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NBA 2K16: Some Ideas On How to Improve the Series

NBA 2K15 was a good game. Very solid and still playable. In its first year operating with a full-year of a next-gen system, 2K delivered above expectations and provided glimmers of hope for what’s to come down the road.

That being said, it’s never too early to start looking at NBA 2K16.

When it comes to video games, of course there are those who will be left wanting more. It’s the nature of the beast. No one goes into a game’s release date thinking, "This is going to be the most perfect game ever." And if that’s true, then more power to you.

With that said, here are five things that could be done to improve the game next year and make it an all-around great experience, from both a playing and features standpoint.

Improve low-post defense

2K has tried to make this work in the past. It’s been better the last couple of years, but if you’re controlling the likes of Anthony Davis or DeAndre Jordan, more times than none you’ve been called for a foul going for a block.

There’s a large number of fouls being called on taller players who have the ability to block shots at the rim, especially on harder difficulties. It takes the fun out of having a Davis or Jordan because they could foul out in a matter of five minutes. 2K has made strides in making defense playable, but this is the next step. This isn’t to say players shouldn’t block shots every time someone attacks the rim, but there needs to be a balance.

Improve defensive rebounding

This goes hand-in-hand with the low-post defense, but it should not be so difficult to grab a defensive rebound.

For example: Last week, I witnessed a game where a friend played the Boston Celtics online against the Atlanta Hawks. There are people who would probably bet house money that Kelly Olynyk wouldn’t grab 12 offensive rebounds in a game against the likes of Paul Millsap and Al Horford, but who am I to tell you otherwise?

That did happen, and there were even moments Olynyk glitched inbetween the two and grabbed a rebound, followed with an and-1 putback. It’s unclear whether or not there’s a surefire way to fix this, but if so, it needs to be addressed.

Make MyTeam more affordable

MyTeam can be a ton of fun. But why in the world does it cost 8,000-9,000 VC to buy a pack with no guarantee of a great player?

2K did good by making an auction house, but that can get just as expensive if you don’t possess enough MT. The more packs you buy, the more likely you get a good player. But not everyone can afford to stay elite.

Make the packs go for 5,000 VC, and make it affordable for everyone. That’s how you appeal to the non-MyTeam audience and make it a more meaningful game mode.

Expand MyCareer

The story idea behind this year’s MyCareer was actually brilliant: an undrafted rookie who has to sign multiple 10-day contracts before getting a contract for the rest of the year. It was brilliant. But it can be better.

It appears Spike Lee might be having a hand in the MyCareer story in 2K16, and if that’s the case, it might be the best one yet. But there are features to be considered, like bringing back the Draft Combine or implement the NBA Summer League. There’s so much that can be done.

Chance to make presentation overhaul

With Steve Kerr now unavailable to do any color commentary ever again on 2K, this is the chance to do a complete overhaul on presentation.

It doesn’t need to be a drastic change by any means. The pregame show with Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal is fantastic. Even the pregame intros brought back the old days of NBA 2K3. But here’s a chance to implement more: Get Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith under contract and make it a TNT-based video game.

Kevin Harlan can still do the calls, or you can bring back Marv Albert from the NBA Live days. Or bring on both. And you can still have Clark Kellogg if you want. If EA Sports can go full-on ESPN with their presentation, why not up the ante and give TNT some love? They already have the best gameday coverage for the NBA out there.

This is a long shot, but it would be fantastic appeal.

And just for fun...

Fix the sliders

I mean, you can’t get everything you want. But this is still a dire need


NBA 2K16 Videos
Member Comments
# 181 Junior Moe @ 06/19/15 08:46 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mgnelson88
Hey guys I havent ever bought a NBA 2k game but am looking to get one for the 360. What year game should I get (cost not an issue). I am a high school basketball coach so I know the game, I just haven't had time to play with the sticks the past few years and want to pick up an NBA 2K game to dive into.
I would personally go with NBA 2K11 or 2K12 (historic teams and mode). Those were the pinnacle of last gen to me and both could be had for less $10.
 
# 182 _Will_ @ 06/19/15 09:28 AM
How about the ability to move players from a draft class file to the free agency pool???

