Tag Archives: Developer Blog

The latest NBA 2K19 developer blog has provided us with a comprehensive overview of MyTEAM in this year’s game. As with the previous blog, Senior Producer Erick Boenisch has gone into a lot of detail, but I’ll summarise it as best as I can. If you’re a MyTEAM enthusiast, then I definitely recommend reading the blog in its entirety.

• The approach to packs has changed to provide gamers with better content. This includes better pulls, and changes in philosophy. For example, Throwback packs will guarantee a throwback player, as in NBA Live’s Ultimate Team.
• There will be new content that’s pushed through more often, including packs, inserts into existing packs, and more Locker Codes. Speaking of Locker Codes, in addition to the limited quantity codes, there will be single use codes all gamers can take advantage of for random reward drops (as in earlier games this generation, though it’s being touted as a new feature). We also have our first Locker Code to use in NBA 2K19 when it’s released: GETIT-DUWW7-AN5F3-FPEZB-9VMWC
• New modes this year include MyTEAM Unlimited (take your best lineup of 13 players online to compete for rewards), Triple Threat (3v3 against all 30 NBA teams and other squads with rewards on the line), and Triple Threat Online (the same concept, only against other gamers online).
• This year, single player Weekly Challenges will not expire (but Multiplayer Weekly Challenges still will). Schedule Challenges have been revamped to be less of a grind, and the rewards have been increased. There will also be Daily Trials in the form of stat-based objectives each day.
• Domination no longer has to be played through in a singular fixed order. The mode includes NBA Domination, Fantasy Domination, and All-Time Domination.
• Reward Tokens are now earned for completing objectives throughout MyTEAM, and can be traded in at the Reward Market. There’s is also a Token Market which offers the chance to get even more content for your Reward Tokens.
• Collector Levels return, awarding prizes as your collection grows. New cards this year include Heat Check cards (cards that gain boosted abilities for 48 hours after a player turns in a great performance in real life) new Throwback collections with retro players, and a 20th Anniversary collection.
• The interface has been updated to be more user-friendly, and now includes notifications and a Card Glossary. The Auction House, Pack Market, Edit Lineups, and other menus have also been updated with a new aesthetic and functionality.

Once again, that’s just a very brief summary, so be sure to check out the blog for the full scoop. A trailer for MyTEAM in NBA 2K19 has also been released. Check it out below, or watch it here on YouTube. I’ve also included the screenshots from the developer blog below, and added them to our NBA 2K19 gallery along with some other recently released screens.

What are your thoughts on the details revealed in the MyTEAM blog? Is it a mode you’re likely to check out this year? Have your say in the comments section below, as well as in this topic in the NLSC Forum.

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We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Start your week here at the NLSC with a feature that’s dedicated to opinions, commentary, and other fun stuff related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games. This week, I’m tipping things off with a few thoughts on the cynicism we often feel when we read developer blogs.

NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19 are just a month away from release, which means we’re in the thick of the preview season. We’re not necessarily getting huge information dumps or new media every day of the week, but the stream of previews is growing steadier as their launch draws nearer. Of course, there are still quite a few things that we’d like to learn about the upcoming games, even though they’re already available to pre-order and will be released in just four weeks. As previously discussed, this has become the norm for basketball gaming’s preview season.

So far, we’ve had one deep-dive developer blog for NBA 2K19, detailing all of the improvements and additions to MyLEAGUE, MyGM, and MyLEAGUE Online in this year’s game. More developer blogs should be on their way, and Mike Wang has also been dropping some important information about gameplay enhancements via his Twitter account, but sometimes it’s difficult to take even the best news at face value. When we take a look back at the developer blogs throughout the years, it’s easy to notice a few patterns and recurring themes. Some people may call it “hating”, but if you’ve experienced a few preview seasons, it can be tough not to get a little cynical.

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The first developer blog for NBA 2K19 has revealed details on MyLEAGUE, MyLEAGUE Online, and MyGM in this year’s game. Given the depth of NBA 2K’s franchise modes, it may seem difficult to imagine how they could get much better, but it appears that there will be some very nice enhancements in NBA 2K19.

