Home
NBA 2K12 News Post


If I'm judging sports games based on this generation of consoles, then NBA 2K stands above the rest. But if I think back to the beginning of this generation, it's hard to imagine saying such a thing. It's easy to forget now, but Live and NBA 2K went their separate ways back in 2005 when the Xbox 360 launched.

NBA 2K was coming off a couple "misfires" as the PS2/Xbox era was winding down with NBA 2K5 and NBA 2K6, which really just means these titles were good rather than amazing, and Live had peaked with Live 04 and Live 05. That being said, both engines were under fire for being a bit outdated as we entered the "next-gen" era. So what ended up happening with the launch of the Xbox 360 in 2005 was that gamers got two basketball games that were on divergent paths. The 360 version of NBA 2K6 was a high-res version of the PS2/Xbox game in many respects, and NBA Live 06 was a stripped down game with a new engine and a lack of modes. Again, it's hard to remember, but at the time I do remember many people saying, "Live might not be as good as NBA 2K this year, but it has the much more promising future."

And then the NBA 2K7 demo happened, and trailers like this one happened, and then it was over. NBA Live 07 was actually worse than Live 06 while NBA 2K7 served as the beginning of a gaming dynasty. Yes, the engine still got criticized a bit for feeling outdated, but a mix of signature style, graphical presentation and a renewed focus on refining and updating the game engine really began again with NBA 2K7.

Read More - NBA 2K Is the Champ

Game: NBA 2K12Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: iOS / PC / PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 102 - View All
NBA 2K12 Videos
Member Comments
# 41 wallofhate @ 09/10/11 07:49 PM
This is the greatest write up i've read on this sight! You didnt just hit the nail on the head...you waited in the churchtower with a sniper rifle for days until you saw your mark...lifted up..adjusted your sight...put the red dot on your target....pink mist!!! Dead on truth imo. I hope all game companies try to follow suit 2k bball is definately the gold standard.
 
# 42 wallofhate @ 09/10/11 07:58 PM
@ Czar Nastalga takes longer to get old. One of the reason older gamers (im 29) like the "throwback" players so much is because it takes us to a place in time where we were kids and had less worries. Its the whole "i remember were I was when Jordan did...or Magic did" ...so on and so forth. Like you said when the Kobe's and the Garnets of the world retire..they'll understand
 
# 43 Kaanyr Vhok @ 09/10/11 07:58 PM
Thats just how I remember it though I'm not surprised how things ended up. Visual Concept's engine wasn't dated. The content that went in to the engine was dated.
 
# 44 23 @ 09/10/11 08:11 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Da_Czar
Legends are a gift that keeps on giving Dre. Give those guys about 5-7 years and they will be in the same boat we are. Their favorite players will be out the league and THEN they will understand the value of having great past teams and players in the game.
True man but taking it even further and including fun to great teams as well

...and to be honest, some of these guys are close to contemporary, Guys like C-Webb and the Kings played against guys still in the league

Matter of fact they're already crying out loud to have Allen Iverson in the game at the same time they're dismissing older players


This inclusion is just what it is... the best basketball game series ever made.
 
# 45 Kaanyr Vhok @ 09/10/11 08:22 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jersez
I must be the only one that thought ESPN basketball was the best basketball game I ever played. I played live all the time until that game, and I've been playing 2k ever since I don't know but i think 2k should just lock the NBA license up.
That was the first year I thought NBA Live was better. NBA 2k-2k3 were way ahead of NBA Live 2000-2003.
 
# 46 scatman @ 09/10/11 09:13 PM
Honestly I would hate to see 2K get an exclusive deal. Not that they don't deserve it because they do. However, they've done so well that they proved they don't need to be exclusive to dominate their market.

Only thing I'd love for 2k to have is an official tv license (turner sports or NBA tv). I like that 2K has a "tv style" presentation, but it makes sense (at least to me) that since they can't have the espn license EA barely uses properly if at all; to secure the NBA tv or turner sports license complete with all of there presentation offerings.

