Your expectations for a satisfactory game

[Andrew]

We've done plenty of Wishlist topics and can talk all day about the things we'd like to see in the game. But no matter what happens, in all fairness it's not exactly feasible to implement all of our wishes in the space of a year, so I thought we'd try something a little different.

What are your minimum expectations for the game? By that I mean features and improvements that you feel must be made to find NBA Live 07 at the very least a satisfactory update to NBA Live 06?

Again, I must stress that this isn't a Wishlist topic, but rather what you think must have at the very least for you to feel satisfied with it. Obviously some people's expectations will be higher than others, but hopefully that will make for some interesting discussion.

Here's my outline of what would make NBA Live 07 a satisfactory next step in the series (in no particular order):

• Graphics on a par with NBA Live 06, or slightly better. Next-Gen graphics for the PC version would be awesome but I can already tell who's who so if we're a couple of years away from seeing the PC version adopt the Next-Gen graphics I can live with that. The net animation could be better though.
• Dynasty Mode, with...
  
  • an improved stats/sim engine and without the Primacy recalculations that ruin scoring averages
  • better logic when it comes to free agency (good players not sitting in the free agent pool especially) and trades
  • more ease in trading draft picks when the trade being offered is more than fair
  • trades that can be worked out in "real time" rather than having to "email" other GMs and wait two days for a response
  • less linear offseason
  • the mid level exception
  • better selection of awards
  • full stats/history
• No more Primacy recalculations! Aside from the Dynasty Mode problems, I can't tell you how much of a chore it's made patching the rosters this year.
• Realistic player behaviour; gameplay that plays realistically, even if it requires tweaking. The default settings aren't ever going to be suitable for everyone but as long as tweaking a couple of frequencies gives us a game that plays realistically I for one am prepared to go with the flow
• Intelligent comeback logic without the viciousness; no more unbelievable comebacks when you've got an opponent beaten and keep the pressure on
• Gameplay that's a little more fluid; knocking balls loose for steals without the morphing animation for example
• No FSS domination; no unbeatable moves that can't even be challenged
• The ability to easily dive for loose balls and make players on the user controlled team more intelligent about going for the ball and grabbing hold of loose balls and rebounds. Part of the offensive rebounding problems can be attributed to the fact that the user-controlled player and their CPU-controlled teammates don't seem to grab the ball when they really should.
• Balanced rebounding with defensive rebounds outnumbering offensive rebounds. Even though that's usually case in the team totals, the top rebounders on the team usually have an unrealistic amount of offensive rebounds in proportion to defensive rebounds.
• Little bugs fixed; overtime on sim intervention the regulation 5 minutes instead of a 12 minute period, deflections out of bounds counting as turnovers, occasional odd FG stats as a result of blocked shots
• The little touches: team rankings in various categories and overall instead of overall ratings (and the ability to sort them by category), as many stats as possible including averages wherever applicable, table-style career stats (like on NBA.com) with career totals, option of 2D/3D portraits, stats saving...little stuff like that.
• All-Star Weekend. Improvements would be nice but right now it's fine as far as I'm concerned. If any updates were to be made, I'd be happy with a couple of small ones: the ability to toggle the timer on and off in the dunk contest rules and sliders for the All-Star/Rookie game to make it more of a sim mode.

Now that's still a fairly lengthy list and to be honest, I'd still be more or less satisfied if NBA Live 07 features at least a good number of them (particularly the items relating to gameplay and Dynasty Mode) as there's a few I could knock off the list and still be happy with the game. But most of those items are fixes and upgrades to what's in the game already and probably wouldn't require many changes to the foundation already in place, so if the entire list made the game I think I'd be very happy with the game.

So what are your expectations of the game? Please try to avoid huge brand new features we'd normally put in the Wishlist, as I said this isn't a Wishlist topic but rather a look at what we all feel the game really needs - putting bells and whistles aside for a moment - for NBA Live 07 to deliver. Perhaps your expectations are higher but try to keep it as simple as possible. Again, the purpose of this topic is to examine what would make the game satisfactory for each of us, not constructing the ultimate game.

