Operation Sports - NBA Live 09 Quick Hitting Impressions Preview

Here are some quick thoughts about Live 09 to take you into the weekend. I will have a review of the game up on Tuesday!

-So far, the game is definitely an improvement over 08, but it's not a groundbreaking title.

-You still get stuck in animations and the game isn't very fluid at times as a result.

-Graphics are still solid, animations are pretty varied.

-Quick Strike moves are simply ok. You have to be pretty fast on the sticks to really make them work well, at least from my initial observations. I'm still not sure if I'm totally impressed with the whole feature, I still need some more time before I pass final judgement on it.

-While the DNA feature is cool, EA has done a typical job of implementing it everywhere. You cannot miss it and it is thrown in your face in several areas. Since the season really isn't going right now, the updates aren't all that awesome just yet. I'm going to investigate this further as I really am more concerned about the on-court action right now.

-I'm currently playing through a FIBA World Championship with the Redeem Team. Needless to say, I'm dominating. I think it's a cool addition to the game to do it once or so.

-Free Throws are automatic. How many more systems is EA going to try out that don't work?

-If you slide the foul frequencies up, you get realistic results. But the default settings saw fouls hardly being called. Probably not a bad thing but hardcore guys will want to tune them up.

-Pick and Roll control is actually pretty well done, kudos to EA.

-Still haven't done too much with the NBA Live Academy but from what I have gathered, it's just your standard fare mini-game mode EA sports has been putting together.

-Haven't touched Dynasty Mode yet, I'm going to over the weekend.

-Like I said in the first point, the game is better on the court, but an actual score and such is forthcoming. I still have a lot to play before I get a final verdict in.

If you have any questions I will answer some over the weekend. But be warned I am going to be busy fitting in a weekend of football (my other job) as well as trying to get as much playtime in as possible. So while I will make an effort to answer as many questions as possible, I cannot guarantee all of them will get answered.

Update #1 (10/3/08 11:30 CST)

-Good news! The Americans are now 5-0 in the FIBA World Championship as I get set to start the elmination round. I'm taking a break to share some more gameplay thoughts.

-All 10 players are actually doing something a lot of the time on the court. Guys will screen off the ball and your teammates will make adjustments if you get out of position on defense. Basically, unlike the past several Live games, the action on the court is definitely a lot more realistic than ever. This is an extremely good thing.

-I'm starting to sway a little bit and I have to say the NBA Live Academy is kinda cool. After playing through some fast break drills, I really can say it is pretty fun. Definitely adding some good value to the package.

-I had a few instances of a player going all the way out of bounds due to them being stuck in an animation the past couple of games. This is just one example of several where players being stuck in animations have made the gameplay feel scripted and not alive. I can tell you this is one of the single greatest reasons why reviewers probably aren't going to give this game huge props.

-It also seems like EA has made the detection of a player going out of bounds slower or softer or something as it seems like some of my players are out of bounds and they aren't called for it.

-Loose balls are just plain stupid. Sometimes they seem random when two players approach a ball and no one ever dives onto the floor. The rebounding system also could use some serious work as well.

I will try to get to some questions soon, I want to try out both Dynasty and Be a Pro mode sometime over the weekend.

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Member Comments

# 1 DubTrey1 @ 10/03/08 11:34 PM

Look forward to seeing your thoughts & the score Tues.

# 2 mattc033 @ 10/03/08 11:59 PM

Can you try out create player?...also im looking forward to dynasty mode

# 3 dave374 @ 10/04/08 12:49 AM

My impressions were better than yours. So were Tomba's and Pared's.

# 4 Moegames @ 10/04/08 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave374


	My impressions were better than yours. So were Tomba's and Pared's.

and so are mine

# 5 marc68 @ 10/04/08 11:56 AM

I am afraid that EA's reputation has been tarnished by years of mediocre Live and Madden.

Yes, Madden 09 is a much better game than it has been, but people still put the Madden series under a microscope.

