NBA 2K12 Quick Impressions & Questions

[wade_03]

A question for you guys I do not have xbox live for my 360 but i really wan't to be able to go on 2k share and download files like roster updates and what not is there anyway to do that without going online or without xbox live membership? Or is there a free version of xbox live or something? sorry im new to the xbox 360 console ive been on pc all these days and man I definitely enjoy the upgrade 2k12 is amazing....i hope someone can help me

[JaoSming]

What are the default shoes in this game?

there are videos on youtube and a SLAM magazine article with a list iirc.

[Cruzerr]

Game itself is great. Only 5v5 Blacktop.

[koberulz]

A question for you guys I do not have xbox live for my 360 but i really wan't to be able to go on 2k share and download files like roster updates and what not is there anyway to do that without going online or without xbox live membership? Or is there a free version of xbox live or something? sorry im new to the xbox 360 console ive been on pc all these days and man I definitely enjoy the upgrade 2k12 is amazing....i hope someone can help me

XBox Live Silver is free. It varies from game to game what you can and can't do with a Silver membership, though, so I'm not sure if 2k Share will work without Gold.

[MJALLDAY]

The thing I don't like is that the classic teams can't play zone, only man. It's to bad the game's designers believe the myth that you couldn't play zone in the 90's, that's nonsense. The rule for illegal defense back then was if the man you were guarding was behind the 3 point line then you couldn't fall lower than the free throw line. Teams played zone all the time, just watch the tapes. The good thing about playing with the classic teams is that there's no defensive 3 second violation, at least they got that part right.

[qfrmcpt310]

The thing I don't like is that the classic teams can't play zone, only man. It's to bad the game's designers believe the myth that you couldn't play zone in the 90's, that's nonsense. The rule for illegal defense back then was if the man you were guarding was behind the 3 point line then you couldn't fall lower than the free throw line. Teams played zone all the time, just watch the tapes. The good thing about playing with the classic teams is that there's no defensive 3 second violation, at least they got that part right.

Well, technically it was a part of the rules, when you put that into game it can't decipher the sometimes, or you can do it just don't go below the free throw line. Either way I know what your saying, me personally though, I like to play man, gives me a challenge guarding the games best ever

[MJALLDAY]

The thing I don't like is that the classic teams can't play zone, only man. It's to bad the game's designers believe the myth that you couldn't play zone in the 90's, that's nonsense. The rule for illegal defense back then was if the man you were guarding was behind the 3 point line then you couldn't fall lower than the free throw line. Teams played zone all the time, just watch the tapes. The good thing about playing with the classic teams is that there's no defensive 3 second violation, at least they got that part right.

Well, technically it was a part of the rules, when you put that into game it can't decipher the sometimes, or you can do it just don't go below the free throw line. Either way I know what your saying, me personally though, I like to play man, gives me a challenge guarding the games best ever

I play man about 90% of the time but if you fall into zone every now and then you'll get some interceptions.

[qfrmcpt310]

The thing I don't like is that the classic teams can't play zone, only man. It's to bad the game's designers believe the myth that you couldn't play zone in the 90's, that's nonsense. The rule for illegal defense back then was if the man you were guarding was behind the 3 point line then you couldn't fall lower than the free throw line. Teams played zone all the time, just watch the tapes. The good thing about playing with the classic teams is that there's no defensive 3 second violation, at least they got that part right.

Well, technically it was a part of the rules, when you put that into game it can't decipher the sometimes, or you can do it just don't go below the free throw line. Either way I know what your saying, me personally though, I like to play man, gives me a challenge guarding the games best ever

I play man about 90% of the time but if you fall into zone every now and then you'll get some interceptions.

Me too. The other time I'd either play 2-3 or just off the ball and jump passing lanes. Jumping the passing lanes in years past was pretty cheese against the cpu because you pretty much knew where the ball was going every single time down. Hopefully with the new playbooks and dynamic plays I can see some of what the czar was showing in the plays of the day.