But in the spirit of seemingly feasible extras that I can live without but would really make NBA Live 07 a great upgrade over NBA Live 06:

• Custom Teams
• A little more flexibility in dbf editing
• PC-specific UI
• Replay saving/in-game saves

Well, those are my standards. What are yours?

[Tuomas]

I can't yet know which platformI would get Live 07 for... but there has to be better UI for pc. That's one thing.

Here's a list from me that makes me play the game, some things should be included, some could raise the game's level even higher.:
-Make star players differ from each other more with moves and playing styles
-Wiser AI for teammates, look for open opportunities more
-More rewarding dynasty mode, makes you want to complete multiple seasons
-More fluid animations, I'd like to see a redone stealing and blocking system, the current one is too predictable and strict of the animations
-Multiple shooting animations and techniques
-Better presentation, more extras
-Teams play like their real counterparts

Now many of these have been promised or just could have been done but for some reason haven't been included. I want to see the level raised dramatically since every other game series has done so.


And a possible extras for a little sumthin sumthin:

-More game modes, like 2 on 2, advanced practice mode
-Tournament mode with international teams
-Best teams of NBA history
-Little details, like right handed players wouldn't dunk with the left hand
-Built-in music and art importer
-Create a team, stadium, import them to the league

[Donatello]

Freestyle Superstars needs an overhaul. I hardly ever use it- except for in two situations.

1- Fast break dunks, just for flash.
2- Getting steals, because I usually don't have much chance of stealing otherwise (I have to keep my steal sliders down so I don't get too many )

It's just too damn powerful, there's no way you can stop some of those moves.


More stat tracking- I want to see my players' career averages. Is that so much to ask?

More variety in generated rookie names- I don't think they should use such a large pool of NBA player names. I'm truly tired of seeing "Shaquille McGrady" and "Flip Iverson" running around.

CPU Defense (on YOUR team) Don't just stand there facing the other way not guarding anyone when the OPPOSING PLAYER IS IN THE LANE ABOUT TO SCORE, YOU DIPSHI..... oh, sorry.

Better PC version User Interface Case in point: It shouldn't take me three hours to change the money offer on a free agent signing. We're playing the PC version. Let us type it in.

In addition everything Andrew mentioned about Dynasty mode= .

Tuomas's suggestion about 2 on 2 modes, etc would be nice.... but totally unnecessary in my opinion.

[Anthony15]

I think some kind of a story mode would be great. Like in Madden and in NHL you make your own player and the team drafts u, u hire an agent, etc!

[Donatello]

I think some kind of a story mode would be great. Like in Madden and in NHL you make your own player and the team drafts u, u hire an agent, etc!

This thread isn't really a wishlist- it's more for something that, in your opinion, HAS to be done for Live 07. What do you think, Anthony15?

[Buckley]

definitely need to get rid of the primacy recalculations....that is a must.

also offensive rebounding needs to be lowered. this ties in with the comeback code as well.

have averages of team stats rather than totals. it would save me time if they had averages because i hate just doing it myself.

mid-level exception in dynasty mode (so expensive teams like sixers can add one player). also, some players may want to play for a competitive team for less money.

in-game saves would be a good feature as well. i could make some classic scenarios as well as taking my time on dynasty recaps, etc.

[BMG]

cut down on the FSS
cut down on the offensive rebounding
fix the spacing
make it more realisitic, no more pfs and centers being able to make 3s like water (ie. Chris Webber, A Kirilenko)
improve the shot blocking
make the defense stronger
classic teams (we dont need names just make dummy players with the accurate stats like on madden)
better music (no reggaeton or MIA)

[Patr1ck]

No. More. Sliding. (atleast on the pc)
The collision/physics system REALLY needs fixing. It is the most buggy thing in the game and is the cause of the damn offensive rebounds, the slithering around the defense, and the lack of real physical defense during post ups.
Better AI on cpu dribble penetrations - angle of approach/quick guys beating slow guy to the rim, etc.
Common names or last names spoken by the commentators for created/generic players.
Atleast have bumpmapped textures if the pc doesn't get next gen visuals.
Utilize 5.1 surround sound better.
Hot/Cold streak during season/dynasty play.

extras - (More like highely unlikely expectations for the future)
Hire nlsc users as contractors to consult and improve the game
More in-depth play by play commentating about teams/players previous seasons and previous games/quarters/injuries/transactions/stat leaderboard/standings/playoff runs.
Director's cut Collector's edition complete with one size fits all mo-cap suit and EAGL SDK.

