Live 2003 Tune Up Suggestions (a little long)

[blackdawg]

After reading Tim's interview stating that the gameplay in the PC version is the same as in PSX2 or XBox versions, I thought I'd offer some suggestions for tweaking your rosters. I haven't bought the PC version yet, but will tomorrow. I will try to offer a roster with my adjustments to the NLSC site if possible once I aquire the PC program and finish tinkering with things.

After making the following adjustments IMHO I think you'll have an entirely enjoyable game without some of the early frustrations most people have expressed. Too me, and I've been playing versions of this game since the beginning--this is the most enjoyable of all, but not as it tumbles out of the box. But this is the "most able to be adjusted for gameplay" that I've experienced.

(1) Gameplay is too fast: I found that speed ratings were too high. I generally gave superstars a speed advantage depending on player. I altered them on the following formula. C/PF were rated in the 60-69 range with superstars given a plus rating (70+). SF rated 70-79 (Superstars 80+)
SG/PG rated 80-90 (fastest players 92).

Result the game was toned down & less frantic, yet fastbreaking was still available. I also found that it limitted the blocks a little; but with more play and some other moves I made blocks are less of an issue. Also, many blocks are knocked ob & are not turnovers, so they sort of act to run down the clock. But I also found that with less player speed the power of the blocks is toned down (a bit).

(2) 3 point shooting too high a percentage: After experimenting with various numbers I found that the 3 ball disappeared at 86, but that was too low a percentage; good shooters didn't hit the open shot after rotating. After test games I worked off 90 as a top number. I took the top 20 three shooters from stats on nba.com and preseason and rated them at 90, with a couple of the top of the list players at 92 as a max.

Result: the 3 shooting has been in the 33-44% range in average over many games. Of course you should use your knowledge of nba to fine tune. But 90 works.

(3) Passing too loose/too many turnovers: I just kinda pumped up the passing 5-10 points universally because I thought ball handling needed a bump. Personal preference.

(4) Defense/Defense/Defense: One thing I really appreciated in this game is the ability to alter gameplay by impacting player ratings. I noticed that players were not as aware defensively as I thought they should be, so I changed the ratings under "Defensive Awareness." This along with altering the Speed rating is key to good play.

Defensive Awareness: change all players into the 90-99 zone. Weaker defenders should be rated 90-94, defensive all-stars or great players 95-99. This may seem high, but what it does is allows players to square up, play 3 on 2 defense better on the break. Defend the post, give weakside help, steal at times on the turn and force. Because the defensive lock symbol depends on several factors, it does not give everyone a great defensive rating (lock); but it does help a team play defense, and it seems to lower interior shooting percentage. In my two player games shooting has dropped into the 50%'s range. It really, really impacts game play in a positive way. You have to work the ball on offense more, icon pass a little more, rotate the ball more; but you still get momentum and fastbreak, etc.

I know its some work; if one of you patchers would make a roster patch on this formula, I think you'll find it an incredible improvement.

[N8theGreat]

yea well what it looks like to me is that you did a lot of these changes to make the game easier. dude you should just learn how to beat the computer without having to adjust the speed of the game.

[endofanera]

Wow excellent stuff man,

The exciting thing about this game is that it only has a few flaws and they are in areas that the community is going to be able to patch

[endofanera]

yea well what it looks like to me is that you did a lot of these changes to make the game easier. dude you should just learn how to beat the computer without having to adjust the speed of the game.

He is trying to make the game more realistic NBA teams don't play end to end basketball all game long, it's not making the game easier seeing the rating changes affect the user and AI.

I don't know about you but I don't enjoy beating the computer 175-165 with 40 turnovers, 20-32 3 pointers.

[blackdawg]

yea well what it looks like to me is that you did a lot of these changes to make the game easier. dude you should just learn how to beat the computer without having to adjust the speed of the game.

Just a suggestion dude. I can beat the computer, what I'm looking for is a optimum basketball experience. Get it dude? If it doesn't work for you no sweat--dude.

[koolkatgold]

this is where true ballers can be distinguished from the average joe...

i'm a true baller... i don't want an arcade mode... in fact i like managing more than playing... i'm not in it for the dunks... I like the trading and the accurate playing... I don't want to score 200 pts nor do i want the CPU to score 200... i want a game where it is incredibly realistic... i don't have a problem with arcade players in fact i think NBA LIVE is moving more to that category which is sad for league ballers like myself, but the game willsell much better since most people looking for the game are arcade ballers...

[StR8 Blazin]

I'm waiting for someone to tweak the players.dbf. I tried to but it's very time consuming since I don't know how to edit a column simultaneously.

Well blackdawg when you get it done, hook me up aiite. My email is illfigazx@yahoo.com.

[N8theGreat]

what im sayin is that decreasing speed will only make the game easier. i do agree with decreasing fg% and 3pt% because it is way to high if you want a "real" score then dont fast break, and use the shot clock more like a real nba team.

