NBA 2K21: Next-Gen Gameplay Reveal

Just what I thought on why they downgrade the graphics from 2K14 Next Gen to 2k21 current gen. take a look on this image below, left is 2k14 Next Gen and right is 2k21 Next Gen they just improved the player face and emotions but the lighting and graphics were way similar to 2k14 next gen.

Well, graphically there's not much space to move into.
Last gen was already pushing it fairly far, but at the cost of framerate. That seemed to be the focus - 30 FPS, but extra visuals, not the other way around.
So next gen obviously will have some improvements, like potential for better textures, but the jump is not that amazing.

Ray tracing is the big feature, but it's not a magic wand. It's just by definition of the genre gonna help look more realistic, but it's not the main thing.


The major jump in the new consoles is the increased CPU power. And storage speed, but that's pretty straightforward.
The increased CPU power could lead to better AI (in general, not just NBA 2K), but that takes time so I guess it will take a few years until we see major differences. If we see them of course, because those are likely hard to sell to execs and it's not like 2K has competition right now.

Well, graphically there's not much space to move into.

I'm not agree at all because for next gen, i expect photorealism.
And here, it still looks like a videogame. Close ups are better, but with TV Cam or 2K Cam, there's no big improvment.

I disagree with the statement about them almost reaching the limit graphically on PS4... and I disagree with it in a big way.

I can point to MANY games on the PS4 that reached higher levels graphically, and even past 2Ks on that gen that reached higher quality in graphics than 2K21. And, the whole point of having a more powerful system (graphics card, RAM, processing power) etc is to be able to achieve more in the way of higher framerates (CONSISTENT 60 fps), less time with load screens, more ability/capacity to ramp up graphics, etc etc

So many things graphically CAN improve, and CAN be done (even on last gen) to improve the overall appearance. Including but not limited to: better body types (more muscle, more realistic looking in general, less clay like), more realistic sweat, better reflections, better lighting, higher quality jerseys, etc

And, some quality of life changes that have nothing to do with the graphics, like players RUNNING PROPERLY, you know... like human beings... not like big foot with there heads flailing and arms swinging... player movement making sense and again, players moving like actual people (change of direction looking and feeling realistic, better foot planting so players are not gliding/skating all over the floor, etc).

What I want MOST is that sound gameplay, more realistic player movement, a better feel, more control. I can live with Graphics getting a minor improvement. But, I know that more can be done with these games, and we will see that as we see more PS5 and Series X titles come out.

Well, graphically there's not much space to move into.

I'm not agree at all because for next gen, i expect photorealism.
And here, it still looks like a videogame. Close ups are better, but with TV Cam or 2K Cam, there's no big improvment.

maybe asking for photorealism is asking for too much? how many times has 2k sold us on these cool close ups only for us not to be able to see them from normal playing distance

maybe asking for photorealism is asking for too much? how many times has 2k sold us on these cool close ups only for us not to be able to see them from normal playing distance

i dont think so

some "old" games modded in 4K like GTA5, TW3 or RDR2 have already a render better.
And all are open world with so much to compute than a 5vs5 sports game in a closed arena full of generic/cloned crowd in low res (and we know CPU AI isnot ask too much in NBA2K )

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check Digital Dreams' channel on current games modded at the max.

And of course, there's the gameplay part, title of the trailer but we cant see a lot of thing on this video. From the blog, it seems that 2K want to stick in this competitive mind about shooting and strange controls. We'll see at the release (of NBA2K22 for me).

2Ks releases on this generation (PS4/XBONE) have seem to gravitated towards a muddy, washed out aesthetic. You can look at face textures and see the detail but the lightning/shader applied makes players look like clay and gives an ugly dull look to most if not all courts. I think live has tremendously better looking arenas/floors. 2K has also had problems with body shapes, ranging from mildly inaccurate and just flat out unacceptable.

Business as usual. Defense is still non-existent. 2K stealing money....

I have finally gotten around to this and man it looks incredible. I guess you guys don't agree. It borderline had me feeling emotional. I thought I could hold off on next-gen til Harry Potter but 2K might sell me at launch.