NLSC Podcast

Episode #273 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Arcane returns to the booth this week as we catch up on the latest title updates for NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19, spotlight some recent mod releases, discuss the 2019 NBA All-Star selections, and react to the Kristaps Porzingas trade.

On this week’s show…

• The latest patch for NBA Live 19 has added several new courts to 3v3 LIVE Run. While we’re still hoping to see more attention paid to other modes in the future, they’re definitely worthwhile additions. On top of that, a very worthy member of the community has been featured in a LIVE Event.
• NBA 2K19 also received a new patch this week. It contains some promising gameplay tweaks, and some welcome bug fixes. We’ll have further impressions in the near future.
• We provide a quick round-up of some recent mod releases, including a 1992 Season Mod for NBA 2K19 PC, a College Hoops 2K mod for NBA 2K11, and the latest versions of U R Basketball for NBA 2K13 and NBA 2K14.
• Moving on to some NBA discussion, the 2019 All-Stars have been revealed. We give our thoughts on this year’s selections, as well as the special additions of Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki.
• We wrap up Episode #273 of the NLSC Podcast with our thoughts on Kristaps Porzingas being traded to the Mavericks, which certainly caught a lot of fans off-guard (ourselves included). We also speculate on the likelihood that Anthony Davis will be moved by the deadline.

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Episode #272 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Both Arcane and Kenny are unavailable to co-host this week, so I’ve given a solo show another try. As a result, it’s a shorter episode, but I still manage to catch up on some recent news, offer up some opinions, and share what I’ve been doing on the virtual hardwood.

On this week’s show…

• A content update has come through for NBA Live 19, featuring current rosters and new items in The One Store. Although the updates are welcome, there is growing unrest within the community, who generally want to see more focus on NBA content.
• Our modding community continues to pump out some excellent work. It’s difficult not to get inspired to contribute, and to that end, a few projects are still in the works.
• Cleanprincegaming posted an excellent retrospective on the rise and fall of the NBA Street series. It highlights an unfortunate shift in EA Sports’ business model, and a lack of creativity in the current market.
• Has 2K ruined Team Pro-Am? Despite the launch of the NBA 2K League, the changes to Pro-Am in recent games seem counterproductive to generating interest in it, or the mode in general.
• Episode #272 of the NLSC Podcast wraps up with some recent stories from the virtual hardwood, including a frustrating bug in the NBA Finals in NBA 2K19’s MyCAREER.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 23:58 — 16.5MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #271 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Join Arcane and myself as we discuss the new deal between Take Two and the NBA, the importance of Franchise and Ultimate Team in NBA Live, an unfortunate turn of events following the NBA 2K17 server shutdown, and 2019 All-Star voting.

On this week’s show…

• Take Two has renewed their licensing agreement with the NBA for $1.1 billion over seven years. What impact might the new figure have on the future of basketball gaming?
• A recent survey regarding favourite modes over on the official NBA Live Reddit omitted Franchise and Ultimate Team. It isn’t encouraging, but it strengthens our resolve to have an impact with our Wishlists.
• The NBA 2K17 server shutdown has had an unexpected result: MyLEAGUE games that used community-made assets for expansion teams have now been locked. We discuss the problems with online content in offline modes, especially when it comes to dusting off old favourites.
• Turning our attention to some NBA news, there are some interesting results in the latest All-Star voting returns. Are sentimental votes a bad thing, and are we looking forward to this year’s midseason classic?

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:17:35 — 53.4MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #270 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Join Arcane and myself as we catch up on a couple of news items from the past week, and discuss our top wishes for NBA Live 20 and NBA 2K20 as Wishlist season officially gets underway.

On this week’s show…

• NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19 continue to receive content updates, including new rosters, player items, and challenges. We discuss the games’ efforts to remain fresh and evergreen.
• We’ve officially tipped off Wishlist season for NBA Live 20 and NBA 2K20! Once again, we stress the importance of constructive feedback, and having our say.
• What are our top wishes for NBA Live 20? What are the most important areas to focus on if the game is to take the next step?
• Likewise, what are our top wishes for NBA 2K20? NBA 2K is the brand leader, but how can it continue to get better?
• If you could ask the executive producers of NBA Live and NBA 2K any three questions, what would they be? We’ll list ours on next week’s NLSC Podcast, but first we want to hear from our listeners!

