Operation Sports is proud to present our interview with C.J. Connoy, Producer of NBA ShootOut 2003.

Operation Sports: Are you making NBA Shootout 2003 realistic or will it lean more to the arcade style of gameplay? Do you compare it more to the NBA 2K series or to NBA Street?

C.J. Connoy: NBA ShootOut 2003 is a realistic basketball simulation, though we are paying close attention to what the people like best in their hoops video games. There are over 30 different types of dunks not including “Create Dunk” where the user can create an unlimited number of new dunks. The one-touch control system invites the user to easily juke, spin or crossover. Player capabilities are attribute-based.

Operation Sports: What are you doing to improve the controls, gameplay and graphics?

C.J. Connoy: In overhauling gameplay, we focused on control responsiveness and player movement. The new control ‘feel’ and the quickness of the moves have completely changed the way the game plays. The addition of transition animations, blending, and inverse kinematics allow players to flow in and out of movements in a more human way. For example, the players don’t run in one direction and then “snap” into another. 

From a graphics standpoint, ShootOut 2003 went back to the drawing board and overhauled player models and arenas. The team developed a new method of creating realistic player models, heads, head shapes, faces, and hair. Player models and arenas have been completely reworked and given as much individualization as possible. Create Player includes a full player adjuster suite and accessories like tattoos, headbands, sleeves, goggles, face shields, licensed RBK shoes (like Iverson’s VIs and Francis’ATRs) and more. All accessories will also be available in Edit Player.

Operation Sports: Will you be implementing any “All Star Weekend” contests, like the dunk contest and/or 3-point contest?

C.J. Connoy: Not in this year’s game.

Operation Sports: How would you compare the gameplay in NBA Shootout 2003 to the likes of NBA 2K2, NBA Live 2002 and Inside Drive 2002?

C.J. Connoy: Favorably. ShootOut 2003 comes with some different takes. The new post-up game allows the user defender to position himself centered or off to one side or the other and try to force the offensive player towards the baseline or towards another defender. The game also features the use the right analog stick to fire off special moves that, based on attributes, can cause an AI defender to bite and misstep.

Operation Sports: Do you have any specific athlete helping you out in motion capture?

C.J. Connoy: Some great NBA players are supporting this year’s game with their moves. Included are Ray Allen’s jumper, Stephan Marbury’s dribbling, Jason Kidd’s passing, and Chris Webber’s post game and dunking.

Operation Sports: Will you be tweaking the game so that fouls are called at a realistic pace? Will we finally see “Hack a Shaq” at the end of a game?

C.J. Connoy: Absolutely, the AI knows when it needs to foul near the end of a game and will also look for the most “free throw challenged” player on the court. Though, it may not be Shaq…he shot .662 from the stripe in the Finals. (J. Kidd shot .636 for comparison)

Operation Sports: Can you play multiple seasons or start a franchise? If so, could you go into detail?

C.J. Connoy: Shoot Out 2003 has a new take on the NBA career mode. The user starts by creating his player and taking him through the NBA Summer Pro League (playing with NBA backups, of course). From there, if the user played well enough, he’ll receive offers from different NBA teams. If he didn’t play well enough, he’ll only get an offer from the NBDL. ShootOut 2003, the only officially licensed game with the NBDL, features all eight actual NBDL teams including real uniforms, logos, and courts. While in the minor leagues, the user must play his way back up to the big time. If the user can stay in the NBA, then he can work for awards, championships, and maybe attain the highest goal in the game…making the official Basketball Hall of Fame at the end of a long career.

Operation Sports: Will there be in game saves?

C.J. Connoy: Not in this year’s game.

Operation Sports: Will there be player chatter, guys talking trash?

C.J. Connoy: Yes, during the course of a game, the user will hear general player, coach, and crowd chatter in the background.

Operation Sports: Who will be doing the commentary?

C.J. Connoy: Ian Eagle (New Jersey Nets) and Hall of Famer Bill Walton (NBC Sports).

Operation Sports: Will the game have sliders?

C.J. Connoy: Not in this year’s game. However, there are a ton of options for the user to personalize the game.

Operation Sports: Will there be player introductions?

C.J. Connoy: ShootOut 2003 has taken a different approach here also. The pre game features a sweeping camera tour of the arena and then focuses on the player shoot around, stretching, etc before the game. And, for the first time in a basketball game, all players will be in their NBA warm-ups to give the user a deeper sense of ‘being there.’ Shaq looks even bigger than usual in his long gold warm ups.

Operation Sports: Can you draft players from Final Four to Shootout?

C.J. Connoy: Not in this year’s game.

Operation Sports: Can you play online?

C.J. Connoy: Not in this year’s game.

Operation Sports: How well does the AI work in certain game time situations? IE, mismatches, time management.

C.J. Connoy: AI has been a major focal point this year, and it’s paying off. AI players make intelligent decisions and switch if a primary defender gets screened. Defenders collapse so as to not allow for an easy basket. If a switch occurs, and for some reason Iverson is stuck trying to cover Shaq down low, Shaq will recognize it post him up. Conversely, if Mutumbo is stuck trying to guard Kobe outside, Kobe will recognize the speed difference and attempt a juke or simply try to blow past him.

Operation Sports: I’d like to thank you for this interview, is there anything you would like to add?

C.J. Connoy: Thank you for the great questions! We are working extremely hard to rebuild the quality of the NBA ShootOut franchise. Look for the game coming out in September.