NBA Live 18

Zero-Cool

Just shown at EA's E3 conference, this looks absolutely class! Scan your face, create your guy and take him through Street, Pro-Am and NBA games. Trailer alone has me hyped for this.

Demo coming out in August for Xbox and ps4 where you can play The One and then carry your progress over into the main game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9HYF3bma0

callaway92

Just like the last few NBA Live games, it'll be absolute garbage

Wonda-Boy

Cant be any worse then that bug ridden ****e fest that was/is NBA2K17....really hope its good and eats into the player base of the 2K game. They might respect the fans then.....

Zero-Cool

Yupp, I'll be happy if it's good enough for me to just ignore 2K this year. 2k have gone too long running the market concentrating on new shoes instead of fixes that people are calling out for year after year.

The August demo will be enough to tell me if it's good or not anyway.

Tbh it couldn't be much worse than 2K if they use that same engine again for the 10th year.

Completely obsolete at this point.

It all comes together to make the best mode an absolute pain between being ignored(players moving off ready), skipped(full squad comes and moves up to next), guys hitting 3s from half court and the wave dribbling where they run back and forth until your guy moves too slow to stay in front of them.

I can't recall another game that plays so poor online with button delay and unresponsiveness.

irishman86

I used to really enjoy 2K but last year I hardly played it at all. Same can be said for NFL/Fifa though. Only sports game I enjoyed was MLB

Wonda-Boy

Looks like the only sports franchise making good progress is Madden but I cant get into it at all...

Zero-Cool

Demo on August 11th

The Street ball sounds good, real parks too like Rucker Park and Venice Beach. Really looking forward to giving this a go.

https://twitter.com/EASPORTSNBA/status/892460370199236612

Wonda-Boy

Well you are on your own m8, will wait a good few weeks before getting this and would NEVER get the 2K basketball again.....hopefully this is really good so I can get it.

Zero-Cool

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Well you are on your own m8, will wait a good few weeks before getting this and would NEVER get the 2K basketball again.....hopefully this is really good so I can get it.

Well the demo should tell me what I need to know about getting it day one anyway. I fell the same about 2k....until they release some cool career mode addition and I'll be suckered into it. Doing good so far though in deciding I'm not getting it but then again I'm weak....

I'd love if EA's version turned out good so I could ignore 2K completely.

Zero-Cool

Have to say this is class.

https://twitter.com/EASPORTSNBA/status/893125057517559808

Wonda-Boy

Ya DURTY old man......LMAO.

I would nearly buy this just to rub 2Ks nose in it.

It does look very good.

Zero-Cool

NBA Live Companion App now live on android and iPhone app stores. It has a face scan that will work in the demo out on Friday.

Wonda-Boy

Zero-Cool wrote: »

NBA Live Companion App now live on android and iPhone app stores. It has a face scan that will work in the demo out on Friday.

Ahhh yes, the face scan app.

I remember the 2K one, grown men lying on the floor getting their wifes and kids to take multiple pictures of them in different lighting situation to TRY and get a decent pic that would not work.

Good times.

irishman86

Zero-Cool wrote: »

Well the demo should tell me what I need to know about getting it day one anyway. I fell the same about 2k....until they release some cool career mode addition and I'll be suckered into it. Doing good so far though in deciding I'm not getting it but then again I'm weak....

I'd love if EA's version turned out good so I could ignore 2K completely.

2K career has sucked ass. Ive tried to get into it but just cant. You have way less control over the character than years ago
The clips it shows are just not interesting as you have nothing to do with them and dont get me started on the texts from mom :mad:
Its similar to last year where you had to force yourself through the first season

Zero-Cool

Since I'm refusing to start an NBA 2K18 thread, I said i'd post the info here as it might interest the same crowd.

2K18 'Prelude' demo releasing September 8th with full game releasing the day after. Also a dev diary is releasing shortly about how great the graphics will be this year and how they have the highest number of shoe scans ever.

Jesus 2K, the same broken things every year but they are obsessed with the shoes in the game.

Potential-Monke

Zero-Cool wrote: »

Jesus 2K, the same broken things every year but they are obsessed with the shoes in the game.

I wonder if it has anything to do with Americans and their obsession for shoes...

I hadn't played a basketball game since NBA Jam days, so when i got 2K16 free with PS+. Have to say, stupid story aside (nice to know i was the only white guy in the family!), i loved the game. The gameplay was very well done imo, but i have nothing recent to compare it to.

