NBA 2K14 Hands-On Preview - Association Mode, Presentation, Gameplay & Online Details

[Optik]

Quote: Originally Posted by Taer

My concern here is that in 2k13, the play-calling system was flawed and not as useable as in 2k12 or 2k11. If the data they used was only from 2k13, then this would give a very skewed and not very representative picture of what players actually use.

Yeah, I'm sure the reason most people don't use plays is that the system is flawed...

[Goffs]

500 new customisable arena sounds? So after a free throw miss will we be able to add sound to that? After a player fouls out will we be able to add "hit the road Jack?"

maaan....I got this feature to work once but now I can't even stream music from my pc through the 360. If we are able to customize more arena music stuff I'm going to try and make it work...

I really wish the pc version allowed us to do this...it would less of a hassle adding the music....

[SteboSSK]

Not sure why everyone is overreacting to a game they need would get minimal attention in the midst of next gen. I just hope next gen has gone to a new level. Let it play out.

[eye guy]

Well the preview sounds good in many ways, but the Assoc info is disappointing. It feels like they've neglected this mode for so long that's it's now, not so important to them. Associated mode is what made me buy this game year in and year out.

And no CAP info? I beg 2K to look at what MLB The Show does in regards to their creation tools, and take a leaf out of their books. I don't think I can play assoc mode again and draft a bunch of manikins year after year.

To be honest, I'm buying the game with the better assoc/franchise mode for next-gen...

[CR2]

NBA 2K gets high marks year after year for its good (relatively great) representation of basketball in its gameplay. I stop short of great or excellent representation, because of the hit or miss play calling. Only great representation when compared to other sport games like Madden.

Game reviewers and 2K fans do not hold NBA 2K accountable for the lack of improvements to its game modes (with the exception of MyPlayer) from year to year. The Association and CAP modes have been largely unchanged for years. That is unacceptable. Madden is criticized (overly, in IMO) from year to year for an array of reasons, yet 2K gets a free pass on game mode improvements.

I've been playing 2K12 on PC using mods for the past two years (playing old seasons and setting up dream matchups from past seasons). No 2K13 for me and no 2K14 (this gen or next) unless significant improvements are made to Association Mode. The weak tweaks they're highlighting for the current gen version tells me all I need to know about the chances there will be any significant improvements to 2K14's Association Mode... Clearly 2K thinks Association Mode is nearly perfect and only in need of minor fine tuning.

[TheLetterZ]

Quote: Originally Posted by CR2

NBA 2K gets high marks year after year for its good (relatively great) representation of basketball in its gameplay. I stop short of great or excellent representation, because of the hit or miss play calling. Only great representation when compared to other sport games like Madden. Game reviewers and 2K fans do not hold NBA 2K accountable for the lack of improvements to its game modes (with the exception of MyPlayer) from year to year. The Association and CAP modes have been largely unchanged for years. That is unacceptable. Madden is criticized (overly, in IMO) from year to year for an array of reasons, yet 2K gets a free pass on game mode improvements. I've been playing 2K12 on PC using mods for the past two years (playing old seasons and setting up dream matchups from past seasons). No 2K13 for me and no 2K14 (this gen or next) unless significant improvements are made to Association Mode. The weak tweaks they're highlighting for the current gen version tells me all I need to know about the chances there will be any significant improvements to 2K14's Association Mode... Clearly 2K thinks Association Mode is nearly perfect and only in need of minor fine tuning.

I hear you. To be fair though, is there a single console game out there that's really making strides with dynasty/association/franchise mode?

I don't play other sports games as much as I used to, but from reading the boards on here, it seems like fans of every game are disappointed with lack of improvements in that area.

Maybe it's more of an industry-wide thing for some reason.

[CR2]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheLetterZ

I hear you. To be fair though, is there a single console game out there that's really making strides with dynasty/association/franchise mode? I don't play other sports games as much as I used to, but from reading the boards on here, it seems like fans of every game are disappointed with lack of improvements in that area. Maybe it's more of an industry-wide thing for some reason.

In general, I agree with you. I just have a laser focus on 2K's Association Mode, because that's the mode I primarily play. But I also play The Show, Madden and NCAA. Those franchise/dynasty/etc modes have improved (to some degree) over the past few years. NBA 2K's Association Mode has not. It's untouched from year to year. To me that's an extreme case.

Don't get me wrong. I love the NBA 2K series, but I’ve been disappointed year after year with the lack of attention paid to Association Mode. I just needed to vent some frustration.

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheLetterZ

I hear you. To be fair though, is there a single console game out there that's really making strides with dynasty/association/franchise mode? I don't play other sports games as much as I used to, but from reading the boards on here, it seems like fans of every game are disappointed with lack of improvements in that area. Maybe it's more of an industry-wide thing for some reason.

I think you're right.
I still believe NBA2K has the best franchise mode out of all the sports games.
The NHL series has been lacking for a long, long time. It's actually quite embarrassing with how few options there are.
Then there's the Fight Night series. Don't even get me started.

With how prevalent online gaming has become, I think most development company's are relying on gamers to create their own online dynasty modes.
But for a near-40-YO gamer like myself, I only play offline.
So there is a lot to be desired when it comes to these offline franchise/dynasty modes.

Saying that, when I had NBA2K12, it was the most absorbed I've been in a career mode in a long time.