[fjccommish]

Maybe I'm wrong, and if so maybe someone can explain how this can be done. But there's no way to call plays while locked onto a player other than the player who has the ball. That means in myplayer, create a legend, and even association games for people who play locked, you can only call plays from the start of the possession if you're the PG, or if you constantly call for the ball in order to call a play.

If you're locked to the SG then you have to either run the auto play, or call for the ball to call a new play.

NBA 2K11 you could call a play even if you didn't have the ball at the time.

This is a killer for people who play locked, or in modes like myplayer when you're locked as a certain player. It changes my overall impression from positive to negative.

[JaoSming]

didn't you post that in the bugs thread?

[Mavs4Life]

My Player is actaully really fun now, it used to piss me off so much, now it's problably my favorite part of the game.

[shadowgrin]

didn't you post that in the bugs thread?

He even made a thread just for it.

[WithAuthority]

I was wondering after watching that cool intro. will the legends actually have specific animations and celebrations that are assigned to them? because depending on how they are tied to the players, im guessing they could be rearranged and reassigned in the reditor. of course theres always the chance they animated all those player specific things just for the intro

also, how does everyone think 2k implemented the way different eras are presented? Will we be able to make current games show up in black and white, or have 80's games with current presentation that they have for the current teams? Just some things im wondering

[nextnba]

Rookies are not in the game because of the lock out. If the lock out is resolved, a rookie patch will most likely be released with roster updates. But ironically, 2k12 has a draft options that includes some of the potential draftees for 2012. So it doesn't make much sense that they can't include 2011 rookies but can include potential 2012 rookies. But at least they released the game on time this year, even though the roster is not complete.

Someone need to create player patches because the players in the game looks awful. EA should hire some of the patchers here because their patch are much better than what EA can do. Even super star players like C. Bosh, Gasol look awful.

[shadowgrin]

Someone need to create player patches because the players in the game looks awful. EA should hire some of the patchers here because their patch are much better than what EA can do. Even super star players like C. Bosh, Gasol look awful.

EA what now?

[JaoSming]

over my head....

[AreaOfEffect]

Can someone simulate one season on association mode and see if the home court advantage bug is still there?

[WithAuthority]

Can someone simulate one season on association mode and see if the home court advantage bug is still there?

What does that mean exactly?

[nextnba]

I meant 2k and not EA..getting my 2K messed up with EA. Live disappeared so naturally that 2k feels like a continuation of Live.

[J@3]

Are there any noticeable changes in offline Association mode? Like in the draft/rookies/trading system/FA signing etc

[Lamrock]

Not that I know of, though you can play 14 game seasons now.

[JaoSming]

Not that I know of, though you can play 14 game seasons now.

what?! YES (I love short seasons)

[The X]

Can someone simulate one season on association mode and see if the home court advantage bug is still there?

From what I've read around the place, it sounds like they have fixed the home court advantage bug.

Not that I know of, though you can play 14 game seasons now.

I thought this was just for My Player. If so, this is great & will be my mode of choice

[shadowgrin]

How about the coaching carousel in Association? Is it fixed/lessened now?

Are there any noticeable changes in offline Association mode? Like in the draft/rookies/trading system/FA signing etc

One part of it is not good according to this review.

AI-controlled teams tend to carry imbalanced rosters filled with too many guards

[RedPhazon8]

The game reminds me of 2K9 for some odd reason. Not that that's a bad thing, I'm not too happy on how the jump shot creation came out, but I love the rosters for the legends teams, way better then 2K11's teams (in terms of how many players are real).

[J@3]

How about the coaching carousel in Association? Is it fixed/lessened now?

Are there any noticeable changes in offline Association mode? Like in the draft/rookies/trading system/FA signing etc

One part of it is not good according to this review.

AI-controlled teams tend to carry imbalanced rosters filled with too many guards

That happens in 2K11. There's one team in my Association that has like 3 point guards all rated over 80

[fjccommish]

Yes, I mentioned the issue with not being able to call plays unless you have the ball. It kills player lock play.

In the old days with EA it was a crap shoot each year. I'd load the game dreading that player lock would be removed, or wouldn't work. There were years it was removed. There were years it worked but none of the other players would shoot or pass. There were years it worked but would lose lock on occasion. One year you had to call for the ball on in bounds plays. That meant if you played locked to a Center, for example, you'd have to have them inbounds to the center, then pass to the PG. There was even one year when lock worked, but the PG wouldn't bring the ball into the front court unless you nudged him with the player you controlled.\

2K, up until this year, had a consistent player lock. Suddenly, there's no play calling without the ball. My dreams of creating a legend as MJ on the modern Bulls are dashed. What's worse is that it's the same way if locked onto a player in Association. So I'm either stuck with the CPU play calls, or have to wait for the ball before calling the play I want. By the time I get the ball half the shot clock is gone.

One year, it may have been Live 2008, player lock didn't work. I figured out how to make it work by editing and adding a file from the previous year's game. I still receive emails from people asking how to use the file, so I know other player lock people are out there. I hope a request to change this makes it to the patch request, and that it changes with a patch.

[Lamrock]

They'll probably just patch it back in dude

[SigUp]

Game is great. Yet another notch up from 2k11. Movements are much more smooth, more defensive options (go over/under screens, hedge) post play looks better, no god-like CPU interceptions. Overall it pretty much feels like real basketball. Of course I haven't played it enough to make a good statement (only played 15 minutes). But I like the retro presentation in the Greatest mode. Very good. And... I saw handchecking!

[Kraudi]

MyPlayer still 82 Games or are there any new settings for season length and sliders?

[Andrew]

MyPlayer still 82 Games or are there any new settings for season length and sliders?

Locked to 82 games, but you can choose to only play key games and let the rest be simmed.

[jk31]

aren't we able to play against certain opponents? if i want to play with friends, i cannot do it outside a online association? and in there i'm just able to do it, when the season is at the certain point, where i can play that game? no other way to play against people i want to play?

[JaoSming]

i think we need to add "friends" in the game, which is done through www.nba2k.com which hasnt fully launched yet.

[MadbaLL]

amazing, fantastic, stunning, awesome, faboulous, otustanding game!

i'm thrilled with new nba 2k12, so far imho THE BEST nba 2k up to date!

everything is much, much better than before. and one thing that i must emphasize is gameplay fluidity which is great!

i love nba 2k12

[SigUp]

I have a little question: The first time I played a quick game I got a very good lineup presentation using a half-court chart. Afterwards I only get these presentations with the 5 guys lining up. So, how is it determined which lineup presentation I get?

[drew_3]

Can anyone tell me if the european version has all the logo's this time? last year the game was missing the little logo's at the side of the key.

[shadowgrin]

still the same as last year according to some people.

[Lamrock]

Yeah, other than the 14 game seasons, very little has changed in Association. I have liked what I've seen from the sim stats though. The all-star teams were very realistic, and the playoffs went more or less as last year's did. Unfortunately, most of the league's starting point guards still develop 80+ ratings by season 2.

They did change the offseason a bit. Free agency has been altered somewhat (it's still a bit awkward), and there seems to be slightly more polish to the menus.

This is just based off of a 14 game sim season. Will try an 82 game season to see if the realistic stats were an anomaly.

[gugman]

Hi all. can somebody advise if i am right or wrong? as far as i understood from msi afterburner and as far as i see graphics on my monitor this game is still based on directX 9 ???????

[Hoozah]

Hi all. can somebody advise if i am right or wrong? as far as i understood from msi afterburner and as far as i see graphics on my monitor this game is still based on directX 9 ???????

Seeing as this is a console port I dont know why this surprises anyone.

[jaelove]

Did they remove Jordan's double shimmy move the one you used to do by double tapping left or right from the post I can't do it in the game

[gugman]

Hi all. can somebody advise if i am right or wrong? as far as i understood from msi afterburner and as far as i see graphics on my monitor this game is still based on directX 9 ???????

Seeing as this is a console port I dont know why this surprises anyone.

it's not about surprise, it's more about disappointment, it's the end of 2011, have very good computer, dirextX 11 is available already 2 years, but i still play with graphics that take me back almost to my childhood and by the way what's wrong with bosh? he looks really bad and to be honest i preferred how players looked like in 11, something very unnatural and ugly is happened to players in 12. anyway thats just my thoughts ... oh, yeah and commentary is terrible ... and there is a lockout ... not a very good second part of the year

[Hoozah]

Hi all. can somebody advise if i am right or wrong? as far as i understood from msi afterburner and as far as i see graphics on my monitor this game is still based on directX 9 ???????

Seeing as this is a console port I dont know why this surprises anyone.

it's not about surprise, it's more about disappointment, it's the end of 2011, have very good computer, dirextX 11 is available already 2 years, but i still play with graphics that take me back almost to my childhood and by the way what's wrong with bosh? he looks really bad and to be honest i preferred how players looked like in 11, something very unnatural and ugly is happened to players in 12. anyway thats just my thoughts ... oh, yeah and commentary is terrible ... and there is a lockout ... not a very good second part of the year

You're right - it is a disappointment. With all these DX 10 / DX 11 graphics card readily available, I'm surprised we're not seeing more games built with DX 10/11 support.

I think that will change eventually and in greater numbers when then next-next gen of consoles come out. Rumor has it that they will all be supporting DX10 / DX11 right out of the box.

[MadbaLL]

Can anyone tell me if the european version has all the logo's this time? last year the game was missing the little logo's at the side of the key.

same old 2009 logos if don't use US in regional settings (i guess that's the catch for wrong logos).

[J@3]

Yeah, other than the 14 game seasons, very little has changed in Association. I have liked what I've seen from the sim stats though. The all-star teams were very realistic, and the playoffs went more or less as last year's did. Unfortunately, most of the league's starting point guards still develop 80+ ratings by season 2.

They did change the offseason a bit. Free agency has been altered somewhat (it's still a bit awkward), and there seems to be slightly more polish to the menus.

This is just based off of a 14 game sim season. Will try an 82 game season to see if the realistic stats were an anomaly.

That's a bit disappointing, though the changes to My Player still make the game sound like it's worth buying.

[Andrew]

So far, so good. I'll have a more detailed write-up out there soon but first impressions are definitely positive.

[Nick]

Hey guys, long time no type... but my god, this game is AMAZING people...
I had to drag myself away from it and post on a forum i haven't frequented in years just to tell someone (who cares) about it!

This is the basketball sim we all dreamed about 10 years ago. It's that good.

I got it on PC 2 days ago...
At first it feels and looks a lot like 2k11, but the more you play it the more you get a feel for all the little subtle changes they made. The subtle new ways of the gameplay start to change your perspective on how to approach the gameplay and you end up playing the game a lot more like a basketball sim. It's hard to explain/pin-point exactly why it is so great, but it just is... those who haven't played it will just have to see for themselves.
Some dot points...

- NBA's greatest presentation = very cool. Bill Russell games in black&white with limited camera angles, and lo-fi audio. 80's/90's games look like 80's/90's games etc.
- Commentary is amazing. For any era. Nuff said.
- My player is very cool. I haven't got too far into my 1st season yet (playing with a player who can't score is a bit boring and i struggle to get the motivation to advance to the point where i can score), but from what i can tell so far it seems really really cool. They could sell that game as a stand-alone.
- Instant replays are good.
- Games feel sooo much like a TV broadcast, it's awesome.
- Association mode has a few subtle differences but it's still pretty much the same. I was a bit disappointed that the stats engine hadn't improved (don't get me wrong, it was already pretty damn great, BUT I WANT BETTAH~!~!), but in fact degressed... in the first 2 seasons i simmed i noticed the league leaders in assists went waaay down. I.e. #1 had 9 assists, #2 had 8 assists, #3 had 7 assists then everything was below that... i.e. steve nash averaged 6.3 apg or something whereas in 2k11 he averaged 10-11apg which was really disappointing.
- Salaries still seem a bit overpriced. They might've been a little reduced from 2k11 though which is good. I will have to sim through 5+ season to get a good idea of it, but it looks like teams will probably be struggling to stay under the hard cap again this year. Is there any way to edit this?? any sort of patch/tool to edit salary weightings?????
- Gameplay is awesome. Best ever. Nuff said.
- I love momentum shots and layups in this game! I don't give a shit if it's a poor quality shot - ima gonna drift on that jump shot! Cos as they say, if it feels good, do it.
- Some player attributes have been taken away and replaced with "abilities", which i think is a good move.
- Graphics haven't really improved since last year, but i don't really care about that to be honest. Graphics are already fine.
- Created players look worse for some reason. Might just be my PC version though?
- Players have a unrealistic shine/gloss on them. It looked better last year.
- It's really cool how each arena has it's own broadcast camera angle. Great authenticity touch.

Yeah, other than the 14 game seasons, very little has changed in Association.

- One positive change though with Association mode is this: GENERATED ROOKIES ACTUALLY SEEM PRETTY GOOD. There's waaaay less "special" players in each draft crop and that's the way it should be. In 2k11 the draft crops were way over-talented, with players rated 70+ all the way down near the end of the first round, and as a result by the year 2015-16ish the whole landscape of the NBA changed for the worse. I.e. players rated 68 were not seeing game time because each roster was so deep. Also all the teams end up way over cap cos all the players were rated. Now, a draft crop will have maybe 1 or 2 players above 75 overall, then maybe 1-2 between 70-75... then everybody else is 69 or under. And by the end of the first round you're already looking at sub 60 players... which is awesome in my eyes. I haven't simmed too far past 2 seasons, but from what i can project, longevity of association simming seems better already (which is my personal favourite aspect of basketball sims).

So far my early impressions of the game are very good. Enough to visit this old forum! I can see why reviews are giving it 9.5's and 10's. It's that good.

I just wish i hadn't played 2k11 so much through. I spent so much of my "basketball game enthusiasm" on that game, there's barely any left for 2k12. So if you're someone who barely played 2k11 and are looking to buy 2k12, DONT WAIT FOOL... GET THAT DAMN GAME AND PLAY IT!!! It's fucking great.
I might just have to take a month off from basketball video games though, just so i can truly appreciate the mastery that is 2k12.

WHAT I WISH FOR NEXT YEAR:
I wish for them to fully expand association mode next year, as this is my personal favourite mode and they have left this part of the game a bit stale since 2k10's advancements. (don't get me wrong, it's probably the best association mode of any other basketball video games, but still)
For me personally, my favourite thing to do with the 2k games is to start an Association mode and focus on team & player legacies. I don't attach myself to a specific team, but instead i mould the landscape of the NBA universe. I create/edit generated rookies (usually about 5 per crop), so i define the players of tomorrow. I keep a keen eye on the history section (namely HOF and past champions). I keep a keen eye on a players "achievements" section in their profiles. I regularly take over different teams to correct dumb situations they put themselves in (i.e. 3 point guards rated over 75, things like that). I keep a keen eye on the final 8 teams in every playoff series, and get a feel for their team identity, and occasionally play some playoff games of any teams. I edit player attributes and potential here and there if i want to see them improve. Etc etc.
So now that you know the nerdy stuff i get up to you can safely assume i knew the ins and outs of nba 2k11's association mode. And it seems 2k12 isn't that much different, alas...
Here's what i want for 2k13:
- IMPROVED STATS ENGINE (more assists (double digit assists avgs are too rare), more blocks (league leader is usually about 2bpg. you'll NEVER see any player average above 3bpg, even if their block rating is an epic 99 - that sucks!), more rebounds (league leader is usually about 11. you'll never see ANY player get above 12, even if they have 99 for both rebound ratings - booorrrriiinnngggg!)
- SMARTER CPU TEAM DIRECTION/IDENTITY (CPU teams just seem aimless... players have "play style" setting, why not teams aswell? Teams should have a "philosophy" setting that their CPU GM's follow and it dictates their transactions... i.e. things like Small ball, Defensive, Offensive, Balanced, Fundamental, Athletic, Marketable, Team-orientated, Star-orientated, etc etc... and they could maybe have a "Team phase" setting that you can switch between "rebuild" and "win now"... and maybe some sort of neutral setting aswell? like... "please fans"... or "fill seats"... or "save money"... or "increase wealth" or something)
- SMARTER SALARY SYSTEM / CHEAPER GENERATED CONTRACTS (by the year 2017 or so teams are always struggling to stay under the HARD CAP, which means nobody can trade with anyone! This is because you see average players getting massive deals... i.e. you'll see a 75 rated center sign a 70 mil/5 yr deal... stuff like that.)
- EXPANDED HISTORY SECTION (to me, the "making history" is whole appeal of association mode! The more this section is expanded, showcased, and deepened, the better. The section is already pretty good. But it could be better. The story of a season, the story of a team, the history of a franchise, everything. The stronger the sense of "creating history" while playing association mode, the better.)

