NBA Live 2005: First Look
Exclusive info on the game's 10th anniversary edition.
May 05, 2004 - Over the last ten years, the NBA Live series has been the most successful, most played video game basketball franchise on the market. And through all the good and the bad, the alleys and the oops, the game and its designers continue to strive toward offering gamers something unique. From Freestyle controls and ten-man mo-cap to the addition of the Pro Hop and separation of the dunk and shoot buttons, the one consistency throughout the series has been innovation.
NBA Live 2005 hopes to build on that rep, and while little information is known about the game at this time, some exciting new details have emerged and will present themselves at the E3 tradeshow next week.
Freestyle controls has been the focus of the gameplay since its implementation two years ago, and in its third incarnation, "The Freestyle Revolution" looks to expand into more areas of gameplay, beyond simple cross-overs and ankle-breakers. For the first time, Freestyle takes flight and will be incorporated into moves while ballers are in the air. This includes new dunks, more fluid alley-oops, and the ability to adjust shots in mid-air. It also enables gamers to control put-backs and tip-ins instead of simply jumping for the rebound and watching as the computer determines the payoff. Freestyle moves will also be featured on defense, as shot blockers like Ben Wallace and Jermaine O'Neal will be able to take more control over the lane with the ability to swat balls back into the faces of anyone who tries to come soft.
10 Men are Better than One
One of the most talked about aspects of the 2004 version was the addition of 10-man motion-capture technology. For the first time in a basketball game, you looked at all of the players on the court, not just the man with the ball, and it looked like they were all playing in a real game. You had players fighting for position down low, shooters spotting up, even big men bulking up to set the screen.
This year's game hopes to build on what gamers saw in '04, advancing the technology (not to mention the gameplay) to add improved floor spacing and eliminate the crowding that occurred so frequently, frustrating anyone trying to run the break without bumping into four players along the way. Other new animations include players using backdoor cuts, enhanced in-air collisions, and rebounders actually trying to box out opponents to get in better position to clean the glass.
In Your Face
One area where the Live series has lagged behind the competition, most notably ESPN NBA Basketball, has been visually, especially when it comes to capturing all of the player faces and tattoos. NBA Live 2005 promises to increase the player resolution in order to better depict the faces, hair, jerseys, shorts, shoes, skins, and ink. And while we still haven't been able to see the game in motion, by looking at the screens taken from the development system, the improvement is already staggering.
Another improvement comes in the way of Dynasty mode. Gamers take control of their favorite teams for 25 seasons, utilizing the game's new free-agent logic to negotiate contracts and sign high-priced talent. There will even be a customizable PDA in the game that enables owners to check headlines from around the league, team information, announcements, and more.
Also adding to the authenticity is the returning team of Marv Albert and Mike Fratello on the mic. The two delivered some of the best commentary of any sports game last season, and hope to expand on the level of player and team details talked about in every game.
Opening Tip
But while the new info (not to mention the visuals) are a great way to hook hoop heads with an initial rush of excitement and anticipation of what's to come in the franchise's tenth episode, it's by no means the end. In fact, it isn't even preseason when it comes to the game's development cycle, and the big news, big features, and big details are all still to being kept tightly under wraps by the EA Canada crew.
Makes a basketball fan wish the real playoffs would end so the real games could begin.
Sorry Shaq, but unless I'm controlling you, it's just not as much fun.
That's what Freestyle control is all about. Only this year, I even get to unleash my Shaq Fu mid-flight.
Sounds like a polygonal poster just waiting to happen.
-- Jon Robinson
Credit to Vince15 from .org for finding the link.
I just hope they aren't renders.
)