[JaoSming]

NBA Live 06 with facial expessions on the players, real-time shadows and a fixed net and I'd buy it again

Only that because we have the knowledge to make this game whatever we want it to be (cyberfaces, courts, rosters, aiacts, and most likely soon player models), and with no need for a "learning curve" with a new game, we can patch and mod it better.

[BIG GREEN]

My expectations for a satisfactory NBA live 07 PC-DVD are simple. Next gen ps3 graphics and animation with tweaked nba live 2005 gameplay. (best nba live ever imo). Incremental update of all-star weekend with 2-ball added...and the patchability of live 2004.

[Scorer--20]

If nba live 07 have this things i buy it !

* Xbox 360 / PS3 graphics like in the nba 2k6

* Facial expressions .. i mean . wen u dunk the ball its more like this * *

* Also more specific freestyle superstars ( and not soo poweful )

* MORE AND BETTER ANIMATIONS .. including NET ANIMATION

* The option to play on LAN

* More cutscenes .. i mean like in NBA live 2003 the players talks with the referees and in live 2004 when u relase a player u see the player walking away ur locker room

* Manu on the cover lol .. joke

* Add the Skillz challenge , the shootings whit the legens, and all the all star stuff

* Maybe a World Championship japan 06 version ( with the nationals teams like the "fifa" games do 4 the World Championship )


I think the game dont gonna have this features .. but i still dreaming with a game like this

[biamax28]

and maybe make the bench players alive,maybe react when thier teammates make a crucial shot or not,and even they can react to uun expected fouls and the comentators too can react to those kind of things,like an awsome dunk or a buzzer bitter shot,like those things that make us users react,this are my least satifactory expectation

[OldFoolStyle]

Starting with must haves

-Pace of the game needs to be closer to that of a real NBA game.

-Count me in for not recalculating Primacy, while we're at it no recalculating the Scoring Area, Dunk Pack, and 3point attempt % as well.

-Back Down and Post-up D back to the shoulder button.

-Freestyle moves for Backing Down, for Jah's sake at least add a fake one-way drive opposite move.

-FSS Inside Scorer shots should look like shots an actual NBA player has attempted, not playground gimmic shots.(oops, these are specific gameplay suggestions, ignore them and pretend i said next gen graphics and player emotions)

-Continue expanding the playbook with actual NBA plays.

-Animated playbook.

-Icon passing for FSS Playmakers.

-Minutes-per-game for simulated games/seasons should be based on players Fatigue rating, not Primacy, Overall, or # of backups.

-CPU players should walk the ball up to half court when not pressured.

-Difference between big men and smaller players needs to be much more prominent(ie: nobody should be able to back down a player 25 or more pounds heavier than themselves).

-More "Rodman" style rebounds(in the air), less "Oakley" style rebounds(flat footed).

-Fluid animations, and much smoother transitions between animations.

-More accurate score keeping, based on real NBA rules. Blocked shots count as 1 shot attempt not 2 or 0, a player can only be counted for a turnover if he has clear controll of the ball.

-FSS Power dunks need to be more Shaq, Duncan, and Barkley style, less playground. Leave the windmills and knees-up dunks to the highflyers.

-White people's hair in Create-A-Player. Crew-cuts, bowl-cuts, bangs, etc.

In what might be a first for the NLSC, here's some things I liked about '06 and want to see carried over to '07.

-As much as I dislike some of the shots, the stationary moves for FSS Inside Scorer are nearly perfect.

-Some of the plays run like ones that NBA teams actualy use.

-On 3-2 fastbreaks, the CPU actualy makes the extra pass.