2K is already the G.O.A.T., imagine the same presentation offerings we had in 2K5 with ESPN done up with current NBA tv or turner sports. Someone please tell me I make sense or at least agree that it'd be cool. I'd love to read what y'all think.
 
# 47 scatman @ 09/10/11 09:29 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by scatman
Honestly I would hate to see 2K get an exclusive deal. Not that they don't deserve it because they do. However, they've done so well that they proved they don't need to be exclusive to dominate their market.

Only thing I'd love for 2k to have is an official tv license (turner sports or NBA tv). I like that 2K has a "tv style" presentation, but it makes sense (at least to me) that since they can't have the espn license EA barely uses properly if at all; to secure the NBA tv or turner sports license complete with all of there presentation offerings.

2K is already the G.O.A.T., imagine the same presentation offerings we had in 2K5 with ESPN done up with current NBA tv or turner sports. Someone please tell me I make sense or at least agree that it'd be cool. I'd love to read what y'all think.
Half-time shows with Matt Winer, Ernie, C-Webb & 3-D. Pre/Post games too. To keep Damon Bruce in the mix, I'd use him in the way madden once had a radio show in there franchise mode. Bruce is a radio guy, it be interesting to see him do that since some of us don't listen to his show on the west coast.

My only question is; is any of this possible? A lot of what I'm asking may be a bit much in terms of delivering the kind of quality we would expect from 2k so I wonder if any of this is possible. if it is, I'd love to see it within the next 2 years.
 
# 48 Day_26 @ 09/10/11 09:49 PM
EA needs to work On their cartoonish graphics.... Madden 12 looks so fuciing ugly...
 
# 49 BEARYChi @ 09/10/11 09:51 PM
NHL & FiFa are my favorite series from EA Sports....and soon to be Grand Slam Tennis 2.
 
# 50 Sundown @ 09/10/11 09:54 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by 23
I think I made a blog post that came from both camps philosophies

Check this

EA
Quote: So we needed to try something different. Something innovative. Something to bring back fans who'd left, and appeal to basketball fans who don't play video games.

That is where the emphasis on control and a dynamic, unpredictable gameplay experience came from.

Focus on fun and control, to draw in the people who play drop in at the Y and dream about competing in the NBA, but don't play basketball games.
See, EA's strategy makes no sense to me. Why would you appeal to non video-gamers by focusing on gimicky video game mechanics? If they don't play video games in the first place, then you're not going to draw them in with buzzwords like "control", "dynamic", and "unpredictable gameplay experience". You're not even going to get them to pick the controller up.

2K appeals to basketball fans who don't play basketball games by giving them *basketball* that looks and feels authentic, by amping presentation, and by tapping into nostalgia and history, all of which add up to an incredible video *and* basketball game.
 
# 51 illwill10 @ 09/10/11 10:01 PM
If it wasnt for me not really liking Soccer and not understanding the rules, than I would buy Fifa yearly. Ill watch a game once in a while. For the last 3 years, Ive been renting it. It is a greatly made game. The Commentary fits the "Football" commentary. Like what 2K and The Show does, Fifa has guys who actually seem to have chemistry and dont sound like they are reading from the script.
 
# 52 BigDaneAyMane @ 09/10/11 10:08 PM
I am 28 years old and been playing sports games since the days of Double Dribble and Mike Tyson's Punchout on NES. More importantly, I grew up absolutely loving the Madden series. Other than 97-98 where Gameday was really great and when the original NFL 2K came out, I grew up aboslutely loviing getting the newest version of Madden and NCAA every year.

For the first time in ten years, I did not purchase Madden the day it came out. What 2k has done with the NBA series is so phenomenal, it has me questioning whether it's humanly possible to make a football game at it's best as good as a basketball game at it's best. I love my Redskins and the NFL much more than the NBA, but I really believe that basketball just makes for a better video game.

