2K vows "Biggest Announcement in 2K Sports history" coming

We now have the cover, but that's hardly the big news. The big news is the last quote that JaoSming posted from the Kotaku article announcing the cover.

"We have one of the biggest announcements ever[u]," Argent vowed, "if not [u]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."

Jason Argent is the 2K Sports vice president of marketing, by the way. My initial reaction to this is excitement, but with 2K's track history, just like Jao said, we have to be careful what we get excited about. In the past, Ronnie2K (the main social media man for 2K Sports) has touted all too many things as big announcements.

What discerns this from the rest, is the bold statement that Argent is making. Biggest announcement ever. It's not the classical teams, surely. 2K did this last year, and it was a good year to do it, with the season being uncertain and everything. But now we're back at the courts, playoffs have just ended and we're getting excited over the draft. So, what could it be?

My early wish is that it's a big game mechanic (new physics/collision engine, maybe?) that we didn't see at E3 (maybe they delivered an old build on purpose). My prediction though? Something more or less disappointing.

So, what do you think this is going to be? Actual big news? Or some marketing ploy to build up excitement about something trivial, and get some pre-orders before the announcement? Gameplay? Game modes? Old legends? Something completely different?

Is this going to be the next "Impact Engine" level announcement in sports gaming? Or is it going to be something along the lines of an exclusive partnership with KIA (benji's guess ), so that we can jump over the Sorano in the dunk contest?

If it's not some kind of revolution with gameplay or a game mode, I'm assuming it must be some kind of partnership - perhaps the NCAA or TNT licenses and integration? I'm guessing it probably will turn out to be something that is noteworthy and ultimately beneficial to the game in some way, though I too am leery of it being oversold with the "biggest ever" label.

Don't you think that if it's actually the NCAA, they would try to milk the whole thing by making it a separate game? Granted, it could be the same as NBA 2K13; just change the assets, slap on a new name and a $60 price tag, and you're done! Their job would be all too easy.

Probably, though the NCAA integration could be used quite effectively in My Player and Association. As far as I know there are still issues with obtaining the international licensing for NCAA though, so it's probably unlikely. Just something I thought I'd throw out there regardless.

NCAA would be huge, especially if they add it to the base game or double pack it....unfortunately Ronnie did tweet out a week ago or so that they don't have any of the exclusive NCAA licences, which is true, so I doubt that.

For 2K history, it could be big if they have the Olympics & FIBA teams officially in the game. It was a huge announcement back for Live 08, so it would remain big for 2K13.

An animation physics engine would be awesome, especially since Mike Wang already tweeted something about it. That would be one tech that would finally shake off some of the last-gen crap I've been seeing in 2K12.

As I said in the other thread, it could be Barkley and Miller, two players that are rarities in basketball video history. All legendary teams and players are meh for me though, especially with the UBR for 2K12.

A TNT license would be a good pick up, but not worthy of biggest announcement EVAR. Anyway, the E3 build had a new scorebug already, so that presentation element may be completed already.


Some other things that I would like it to be, even though it is doubtful; a parallel My Player mode based around the Street-esk 24/7 mode of old, an Online MMO type minigame, or even crew mode returning in an EASBA type of way.

How is Reggie Miller a rarity in history?

He's not like Barkley, Shaq and Jordan in rejecting the NBAPA.

Some other things that I would like it to be, even though it is doubtful; a parallel My Player mode based around the Street-esk 24/7 mode of old, an Online MMO type minigame, or even crew mode returning in an EASBA type of way.

Fuck you.

Give me MyPlayer that gives me fucking options regarding the darko damn NBA before you start Kobe'n all over the faces of these fucking useless modes that nobody will ever use or ever want because they're stupid and anyone who wants them is ugly and also their moms are fat.

Even if they had the NCAA license and decided to do integration with NBA's MyPlayer and Association, I agree with Jao that they would double-pack it, touting that you get two FULL experiences (...), and the connection between them.

Fingers crossed that the physics engine Mike Wang talked a bit about is the big thing they've got going.

TNT integration wouldn't be the biggest news ever. Their presentation was already impressive, it was a big talking point for 2K12, and there's not enough room for improvement there in order to tout it as biggest announcement ever.

Something tells me it won't be international teams. Don't know why, but I still think they would have to include all too many for it to actually make any difference, and sell enough copies on it to make it worth the licensing troubles. I don't think 2K right now wants to spend that much money on such a risky thing. If Live 08 is the last time we had international teams, I don't think its numbers alone would push 2K to that direction.

If Live 08 is the last time we had international teams, I don't think its numbers alone would push 2K to that direction.

Live 08 was the first NBA game to include more than 1, Live 09, 10, and Elite had them as well.

How is Reggie Miller a rarity in history?

In Live 2004 and never showed up after that in any of the legend teams or in 2K. Figured it was a licensing thing like the others.

Give me MyPlayer that gives me fucking options regarding the darko damn NBA before you start Kobe'n all over the faces of these fucking useless modes that nobody will ever use or ever want because they're stupid and anyone who wants them is ugly and also their moms are fat.

no

Honestly don't know what this is gonna be...

In Live 2004 and never showed up after that in any of the legend teams or in 2K. Figured it was a licensing thing like the others.

He was in Live 2004 because he was still in the NBAPA. Just like he was in every game before he retired.

no

Uh, yes. No one sane wants anything to do with Street or glamour poses or whatever else you want. Make the game replicate the NBA before you destroy the company trying to replicate JaoSming's furious fantasy sessions with plastic instruments and absurdest "urban" lifestyles.

