NBA 2K11 Demo Roundtable - Operation Sports

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NBA 2K11 Demo Roundtable

Submitted on: 09/16/2010 by

1. What is the best thing about the demo?

Dustin Toms - The presentation looks fantastic. With the demo being so bare, it really stands out. The crowd atmosphere looks like it may the best to ever grace a sports game, and the score hub in the corner is eerily reminiscent of TNT. I think 2K is really on point with the overall presentation.

Chris Sanner - The presentation, the atmosphere, the gameplay -- shoot, the title screens even looks great. Once you get in the game, I am having a hard time finding much fault with 2K11. The entire package just looks legitimately smooth and excellent. But for me, the presentation really has taken a giant leap forward in a lot of ways. There are some new camera cut-ins, and the atmosphere added on top of that makes the game just feel realistic.

Steven Bartlett - The best element of this demo in my opinion is the improved responsive control. The player sliding issues seem to be gone, and jump shots are now more responsive than ever. 2K Sports seems to have designed a game that naturally places gamers into a situation where they can play a simulation style of basketball and look good doing it. It’s not forced. It’s not boring. It's pure hoops. The AI is even out there running set plays, utilizing intelligent help defense, and taking advantage of mismatches.

2. Biggest Disappointment?

DT - To be honest, the lack of demo. Four minutes of gameplay and nothing else? Plus, no subs, commentators, play-calling. I'm not worried about any of this in the retail version, but it's just a big letdown to be given so little.

CS - I, like Dustin, am completely disappointed in the fact that the demo just does not have much to it. That's a huge disappointment, and no subs, commentators or play calling means we've lost a lot of basketball here. I never understood why giving users the ability to play an entire game was not allowed in these demos. It's not like people who want to buy the game are not going to do so because they can play the Lakers vs. Celtics over and over again at any time.

SB - As natural as the game plays, the user-controlled defense needs some work. My defender seems to shuffle his feet correctly and be fundamentally sound, but planting and changing directions to help or to cutoff lanes is not as organic as the rest of the gameplay. There is a degree of magnetism to your assignment that I want gone -- I want more freedom to plant and turn to play lockdown D. Give me that freedom 2K!

3. The gameplay is _______ (fill in the blank).

DT - Smooth. The animations don't seem forced like a year ago, everything just runs together so much better this year. In the past years, 2K has always had a choppy feel to it, but in the demo that feeling does not seem to be present.

CS - Much improved. Not that it was bad before, but almost every facet of the game has received a facelift. The game plays smoother as a result of the changes, which means the game feels much more realistic from the get-go. 2K may be moving forward again in the gameplay department.

SB - Money. I believe executing an authentic NBA offense will feel absolutely rewarding this year. At this point, this demo makes me think I will love to play against the CPU just so I can run all my set plays and use all the coaching strategies the game provides.

4. Any other things catch your eye?

DT - Superstars play like superstars. Kobe is a beast in these four minutes. Ray Ray is getting schooled left and right, which is a slight problem considering he always steps up to go against Kobe -- makes me wonder how Miami's Big Three will play together in the game.

CS - Phil Jackson looked like Phil Jackson. I halfway expected to see Nicholson courtside. But in all reality, what sticks out to me is exactly what Dustin said: players play a lot like their real-life counterparts. If the team aspects of the game are refined, this could be a near perfect gameplay package.

SB - Yeah, collisions are more naturally occurring. They are not a built-in sequence. Mid-air collisions look and feel dynamic so I keep attacking the rim to see what will happen next. Also, the CPU AI on offense is great. Open players cut to the hoop, and Rondo runs the offense and hits Ray off the curls on time.

5. Overall is 2K's stock up or down?

DT - Oh it is way up. This demo does not take it all the way, but it's been up since the MJ features were revealed. 2K's marketing has been superb, and the info they've been releasing on a consistent basis has been great. They're doing everything right, and when October comes around, it will show in sales.

CS - 2K went from a basketball fan's must-buy when MJ's name was announced to a sports fan's must-buy after this demo. The stock is way up, and 2K11 will be among the challengers for sports game of the year.