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:36:27 — 66.3MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #269 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Arcane, Kenny, and I are back on the air following our holiday hiatus, and we’ve got some news to catch up on. We’ve also been hitting the virtual hardwood during our time off, and have some stories to share about what we’ve been playing.

On this week’s show…

• Patches 1.16 and 1.17 came through for NBA Live 19 after we went on break. We give our thoughts on the latest content, gameplay tuning, and other adjustments and fixes.
• NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 also received a title update in time for Christmas. Patch 1.04 added new players and other content, but is it enough to get us hooked on the game?
• Visual Concepts are advertising a temporary position for a production assistant. The role will be focused on MyCAREER, which leads us to speculate on the mode in NBA 2K20.
• Controversy erupted on Christmas Day when a Locker Code for a Pink Diamond LeBron James card in MyTEAM was leaked, and the card later removed. We discuss 2K’s handling of the situation, and the subsequent show of goodwill.
• Vlad delivered the NBA 2K modding community a Christmas present in the form of new versions of RED MC and REDitor II. The comprehensive tools are now completely free!
• Arcane floats an idea for a community project that should appeal to anyone with aspirations of developing their own basketball video game.
• Our Week in Basketball Gaming – or rather, Our Holidays in Basketball Gaming – included milestones in MyCAREER, good pulls in MyTEAM, and a suspected troll in the Jordan Rec Center. Also, the NLSC squad finally got to play team Pro-Am, but ran into disappointment that went beyond the scoreline.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:33:00 — 63.9MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #268 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! This week, Kenny and I have new content and title updates for NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19 to discuss, some NBA news to catch up on, and as always, some stories about what we’ve been doing on the virtual hardwood.

On this week’s show…

• The December 4th content update for NBA Live 19 features some worthwhile fixes and additions. However, we’re still left wanting a little more out of the game.
• Patch 1.07 for NBA 2K19 likewise provides a few welcome fixes and new content. It also includes a gameplay adjustment that should cut down on some online cheese.
• Our Week in Basketball Gaming saw some fantastic performances, a determined grind for more VC, and a few less-than-stellar random online teammates (except for one).
• We wrap up Episode #268 of the NLSC Podcast with the usual NBA discussion. This week’s topics include recent trades and signings, parity in the West, and the continuation of an unofficial Melo Watch segment.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:26:20 — 59.4MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #267 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Unfortunately illness and jetlag got in the way of us recording an episode last week, but Kenny and I are back this week to catch up on the latest news and talk about what we’ve been doing on the virtual hardwood.

On this week’s show…

• Patch 1.15 has come through for NBA Live 19. We discuss the latest changes, recap some of the other additions and fixes in recent patches, and give our thoughts on where the game is at after a couple of months.
• EA Sports recently announced that NBA Live Mobile is the most downloaded basketball game this year. We reflect on how it’s helped the brand, even if it’s not something we’re into ourselves.
• NBA 2K19 has also received another update recently, namely Patch 1.06. Unfortunately we still haven’t seen the functionality we want to see patched back in for 2K Pro-Am, but there have been some other noteworthy and welcome changes.
• The in-universe value of Virtual Currency in NBA 2K19’s Neighborhood is truly astonishing this year. We note some of the oddities and issues with the exchange rate.
• Could a new college football game be paving the way for other college sports titles, including basketball? Can a sports game without licensing succeed in 2018?
• Our Week in Basketball Gaming included setting records in MyCAREER, playing with WNBA players and taking control of courts in NBA Live 19, and trying to unlock a team that’s close to our hearts in Basketball Classics.
• We wrap up Episode #267 of the NLSC Podcast with this week’s NBA talk. Topics include surprising results in the East and West, standout rookies, and more thoughts on Carmelo Anthony.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:56:42 — 80.2MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #266 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Join Arcane and myself as we give our thoughts on Patch 1.14 for NBA Live 19, discuss a promising development in the fight against online cheaters, and catch up with some recent NBA news. Also, it’s the return of Our Week in Basketball Gaming!

