Difference between revisions of "NLSC Podcast Episodes (2020)"

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Revision as of 00:28, 10 August 2020

This is an episode guide for the NLSC Podcast, featuring all episodes released during 2020.

Episode Guide

Episode Hosts Synopsis Release Date
Episode #305: Maintaining a Rapport in 280 Characters Andrew & Dee4Three

Our first episode of 2020 opens with a tribute to NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern, who passed away on New Year's Day. We discuss the impact he had on the league, and his legacy as its longest-tenured and best commissioner. Diving into this week's main discussion topic, we reflect on some recent Tweets that highlight the disconnect and sometimes contentious relationship the community has with developers. We also discuss 2K's reaction to criticism, and the increased frustration that has strained relations with the dev team. The show wraps up with some spirited thoughts on recent events in the NBA, from travelling to bizarre calls for rule changes.

January 5th, 2020
Episode #306: Full Steam Ahead for Basketball Classics Andrew, Arcane, & Dee4Three

Special Guests: Josh & Dave from Namo Gamo

Version 1.0 of Basketball Classics launched on Steam last year, so we're glad to welcome Josh and Dave from Namo Gamo back to the show! We chat about the journey from Early Access to full launch, and how the game has grown since it first became available to the public. The game will be supported for some time to come, as the guys have some great plans for future updates, and are also looking at feedback from the community. To that end, we even managed to workshop a few ideas while we were recording! We also compare indie and AAA gaming, reminisce about old favourites, and talk a little about the real NBA.

January 12th, 2020
Episode #307: The Joy of Roster Modding Andrew & Dee4Three

Our NBA 2K21 Wishlist thread is now open in the Forum, so before we dive into our main discussion topic, we encourage everyone to get involved! We also encourage everyone to feel free to talk about gameplay and gaming experiences in general. With that business out of the way, we turn our attention to an activity we've greatly enjoyed over the years: roster modding. The discussion begins with a look at the breadth and appeal of roster mods, and the creative process behind them. Along the way, we discuss the tools and techniques that are used in their creation, the importance of certain changes over the years, and some significant roster mods. From creating them to playing with them, we discuss why roster mods are so fun and important to basketball gaming, and offer up a few tips for people who want to get involved with roster modding.

January 19th, 2020
Episode #308: When You Wish Upon A Dev Andrew & Dee4Three

A new patch has come through for NBA 2K20 this week, and it's brought some welcome updates and changes. The nerfing of a cheesy move has naturally proven to be controversial, leading us to reflect on attitudes towards exploits and how 2K should respond to any backlash. We also touch on some recent controversies with VC exploits, and how 2K chose to handle the situation. From there, we dive into this week's main topic: our NBA 2K21 wishlists. It's Wishlist Season, and we've got plenty to say about what we want to see in this year's game. From motion systems and balance to roster accuracy and matchmaking, we break down our desired improvements and additions.

January 26th, 2020
Episode #309: A Tribute to Kobe Bryant Andrew & Dee4Three

It's been almost a week, but it's still hard to get our heads around the news that Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter accident. We extend our condolences to the Bryants and the other families who suffered this terrible loss, and talk about how we came to hear the news. This leads into some reflections on Kobe's career, and how we came to regard him over the 20 years he played in the NBA. We also talk about his connection to video games as a cover player, and discuss the idea of a challenge mode in NBA 2K21, along with a roster project.

February 2nd, 2020
Episode #310: Interview with Rod Reddekopp Andrew

Special Guest: Rod Reddekopp

Rod Reddekopp joins the show to talk about his time working on NBA Live, beginning with the acquisition of Distinctive Software and his early work with EA. From there, Rod takes us through the years, from the revamp of NBA Showdown into NBA Live, to the way the game grew and became a flagship property for the company. Along the way, Rod describes his various roles as a programmer on the series, as well as many of the technical aspects of the early NBA Live titles. He also shares some fun stories from behind the scenes, and reveals a few Easter Eggs for us to go hunting for.

February 9th, 2020
Episode #311: Sliding Into Better Gameplay Andrew & Dee4Three

As the basketball world still reels from the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, various talking heads are using it as an excuse to prop up LeBron James. We talk about our disgust with the practice, particularly some very inappropriate sentiments from Rachel Nichols. This leads us to once again reflect on recency bias, both in real basketball and basketball video games. In particular, we note how the good isn't remembered as often as the great, and how it's too readily dismissed. After that, we get into our main discussion topic, concerning sliders and difficulty settings in games. We touch on how games and attitudes have changed, as well as the importance of "out of the box" quality. The issue of modes without sliders is also discussed, along with some ideas for the community.

