NBA Live 07 Community Day Recap & Report

[Andrew]

Andrew, thanks for answering my first question.

Will NBA Live 2007 (360) make us pay for alternate and retro jerseys ala Madden and NCAA football?

It seems like that will be the trend for these EA games.

I think the alternates will be available by default but there aren't any retro jerseys in the Next Gen version.

[cobbb11]

Couple Q's for you Andrew if you don't mind:

1)How were the bench player animation in current gen? I dont' know about '04 but '05 and 6 have completely static benchies. Do they react to misses/turnovers/dunk/3's etc. like in 2003 and next gen? Are coach movements more realistic as they tended to do this crouch animation pop whenever they turned.

2) Is the player's going to the wrong bench after quarter's bug fixed?

3)Is the opening presentation's of each game better? You mentioned the player intros were new but do they do warmups and stuff like next-gen 2k6 did or is it a couple of practice shots, then straight to intros?

4)Please tell me Marion's shot is in current gen!?

5)Did you shoot free throws with Nash? Did he do his whole pretend-to-shoot-without-ball thing 2/3 times like he does before the ref gives him the ball?

6) Does Nash do his finger licking in current gen? (I realize if you didnt play the suns then I lost a bunch of questions:)

I read through your preview again and can't find some of the answers. You mentioned the new starting 5 overlays and stuff before tip-off but I was wondering if you saw the same exact animations of the teams shooting (like when the camera ALWAYS pans over the one guy making a shot from the free throw line and your forward/guard high five or go forearm to forearm or something. Can you describe the game openings a little more in-depth from what you remember, like if their is more pregame warmup variety and spot lights and stuff? You also mentioned that we have new free throw ritual/sig shots, I was just wondering about Marion and Nash specifally cause I'm a die hard Phoenix player. Although I guess Marion' shot would have to be in there if they're going to advertise signature shots at all since his is just crazy. I just wanted to confirm it. I did see the Manu flop question so I guess that pertains to all player's and their tendencies. Guess no finger licking for me. Thanks for any help you can provide me.

[aylmer]

I guess it's a matter of perspective. There were some animation glitches in the build that I played which the producers acknowledged before we'd even gotten our hands on the game but I didn't think the shots looked awkward or that the ball physics were all over the place. I think there'll be a learning curve with player momentum and squaring up/gathering distance though.

That's not to say it's perfect but I wouldn't deem it terrible. But as I said, it's a matter of opinion so I can't really confirm if it's terrible or not. All I can do is give an honest opinion and in my honest opinion the gameplay isn't nearly as bad as that article suggests. Perhaps he noticed flaws that I didn't but I wouldn't describe the gameplay as he did.

Could IGN be referring 2 the nextgen title only and u have only played the current gen? I didn't play the live 06 for 360 either but from your perspective can you tell us your overall review of the nextgen game from what you have seen? Thank U

[The Hitman]

Andrew, thanks for answering my first question.

Will NBA Live 2007 (360) make us pay for alternate and retro jerseys ala Madden and NCAA football?

It seems like that will be the trend for these EA games.

I think the alternates will be available by default but there aren't any retro jerseys in the Next Gen version.

What do you mean pay for alternate jersey???

[shadowgrin]

Questions for Andrew:

- How many months or years did it take you to grow that beard of yours? Looks badass. I'm sure I wouldn't want to mess with you with that look.
- Did Tim show you the basement where he keeps Lutz locked up?
- How come the outdoor courts looks so clean? As if nobody plays in them, ever, or are the people at EA too lazy to go out so they just play in the indoor mo-cap court?

I racked up a bit of large room service and minibar bill but it was definitely worth every cent.

- Did EA pay the bill? Andrew, you cheap bastard.
- Did you pay the bill yourself, Andrew? Those cheap EA bastards.
- When will you face the fact that you have a drinking problem?
- When do you intend to get help regarding that problem?


