Difference between revisions of "NLSC Podcast Episodes (2018)"

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Revision as of 14:09, 6 January 2019

This is an episode guide for the NLSC Podcast, featuring all episodes released during 2018.

Episode Guide

Episode Hosts Synopsis Release Date
Episode #231 Andrew, Arcane & Kenny
  • LIVESTRIKE events have been keeping gamers busy in NBA Live 18 over the holidays. They've even offered the opportunity to win some real swag!
  • The new City Edition uniforms have been unveiled, and are now available in NBA Live 18 and NBA 2K18. What do we think of Nike's new secondary alternate jerseys?
  • Patches 1.07 and 1.08 have resolved a handful of issues in NBA 2K18. Some new historical players have also been added to the roster.
  • Game Informer has named NBA 2K18 as the Sports Game of the Year for the second year running. The response from the community has been...less enthusiastic.
  • With the NBA 2K League qualifiers underway, we talk about the controversy regarding the number of spots that are actually open to members of the community.
  • An Enhanced Edition of NBA Playgrounds has been released for the Nintendo Switch, alleviating the problems Saber Interactive has been having in pushing through new content on the platform.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included what may be our last session of 2K Pro-Am in NBA 2K18, online Head-to-Head in NBA Live 18, and an assortment of LIVE Events. We also talk about our basketball gaming plans for 2018.
  • We wrap up Episode #231 of the NLSC Podcast with a discussion of some recent achievements by our fellow Australians in the NBA.
January 7th, 2018
Episode #232 Andrew & Arcane
  • Legendary NBA Jam announcer Tim Kitzrow posted a Tweet suggesting that a new NBA Jam game might be on the horizon. With the game celebrating its 25th Anniversary, a rare version may also be made available (licensing issues permitting).
  • If there is a new NBA Jam game, what features and improvements would we like to see?
  • When it comes to video games, it's fun to revisit old favourites. It's something many of us have done from time to time, but what is the appeal of playing - and indeed, modding - old basketball games?
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming has been all about NBA Live 18, from LIVE Events and The League to Ultimate Team. We also talk about whether we need a bit of an extended break from NBA 2K18.
  • We wrap up Episode #232 of the NLSC Podcast with some NBA chatter, including the Cleveland Cavaliers' recent struggles, some thoughts on a few other teams, and the latest All-Star voting results.
January 14th, 2018
Episode #233 Andrew
  • We've tipped off our Wishlist topics for NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19. Get your constructive feedback in ASAP, so that we can send it along to the development teams at EA Sports and Visual Concepts!
  • Patch 1.10 has been released for NBA Live 18. It's mostly a bug and stability fix, though that's still most welcome a few months into a game's life cycle.
  • A Reddit post from a former EVE Online developer has highlighted some of the problems in NBA 2K18's approach to player retention. Will 2K take note of these concerning issues?
  • Following up on last week's discussion of a new NBA Jam game, it doesn't sound like a new title is all that close after all. However, there's hopefully still cause for optimism.
  • My Week in Basketball Gaming included dusting off NBA Playgrounds, and a great pull from a Legends pack in NBA Live 18 Ultimate Team. Also, some modding talk.
  • Episode #233 of the NLSC Podcast wraps up with some thoughts on the 2018 All-Star starters. Fingers crossed this year's game turns out better than it has over the past few seasons.
January 21st, 2018
Episode #234 Andrew
  • A new roster update for NBA Live 18 has added a couple more City Edition jerseys, and made several ratings adjustments. Has it had a noticeable effect on gameplay?
  • The NBA 2K League Combine is taking place in February, and is the next step in finding players to be a part of the 17 competing teams. In addition to providing information on how and when to participate, the announcement has also revealed some interesting details about the League's MyPLAYER Archetypes.
  • My Week in Basketball Gaming featured more Ultimate Team in NBA Live 18, and a little bit of retro gaming with NBA Live 06 for the Wayback Wednesday feature.
