NBA 2K12 Developer Insight #3 - Art Direction

Feature Article

Submitted on: 08/30/2011 by Steve Noah

Lynell Jinks here, Art Director for NBA 2K12. Today I am going to be talking about both new improvements that you can look forward to in 2K12.

Click here for high resolution image

The artists here have taken a lot of time to make our game feel even more life-like than ever before. We took a lot of time to research and find references for all of the greatest players in every era, along with the old school feel that each of their eras is known for. We really worked hard to recreate more than a 150 new retired players with their accessories, hair, uniforms, court floors, etc. because, as Erick said in the NBA Greatest Insight, we are often going at least ten players deep on the 34 new legendary teams.

This year, the broadcast of each game is so life-like that you will have a hard time believing you’re not watching old clips from back in the day. The amount of detail we put into making these games fit into their respective era’s is crazy, from the old school baskets, press tables, overlays, camera angles, etc. We also did a lot of work on post process filters; adding sepia and grayscale to display older games, the way they were broadcasted in their day. As you can see in the below screenshot, a game from the 60s or 70s will have that “grainy” look and feel. The combination of camera work and color adds to the authenticity of each broadcast and is specific to each era, venue, etc.

Click here for high resolution image

One of the most noticeable updates, we made this year, is capturing the likenesses for a lot of the key players. We updated close to 400 player heads that I felt weren’t up to par or needed a new, fresher look. I honestly think this is one of the biggest places you’ll see a difference up close.

Click here for high resolution image

Every year we get a ton of feedback about tattoos or should I say lack of, so to help solve this problem we worked with NBA to provide us with hi-res shots of any player who has tattoos from every possible angle. And while I can’t get into too much detail in an effort to not spoil future Insights, we have made advancements that should make the most hardcore fans on the 2K Insider blog, those breaking down the slightest intricacies in shoes, tattoos, or hair, quite happy.

Click here for high resolution image

Another cool aspect, unique to this year’s game, is crowd and collision animation. Mascots have been given more props such as a t-shirt gun they shoot into the crowd with fans actually fighting to get one. Watch closely, you may even see a Mascot race out on skates.

Click here for high resolution image

The first row animation of the crowd has been spiced up as well. There is more contact and more interaction. Watch out if a ball, or worse a player, comes hurdling in your direction. I don’t want to go to deep as our Presentation folks have an Insight in the coming weeks, in which they will focus on all these subjects along with pre-game, post-game, atmosphere etc.

Click here for high resolution image

Thanks for reading. We’re feeling very proud of the steps that we’ve taken in Art and hope that you appreciate them. In the next couple days, we will be revealing a trailer from the one and only Momentus that bring a lot of what I discussed to life. It will blow your mind.

** TRAILER COMING SOON**
- Lynell Jinks
Art Director

NBA 2K12 Videos

Member Comments

# 101 exposedaking @ 08/30/11 10:43 PM

andrew! is that you?!

# 102 LM1213 @ 08/30/11 10:58 PM

you know what gets me? ( well I'm gonna tell you) Ronnie said they held off on the insight so they could release the video with it. So today they release the insight with no video saying it will be tomorrow, because of IGN. well if you weren't sure you could release the vid with the insight, just release the insight.

Or better yet, just release the insight Friday like you said, and release a video Monday. But okay, all that aside, my big thing is Ronnie couldn't even be like "sorry guys, we dropped the ball, but here is the update."

Nope, they just act like they never even said anything at all. Like they didn't know there consumers were waiting. Now I've seen this before from 2k so I am not in the least surprised. But damn, some ownership of a lie or mistake would have made the world of a difference. If any of the the 2k peeps check up on this board, a simple sorry to your consumers could go a long way instead of acting like nothing ever happened. mistakes happen, and that''s fine, but heck, just man (company/marketing) up. DONE.