Not everyone has the time or talent to make these great roster files and draft class files that are available, and I appreciate the efforts of those that put them together.

BUT every year this time I'm stuck in Limbo waiting for the draft to pass and for them to be updated with players put on their new teams.

Either that or in order to start a franchise I have to sim the 2014-2015 season, spend a lot of time trading around draft picks in the offseason to get the draft order right, hope the CPU drafts reasonably, start the 2015-2016 season, make a bunch of trades to correct dumb draft choices the CPU makes, etc., etc., etc.

If there was just an option to export players in a draft class file to the free agent pool, I could save a lot of time and hassle and just assign them myself to teams I think would draft them and not have to sim a season, trade around picks, etc., etc., etc.
 
# 183 SkillzFromThe6 @ 06/19/15 06:04 PM
I miss 2K Share
 
# 184 Da_Czar @ 06/21/15 03:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thelorn
You mean the lack of spacing AI? PG's playing dribble games at the 3pt lines? Centers hitting 20ft fadeaways from the post? The list goes on and on

The playbook that people edit and remove most the broken plays from? The same playbook that ends up only having a few plays used cause the rest are broken? Or the AI getting confused what to do on plays so they just hold the ball for 24secs and jack up some shot cheese?

Since 2k11 gameplay has been mostly ignored, it's hard to sell "gameplay" as a new feature to make the box stand out every year.
Hello thelorn, I would offer that lack of perfection does not mean lack of improvement. The AI in 2k15 is much more advanced than anything available in 2k11.

Also I made a thread http://www.operationsports.com/forum...graveyard.html

and asked for feedback on broken plays as well as a few twitter posts regarding "broken" plays. Every one that responded I either fixed or removed that play.

After speaking with other playbook gurus in the community it became clear that plays this year in their words may not be broken so much as many take too long to develop. That is not a symptom of the play being broken that is as I have said all year long due to the motion system which we admittedly need to improve.

Also I noticed you didn't mention the work put into the freelance offenses what have never been in any video game before. The entire triangle offense among others. Not just a shell but the entire offense or as close as the tech would allow us. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...dZQYjwchgCdeCI

In addition hand-offs which never worked in the past are in game and working. Don't always look great but it's in the game and been in the game. The AI can and does use them this year as well.


Only game with early offense system. You can't replicate fast breaking teams without early offense yet 2k is the only nba game I have ever seen with them in.

Not only that but there are different one's depending on which freelance offense you select.

The vaunted 2k11 has none of that tech available in it.

Backdoor awareness and branching


So while you are correct there are many areas that need improvement, what games AI does not need improvement ? This will be a continual process towards the mark and will never be complete in a one year cycle.

Having said that and to all the guys who can appreciate what we did last year, remember that I was only here for a part of the cycle last year and look what all we got accomplished.

I even told you point blank the offenses this year were mainly for the user. I told you here in this forum that the AI would not be great at running them this year and that all the freelance stuff was of most benefit to the user.

In 2k16 I have more time with more systems under my control. Doesn't mean to expect perfection, far from that. But you can expect improvement and a push for the AI to play better more realistic hoops but this will be a multi year journey to get the AI to a point we all, I assume, want it to be.

No other game has given you as many and varied offensive concepts and options. No other game gives you accurate offenses dating back to the 60's. Are there area's for improvement ? Absolutely. But imo it is not accurate to say that the AI or game play in general has not improved at all since NBA 2K11 or to imply that there is no effort put forth in those areas.
 
# 185 Da_Czar @ 06/21/15 03:52 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by WISports
Speaking off freelance and off the ball player movement, I wanna see guys running around a little faster. One example, when a guy (without the ball) is standing in one corner, and cuts along the baseline to the other corner 3 area. Right now they always jog.


And then when guys like that catches and shoots coming off a screen, etc, it needs to be more smooth. Going from catch to shoot needs to have a smoother transition. So it's one fluid movement. Not, catch-stop-shoot.

We got you!
 
# 186 edubbs @ 06/21/15 05:45 PM
2k15 runs circles around 2k11, in regards to playbooks, AI, spacing etc....

For a offline gamer like myself, that game (2k11) is so far in my rear view..... i can't even reference it anymore. Especially after playing 2k15 pretty much all year.