February 16th, 2020
Episode #312: The Silence is Deafening Andrew & Dee4Three

As March Modness 2020 tips off, we talk about some of the great work our modding community is doing right now, and some of our own plans for the event. Speaking of celebrations, NBA 2K20 gave away a MyTEAM pack to celebrate some record breaking numbers for installations and games played. We note that despite some missteps and bad PR here and there, 2K is fantastic when it comes to celebrating itself and promoting the brand. This leads us to draw comparisons to what EA Sports is doing with NBA Live, and how they could be doing so much more as far as community engagement. It hasn't escaped our notice that there have been a lot of missed opportunities, not just with NBA Live but also NBA Jam. We also reflect on the games that had the biggest influence and impact on us growing up, and how it's shaped our preferences, opinions, and expectations. Finally, we touch on the importance of standing together as a community.

March 1st, 2020
Episode #313: NBA 2K20, Sixth Months Later Andrew & Dee4Three

Following on from last week's episode, we have a new rumour about NBA Live to discuss. We weigh in on the potential impact of NBA Live skipping another year, and possibly missing the launch of a new console generation. The prospect of using NBA Live 19 for extended testing ahead of a new release also comes up; could it benefit the series moving forward? Elsewhere, a promotion in NBA 2K19 is clearly trying to boost NBA 2K20's already record-setting sales and engagement numbers. This leads into our impressions of NBA 2K20, six months after its release and following several patches. We talk about our enjoyment of the game, the impact of legacy issues, and where it ranks for us on the current generation. A couple of topics for future shows are also teased.

March 8th, 2020
Episode #314: Our Unfinished Business & Nostalgic Phases Andrew & Dee4Three

In the wake of the NBA shutdown, the official NBA 2K Twitter has been doing a great job of engaging with fans. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of 2K's handling of MyTEAM bans due to Auction House sniping. We discuss the lack of communication and clear guidelines, as well as the staggering amount of money some gamers pump into the mode. Turning our attention to older games, we reflect on unfinished business in titles from yesteryear. In particular, we discuss the difficulty of going back and spending a lot of time with old favourites, the idea of basketball games (and sports games in general) having a different concept of completion, and games we wish that we'd played more. This leads into a discussion of nostalgic phases: the times where we've briefly become obsessed with revisiting certain hoops games that we love.

March 15th, 2020
Episode #315: Old Games & Old Habits Andrew & Dee4Three

With the NBA shut down for the foreseeable future, it's a great time to not only catch up on gaming, but also classic NBA games. We discuss some of the ways the NBA could improve League Pass and the official YouTube channel, including some comparisons to the WWE Network. Speaking of history, the 25th Anniversary of Michael Jordan's first comeback is making us feel old, but it's a good excuse to play the Double Nickel game in NBA 2K11's Jordan Challenge. On that note, our main discussion topic this week is our basketball gaming preferences past and present, with reflections on the titles from the 90s and early 2000s that influenced our tastes and habits. From our preferred quarter and season length to how often we sim and how much realism we like, those old games established how we approach the virtual hardwood. We also touch on some of the quirks of those old games.

March 22nd, 2020
Episode #316: Interview with Darren Schueller Andrew

Special Guest: Darren Schueller

Our 25th Anniversary of NBA Live celebrations continue with another developer interview! Former NBA Live programmer Darren Schueller joins the show to chat about his time working on the game from NBA Live 97-2001. As the man behind implementing DBF files in the PC version of NBA Live, Darren explains how that development came about, and the details may surprise you! We also talk about his work on the user interface throughout the years, as well as the hidden developer teams and other Easter eggs. Darren also shares anecdotes about how he got into the industry, pranks and other amusing moments during his tenure at EA Canada (including his Need for Speed cameos), and some of his favourite games.

March 29th, 2020
Episode #317: The Perks of PC & The Merriness of Modding Andrew & Dee4Three

March Modness may be over, but we're still in the mood to mod! In addition to discussing projects that we're currently working on, we talk about how important the modding scene has been to the PC version. Specifically, we note that it's drawn gamers from consoles to PC, and made them aware of the perks of PC basketball gaming. We also reflect on satisfying modding discoveries, and how mods stand out in other original content. As the preliminary specs for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series X have been revealed, we also take the opportunity to look ahead to the next generation. The specs sound impressive - and very much like a gaming PC - but will it matter if design philosophies don't change?