# 103 eko718 @ 08/30/11 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwagDoc101


	wow i was thinking the same thing...not complaining but 2k has to correct thatasap...drose is the reigning mvp. 2k owes it to him to be spot on...they have to fix it bc it gives him that distinctive signature look

He does have the elongated knee sleeve. I remember seeing it in one of the pics. Go to the screenshots section on this site in fact.

# 104 wallofhate @ 08/30/11 11:00 PM

When people get into the whole "i cant believe your worried about that" post it gets under my skin a little. Some things interest others that may not interest you! Thats just how things are. Nithing is more significant than the other! They all come together to make a great game!
The way it looks,plays,simulates,stats etc. all play a part! I personally dont care about "my player" or sim stats or online but that doesnt mean its not important or doesnt have its place. I just dont get that response? Ig cost you nothing...pay the post no mind if you think its a juvenile request.

# 105 wallofhate @ 08/30/11 11:11 PM

@Green Magic om not trying to argue I dont do internet arguing. And I meant if you think their request are juvenile let it be we are all looking for the same thing...a great game! What makes it great to you might not be what makes it great to someone else. I apologize if what I said seemed different.
Its when people say "why are you worried about that" it goes from critisizing the game to critisizing the person imo. To each its own though

# 106 LM1213 @ 08/30/11 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallofhate


	@Green Magic om not trying to argue I dont do internet arguing. And I meant if you think their request are juvenile let it be we are all looking for the same thing...a great game! What makes it great to you might not be what makes it great to someone else. I apologize if what I said seemed different. Its when people say "why are you worried about that" it goes from critisizing the game to critisizing the person imo. To each its own though

Well put good sir

# 107 qpc123 @ 08/30/11 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallofhate


	When people get into the whole "i cant believe your worried about that" post it gets under my skin a little. Some things interest others that may not interest you! Thats just how things are. Nithing is more significant than the other! They all come together to make a great game! The way it looks,plays,simulates,stats etc. all play a part! I personally dont care about "my player" or sim stats or online but that doesnt mean its not important or doesnt have its place. I just dont get that response? Ig cost you nothing...pay the post no mind if you think its a juvenile request.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Magic


	Juvenile request... You don't even know me don't say it's a juvenile request you need to look at your self I just stated my opinion if Ivget under your skin so much ignore me?

You may want to slow your roll and re-read what he said boss. He wasn't referring to you as juvenile, he was saying the if you think a post someone else made is juvenile than just continue reading the others and pay no attention to it. We get it you don't care about accessories, no need to continually post that you are annoyed by others post. Posting that another post annoys you is just as annoying.

# 108 qpc123 @ 08/30/11 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallofhate


	When people get into the whole "i cant believe your worried about that" post it gets under my skin a little. Some things interest others that may not interest you! Thats just how things are. Nithing is more significant than the other! They all come together to make a great game! The way it looks,plays,simulates,stats etc. all play a part! I personally dont care about "my player" or sim stats or online but that doesnt mean its not important or doesnt have its place. I just dont get that response? Ig cost you nothing...pay the post no mind if you think its a juvenile request.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Magic


	Juvenile request... You don't even know me don't say it's a juvenile request you need to look at your self I just stated my opinion if Ivget under your skin so much ignore me?

Quote:

Originally Posted by qpc123


	You may want to slow your roll and re-read what he said boss. He wasn't referring to you as juvenile, he was saying the if you think a post someone else made is juvenile than just continue reading the others and pay no attention to it. We get it you don't care about accessories, no need to continually post that you are annoyed by others post. Posting that another post annoys you is just as annoying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Magic


	Slow my roll? Im not angry at all I just come on here everyday and here people constantly complainin about accessories and other things that are "cosmetic" and don't effect the game... I want 2k to be the best basketball game out their but ITS MY opinion that I think we focus too much on accessories and not on gameplay because this is. A video game not a pretter contest I think we need focus on the actuall game instead of making it into a acessories contest but when the game comes out crappy we always complian to the makers but shouldnt we look at yourself instead a look back at what you said and see that all we complain about accessories and calf sleves and such.