With such a comprehensive blog, it’s difficult to summarise all of the new information and do it justice, but here’s a quick overview of what Senior Producer Erick Boenisch had to say:

• MyLEAGUE Online now reflects the offline experience, complete with full contracts (no more Keeper system) and comprehensive front office management. League admins have the ability to set the duration for completing offseason tasks, and participants have access to more information, such as who is currently online.
• Even more sliders have been added, allowing us to tune more aspects of MyLEAGUE. New sliders include various aspects of trade logic, salary expectations, and player progression. There is an incredible amount of customisation potential here, from teams and players to individual attributes.
• Create-a-Player has been enhanced, both for custom Draft Classes and CAPs in general. New face sculpting tools have been added, and created player templates can be shared via Player DNA.
• MyGM is now more flexible. In addition to a story-driven approach (“The Saga Continues”), we can now choose to play MyGM without a story. The traditional MyGM experience is also more flexible and customisable.
• The Draft has been enhanced with commentary and analysis. The new Draft Lottery system is also incorporated.
• Other additions and updates in terms of accuracy and depth include traded player exceptions, another year’s worth of draft picks to trade, new rule changes (and the ability to choose your own), user-chosen awards (overriding the sim engine’s picks), the new formats for the All-Star Game and Summer League, and additional tracking menus.
• A new Player Mentorship system will allow veteran players to have an impact on the development of younger players.
• There will be pre-created Draft Classes featuring historical players: 1960, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1974, and 1976-2017. These ready-made Classes can also be customised.

That’s just a very brief overview, so be sure to check out the blog for the full scoop. Some screenshots of MyLEAGUE, MyLEAGUE Online, and MyGM were also posted in the blog. Check them out below, as well as in our NBA 2K19 Screenshots gallery. Brian Mazique of Forbes.com also had an opportunity to speak with Erick Boenisch about the improvements to all three franchise modes. Check out the video below, or here on YouTube.

What are your thoughts on the first developer blog? Are you looking forward to playing these modes? Have your say in the comments section below, and join in the discussion here in the NLSC Forum.

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Episode #220 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Arcane and I have plenty to talk about following a big week of NBA 2K18 news, as well as the release of a new patch for the NBA Live 18 demo. The question is, as always, now that the show has been recorded, will any further news break over the weekend?

On this week’s show…

• Patch 1.05 has been pushed through for the NBA Live 18 demo, and this time, we have a few patch notes. Once again, we take the opportunity to offer some further impressions of the demo, and encourage everyone to keep the feedback coming.
• Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett will be joining NBA 2K18’s broadcasting team as special guest commentators. Unfortunately for KG, the game is only rated E10+.
• The latest NBA 2K18 developer blogs by Scott O’Gallagher and Da_Czar have delivered a lot of promising news about improvements to AI, playcalling, and gameplay in general.
• NBA 2K18 will see the debut of The Neighborhood, a new online open world experience that encompasses MyCAREER, 2K Pro-Am, and MyPARK (now called The Playground). It’s very cool, but we do have a few questions and concerns.
• There will be 189 MyPLAYER Archetypes this year, with primary and secondary archetypes and hybrid styles. Excellent news, in our opinion.
• A list of Achievements for The Prelude has been leaked, hinting at this year’s story. Mild spoiler warning!
• We wrap up Episode #220 of the NLSC Podcast with Our Week in Basketball Gaming, which included a couple of really fun sessions of 2K Pro-Am as our season in NBA 2K17 continues to draw to a close.

Click Play to listen to the show!

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:21:58 — 56.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Sound off in the comments below, or here in the Forum. Also, if there’s a topic you’d like us to discuss on the next episode of the NLSC Podcast, feel free to hit us up in this thread.