  • Episode #234 of the NLSC Podcast wraps up with some NBA news, including the selection of the 2018 All-Star reserves, the unveiling of this year's All-Star jerseys, and the anniversary of Kobe Bryant's 81 point game.
January 29th, 2018
Episode #235 Andrew & Arcane
  • Both NBA Live 18 and NBA 2K18 have received roster updates that reflect the latest transactions. Unfortunately the NBA Live 18 roster is bugged; hopefully, a fix is coming through soon. The NBA 2K18 roster meanwhile has added the 2018 All-Stars, complete with accurate jerseys.
  • A new NBA 2K18 patch adds support for the NBA 2K League Combine, but doesn't do much for the rest of us. We talk a little more about the NBA 2K League, and what it means for the future of NBA 2K.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included an unlikely but surprisingly enjoyable return to 2K Pro-Am, and more LIVE Events in NBA Live 18.
  • Moving on to some NBA talk, including the Blake Griffin trade, the Chicago Bulls latest efforts to tank, big nights for C.J. McCollum and James Harden, and struggles for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  • We wrap up Episode #235 of the NLSC Podcast with some information about NLSC merch.
February 4th, 2018
Episode #236 Andrew & Arcane
  • Fortunately, EA Sports corrected the issue with last week's roster update for NBA Live 18 fairly quickly, pushing through a new roster without duplicate players. NBA 2K18's rosters, meanwhile, have already been updated as of the trade deadline.
  • Patch 1.10 has been released for NBA 2K18, but it's another fix centred around the NBA 2K League Combine, with no updates that affect a majority of users.
  • We discuss the future direction of the NBA 2K series, from the modes of focus to the intrusiveness of microtransactions. Will the success of NBA 2K18 lead the series down a bad path?
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included a return to MyCAREER, missed opportunities in Ultimate Team, and another session of 2K Pro-Am.
  • We wrap up Episode #236 of the NLSC Podcast with a look at the real NBA, including a devastating injury for Kristaps Porzingas, the trade deadline, and predictions for the 2018 All-Star Weekend.
February 11th, 2018
Episode #237 Andrew & The X
  • Since it's The X's first time on the NLSC Podcast, we talk a little about his history with basketball video games, as well as his tenure in the community.
  • NBA Live 18 has received some new updates, specifically accurate All-Star jerseys and trade deadline rosters. We're glad to see the updates coming through a little more quickly.
  • New All-Star Fantasy Challenges have also been added to NBA Live 18 Ultimate Team. We're liking the latest content, though there's more we'd like to see added to the mode.
  • An Australian-exclusive Virtual Currency sale has accidentally been advertised worldwide, leading to some unhappy US gamers who weren't aware of the restrictions on the promotion. 2K's response to the issue left something to be desired.
  • In honour of the All-Star Weekend, NBA 2K18 offered Double Rep in MyCAREER and the connected modes, but the length of the event, not to mention the timing, could've been better.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming consisted of a couple of 2K Pro-Am sessions in NBA 2K18 that yielded mixed results, and Fantasy Challenges in NBA Live 18 Ultimate Team.
  • We wrap up Episode #237 of the NLSC Podcast with a recap of the first two days of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend. We have our gripes, but at the end of the day, we can certainly agree that it is what it is!
February 18th, 2018
Episode #238 Andrew & Arcane
  • Before we get rolling on this week's episode, we remind everyone to add their feedback to our NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19 Wishlists as soon as possible. Remember, suggestions left unsaid are guaranteed not to have an impact!
  • Are the constant sales for NBA Live 18 a bad sign and potentially harmful to future games, or a good move by EA Sports in their bid to win back the audience?
  • Player attribute upgrades in NBA 2K18's MyCAREER are 15% off through February 25th. It's a nice gesture, but along with the Double XP promotions, we feel it leaves something to be desired.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included three 2K Pro-Am wins that should've been four, some great pulls in NBA Live 18 Ultimate Team, and a continued inability to dunk in MyCAREER.