April 5th, 2020
Episode #318: Interview with Andrew Jinks Andrew

Special Guest: Andrew Jinks

As our celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of NBA Live continue, we welcome Andrew Jinks to the NLSC Podcast! Andrew was a programmer on the series from NBA Live 95 through to NBA Live 98, and he shares his insights into how the early NBA Live games were developed. His stories cover his experiences working on the front end, schedule generation, and other aspects of the games. He also talks about the cancelled 3DO version of NBA Live 96, provides more backstory on the legend of "Jox Steele", and shares some other tales from behind the scenes. Our trip down memory lane also leads us to reminisce about some other classic games from back in the day, including a few LucasArts favourites.

April 12th, 2020
Episode #319: It's All About The Details Andrew & Dee4Three

A Locker Code celebrating Mamba Day has provided everyone with a free, guaranteed Kobe Bryant card in MyTEAM. Unfortunately, issues with the card's ratings underscore an ongoing problem with the mode. We discuss the importance of accuracy in details such as player ratings, Badges, and animations, and the need for variety and balance in cards. With Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett going into the Hall of Fame this year, we also reflect on some other players who are worthy of induction. We also touch on the new ESRB ratings for loot boxes, and whether we think the change will make much of a difference. Discussing our recent retro game pick-ups and what we've been playing also leads us to talk about the appeal of college games, the quality of NBA 2K15, and a very controversial opinion about NBA Live 07.

April 19th, 2020
Episode #320: A Post-Mortem of NBA 2K18 Andrew & Dee4Three

A welcome hotfix has arrived via Patch 1.12 for NBA 2K20, which resolves the free throw music bug introduced by the previous title update. Unfortunately, we're not as pleased to see the new Out of Position packs in MyTEAM. After catching up on the news, we dive right into the topic we introduced at the end of Episode #319: a post-mortem look back at NBA 2K18. We reflect on the initial reactions to the game, the backlash to criticism, and the eventual change in perspective. In addition to discussing issues with gameplay mechanics and microtransactions alike, we note how it was a turning point as far as gamers losing fondness for and trust in NBA 2K, and being more willing to criticise it. We also touch on developer blogs, the NBA 2K League, and compare and contrast the situation with NBA Live's downfall over the past 15 years.

April 26th, 2020
Episode #321: A New Look for Old Games Andrew & Dee4Three

The Last Dance has inspired an increase in gamers playing with classic Bulls teams in NBA 2K20. This leads us to reflect on how important it is to have historical content in games, and how our gaming habits are affected by what's going on in the world of basketball. We also touch on a rumour about NBA Live that's making the rounds, mostly due to wishful thinking and a desire to have another viable sim game. In our main discussion this week, we go back and reimagine covers for games beginning with Lakers vs. Celtics, including hypothetical Legend Edition covers. We also talk about the pain of starting over every year in MyCAREER and MyTEAM, and the likelihood of seeing certain Legends in NBA 2K.

May 3rd, 2020
Episode #322: Maybe Next Year, Huh? Andrew & Dee4Three

In case there was any doubt that last week's rumour concerning NBA Live 21 was false, we have confirmation that there will be no release this year. We discuss what this means for NBA Live's future, and whether the series still has a chance to be relevant. We're also concerned about a focus on the mobile platform, and constant changes in direction and vision. In other news, 2K is reportedly seeking a new community manager, and we're all for it. We're not putting our hands up, but we do outline our expectations. We also talk about in-game editing functions we'd like to see, games that we've changed our minds about, retro season mods we'd be interested in, and some recent additions to our collections.

May 10th, 2020
Episode #323: But Will There Be Shoelace Physics? Andrew & Dee4Three

As The Last Dance draws to a close, 2K are cashing in with a new GOAT Michael Jordan card in NBA 2K20 MyTEAM, and classic Bulls gear in MyCAREER. There might be a way of getting all of those items, but are we willing to pay the price? Speaking of future purchases, the PlayStation 5 tech demo has given us a glimpse of what to expect from next gen. We consider what it might mean for basketball games, and whether the tech will be put to good use. That leads us to reflect on what it's like to be in the older age bracket of the basketball gaming demographic, as well as whether it's possible to enjoy a broken game. Our recent poll also sparks a discussion on different approaches to retro team roster mods.

