Got some news!

[J-Will[PT]]

I've just been watching the Complete Signup restrcited access movies of NBA Live 2004 over the Gamespot site.
There is an interview with Producer Gary Lam and some gameplay videos.
You can totally tell this game is going to be huge. At this point the animations are very smooth, even though when players walk sideways, it seems a bit like they're floating.

From what i've seen, i'm going to try to write down the stuff that seemed more relevant.

- Different freestyle moves for the players. There was Dajuan Wagner and LeBron James with the flashy stuff but when they got the ball to the big men, they would just stand around protecting the ball up high, or behind the back.

- When standing with the ball the other players really tried to get into an open position and ask for tha ball, as well as the inside men, who were really battling down there.

- There are interceptions! A guy just passed the ball and the defender intercept it (i think it recoiled off his knee) out of bounds.

- The pace was much slower, and there was a lot more "planned attacking". There were some fast-breaks, but in very reasonable circumstances, nothing like 2003.

- Free-Throw meter works basically the same way, but now there isn't that T zone in the upper-right corner. You just see a vertical line up and down the backboard (yes, the backboard) and then the horizontal one. There is an area on the top of that smaller square, where it's the "precise" location for the free-throw.

- For the stats fans: There was a 5min quarter and the score was 8-7 (Cle-Sac), the FG% was 50-33 but there was some very bad shot selection. Saw like 2 blocks, and none within the perimeter range, although the defender always tried to block the ouside shots, but with no luck. Great animation for this situation, where the defender jumps with one arm stretching to get to the ball.
Good ORB-DRB balance. Didn't count them, but it seemed the DRB were quite more.

- Double team is very different from 2003. Players don't simply go 2-1 on you, and stand there, they really pressure the guy with the ball, and if you dont protect it or pass it they'll eventually steal it. Great animation, with the two guys pressuring you with their arms up and trying to close the passing options.

- There are referees on the court during gameplay.

- Coaches are in motion during gameply, walking around near the bench.

- The arena looked very good. You could notice the different stands and all. The first row of the audience it's kinda in 3D.

- The graphics seemed pretty decent to me, but i'm really a lot more concern about gameplay, and you can see the graphics by the screenshots, trailer, etc.

From the interview these were the main ideias:

"We listened to our consumers"
"We looked not only to our competitors but to other genres of games so that we could improve not only the simulation aspect but also the fun aspect of the game" (Madden series, NHL series...?)
"A lot more physical defense" (That was pretty noticeable...great post battles for position)
"This year we focused heavely on the defensive side of things"
"You can block a layup, or a dunk"
"(Dinasty mode) We're taking some of the core elements of our Franchise mode, but adding a lot of new unique features that haven't been in a NBA product before. There're gonna be a lot of surprises in there..."
"(Online mode) We are expanding the PS2 online features. We are adding a tournament mode, you're going to be able to set up you own tournaments online. (...) We are adding 1-on-1 mode online!"


I think this is it, i know it's long post, but i think there aren't many people seeing this videos, and i thought i'd share what i saw with you guys.

As a fan of NBA Live since 96, i can honestly say that this seems to be a huge step from 2003. It really looks like it's gonna be a great game. I just hope they don't blow it again....

[Colin]

Excellent, thank you very much for posting this.

As a fan of NBA Live since 96

My friend just found that in his basement and we played it yesterday. Couldn't stop Clyde Drexler

[Bill Russell]

I absolutely loved this post. Seems like EA started to care more & more about their customers. I hope the finished product is as good as advertised.

Big thumbs up,

[Andrew]

Thanks for the excellent news J-Will, much appreciated. A very encouraging preview of NBA Live 2004.

[cocobee]

Excellent post! Way to take one for the team, I appreciate it--a very good read.

[Bredrin]

thanks for the news man sounds very promising ..wish i could see those vids

[BIG GREEN]

Nice...any way for you to download those videos and share um with the rest of us?

[Metsis]

A very promising review indeed.

Could it be that EA has recognized that it has to improve the game to dominate the console market! It actually could be...

A little competition is always a good thing. It seems that EA has pulled through for us this time.

Still holding my fingers crossed till I see the final product running on my CPU.

[Toaster]

DROOLING

[debiler]

There is still hope!

[J-Will[PT]]

Nice...any way for you to download those videos and share um with the rest of us?

I have them on my HD. The interview is about 60MB and the other 3 videos around 12MB each. I just don't have a site that is able to host them, or at least not a fast one for a large amount of people to download.
I've read some of your posts where you said you could host bigger files (right...?), so if there's anyway i can upload them to you, no prob by me.

[Ruff Ryder]

Oh Andrew......

[benji]

I wouldn't post those videos on the NLSC server...unless you want the long legal arm of GameSpot coming here...

[Swoosh]

lookin great !!! But will pc's that arent at least a very high pentium III able to handle it? And i still hope they will improve the menu's(interface)

[Ruff Ryder]

Maybe if he didn't post the headline on the homepage but put it in the forum.
Then he makes it possisble to access it in a members only section or something.

[BIG GREEN]

Nice...any way for you to download those videos and share um with the rest of us?

I have them on my HD. The interview is about 60MB and the other 3 videos around 12MB each. I just don't have a site that is able to host them, or at least not a fast one for a large amount of people to download.
I've read some of your posts where you said you could host bigger files (right...?), so if there's anyway i can upload them to you, no prob by me.

I can't do it on my sportplanet NLSC server..cause they would prolly kick myne ass. I can share um off my harddrive...i have a fast upload.

[Bredrin]

I can possibly share the files. Jwill check your private messages

[J-Will[PT]]

I got these videos from a friend, and because they have the Gamespot logo and all, i just don't want to mess around too much, cause i wouldn't want to get him in trouble.
So hosting them on a site, wouldn't be a good ideia...

Still there are the file sharing programs, and i suppose there's nothing worng in sharing them that way, or is there?
Just don't wanna push my luck on this matter...

[adidas3892]

Yeah, post them on Kazaa, you can do anything on there nowadays.

[BIG GREEN]

Well..jwill has decided to share his videos with the rest of us...so he sent um to me. You all can get um here..

EDIT : Server down

[cocobee]

thanks bro, somethings up with the interview one though, couldn't watch it. Damn, I'm drooling, the game looks great and that was on a ps2--imagine it on the pc

[nickia]

thanks alot , but i can't download the 40mb one

it says

RETR NBA Live 2004 Interview.mpg
450 Cannot open file /NBA Live 2004 Interview.mpg for reading.
Transfer Failed!

[Crappystuff]

it's good that they have improved the defense, coz the d sucks in 2003. once you placed a half-step, you can go all the way to the rack.

[BIG GREEN]

I'm definitely impressed...i can't wait for this game.

[Bredrin]

ive only been able to see one of the videos but wow what a difference...the passing...the dribbling...the post game....the defense...wow EA i'm damn pleased right now
...the player models also look damn good and not short and stubby at all
and that new free throwthing is the shyt