  • We wrap up Episode #238 of the NLSC Podcast with some final reflections on the 2018 All-Star Weekend. We also catch up on some recent news, and look ahead to the looming postseason.
February 25th, 2018
Episode #239 Andrew & Arcane
  • We tip off Episode #239 of the NLSC Podcast with the story behind our new design, specifically how it came to be launched earlier than expected.
  • Our inaugural March Modness event is underway! New mods will be coming throughout the month of March, and modders have a chance to win a copy of either NBA Live 19 or NBA 2K19, just by releasing new work.
  • NBA Live 18 is currently among the most popular titles in the PSN Store, indicating strong digital sales on PS4. Clearly, the discounts have been working as far as getting more people to try out the game.
  • EA Sports are also partnering with SportsCrate. We discuss the promising nature of the commercial partnerships in NBA Live 18, and what it means for the recovering strength of the brand.
  • And then there were 250! The top players from the NBA 2K League Combine have advanced to the next round, but will it have any affect on us casual 2K Pro-Am gamers?
  • We wrap up Episode #239 of the NLSC Podcast with Our Week in Basketball Gaming, which included another session of 2K Pro-Am where nothing was going right, and hitting The Streets with a brand new player in NBA Live 18.
March 4th, 2018
Episode #240 Andrew & Arcane
  • An EA investor call made specific mention of NBA Live, and vaguely hinted at some of the goals and concepts for this year's range of EA Sports titles. This should end any speculation that there are currently any plans to take another year off from NBA Live, though there's still plenty to speculate upon as far as new features are concerned.
  • With the Combine in the books and analysis of the results complete, the 102 gamers who will be participating in the NBA 2K League have been chosen. The process hasn't been without controversy, but in any event, the Draft will be taking place on April 4th.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming saw us return to 2K Pro-Am sooner than anticipated, in a session that turned out to be quite enjoyable, and a success for a newly equipped jumpshot animation. We also played a few games in MyCAREER and The One, hit up LIVE Events and the LIVE Pro-Am Tour, and continued to collect cards in Ultimate Team.
March 11th, 2018
Episode #241 Andrew & Arcane
  • It seems that the annual routine of clickbait content and fake trailers is already underway. We discuss the harm it does to the basketball gaming community, and how to be aware of deceptive content regarding NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included a very memorable and satisfying game for NLSC GrindTime, further progress in The League, and failure to create an appealing signature shoe. We also discuss content for Ultimate Team, and how both games could be better at keeping things fresh several months into their release.
  • We wrap up Episode #241 of the NLSC Podcast with the return of some NBA discussion, including some noteworthy performances by Australian players, and the tight race in both Conferences as we approach the final weeks of the regular season.
March 18th, 2018
Episode #242 Andrew & Arcane
  • There's continued debate over the presence of loot crates and similar mechanics in video games, and whether or not it's a form of gambling. Should NBA Live and NBA 2K contain in-game warnings to that effect, and be more transparent about the odds of crates and card packs?
  • With yet another Locker Code prize gone in seconds, we discuss whether something needs to change in regards to NBA Live and NBA 2K providing more in the way of complimentary content and rewards.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming featured the regular session of 2K Pro-Am, the return of the baseline reverse (among other dunks), adventures in custom shoe creation, and plenty of nostalgia in Ultimate Team.
  • We wrap up Episode #242 of the NLSC Podcast with some NBA talk, including injuries to Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry, and a strange situation with Kawhi Leonard.
March 25th, 2018
Episode #243 Andrew & Arcane
  • We open Episode #243 of the NLSC Podcast with an amusing bit of trivia, as it seems we're bigger fans of The Playground than Ronnie 2K!
  • March Modness has concluded, and the winner of the giveaway will be drawn soon. More mods are in the pipeline, of course.
  • The inaugural NBA 2K League Draft was held on April 4th. We discuss the Draft and the forthcoming League tip-off, and once again consider the future direction of the NBA 2K series.
  • In Our Week in Basketball Gaming, we catch up on a fortnight of action on the virtual hardwood. Brighter days could be ahead for NLSC GrindTime, an Ultimate Team collection continues to expand, and a new squad forms in NBA Live 18.
