New info from IGN, More from 1up & Gamespot added

[JaoSming]

6/18 Added gamespot & 1up articles

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3168282

As for the skills that you can learn, Live's finally debuting Lockdown D (a variation of what was seen in NCAA March Madness that debuted two seasons ago, and what NBA 2K8 had last season), which allows you to put a body on a player by pushing the right analog stick.

If we sound relatively unimpressed, it's because we expected more in its second year of rebuilding. On the positive side, we dug the expansion of FIBA (from eight last year to 24 this year) that will also have stat tracking, an MVP award at the end of tourneys, and the trapezoidal key. We're also up for the Be a Pro mode that has been featured in FIFA 08 and was nicely tweaked for UEFA Euro 2008. And as for the animations, it's a huge positive that dunks now look fluid (last year they were janky as all get out). But in the end, we didn't see that spark that makes us want to leap at the controller. Maybe we'll take a different stance once we get our hands on it.

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ ... id=6192680

While the more than 20 drills do hone skills you may use in a normal game, the focus on fundamentals (especially without the ball) has far greater application to Online Teamplay (OTP), a 5v5 online game mode released via patch for NBA Live 08 and returning for 2009. While OTP has undergone exciting changes, we won't be able to discuss it for a few more weeks (but trust us, it will be worth the wait).

NBA Live 09's shooting has changed for the better as well. Much like the system used in NBA 2K8, players must now release the shot button as close to the peak of their jump for the most accuracy. The difference is that NBA Live 09 will also offer a visual indicator to help players time their release.

No mention of the "Be a Pro" mode from GameStop

Gamespot also gave more in-depth details on the NBA Academy, dynasty, lock down defense, the new dribbling, and other stuff. Basically for all info besides Be a Pro, goto the gamespot article.
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http://ps3.ign.com/articles/882/882395p1.html

Oh Snap


So blah blah blah, same shit tweaked with new names, then we get details on NBA Academy & the Be a Pro mode.

The first thing that players will be introduced to is the NBA Live Academy, which will act as the hub for all activity within the game. Essentially a practice facility for your favorite team, this gym features two full courts where your team will work on skills, such as their jump shots and defensive plays. To further help you with your game, you'll find a number of assistants and the head coach scattered around the court observing your practice and your moves. By taking a player over to one of these coaches, you can work on one of 40 separate skill challenges designed to get you accustomed to NBA Live 09's new gameplay mechanics.

Outside of that, FIBA Mode returns with 24 separate teams that can be selected from around the world. These teams have their own courts and the AI abides by FIBA Rules, which can make it somewhat of a challenge for players accustomed to the NBA. In fact, players can take an NBA squad and pit them against a FIBA team to see which organization is better. Apart from this, players can also enter the Be A Pro mode, which allows players to select one player from a team and experience the game from their perspective. This can be done offline or online as well, now that there is five on five online team play where ten different people can control separate players on the court. Along with online custom leagues, there could be quite a lot to NBA Live 09 when it's released this October.

Safe to say, they have my attention now....again....dammit

Last edited by JaoSming on Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:43 pm, edited 2 times in total.

already posted this

you posted the screens, never made any mention of the article dude

i did but its kool i cant wait for this game

Looks like they've read our wishlist.

Look what i said:
http://www.nbaliveforums.com/viewtopic. ... 83&start=0
and
http://www.nbaliveforums.com/viewtopic. ... highlight=

I've told you, it was a good idea.

I'm with you, Huddy, NBA Live '09 is gonna be phenomenal. Looks like the developers at EA are finally listening to gamers, huh?

Jao Sming, I like your reaction to the news.... priceless.

wtf nba live academy. They stole my idea from my 06 dynasty! those EA fuckers.

Hmm, NBA Academy in Dynasty sounds like the Coaching Development feature from NBA 2K7 (not sure about the newer ones). Sounds better, with more activities, the ability to take your team (if I understand correctly, and not just a few individuals), and the ability to use rookies before the draft in them.

So is Be A Pro mode just locking into a single player in a game or more specific like deciding on an agent and just helping the player through their career, or more like a story mode?

Thanks for the heads up.

I'm guessing Be A Pro Mode won't be exactly like the 24/7 Mode in previous 2K games or the concept behind Sony's or Superstar Mode in Madden since the producers denied the presence of such a mode in NBA Live 09. Perhaps it will be more of a scenario or single game mode rather than a fully fledged single player career mode.

Unless IGN decided to let the cat out of the bag early, I'm guessing neither of these features is the "ground-breaking" one that's been alluded to. I'd say that one will remain under wraps until E3.

well knowing EA I think the "Be a Pro" mode is the "ground-breaking" one they were referring to. they call it ground-breaking I call it player lock.

But if it is the feature they've been alluding to, it's surprising that it's been mentioned now when they've been trying to keep it quiet until E3. Admittedly IGN is too big in the gaming industry to suffer from breaking an embargo but I still think there's another new feature yet to be announced, especially since Be A Pro Mode has already been announced for NHL 09 as well.

Time will tell if whatever they're keeping quiet about is truly ground-breaking but I still think they're referring to something else other than what IGN has just revealed.

"Be a Pro! Play badly and watch the game from the bench! Pack your bags as your favourite team trades you away and you get waived by your new team! Experience a career ending injury!"

Since IGN is the only one to talk about Be-A-Pro, I'm pretty sure that's the ground breaker. Of course, most of the info on it won't be released until E3.

If that is the big announcement then I'm disappointed, not in the announcement itself but in IGN's ability to leak info like that. I guess it pays to be big enough to be indispensible to the industry.

you think theyll add cutscenes in the mode

Despite it looks like the groundbreaking thing, as you know, NBA Live producers recently told that this thing will change the way sports games are made.
If Fifa 08 featured be-a-pro mode before, then nothing will be changed. So, i think, this groundbreaking thing is something different from Fifa's be-a-pro mode.

but soccers different then basketball. i think you can be more creative with basketball

I think Beatboxer's point is that other EA titles have featured (or will feature) Be A Pro Mode, which suggests it's not the ground-breaking feature that has been alluded to by Peter Moore and the production team. I'm inclined to agree with that.

"Be A Pro" will probably be the same as in FIFA 08, and it was damn great, so this is really getting all my attention.

Added the gamespot and up1 articles to the first post

Thanks for the update.

After reading these previews, I'm SUPER CRUNK about the game. New playcalling where you have second and third options.....off the chain. Ankle breakers...off the chain. Practice Mode...off the F*&king chain. Pick and roll system...we'll see.

When the producers began answering questions on the forum, there was one question that never got an answer and I would love to see implemented. The abilty to assign "go-to-moves" to a created player or something like that. That would be awesome!! For all the players that like to create players for historic teams, that would be great to have a go-to-move for one of these guys.

Has anyone heard anything?

Thanks for the info. Live looks very promising this year

NBA Live 09's shooting has changed for the better as well. Much like the system used in NBA 2K8, players must now release the shot button as close to the peak of their jump for the most accuracy. The difference is that NBA Live 09 will also offer a visual indicator to help players time their release.

Man, I hate that shit. I mean obviously you should let the ball go at your highest point, but you better be able to turn off the indicator. The more shit they put on the screen the worse it is. The only thing I want hovering my screen is the scoreboard.

You could probably take it off. Hopefully.

Sounds like they are trying to go the way of the NBA 08 shot release style.