Tag Archives: Modding

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games, as well as the real NBA, and other areas of interest to our community. The feature is presented as either a list of five items, or in the form of a Top 5 countdown. This week’s Five is a list of five ideas that could really benefit the modding scene.

When it comes to our modding community, there’s never been a question of talent, passion, or fantastic releases. There have been changing trends in the community throughout the years and challenges that we’ve faced, but one thing has remained the same: people are releasing some really cool stuff. Of course, there are ways that we could improve upon what we’re doing, and how we go about it. In previous articles, I’ve discussed the need to be cooperative, collaborative, and generally helpful. I like to think that we collectively do a good job of that, but things could be better.

If you look at the most impressive modding projects in the history of our community, you’ll see that they were the work of several people. Likewise, the reason that new faces are able to get involved with the hobby is that the people that came before them were willing to share knowledge and resources in the form of modding tutorials and mod templates. I’m grateful that those individuals have made those contributions in addition to their own releases, but I believe that we can do more. To that end, today I’m suggesting five ideas that could benefit the modding community, particularly in regards to big projects, working with multiple games, and helping others get started.

Read More »

This is Wayback Wednesday, your midweek blast from the past! In this feature, we dig into the archives, look back at the history of basketball gaming, and indulge in some nostalgia. Check in every Wednesday for retrospectives and other features on older versions of NBA Live, NBA 2K, and old school basketball video games in general. You’ll also find old NLSC editorials re-published with added commentary, and other flashback content. This week, I’m taking a look back at NBA Action 98, also released under the name NBA Fastbreak ’98.

Back in the days when demo CD-ROMs were still a thing, I happened to get my hands on a collection titled Sportz Crazy 2. Released by Sprint Software circa 1997, it featured over twenty sports game demos, in addition to a bunch of Windows 95 tools (including Internet Explorer 4!). As you might expect, my attention was immediately drawn to the basketball games, one of which was Slam ‘N Jam. The other was NBA Action 98, a game published by Sega Sports that was also available on the Saturn. NBA Fastbreak ’98 was the title given to the PlayStation version.

Both titles may be unfamiliar to younger basketball gamers, but the game stands as a significant release, being the forerunner to the NBA 2K series. It went head to head with NBA Live 98, and while EA Sports’ title was better across the board, NBA Action 98/NBA Fastbreak ’98 displayed many of the traits and the attention to detail that would eventually make NBA 2K the premier brand in sim-oriented basketball games. I’ve since picked up the full versions of both NBA Action 98 and NBA Fastbreak ’98, so let’s take a look back…way back…

Read More »

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 how my basketball gaming habits are more vanilla than they used to be.

Over the years, there are two initiatives within our community that have gone a long way in improving the basketball gaming experience after a title is released: modding, and slider tweaks. Mods have added missing content, created new experiences such as retro, college, and foreign league rosters, and attempted to fix issues with the games wherever possible. When it comes to refining the gameplay, devising the right slider adjustments has made a huge difference for many gamers. In short, few would say that playing the game as-is – vanilla basketball gaming, if you will – is optimal.

During my time as a content creator in the basketball gaming community, I’ve created roster mods, and I’ve devised sets of slider tweaks. I’ve also installed other people’s mods, and tried out their sliders. However, I have to admit that my basketball gaming habits have changed over the past decade or so, to the point where you might say that I’m playing a vanilla game. This isn’t because I don’t appreciate the hard work of our modding community, nor is it because I believe that games can’t be improved upon with slider tweaks. Rather, a combination of my preferred modes, primary platform, and even my content creation habits, have led to more vanilla basketball gaming.

Read More »

Episode #391 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

The NLSC NBA Live 10 Tournament has tipped off, and it’s been a blast so far! It seems we’ve also found the chief cause of input lag: location, location, location. Nevertheless, our Road Trip continues in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, and a recent session produced an exciting moment indeed. Parsec has also allowed the community to connect and play with some fantastic retro season mods for NBA 2K10 and NBA 2K11 PC, which don’t get enough attention. We also address a couple of concerning issues in the modding community. The latest NBA 2K22 developer blogs cover gameplay and MyTEAM, and we’re a little more positive about how the latter is shaping up. Finally, could we see some mods for Basketball Classics in the future?

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:51:57 — 77.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games, as well as the real NBA, and other areas of interest to our community. The feature is presented as either a list of five items, or in the form of a Top 5 countdown. This week’s Five is a list of five things that I’ve learned in the twenty years that I’ve been running the NLSC.