  • We wrap up Episode #243 of the NLSC Podcast with some NBA discussion. The 2018 Playoffs are looming and there are a lot of interesting subplots to consider, especially with several seeds yet to be determined. We also talk about MVP candidates, and some untimely injuries.
April 8th, 2018
Episode #244 Andrew & Arcane
  • As mentioned earlier in the week, our official Wishlists for NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19 have been submitted to EA Sports and Visual Concepts respectively. Since the topics are still open for discussion, we once again touch on what we'd like to see from the upcoming games in both series.
  • Saber Interactive are partnering with Jack Daniel's for an NBA Playgrounds promotion. While it's put the game back into the spotlight, it feels like Saber has missed a lot of opportunities with last year's arcade hoops title.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming saw some trial and error as we continued to incorporate some more structured playcalling into our gameplan during our most recent session of 2K Pro-Am. Meanwhile, new cards and challenges should hopefully keep the Ultimate Team experience fresh.
  • Whether you want to say that they've tipped off or kicked off, the 2018 NBA Playoffs are underway! We give our thoughts on the first four games of this year's postseason, and offer up our predictions for the first round as a whole.
  • We wrap up Episode #244 of the NLSC Podcast with the feel good story of the 2018 season, Andre Ingram.
April 15th, 2018
Episode #245 Andrew & Kenny
  • EA's chief design officer Patrick Söderlund recently spoke out about the company's reputation, and their intent to rehabilitate their image in the wake of the Star Wars: Battlefront 2 controversy. We discuss how continuing to adopt a consumer-friendly model with NBA Live will surely benefit the brand moving forward.
  • A deal has been struck to broadcast the NBA 2K League exclusively on Twitch, which certainly seems like a good fit. Once again, we consider the League's potential impact on the rest of us as we look ahead to NBA 2K19.
  • Saber Interactive has announced NBA Playgrounds 2 for a Summer 2018 release. We're excited and hopeful for the sequel, but there are some key areas where it must show improvement.
  • Namo Gamo has released Basketball Classics on Steam Early Access. This new retro-inspired basketball gaming experience has a lot of potential, and is already quite impressive.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included taking on more challenges in NBA Live 18's Ultimate Team, and a return to NBA 2K17. NLSC GrindTime may have also played its last session of 2K Pro-Am, at least for a while.
  • We wrap up Episode #245 of the NLSC Podcast with some discussion of real basketball, including Andrew Bogut heading home to play in the NBL, the first week of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, and Ben Simmons' Rookie of the Year credentials.
April 22nd, 2018
Episode #246 Andrew & Arcane
  • A new roster has come through for NBA Live 18, and while it's welcome, it also highlights how the official updates need to improve. Some of the new content in Ultimate Team has also sparked controversy among NBA Live gamers, though it's not necessarily a bad thing.
  • Beluba has been soliciting feedback for NBA 2K19 through Twitter polls. We're pleased to see those efforts, though the voting has been a little surprising so far.
  • Pre-order information for NBA Playgrounds 2 mentions a May release. As we note, that isn't Summer anywhere on Earth.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming has centred on NBA Live 18, as we take a momentary break from NBA 2K18. Instead of MyCAREER and 2K Pro-Am, it's all about The One and Ultimate Team for us right now.
  • We wrap up Episode #246 of the NLSC Podcast with our usual chat about real basketball, including the ongoing 2018 NBA Playoffs and LeBron James' future.
April 29th, 2018
Episode #247 Andrew & Arcane
  • FIFA 18 will be receiving free downloadable content for the World Cup, which gives us ideas for future NBA Live games. In fact, there's quite a few things NBA Live could borrow from its EA Sports brethren.
  • Play has begun in the NBA 2K League, with the inaugural tip-off tournament now complete. We offer up a few impressions of what we've seen so far.
  • In order to make the Wall of Fame in NBA 2K19, you'll need to reach 99 Overall by May 31st. For some of us, that's simply going to be too much grinding.