So i Googled and found that 2K16 was better than Live 16. Has this been a trend for a while? Are the 2K games really that bad? I haven't played a Live one, and i was tempted to get Live 17 but reviews put me off it, they said 2K17 was better but to stick to 2K16.

When ye are mentioning the problems which still aren't fixed, what exactly are ye talking about? I didn't really come across any problems in the career mode anyway, and that's all i play.

Zero-Cool

2K has been far superior to Live for a number of years, so much so that Live has skipped numerous years. 2K is a brilliant game plagued with niggly problems that carry over from game to game. Like, I'll buy it launch every year and the same issue every year with problems connecting to servers. Since the offline modes are always online, you can't play them properly if the servers go down.

Then there's cheese every year like last year, guys who instantly spend 100's of dollars, max out their 7 ft guys who can nail 3's at will even if you contest the shot. Made it very frustrating to play against. THen you ave My Park which is class online street ball.....except how hard it is to play with friends online. When you do manage to play, you ar eup against the same 99 rated guys above and you also have to deal with lag because **** EU servers right?

Now, 2K said yesterday they have changed the shooting mechanic to stop people hitting shots so easily, especially when they are contested so we'll see. But every year, there are a list of bugs/cheeses (check Operation Sports NBA 2K forum) but 2k are more interested in updating the game with the newest jerseys and shoes and selling VC.

I never shout at a game as much as NBA 2K (both of joy and anger), it has the potential to be absolutely brilliant but they just let me down every year.

NBA Live is actually looking good this year, demo on Friday should tell us more, but I would love if it gave 2k some stiff competition to stop taking their fans for granted.

A few other lads in here can go into WAY more detail as they have done in previous 2k threads about the issues they face every year.

Wonda-Boy

Only way I would even think about another 2K game is waiting about 3mths to read the reviews and get it on a trade in.....day 1 release you would want to be off your head.

And by the sounds of things thus far, it's the same engine again for the umpteenth year so there will be very little change.

One change I did like which I read about was that a defender with his back to the play won't react as well as one facing it.

This would really only effect SP and career but it was a big issue for me that the AI would be literally stuck to you on a string and the only way you could get open off the ball was if they left you to help defence elsewhere.

If this is as advanced as it sounds it might make playing against the AI a bit better.

I'm not buying a digital copy this year for certain as I'd have shipped 17 to CEX fairly early last year if it was an option.

I'll check this AI tracking in the prelude, if its the same craic with every game feeling similar regardless of opposition and your marker stuck to you on a string then I won't bother as online is futile with the button delay and engine exploits(weaving left and right dribblers etc)

Wonda-Boy

Cant see much changing with the same engine alright, BUT online could easily be fixed with dedicated european servers and a little TLC. Again the main market as always is the US and all they need to do is throw in a load of air jordans in different colours and all the "homies" just fall over themselves to buy the game.

Id say if they brought out the EXACT SAME GAME with a different cover star the yanks would be saying its the best game eva' yo!

Zero-Cool

Someone is streaming the NBA Live demo at the moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfIiIzURD9c

Zero-Cool

Apparently if you creat a new zealand account for either xbox or ps4, you can download the demo now, it's 16-20GB's.

Actually looks really good. Graphics not as good as 2K and Live 18 looks slower than 2k but it looks really solid. Looking forward to giving it a lash tomorrow. Youtubers seem to be singing it's praises anyway. Watching a stream and the guy is actually playing against Chris Smoove (as in EA made an AI character of him) class!

Zero-Cool

Chris Smoove has announced he is part of a Live Event this weekend on the demo, class idea. For the amount of sales of 2k that he generates every year, 2k should have done something like this with him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP-qHmfBD-c

Zero-Cool

Release date is 15th September and if you preorder, it only costs 40 instead of 60. Ballsy move EA.

http://forums.operationsports.com/forums/nba-live/912825-nba-live-18-cover-athlete-james-harden-pre-order-39-99-releases-9-15-a.html

Zero-Cool

Demo is up on the psn store now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASyAC8tc-eo

Wow.. that looks REALLY like 2K in most ways.

The dribbling, the defenders motions, the craziness of it.

It looks like they just said we'll copy the 2K template and apply our own engine/tweeks.

Maybe they can do a better job of executing it, they do make the best sports games across the board.

The last few Lives were atrocious though, looks like they've started from scratch... wasn't the word last year that they were giving up?. Thought I read that.

