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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
# 21 Dannyld @ 05/05/15 05:27 PM
I'd also like to bring this up. Rumor from some months back saying that greg Anthony was replacing Steve Kerr. Although I'd rather see Chris Webber also.

http://www.reddit.com/r/NBA2k/comments/2k1o7k/greg_anthony_will_be_replacing_steve_kerr_in_2k16/
 
# 22 ZakMarcin @ 05/05/15 05:32 PM
How about let us use our custom rosters and draft classes for MyCareer? By your 3rd year the league is filled with a bunch of weirdo rookies. Don't know why they removed the custom roster load feature for MC. At least allow draft classes.
 
# 23 tril @ 05/05/15 05:57 PM
disagree with the first 2.
interior defense. is fine. its all fundamentals. hands up.
defensive rebound is fine. its all about boxing out once the shot goes up. this is not broken. as a matter of fact defensive rebounding is too over powering. defensive rebounds skew a bit high.

sliders work.

presentation is top notch now,- but 2k constantly improves this. not to worried about this.



2k15 is a top notch title
 
# 24 sluknucks @ 05/05/15 06:01 PM
I beg of you 2K bring back online associations it was the best thing since sliced bread!!!! One season will not do and that didnt even work!
 
# 25 Junior Moe @ 05/05/15 07:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dannyld
I'd also like to bring this up. Rumor from some months back saying that greg Anthony was replacing Steve Kerr. Although I'd rather see Chris Webber also.

http://www.reddit.com/r/NBA2k/commen..._kerr_in_2k16/
I think Greg Anthony would make a fine addition to the team. I like C Webb, but Anthony sounds more professional to me.
 
# 26 kabamaru @ 05/05/15 07:24 PM
Make players from any seed facing each other play in a constant difficulty level. It is silly that you can play against an opponent that plays on pro slidesrs where you play on Superstar etc. This is just disrespectful for the players. I myself do not want to win either if I am being given an unfair advantage. (though it is better winning unfairly than losing unfairly)

Also i know it will sound a bit heretic, but I won;t even less % in the packs. I do not want to see anymore teams that have Wilt, and Hakeem in the bench, MJ as a sub, and Sapphire Dominique not making the 13 players. In FIFA no one has Messi and Ronaldo.

By having auch high % pack pulls 2k has managed to
a) create a repetitive myteam where 80% of the teams you face have the same roster.
b) devaluate their own products, as even players like Wade,Bosh,Duncan etc are never used. I myself would be happyif I had a big 3 in myteam,
Having a big 15 is too much and it takes away all realism.

c) in addition since most players had best available players in their teams by December, 2k started releasing cars with fantasy stats (PD,Ruby Dunkers with Centers with 99 speed) as this was the only option to make packs desired.
Again it decreases realism
 
# 27 jerbonemac @ 05/05/15 07:56 PM
Better overall defensive play, and allow online playoff mode for users and friends.
 
# 28 JKSportsGamer1984 @ 05/05/15 08:14 PM
Improve the FOOT PLANTING. Still too much sliding going on. Players sometimes motion shift into place when receiving passes, players feet slide into place when receiving inbound passes, etc...
 
# 29 Steelers=SuperBowl @ 05/05/15 08:33 PM
Expansion draft would be awesome
 
# 30 NC12 @ 05/05/15 08:33 PM
Year to year saves
 
# 31 zrohman @ 05/05/15 09:11 PM
I agree with these things but you missed some critical elements. Yes everyone will gripe about what you said buy:

1: defensive sliding. Enough said.

2: online lag. Enough said.

I won't nitpick outside of that. Yes it's frustrating that could are called at random in the post... But with the lag and defensive sliding playing d online, in the park, or even offline, is extremely difficult.. It's not just hard to PLAY defense, but to even move where you want to move.. That, random fouls and online lag are by far the biggest problems...

Crowd atmosphere is huge too. One category Live dod GREAT in this year. ( no live debates please)
 
# 32 Clappington @ 05/05/15 10:17 PM
lol hate to beat a dead horse here but to some people if they would just add crew a lot of people would be happy I would find that to help expand the series.
 
# 33 BriManG35 @ 05/05/15 10:57 PM
In regards to the 'player highlights' Can you please add the feature to show the full play from beginning to the very end after the made basket with all the different camera angles..For the last few years especially in 2k15 the play ends right after the made basket not having the camera go back to the player showing the rest of it and the emotion of the play/player. I would hope by now we could be able to choose the camera angle and watch it from full view, beginning to end having the camera go back to the player after the made basket. Ive asked for this a couple years ago, please relay this simple yet important feature to the presentation guys it would make a big difference..thanks!
 
# 34 ItsJustaGame @ 05/05/15 11:12 PM
Just improve the online servers. That's it. Spend all of the R&D money on acquiring the strongest online servers ever known to the video game world, and I guarantee it'll be a success. Micro transactions are where the money is at anyway
 
# 35 DEEBOFIOUS @ 05/06/15 12:49 AM
http://www.operationsports.com/DEEBOFIOUS/blog/31702-2k16-must-haves-part-4/
 
# 36 DEEBOFIOUS @ 05/06/15 12:51 AM
http://www.operationsports.com/DEEBOFIOUS/blog/31702-2k16-must-haves-part-4/
 
# 37 Guapo516 @ 05/06/15 01:25 AM
Número uno is The online experience needs to be better. People are betting on games online nowadays, it's vital that online works just as it does offline.

Defensive mobility.

Defensive analog controls are a must. The analog defensively can be put to better use obviously, and L2 or left trigger can have more of an established use as a modifier of sorts.

A few control scheme adjustments like double tap pass should be fake pass. And r3 should be enter post/exit post as well as y/triangle.
 
# 38 Saro1 @ 05/06/15 05:57 AM
The possibility to edit and rename the owners, GM and all the staff so as to make even more realistic gaming experience.
 
# 39 Alexbanks23 @ 05/06/15 06:03 AM
I personally would like to see improvements being made to the create a player option outside of just your myplayer. I find it super annoying that you can't even add headbands to your players anymore. I make my own draft classes and hate how limited it is. Not saying they have to add the facial scan or anything to it, but we need more accessories, similar to the ones available to your myplayer more tattoos, etc etc.
 
# 40 janmagn @ 05/06/15 09:10 AM
Standing dunks!!!
 


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