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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
# 201 Tunechid @ 07/06/15 08:31 PM
I would love for draft combine and summer league to be in 2k16 for my career. Also wish they would add off season workouts or games like drew league and Pro am type stuff. As far as online for my players I would love for crew to come back with leader boards and ranking with tournaments every weekend. I know I'm asking for to much but just some ideas
 
# 202 SPRINGS03 @ 07/07/15 02:56 AM
PASSING MECHANICS, for the love of god please fix this, it's been bad for years. There's no way a person passing to their man should be deflecting the pass off of the back of their mans leg that often. It's not that hard to pass around a defender who's not facing you. And can we please get rid of the whole "computer can see behind their heads" thing? They said they were gonna fix that in 2k12 and it never happened. You shouldn't be able to just deflect the ball with your back turned FACING AWAY from the ball as if you're looking right at it, that's not how basketball works.
 
# 203 tetoleetd @ 07/07/15 03:52 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Da_Czar
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.
2k15 is better at running plays and movement than any other edition. it still needs work though. players jog around too slow and get caught up on other players when trying to get through the play.

it also feels a little unnatural how you can be standing there for 5 seconds waiting for one player to move himself 2 inches to get into the right spot to the launch the play.

better free flowing moving is still needed to take the game to the next level.
 
# 204 tetoleetd @ 07/07/15 03:54 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by YogiGarebear89
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!!
crowd atmosphere is something that is missing in every current day sports game.

those old school ncaa football games got it right. they had the meter showing how loud the crowd was and the controller would vibrate. that was really great for immersion. there would be nothing better than going on the road in a crazy environment and pulling out a close win.
 
# 205 tetoleetd @ 07/07/15 03:58 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LD2k
He took the Warriors job a few months before we finished NBA 2K15. Not enough time on Earth to remove/replace him last year.

He will be replaced this year - more on that later.
you wanna do something real cool that fans will love?

look at the old ESPN 2k football games and the old 2k college hoops games. they had weekly roundup shows that kept you up to date on the happenings of the league and showed actual highlights and stats.

that stuff is HUGE for immersion.

add in the same kind of presentation for the draft and maybe get some back story for the rookies and we will all be playing my league or my gm non stop.
 
# 206 Hustle Westbrook @ 07/07/15 05:00 AM
Get rid of the player badges, or at the very least neutralize their effects on gameplay and just reduce them to being indicators as to what skills a player excels at.

Seriously what is the purpose of badges like Posterizer and Tenacious Rebounder?

Why give a player with maxed out dunk and rebound ratings these badges so they can increase those ratings even more?

No wonder MyTeam is a cheesefest. Get this out of the game please!
 
# 207 reptilexcq @ 07/07/15 11:54 PM
How about this idea: Smoother online gaming. 2k15 was a disaster.
 
# 208 strawberryshortcake @ 07/08/15 12:08 AM
Footplanting - Real solid footplanting for each and ever single offensive and defensive player on the court. Why is this still an issue in video games?
 
# 209 Smirkin Dirk @ 07/08/15 08:54 AM
The notion that the game hasnt improved since 11 is absurd.

I put in about 200 games of 2K15 (12 minute quarters) and foudn the game dynamic and challenging.

1. The offball movement needs to be quicker and more explosive.

2. When the movement was quick, the slow pass speed neutered it.
 
# 210 chjj @ 07/08/15 12:17 PM
I really wish the career mode would go the route of year to year saves like MLB The Show. Probably might stay with 2k15 a year or two because I actually want to ho through a career. Still depends on 2k16's quality and whether it's worth starting over.
 
# 211 tetoleetd @ 07/08/15 04:50 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chjj
I really wish the career mode would go the route of year to year saves like MLB The Show. Probably might stay with 2k15 a year or two because I actually want to ho through a career. Still depends on 2k16's quality and whether it's worth starting over.
year to year saves would be a game changer. especially if 2k delivers with a good compelling story to make your career interesting.

just imagine actually taking your time and getting through a whole career with one player? might take multiple editions of the game to do it but it would be sweet.
 