As Czar said, NBA2K still needs alot of improvements, but it's still the best i've played to date in the gameplay, playbook, and AI department's.

I rarely post anymore but, I really appreciate the advancements the gameplay team has made in these areas.

Thanks for posting that dribble handoff video Czar. I've struggled all year trying to get those handoffs to transition smoothly, and i never even saw this tutorial video earlier this year.

Moving forward i would like to see more Horns sets/formations and improved handoffs actions as well, for both the user and the AI.

Also, various team specific defensive schemes would be pretty cool. ie; pick and roll coverages, corner traps/pressures etc.
 
# 187 hesko @ 06/22/15 05:58 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by edubbs
2k15 runs circles around 2k11, in regards to playbooks, AI, spacing etc....
it does, but the homies need to upgrade some of their animations and make it look like a human performed them. why do mocap sessions, add a whole bunch
off cool animations if they don't resemble or play out what we see and know it to look like in reality?like i always say here. a game needs to play and feel just as good as it looks. oh glorious day when the gameplay matches the graphics.
 
# 188 bigballa21 @ 06/22/15 01:59 PM
got into 2k15 real late so maybe i haven't played enough but can you split the double teams in 2k15? if not that's got to be in 2k16
 
# 189 Jrocc23 @ 06/22/15 02:04 PM
Yeah, I don't think you can. I remember being able to do them by pressing "Y" on a previous version and I believe it was balanced pretty well.
 
# 190 YogiGarebear89 @ 06/23/15 07:03 PM
I've been thinking of something really interesting to me just solely revolving around My Career. I don't have a One yet but plan on getting it next month. I have watched videos on YouTube all the time whether it be YMDGento, Chris Smoove, etc.
I really wish down the road we could get a "Shot/Slam Scan!"
It seems absurd to me only because there's always those people who are going to either do like a backwards shot or a around the back or whatever. Those "shots" would somehow have to go in, in order for that shot to work. Idk that was a confusing sentence. What I'm trying to say is down the road I hope we get some sort of way to implement our own shot into the game. For those who don't even play basketball but play the game might not use the feature but it would be kinda cool. I also (Being a 15 year old tall scrawny kid) love slamming on my adjustable hoop. I'm one of those DeAndre Jordan time slammers who **** back and slam It with authority and power. I would love to be able to implement your own style of dunks into the game!

I also would love to see custom gear.
Probably never going to happen only because of copyrighting or inappropriate attire or whatever but I would say 2K offer you only so much when it comes to arm sleeves, wristbands, etc.

Custom Mouth Guards! Although someone would probably put Male Genitalia so nvm.
But I think the sky's the limit at this point for 2K and I really like where it's going. NBA Live, to me, is garbage, I really just hope we have a good game in 2K16 and hope to enjoy it with all of you
 
# 191 midwestking100 @ 06/23/15 10:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by WISports
This would be AMAZING!!!!


OK, first off, add more hair and beard styles.


Then, allow us to edit any of those on any NBA player that's in the game. So if a guy grows a beard during the season....or shaves his head...no biggie. We can just edit ourselves.
I hope they allow us to edit some of the classic players as well.
 
# 192 YogiGarebear89 @ 06/23/15 11:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by YogiGarebear89
I've been thinking of something really interesting to me just solely revolving around My Career. I don't have a One yet but plan on getting it next month. I have watched videos on YouTube all the time whether it be YMDGento, Chris Smoove, etc.
I really wish down the road we could get a "Shot/Slam Scan!"
It seems absurd to me only because there's always those people who are going to either do like a backwards shot or a around the back or whatever. Those "shots" would somehow have to go in, in order for that shot to work. Idk that was a confusing sentence. What I'm trying to say is down the road I hope we get some sort of way to implement our own shot into the game. For those who don't even play basketball but play the game might not use the feature but it would be kinda cool. I also (Being a 15 year old tall scrawny kid) love slamming on my adjustable hoop. I'm one of those DeAndre Jordan time slammers who **** back and slam It with authority and power. I would love to be able to implement your own style of dunks into the game!

I also would love to see custom gear.
Probably never going to happen only because of copyrighting or inappropriate attire or whatever but I would say 2K offer you only so much when it comes to arm sleeves, wristbands, etc.