  • A recent GQ article took a look back at NBA Street Vol. 2, calling it the last truly great basketball game. Do we agree with that assessment?
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included more games of Ultimate Team, and a foray into MyTEAM.
  • We wrap up Episode #247 of the NLSC Podcast with a few NBA topics, including the latest action from the 2018 NBA Playoffs, and a head coaching opportunity for Becky Hammon.
May 6th, 2018
Episode #248 Andrew & Kenny
  • NBA Playgrounds 2 is coming out May 22nd, as revealed by the new gameplay trailer. We're feeling optimistic about the game, but we do have some specific hopes and expectations.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included an unlikely return to 2K Pro-Am; it didn't go so well. A seven game series of 2v2 on MyCOURT was a lot more fun, though. We also talk Ultimate Team in NBA Live 18, and Basketball Classics on Steam.
  • We wrap up Episode #248 of the NLSC Podcast with a preview of the 2018 NBA Conference Finals, and predictions for this year's award winners.
May 13th, 2018
Episode #249 Andrew & Arcane
  • Seann Graddy is the new executive producer of the NBA Live series, with Sean O'Brien moving on to a new role at EA Sports. What does this mean for the series moving forward?
  • Viewership numbers for the NBA 2K League continue to dwindle. Is the League a flop - or on the way to being one - and what is it doing wrong?
  • NBA Playgrounds 2 has been abruptly delayed, less than a week ahead of its release. Saber Interactive are promising great things, but gamers are sceptical.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included more Ultimate Team challenges, LIVE Run, and some bargain retro game pick-ups. There's also been a noteworthy development in the modding community.
  • We wrap up Episode #249 of the NLSC Podcast with a discussion of the 2018 Conference Finals.
May 20th, 2018
Episode #250 Andrew & Arcane
  • A teaser for EA Play has confirmed NBA Live 19 - just in case there was any doubt - and tipped off the speculation as to who will be appearing on the cover this year.
  • Game Informer has posted an article providing us with some hints at the direction of NBA Live. While it's not much to go on, it is still promising to hear.
  • A Memphis-based ESPN station took a few shots at NBA Live 18. A little awkward, given ESPN's exclusive deal with EA Sports.
  • The latest Game of Zones episode made fun of NBA 2K18 and Ronnie 2K. Their response was admirable, but gamers weren't letting them off that easy.
  • From Virtual Coppers to Virtual Currency, 2K's promotion of the latest VC sale was a little on the nose.
  • It seems Shaquille O'Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have done some mo-cap work for NBA 2K19. We discuss what that might mean for this year's game.
  • PlayStation 4 users have received refunds for NBA Playgrounds 2. While it might just be a mandatory show of goodwill, it's not a great look for the delayed title.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included a return to 2K Pro-Am, followed by an abrupt return to 2v2 on MyCOURT. The 90s All-Stars collection also continues to expand in Ultimate Team.
  • We wrap up Episode #250 of the NLSC Podcast with our thoughts on the latest results from the 2018 NBA Conference Finals, and make a couple of predictions.
May 27th, 2018
Episode #251 Andrew & Arcane
  • A recent Polygon article has gone into a little more detail about the future of NBA Live, with additional quotes from Seann Graddy. We discuss what he might have meant when talking about the goal of appealing to a "new, younger demographic".
  • What are our expectations in terms of demos for NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19? Are they likely to be any different to recent demos and The Prelude DLC?
  • Is it likely that we'll ever see a Free-to-Play basketball game, similar to Fortnite?
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included a couple of tough but satisfying victories in Ultimate Team, as well as success in LIVE Events. We also spent time with The One, checked out the community uploads in MyLEAGUE, and *played with the All-Time Teams.
  • We wrap up Episode #251 of the NLSC Podcast with a quick recap of the Conference Finals, and our thoughts on the 2018 NBA Finals so far.
June 3rd, 2018
Episode #252 Andrew & Arcane
  • EA Play 2018 is upon us! Before the event tipped off, a teaser screenshot gave us a few clues about what to expect from NBA Live 19.