On this week’s show…

• Patch 1.14 has come through for NBA Live 19. It’s a significant update, but does it address all of our most pressing concerns regarding gameplay and content?
• Sony has patented technology intended to detect cheaters who are using lag switches. Needless to say, this could be very good news for online basketball gaming.
• Our Week in Basketball Gaming is back! This week, we enjoyed Court Battles, LIVE Events, LIVE Run, and The League in NBA Live 19. Meanwhile, the grind is on in NBA 2K19’s MyCAREER.
• We wrap up Episode #266 of the NLSC Podcast with this week’s NBA discussion. Topics include Kemba Walker’s 60 point game, the latest development in the Carmelo Anthony saga, and Donovan Mitchell’s dubiously historical performance.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:36:37 — 66.4MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #265 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Join Arcane and I as we discuss the official updates for NBA Live 19, online play in NBA 2K19, and recent NBA news.

On this week’s show…

• EA Sports has been pushing through patches for NBA Live 19 on a weekly basis, but the community is growing a little frustrated with the lack of adjustments to gameplay and game modes. Could the updates for NBA Live 19 stand to be more substantial?
• The NLSC crew had more fun playing The Playground than the Jordan Rec Center in NBA 2K19 this week. We were glad to have some fun hooping together online, but we’re still disappointed in the new approach to NBA 2K’s Pro-Am modes.
• Speaking of online play, could NBA Live and NBA 2K be doing more to reward good teamwork and punish bad sportsmanship?
• We wrap up Episode #265 of the NLSC Podcast with this week’s NBA discussion. Topics include Kyrie Irving’s post-game outburst, a trade for Jimmy Butler, and Carmelo Anthony’s future.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:21:40 — 56.2MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #264 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! After a long hiatus, Arcane and I are back to our weekly discussions about basketball video games, and a little bit of real basketball as well. Since it’s been several weeks and patches since the last episode, we have a few things to catch up on!

On this week’s show…

• We tip off the episode with some housekeeping matters, including an explanation for our unplanned hiatus.
• NBA Live 19 has received some significant updates since launch, and the game is better for it. We discuss the various additions and changes, what we’d still like to see, and the modes we’ve been playing.
• Updates have also been pushed through for NBA 2K19, though a couple of much-desired changes have yet to be made. Apart from that though, we do have some positive impressions and stories to share.
• NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 launched during our hiatus. Has the partnership between 2K Sports and Saber Interactive yielded a better product than last year’s release?
• Turning our attention to modding, we talk about the enjoyment and satisfaction of updating an old favourite. This time, it’s a work-in-progress roster update for NBA 2K11.
• Episode #264 of the NLSC Podcast wraps up with a quick discussion of the real NBA, including a career night for Derrick Rose, and a contentious situation with Jimmy Butler.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:44:47 — 72.0MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #263 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! With no connection issues this week – well, fewer connection issues, anyway – Kenny and I are back on the air to provide our initial impressions of NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19. We also discuss the latest trailer and news for NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.

On this week’s show…

• We tip off this week’s show with our thoughts on NBA Live 19, covering everything from gameplay and game modes to face scanning and commentary. There are definitely positives, though naturally we do have a few criticisms, too.
• IGN awarded NBA Live 19 a score of 7.9, their best score for an NBA Live title this generation. We discuss the significance of the score, the progress NBA Live has made, and the direction the game is heading in.
• NBA 2K19 has been described as the game we should’ve received last year. We discuss whether that’s a fair assessment, and offer up our own impressions. Suffice to say we have our gripes, but there are also aspects of the game we really like. We even have some nice things to say about the MyCAREER story!
• We wrap up Episode #263 of the NLSC Podcast with our thoughts on the latest NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 trailer, and some news about the forthcoming release.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:33:23 — 64.2MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #262 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! This week, I’m presenting my interview with Josh and Dave from Namo Gamo, in which we talk about their fantastic retro-oriented PC game, Basketball Classics! We also talk about the process and difficulty of video game design, some of our favourite NBA memories, and a lot more.