The individuality and personality of each player in 2k is captured effortlessly, something the NFL lacks, so My Player feels more personal than football career modes. The action is constant, so you're not going through the boredom in between plays. Team play modes just flat-out work better because everyone is involved in 5 on 5 and are encouraged more to work as a team, unlike football where you just kinda run your route, throw, or run the ball.

Now of course EA has let Madden suffer in quality because they aren't being pushed and I would love to see how great a football game could be with a team constantly pushing the limits the way the 2k team does. But I really just think basketball makes for a better video game experience when done right.
 
# 53 illwill10 @ 09/10/11 10:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sundown
See, EA's strategy makes no sense to me. Why would you appeal to non video-gamers by focusing on gimicky video game mechanics? If they don't play video games in the first place, then you're not going to draw them in with buzzwords like "control", "dynamic", and "unpredictable gameplay experience". You're not even going to get them to pick the controller up.

2K appeals to basketball fans who don't play basketball games by giving them *basketball* that looks and feels authentic, by amping presentation, and by tapping into nostalgia and history, all of which add up to an incredible video *and* basketball game.
Yeah, The Best way to attract Casual users is to have a game that Hardcore players love. If a Casual guy has a friend who is a hardcore gamer, he will ask his friend about the game because he will know about the game. If he says the game is trash, than that guy wouldnt get it. vice versa
 
# 54 CujoMatty @ 09/10/11 10:32 PM
All I know is the people that work on NBA2k are very special people. I constantly read on this site about people (I have even done this) defending games like Madden with the short development cycle argument but these guys knock it out of the park

I've been playing NHL 12 the last couple days and reading the various reviews or impressions the same points came up. Gameplay is phenomenal but feels more like a polished NHL 11. Honestly in my opinion NHL 12 plays the best most realistic hockey game EVER. Bar none. I do however see myself getting bored of it quickly. Why? Because I can't go another year with the same commentary, same EXACT cut scenes, same menu, eeesh everything. Until EA figures this out 2k is champ!!!

In my opinion all this stems from what I think separates NBA2k, and Sony San Diego from EA Sports: Don't ever be satisfied. Always know you can do better,and above all listen to the customer.
 
# 55 convince @ 09/11/11 12:19 AM
No disrespect to the official signature trailer but the moment that open my eyes to NBA2k was thanks to the trailers made by eDotd and DaCzar themselves. I never watched two trailers so many times before. Still today in my eyes the best fan made trailers I've seen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfW0u3IgCCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MArZ1W-KHSE
 
# 56 kolanji @ 09/11/11 12:40 AM
great read
i think that the reference to a so called "Casual Gamer" needs to be removed when talking about our hobby as gamers.i personally dont think that u can be a casual gamer for the same reason u can be a casual sports fan, ur either a gamer or not or a sports fan or not.in all my life i have never heard a writer or movie director say that they are writing/making a story so that the casual consumers can get in on it.if ur making some form of entertainment u gotta know who ur audience are, hence the audience of an nba simulation would/ should be the target audience such as basketball gamers right?maybe by casual basketball gamer they are really saying a gamer that is just not that good at it and need more assistance and help with making stuff easier (like difficulty,control scheme)but again this doesnt make em casual, they r just gamers that are not very good at games.


now u can be a hardcore gamer or just a gamer i agree with that totally but adding casual (Occurring at irregular or infrequent intervals; occasional)
before gamer(1. someone who plays video games as a hobby.)
not cool....is there even a realistic number of ppl to target to sell a product?