  • During the press conference, we got our first glimpse of NBA Live 19 via the official reveal trailer. We liked what we saw, and noticed several improvements over NBA Live 18.
  • In addition to the official reveal trailer, a ton of information was also posted, including the release dates for the demo and full game. We discuss what we know so far about expansions to The One, the new player progression system, some key gameplay improvements, and more.
  • The 20th Anniversary Edition of NBA 2K19 has been announced, along with its cover player, LeBron James. Unfortunately, there's a distinct lack of goodwill in the approach this year.
  • NBA 2K18 has received one last official patch. However, in lieu of any patch notes, it seems that all it's done is add a pre-order link for NBA 2K19.
  • We wrap up Episode #252 of the NLSC Podcast with our thoughts on the conclusion of the 2018 NBA Finals, and a look ahead to what may be another interesting offseason. Will LeBron make another controversial decision, or will he remain with the Cavaliers?
June 10th, 2018
Episode #253 Andrew & Arcane
  • Following EA Play 2018, the attendees have been sharing raw gameplay videos. They've provided us with an extended work-in-progress look at NBA Live 19, as have a few screenshots.
  • Although we're not expecting to see too many deep dive developer blogs just yet, the devs at EA Play managed to drop some more tidbits through interviews with content creators.
  • Rumours are swirling of a PC release for NBA Live 19. We'd love to believe it, but given the listing on the official website, we're not getting our hopes up just yet.
  • The developer blog regarding Franchise mode in Madden 19 has us feeling a little envious. We wrap up Episode #253 of the NLSC Podcast by reiterating a few thoughts on what we'd like to see in NBA Live 19.
June 17th, 2018
Episode #254 Andrew & Arcane
  • It seems the NBA 2K19 Standard Edition cover has been leaked, with Giannis Antetokoumpo being the featured player. We discuss the choice, and the situation with the Early Tip-Off Weekend being exclusive to the 20th Anniversary Edition.
  • NBA Playgrounds 2 was indefinitely postponed a month ago, and we still haven't heard anything further. Is there any big announcement that could feasibly make up for the lack of hype?
  • What are our plans for NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19 when they're released in September?
  • HAWK23 has made a welcome return to the community, and is currently looking at fixing up the links for the Ultimate Base Roster for NBA 2K12 and NBA 2K14 PC.
  • We reflect once again on our own history with modding, and why we don't mod as much as we used to. We're not shutting the door on the idea, though.
  • If an NBL 2K or NBL Live game were ever to be released, what would it be like? We have some fun with the idea.
  • We wrap up Episode #254 of the NLSC Podcast with a short discussion of the NBA Draft, and the (latest) Dwight Howard trade.
June 24th, 2018
Episode #255 Andrew, Arcane, & Clueminati
  • The cover player for NBA Live 19 has been announced, and as strongly hinted by the reveal trailer, it's Joel Embiid. All in all, it seems like appropriate branding.
  • NBA Live 19 is also now available to pre-order. There are a handful of pre-order bonuses, along with a 33% discount if you own NBA Live 18.
  • EA has opened a new studio in Madrid. It will collaborate with EA Tiburon on the development of NBA Live, similar to how FIFA's development is undertaken by three of EA's studios.
  • Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick commented on the backlash to microtransactions in NBA 2K18. Unfortunately, his words don't inspire much confidence.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming included taking on some challenges in NBA Live 18 Ultimate Team, LIVE Events, and more.
  • We wrap up Episode #255 of the NLSC Podcast with a discussion of free agency and the NBA award winners. We also share some stories from past community events.
July 1st, 2018
Episode #256 Andrew & Arcane
  • A brief trailer and a few screenshots spotlighting Quai 54 in NBA Live 19 have been released. In our opinion, the venue and the game are both looking very nice.