# 212 Lakerf57n @ 07/09/15 03:50 AM
I would like to see more options in the game as far as face scanning. it was really a step down to me to be able to use my player in my career mode mind you he is faced scanned and then to go and play my league and have to use a generic create a player to me that was a step down also I would like to see if there can be multiple face scans for players especially to replace those fodder create a players that we are starting to see every year in 2 K as well as placing face scanned CAP in 2k share
 
# 213 lvmnz @ 07/09/15 01:18 PM
Who wants to play the dumb computer in mygm or season--online options of this nature would be much appreciated
 
# 214 strawberryshortcake @ 07/09/15 02:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by lvmnz
Who wants to play the dumb computer in mygm or season--online options of this nature would be much appreciated
Come on, really?

I only play the computer in MyGM or season mode. There are plenty of offline only gamers. The computer gives me a challenge. How about simply saying you would appreciate an online MyGm mode for online gamers?
 
# 215 mark24_7 @ 07/09/15 04:29 PM
I think its clear everyone agrees rebounding could use some work. As well as man defense where the defender actually stays in front of the ball handler to an extent. I understand the ball handler can get past at times but playing against the cpu they always seem to go right by as if the defender isn't even there or mind as well not be. The help defense and rotation on the floor from the cpu could be much better as well. They do that and they have a much better game.
 
# 216 hesko @ 07/09/15 09:48 PM
in czar's video, y'all see how the defender who's guarding mcw moves on that hand off play? not natural at all. mo cap that sequence or at least animate it so it replicates what we would see in a game.
 
# 217 keshunleon @ 07/10/15 02:49 PM
Passing!

Passing is better but still needs a HUGE upgrade! This will fix a lot of the LEGACY issues with 2K.

Lack of catch animations result into turnovers
Easy passes go out of bounds or away from teammates
Slow passes

Players pass the ball directly in front of the defender
Players pass the ball off the defenders
Players cut in and out of good position: away from an open shot, cut toward the basket into the defense
 
# 218 DeathstrokeXV @ 07/11/15 08:09 AM
Listen can we please fix player movement?

Like I don't want to simply move the stick and be on the other side of the court, this game desperately needs Live's real time physics.

Also will it kill them to pay for the rights to Madison Square Garden? JESUS.
 
# 219 basketballest @ 07/11/15 09:26 AM
I would like a game that after coming back from a 14 point 4th quarter deficit, i'm down by 2 points with 1.2 seconds left and tap square upon reception of the ball to do a pump fake. Instead of my input to the controller it went into a quick rushed get the shot off animation.
Karl Malone once said " one second is a long time " interviewed after hitting a game winning shot in the fashion i was attempting to do so. Lucky this wasn't game 7 of the NBA Finals or i probably wouldn't own a working copy of 2K15 anymore.
 
# 220 Boilerbuzz @ 07/11/15 11:29 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeathstrokeXV
Listen can we please fix player movement?

Like I don't want to simply move the stick and be on the other side of the court, this game desperately needs Live's real time physics.
.

Listen, can please no come in hear with that? Live "real time physics" is all marketing and very little substance. When the rubber hits the road, that game moves like a boat, for all the talk about responsiveness. It has its own list of issue in movement. Keep Live out of this.

And being specific would be helpful. What aspect of movement are you talking about? Saying they need to "fix" something that is FAR from perfect, but FAR from broken goes nowhere. Maybe you're talking about the having tighter control is small spaces? If so, I actually agree. If I want to take a very small step, it's very easy to over step it. There a ton of ways this game gives the user control over how they move. From forced strafing, explosive strafing, and so on. The small, discreet movement needs to be more accurate. I agree with that. Beyond that, the movement system is very well done.


Quote:
Originally Posted by basketballest
I would like a game that after coming back from a 14 point 4th quarter deficit, i'm down by 2 points with 1.2 seconds left and tap square upon reception of the ball to do a pump fake. Instead of my input to the controller it went into a quick rushed get the shot off animation.

I actually like that feature. What you feel is a good time for it to kick in?

Nice comeback, btw!
 


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