-Just the inclusion of fastbreaks in '06 makes all previous Lives unplayable.

-Good balance between inside and mid-range shots.

Some areas where I disagree with NLSC members.

-Yes Virginia, some PF/C's can shoot threes. If I create a 6'9" 255lb Sam Perkins he damn well better shoot at least 40% from the arc. It's a matter of using the ratings they already have correctly, not arbitrarily blocking certain positions from outside shots.

-With more '90s legends becoming unavailable, I actualy welcome some of the less famous all-stars like Spud Webb and Tom Chambers. Why are Dee Brown and Larry Nance hidden and only unlockable with a DBF editor?.

-I don't play much with current players, so when Magic, Bird, MJ, Reggie, Isiah, Clyde, or Charles go on an unstoppable 4th quarter run it's not that big of a deal. Hell, it's pretty realistic. Have I pointed out it runs both ways?, you can go just as nuts on the CPU as it does on you. Granted, not all players, or even all superstars/all-stars/legends, should have that ability but some players are/were that damn good.

And finaly, a few ideas that would be nice but aren't dealbreakers for me.

-More vintage: hair styles, facial hair, shoes, jerseys, accesories, whatever. All the things that made me love the NBA, instead of just keeping me interested like I am now.

-95-96 Supersonics home and away jerseys.

-Option to trade head coaches, or maybe create-a-coach.

-Option to move/rename teams to different cities.

-Drop down menus for PC.

-Full and per-game stats listings for teams in season/dynasty.

-Seasons/Dynasties with more or less than 30 teams, if I want one conference to have less teams than the others thats my perogative.

-More colorways for most shoes to match every team, as well as more generic looking shoes.

-Three short lengths: vintage, mid-thigh, knee length.

-More body types: chubby, big shoulders - thin waist, stocky guard, lean-muscular, anorexic-Manute-Bol-lookin'-muther-fudger.

-and as always, "Improved Gameplay".

[Christopherson]

Just a few upgrades are fine with me
no more primacy recalculations
better generated rooks and scouting. We should be able to come across cant miss prospects. Just give us a couple of sentances in the scouting report.
Custom teams/stadiums/coaches and ability to take them into dynasty mode
Fix bugs
better logic in all areas of game (trades, gameplay, free agents, etc.)

Other than that, give me live 06 or 05 for the rest of it. I'm not picky. But i'll be disappointed if I dont get at least three of those five things.

[Colin]

A UI that I can get right at 1600x1200, my monitor is a waste. And in that same sense if I can't view my entire roster without scrolling that is completely riduculous.

Other than that I'm mostly good. Some more 'real-time' trading/negotiating should be implemented. And the deflection/TO thing needs to be fixed.

I may be the only one to actually like how the game plays this year.

[Scotty]

-possibly different scenarios in the Dynasty(stories, not just you are the manager win games.
-i just want it to be realistic with out tweaking sliders-editing players.
^^^ this is my expectation mainly, otherwise it'll be the same

[Andrew]

Looks like most of us so far have the same basic expectations of the game and the improvements/fixes to be made.

I don't play much with current players, so when Magic, Bird, MJ, Reggie, Isiah, Clyde, or Charles go on an unstoppable 4th quarter run it's not that big of a deal. Hell, it's pretty realistic. Have I pointed out it runs both ways?, you can go just as nuts on the CPU as it does on you. Granted, not all players, or even all superstars/all-stars/legends, should have that ability but some players are/were that damn good.

I see where you're coming from, no question the best of the best have the ability to come through in the clutch and we do need some sort of comeback logic to keep the game challenging. However, it's the nature of the comebacks that bothers me. The user's players will suddenly forget how to play basketball, miss easy shots and even dunks (regardless of the sliders, situation and player's skill) while the CPU suddenly develops superhuman abilities, often with players who were previously struggling or aren't known for such explosions kicking into high gear.