Our friends over at Operation Sports have posted another exclusive NBA 2K18 developer blog, this time from the one and only Da_Czar. Following on from Scott O’Gallagher’s blog, Da_Czar discusses offensive tendencies, AI execution, and player motion in this year’s game. Once again, it’s difficult to summarise such an in-depth blog and do it justice, but here are some of the key points:

• Playcalling and substitutions have been moved from the right stick back to the buttons. Left on the D-Pad will bring up the Dynamic Play Menu, where you can toggle through different sets and make your selection by pressing the appropriate button. Right on the D-Pad will bring up gameplan items, which you can also cycle through and then select using the face buttons. Up on the D-Pad calls a Smart Play, while Down on the D-Pad brings up the on-the-fly substitution menu.
• NBA 2K18 will feature situational tendencies, so that players make realistic decisions based on where they get the ball and the current situation, including the quality of defender that they’re facing. Elite scorers will break plays if they believe they have an opportunity to score against their current match-up.
• Several improvements have been made to the way AI players execute offensively, such as spotting up or cutting to the basket in transition, as well as their awareness of mismatches, numbers advantages, and defender positioning.
• The new motion engine improves player movement, allowing seamless changes in direction and avoiding a feeling of getting stuck in animations.
• There will be a noticeable difference in tempo between teams, according to real life data.

Be sure to check out the blog over on OS for the full scoop, as well as several screenshots and video clips that demonstrate what Da_Czar is talking about. As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below, as well as join in the discussion in our NBA 2K18 Forum.

A new developer blog for NBA 2K18 has been posted exclusively over at Operation Sports. The latest insight is from Scott O’Gallagher, with OG breaking down the improvements to artificial intelligence in this year’s game. It’s a lengthy read with some great news and detailed information, and as such, it’s hard to do it justice with a quick summary. However, here are some of the key points that Scott touches upon:

• The Adaptive Coaching Engine has received a lot of attention, in order to weed out flaws from previous games.
• Positioning is improved, with players being more aware of the situation. Players will also recognise sets and make adjustments accordingly.
• Elite defenders have much better awareness. However, if an AI player can’t see the ball (i.e. has their back to the play), they will make errors and be slower to react with help defense.
• More team specific defensive schemes have been added, there are new animations for double teams, rotations and help angles are improved, and there are better mismatch adjustments.
• Zone defense is feasible in 2K Pro-Am without taking a hit to your teammate grade.
• Authenticity is optimised for Superstar and Hall of Fame difficulty levels.
• There is a Defensive Communication setting that when enabled, instructs you on what you’re supposed to do defensively.
• System Proficiency, which will affect all modes in NBA 2K18, emphasises the importance of matching the right players with the right coach and sets. This affects team building strategies in MyLEAGUE/MyGM and MyTEAM, as well as the on-court experience.

Scott has also included a bunch of brief gameplay clips that demonstrate exactly what he’s talking about. Be sure to check out the blog on OS for the full scoop!

2K have also revealed the cover player for MyNBA2K18, the companion app for NBA 2K18. This year’s cover player is Kristaps Porzingas of the New York Knicks; see below for the cover art. MyNBA2K18 is set for release on September 7th, just in time for this year’s Prelude on September 8th.

As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below, as well as in the NBA 2K18 section of the NLSC Forum!

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Episode #218 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! With the preview season well and truly underway, Arcane and I have plenty of things to talk about this week, including the NBA Live 18 pre-order bonuses, the latest trailers and developer blogs for NBA 2K18, and some news that (of course) broke shortly after we finished recording Episode #217.

On this week’s show…

• Since its release, the NBA Live 18 demo has been receiving some patches, so it would appear that the experience will continue to be tweaked based on user feedback. Hopefully, this will also bode well for the inevitable Day One patch.
• The One Edition of NBA Live 18 has been confirmed, and it includes a couple of in-game pre-order bonuses, as well as a 33% discount from participating retailers.
• 2K Sports dropped the “Get Shook” trailer, along with a developer blog describing the improvements to gameplay in NBA 2K18. It sounds like the team has been focusing on the right things this year.
• A trailer and developer blog for MyTEAM in NBA 2K18 has also been released. The trailer itself was a little cringe-worthy, but overall the news is good there too.
• All-Time Teams and sixteen new Classic Teams will be added in NBA 2K18. We share our thoughts on the new classic teams that have been revealed so far.
• We wrap up Episode #218 of the NLSC Podcast with Our Week in Basketball Gaming, which has seen our 2K Pro-Am season for NBA 2K17 approach its final few sessions, and more grinding for cards in NBA Playgrounds. We also look ahead to our future weeks of basketball gaming.