SB - NBA 2K11’s stock is up with this positive demo. It’s short and stripped down, but it still looks like a live NBA broadcast. Star player models look realistic all the way down to the holes in their mesh jerseys. I’m waiting to see what 2K plans to do with their player’s emotions down the line. We have hot and cold streaks in the game, but let’s see it in their body language and expressions and bring these guys to life. Then we will be talking greatest of all time.

NBA 2K11 Videos

Member Comments

# 61 rudeworld @ 09/16/10 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaeljordanjr


	I remember that. That's a teaser. A trailer is longer and more in depth. A commercial is a 30 second video advertisement and a game demo is ...well I dont see the point of arguing syntax... If people know its the game to get, as I said previously it has Jordan, what does the marketing team have to lose by keeping features in? This demo won't turn away fans. It may confuse new customers. That's why I ask, what is the point of stripping it down? Most of the people downloading it are the core base customers, why not give them a treat like other companies are doing? Obviously this strategy is exclusive to 2K, show me another sports title this stripped down. So if you cant figure out whats going on in the mind of the marketing team, don't knock down those of us whom find issue with this unnecessary and uncalled for stripped down demo.

maybe you have a point....but if you read some of these post in this and 2ks forum where people are wanting to try out the game, so 2k gave us a shot. if there is such a thing as a rushed demo this maybe it...
...also with all this info thats coming out each and everyday the "demo" is doing its part in advertising the game.

# 62 bballdude17 @ 09/16/10 10:43 PM

im sure this has already been said

but they need to fix the transitiion from doing the dribble set up moves left trigger into a shot
something is messed up in the animations

other than that GREAT

# 63 SDJHood93 @ 09/16/10 10:44 PM

I think I need more practice with the demo because I always try to cross over Ray Allen and it never works! The only thing I can successfully do is a spin around the defender.

# 64 swac07 @ 09/16/10 10:58 PM

people complaining about bare bones demo and probably cant even get the isomoves down[I know I can't thats why I'm practicing] that's what I see it as a practice/gameplay demo. You have to learn how to crawl before you walk and that is what this demo is focusing on to me. So when Oct. 5th hits you can jump right in, kick arse, and then enjoy all the rest of the bells and whistles the game will offer.

maybe that's just me though :shruggs:

good job 2k

# 65 abcabc @ 09/16/10 11:15 PM

i was a bit dissappointed by the player face inaccuracies, thought they'd be better.

# 66 Redskinsfan26 @ 09/16/10 11:24 PM

Am I the only one who thinks Andrew Bynum looks really off? But other than that the demo is really solid

# 67 DaChiefs @ 09/17/10 12:12 AM

I agree...about the demo being solid, and Bynum does look really off.

# 68 yungflo @ 09/17/10 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NS HeLLaDOPe


	2k shouldve re-did or upgraded every players face becus Ray Allen still looks 80 yrs old and Kobe stll has that boney skeleton face smh welp! maybe next year!!!

thats how kobe looks like man

# 69 Emaay @ 09/17/10 01:46 AM

Im still amazed that good presentation wipes away the fact that there are almost no physics in this game to speak of. Don't get me wrong the game is beautiful. The presentation is spot on; players look, act and play like themselves. 2k managed to capture the feel of the NBA perfectly. This almost wipes away the fact that much of the time I feel I'm watching the game and not participating. Kobe's vast array of dribble moves only make me realize that I'm not controlling the dribble as much as triggering animations. How can this be sports game of the year when you are barely controlling it. Best representation of a sport yes! SGOY sorry no. I know I'm being critical but it's the only way we'll see the game get better. If we keep accepting glossy over gameplay 2k's gonna keep shoveling reboots of the 2k10 down our throats.