Custom Mouth Guards! Although someone would probably put Male Genitalia so nvm.
But I think the sky's the limit at this point for 2K and I really like where it's going. NBA Live, to me, is garbage, I really just hope we have a good game in 2K16 and hope to enjoy it with all of you
I also would like to add Your own voice to the game so you can have your own voice on dialogues
 
# 193 YogiGarebear89 @ 06/24/15 01:42 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by WISports
This would be AMAZING!!!!


OK, first off, add more hair and beard styles.


Then, allow us to edit any of those on any NBA player that's in the game. So if a guy grows a beard during the season....or shaves his head...no biggie. We can just edit ourselves.
Sadly probably won't happen, would probably give "too much" freedom. And I think 2K would then only have so much to do on the roster/cf side of things, but idk
 
# 194 cima @ 06/24/15 03:48 AM
Please make it easier to edit contracts. Having to scroll up or down number by number is painfully slow and inefficient. We should just be able enter the contract via number keypad. Much faster and easier that way.

Oh and bring back three team trades in MyLeague. I like to have accurate rosters but I don't like to control all 30 teams. Having the three team trade feature like in 2K14 and before makes it possible to make the real life trades in MyLeague.
 
# 195 YogiGarebear89 @ 06/24/15 02:50 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cima
Please make it easier to edit contracts. Having to scroll up or down number by number is painfully slow and inefficient. We should just be able enter the contract via number keypad. Much faster and easier that way.

Oh and bring back three team trades in MyLeague. I like to have accurate rosters but I don't like to control all 30 teams. Having the three team trade feature like in 2K14 and before makes it possible to make the real life trades in MyLeague.
Would definitely be convenient/efficient for roster makers!
 
# 196 YogiGarebear89 @ 06/24/15 08:47 PM
I started re-evaluating my post and really have considered some new things as well.


The Draft!

I really wish the draft was a place where the fans are going crazy and the vibe is just contagious. There would be some discussing between analysts or whatever about the players and they'd show some highlights from their career and give some basic info ex. Strengths and Weaknesses.
You'd then proceed to where Adam Silver walks out and the crowd is as eager as ever. Awaiting that name to be announced. The excitement would build up and The name would be read. The fans would go crazy. The player would walk up on stage and receive their hat and take a picture with Adam Silver. We'd then, throughout the draft, see interviews with the bigger named players and ask them about what's ahead and all that. Give draft night a little more pep.

Please leave thoughts and comments on what you think!!
 
# 197 mjm76 @ 07/03/15 11:06 PM
2K needs to keep developing more weekly challenges, instead of stopping doing them as they did this year. More challenges would add more longevity to the My Team mode for those that do not like to play RTTP.

Also I agree with the decrease in cost for packs suggestions, right now buying expensive packs is just frustrating and not worth it IMO.
 
# 198 strawberryshortcake @ 07/03/15 11:30 PM
What can be improved, likely not in NBA2k16, but future iterations would be implementing that one massive "post" that got (I think) well over 100 thumbs up/likes and counting. I've been trying to find it, but can't.

The opening post/thread had massive graphics, lots of pictures, I think it even included youtube videos, statistical breakdowns I think. But it was definitely one of those post/thread that you take notice. Massive information that would tremendously improve the game by a large margin.

Anyone remember that one "post" and can actually find it?
 
# 199 iTofu @ 07/04/15 07:04 AM
Forgive me if this has been mentioned, but as I watch all these NBA signings it reminds me, could we get the salary cap to inflate correctly for the 2016-17 & 2017-18 seasons?

Otherwise the dichotomy between old and new contracts will make less sense, plus future years will be increasing realistic.
 
# 200 WarriorFan30 @ 07/05/15 01:11 AM
I can tell you how to improve 2k, have players play like they actually play. Kevin Durant shouldn't be dunking from the half court line on Anthony Davis. Kobe shouldn't be in the game ballin 48 minutes like he a rookie. Matt Barnes should slam every body that drives. And also there should be altercations for flagrants like in a real game. They don't have to fight because it isn't like they do in real life but try to make it a little more interesting. P.S I don't like How nate Robinson can run in the lane and knock down Dwight Howard.
 


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