He was in Live 2004 because he was still in the NBAPA. Just like he was in every game before he retired.

Yes, but being one of the top wanted stars in a basketball video game and not being in one since 04 makes it a bigger deal

Uh, yes. No one sane wants anything to do with Street or glamour poses or whatever else you want. Make the game replicate the NBA before you destroy the company trying to replicate JaoSming's furious fantasy sessions with plastic instruments and absurdest "urban" lifestyles.

nope, this is their 14th game building off the same engine, if they can't replicate the NBA by now they may as well go back to what made the game fun

Comments in the Pastapadre cover announcement post are bringing up a weird angle, that makes sense however.

Argent said in "2K Sports franchise history". Does that limit it to the NBA 2K franchise? Or is it that, unrelated to the NBA 2K cover, 2K Sports has a new or returning franchise to reveal? The Kotaku article doesn't make it clear, it just throws in that last sentence with no context.

nope, this is their 14th game building off the same engine, if they can't replicate the NBA by now they may as well go back to what made the game fun

And how many games doing MyPlayer? I rest my case. Lets give me a menu to let me decide if MyPlayer is a NBDL prospect, Draft chance, lottery maybe, guaranteed top five pick from the start. Along with a few days spent on ironing out the inherent flaws.

Then we can start putting in the "proper urban environment" for all these black men in a box for you.

And how many games doing MyPlayer? I rest my case.

Why rest your case? They've had 3 attempts to just make a player lock mode work but have failed. They just need to keep the shit simple and it's fixed. Now creating more than a couple street courts and adding old modes to the game, that is at least 3 development cycle stuff.

Lets give me a menu to let me decide if MyPlayer is a NBDL prospect, Draft chance, lottery maybe, guaranteed top five pick from the start.

yes, please

I agree with benji on the options, although I wouldn't mind them all being possibilities over a multitude of games during which you're scouted. Faux-college games, summer circuit, being called up for pre-draft workouts, even the fake game they got in 2K12 that pitches all rookies in two teams against each other.

What I'm saying is that I want the possibility of being bad enough to get in D-League, being just good enough to be in 2nd round, or being exciting enough to get drafted in the first. Having many preparations games will make this process less arbitrary (rather than deciding your starting point in 20 minutes), and will make the Draft night even more exciting.

Whether this is just a possibility or is also presented as an option (D-League/2nd Round/Late 1st/Mid 1st/Lottery/Top 5/Performance-Based/Random), or just a possibility, I don't care.

The way I see it, if you select any option of those except Performance-Based, you can opt to skip the games where you're being prepared and scouted, while performance-based will force you to go through the whole shenanigan of proving yourself, even if it's just 5 games and not a whole college year.

They've had 3 attempts to just make a player lock mode work but have failed. They just need to keep the shit simple and it's fixed.

This is disgusting and offensive, it should be beyond a player lock mode and far far beyond anything simple. This mode should represent the class struggle and pressure of the NBA itself, not merely roll out the ball and your disgusting create a player body telling you to chase leaderboards.

no, that is what 2K10 did with its "Wanna be in the NBA? F YOU D-LEAGUE"

We shouldn't be going black or white. Nor should you be forced to start from the D-League, nor should you be a first rounder no matter what. I think I took benji's idea and expanded on it just right.

Yes, because I say so.

Yea well I wanted it before it was cool

2K should give us the option next year of either being a scrub who is working their way into the NBA, or a one-and-done college star who could realistically play a major factor in their rookie year.

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I'll be very surprised if it turns out to be anything even close to "biggest announcement in 2K Sports history". Typical marketing talk.

Well for the All-Star feature they said "the hardcore fan would love"... so I wouldn't expect something incredible.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

"There will be a big announcement"

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

"There will be a big announcement"

That was last big announcement so it could be this...

I doubt it is anything gameplay engine related. Why would 2K start over the same year as Live? It wouldn't make sense.

I love the debate on My Player, though. They should just make a separate game and go real deep. Start as a street prodigy, a high school senior, a freshman coming out of college, a walk on trying to make the team from tryouts, a D-League bench warmer who is given a shot to step up after the starter gets injured.

The biggest problem with My Player is that there is no story. Not even one that you could make yourself. There is no real progression in the mode other than stats whoring for milestones. Why can't I be a jerk to reporters at the press conference and end up with them asking questions down the line that could lead to controversial answers. Why can't I ask for more playing time only to alienate the teammates at that same position, or ask that a teammate be traded, causing potential chemistry issues. What about comments on the coach? D12, Van Gundy? What about questioning the officiating? The NBA probably wouldn't have that. Even 24/7 had a better story than My Player.

Agreed with your notes on My Player and story-telling. Things like that could be added to Association too. Headlines, reactions, press conferences, fan opinion, trades/signings/disputes affecting some players more than others, affecting fan support, etc.

Whether it should be a complete separate game? No, now you're just giving them ideas on DLC and additional products. I think that as the game grows, it would be perfectly valid for things like that to occur as a natural progression. You do some things right in one year, the next one you just tweak them and focus on adding more stuff.

Right now, My Player and Association need core improvements however, before we step up to story telling. Billboards and achievements and milestones mean little when Teammate AI is still way too subpar and bugs like the All-Star game one remain.