# 70 Reggie16 @ 09/17/10 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redskinsfan26


	Am I the only one who thinks Andrew Bynum looks really off? But other than that the demo is really solid

looks like tracy morgan lol

# 71 yungflo @ 09/17/10 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moneybalzs


	I'm one of those people you speak of Carrington. I do not like the 2k brand of basketball at all. each year i play it hoping they will change the game play some how but it just never seems to happen. the presentation changes ALOT from year to year but the game play is still very slow and non responsive. when i read reviews on here from people saying they love how real it plays i go back and play the demo again and i just dont see it. while i can acknowledge most people prefer the 2k games Ive. always through the years had more fun playing EA's games not because they are super realistic, but because i just plain have more fun on those games.

I'm relatively the same way. Even though I've been balling with 2k for a little under 4 years, I would still jump ship immediately if EA made a spectacular game. Even though 2k has been good this gen, It still seems foreign to me, where as live 10 I felt at home with its demo and gameplay.

With its presentation, EA has always presented itself with real presentation. They don't bring in foreign people to do half time reports or someone like a clark kellog to go alongside a well known nba/nfl commentator.

That's not a dig at 2k, but imo, it does take away from the game.

I don't know, that's personally just me.

# 72 jsg @ 09/17/10 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emaay


	Im still amazed that good presentation wipes away the fact that there are almost no physics in this game to speak of. Don't get me wrong the game is beautiful. The presentation is spot on; players look, act and play like themselves. 2k managed to capture the feel of the NBA perfectly. This almost wipes away the fact that much of the time I feel I'm watching the game and not participating. Kobe's vast array of dribble moves only make me realize that I'm not controlling the dribble as much as triggering animations. How can this be sports game of the year when you are barely controlling it. Best representation of a sport yes! SGOY sorry no. I know I'm being critical but it's the only way we'll see the game get better. If we keep accepting glossy over gameplay 2k's gonna keep shoveling reboots of the 2k10 down our throats.

are you serious?

# 73 23 @ 09/17/10 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emaay


	Im still amazed that good presentation wipes away the fact that there are almost no physics in this game to speak of. Don't get me wrong the game is beautiful. The presentation is spot on; players look, act and play like themselves. 2k managed to capture the feel of the NBA perfectly. This almost wipes away the fact that much of the time I feel I'm watching the game and not participating. Kobe's vast array of dribble moves only make me realize that I'm not controlling the dribble as much as triggering animations. How can this be sports game of the year when you are barely controlling it. Best representation of a sport yes! SGOY sorry no. I know I'm being critical but it's the only way we'll see the game get better. If we keep accepting glossy over gameplay 2k's gonna keep shoveling reboots of the 2k10 down our throats.

Yeah man, them punks shoulda rebooted and skrapped izobrokin

I mean, jus look at dem silly controlz video. Cant nobody do dat itz teh gay

# 74 Goffs @ 09/17/10 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emaay


	Im still amazed that good presentation wipes away the fact that there are almost no physics in this game to speak of. Don't get me wrong the game is beautiful. The presentation is spot on; players look, act and play like themselves. 2k managed to capture the feel of the NBA perfectly. This almost wipes away the fact that much of the time I feel I'm watching the game and not participating. Kobe's vast array of dribble moves only make me realize that I'm not controlling the dribble as much as triggering animations. How can this be sports game of the year when you are barely controlling it. Best representation of a sport yes! SGOY sorry no. I know I'm being critical but it's the only way we'll see the game get better. If we keep accepting glossy over gameplay 2k's gonna keep shoveling reboots of the 2k10 down our throats.

2 posts...elaborate troll or someone previously banned...