- Did you and Tim drink some beers? Did it go like this:
Tim: I know it's August but let's start Oktoberfest early! *brings out some beers*
Andrew: You call that a beer? This is a beer. *brings out a bigger beer*
*both of them got drunk and wasted*
*something happened*
*both of them vowed never to speak again of what happened*

EDIT:
If people would only read Andrew's recap, they wouldn't have to ask questions, that also happens to be asked repeatedly by other people who don't bother to read the recap. Lazy bastards. This thread wouldn't be 7 pages long if they bothered to read.

Jonathan Au is (going to be?) back. Finally, a decent Pinoy forum member. I don't consider myself, Null, mikki, even airgordon and other Pinoy regulars in the forum as decent posters.

[Scotty]

Thanks for the great recap Andrew-i know it's late, but our downloads were nearly up very early last month, so i couldn't visit the site.

i've got a question-
1.Have you played NBA 2k6(current Gen) and if so, what do you think of the graphics and gameplay of 2k6, compared to that of Live 07 current Gen.

NBA 2k6 certainly seems to be ahead of Live in terms of those 2 factors.
I'm considering buying a 360 now and getting Live 07 too after that review. In Australia i think the cheapest i've seen it is $580 or so.

thanks

[Andrew]

I read through your preview again and can't find some of the answers. You mentioned the new starting 5 overlays and stuff before tip-off but I was wondering if you saw the same exact animations of the teams shooting (like when the camera ALWAYS pans over the one guy making a shot from the free throw line and your forward/guard high five or go forearm to forearm or something. Can you describe the game openings a little more in-depth from what you remember, like if their is more pregame warmup variety and spot lights and stuff? You also mentioned that we have new free throw ritual/sig shots, I was just wondering about Marion and Nash specifally cause I'm a die hard Phoenix player. Although I guess Marion' shot would have to be in there if they're going to advertise signature shots at all since his is just crazy. I just wanted to confirm it. I did see the Manu flop question so I guess that pertains to all player's and their tendencies. Guess no finger licking for me. Thanks for any help you can provide me.

1. Yes, that part isn't team/player specific.
2. I think Bruce's review described the intros best:

Getting an upgrade this year is the player intros and the arenas. You’ll notice the difference right away. When you’re dropped into the arena you’ll see everything looks much better than last year. There are Spotlights of the home teams logo being shined all over the arena. The crowd looks great and they are roaring and ready to go. Then a nice touch has been added to the player intros. Your player’s name is called by the announcer, you see him get up and he gets kind of pumped then you see the game player slow down some and the screen changes color into like a blue hue. Then you see the players name and number come up in big white lettering along with there FSSS icon and man the effect is pretty cool.

3. Yes, their styles are in the game.

Could IGN be referring 2 the nextgen title only and u have only played the current gen? I didn't play the live 06 for 360 either but from your perspective can you tell us your overall review of the nextgen game from what you have seen? Thank U

I spent more time on Current Gen but I played both. I've already given my impressions of the Next Gen version, in my write up and subsequent questions.

1.Have you played NBA 2k6(current Gen) and if so, what do you think of the graphics and gameplay of 2k6, compared to that of Live 07 current Gen.

I have played NBA 2K6 Current Gen and while I can see why people like the game, it's not for me. I guess it comes down to what you're used to but I prefer Freestyle Control over Isomotion. The shot stick is interesting but ultimately I prefer NBA Live's controls. 2K6 has some fine features and some I'd like to see the Live series adopt (some of which are in NBA Live 07) but at the end of the day, I'm a Live fan.

In that respect, it's hard for me to offer a completely unbiased opinion of the 2K series. When it comes to my impressions of NBA Live, I judge the game according to my expectations and comparisons to previous games in the series. That's why I refrain from giving the games scores when I review them unlike sites such as IGN, which have standards and scores that apply to games of all different genres.

[JonathanAu]

Jonathan Au is (going to be?) back. Finally, a decent Pinoy forum member. I don't consider myself, Null, mikki, even airgordon and other Pinoy regulars in the forum as decent posters.

can't .. fight.. urge.. to be.. indecent..... %$&!@?~@#!!!!!

cheers and thanks tol!

