NBA2K10 VIP Launch Party Diary - SBartlett's Blog

SBartlett's Blog

NBA2K10 VIP Launch Party Diary

Posted on October 2, 2009 at 07:39 PM.

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Hey all,

This is my personal diary from my trip to New York City. Check it out. Much love to OS and the 2K Sports Family for hooking it up!

When I heard 2K Sports was having a tenth anniversary launch party for the release of NBA2k10, I just had to get to New York City to be there. So when I got the okay from 2K that I was welcome to go as a member of the media with OperationSports.com, I booked the most affordable room I could find in the city at the Pod Hotel on 51 Street in Manhattan.

New York City. I had never been to NYC in my life even though it�s only a four hour car ride from where I live in the North Shore of Boston. My girlfriend, Cecilie, accompanied me on the trip to go explore the city and to be my date (not knowing for sure if she would be admitted with me). We packed our things, grabbed a G.P.S. from a friend, and took off from her campus at UMASS Boston at 12 noon on Thursday. Strapped with Cliff Bars and Vitamin Water, we headed for the Empire State.

I had always wanted to go to NYC - I just never had a reason. I think I subconsciously was waiting for a day like Thursday�s to happen; A day where I had a purpose to go and the experience to be exciting and meaningful. I honestly was waiting for something like this to be inspired by the city and bright lights to do big things in my career and life.

7:45 p.m.: Me and my girl finally headed to the party arriving at 7:45 p.m. to the door steps of the Capitale building on 130 Bowery Street in Lower Manhattan. Once I introduced myself from Operation Sports, I was immediately welcomed by a member of Access Communications, the company who represents 2K Sports Public Relations. I didn�t know OS had that kind of pull in the industry. Then I realized that we are reviewing their game after all. Regardless, me and Cecilie stepped in to the historic bank turned function hall and never looked back.

8:00 p.m.: I rolled up to the front desk and introduce myself as a member of the media and that I should be on the guest list. Cecilie, armed with a digital camera and a tripod stand, was my �photographer.�

Chase, the Director of Media Relations for Access Communications, saw that she was with me, grabbed us two red bands and gave me the run down for the night�s events. His people were setting up the interview areas for the NBA players. He told me to �lay low,� and that I could go try out the new game inside the party.
Next thing I know I am in headed to VIP with my girlfriend to play some NBA2k10 on satin sofas being served fresh snacks and drinks while the live DJ plays some of the latest hip-hop out there; Blue Print 3, Fabolous, Wale, Kanye West, and other music from the 2K soundtrack. It�s crazy how you can go from being a no Joe to this in just one night.

While playing the game in the VIP, I noticed that the man on the other side of the couch was a DJ featured on the NBA2k10 soundtrack. I laughed and said what�s up, got comfortable in on the sectional couches, and waited for TD to arrive while I tested out Rondo and the Celtics.

This was the first time I was going to meet other guys from the OS staff. Most of the staff writers on here are spread out throughout the country.

TD came in at about 8:15 and we began the preparations for the interviews. We penciled down some questions for the ball players and went right to work. Richard Chavez had a voice recorder, I had the digital camera, tripod stand and flip video camera, and TD brought his interviewing skills.

I saw this event as an opportunity to launch Operation Sports to another level. We interviewed the ball players Andre Igoudala, Brook Lopez, and Nate Robinson. All three were great to work with, and the 2K public relations people working the event let us right in to get our footage. As TD would later state at the party, �We have arrived.�

9:00 p.m.: I walked back to the VIP where Cecilie was patiently waiting in the booth with a drink, enjoying the atmosphere of the New York City night. Turns out, a few artists at the party had approached her and offered to teach her how to play the game. She kindly denied them stating that she was attending the party with me. She is more into Wii Sports anyways. So now I know I have a girl that even rappers can�t talk to. That�s something to brag to the friends back home about.

9:30-10:30: The grand ballroom in the Capitale building became the center of basketball gaming for this one night in New York City. Four stations were set up to play NBA2k10 along the outside walls of the room, not including the epic big screen at the front of the room where the NBA players participated in a 2K10 tournament. Bobbito Garcia provided the color commentary and hosted the night�s events adding a hip-hop flare in the city where hip-hop was born.

11:00 p.m.: Me, Richard, and TD decided to go play some NBA2k10. Bryan Lam, PR from 2K Sports ended up jumping in. He actually had some game and gave TD a run for his money. It was the Heat against the Celtics. We caught a nice clip of Bryan slamming on TD with DWade too.

Midnight: Wale hit the stage and got the crowd going performing his songs Nike Boots, Chillen, and others. It was a fun way to cap off the night. On my way out, Chase handed me an Adidas 2K Sports gym bag with a copy of the 10th Anniversary NBA2k10 Retail Copy. Live performances, fresh beats, and 2k sports games all one place � what more can I say?