Click Play to listen to the show!

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:25:44 — 59.0MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Sound off in the comments below, or here in the Forum. Also, if there’s a topic you’d like us to discuss on the next episode of the NLSC Podcast, feel free to hit us up in this thread.

We’re certainly in the thick of the preview season now, as the information regarding NBA 2K18 keeps on coming. 2K Sports have posted a new MyTEAM trailer, as well as a developer blog outling the additions and improvements in this year’s mode.

Some of the key points include:

• There’s a new mode called “Pack and Playoffs”. It’s essentially a draft mode, in which you open packs and get a new lineup each round. It’s luck of the draw, so sometimes you’ll end up with superstars, while other times you’ll end up with an underdog lineup of role players. The Playoffs consist of four rounds, each being a best of seven series. You can also use VC to hold onto players for the next round.
• Coaches will play a bigger role in NBA 2K18’s MyTEAM. New “system proficiency tech” (which will also be utilised in other modes) determines which of eight systems a team will run, and will have an impact on your MyTEAM’s performance. The idea will be to match suitable players to your coach’s system.
• “Super Max” is a new online mode with a salary cap and season gameplay. At the start of each round, users will need to build the best team possible under the set salary cap, and then compete in full length games.
• New Strategy Cards can be played during timeouts to add temporary boosts to your Points of Emphasis. Coaches also have different gem level cards this year.
• For chiefly offline gamers, Schedule Challenges will let you play through a 30 game schedule for all 30 NBA teams. They will all be available on day one, so no need to unlock them.
• The new All-Time teams have a presence in MyTEAM by way of All-Time Domination.
• The Auction House has been enhanced with real-time postings, reserve bidding, and the ability to sell stacks of items.
• MyTEAM Goals have been added, rewarding gamers for exploring the mode. The Collections menu has also been made easier to browse.
• Other enhancements include more Dynamic Duos, a reference to find a player’s Dynamic Duos partner, Badge replacement, bigger boosts for shoes, and an updated interface.

Be sure to check out the blog for the full scoop and some screenshots, which you can also find below and in our gallery. You can also watch the trailer below, or catch it here on YouTube if you can’t see the embedded video.

Your thoughts? Sound off in the comments below, and feel free to take the discussion to the NBA 2K18 section of the NLSC Forum!

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It’s always exciting to get a new trailer and see an upcoming game in action, but what we really want to know is, what kind of improvements have actually been made to the gameplay? Fortunately, we don’t have to wait very long for answers in regards to NBA 2K18, as Gameplay Director Mike Wang (aka Beluba) has posted a developer blog detailing the work that has gone into improving this year’s gameplay experience.

As you might expect, it’s a lengthy read, and therefore somewhat difficult to succinctly summarise. However, here are some of the key points:

• The animation and motion engine has been reworked, in order to remove canned moments and a lack of responsiveness. Stick input and attributes govern how players move around the court, so no more getting stuck with an unfavourable animation.
• Shot aiming has been removed this year, with the goal of balancing stick skills and basketball IQ, as well as making sure that a player’s ratings and shooting form are properly factored in. It also sounds as though green releases won’t be as easy or cheesy in NBA 2K18, as they won’t be based solely on release timing.
• The Shot Meter has been positioned beside players for better visibility. Expanded shot feedback informs the user about the quality of their release timing, and how tightly they were covered (Smothered, Heavily Contested, Lightly Contested, Open, or Wide Open).
• There are quicker “load ups” for jumpshot attempts, and some new, explosive hop jumpers. Layup packages have been reworked along the lines of different player styles, such as Euro Specialist, Floater Specialist, Crafty, and so on.
• Weight and strength plays a bigger role in the post game. Multiple moves can also be chained together.
• Tapping or double-tapping the Post Up button will perform triple threat, dribble, and post moves. This is intended as an alternative for users still coming to grips with the Pro Stick moves. There are also more dribbling moves in general.
• Receiver Control will allow users to take control of the pass recipient, to better position them to receive the pass. It’s also possible to choose between a short pass and long skip pass, for more precision.
• Collisions between offensive and defensive players have been improved. There’s more “hip riding” and less “stonewalling”, the logic for ball vulnerability has been enhanced, and foul calls have been revamped. Closeouts are also less cheesy, especially when using Intense D. Attention has also been paid to loose ball situations.

All in all, Beluba describes some very promising improvements to the gameplay in NBA 2K18. Be sure to check out the developer blog for the full details, and share your impressions in the comments section below, as well as here in the Forum.

The first developer blog for NBA 2K18 has been posted, and it’s a treat for fans of franchise modes. Written by Senior Producer Erick Boenisch, it describes the changes and improvements to MyLEAGUE, MyLEAGUE Online, and MyGM in great detail. A quick breakdown is as follows:

• MyGM (now titled MyGM: The Next Chapter) will now feature a story, similar to MyCAREER. Gamers will still retain control over gameplay and team building features. It will also have a few more customisation options.
• MyLEAGUE will retain its large suite of customisation features, and familiar sandbox approach.
• The 2017 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement will be accurately reflected, including aspects such as Super Max Contracts, updated salary figures, Stretch Provisions, Two-Way Contracts, the Hardship Exception, and so on. New rule changes such as the number of timeouts have also been implemented.
• G-League (formerly the D-League) Integration. No G-League games are playable, but players can be sent there to help with their development.
• The Free Agent Moratorium is in the game. As in real life, no signings will be made official during that period, but you can come to binding verbal agreements with players. Cap holds and renounced rights are also now included.
• International Draftees can remain overseas, and rights to players can be traded during the Draft. Draft Class generation has also been improved.
• Re-branding options have been enhanced with additions such as alternate uniforms, and the ability to redesign a team’s court without also redesigning the whole arena. Relocation and re-branding options are also available in MyLEAGUE Online, and there are new cities to relocate to.
• All-Star Game hosts will be selected each offseason, and will have their own generated designs, rather than generic All-Star courts.
• Players will have attributes that determine how frequently they wear each type of accessory (Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always). Jumpshot Creator can also be used for any player, quick editing has been expanded, and created players can be added to a MyLEAGUE game already in progress.
• The ability to practice plays is back.
• There is a new Analytics Tool, better functionality when searching for community creations, and other features that make various customisation and administration tasks easier.

Check out the blog for the full scoop! A few screenshots were also released with the blog, which you can check out below, or here in our NBA 2K18 Screenshots Gallery. Got any thoughts? Feel free to share them in the comments below, as well as here in the NBA 2K18 section of the NLSC Forum.

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Developer blogs generally end with the release of a new game, but even though NBA 2K17 is out now, 2K clearly has a few more details that they’d like to spotlight. Online producer Shane Coffin has written a blog on MyPARK in this year’s game, which you can check out here over on the official NBA 2K Facebook page.

Highlights of the blog include:

• MyPARK in NBA 2K17 will be “event” driven, with five different types of events: a Mountain Dew-sponsored 3v3 tournament, Rival Day, Ante-Up, House Rules, and Double Rep Weekends. Another event type is yet to be announced.
• Several new MyPARK-exclusive animations have been added, including squad animations, hanging out animations, gameplay animations, and celebrations.
• Park Cards have been revamped, and good teammates can earn the ability to use more than one card per game.
• Park-specific badges have been added: Game Point, Road Dog, 7 Oh’s, Iron Man, Legend Takeover, Park Bully, Winners Only, and Streak Breaker.
• It’s now possible to earn player upgrades while playing in MyPARK.
• Double alley-oops have been added.