I think to a lesser extent they do the same with Live...especially with the 2k series being such a solid title.

I remember when Live was THE b-ball series to have...hope they get the magic back.

# 6 Pared @ 10/04/08 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave374


	My impressions were better than yours. So were Tomba's and Pared's.

lol

Good stuff, Chris.

# 7 KiNgB25 @ 10/04/08 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc68


	I am afraid that EA's reputation has been tarnished by years of mediocre Live and Madden. Yes, Madden 09 is a much better game than it has been, but people still put the Madden series under a microscope. I think to a lesser extent they do the same with Live...especially with the 2k series being such a solid title. I remember when Live was THE b-ball series to have...hope they get the magic back.

I agree with you on every point. I don't see them getting the magic back until they change their way of thinking. They do a great job with coming up with all the bells and whistles but they don't listen to there fans. This was the 1st year on their message boards that the developers were allowed to interact with the people. 2k has been kind of doing it for a while. 2k is for the people and EA is not. Thats the whole problem with them. They hear what the people are saying but they aren't doing anything about it. They are stuck in the 90's. Why are their players still the same size as live 02? They are rail thin..... They need a change

# 8 Pared @ 10/04/08 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiNgB25


	I agree with you on every point. I don't see them getting the magic back until they change their way of thinking. They do a great job with coming up with all the bells and whistles but they don't listen to there fans. This was the 1st year on their message boards that the developers were allowed to interact with the people. 2k has been kind of doing it for a while. 2k is for the people and EA is not. Thats the whole problem with them. They hear what the people are saying but they aren't doing anything about it. They are stuck in the 90's. Why are their players still the same size as live 02? They are rail thin..... They need a change

I can agree with this at all.

Developers are actually interacting with the fans. They are getting feedback constantly from many different groups and just looking at the change from Live 08 to Live 09... the difference is striking.

I think you guys are expecting the end-all, be-all game in a one year turn-around. Isn't going to happen.

# 9 Da-Man @ 10/04/08 04:33 PM

Is there fiba rules in the fiba tournament?

# 10 Smokez4DAyz @ 10/04/08 05:18 PM

When 2k has advanced spacing and counter a.i., I have a problem being interested in a game where rebounding isn't right, and being out of bounds isn't a turnover, once again live spends most of the budget on fancy name features, and its ten bucks extra for it. My buddies and I have just been playing 4 quarters of the NBA 2k demo, lol

# 11 KiNgB25 @ 10/04/08 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	I can agree with this at all. Developers are actually interacting with the fans. They are getting feedback constantly from many different groups and just looking at the change from Live 08 to Live 09... the difference is striking. I think you guys are expecting the end-all, be-all game in a one year turn-around. Isn't going to happen.

Yeah it's a nice change but the core gameplay still feels the same to me. I give EA all the credit in the world for starting fresh with a new engine as opposed of 2K being a straight port but it's taken some time to get it to where it is now. we are 4 games into the next gen and i still feel like i'm playing Live 02 or 03. I think based on the demo i played live is good but not great. It has the potential to be great but they(EA) just can't seem to get over the hump.

# 12 marc68 @ 10/04/08 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	I can agree with this at all. Developers are actually interacting with the fans. They are getting feedback constantly from many different groups and just looking at the change from Live 08 to Live 09... the difference is striking. I think you guys are expecting the end-all, be-all game in a one year turn-around. Isn't going to happen.

I am not expecting perfection. But when it comes to Madden, people DO expect perfection. As far as Live, people are more forgiving because there is a CHOICE.

# 13 MMChrisS @ 10/04/08 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da-Man


	Is there fiba rules in the fiba tournament?

The court is a FIBA court (so the 3 pointers, etc. are the right distance as is the trapezoid lane).

The rest of the rules I am pretty sure are close to spot on. The timeouts are the correct number (1 each quarter, 2 in the 4th). I have turned the fouls up quite a bit and have yet to get a guy foul out, so I can't comment if that rule is the same or not.