Yes, as of yesterday, I’ve officially been running the NLSC for twenty years! It was an overwhelming thought when I realised a few years back that I’d been running the site for as long as I hadn’t been running it, and now the scales have tipped in the other direction. As I’ve been saying as I’ve hit milestone after milestone, I don’t know how long I’ll end up running the site, except to say that as long as I’m enjoying myself and am able to put in the time and effort, I’ll keep doing it. Right now, I have no plans to stop anytime soon, as it’s both a passion and an immensely satisfying creative outlet.

Of course, even though the NLSC is about having fun with basketball video games, the task of running the site hasn’t always been fun and games! I’ve connected with some great people over the years thanks to our mutual appreciation of the virtual hardwood, had tremendous opportunities such as attending community events in the USA and Canada, and produced content that I’m quite proud of. At the same time, there has been unpleasantness, difficult people, and stressful times where I’ve thought about stepping away. Still, the tough times have been learning experiences as much as the good ones, and to that end, running the NLSC has taught me these five things.

Read More »

Episode #388 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

It’s the second and final part of the triumphant return of Leftos to the show! In Part 2, we discuss the impact and importance of the community wishlists. On that note, we’ve got some suggestions for further customisation in MyNBA. Leftos reveals some interesting insights into a few of the programming challenges he’s faced so far, the reasons behind certain design choices, and some of the technical roadblocks that stand in the way of adding new features. He also talks about what it’s been like to develop video games during the pandemic, and names his favourite NBA 2K game that he’s worked on so far.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:25:37 — 59.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

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 frank discussion of how we can be ignorant about game design, particularly when it comes to programming.

Although I gained some experience with programming way back in high school, I’m not a programmer or software engineer. I’m not fluent in code, nor do I have any experience in developing or designing video games. Like a majority of people that play video games, I’m just a consumer; an outsider when it comes to the industry. I say this because I don’t want to present myself as an infallible expert or come off as though I see myself as superior to anyone else. After all, I disdain a content creator with a massive ego and foolhardy overconfidence in their knowledge and expertise.

With that being said, and at the risk of sounding egotistical or pretentious, I do know a thing or two. Aside from dabbling with programming at school and messing around with computers both professionally and recreationally, I’ve spoken to people who do know what they’re talking about. Running the NLSC for the past twenty years has granted me opportunities to gain insights into the development of basketball video games, and some of the technical aspects of game design. A recent Forum post asking about Next Gen features in the Current Gen version of NBA 2K reminded me of some misunderstandings about game design, and inspired me to provide some explanations.

Read More »

Episode #386 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

We’ve been sinking our teeth into Road Trip in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, as the co-op experience has proven to be a blast. The more we’ve played, the more we’ve been able to develop chemistry and hone our strategies. Speaking of which, we discuss moves and techniques that are all too easily overlooked, and some of the most unstoppable moves and players in basketball video games. We also react to the latest vague update on NBA Live, and the prospect of a F2P model for sim basketball games. Additionally, reflecting on our forthcoming 25th Anniversary leads to a story about the community circa 2004.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:26:23 — 59.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

This is Wayback Wednesday, your midweek blast from the past! In this feature, we dig into the archives, look back at the history of basketball gaming, and indulge in some nostalgia. Check in every Wednesday for retrospectives and other features on older versions of NBA Live, NBA 2K, and old school basketball video games in general. You’ll also find old NLSC editorials re-published with added commentary, and other flashback content. This week, I’m reflecting on the new appreciation that I have for NBA Live 10.

If you’ve been following along with my recent Wayback Wednesday features, you won’t be surprised to hear that I’ve developed a new appreciation for NBA Live 10 as of late. Despite a few gripes that I have with certain aspects of the game, my overall opinion of it has always been generally positive. I’m sure that came across when I covered the game with a retrospective for our 25th Anniversary of NBA Live celebrations. For the most part, I still stand by what I wrote in that article and my appraisal of NBA Live 10 as a fine game, but not the best release in the series.