If you’ve already gotten into MyPARK in NBA 2K17, chances are you’re already aware of these additions and changes, but if you’d like the full scoop, be sure to check out the blog for more information. Once again, I encourage everyone to head over to our NBA 2K17 board if you’d like to share your thoughts, or your recent experiences with the game.

With the release of NBA 2K17 only a few days away, 2K Sports has released another trailer for the game, this time spotlighting MyTEAM. The trailer features members of the NBA 2K community opening MyTEAM packs, with the promise that they could keep any of the cards they pull once the full game drops.

As you would expect, the trailer provides us with a glimpse of the redesigned cards in NBA 2K17, as well as the new pack opening animations. Several of the gamers pull high cards including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Davis, and Blake Griffin.

Watch the trailer below, or catch it here on YouTube if you can’t see the embedded video.

Further information on MyTEAM in NBA 2K17 has been revealed in the latest developer blog by Associate Producer Peter Cornforth. Highlights of the blog are as follows:

• “Moments” cards will come through much quicker, and we’ll be able to re-live moments in MyTEAM.
• Legends cards are now based on specific moments or eras, rather than a particular season.
• There are new gem levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby, Amethyst, Diamond, and Pink Diamond), and overall ratings have been tweaked.
• Dynamic Duos provide a performance boost, and are not just based on current teammates.
• Free Agent trial cards provide an opportunity to play with the best players for a few games. We’ll get to pick one upon starting MyTEAM, out of a choice of five players: Russell Westbrook, Kristaps Porzingis, Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard, and LeBron James.
• Quick Challenges have been added, for anyone who doesn’t have time for a full game.
• Completing collections results in player cards, not team balls or anything else superficial.
• Gauntlet is now MyTEAM Blacktop. No more Bronze or Silver players on the wheel this year, and the pick board has been re-worked.
• Road to the Playoffs has been re-named MyTEAM Online. It includes nine leagues corresponding to the gem levels.
• Stat tracking has been added.
• New rewards with The Diamond Board.
• MT rewards for defensive plays, as well as offensive plays.
• There’s a new lineup management screen, making it easier to adjust your lineup.
• Certain players will have Hall of Fame badges.

Got any thoughts, MyTEAM gamers? Have your say in the comments below, and join in the discussion here in the NBA 2K17 section of the NLSC Forum.

Erick Boenisch has posted a deep-dive developer blog on MyLEAGUE, MyLEAGUE Online, and MyGM in NBA 2K17. Needless to say, it’s a must-read for franchise gamers! If you missed his earlier blog on league expansion, you should also check that out here.

In the newest blog, Erick talks about building on the foundation they established with MyLEAGUE Online in NBA 2K16. This year’s mode takes more of fantasy league approach, rather than utilising contracts and salaries. Players instead have a number of “Keeper years”, and GMs are able to keep a set number of players, as long as the players have one Keeper year left. The Draft allows GMs to either choose incoming rookies, or free agent players. Admins also have more control over the league, from unretiring players and customising Keeper settings to importing Draft Classes.

Erick also runs down the different mode options, including returning features such as Playoffs, Season, and Start Today, and the new option of redoing the 2016 offseason. Any uniform updates that are pushed through will also be available in existing MyLEAGUE and MyGM saves, so there’ll be no need to start over to make use of those assets.

In regards to the rule changes between seasons, few are likely to get approved, and it is possible to override and disable them. Examples of rule changes include the number of players selected for the All-Star Game, shot clock length, number of seconds the offense has to advance past halfcourt, and foul limits. Draft pick protections and the ability to swap picks in Draft Day trades are also confirmed, along with jersey retirements.

