NBA 2K14 - Michael Jordan Uncensored Part II, Some Next-Gen Legends Shown

[The 24th Letter]

Quote: Originally Posted by VDusen04

I think this is right on. I'm almost afraid of stating my displeasure with any aspect of the game because I know there'll be "then don't buy it" backlash. I'm interested in 2K, just like all of us here, so when some form of information regarding their game comes about, sometimes I feel moved to share my feelings on it - and sometimes those feelings aren't positive..

No backlash here man, we just..."get it" at this point....you don't feel the jump is big enough to jump to next gen, you don't approve of the attention given to "fantasy modes" or the use of VC...

You have very well thought out posts, and I can appreciate that...especially around here...but it's kind of becoming a broken record at this point...

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by The 24th Letter

No backlash here man, we just..."get it" at this point....you don't feel the jump is big enough to jump to next gen, you don't approve of the attention given to "fantasy modes" or the use of VC... You have very well thought out posts, and I can appreciate that...especially around here...but it's kind of becoming a broken record at this point...

I appreciate that. I'm in a tough spot. I enjoy providing feedback on this forum, and for the past decade that feedback's been way more positive than negative but now that the game's shifted on me a little bit, I realize sharing negative feedback is not quite as well received. And I suppose that is understandable.

I think I just tend to hear a lot of speak about 2K listening to communities and giving the fans what they want so I suppose a part of my feelings are, if those of us who are not in favor of certain directions opt to stay silent and not provide constructive feedback and thoughts of where the game could go in the future, is there any hope for the change we desire?

For whatever it's worth, I've attempted to stay away from simplistic, blanket statements consisting of only, "2K sucks" or "Not buying." Instead, I've tried to analyze new pieces of information for what they were and then give a thoughtful response specific to the topic. As I said though, it seems the positive feedback just tends to be better received by the community. And again, that makes sense.

[spankdatazz22]

Quote: Originally Posted by VDusen04

Guy, I have to ask, what is this? I have virtually no idea what other next generation games are doing. I generally purchase about two games per year: NBA 2K and a random that caught my attention (GTA, RDR, Dirt 3). As such, I have certain things I'm looking for from 2K and it has absolutely nothing what other games are offering.

not to call you out - but really?

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...otes-2k-2.html

In your defense, perhaps you were only referring to launch games. But you've been complaining dating back to your issues with 2K's perceived direction with the current gen game, now seemingly you have issues about their efforts next gen given your inferring your preference to [whoever makes Sony's baseball game]'s "professional" approach versus what you don't like about 2K's approach.

And again, it's your prerogative, right, etc. to feel that way. I was merely contrasting your opinion versus the reality of the situation. You may prefer to look at things in a bubble or a vacuum and only look at a couple games; imo a more fair way of judging what expectations should be is to gauge these games against their peers - not some arbitrary "this is what the game should be" view that you seems to subscribe to. I'm not saying you can't/shouldn't look at it that way, I was only saying what I thought was fair. Because maybe I'm misinterpreting, but you had no problems commenting/comparing efforts in the thread I noted above.

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by spankdatazz22

not to call you out - but really? http://www.operationsports.com/forum...otes-2k-2.html In your defense, perhaps you were only referring to launch games. But you've been complaining dating back to your issues with 2K's perceived direction with the current gen game, now seemingly you have issues about their efforts next gen given your inferring your preference to [whoever makes Sony's baseball game]'s "professional" approach versus what you don't like about 2K's approach. And again, it's your prerogative, right, etc. to feel that way. I was merely contrasting your opinion versus the reality of the situation. You may prefer to look at things in a bubble or a vacuum and only look at a couple games; imo a more fair way of judging what expectations should be is to gauge these games against their peers - not some arbitrary "this is what the game should be" view that you seems to subscribe to. I'm not saying you can't/shouldn't look at it that way, I was only saying what I thought was fair. Because maybe I'm misinterpreting, but you had no problems commenting/comparing efforts in the thread I noted above.

The comment in the linked thread...:

Quote:

Wow, not to sound like a 2K downer, but MLB's blog gave me the feeling I used to get when reading up on a new NBA 2K iteration. Professional, all facts, informative, no hashtags, no obscene build-up

...was entirely in relation to marketing. Thanks to that thread being made on the NBA 2K forum, I took a look at that particular The Show post and really liked its format. 2K has since released some informative blogs themselves, detailing a few of their modes. I liked that as well. However, at the time, that The Show blog was in sharp contrast to a lot of the hashtagging, OMG-ing and heavy-on-the-flash-and-bravado-very-limited-on-the-substance approach 2K had been taking up to that point. Those comments on that particular page had nothing to do with the game creation itself. They were marketing references and preferences.

To go back to my expectations - I still see very little sense in shaping those expectations only through the scope of game-to-game comparisons. Only hypothetically speaking because I haven't really seen any confirmation, but if NHL 14 doesn't have create-a-player, and NBA 2K14 doesn't have create-a-player, how would that make me feel any better about NBA 2K14 not having create-a-player?