To that end, this isn’t a revision of the impressions I shared in my retrospective, as was the case when I revisited NBA Live 06 on Xbox 360. Again, I’m not inclined to disagree with my previous comments on the quality, depth, and ranking of NBA Live 10 compared to other strong releases in the NBA Live series. However, I can now say that I’ve been able to make some new memories with the game upon it becoming my retro kick, and that has undoubtedly given me a new appreciation for the experience on offer in NBA Live 10. Before I move on to covering other games, I’m reflecting on why NBA Live 10 has inspired me to go back…way back…

Read More »

Episode #380 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

We’re not sure if it’s a first for modding as a whole, but we may have engaged in the first remote modding session in the history of our community! Our efforts ensured that we’ll be able to set up retro teams in NBA Live 10 quickly and easily, which we’ve already tried with fun results. We’ve also revisited NBA Jam: On Fire Edition and NBA Street Vol. 2 this week, and were reminded why we love them. Of course, it also makes us wistful about the current selection of basketball titles. Meanwhile, Madden 22 PC being a Current Gen port raises some concerns. We also catch up on recent mod releases including NBL 2K21 and a great Larry Bird face, and note a potential NBA 2K22 leak. In this week’s mailbag, we recall NBA Action 95 for the Sega Genesis, and compare toxicity among NBA 2K gamers to other communities.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:32:20 — 63.5MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

Episode #379 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

Owing to a mixture of fatigue and satisfaction with NBA 2K21, we’ve been getting our virtual hardwood fix elsewhere this past week. NBA 2K20, NBA Live 10, and even NBA Live 95 have been in the rotation, though NBA 2K20 reminded us of some woefully inaccurate ratings for players on the historical teams. We’ve also still trying to get more games working on Parsec. A recent favourite is receiving regular roster updates, and we’re inspired to brainstorm some out-of-the-box modding ideas. In this week’s mailbag, we consider the potential impact of NFL 2K on future NBA 2K titles. We also get philosophical about times in our lives that we’d revisit, for basketball gaming and other reasons.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:32:50 — 63.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games, as well as the real NBA, and other areas of interest to our community. The feature is presented as either a list of five items, or in the form of a Top 5 countdown. This week’s Five is a breakdown of five decisions that have to be made when making retro season mods.

When I discovered the NLSC in August 1997 via an Altavista search – yes, before Googling was a thing! – I was enthralled by modding, or patching as it was called back then. As I’ve said before, the ability to give my created Michael Jordan actual bio data and edit the jersey numbers of original players was honestly mind-blowing. Like a lot of gamers, I’d tried to keep the rosters of my favourite game up to date, but the editors that our founders made opened up the possibility of creating detailed roster modifications and then sharing them with other people. I was hooked.

As the current roster update for NBA Live 96 also featured retro season rosters, I discovered that concept at the same time, and it likewise drew me in. I went on to create several current roster updates over the years, as well as a few retro season mods. With official updates handling the current rosters – quibbles with their quality aside – big retro projects are more in vogue these days. We’re seeing some fantastic retro rosters for recent NBA 2K titles, and I love it! Speaking from experience, there are a few decisions that you have to make when you’re preparing to make retro season mods, in order to have the best chance of success. Today, I’m outlining five of them.

Read More »

Episode #378 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

Having sorted out our issues with Parsec, we’ve enjoyed a full week of basketball gaming. From epic clashes with video game legends in NBA Live 10 to co-op play in NBA 2K Playgrounds 2, we’ve had a lot of fun on the virtual hardwood and blacktop this week! Spotlighting recent modding developments leads to us discussing various ideas for retro rosters, as well as philosophies for rating players. We also react to the recent leaks regarding the cover players for the standard and Legend editions of NBA 2K22. In this week’s mailbag, we’re looking back at the NBA 2K21 Next Gen trailer, and discussing some interesting issues with licensing and likeness rights.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:27:53 — 60.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

Episode #375 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

The announced lineup for EA Play 2021 doesn’t include NBA Live, which has given life to more speculation and clickbait. We share our thoughts on the situation, and our expectations regarding any surprise announcements. We’ve also been having a lot of fun playing NBA Live 10 over Parsec, and while it makes us wistful at times, it’s also given us a new appreciation for the game. Raja Bell has also become a virtual hardwood legend. In the mailbag this week, we’re talking about the effect that basketball gaming discourse has on opinions and enjoyment, as well as some of the worst cyberfaces throughout the years.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:34:40 — 65.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

Episode #372 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

Roster editing has come to Basketball Classics, and we’re very impressed with what Josh and Dave have managed to implement. Meanwhile, the latest patch for NBA 2K21 Next Gen is slightly less exciting, but nevertheless contains a couple of important fixes. Taking a suggestion from Twitter, this week’s main discussion concerns the difference between sports gaming and competitive gaming, and the effects that the latter has had on the NBA 2K series. We talk about how gameplay and the online scene in NBA 2K could improve, and how NBA Live could capitalise on the situation. In this week’s mailbag, we reflect on Acclaim’s NBA Jam games, and the quality of sequels.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:36:51 — 66.6MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.