Anyway time to tend back to the massive boner 2k12 has given me.

[shadowgrin]

Jeez Nick, your impression of the game looks like something that anyone from IGN would write.

Your reply to Lamrock and onwards were informative though.

[volsey]

How about the coaching carousel in Association? Is it fixed/lessened now?

Are there any noticeable changes in offline Association mode? Like in the draft/rookies/trading system/FA signing etc

One part of it is not good according to this review.

AI-controlled teams tend to carry imbalanced rosters filled with too many guards

That happens in 2K11. There's one team in my Association that has like 3 point guards all rated over 80

Yikes I've never seen it this bad though.

My player, I'm a PG. Charlotte interviewed me said with time they'd build a team around me in time, so I went with them. They traded Tyrus Thomas and another big for Steve Nash. I was pissed as I'd have to share with Nash and Augustine and had literally no big men that could do squat on offense except for Diaw.

Then out of nowhere, Maggette and a 2nd rounder, who was my go to guy on offense (I'm a pass first PG), was traded for Affalo and a scrub 52ovr PF.

I'm pissed and to make matters worse, Augustine was traded for Felton. I don't know what else was included in the trade but jesus. Enough trading of the guards, you're building the team around me. Now my cats are pretty much impossible to score with, and I've turned into a scorer with a 65 midrange and 80 layup averaging 4 assists a game fighting for playtime with Nash and Felton.

Not to mention I play 20 minutes in the first 3 quarters, then sit the entire 4th usually. I've lost so many games that were close going into the fourth. It's disheartening. I almost wanna skip to the season where I actually start but know I'd regret it.

Some thoughts, some probably have been brought up already:
-Why can't you just play the games you want? I don't want to play all 82 games, but so far there''s only like 5 key games in my season! What purpose does this serve? I play a few games, wanna skip a couple games but end up having to skip a whole month's worth. dumb.
-Can't call plays without ball
-Display play overlay setting doesn't seem to save in MP, I've checked twice and still have to manually set it every game.
-CPU Offense is unstoppable at times, hitting everything, my team rarely if ever gets these kinds of hot streaks.
-Stealing is too easy, but I can't complain, I need all the help I can get.
-Graphics don't look any better than 2k11, possibly worse (PC high settings)
-Doesn't make toast.LOLOLOLOLL gay.

All comments are about MP thus far if you haven't noticed.

[gugman]

Hi all. can somebody advise if i am right or wrong? as far as i understood from msi afterburner and as far as i see graphics on my monitor this game is still based on directX 9 ???????

Seeing as this is a console port I dont know why this surprises anyone.

it's not about surprise, it's more about disappointment, it's the end of 2011, have very good computer, dirextX 11 is available already 2 years, but i still play with graphics that take me back almost to my childhood and by the way what's wrong with bosh? he looks really bad and to be honest i preferred how players looked like in 11, something very unnatural and ugly is happened to players in 12. anyway thats just my thoughts ... oh, yeah and commentary is terrible ... and there is a lockout ... not a very good second part of the year

You're right - it is a disappointment. With all these DX 10 / DX 11 graphics card readily available, I'm surprised we're not seeing more games built with DX 10/11 support.

I think that will change eventually and in greater numbers when then next-next gen of consoles come out. Rumor has it that they will all be supporting DX10 / DX11 right out of the box.

any ideas when these next-next gen of consoles are planned to be released ? so we can play basketball in a normal quality on pc?