# 14 Grydnt Vektr211 @ 10/05/08 03:28 AM

great post man. have you played any 2k yet

# 15 Geemonster @ 10/05/08 07:00 PM

Man why can't l go to the whistlist

# 16 Geemonster @ 10/05/08 07:01 PM

hey since l cant go to the Forums l am going to post my wishlist on here

# 17 Geemonster @ 10/05/08 07:06 PM

GEEMOSNTER SERIES 1 .......So here it it�s..

In Game Additions

1. Practice inside the game just like FIFA 09 does in there demo while start up and presentation.

2. Use ESPN Live Video as commercials or other game previews during half time. optional turn off. 10 to 20 second time to show something nothing more. LIKE NBA.COM'S TOP TEN PLAYS

3. Use ESPN Ticket in game so l can play and see what�s going on.

3. Change the stadium announcer to a more up beat one like in real life aka the black guy in the Pistons game. AND USE REAL CHANTS

4. Use new camera angels in Replay instead of the ball.

5. Find a way to use sweat spots on the Jerseys.

6. Use NBA Academy online games like 21 or around the world.

7. Show when players need to be substituted with motion capture. Make it real like madden if you don�t get your key dude a blow then he is going to be ankle breaked more often and cause fouls.

8. Include intentional foul button again which will allow really hard ones. And this always allows you to foul someone without the ball instead of fouling Steve Nash who was the ball.

9. Use a shading effect on the backboard when pushing square to create a difficult shot.
10. PUT BACK/ TIP BUTTON � This is easy to make EA TEAM GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR *** just take your ALLY BUTTON and use it for PUT BACKS. FOR THE TIPS USE THE SHOOT BUTTON..
11. Real Stadium Songs .

GEEMONSTER SERIES � PART 2
SHOUT OUT TO DA_Czar
Here l go again with the craziness
TURBO SYSTEM that vibrates the control left and right depending on which side your driving. First off ppl have been talking about its easy to go to the basket in Live so l was thinking about adding a function that makes you use your jumper more often. So here how it goes... You push turbo and your guy is running up field but is bumped hard by the defender or being steered into a particular direction.
ONLY WHEN THEY ARE LOCKDOWN BY DEFENDER

1.)He will either stumbles forward or backward losing the ball depends on the defender�s weight. (Reason because ppl in Live use the cross over and the spin too much and the defender moves out of the way for some reason like he doesn�t have weight)

2.)He travels because he loses control holding on to the ball charging forward. (ppl know what l am taking about) charging forward Running Back style and falls forward while holding the ball in your hand. --- this works when you charge in using the cross over with no place or no path to go while holding the turbo. BECAUSE if your running towards the basket you can�t cross over using FULL SPEED in the first place.

3.)Falls flat on his butt to the floor causing him to sit there looking for a team mate to pass too. On the defender side he can still use lockdown on you while your on the floor. Causing finally JUMP BALLs in LIVE. � this is caused by witching directions too fast or using the behind the back with turbo because in real life being guarded.

TURBO MOVES --- while pushing a button holding Turbo

QUICK JUMPERS --- hold turbo and press the circle button this allows you to shoot jumpers more quickly when your in a 0.8 second situation.

POWER BLOCKS --- hold turbo and triangle this allows your player to some times take the ball out of the air or swat it into the crowd.

BULLET PASS/BEHIND THE BACK PASS --- holding turbo and pressing X to make a fast hard pass which has a risk of going through your players hands or for a pretty move to the basket or open shot. Very effective with �pick and roll system�

QUICK CROSS OVERS/ FIRST STEP MOVES � Which you guys already have. But the cross overs turbo move are faster causing A.I cross over situations where the defender even falls on his *** and gets back up.... PUSH TURBO AND THEN CROSS AND LET GO OF TURBO AND IF YOUR GOING TO GO THE OTHER DIRECTION DO THE SAME, BUT BE CAREFUL DOING TOO MUCH CAUSES TRAVELING AND TURNOVERS. Think about dribbling the ball hide your back too fast the ball will go further then needed making you chance it or miss step.