Trades can now happen throughout the offseason, though the rule that newly signed players can’t be traded before December 15th is in effect. Improvements have also been made to the offseason trade logic, with more factors going into whether or not a trade is accepted. It’s now also easier to swap or assume control of multiple teams, even after starting a MyLEAGUE game. However, MyGM is still restricted to one team. Roster editing is easier, with the ability to edit all player ratings from a single screen, rather than having to edit players individually. Staff editing is also available outside of MyLEAGUE and MyGM.

Team Rivals have been implemented, tracking overall win-loss records and affecting atmosphere during gameplay. Record tracking has been expanded, and Draft Classes can be imported while a season is on-going. Scouting logic and trade rumours have been improved, and several new rules and free agency clauses have been added, such as the veteran’s minimum, “Derrick Rose Rule”, re-trading rule, and so on. A lot of additions have been made and tweaking done in the name of, as Erick puts it, “Innovation. Authenticity. Engagement.”, which is great news.

Be sure to check out the blog for the full scoop. Got any thoughts, franchise gamers? Have your say in the comments section below, and join in the discussion here in the NBA 2K17 section of the Forum.

We’re not quite done with the NBA 2K17 developer blogs this week, as Ben Bishop has posted an in-depth look at MyCAREER in this year’s game. He outlines the player archetypes that we’ll be able to select for our MyPLAYERs, revealing that the archetypes and physical attributes will matter in terms of starting ratings and rating caps. From the sounds of things, it will no longer be possible to make a 7’3″ centre with the skills of a point guard, which is also great news for 2K Pro-Am.

This year’s story is focused on a dynamic duo: our MyPLAYER, and a player called Justice Young. The duo’s nickname is “Orange Juice”, and the story itself will be less linear, with choices that result in story branching. We’ll also be able to direct Justice Young to make cuts to the basket or take a shot, or even assume complete control over him. Young is portrayed by actor Michael B. Jordan, while Aaron Covington (Creed) is the story’s writer/director.

Off-day events return from NBA 2K16, and there will be more communication with other players and sponsors through text messages. Players can also stop by your MyCOURT, and MyCOURT is more connected to the story and overall MyCAREER experience. Endorsements will also be available earlier on in your career, and there are exclusive deals. Training has been revamped with new drills, and a “Doin’ Work” meter that earns progress towards levelling up.

Be sure to check out the developer blog for the full scoop on MyCAREER in NBA 2K17. Additionally, a new trailer has been released today, spotlighting the shoes in NBA 2K17. Check it out below, or catch it here on YouTube if you can’t see the embedded video.

As always, feel free to share your impressions in the comments below, as well as in the NBA 2K17 section of the NLSC Forum.

It’s the deep-dive developer blog that a lot of basketball gamers have been waiting for! Gameplay Director Mike Wang (aka Beluba) has posted a blog detailing the various improvements to gameplay in NBA 2K17, which you can check out here.

The blog touches on a lot of points that have been mentioned in recent previews, but in much greater detail. Beluba reiterates the aim of giving us more control over the action with the changes to shooting on the Pro Stick, but also mentions that we won’t be penalised for using the Shoot button. He also explains what the timing on layup attempts will mean for contact shots in heavy traffic, and the way that they have preserved realism with the new controls.

Beluba also explains NBA 2K17’s new Shot Meter, and confirms that green releases will not miss, as well as the ability to perform evasive layups with left and right movements of the Pro Stick. The Pro Stick can also be used to perform a dig steal on defense, and the stealing system takes into account more factors than it did before. He also discusses how blocks have been revamped and enhanced in NBA 2K17.

Signature Size-Ups have been broken down into small combos that can be chained together, for a better a one-to-one feel. A lot of work has also gone into making the animations smoother, from motion capture to blending techniques. Lots of new animations have been added, from off-ball collisions to putback dunks, and there is increased physicality between players. Beluba also drops a lot of information about the Adaptive Coaching Engine, enhancements to AI, and some other tidbits.

Be sure to check out the blog for all the details, and if you’ve got any thoughts, feel free to post them in the comments section below! You can also join in the discussion that’s taking place here in the NBA 2K17 section of the NLSC Forum.