions. "Outstanding Presentation" My recent rants : http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/33674-how-immersion-hurts-the-pacing-experience-in-myleague/ http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/34486-this-console-generation-and-face-zooms/ http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/34545-myleague-no-cut-scenes-doesnt-mean-a-fing-thing/ "I Love MyPark...But" I can totally relate to you on this. I've played basketball of some sort since age 11 (I'm 51). I have more of an "every-man" basketball player interpretation as opposed to a basketball players as superheroes interpretation. I've barely touched MyPark; I prefer the "history" of MyLeague. Here's something I referenced that might improve MyPark: http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/34553-nba-2k17-myplayer-taking-the-grind-out-of-grinding/ "a MyCareer story that isn't penned by Spike Lee" agree definitely. Once more my blog references: http://www.operationsports.com/mcdowell31/blog/34554-nba-2k17-immersion-storytelling-and-why-less-would-be-more/ I really appreciate your article.

Thanks for your kind words. After reading your qualms about immersion and face zooms, I can appreciate how frustrating many of the presentation features could become in the long run. It'll be interesting from a personal standpoint to see if I share the same thoughts in the months to come.

Thank you for sharing your blog posts, I enjoyed reading them.