NBA 2K16 2K Pro-Am Interview with Jeff Thomas

Feature Article

Submitted on: 08/04/2015 by Steve Noah

We recently had an opportunity to interview Jeff Thomas, vice president of sports development at Visual Concepts to discuss some more details about the new 2K Pro-Am mode in NBA 2K16. While we had many questions from the OS community, most of them could not be answered at this time, due to details on other modes yet to be announced. With that said, enjoy the quick interview and let us know what you think.

Operation Sports: The trailer showed both an arena environment (10 players)as well as a Rec Center environment (40 players). Can you choose which settings to play in? How is that coordinated?

Jeff Thomas: The Pro-Am Arena is the new four court arena. The custom arenas are for team play exclusively. Team play can happen both in the Pro-Am arena and In your Team’s custom arena. All Walk-On play takes place in the Pro-Am Arena.

OS: Can anyone on your Pro-Am team work on the colors and arena, or does the creator handle that? Can you assign people to assist?

JT: Only the team owner can manage the arena design and customization.

OS: Can we be a part of multiple teams/squads?

JT: Yes you can!

OS: If I only have 3 users in my team for Pro-Am, can I still play and have computer players as the other two players on our team, or do you need to make sure you have your team of 5 players?

JT: You can play with 3 players and 2 A.I. players.

OS: Will our MyPLAYERs have exclusive ratings and overalls to the Pro-Am that differ from MyPark?

JT: No.

OS: How do the leaderboard rankings work? Is it determined by win percentage, games played, record and/or region? Can you give us some more details on what the leaderboards track?

JT: Rankings are determined by an ELO rating system.

OS: If you decide to switch your crew, will you lose all your individual stats and will it affect your ranking on the leaderboard?

JT: No you will not.

OS: Can Pro-Am teams with the same nickname exist? Example: Chicago Wings and Seattle Wings

JT: No.

OS: Do you have to be in same Affiliation as everyone else to play together?

JT: No that isn’t necessary.

OS: Will teams be restricted by position? Example: Three 7-foot SFs and two centers? Or is it two guards, two forwards, one center?

JT: No there aren’t position restrictions.

OS: Will you have a website or app available to check your stats and other game results?

JT: Yes.

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Member Comments

# 21 redsox4evur @ 08/04/15 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KehliahoMauiFootball


	CPU taints the game. Makes the leaderboard meaningless. If you got 3 guys sharing that stats for the whole team, it taints the entire leaderboard. Not to mention how fun is it to guard/be guarded by the CPU? Not to mention the mode is supposed to replicate real life. How many iRobots do you see running around at your local gym?

Who says this mode is supposed to replicate real life? Because to me this is the complete opposite of a real life mode? How many guys actually create an NBA court in their backyard and then find 9 other guys and run 5 v.5 games. And change the colors on those courts every other night. Also how many guys a jersey for them and their friends to play these games? If anything MyPark represents real life than this mode.

# 22 Jrocc23 @ 08/04/15 03:33 PM

Sorry bro. I'm glad it's in. You'll get over it soon. If not, just wish when you have your 5 you can back out of playing 3 or 4 players until you see 5. God bless.

# 23 Jrocc23 @ 08/04/15 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KehliahoMauiFootball


	Doubt I'll be playing the mode now unless it's filled up with 5's. I despise the CPU. Do you play with bots in call of duty or nah

Look man, I'm happy it's in. Sorry you'll miss out on what seems to be a fantastic mode.

# 24 Jv160 @ 08/04/15 03:35 PM

I see does damn 2k shoes again.

# 25 Pokes404 @ 08/04/15 03:37 PM

I'm primarily a team-up player, and I can say from experience that the CPU was pretty nightmarish in 2K14 ... at least in that mode. But other than a few psychic pass interceptions, the CPU was a lot more balanced in 2K15.

I would much rather play against human opponents, but having to play against the CPU every once in a while isn't a big deal. I know there will be plenty of times when I only have 2-3 other friends online and want to run a game. It's nice to know I'll be able to do so and have the CPU fill in the empty slots.

The thing I worry about with this mode are people getting down 10+ points, and opting to just quit and get into a new game instead of finishing it out. With matchmaking back this year, that temptation to exit out and get into a new game when things aren't going well is going to be a little more prevalent. Hopefully quitters will face some kind of penalty (stat hits, loss, VC deduction, etc) to help curve this. Because again, playing the CPU from time to time is understandable, but we'd all rather be going against human opponents.

# 26 Jrocc23 @ 08/04/15 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KehliahoMauiFootball


	Great. Your reasons aren't very good though. Bloated stats? Check Tainted leaderboard? Check Less-organic mode / rely on CPU for defense, etc? Check Unequal playing field? Check I have no clue why people want to play an ONLINE *HUMAN* MULTIPLAYER mode, just so they can bring in the CPU / AI for some lovely cheese.