[blackdawg]

Well if you agree with part of the idea, try my formula with two teams, and see what you think. I think the slight drop in player speed actually allows for you to have to play better basketball; combined with the raise in defensive awareness. The game plays better, not easier. In fact with my suggestions the superstar mode plays more difficult rather than easier.

I'm talking gameplay, not making the game easier because I'm a novice videogamer. Try it then see if I'm off the target. Who's to say that a great computer programer is a terrific talent handicapper?

[td3ph]

I have to agree with your comments blackdawg regarding tweaking the rosters for some real life gameplay. Out of the box the game play is really very much of an arcade game. Hope you can send me a file of your tweaked lineups. Based on your description, you have definitely done a great job to tweaking the lineups. Hope you can hook me up with that tweake line up of yours. My email add is td3ph@yahoo.com

Thanks dude!

[Xavi]

I'm completly agree with you blackdawg. And I'm especting to have your tweaked rosters and the game will be more real. Think on me when you get it.


devetorra@terra.es

[blackdawg]

Bought the game this weekend, and after some problems with choppiness were solved (read bye bye choppiness post); & a controller issue resolved, I started to build a new roster on my suggestions. I'm about 3/4 through with the inital build.

I've found that the pc version is even quicker than the console; but its definitely cool. I'm not using a dbf editor just making the adjustments using the team management function. If anyone has the editor & a tutorial I'd be interested in aquiring it. I know its out there, I just haven't had time for the learning curve.

I'm playing games to test ratings, so long and short, by the end of the week; I'll offer my roster to those of you that would like to try it.

[blackdawg]

Bought the game this weekend, and after some problems with choppiness were solved (read bye bye choppiness post); & a controller issue resolved, I started to build a new roster on my suggestions. I'm about 3/4 through with the inital build.

I've found that the pc version is even quicker than the console; but its definitely cool. I'm not using a dbf editor just making the adjustments using the team management function. If anyone has the editor & a tutorial I'd be interested in aquiring it. I know its out there, I just haven't had time for the learning curve.

I'm playing games to test ratings, so long and short, by the end of the week; I'll offer my roster to those of you that would like to try it.

[sccommish]

Hey blackdog,

I would love to try your tweaked ratings when you are finished. My email is sccommish@hotmail.com.

Thanks.

[ChochHolla]

i agree with most of your tweaks, black... but i am a tad bit afraid to raise max out the def. awareness.... the defensive player already reaches thru my body to steal from me in the low post. besides, i think the block is more of a problem.
too many blocks lower by 15 or so.. too many fast breaks lower speed by 5 (it actually worked in jared's roster)... too many dunks... lower by 5 or 6...

[blackdawg]

You may be right. I did my tweaks on the psx2 which seems to run a bit slower than the pc version, so the blocks weren't as extreme & the defensive benz of high defensive awareness we big; and blocks kinda went down as I/we played. I'll test with it. I lowered blocks and steals and raised defensive awareness and still got 14 blocks in a game, but I'm kinda getting used to a controller, so some were operator error.

[ningtong88]

Talking doesn't do anything, just post a patch, and let us try it.

[blackdawg]

Kinda harsh don't ya think? Sorry, I'll get right to it sir.

[Uber]

Talking doesn't do anything, just post a patch, and let us try it.

yeah, that's where you're good at....get and criticize. Sheesh ning, don't throw your frustrations on black, this is a forum, if you're only after the quick fixes....go to the downloads section, not here.

[MCalca1706]

To blackdawg

I agree with most of your suggestions. My main criticisms of the game in
"EA has gone arcade crazy with NBA Live 2003!" were that it's too arcade like and not like a simulation.

My question is why would EA make the settings for the simulation this way?
Too fast, too many fastbreaks, too many blocks, too many steals etc. why so excessive? Is this not supposed to be a simulation? It seems more like NBA Jam or Triple Play Baseball!

Were these not the reasons High Heat Baseball was prasied and reviewed so well and Triple Play criticized? This sure looks very Triple Play like to me. If this is the case, why is this title so praised while Triple Play was so criticized? I thought PC Sport Game Players wanted realism and great AI , not just high light reels and repetitive animations!

M. Calcagno

[thefunnyone]

Geez people, if you want the patch, do it yourself, and stop bitching about other people not doing it. Blackdawg here was trying to help and all you do is complain. You don't like realistic basketball? Then NBA 2003 is right for you! Go and score 160 points a game. You like players move around on the court like Superman? NBA 2003 is right for you, but maybe you should try going back and play NBA Jam! Anyway, my point is that you don't HAVE to try these settings, but give blackdawg credit for trying to help!

[MCalca1706]

Hello
I do give blackdawg credit and agree with most of his suggestions.
I also agree with what you just said. My problem is with EA turning this program into NBA Jam. I, for one, want realism and realistic AI not just high light footage.

M. Calcagno