NBA 2K12 News Post

NBA 2K12 Cover Athletes - Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

11:00 AM - July 21, 2011 by Steve_OS

Jordan Returns: 2K Sports Announces
Trio of NBA® 2K12 Covers Featuring Three NBA Icons

Michael Jordan, joined by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson,
to grace three unique artistic covers in celebration of NBA legacy

New York, NY – July 21, 2011 – 2K Sports announced today that NBA® 2K12, the next installment of the top-rated and best-selling NBA video game simulation franchise*, will offer three separate covers for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft featuring three of the NBA’s greatest legends of all time, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

The new stylized NBA 2K12 covers are a unique, one-time departure from the traditional 2K Sports brand artwork, and will spotlight each legendary athlete on his famous team: the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. The covers featuring Bird and Johnson will be available at launch in a limited quantity.

A new feat in sports gaming, this three-part collection extends the strong legacy established by NBA 2K11, which has sold-in more than 5 million units worldwide and garnered over 20 video game accolades, including 14 ‘Sports Game of the Year’ honors.

“Bringing Michael Jordan to the virtual hardwood last year was a huge success for NBA 2K11; however, we didn’t want to stop there,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “We’re bringing ‘His Airness’ back to the NBA 2K franchise as part of a multi-year extended partnership, along with two other legendary icons – Larry Bird and Magic Johnson – for a special cover athlete collection representing the NBA’s greatest heroes.”

The unprecedented, stylized artwork covers underscore 2K Sports’ passion for bringing fans authentic NBA basketball across generations, while celebrating the legacy of legendary hoops athletes, past and present.

The cover artwork for NBA 2K12 was created by Adam Larson of Adam&Co. Larson has created dynamic artwork for galleries, magazines and various product advertising campaigns. His work has received numerous honors, including the Kelly Awards, Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, and two primetime Emmy nominations

NBA 2K12 can now be pre-ordered from leading video game retailers nationwide, and will be available on October 4, 2011, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360, Wii™ system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Windows PC.

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Member Comments

# 121 Xx Qontrolz xX @ 07/21/11 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDusen04


	Not to sound like a punk, but I thought the Jordan Challenge was one of the coolest video game moments I've ever experienced in my life. I ate up every. Single. Second of it. And I'm a Pistons fan. That mode will stick in my mind for a long time.

again, just my opinion but yes, i agree the mode in general was cool and this 2k11 intro bringing u to the 91 finals was AMAZING but i m not a big fan of "cheesing" all game long with the same player (even MJ) to get 69, 63, 55 etc..

# 122 spottieottiedop @ 07/21/11 01:54 PM

To quote the great Tommy from "Martin" , "Oh my d.a.m!"

This is great.

# 123 sportjames23 @ 07/21/11 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadsas


	What I mean by my last tweet is that MJ will be in #NBA2K games for the forseeable future, he isn't going away for a few years from Ronnie's twitter

Then 2K's got my money for the foreseeable future.

Put it this way--many MJ fans like myself have been without Jordan in NBA video games for the better part of the last 20 years. Now, we have him, and he's not only finally in the current generation of games, but in THE greatest basketball video game ever.

Hell, we're making up for lost time. Granted, it was due to MJ not letting developers use his likeness, but still, I'm just sayin'.

Now, if only we could get Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller, too.

# 124 MessenjahMatt @ 07/21/11 01:57 PM

Thank you 2K

I thought about doing a video of Magic's sky hook against the Celtics a couple months ago, but you can't perform a hook from that far out in 2K11. I expect that will be rectified now, haha.

# 125 VDusen04 @ 07/21/11 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xx Qontrolz xX


	again, just my opinion but yes, i agree the mode in general was cool and this 2k11 intro bringing u to the 91 finals was AMAZING but i m not a big fan of "cheesing" all game long with the same player (even MJ) to get 69, 63, 55 etc..

Oh for sure. I respect that. What's fun for me I know doesn't equal fun for others (I had no problem being forced to go God Mode with MJ for a little while before returning to normal gameplay). I was just answering the "is the MJ Challenge going to be remembered" question with a resounding "Yes!"

# 126 23 @ 07/21/11 01:58 PM

Why is Reggie not in the game, he's been there previously if im not mistaken

# 127 sportjames23 @ 07/21/11 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MessenjahMatt


	Thank you 2K I thought about doing a video of Magic's sky hook against the Celtics a couple months ago, but you can't perform a hook from that far out in 2K11. I expect that will be rectified now, haha.

Can't wait to see what vids you come up with, Matt.