Wonda-Boy

Have to say I am loving the Demo, the players are much higher res then 2K17 (not sure about 2K18 as I would not even look at it lol) and the defending is brilliant. Attacking seems to be alot harder with no more easy 3s or easy 2s for that matter, and the UI and music are very good too.

Might just pre order this.......jury is out for a day or two but I will play the balls outta this demo pardon the pun.

Zero-Cool

Ya I'm loving it, feels gritty but every basket is earned, like Wonda said, no more easy buckets. I'm not liking the crate system, I just want to buy a new T-shirt but the crates have random items, most things are crap, not sure if I'm missing something.

The videos are class and the sports boys arguing is excellent. The crowds and courts are brilliant. Venice is 10 tines better than 2k's street ball. Music and sounds are excellent.

I'm a 6'2 playmaking PG, already storming past people finishing class layups.

Wonda, I'll be on late tonight if you wanna try a few games

Wonda-Boy

Heading off now mate but I be on over weekend, only thing dodgy at the moment are the passes. They seem very hit and miss, hopefully its because I am a 7ft 2 BFG!

I picked a BIG MAN to lock down the paint......love it when you reject a shot.

Zero-Cool

Edit: preorder is up on psn store for 47 euro. EA website disclaimer says GameStop and Argos will have the discount as well in the UK, interesting to see if Argos here will have it at that price launch day and if GS will have the preorder at discount as well.

Finished the The Rise today, got the number 1 pick to the 76ers. Really really enjoyed it, every game was close and tense. The AI is way better than 2k. Even when my guys would miss, it was mostly down to good defence by the other team.

Speaking of, the defence is class, actually feel like you are playing defence where as 2k, it was very caught in an animation of a guy blowing past you or everyone hacking on the steal button getting fouls. In this, a bad steal attempt puts you out of position and gives the other guy an easy pass. There hasn't been 1 foul in any game I've played where as 2k, nearly every position had a foul between hacking at the pg or just drawing a foul driving to the basket.

I played 2 online games. Both had 2 real players on each team, 3 CPU, we couldn't seem to get more. Some highlights below and then the end of the game to show some proper flow. I was the only playmaker and smallest in my team, other team has a very similar human player but they matched me against a taller stronger shooter. Was getting backed down and dunked on a lot but for my own back with a tasty block at the end.

The level up system is excellent, I can only level up my dribbling, passing and mid range shot so far. It's too make everyone play differently and really shows on the court. Also if you try to dribble past everyone and then take a contested shot, it's just not gonna go. A lot of glory hole action but 90% of the time it wouldn't pay off, very refreshing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xge3qs-MmVo

Wonda-Boy

Deffo gonna pick this up...I really like it. Wish there was a dedicated pass button like in 2k, like I think it was hit the R1 button and all the players got a button over the head so you could just pass it directly to them. I really like the idea of having 5 online players against the CPU aswell on different levels of difficulty.

I only got a draft pick of 11 but I was a big slow rim protector so not as flashy as you ya glory hunter!!!!

LMAO

Zero-Cool

There is a dedicated pass button, L1 I think, button icons above all other players and choose you to pass to. Passing miles better than 2k. Also because reach playstyle has very different moves to unlock, I'm very tempted to make a few different characters.

Wonda-Boy

I think I would prefer a hard copy then a digital copy.....but I am gonna get it anyway.

Zero-Cool

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

I think I would prefer a hard copy then a digital copy.....but I am gonna get it anyway.

Me too, gonna hold out to see if anyone is doing physical at discount before going digital.

irishman86

Zero-Cool wrote: »

Me too, gonna hold out to see if anyone is doing physical at discount before going digital.

Let me know what the franchise is like if you get it

Wonda-Boy

Only thing I have noticed that irks me a tad is that the court seems small, at least in 2k you had a fair bit of space......seems very cramped to move around. But online the servers are much better even in this demo then the whole 2K game.

Zero-Cool

Ya these courts would benefit from 3 v 3, bit cramped with 10. Also I find it hard to get the fast break going on a turnover, all slows down a bit.

Wonda-Boy

You can turn the game speed up in options to 100, currently it runs at 75 I think.

Zero-Cool

Ya I left it at default but it's just the speed of the camera flipping and even though I'm holding the right direction, it looks like my guy won't go on the break until the camera is fully flipped, makes it look slower than it probably is.

Neither Argos or Gamestop are doing the discount offer. Looks like it will be digital discount for us only but gonna wait till almost at release to see if any cheap physicals pop up.