I am not go debate about it. It's in. Why do I need to sit here and debate it with you? I never seen any CPU cheese but whatever. Like I said, just hope you can see teams and back out until it's 5. Good luck bro.

# 27 Csmooove32 @ 08/04/15 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KehliahoMauiFootball


	Enjoy the bloated stats and tainted leaderboard then

The CPU won't change bloated stats. If somebody wants to score 40-50 points a game the 2 other CPU players won't change that. I just don't understand how stats would be worst with the CPU.

# 28 2kAllDay0501 @ 08/04/15 03:42 PM

I have a question. Will you be able to gain rep from the ProAm? I am dying to know!

# 29 Jrocc23 @ 08/04/15 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KehliahoMauiFootball


	Exactly 'cause there is no debate. 5on5 is better if you want a fair untainted experience. If you like cheese and a inconsistent mode, you want CPU.

I can debate it, but it's no point. I'm just over here listening to this news like:

# 30 woshihuxingtan @ 08/04/15 03:43 PM

All I cared about is if 2K can improve their online experience.
Pro-Am is a great mode, but input delay and lag will definitely ruin it!

# 31 2kAllDay0501 @ 08/04/15 03:44 PM

Will you be able to gain rep from ProAm? If not this probably won't be a mode I'll play on.

# 32 b1baller @ 08/04/15 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2kAllDay0501


	I have a question. Will you be able to gain rep from the ProAm? I am dying to know!

Thats my question as well! I hope so

# 33 rvrazorback @ 08/04/15 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KehliahoMauiFootball


	Sounds good. I'll make you a cup too. Difference is no one has given any good reasoning for their opinions and I have.

You're the only person here that I've seen has a problem with this. Chill man they are not going to change it.

# 34 Jrocc23 @ 08/04/15 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KehliahoMauiFootball


	You haven't give any reasoning man. A simple pro/con list would do. 'Til then, ya'll know the deal, I've given my reasons. If you can't come up with an ounce of reasoning to respond to my pro/cons least, then you got nothing. peace.

You will not leave me alone about this. Keep sending me notifications about you quoting me. I do have something, seems like I have my mode back, exactly how I wanted it and more

# 35 Jhawkfootball06 @ 08/04/15 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KehliahoMauiFootball


	You haven't given any reasoning man. A simple pro/con list would do. 'Til then, ya'll know the deal, I've given my reasons. If you can't come up with an ounce of reasoning to adequately respond to my pro/cons list , then you got nothing. peace.

Listen KehliahoMauiFootball,

People just want to play, that's it. If you have 5 friends, what happens when they are not all on? Why must you wait? And you don't want to try and pick up a random with fear of your crew's record being messed up.

People just want to play, period.

# 36 ToppDoggNvrFlex @ 08/04/15 03:59 PM

Man I feel like you guys will complain about everything. We all said bring back crew like it was in 2k10/11 but now yall saying oh bloated stats, cpu double teams; the leaderboards weren't tainted last in those games before hacks, and when we were playing on 2k10/11 idr anyone saying oh cpu double teams, you're a bunch of babies if you cant see a double team coming and hit the open man thats your fault. Get over it, its cool to be able to play with your friends its hard to always coordinate and get 5 guys on when some of you work, have college, etc. i just makes it more convenient and playable for everyone.

# 37 m1ke_nyc @ 08/04/15 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KehliahoMauiFootball


	You haven't given any reasoning man. A simple pro/con list would do. 'Til then, ya'll know the deal, I've given my reasons. If you can't come up with an ounce of reasoning to adequately respond to my pro/cons list , then you got nothing. peace.

Say you have your 5v5 matchup, but someones connection drop, should the entire game end since you know its "cheese to play with the AI", or should the game continue ?

# 38 Kurupt_XxX @ 08/04/15 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrocc23


	You will not leave me alone about this. Keep sending me notifications about you quoting me. I do have something, seems like I have my mode back, exactly how I wanted it and more

I'm taking back that XtremeXplicit name though.

LOL JK. Can't wait to see you in the proam.

# 39 Dlee3 @ 08/04/15 04:07 PM

Thank god, we only need 3 to play! That was our problem on rec, couldn't find two consistent players and we either get stuck with randoms or get our spots taken. CREW MODE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEAD!

# 40 Jrocc23 @ 08/04/15 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurupt_XxX


	I'm taking back that XtremeXplicit name though. LOL JK. Can't wait to see you in the proam.

That would be messed up lol. But I am not sure what our name will be this year. But I can't wait to run into y'all too. Still on Xbox?

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