# 128 jfsolo @ 07/21/11 02:03 PM

Before last year I personally believed that basketball games had a genre ceiling of about 3.5-4 million units sold regardless of how great the quality of the game was. The Jordan cover and modes proved me wrong, and I'm guessing that before its done, NBA 2K11 will go over 6 million units sold.

NBA 2K has found the magic formula of being able to appeal to the casual and the hardcore alike. Keeping all those new customers is the tricky part and will be their greatest challenge going forward. These covers are, of course, to that end.

For me, when Rob Jones says in a video clip that they had four producers working on gameplay alone this year, that assuages any possible worry I might theoretically have about ancillary modes being too great a focus.

Like every developer who has ever existed, VC will fall short in the implementation of some of their ideas, but I totally trust their design process.

# 129 hokupguy @ 07/21/11 02:04 PM

I love the fact they are going even deeper with classic teams i just hope and pray they give us more detailed retro arenas or even the right no for the matter for the teams and the old school classic wramp ups for those teams would be sick....

I will start with hex as soon i get my hands on 2k12...........

# 130 youngfaze01 @ 07/21/11 02:04 PM

Wow, throwback players again?? It was good for one year but, another year? What happened to the players of today, who are making a difference in the game of basketball. Looks nice, but slightly disappointed.

# 131 23 @ 07/21/11 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngfaze01


	Wow, throwback players again?? It was good for one year but, another year? What happened to the players of today, who are making a difference in the game of basketball. Looks nice, but slightly disappointed.

...and again, its a cover thread. Those players are IN THE GAME

I dont understand posts like this

# 132 sportjames23 @ 07/21/11 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngfaze01


	Wow, throwback players again?? It was good for one year but, another year? What happened to the players of today, who are making a difference in the game of basketball. Looks nice, but slightly disappointed.

Um, the players of today are still in the game.

What's up with gamers today who have no appreciation for what came before?

# 133 Boogiemanjay @ 07/21/11 02:15 PM

Some of you guys are missing where I'm coming from I don't care who's on the cover my comments where to
Ronnie calling it mind blowing I just felt he tried to over hype the cover to us
I like them too but it clearly shows how they are riding on Jordan stuff from 2k11 which
I thought was the bonus that put it over the top but my player is what we get the game for

# 134 RajonRondo9Celtics @ 07/21/11 02:18 PM

Being a celtics fan i can't wait to pick up this game and get the Bird cover! I didn't really get to see him play aside from hardwood classic games on NBATV, but i wish i did. Wish the background was green and not red though haha

# 135 cjallure24 @ 07/21/11 02:20 PM

Some of these post are just like the mentality of the NBA player of today..."What about me??" It's crazy how when guys like bird,magic, and Mj came in the league and wanted to make a statement with they're skills on the court and competetive nature, and player today receive multi-million dollar contract before showcasing any type of skill. Last of a dying breed...Maybe Kobe, I'd throw him in there.

# 136 da ThRONe @ 07/21/11 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23


	Yes da throne because the game was good, but you'd be foolish to sit here and say the lack of MJ in the game didnt matter in terms of sales and marketing because you KNOW IT DID Its no different now, and honestly its just a cover...they havent released any other info yet. Complaining about gameplay in a cover art thread is as useless as asking Eddie Curry to only eat salads

Oh without a doubt. I don't remember saying anything against it. The whole Jordan mode/coverart most definitely had an impact on sales. I was saying that it's silly to buy a game for coverart, not that some people don't.

# 137 Goffs @ 07/21/11 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 23


	...and again, its a cover thread. Those players are IN THE GAME I dont understand posts like this

down right baffling....its just a cover announcement for crying out loud...

# 138 Furq @ 07/21/11 02:27 PM

Like the covers, I'd be happy with either one and am not sure which one I'll pick

Interesting about the classic team DLC, but I'm a bit unhappy wondering how much each team will cost in the future. I know it's optional content, but games are expensive enough before considering that almost every game has paid additional content now

# 139 thegreatape01 @ 07/21/11 02:28 PM

Cover art makes me want to drink a sprite

# 140 Furq @ 07/21/11 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjallure24


	Some of these post are just like the mentality of the NBA player of today..."What about me??" It's crazy how when guys like bird,magic, and Mj came in the league and wanted to make a statement with they're skills on the court and competetive nature, and player today receive multi-million dollar contract before showcasing any type of skill. Last of a dying breed...Maybe Kobe, I'd throw him in there.

Not that this is relevant, but Magic got the highest NBA contract in history at the time and demanded to be traded early in his career lol

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