It was a really fun interview, and I very much enjoyed getting some insight into an awesome game that already feels very polished, even in Early Access on Steam. We’ve discussed Basketball Classics in previous episodes of the NLSC Podcast, and will definitely have more coverage of the game moving forward. In the meantime, I’m sure you’ll enjoy my chat with Josh and Dave.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:37:59 — 67.4MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #261 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Join Arcane and I for a discussion of the latest news heading into the final stretch before the release of NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19, including our impressions of NBA 2K19 The Prelude.

• The official NBA Live website has released some snippets about Ultimate Team in NBA Live 19. It seems as though packs will feature a lot more transparency this year.
• Xbox One Gamers have been getting their hands on a trial of the full version of NBA Live 19 via EA Access. We discuss some of the details and impressions that have been shared with the community.
• Once again, we reiterate our desire to see more focus on NBA content in NBA Live moving forward, and our hopes for the future in that regard.
• NBA 2K19 The Prelude is out, along with the MyNBA2K19 app. We give our impressions on this year’s sneak peek of NBA 2K19, from face scanning to the MyCAREER story and gameplay.
• We react to the NBA 2K19 Neighborhood trailer, as well as other info on NBA 2K19’s iteration of the MyCAREER game world/hub.
• Episode #261 of the NLSC Podcast wraps up with our thoughts on Manu Ginobili’s retirement, and his impressive NBA career.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:35:22 — 65.6MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

As we mentioned in this week’s episode, our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of Elijah Clayton and Taylor Robertson, and all those affected by the tragic shooting at a Madden event in Jacksonville, Florida last week. If you would like to contribute to the Jacksonville Tribute Fund that EA has helped spearhead, please see here for more information.

Episode #260 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Join Arcane and I as we recap a busy week in basketball gaming news and previews, which included the release of the NBA Live 19 demo. We have our detailed impressions to share with the community, as well as our thoughts on everything that we learned about NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19 over the past seven days.

On this week’s show…

• We have our first hands-on experience with NBA Live 19 following the release of the game’s demo! In our impressions, we break down what we liked and disliked, as well as what’s improved and what still needs improvement.
• Trailers and developer blogs have given us an insight into what to expect from the extended experience in The One. It’s not the traditional experience we’re still wanting the game to provide, but the additions do look and sound good.
• The NBA Live 19 soundtrack has been revealed. We’ve given it a listen, and have a couple of thoughts to share.
• Judging by the NBA 2K19 MyCAREER trailer, this year’s story is going to be a lot better. The ability to skip cutscenes and The Prelude is appealing too, though we still have some concerns.
• Private matchmaking has been added to Pro-Am in NBA 2K19. We absolutely approve, even if we are a little burned out on the mode.
• A few snippets about gameplay are being released ahead of the developer blogs, and they do sound quite promising.
• We wrap up Episode #260 of the NLSC Podcast with our reactions to the impact of Belgian law on MyTEAM, and wonder whether we’ll continue to see changes worldwide.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:32:31 — 63.6MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.

Episode #259 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Join Kenny, The X, and I as we discuss the past couple of weeks in basketball gaming news, which included several impressive screenshots and details on One Court customisation in NBA Live 19, a gameplay trailer and MyTEAM developer blog for NBA 2K19, and more.

On this week’s show…

• EA Sports has been dropping some very impressive screenshots of NBA Live 19, and revealing some player ratings. We give our thoughts on both.
• One Court customisation has been officially announced for NBA Live 19, revealing some content that is very appealing to us.
• Before we get to this week’s NBA 2K19 news, we revisit the developer blog for MyLEAGUE, MyGM, and MyLEAGUE Online to share some additional thoughts.
• We have our first NBA 2K19 gameplay trailer, titled “Take the Crown”. Did it wow us the same way the OMG Trailer once did?
• The latest developer blog for NBA 2K19 dropped a ton of information about MyTEAM. We discuss everything that we’ve gleaned from it.
• Naturally we’re disappointed to hear that “Creator” by Santigold isn’t on the NBA 2K19 soundtrack, but we talk about it anyway.
• We wrap up Episode #259 of the NLSC Podcast with a quick discussion of the unfortunate and somewhat controversial forfeit by the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.

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Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:30:38 — 62.3MB)

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Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Got a mailbag question or topic suggestion for the next show? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion here in the Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki.