The graphic downgrade cycle starts here

[Phreak50]

We've all seen it happen with 2K before and I'm afraid 2K15 is starting it once again.

A bunch of early impressions on both PS4 and Xbox One around the web had suggested something looked different, slightly worse about the graphics and I have to agree after a couple hours with 15 tonight.

I think the main culprit is a lack of (or a decrease in) real time lighting. Now I was someone who said 2K14's lighting needed to be changed because real NBA didn't look like that, but for whatever reason, 15 looks too dark, dull and lifeless.

Whether it was a decision by the artists or with the extra development of a next gen PC version and possible performance differences between PS4 and Xbone, something needed to be scaled down, I don't know. But I am really disappointed.

Yeah it still looks great and taking time to get the right shot from a replay can look stunning, but there's definitely been a downgrade.

Likewise, the scale of the court, the weird shoebox feel of the stadium and player proportions to the court (feels like a player deep in the post can shake hands with someone in the 3pt corners) look off.

Classic players have changed too. The classic Spurs team looks worse. Much skinnier, gangly and almost lower poly models than last year. If you compare David Robinson, Allen Iverson etc you'll immediately see the difference (even in the faces).

Don't want to be too quick to settle on an opinion, but I don't see the lighting as something that can be modded in either :/

[ThePointForward]

PS4 and X1 are considerably weaker than PS3 and X360 when compared to higher end gaming standard on their launch.
Just look at PS4/X1 already struggling to keep that magical 60fps mark while at 1080p.

[TBM]

People still think there's a downgrade?

[ThePointForward]

Well, some changes might feel that way for 2K14 X1/PS4 users - because "modern" games are all about shiny lights etc. You know, the "eye-candy" stuff - which doesn't mean it's any better that more realistic approach.

[TBM]

2K14


2K15


What a downgrade.

[Kevin]

I guess they were referring to the lighting.

[meaks]

.... OP was talking about the lighting.

[Phreak50]

Yeah the (current) players are fine. It's the on court lighting. If you are going from PC 2K14 to 2K15 you won't notice but I played PS4 2K14 to death and the difference is immediately noticeable.

Cloth physics toned down, lighting is stale and dull and the court lighting, reflections and hazy stadiums (as unrealistic as it may have been) are all removed from last year.

I'm really pissed off and would never have bought the game if I knew. It's only logical to expect any sort of improvement in an engine and general visuals with a new version. But even more so given 2K14 was the first attempt on the next gen engine.

It's also not the first time NBA 2K has downgraded in their cycle. 2K10 looked better than 14. I actually think 10 was possibly the beginnings of this next gen engine. I still have it on Steam and it has far better IQ, lighting, textures than recent versions. A few respected members of these forums have said this for a while too.

Anyone with a good memory of the series will also remember at one stage (forget which year) they actually implemented gradual sweat spots on the jerseys. This hasn't been seen again.

Again, it doesn't look bad. Just not as good as last year. Which, given your studio is called Visual Concepts and you pride yourself on technical, visual achievements, it's just a kick in the guts to your fans who keep you in a job that you would scale back the graphics.

[TBM]

Only noticeable difference is the reflections, which were too much in 2K14. The graphics are not downgraded. They may look different, but there is no downgrade.

[Apollo 13]

Lighting was horrible last year. It made the courts look like they were smeared with Vasaline.

[TBM]

Yeah, courts last year were way too shiny.

[MadbaLL]

2K10 looked better than 14. I actually think 10 was possibly the beginnings of this next gen engine. I still have it on Steam and it has far better IQ, lighting, textures than recent versions. A few respected members of these forums have said this for a while too.

i also think the same. 2k10 looked amazing imho, textures and lightning were top notch.

but i don't agree 2k15 is downgrade to 2k14, judging on many video clips and screenshots i've seen so far. this game has stunning, real life visuals.

[centrifugal]

I think the problem is developers taking internet criticism too much into account. Yes the reflections / lighting / haze on the courts last year was over the top, so I guess some people criticised that. Developers then trying to please the fans, make a 180 degree turn and modify this years courts like they are made of cement and give them the lighting of a dungeon.

I attribute this to lack of moderation and initiative. I wouldn't be surprised if NBA 2k16 courts are now over the top shiny / light once again.

[tatlopuyo]

Its totally a downgrade in terms of graphics seriously. Its like a mix of ps3 and ps4 version of last years game. 2k14 ps4 faces with 2k14 ps3/pc version body,/skin textures.

[seanjohn2525]

Its totally a downgrade in terms of graphics seriously. Its like a mix of ps3 and ps4 version of last years game. 2k14 ps4 faces with 2k14 ps3/pc version body,/skin textures.

+1

[benji]

Two things. Mr. Phreak50.

1. I like the toned down cloth physics, some of it was pretty absurd at times.

2. NBA Give 'n Go (or Run 'n Gun) is arguably the most underrated and best basketball title of its era.

[Hadley88]

Seriously, Graphics are defintly not the Problem of 2K15 - stop crying!

[Kevin]

Seriously, Graphics are defintly not the Problem of 2K15 - stop crying!

True. Bitches be cray-cray

[johnz1]

2. NBA Give 'n Go (or Run 'n Gun) is arguably the most underrated and best basketball title of its era.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

[GemInEye]

Anybody that has played 2K games over the years knows that they usually go in a similar cycle.
They release a game one year that's graphically outstanding, and then the subsequent following yrs the graphics usually take a hit as they add/improve gameplay features...and then after a few yrs the process begins again. A lot of times the games go back and forth each year.

I knew from preview footage that this game would not be as visually impressive as last year's. I chalked it up to the new face-scan feature; I knew the technology wouldn't be able to produce player models as highly detailed as the normal ones, so I figured they just downgraded all the player models to make it all look more cohesive.

This year's version for PC looks like It's only halfway next-gen

[-scarface-]

Anybody that has played 2K games over the years knows that they usually go in a similar cycle.
They release a game one year that's graphically outstanding, and then the subsequent following yrs the graphics usually take a hit as they add/improve gameplay features...and then after a few yrs the process begins again. A lot of times the games go back and forth each year.

I knew from preview footage that this game would not be as visually impressive as last year's. I chalked it up to the new face-scan feature; I knew the technology wouldn't be able to produce player models as highly detailed as the normal ones, so I figured they just downgraded all the player models to make it all look more cohesive.

This year's version for PC looks like It's only halfway next-gen

I absolutely agree with you bro. I noticed they did court lightning similar to current gen again, in 2K14 next gen courts looked amazing.

[RondoNumbaNine]

Sorry but 2k14's graphics were way better last year. 2k15 is so dull and eerie

[pistonnation]

Sorry but 2k14's graphics were way better last year. 2k15 is so dull and eerie

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Can't argue with this... But, I do think 2k15 on Ultra Settings on PC looks incredible.

[TBM]

Sorry but 2k14's graphics were way better last year. 2k15 is so dull and eerie

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Only difference is the players look less greasy.

[JBulls]

Sorry but 2k14's graphics were way better last year. 2k15 is so dull and eerie

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Only difference is the players look less greasy.

No it's also less vibrant and darker