[Cornerthree]

Hey Andrew!

I'm really confused...

In your current-gen recap you said that the Espn integration, is really nowhere near the level as it is in Next-gen, but in the GT TV's recap of current-gen I could see that there was ESPNEWS and ESPN radio, also they mentioned that there will be ESPN motion, so where's the truth???

[Andrew]

Unless they've suddenly added all the ESPN Integration features to Current Gen in the last 25 days, I'd say the GT video is incorrect or perhaps just a bit misleading. ESPN Integration on Next Gen is far more in-depth than Current Gen.

[co18]

Andrew, did you happen to fidn out some of the players ratings, if so can u tell which ones

[Andrew]

I didn't make any notes about those sorry and I can't remember any offhand. I was hoping I'd get a chance to make some notes about them but there were so many other aspects of the game I felt were more important to investigate so unfortunately I didn't get time.

[Isaiah]

Jonathan Au is (going to be?) back. Finally, a decent Pinoy forum member. I don't consider myself, Null, mikki, even airgordon and other Pinoy regulars in the forum as decent posters.

can't .. fight.. urge.. to be.. indecent..... %$&!@?~@#!!!!!

cheers and thanks tol!

lol indecent haha...


anyways Andrew..is that "sense of weight" and "nonsuperhuman speed" available in current gen? or what "sense of weight" does it have?

[Andrew]

It's in there. I found I was able to power over players much more often with Shaq than someone like Ben Gordon, as it should be. That's not to say Shaq is unstoppable and will overpower everyone all the time but whereas he'd have to change his shot all too frequently he can now overpower smaller, weaker players with the ease he displays in real life.

Conversely, a player like Allen Iverson won't have to alter his shot on every trip to the basket but more often than not if he challenges the might of someone like Shaq he's going to come off second best.

[cobbb11]

From the look of the current-gen videos on IGN, the screen looks a little cluttered with the scoreboard on top, and the ticker seemingly hovering an inch or so above the bottom. Was this distracting for you at all Andrew? Do you know if its adjustable? Also, I know you didn't play the PC, and I can't find anyone who asked this, but did they mention if they fixed the menus so we won't have to scroll for subs and such?

[elitethatsme]

Andrew this might be hard for you to answer since you probobly diddnt play that many years in Dynasty mode but one thing that pissed me off is i had a dynasty team going for 5 years and you cant view their career stats like how they improved each year you only can see the past year or so as far as a players stats.... any change here?

[Cornerthree]

Unless they've suddenly added all the ESPN Integration features to Current Gen in the last 25 days, I'd say the GT video is incorrect or perhaps just a bit misleading. ESPN Integration on Next Gen is far more in-depth than Current Gen.

Well you know in that video I saw that the menu of the game was current-gen and I saw the ESPN radio button there...

[co18]

Andrew did you notice that for next gen and the players were dribbling while sprinting it looked like they had the ball way out in front of them and are struggling to keep the ball.




Whats up wit that

[Andrew]

From the look of the current-gen videos on IGN, the screen looks a little cluttered with the scoreboard on top, and the ticker seemingly hovering an inch or so above the bottom. Was this distracting for you at all Andrew? Do you know if its adjustable? Also, I know you didn't play the PC, and I can't find anyone who asked this, but did they mention if they fixed the menus so we won't have to scroll for subs and such?

I didn't find it very distracting but I guess some people could find it a bit of a distraction. I'll also hazard a guess and say that the PC version probably won't have a different UI to the console version (aside from the ease of using a mouse).

Andrew this might be hard for you to answer since you probobly diddnt play that many years in Dynasty mode but one thing that pissed me off is i had a dynasty team going for 5 years and you cant view their career stats like how they improved each year you only can see the past year or so as far as a players stats.... any change here?

No change for the console versions as far as I could see. The PC version does display career stats albeit year-by-year rather than the table/basketball card style they utilised up until NBA Live 2001.