Wonda-Boy

Yeah really dont want a digi copy as if it tanks at least I can recoup some of the dosh.

Wonda-Boy

Update for the demo....wonder what they are patching?

Zero-Cool

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Update for the demo....wonder what they are patching?

Apparently it plays smoother after the update. Also, turning the game speed to 90-100 is getting good reviews online.

Wonda-Boy

Sweet...gonna have a go now.

Wish you could start another player without deleting and going again or am I missing something.

Was looking at a few reviews online and to be fair its not getting great reviews, shame really. But I still think I will get it.....as I enjoyed the demo.

Zero-Cool

**** sake, 5 pick up games in a row where it 'disconnected from opponent' and quit to menu. No xp earned at all. What harm, the games have been really enjoyable, way more than 2k park. Pity about big men who try to dribble past the whole team and layup against 3 guys. EA not taking their **** though, so many missed shots, as it should be for taking stupid shots.

Wonda-Boy

I think the patch upset the demo a little bit. I was playing GSW vs Cavs and the demo just locked up 3rd quarter, had to hard reset. They have to make changes to the AI defense they are useless on your team, also when a shot is heavily contested against the CPU teams 3 pointers still dropping far to easily.

Yeah online is alot better then 2K but my god people have no concept of defense or marking its just give me the ball and I run around in a circle till I get a line to the hoop!

Zero-Cool

Yupp, some eejits online but 2k used to reward players acting ****, the low grade wasnt a good enough punishment. In this, you get a low grade and miss shots, turnover, etc, much more effective.

Wonda, I'll be on late tomorrow night if you're around for a few games.

Wonda-Boy

Zero-Cool wrote: »

Yupp, some eejits online but 2k used to reward players acting ****, the low grade wasnt a good enough punishment. In this, you get a low grade and miss shots, turnover, etc, much more effective.

Wonda, I'll be on late tomorrow night if you're around for a few games.

Yep, hit me up and we shoot some hulas (hoops )

Zero-Cool

Anyone on Ps4 up for some games? Just put it on and saw it has a new update. Fair play EA taking care of a demo.

Zero-Cool

Played a ton of online games last night, no disconnects, small bit of lag though, enough to make me miss most of my shots. I'd release the button and the meter would keep going til it went all the way back down taking grade points off me for a bad release, just stuck to the layups.

Won more games than we lost which is the opposite of 2k, some very close games. The only reason people do bad on this is when they hog the ball and don't defend. A few times, I was wide open under the basket but the guy was adamant on dribbling past 2 defenders and losing it or putting up a heavily contested shot for a guaranteed miss.

Then I'm defending the PG but someone always wants to defend them with me leaving their guy wide open. There's also people who run around the court defending where ever the ball goes, just madness.

I'm a 77 rated Playmaker, 6'2 with max dribbling, passing and high layups and the there isn't a great payout. I still turn over easy passes, lose the ball during easy dribble moves and find it very hard to get to the rim. I can't even dunk on wide open fast breaks. As the smallest and only Playmaker on the teams every time, my biggest strength is taking the ball up the court and getting an assist. Nope! At least 2 other guys come down and stand in front of me to get the ball so they can take it up the court instead.

You can have 5 characters when the game comes out but I think I'm gonna reset my demo character and try a different build. I love the stats system where you can only increase specific stats so that you should only be posting to your strengths making everyone on the team have a different role but so far.

I think online play will get better as people learn how to play their part but the single player career mode is enough to keep me interested in the mean time.

Also, I couldn't beat Chris smoove's team all because of eejit teammates.

v3ttel

I tried this yesterday and liked it. It's not as polished as 2K (I've seen the ball do crazy things between passes, particularly bounce passes), but there is something likable about it. It does feel a bit arcadey but that might be because I've only really played chapter 1, 2 and the introductory game.

Seems to be hard to get a positive rating. Lots of easy passes going a stray, and a variety of ways you can lose the performance score. You don't get rewarded for good play offensive play unless it's an assist or basket as a PG, but you lose rating for far more things.

I'm finding it impossible to dribble past the AI, but I more or less have the same problem in 2K. The court seems very crowded too, it's super difficult to get open vs the AI who track you everywhere. Difficult to drive/dribble, difficult to get open. It means I have to get creative with my passing, when normal passes are hit and miss.

I might pick this up, I'll play more tonight and see how I get on. It's a decent price if through the PS store.