May 17th, 2020
Episode #324: Digging for Buried Treasure Andrew & Dee4Three

NBA 2K20 is available at a discount on various digital platforms, as part of another push to pump up sales numbers for the game. It's also received a new patch, though it appears to just be a hotfix for an issue with MyTEAM Unlimited. Meanwhile, the renewal of EA Sports' exclusive deal with the NFL leads us to consider the ramifications if the NBA ever sought a similar arrangement with either EA or Visual Concepts. In our featured discussion this week, we talk about recent additions to our collections, games we're coveting, pet peeves in older releases, and the appeal of simplicity. We also pay tribute to the late Jerry Sloan, legendary Utah Jazz coach and original star for the Chicago Bulls.

May 24th, 2020
Episode #325: Playground People, The Game & Its Sequel Andrew & Dee4Three

NBA Playgrounds and its sequel NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 have been quite successful, but thus far, the series hasn't had the same staying power as NBA Jam or NBA Street. We take a deep-dive into the Playground games, discussing the parts that we like, and the parts that we believe could be better. Along the way, we compare and contrast Playgrounds with Jam and Street, discuss missed opportunities for the series, and consider its future. We also talk about NBA Starting Five 2005 - an overlooked Japanese exclusive from the mid 2000s with features that were ahead of their time - and the latest title update for Basketball Classics. A retro pick-up teased in last week's show is also revealed.

May 31st, 2020
Episode #326: Letting It All Out This Week Andrew & Dee4Three

This week, we're letting it all out as we discuss a variety of topics! We begin with the impending return of the NBA, and our thoughts on the format to finish out the season. On that note, is this really the end of Vince Carter's career? Elsewhere, a long-lost spin-off of SimCity has us wondering whether any more forgotten and unreleased basketball games will make it out into the wild. The rare version of NBA Jam with Michael Jordan springs to mind. Recent events also lead us to share some strong opinions on the use of Patreon in the modding community, and the focus on making money through the hobby. With EA Play on the horizon, we wonder once more about the future of NBA Live, and express some frustration. We also touch on representing the ABA on the virtual hardwood, and what would make for acceptable downloadable content in basketball games. Oh, and there's a potentially divisive opinion about the Oklahoma City Thunder's branding.

June 7th, 2020
Episode #327: Gonna Make You Sweat Andrew & Dee4Three

The PlayStation 5 reveal event brought us an Announcement Trailer for NBA 2K21, which gives us plenty to talk about this week! We recap and react to the trailer featuring Zion Williamson, and a whole lot of sweat. In addition to highlighting the parts that appealed to us, we also discuss our concerns, along with the expectations it's given us for next gen. We also speculate whether the PC version of NBA 2K21 will be a next gen port, or last gen as was the case with NBA 2K14. The trustworthiness of developer blogs and preview media is another issue we're going to be mindful of this preview season, as we reflect on past controversies. We also consider the impact of next gen NBA 2K21 on the future of NBA Live, and what we can expect from last gen NBA 2K moving forward.

June 14th, 2020
Episode #328: Rumours & Boomers Andrew & Dee4Three

Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, NBA Live wasn't featured at EA Play 2020. We reflect on how it's made the community pessimistic about the series' future. Elsewhere, the inevitable lull following NBA 2K21's announcement trailer has tipped off this year's rumour mill. As we're not fans of misinformation, we analyse the rumours making the rounds, and offer up some tips to avoid falling for clickbait. The NBA 2K League also comes up when we broach the topic of online play, as does a program that's worth checking out. In modding news, we note a couple of recent developments, and once again talk about minimalist mods. We wrap up with a discussion of a forgotten 1-on-1 tournament that the NBA held in 1972, including how such a tournament could work today. Old heads that we are, there's also some grumbling and further push back on the whole "plumbers and dentists" rhetoric.

June 21st, 2020
Episode #329: Cover Songs & Trivia Notes Andrew & Dee4Three

With the impending NBA 2K21 cover reveal over the course of three days, we speculate on possible players and editions, as well what other details may be announced. We also reflect on how it feels to move on to a new game after being hooked on its predecessor. Talking about vibe and atmosphere leads us to reminisce about some of our favourite soundtracks, and unusual song choices. Meanwhile, future rookies have been added to MyTEAM packs. It's a first and a cool idea, but their ratings inspire another discussion of the state and general direction of both NBA Live and NBA 2K. Finally, Vince Carter's retirement has marked the end of the last vestige of the NBA in the 90s. We celebrate his lengthy career, and share some trivia regarding longevity records in basketball gaming.

