2K Sports and Attention to Detail - RayAllen20's Blog

RayAllen20's Blog

2K Sports and Attention to Detail

Posted on September 27, 2009 at 11:48 AM.

(14)

NBA 2K10s gameplay looks alright, although I still think Live 10 has better this year. Yet Live didn't touch Dynasty Mode and the presentation is mediocre. I understand why since it was a gameplay year, but that in my mind stops Live from taking over as the best basketball sim this year.

NBA 2K10 on the court looks almost exactly like NBA 2K9. Yet the dynamic commentary is amazing! I watched the Blazers and Nuggets video and was amazed. It sounded like a real broadcast! Layouts coming across the screen talking about Chauncey's assists per game. Or how the Blazers are the team to beat and the Nuggets are close behind. Or how later there are Lakers-Spurs, Celtics-Cavs games on. They talked about how Anthony is finally off his shooting woes. And I thought to myself, they probably just made that up. Until they show the Mavs held him to 10 points last game. Amazing attention to detail!

Then I checked out 2k9s association to see how it was. The storylines are amazing!! Kobe used his no trade clause to deny a trade! There are rumors about teams trying to trade certain players. Ambitions. So if you don't play Zach Randolph as much as he wants, he'll demand a trade. Pretty nifty.

Meanwhile EA hasn't even used their ESPN license to use. I remember when Madden 05 and ESPN NFL 2K5. I chose 2k5 because it had ESPN music and presentation. Made it feel like I wansn't just playing a video game but a real game. What was the point of getting the ESPN license if you won't use it?

2K may not have the biggest budget or greatest engine but they know what theyre doing. They know the little things. EA Sports doesn't seem to get that, and even with all their money they are still trailing 2k IMO.

On a side note I can't wait for NBA 2K10. I will be doing a franchise controlling all 32 teams. I will do the progression myself by changing ratings manually. I also will create draft classes and I am excited for the LeBron sweepstakes. Should be fun! More fun than I've ever had with an EA game.

Comments

# 1 Shinyhubcaps @ Sep 27

Only 30 teams in the NBA, not 32, but should be just as fun.

I agree that the strides made to presentation are really nice to show off and should make for some nice game atmosphere. However, I also believe that 2K has better gameplay than a mile, so that would have justified my purchase decision (unless the demo plays terribly).

Regarding the ESPN license, EA thought it more important to do the ticker with ESPN Radio updates and streams of ESPN shows (which I hear is in some games but have never used for myself). Probably is more prudent, too, because they want to keep Marv Albert but he is employed first and foremost by TNT and YES.

# 2 RayAllen20 @ Sep 27

Haha so used to playing madden I said 32. Anyways EA needs to start paying attention to the little things. That's what makes games great.

# 3 sabz1991 @ Sep 27

Live does look better on PS3 but its not worth the money if the game sucks...I was against 2K for years and this will be my first time buying 2K, Live has really disappointed me all that money and they give you the same stuff every damn yr, Live 10 is weak. EA could have made a Superstar mode for NBA like they have done with Madden for the past 3 yrs at least it would add some dimension to the game or add something like the Draft Combine like 2K has done. I bought that Draft Combine mini game and its not too bad. I have every Live since 03 maybe even before, they just lost a costumer.

# 4 SaintsNATION32 @ Sep 27

totally agree...! the little things 2k capture in their games makes them #1 in sports gaming imo they took it to another level wit nba2k10 broadcasting this year...the realism of their games to the real deal is on point an this is why i know if they had nfl football it would be the best nfl football game ever!!! 2k knows what they are doing wit sportsgaming.

# 5 Mayo32 @ Sep 27

i just thought of something in MLB2K9 they had a pretty good commentary system too so it would only make sense if there were something tht good in NBA2K10 i just connected that cool cant wait

# 6 shavane @ Sep 27

EA suffers because they are so sure that their product is the best thing out there when its not. They seem content to give you their brand of sports gaming but 2k gives you a total emersive experience because as fans thats what we want.

2k gives us realism, solid gameplay, plus the all important attention to detail that just makes the game feel right. You can have a good game EA, but if your missing small things like toe taps, challenges, realistic commentation, dirty uniforms then your experience ends up feeling hollow. I grew up on Madden, but I have been converted to 2k because it looks and feels better plus the gameplay is as good and better in some ways due to better player movment.

Understand EA you have a solid die hard fanbase but if you read your boards its majority negative. Also you can't only depend on your loyal fanbase because there are casual games who would be more inclined to choose 2k over EA simply because the game looks amazing and pumps you up with more excitement than Madden or Live. Step your game up please.

# 7 Mayo32 @ Sep 27

^^^^ tht guy is telling it as it is

# 8 JkA3 @ Sep 28

I like live...I think they made great strides this year. I purchased Live last year, first. After a week, I picked up 2k9. What I found was that 2k9 was overall a better game. Gameplay, presentation, on down the list. You can compare my feelings for the game to Da Czar's Battleground. I have a feeling that this year will be similiar. From playing the hell out of Live10's demo, and watching the videos of 2k10 - 2k will hold its title, at least this year.

I will still get Live, and play a lot of it. I love the fact that there is competition. I wish the same existed in Football Gaming.

# 9 JkA3 @ Sep 28

I like live...I think they made great strides this year. I purchased Live last year, first. After a week, I picked up 2k9. What I found was that 2k9 was overall a better game. Gameplay, presentation, on down the list. You can compare my feelings for the game to Da Czar's Battleground. I have a feeling that this year will be similiar. From playing the hell out of Live10's demo, and watching the videos of 2k10 - 2k will hold its title, at least this year in my opinion.

I will still get Live, and play a lot of it. I love the fact that there is competition. I wish the same existed in Football Gaming.

# 10 C the Lyte @ Sep 28

MLB 2k any1?

# 11 patflexx @ Sep 29

"Buy" it on PC lol

# 12 asu666 @ Sep 30

The point of getting the ESPN license was ESPN NFL 2K5 came out and EA wet itself thinking about having Madden sales fall off a cliff in the years to come. It was more about hurting 2K than helping EA imo. In EA's defense though, their sports games are FINALLY starting to show some life. Madden 10 was a huge improvement over Madden 09 and it looks like even the lowly NBA series is finally going in the right direction.

# 13 Jasong7777 @ Oct 1

That was a great blog. Totally agree with the points you made.

# 14 kydice @ Oct 1

I dont think that the graphics are too much better in 2k10 than in 2k9 but there is some improvement. Live needed an overhaul, they are trying to acheive what 2k has brought to bball video games. Live charaters all look like they have the same body type and size. Live still has a long way to go, but this year is much better than last year. So in comparison Live has made a bigger stride this year from last year's game than 2k has, but live needed to and they still have a tone of room for improvement.