i was playing video games and basketball video games from way back in the 80's when we were called a geek or nerd or for me a 'Game Head' for playing games and my favorite basketball video games like double dribble, nba live, and of course which lead up to nba 2k on dreamcast and i haven't look back ever since getting a copy of nba 2k ever since then till now.i have earned the reputation to be called a gamer or and nba video gamer if so be the case but to hear this sub section as to casual gaming is somewhat offensive because now it is cool to be a gamer ppl that just wanna dangle with the cool crowd like celebs and tv personalities want in on gaming so they create a Casual Gamer group for justification of not know much about it .i say ur either one of us or not because u cant causally be one of us


so in closing what i am saying is a gamer by my definition is a person with a hobby (An activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure.) of playing video game cannot be casual

so to me any promotions to lure casual gamers to buy a game is a wasted venture...i say get all the gamers to buy ur game so when the posers(casual gamers) wanna be cool n see the gamers have nba 2k12 they r gonna buy one as a trophy to try and be in the in cool crowd
 
# 57 Sinner @ 09/11/11 01:08 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pared
People just don't realize that you would lose quality in those games. The major players would be stretched thin.

Maybe not by much, but you're getting the "holy grail" because those games aren't around.
Good point, I have thought about that and yeah that may be true....obviously we don't know for sure how far back NBA 2k would be if they had to spread their talents for a NFL football game and a College Hoops game along with NBA2k but lets go back to the last time they made all 3....2007. All-pro although fun was lacking a lot obviously because of not having the NFL license but many people liked the gameplay and said if it was NFL and had a franchise mode they would have liked it much better. College Hoops is still played till this day and called the game that set the basketball (gameplay) bar for most till NBA2k11 came out. NBA2k7 was also a pretty good game and i'm sure someone will correct me if im wrong and please do but the top rated game that year.

Now I am very happy to have NBA2k where it is right now and appreciate all the hard work they put into it...but if it would take a "not by much" hit to have the other 2 evolve over the years and have a really good NFL, a really good College Hoops, and a really good NBA2k game I may be the only one but personally could deal with that.
 
# 58 sportjames23 @ 09/11/11 01:17 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Da_Czar
Legends are a gift that keeps on giving Dre. Give those guys about 5-7 years and they will be in the same boat we are. Their favorite players will be out the league and THEN they will understand the value of having great past teams and players in the game.

This, this, this.

In a twisted way, I can't wait to see what kids 10-15 years from now say about Kobe, Lebron and other players from today. If they just dismiss them the way some of these kids today dismiss the likes of MJ, Magic and Bird, I'll laugh my arse off.

I've never disrespected the legends that came before my time, no matter the sport. Regardless of whether or not I felt the players of my time were better than those that came before, I respected those that inspired my favorite players and paved the way.

If there were no David Thompson or Dr. J., I would have never been blessed to witness MJ perform his art on the court.
 
# 59 23 @ 09/11/11 01:25 AM
You know man, I was happy to see clips of Dr J and so on though, it wasnt like "ah man i dont want to see that old dude get that outta here"

I just think the image the league has created has gotten so far away from the game that it doesnt leave room for things like appreciating what others did for the game, or what was accomplished before hand.

I see guys in this forum debating across eras as if to dismiss the fact that no matter what they say, dominating your generation is just that, and thats what makes it special. If it was so easy to do what Bill Russell did, or what Big O did, or what MJ Magic and Bird did, or what Dr J did for the game, let alone win 72 out of 82 nba games... then why arent the local hero's doing it now and why not everyday?

Its just a bad understanding what having both sides (legends and current) means for a sports game. Its really unheard of. Something you think about but never think it could happen, and bam here it is.
 
# 60 amedawg00 @ 09/11/11 01:21 PM
Nicely crafted piece on the downfall and subsequent rise of Visual Concepts as the premier sports developers over the last few years. Funny how all the past chatter on the boards relating to 2K needing a "new engine", or 2K still using "PS2 tech" on the next gen consoles, which would inevitably lead to the demise of this great franchise, has been rendered moot. Suffice to say, building on a solid foundation with an emphasis on continuity as well as innovation has vanquished the myth of needing to re-invent the wheel as alluded to in this write up as the "just because" syndrome.

RIP NFL 2K. Time will tell whether you and I will have a rendez-vous with destiny once again. Until then, the Madden boycott continues....
 


Post A Comment
Only OS members can post comments
Please login or register to post a comment.