June 28th, 2020
Episode #330: The Price of Upgrading Andrew & Dee4Three

The three cover players and their editions of NBA 2K21 have been revealed, and it turns out our predictions were pretty good! We react to the choices, and some of the community's opinions on them. We've also discovered that the Next Gen version will have cross-platform VC and MyTEAM progression, but more controversially, a $10 price increase. Breaking down the pre-order bonuses also suggests that the approach to microtransactions and grinding won't be much different this year. With confirmation that NBA 2K21 PC is a Current Gen port, we weigh up the pros and cons, and what it means for our modding community. Elsewhere, reactions to Madden 21's Franchise mode have made us wonder about the future of franchise gaming in basketball titles. Finally, we're noticing some new waves of nostalgia among younger and older hoops gamers alike.

July 5th, 2020
Episode #331: Hit Me With Your Green Release Andrew & Dee4Three

In a shocking development, one of us has a new perspective on a game we've openly criticised in the past. Find out what led to the change in heart, and stay tuned to hear if the new opinion sticks! We also tackle the issue of shot meters, Green Releases, and shooting mechanics in general. What do we think is the best approach, and could we ever go back to the old ways? Meanwhile, talking about the mods we're working on leads us to workshop some ideas for other projects we'd love to create. With only one basketball game announced for Next Gen, we also discuss some other titles that we'd like to see return. Since the NBA's resumption is also looming, we finish up with a discussion of asterisks, and how this year's championship will likely be viewed.

July 12th, 2020
Episode #332: The Measure of a Sim Gamer Andrew & Dee4Three

Many of us consider ourselves to be sim gamers, but what does that mean exactly? We discuss what makes a sim gamer "sim", and the different approaches we can take with that style of play. We've also got plenty of suggestions for additional retro teams for NBA 2K, and share some of our favourites that we'd most like to see. The word of the week here is "esoteric"! Speaking of suggestions, we also have some ideas for new and revamped game modes. From an offline retro challenge mode to a concept like Quick Pick Play, and even tournament and road trip modes, there are still ways that NBA Live and NBA 2K can offer gamers even more content to sink their teeth into.

July 19th, 2020
Episode #333: Just Two Creatures of Habit Andrew & Dee4Three

Would you pay $16,000 for a promotional copy of NBA 2K15? Someone on eBay is hoping that you will! We've spent considerably less on recent additions to our collections, which we were excited to pick up. Speaking of collectables, a few copies of Slam City with Scottie Pippen have also popped up on eBay, leading us to reflect on that somewhat forgotten game. Meanwhile, an influx of new gamers in NBA 2K20's online scene has further emphasised the need to implement proper ranking and matchmaking measures (and inspired another rant). We also discuss what it takes to change our gaming habits on the virtual hardwood, and how some of those habits were formed in the first place.

July 26th, 2020
Episode #334: NBA 2K21 News & NBA Live Woes Andrew & Dee4Three

With the Current Gen version of NBA 2K21 a little over a month away, we're anticipating the floodgates opening on the preview season. For now, we have news on this year's soundtrack, as well as a few tidbits about gameplay and MyTEAM. We break down what we know so far, including Mike Wang's interesting comments about making the game as enjoyable as possible. Given the recent sentiments in the community - as well as a few remarks from NBA players - it seems like the right idea! Elsewhere, now that we know there won't be an NBA Live 21, we once again discuss the future of the NBA Live series. Are we keeping our fingers crossed for next year? Also, we talk about when basketball games get cartoonish, and how that can be a welcome change of pace.

August 2nd, 2020
Episode #335: For a Few Dollars More Andrew & Dee4Three

The NBA 2K21 Current Gen trailer has given us something to really sink our teeth into this week. We share our thoughts on what we saw, and touch on some of the community reactions. A glimpse of the new Shot Meter and recent comments by Beluba also inspire us to once again discuss shooting mechanics. Meanwhile, remarks by 2K's CEO have continued to stir up controversy regarding the Next Gen price increase. We have a few things to say on the matter, along with our subsequent expectations for Next Gen. With the NBA Live 16 servers shutting down, we also encourage everyone to wrap up their business ASAP, and take some time to reflect on the game.

August 9th, 2020

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