Latest 1 on 1 with Brian Ullrich

[Andrew]

The next round of questions with Brian Ullrich have been posted over on the official NBA Live 08 website. Brian mentions that NBA Live 09 will feature a new free throw system and touches on a couple of planned improvements such as removing the delay with Direct Passing and the trajectory, passes and catches on alley-oops. Unfortunately, it seems that Create-a-Team will not be included this year. Check out the complete Q&A here.

It's a still a bit early so I'm not surprised some of the questions aren't being answered with much elaboration but if the Q&As continue through the development of NBA Live 09 we'll probably continue to get snippets. In any event, I'm sure there'll be more opportunities to learn more about the game between now and the time it's released.

[Donatello]

Nice that they're at least posting something.... though the information provided is incredibly thin. I wouldn't expect anything too thick at this point, though.

I'm amazed that he said "but the truth is we made things too complicated and difficult." Humble and honest. That's a good sign, but I won't get too hopeful.

[Andrew]

I still prefer the old T-Meter to be honest but whatever the new system will be, I hope there's an option to practice outside of gameplay. I know 2K features free throw practice, if they're implementing a new system in Live it would certainly be helpful.

[Patr1ck]

I don't see how the freethrow system is complicated. It's actually too easy. Only problem is that everybody has the same exact freethrow and release which makes it easy to learn the timing.

He chose two of my questions.

[Andrew]

I guess I'm just a bit clumsy when it comes to the right analog method. I'd prefer a similar approach to 2K's release rather than the up-down motion but as I said, I still prefer the old T-Meter method above everything else, particularly the way it was used in NBA Live 2004-06.

[Patr1ck]

2k's release is awesome because it factors in fatigue. I believe that the "perfect release" point bounces around or shrinks a bit when your players are tired.

[ThaLiveKing]

They are redoing the dunks and Alley-Oops? Or just the dunk Alley Oops

Another thing. . NBA Live should have crazy crowds like March MAdness

[Andrew]

Only alley-oops were mentioned in that particular Q&A. Obviously, there's a lot of questions that can be asked and more info that will be made available over the next few months.

[Patr1ck]

He only mentioned the alleyoop dunks and the pass receptions during those alleyoops.

[deihatein]

I hope Live 09 is still available in the PC version and make it good

[Andrew]

There's been no indication that NBA Live 09 won't be available for the PC. As for its features and quality, we'll have to wait for more information.

[ThaLiveKing]

I'm gonna laugh if the alley oops are gonna be the best dunks in the game. . . All you will see is lobs. They need to fix all the dunks, I'm sure they will

[Eich]

I don't see how the freethrow system is complicated. It's actually too easy. Only problem is that everybody has the same exact freethrow and release which makes it easy to learn the timing.

He chose two of my questions.

Fully agree.. For ex. I shoot whit Biedrins(FT 50) about 90%..It's just to easy to hit whit a gamepad..

[Cool2Fool]

Man I hope they remake the movement of the jersey because it's horrible. Not only the short moving like the skirt but the jersey doesn't move realistic at all . Lastly, the crowd seems old gen. Waaaaay old gen like those WWE game crowd from Ps1 games

[Andrew]

That's never really bothered me, but then again my gripes are rarely with the aesthetics.

[617KiD]

i hope they change alot of there animations, and implement some stuff to make it more sim, because i could not play this game last year and i was so excited, im not getting excited this year at all, unless i see some legit gameplay videos

[ThaLiveKing]

They also need to fix the fast breaks. . . But First they need to fix the passing

[Playmakers]

i hope they change alot of there animations, and implement some stuff to make it more sim, because i could not play this game last year and i was so excited, im not getting excited this year at all, unless i see some legit gameplay videos

Fixing the animations would go a long way towards making the gameplay look and feel more realistic.

EA has dropped off in the animation department on over the last few years IMO and they need to add more CAP's because if they aren't going to include Legend Players they should atleast give us the ability to create 200+ players so we can bring back old school teams and players.

[Andrew]

Some Toolkits for editing the console version would certainly help as well. There's probably always going to be certain aspects we can't edit to our satisfaction or won't be able to edit period, but having access to the hidden attributes is a huge advantage with the PC version. Being a PC player, I'm hoping for good things with the PC version but it'd be cool to have the ability to mod the rosters for console versions a bit as well.

[Lynsanity]

I asked a question about player lock, but it was overlooked. I am pretty sure they don't care about that option at all. It was taken out of the PS2 and PC versions of the game, and never added to the Wii version. It seems like I am the only person that used that mode or even cares that it was taken out. No one else even mentioned it.

[Andrew]

With only ten questions, there's probably other issues that haven't been touched yet. I'd say it's a point to keep pressing.

[Lynsanity]

I will. Thanks, Andrew.