Downloading online data from 2K "changes" gameplay?

I dont know if it does.. but according to some people they said that 2k has "tuned" the gameplay through non-patches like online data update. It's not a sudden change, but they said you will notice some difference in gameplay. If this is true, I dont think this is a good idea. 2K should at least tell us what they are adding/fixing/tuning in their "silent updates" because it makes harder for slider makers to see the issues of their sliders after those updates that change the gameplay.

Got this from mkharsh's sliders thread and reading the posts.

I don't see how any of the updated files would affect the gameplay, since they're all art files. Only the roster and any rating/tendency/hot spot changes would affect gameplay.

I don't see how any of the updated files would affect the gameplay, since they're all art files. Only the roster and any rating/tendency/hot spot changes would affect gameplay.

I said the same thing, but there has been some reports regarding "hidden" gameplay update whenever 2K updates the files so I asked.

So I questioned him about it when he said this.

I have to agree with an earlier poster: after some of these latest updates from 2K (courts, etc.) this game plays a LOT different. I played 4 games today - and I was just as lost as anything. It's really pissing me off, so I've got some new stuff I've worked on and we'll see what happens. But if this continues, sorry, I'm done with this game. I simply cannot enjoy it, and it's really becoming more of a job than enjoyment in working on fixing sliders. But let me get something posted (probably Saturday morning because I want to watch a few NBA games tonight).

The next post after the quote above.

2K did mention that they were able to tune the gameplay remotely through non-patch updates this year. That's actually a good thing in theory, even though it messes with your carefully crafted sliders. There's a chance it might actually be improving the stock gameplay, however, which might cause your sliders to over compensate.

Anyway, I've been having great games with your sliders. Even had a loss that I didn't mind so much (because the screwup was on me after an incredible comeback).

Here was his response.

It's only a good thing if they update us on WHAT they're tuning. Because we have guys working on stuff through BOTH sliders (attributes and tendencies) AND rosters (ratings and coach profiles). So there is a LOT that WE are trying to fix. If they provide an "official patch" then we receive the notes on those. BUT, if they're "tuning" this game through updates we won't know. So you may think this is a blessing in disguise, but when you sit back and say, "hey, when is the next slider set coming out?" then it becomes MY job to try and fix this crap, while guys like you get to wait.

The problem is that I'm not sure what they changed so I don't know what to fix. But it's clear this game was changed through an update and I'm struggling to figure out what the issues are we're now presented with, so I'm groping in the dark, so to speak.

What I'm seeing is an unstoppable CPU offense that shoots the lights out no matter what I do. I feel totally helpless right now, but I'm thinking about lowering some things that I previously didn't want to touch...

So, no, this is not a good thing....

Here is a quote from mkharsh when I questioned him about how "online data updates" can affect gameplay.

I'm simply saying that, yes, 2K is doing "something" to this game with their updates. I'm not seeing a placebo effect, but I'm seeing noticeable differences in the "flow of the game" than I have before. But I'm not going to get into any disagreements or pissing contests here - I'll probably provide one more update and then leave things alone, allowing you guys to hash out stuff. These latest few posts are the reasons I don't like to answer stuff in a slider thread: 20 different guys seeing 20 different things, and then stuff gets a bit testy.

In the last two games I played the cpu shot 53% and 78% (at halftime - shut it off). If people think I"m blind or embellishing things, I don't get it. I hadn't changed any settings - it was following the 2K updates at the loadup screen that this happened. SOMETHING was done to this game...

Since the start of the 2k updates, i think 3pt% have been a little bit conservative compared to the first few weeks of release online.
Steals are still bad, and the superstar factor needs to be down more. its hard seeing kobe hit 7 threes in an online game.

Don't know what to tell you. None of the files in the Online Data seems gameplay-related, but if 2K is pushing gameplay changes through art files, just -shrug-.

the game certainly feels different to me when I play in my Association mode versus NBA Today. With the same teams and the same sliders and difficulty settings, I can't hit a 3 pointer in NBA today mode for the life of me. In Association with the same team and players, I can hit threes with ease.
Is it possible that they are nerfing player ratings with the updates somehow?

I could totally be wrong on this though... It's entirely possible that I am imagining things but it does seem different to me.

Player "nerfs" could just be done via editing the roster or the settings/ sliders files. Any other changes - as Leftos already has said - do not affect gameplay.
Sometimes it's just tough luck. E.g.: I played several games with the Clips. In some games Jamal Crawford hits everything right from the beginning and in other games he does not even hit a free 3pointer or layup.
That counts for 3pointers in general. I had games with the Cats where I shot around 70% from 3point range. In other games (same roster, same settings/sliders) I couldn't even hit 20% from downtown...
Edit: Is it possible that team chemistry influences your gameplay in association mode?

Player "nerfs" could just be done via editing the roster or the settings/ sliders files. Any other changes - as Leftos already has said - do not affect gameplay.
Sometimes it's just tough luck. E.g.: I played several games with the Clips. In some games Jamal Crawford hits everything right from the beginning and in other games he does not even hit a free 3pointer or layup.
That counts for 3pointers in general. I had games with the Cats where I shot around 70% from 3point range. In other games (same roster, same settings/sliders) I couldn't even hit 20% from downtown...
Edit: Is it possible that team chemistry influences your gameplay in association mode?

Good point about chemistry. I am currently on a huge winning streak in my Association mode so i'm guessing my players may have been buffed a bit.

Interesting you mention the Clips as this is the same team I experience this inconsistency with. There are definitely games where CP, Crawford and Butler just nail everything from beyond the arc. Other times, they can't buy a bucket.
I'll chalk this one up to bad luck for now, as it sounds like it is the most logical explanation.

Sometimes it's just tough luck. E.g.: I played several games with the Clips. In some games Jamal Crawford hits everything right from the beginning and in other games he does not even hit a free 3pointer or layup.

lol just like in real life

Edit: Is it possible that team chemistry influences your gameplay in association mode?

In my experience yes.

I've been noticing some "weirdness" in my Association as well. I still lose games here and there but my fast-break buckets are almost always chased down and contested, while I can't even chase down the CPU.

i've also noticed that after 2k updates.. in mycareer modes.. its become hard for me to shoot 3pts. and to steal.. and the CPU seems can shoot all around the court...
to be fair, i also noticed that when in isolation.. before: im a PG and when i anklebreak my PG defender, i can easily go inside the paint for an easy lay-up.. but after 2k updates: i cant easily make a lay-up because the Center automatically go inside the paint to stop me..

Haven't noticed any changes like that myself, but a couple of other people have suggested that their gameplay experience has changed recently.

The only thing I've realized so far is that my profiles' stat numbers look more realistically by now. E.g. I shot around 60+ % from 3pt range but went to ~40% in the meantime. Same with free throws, which are now ~75%. Although my assist numbers are still at ~35 astg (I play 12 mins per quarter; pro or all star; simulation), everything else looks "better" (realistic) now.
This could all be coincidence but maybe the player's profile has some sort of influence on games.