I know "help from an unlikely player" situations do happen and become part of NBA lore but the nature and frequency those situations occur in NBA Live isn't quite realistic. It's frustrating not to be rewarded for playing great defense and just have some scrub hit three or four turnaround fadeaway threes out of a double team to bring the CPU right back. Even the top players can't always hit circus shots and tough looks under the high pressure of excellent defense. And of course, it drives the scores and pace of the game higher as you are forced to contend with the CPU's onslaught.

I may be the only one to actually like how the game plays this year.

I definitely enjoy the game, I just find myself thinking sometimes "Oh man, this needs to be fixed" when certain situations rear their ugly head. I'm still playing NBA Live 06, I generally find there's something about the latest edition that prevents me from going back to earlier games (with the exception of times when I feel like a bit of nostalgia or working on a feature for the site) and it's the same this year. If you've got a set of sliders that suit you it's possible for the game to be quite realistic as well as fun, at least in my opinion.

[Nick]

I'd expect

- Improved gameplay (No shit, i suppose. But Live06 wasn't much better than live05, if not worse)
- A dynasty that records history and rewards you for sticking around. More detailed.
- Improved UI. Or atleast different.
- Good use of their ESPN license. So, much improved presentation.

[noodle]

It seems they've just been using a better looking verison of the same graphics system for the past Nba Lives and my expectation is next-gen graphics.
Also some new animations for gameplay and in general a decent gameplay better than Live 06.
More FSS diversity.
They got the ESPN license so I expect the scoreboard the presentation and various other things to be like ESPN.
Better draft system and coaching system.
A big one also is better plays. The plays they put in Live 06 are horrible because they are mostly little offensive varients, like one of an offense and older games had like ten plays of that offense.
Thats what I expect. Otherwise the game blows...I dunno though. EA looks like they just want this game to look the best it can not play the best it can.

[Shing]

One thing I expect to be improved:

No more stupid comebacks in the 4th!

When I'm 20pts up with 2 minutes remaining, I don't expect every player on the CPU team to knock down a hundred three-pointers all of a sudden. Atleast, not EVERY time I'm finishing a game.


and


NO Primacy crap!

I seriously get sick of tweaking all this idividually, finding Chucky Atkins and Mike Dunleavy on the All Star Team etc.

[Fenix]

I would like to add

• more post skills for big men. NBA Live has always been more perimeter oriented, but the lack of implementing big men into the game is pretty obvious, so I expect them to continue it this year with transforming big men from guards w/o ballhandling skills to offensive weapons who can score in variety of ways, not only with FSS, but also with their skillset given by default.
  
• more body types and practical use of them. I'd like to see strength being a greater factor in the game. I hate when sometimes a small guard a la Nash can disrupt Shaq from going straight to the basket or how those same players can body up someone like Lebron when he's driving to the basket. That shouldn't happen, they should psychicaly dominate.
  
• more FFS packs. Power players can be either power or athletic type and similar differentiation should be made for other FFS. Passers should be divided to creative (a la Nash, Jason Williams) and fundamental ones (Stockton),...
  
• if they don't plan to give us next-generation graphics, we should get at least a bit modified version of last years graphic engine. I want more realistic shadows, better animation, no sliding, facial expresions (at least to some extent, I don't expect anything like that we've seen at E3). That would be enough to satisfy us and enough to sell the games to people who don't have exactly high-end machines.
  
• beter psychics. Some of you mentioned the net, but like pdub said, much, much better collision detection is also needed. I can't stress that nearly enough.

[Kbryant8]

i liked those videos like it was in nba live 2004,if you release a player then you see video how he goes away and same for re-sign and stuf,it makes game more playable and feels more real to me,so i want that back

[Andrew]

That's your only expectation/requirement of NBA Live 07?

[Scotty]

Yeah some clip scenes would be nice-like the final mvp announcement, All Star announcement etc, end of game and celebrations and goal celebrations-More before the game and half time stuff like in 2k6 is good and gives some spice

[Andrew]

I feel this is moving towards being more of a Wishlist topic, which as I said in my first post it's not intended to be; rather, it's meant to be a discussion about your expectations of the game for it to be a satisfactory sequel to NBA Live 06/the series so far.