NBA 2K13 Cover Athletes - Griffin, Rose, and Durant

[JaoSming]

http://kotaku.com/5921289/three-of-a-ki ... nd-griffin

The three will share the same cover. There will not be three different covers, as there was for NBA 2K12. The new cover also features a revised NBA 2K logo.

That's not to say 2K Sports is pushing out Jordan. A teaser image meant to give clues as to the cover subjects included the Brooklyn Bridge, which Argent admitted was tied to Jordan (he was born there.)

Pressed for specifics, he remained mum. "Michael Jordan is a part of our game and our marketing plan, in a similar capacity to the way he has been in the past," Argent said.

"We have one of the biggest announcements ever," Argent vowed, "if not the biggest ever in the history of the 2K Sports franchise ever coming in a couple of weeks. I think you'll be surprised. Pleasantly."

[Leftos]

Look. I couldn't care any less about the cover of any game. I'm glad this discussion is over with, and believe me, it's right up there with "they didn't get the shoes right dagnabbit!"

But, the last quote... I can't help it, it fuels excitement in me. 2K13 is the only basketball we'll have for PC again this year, so anything positive, please, bring it.

As long as it's not another console-exclusive DLC #2, or console-exclusive ANYTHING.

[JaoSming]

I really don't know how they can top having Jordan come back....because Barkley and Reggie being in the game would not match that, IMO.

I'm hoping it is gameplay related, but going off their track record, I'm going to try and contain any excitement for what is coming next.

[Leftos]

I don't know. He got the bar pretty far damn high with that statement. Either a big game mechanic is coming that we didn't see at E3, or it's going to be something completely marketing related that'll be touted as exciting.

Classic teams can't be it, they were already here in 2K12. International basketball? The number of teams would have to be big enough for such an investment to be justified (NBA 2K is never going to be FIFA, we all know that).

I'm scratching my head as to what could be THAT big. I want to say the "Impact Engine" that got in FIFA was that big of an announcement, but I have to contain my excitement, just as you said.

They always tend to over-market everything. If I hear Ronnie2K say "big, exciting announcement/news coming up" one more time, I'm going to stick his head through a wall. It's his job, I know. But not everything is a big announcement!

Let's see what the biggest news in 2K Sports history actually is.

[benji]

AN EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH KIA. SO YOU TOO CAN JUMP OVER A KIA IN THE ALL-STAR SATURDAY DUNK CONTEST.

PRE-ORDER AT GAMESTOP. POWER TO THE PLAYERS.

[Andrew]

Cover looks OK. Given the obviousness of the clues and the early reveal of the teaser image, this has probably been the worst kept secret in terms of basketball video games over the past few days. I am a little surprised they went with three players on one cover but hey, at least anyone who is particularly bothered by the choice of cover player can collect all three with one purchase.

As for the big announcement, it's presumably game mode or gameplay related, perhaps something concerning an online feature. As you noted, the historical content was last year's big announcement and I don't think they can really top that as far as surprises and "big announcements" are concerned. I'm with Jon, as great as it would be to see Barkley and Reggie in the game, it wouldn't really top previous revelations.

[Leftos]

AN EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH KIA. SO YOU TOO CAN JUMP OVER A KIA IN THE ALL-STAR SATURDAY DUNK CONTEST.

PRE-ORDER AT GAMESTOP. POWER TO THE PLAYERS.

I laughed. I laughed hard.

[Andrew]

We laugh but the thought occurs...is it all that far-fetched?

[Leftos]

An exclusive partnership with KIA being the biggest announcement ever in 2K Sports history?

It is too far-fetched.

I mean, come on! It's 2K!

Wait.

It's 2K.

It IS 2K.

Oh.

Oh crap.

In any case, let's hear your thoughts on the cover. Did you get what you wished for?

If the last quote has got you excited, let's get the discussion going at the new "guess the announcement" thread.

[benji]

I know you guys in Aussieland (someday a cure) have EB Games which is GameStop, but I don't know about Greece's situation with the GameStop epidemic, but every major video game release here (Call of Duty, Assassins Creed, etc.) have their own ads on TV, plus GameStop ones about the pre-orders. Which all end with some function of pre-order at "GAMESTOP. POWER TO THE PLAYERS."

[Andrew]

I'm a Rose fan and Durant's become one of my favourite non-Bulls, so I like the cover well enough. As for Griffin, a lot of fans seem to have turned on him because of his exposure in the highlight reels but to me he's still an exciting player to watch, so I've got no problem with him being there too.

I do think the artwork on the NBA 2K12 covers was a little better though.

[Leftos]

@benji: We have no dedicated gaming outlets, GameStop included. So in the extremely rare case that we get a game ad on TV, it's the generic one from the publisher. Greece isn't really considered a big market for any kind of games besides soccer. PES, FIFA and Football Manager are really popular (along with the usual WoW, Dota, Lineage, etc), but then again the piracy levels are so high (or so the publishers claim) that we don't get many special things here gamewise.

FIFA touted Greek commentary in FIFA 2000, 2001 and 2002, starring some of the most prominent sportscasters here, but then gave up on it. PES however, is so effin' popular, that it got the Champions League sportscasting team last year, for PES 2012. PES is a huge thing here. Tournaments with prizes, even a really popular song about it.

But no, no GameStop or weird ads.

Anyway, back on-topic, I agree with the general consensus that I don't find the 2K13 cover as impressive as 2K12. The artwork seemed much more refined last year. Regarding the players, I don't care that much. I don't like LBJ, but I respect his skills and the numbers he puts up, but the selection of players tells me that either this deal was closed early in the Playoffs or even earlier, or that LBJ got in EA's cover. Rose, Durant and Griffin, I all respect, but I wouldn't mind not seeing Griffin in there. He's highlight-reel material, but in no way do I think he has the level of skills of the other two.

[Andrew]

Depends on LeBron's asking price, too.

[Houndy]

The cover's bland

[Mavs4Life]

The cover's bland

[RedPhazon8]

All I know is the Rose pic comes from the Knicks game where Rose slams it home... Not to interested since if I buy the game I'll be getting a Digital Version from Amazon.

[Phil89]

Interesting combination of players.

[JaoSming]

Interesting combination of players.

yea I was going to say something......but I was waiting for you to post.

[Andrew]

Hadn't even thought of that. That's pretty cool.

[Silver24]

Classic teams can't be it, they were already here in 2K12. International basketball? The number of teams would have to be big enough for such an investment to be justified (NBA 2K is never going to be FIFA, we all know that).

Actually it would be fun If we could get call (on My Player) to the National Team. But I prefer a better gameplay on 2k13

[GelPen6]

I was hoping for LeBron to be on the cover but guess he won't be unless he's on EA's but I'd take this cover if they'd move Durant to where Blake is and put LeBron where Durant was.

[Uros12]

I just wonder what is that big announcement going to be.Would like to see some teams from Europe or national teams if you ask me.