Yes, slow your roll before you jump all over somebody with the whole "you don't know me" racket when it's your own lack of reading comprehension that is the root of the problem.

Perhaps, don't come here everyday if it is that troubling for you. This thread is for the "Art Insight" , accessories are part of the Art in the game. This thread is not for you to complain about what other people's "complaints" are. If it really bothers you that much start the who care about accessories thread like someone did when all the info was just about NBA Greatest mode.

# 109 skinnybonez @ 08/30/11 11:44 PM

Rose, wade need longer knee pads

# 110 qpc123 @ 08/30/11 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Magic


	Reading compression! Lol your funny I'm not angry or anything just making my. Opinion... I can make my opion just like you It's funny that I can't make an opion just like you and also to my reading comprehension why do I have a phd then in medical science

Well, doctor, you are free to express your (notice there is difference between the words your and you're, but I guess that doctors don't need proficient language skills) opinion, but not at that expense of others opinions, yours are no more valid than mine or that of another poster. If you don't like what someone else thinks then take your own advise and ignore them. You are clearly looking to argue over this with someone and I will no longer be that person.

# 111 DeRanza @ 08/30/11 11:57 PM

At least they got D. Rose's face right. Other than that, this is a disappointing insight.

# 112 stillfeelme @ 08/30/11 11:59 PM

This thread has been unintentional comedy for me reading some of the responses. I think most of us have reached the point where we just want to play the game. With all that said I must say those photos are on point

# 113 scatman @ 08/31/11 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinnybonez


	Rose, wade need longer knee pads

looks to me like he may need longer socks....and ankle braces. Look how high the socks come up.

# 114 J_Posse @ 08/31/11 12:06 AM

Insight was just okay, but damn those screenshots were ill. Rose, Kobe, LeBron and Wade all looked excellent. Wish we could've read more about accessory improvements and arena changes/ improvements as well.

Can't wait until the eDoted trail on Wednesday.

Sent from Spurs Nation HQ

# 115 LaLaKeR24 @ 08/31/11 12:11 AM

still no finger strap for Kobe But What Ever Game Looks Great

# 116 J_Posse @ 08/31/11 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaLaKeR24


	still no finger strap for Kobe But What Ever Game Looks Great

The finger strap is already in the game, problem is it looks like pieces of tape.

Sent from Spurs Nation HQ

# 117 truintellectplaya @ 08/31/11 12:39 AM

Yeah that was a whatever insight, let me in on Association Mode or let me know what work around you are offering so that we can put rookies into the game. Or, atleast let us know that you already have the rookies ready to go and that we will all receive the code was the lockout is over or that they will simply be patched into the game when the lockout is over. Let me know how we are going to get rookies, let me know about alone association, and online period and I will be satisfied

# 118 cavsfan2 @ 08/31/11 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qpc123


	Here we go again, from Ronnie's twitter: "Been informed that the trailer will be released tomorrow afternoon by IGN. Should make for one great end of the week before long weekend."

# 119 KyotoCarl @ 08/31/11 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moe24-


	No offence but this insight is horrible...and whats up with 2k player models??? For the past couple years i've seen this....Look at the hands of the players ...whats the thick dark line going around there fingers? That looks terrible. Right now 2K, im booing your performance so far.... BOOOOOOOO! This could change in the future, and i shall cheer again if you start excuting...

If you don't think that looks good you are nitpicking a bit too much.

---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=59.335006,18.022274

# 120 youvalss @ 08/31/11 01:57 AM

I don't think an art Insight would be that great until the game gets a real upgrade graphics-wise. I didn't think it was that bad of an Insight, but not the best as well. Didn't really expect it to be that amazing. I don't think 2K was supposed to surprise anyone with anything there. It's pretty much what people here have already seen/heard about. They fixed this and that...and the rest of it was what we've been reading about the last couple of weeks.

I'm sure other Insights will be fun to read.

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