  • Rookies are getting their faces scanned for NBA Live 19 during the NBA Summer League. This leads to a discussion of the development cycle, and the increasingly early release dates for NBA Live and NBA 2K.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo has been officially revealed as the cover player for the Standard Edition of NBA 2K19. Ben Simmons, meanwhile, will grace the first ever Australian cover.
  • A recent video discusses an allegedly since-deleted Reddit post, purported to contain damning leaks from an ex-2K employee regarding the company's business practices. While the claims are unconfirmed and the video quite possibly unsubstantiated clickbait, the alleged explanations for certain design choices are eerily plausible.
  • Our Week in Basketball Gaming featured a few more challenges in Ultimate Team and new additions to the squad, as well as a couple of modding developments including a potential roster update for NBA 2K11 PC.
  • We wrap up Episode #256 of the NLSC Podcast with a discussion of the latest NBA offseason news. LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins, and Tony Parker surprised us with their decisions, while Carmelo Anthony remains one of the biggest names left on the market.
July 8th, 2018
Episode #257 Andrew & Arcane
  • A new NBA Live 19 trailer spotlighting the authentic courts from around the globe has been released. It's given us a further glimpse of the gameplay and confirmed Allen Iverson as a member of the NBA Live Squad, but we would like some more NBA-oriented previews.
  • What improvements would we like to see in terms of Franchise Mode and roster editing in NBA Live 19?
  • Various NBA 2K19 First Look screenshots have dropped throughout the week. If nothing else, we know some Overall Ratings!
  • Game Informer has provided us with a breakdown of eight significant gameplay improvements in NBA 2K19. They sound good, but we have heard some of it before.
  • Charles Barkley has reiterated his stance on appearing in NBA 2K, leaving us to wonder why Take Two still isn't taking him up on his offer.
  • We wrap up Episode #257 of the NLSC Podcast with some NBA talk. Topics include free agency, trades, rumours, and how to adopt a new team as your favourite.
July 22nd, 2018
Episode #258 Andrew & Arcane
  • EA Sports has announced the addition of Female Create-a-Player in NBA Live 19. It's a cool addition to The One, though predictably, there have been some childish reactions to the news.
  • While we still want to hear about the NBA side of things in NBA Live 19, a few other interesting tidbits have been revealed, including court customisation. A recent interview also acknowledged the possibility of NBA Live returning to the PC platform.
  • The first NBA 2K19 developer blog delivered some great news about MyLEAGUE, MyGM, and MyLEAGUE Online. While we've been conditioned to take developer blogs with a grain of salt, it seems that a lot of great work has gone into the franchise experience this year.
  • Looking back at last year's preview season, we expect the flow of information to be steadier from here on out. We talk a little about some of the details we want to hear about.
  • We now know that 2K Sports will be publishing NBA Playgrounds 2, now titled NBA 2K Playgrounds 2. It remains to be seen what it'll mean for the game, and we do have some concerns. Also, we'd like to see EA bring NBA Jam back.
  • Episode #258 of the NLSC Podcast wraps up with a quick chat about some recent NBA news, including Dwyane Wade's future and new team branding.
August 5th, 2018
Episode #259 Andrew, Kenny & The X
  • 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.
August 19th, 2018
Episode #260 Andrew & Arcane
  • 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.
August 26th, 2018
Episode #261 Andrew & Arcane
  • 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.
September 2nd, 2018
Episode #262 Andrew

Special Guests: Josh & Dave from Namo Gamo

  • In Episode #262 of the NLSC Podcast, Andrew is joined by Josh and Dave from Namo Gamo to talk about Basketball Classics, video game design, and the NBA.
September 9th, 2018
Episode #263 Andrew & Kenny
  • 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.
September 23rd, 2018
Episode #264 Andrew & Arcane
  • 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.
November 4th, 2018
Episode #265 Andrew & Arcane
  • 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.
November 11th, 2018
Episode #266 Andrew & Arcane
  • 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.
November 18th, 2018
Episode #267 Andrew & Kenny
  • 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.
December 2nd, 2018
Episode #268 Andrew & Kenny
  • 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.
December 9th, 2018

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