# 75 Emaay @ 09/17/10 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawgthem


	Dude 2k accels in presentation they've been known for that but they also blow minds in gameplay they got mike wang who helped live 10 which some believe was the best in the series thanksto him dude theres contact in that entire demo even when you dunk now theres contact what physics are you talking about just cause real time physics isn't slapped on the back of the game dosen't mean its not there because Ea's Rtp is nothing but a gimmick thats been in 2k all along. http://www.operationsports.com/forum...ysicality.html check this thread before you talk about physics cause you might not know exacty what that other game has. Secondly Mike Wang has gone on record to say "NBA 2k has used physics to determine animation selection for years now", How is this much different than what has been done before in this series and others "? Reck'd on

So the game uses physics to determined which animation to use. Hmmm. But if something happens that's is not accounted for by an animation there is "no physics". Lol. You can often see this when you go for a perfectly timed steal and an animation where the the ball handler just does some type of avoidance dribble pops up. Also since when can Kobe 360 and Dunk on three players lol. Long story short, physics system that is not real time and is animation dominated is not actually physic lol. Sounds kinda simple when you put it that way. Oh and that doesn't even begin to address the fact that animations take some of the enjoyment out of the game. There's a real lack of control in the game. Like I said though I'm not being a senic just want a better standard to be set.

# 76 23 @ 09/17/10 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emaay


	So the game uses physics to determined which animation to use. Hmmm. But if something happens that's is not accounted for by an animation there is "no physics". Lol. You can often see this when you go for a perfectly timed steal and an animation where the the ball handler just does some type of avoidance dribble pops up. Also since when can Kobe 360 and Dunk on three players lol. Long story short, physics system that is not real time and is animation dominated is not actually physic lol. Sounds kinda simple when you put it that way. Oh and that doesn't even begin to address the fact that animations take some of the enjoyment out of the game. There's a real lack of control in the game. Like I said though I'm not being a senic just want a better standard to be set.

Tell em Emaay

dis game feel like da ufc

all we need now iis kimbo slice to show up and do 1 of dem izobrokin shakez

# 77 Emaay @ 09/17/10 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goffs


	2 posts...elaborate troll or someone previously banned...

Oh and yeah I'm a troll for adressing real issues in a game lol. Love how someone you disagree with is automatically a troll. Found the site last week buddy. Registered yesterday. Sorry I haven't been posting longer.

# 78 Emaay @ 09/17/10 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawgthem


	Are you serious did you not check that link. Dude reanimtor even says the physics engine on elite does not create animations there all predetermined quote reanimator The animations are selected based on the physics system, " there all predetermined and only apply to the chest shoulders and hips when 2k's animations correspond to the whole body and there was never a moment in 2k where there wasn't an animation to carry out. 2k10 was in the guiness world records for most animations in a game people still find new animations in the game till this day... now imagine whats in 2k11 Round 2 ...Reck'd on and what avoidable dribble animation from a steal cause i ain't never seen this and i've seen just about every steal animation in that game

And when did I ever refer to elite. My previous to posts never mentioned it. Know why? Because I was addressing what I believe should be done in my NBA game of choice. I'm not gonna compare a brand new game to 2k. I'm saying that because the game is animation dominated you get a lack of control and physics. True or False. Im not trying to turn this into "so and so does this better". It's unnecessay. If there is a way to express basketball more realistically then do it. No matter what name is on the cover the game that give the fairest representation of bball, a physic driven game is better for everyone.

# 79 Emaay @ 09/17/10 03:18 AM

Wow. You missed the whole point of my last post. Lol. Guess I am wrecked if you ignore basic points about what I'm saying. Your argument is that because the competition (which I never mentioned) doesn't do it then we can't complain that the better game doesn't do it either. Lol. So if I am to follow your logic it's impossible to create a sports game where collisions are render in real time. Blatantly false. I understand what your saying about contact it does exist. Your right. I'm just saying it could be leaps and bounds better. It incompass a greater part of the game. There is no need for me to press triangle and immediately be drawn into a foul animation. Let me control situations. Oh and if your going to declare yourself winner at least show some modesty lol.

# 80 Emaay @ 09/17/10 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLB01


	I'm never unamazed at how people argue over video games -- which one is better, which one has this, which one has that -- You know what. It doesn't matter. The bottom line is both of these companies, EA and 2K, want your money. That's it. There's nothin' more to it. Why you would stand up for either company and then feel proud that you did so is beyond me. One of these games being released soon will represent the NBA better, but that's for each individual to decide. Who are you or anybody else to try to argue it ?

Exactly what I'm saying. Great point.

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