Well you know in that video I saw that the menu of the game was current-gen and I saw the ESPN radio button there...

That's odd because the ESPN Integration in the Current Gen version I played didn't have nearly as much depth as the Next Gen version, a fact reiterated by the production team. Seeing as though Current Gen was close to completion at the Community Day it seems unlikely they would've gone ahead and added such a big feature all of a sudden.

Andrew did you notice that for next gen and the players were dribbling while sprinting it looked like they had the ball way out in front of them and are struggling to keep the ball.




Whats up wit that

I can't really answer that since I'm not on the production team.

[Goldenstatewarrior]

Hey Andrew, I have some more questions for you. (Current-gen)

1. Does the A.I. switch superstar moves on the fly during gameplay?

2. In NBA Live 06, you can set the User/A.I defense to autoswitch. Is this available for offense and defense in NBA Live 07?

Thanks again.

[Andrew]

1. It would seem so, if the situation calls for it.
2. It's the same as last year.

[ko_be]

can you explain more you gained ?

for example dunks (are they realistic? and tell me the dunkpack feature
i didn't understand it exactly.)

layups same (are they realistic or crappy?)

defense ?

backboard dunks? (for example kidd passes to carter from the backboard then vince dunks)

crowd?


especially i wonder how dunkpacks and (dunks)( to be added) to the game?

please tell me more

[cobbb11]

Yo Andrew, I know you said the benches are animated and react to the game but these videos at IGN got be worried: http://media.xbox.ign.com/media/826/826443/vids_1.html

Can you confirm that you played a more complete build of the game than what is shown, because the benches still look static, and makes the realism drop significantly when the crowd is all in it but the bench players look like they're in a coma. Also, can you elaborate on it a little? Is it like Live 2003 where they would clap on a made shot, jump up out of their seats for a 3/dunk, and jump up for a 3 attempt but then get all mad when it didn't go? Or is 07 it better than all that?

Also, concerning free throw animations, say I'm Jason Kidd at the line: Do you see his kiss animation, and after it's all completed get control to shoot the free throw, or is it like the previous games where they will do they're stuff until you intiated the shot, and then the animation would cut out.

[Scotty]

Andrew,
i've got another question.
Are you more satisfied with the jump from Live 05-Live 06 or Live 06 to Live 07(all current gen).

[Andrew]

can you explain more you gained ?

for example dunks (are they realistic? and tell me the dunkpack feature
i didn't understand it exactly.)

layups same (are they realistic or crappy?)

defense ?

backboard dunks? (for example kidd passes to carter from the backboard then vince dunks)

crowd?


especially i wonder how dunkpacks and (dunks)( to be added) to the game?

please tell me more

I've covered those topics in my original writeup and also through answers posted throughout the thread.

Can you confirm that you played a more complete build of the game than what is shown, because the benches still look static, and makes the realism drop significantly when the crowd is all in it but the bench players look like they're in a coma. Also, can you elaborate on it a little? Is it like Live 2003 where they would clap on a made shot, jump up out of their seats for a 3/dunk, and jump up for a 3 attempt but then get all mad when it didn't go? Or is 07 it better than all that?

I really couldn't say how far along that build was compared to the one I played, sorry. I'm sure I saw more animation than that though so I'd say it depends on the game situation.

Also, concerning free throw animations, say I'm Jason Kidd at the line: Do you see his kiss animation, and after it's all completed get control to shoot the free throw, or is it like the previous games where they will do they're stuff until you intiated the shot, and then the animation would cut out.

The free throw ritual animations come first, then you shoot the free throw either with the right analog or by pressing shoot to leave it up to the player's free throw rating.

Andrew,
i've got another question.
Are you more satisfied with the jump from Live 05-Live 06 or Live 06 to Live 07(all current gen).

I'd like to play the game a little longer before I make a decision on that. My first impressions were very positive and I do believe I for one am going to enjoy this year's game a lot from what I saw but I won't be able to make a fair comparison until I'm able to sit down and play it at length.