I think the disconnect here might be that I'm not very interested at this point in trying to label where NBA 2K14 fits in the realm of rankings and reputation in comparison to other video games. Instead, like every other person here, I just have things I wish to see in the game and at times, I voice those requests.

Now, if they fulfilled my random requests, does that make my expectations realistic? And if they didn't fulfill some of those requests, does that suddenly make my expectations unrealistic? It seems a little arbitrary. Was it realistic to expect Association improvements? Was it unrealistic to expect to retain the ability to fill in classic rosters with created versions of missing players?

Moreover, if information is released that I really like (say, 2K11's classic team reveal), do you not agree I should be able to laud such an addition? In contrast, if information is released I do not particularly care for (MyCareer cut scene movies with NBA mimes), does my critical feedback and personal suggestion for improvement also not have a place on this forum?

[b0ck3n]

I don't understand why it's important to people to pit games against each other and declare a winner. Around here you're either an NBA Live homer or 2k homer - whichever favourite you didn't pick sucks bollocks. The only sane way of judging a game is contrasting it towards your wants and needs - expectations, if you will.

2k does seem to listen to this community, and it's only reasonable to voice one's opinion here in the hopes of steering the franchise in a particular direction.

[Whaaaazuuuuup]

Omg...it's going to kill me to have to wait till after the holidays to get this game in Xbox 1. Also the game when he wore the number 12 Jersey he DID light them up!! sweet revenge!! Lol

[Sundown]

Quote: Originally Posted by VDusen04

2K for me through the years has always been about realism, freedom, and customization. If the game begins to veer from some of those directions (thinking DeMarcus Cousins mime) why not discuss it on an NBA 2K basketball forum? "Then just don't buy it" does not seem to do a lot for the sake of engaging discussion, similar to if I quoted a post of someone saying, "Man, really like how MyCareer's shaping up" and I just said in response, "Then just buy it." What is that contributing to the discussion?

I don't really consider the Cousins mime a "realism" issue as much as a tech issue. His beef with your player is actually rather realistic. The presentation is just jarring given that your player talks and he doesn't. I think the dialogue corniness for your player should have been toned down some though. I hope they hire writers that are able to write something more gritty-- it should feel more like The Association or even He Got Game than Teen Wolf.

A partnership with NBATV next year with a The Association/documentary spin on everything would be amazing.

Now I understand the frustration at losing things like 30-team control and editing in MyGM, but the actual core gameplay product seems to be headed towards more--even extreme-- authenticity every year. Emotion badges affecting play styles and how players might or might not play well together seems very much a huge step towards authenticity. This will also bleed into MyGM and team building. Maybe even MyTeam (not that I play that much). I'm not sure how an NBA fan can be anything less than hopeful and excited about the direction they're going in with the base gameplay.

[Sundown]

Quote: Originally Posted by VDusen04

Quote: Originally Posted by daveberg I just voicing my opinions. It's a discussion board. Whether I buy the game or not is irrelevant, i'm here to discuss it. It just seems folk tend to get bent out of shape when some of us say we're not happy with how the game is looking etc etc. It's not a crime. I think this is right on. I'm almost afraid of stating my displeasure with any aspect of the game because I know there'll be "then don't buy it" backlash. I'm interested in 2K, just like all of us here, so when some form of information regarding their game comes about, sometimes I feel moved to share my feelings on it - and sometimes those feelings aren't positive. Being a big legends connoisseur, I admit some next gen TLC could have gone a long way toward leaning me in the right direction. Maybe there's still more to come (the old rim detail caught my attention). But if they're more or less just a shift over from last gen to next, it's tough for me to see the reason to upgrade.

I think there is a huge difference between what you're doing-- voicing well thought out concerns and critique-- and "NUMBERS ARE TOO SMALL! JERSEYS SUCK! BOYCOTT!" The latter has a serious "cool story, bro" element to it that can't be taken as desiring serious discussion.

I mean, we all want the game to play and look better, but to hinge a purchase decision on "terrible jerseys" and number sizing mistakes in a game where jersey fits are better than ever and so much appears LIFELIKE seems ridiculous. I mean it's definitely his perogative, but the way that's expressed isn't really constructive. I know as a dev, I would ignore that sort of pithy, seemingly irrational venting over more well thought out criticisms like yours. I would consider you a potential customer that can appreciate progress and the other somewhat unreasonable with a possible axe to grind.

I know the Legends handling hasn't been perfect in the last few years, but it's still a far cry above pretty much every other sports game. The fact that they redid Legends for Next Gen shows some level of commitment I didn't expect. Either way, at the end of the day, I'm not sure how imperfect Legends should trump better playing, MUCH better looking, NBA basketball for fans of the sport.

I say this as someone who wants Jordan to be better represented: If I ask myself if I'd rather be playing 2K11 or 2K12 (with all it's problems) because it features cartoonish looking legends a little better, or lifelike looking, better playing NBA basketball with passable Legends-- I have to answer "How is that even a question?"

Especially when the game pro-rates to about a buck-twenty a week. That's half as much as some people spend on coffee a day (assuming you're planning on making the next-gen jump eventually anyway).