Note: for those who do don�t understand think of a �Standard Car� shifting gears of speed. Animations don�t have to change just get a bit quicker when holding or pushing turbo and using the cross over.

SO IN REALITY TURBO MUST BE USED SMARTLY AND IN PORTIONS.
DEAD SPOTS -- A dead spot is something that is a hit or miss but hear me out its spots on the floor that causes traveling. Do get mad let me explain.... Listen l notice that some people push the dunk/ lay up button way too fare from the basket and there is an animation that cause him to run at the basket and do a lay up or dunk. How about added animations that cause your player to have an extra step causing a travel or miss dunks by hitting the rim with the ball and falling backward on the court�. It makes sense think about it l�ve seen people play live and push the dunk/ lay up button way to far from the basket specially on breakaways when they are getting tailed by a defender.. So adding this allows users to actually have to know their player�s abilities. This probably won�t effected players like Vince Carter but Mr Tim DUNCAN or a TONY ALLEN LOL dunking from close to the Free Throw Line fat chance.

2) VIE MOVES. Just like Jordan�s shoot vs JAZZ �the good old push off�. This move is a sneaky move that creates space its causes the ball handler to make space from the defender pressing turbo quickly twice creating space. HOWEVER.... this move can only be done by players who are in the league for 5 years or more. Players like Sam Cassel would be a master at this. BUT you can also foul. � chance of success.
3.) FLOOR GENERAL MOVE. I played the demo and l realized that sometimes l want my players to move places but they don�t for some reason. KG DIDNT MOVE TO THE BASTKET FOR THE ALLY. How about borrowing from Madden 2004 Vick cover l think it is. Holding in the analog stick and push it forward and the CPU player on your team as the little circle on him move him to a certain position on the floor by flicking it.
4.) TROPHY SYSTEM.�LINKED TO THE PS3/XBOX360...This is something l was thinking about a Bronze/Silver/Golden shoe that everyone gets once they play and win or lose games. Here is the kicker... this shoe can be taken away from you from invite games or from even the NBA Academy when you play a person in one on one. This SYSTEM includes money games that you can agree on through XBOX points or PS3 points. This shoe has your users name on it and can be redeemed by a best out of three 3 game.
5.) OLD SCHOOLTEAMS � This is an option to play some of the recent and past teams have either won championships or teams that are notable to an NBA audience. For example the old Kings when Webber was in his Prime. Old school Sonics, Old school Bulls with Jordan.

GEEMONSTER SERIES � PART 3
EA IPOD � this function allows individuals to up load their own music during NBA Academy and in game in the stadium and could be heard when they are the home team. Its a randomly played. Up to 5 songs.
EA EMOTION � the EA Emotion is linked to the 365 function which indications individual players technical fouls and ejections. This data will be used to power the actual foul system in your game. When you hold down L3 where it shows the ball under your player this will turn purple, but only in potions like a clock. This clock like system will fill as the player doesn�t get touches of the ball or is in foul trouble or low shooting percentage COLD STRIKE. If your player is an all star like Kobe/A.I and his team is shooting under a certain percentage this will affect him or not getting foul calls when being hacked. THIS WILL BE AFFECTED MORE IN SEASON/DYSNATY MODE BECAUSE PLAYER INJURIES OR PLAYING THROUGH COLDS.

EA DEVEMENT TEAM I LIVE IN TORONTO DON�T MAKE ME COME UP THERE.....OFF TO WORK.... SHOUT OUT TO EVERYONE ON THE FORUMS THANKS FOR HEARING ME OUT PEACE.....

# 18 MMChrisS @ 10/05/08 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwil5050


	great post man. have you played any 2k yet

I am in the same boat as the rest of you guys on 2K....waiting until release to pick it up