NBA 2K21 Next-Gen Screenshots, Taken From Gameplay Video Blogs

Those clips/vids from the 2nd blog don’t look next-gen now. Kind of disappointing after the initial next-gen trailer tbh

i has no problem with that. ray tracing, gameplay improvements are more important

It doesn't help that some players are using the old face scans, but the lighting and details are better.
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I just hate the look of the blacked out arenas. Only a few look like that on tv, and in person they don't look like that at all. Really takes away from the atmosphere. 

I just don’t like the art direction, it looks more animated/cartoonish than life-like IMO. Perhaps my expectations for next-gen graphics are too high.

Would love to see the next gen games that y’all think are impressive

Way too high
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dont you blame my vision for saying that on another threat.
It seems 3D models and textures are the same used on current gen for most of the players we saw.
the lighting, the effects gives you the impression there's more details but i'm pretty sure that players textures are the same.

Well you can obviously see the difference when the players are using the next gen quality face scan and saying that those don't look good is silly.
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What's silly is to mix old textures and new ones.
I mean, except Zion's trailer, and Curry faces, i dont see any improvment.
i'm not even sure that we'll see Klay (or any other player) make a wink

If you look at all the players that were updated in the last patch that'll give you an idea.
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I think this game looks pretty great and will likely look even better playing on a 4k HDR TV. The pandemic also didn't help as 2K wasn't able to do all the scans they would have done in a normal year. And it might not just apply to faces but perhaps bodies and even arenas too. We really don't know the extent of who or what they were able to scan compared to who or what they would have scanned had it been a normal year. 

My concern is that the current gen MODS look better than the next gen graphics. Look at this https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2020/10/13/nba-2k21-modders-are-delivering-an-enhanced-experience-for-pc-users/#9efa82020ac9

This was already disproven and link isn’t working g. Next gen clearly looks better . Let’s stop this nonsense . Gameplay concerns are one thing . Visuals are another . The lighting , color , is better . Player models are more lifelike . If y’all can’t see that on your 720p big back sets idk what to tell you.
/rant

Thank you!
People don't want to understand that visuals or graphics aren't a blanket thing. As a cinematographer, this stuff drives me bonkers. It's very difficult to argue "better". What does "better" mean, anyway? Resolution? Artifacting? Shading? But you've captured the problem perfectly in your response because next-gen shouldn't just be "better" it should have tech that permits more accurate visual representation of environments. The reason you're saying cartoonish, is because the lighting, shading, and reflections do not respond in these images the way they do in appropriately comparable real world environments. They are heightened by all the awful trends we're obsessed with right now like HDR. Go backand look at what "realistic" looked like when the 360 came out. It was ridiculous. Every game was the same boring high contrast, desaturated chroma look that action films were using at the time.
This looks fantastic. It looks really nice. Is it what current GPUs should be doing? No, it could be better. Besides none of this matters. Because we don't play by looking at static cards. We play by controlling characters on screen. And I don't care what this thing looks like if the gameplay sucks. Which it likely will for a good 2-3 years if previous generations are anything to go by. Unfortunately, it's been studied that most gamers can be swayed by good looking graphics to think a mediocre game is fun. We're not as easily swayed by films, but games we'll forgive if they look good. Which is what sports games in particular have been banking on for almost a decade now.
By the way, the fact that 2K20 mods can even look remotely this good, even just close to it, means that if it's not AS good as the next-gen, the next gen still doesn't have enough reason to exist. I'd rather they kept the same GPU and worked more on the freaking software development and mechanics.

So far I haven't seen any. But, its early for these next gen systems. This next gen 2K didnt blow me away like NBA2k14 did , seeing it for the first time, but its still very good looking. I expect it to get even better next year and the year after. Right now its fine, not mind blowing, but fine

Funny, because I would expectit to look worse after 2K21. Look at 2K14, it was the best looking basketball game of all time, but it obviously wasn't viable to keep the graphics looking like that with all the other stuff they wanted to add. The game looked worse and worse each version this generation. No indication it won't go that route for next gen either

I just want to be able to make jumpshots without having to do a street fighter move.

https://youtu.be/y22nsZbAnek
PS4 pro is no slouch . Ps5 is better . Lighting is dramatically better . That alone costs more processing power .

The thing that strikes me the most is the shot of just the rim and backboard, it looks photo-realistic. I think we are still a few generations away from that type of realism with players so I didn't expect much there. I just want this generation to have great gameplay and even more depth in my league, then I'll be happy. I think it took 2k a few years to push the PS4 to its limits. Give them a few years, I've got a feeling NBA 2k23 will be the greatest ever.

They didn't even fix Howard's hair style. Lazy job.... I was expecting something more realistic and less cartoonish... There will probably be an update on launch day.

I think there was definitely an improvement in graphics and lighting, at first I didn’t notice much until I saw the comparison videos on YouTube of Ps4 vs Ps5. Definitely a big leap.
I guess some people were expecting something like this type of lighting, graphics, and player movement but we all have to remember that this is 2k at the end of the day and their art department
https://youtu.be/ihnZRpgK7_s

https://youtu.be/2TMs2E6cms4
https://youtu.be/ecUQE-sDUtk
https://youtu.be/Lq594XmpPBg

All next gen is faster load times, and FPS speed, graphics won’t change on any sports games or any game for that matter hate to break it to all of you. Plus you need an 8k tv to get the whole “next gen” exp

Keep in mind that most of those games aren’t even native 4K and 60fps.
Demon souls is dynamic 4K / 30 FPS or 1440p upscale to 4K 60 FPS .
You have to understand what taxes the hardware and how much. 2k has a Lot more moving parts at 1 time also. You want detailed coaches , players bench , cheer leaders , rim , nets , refs , court , lighting all at one time ?
Now if you want even better graphics would you be willing to play 2k with upscale 4K and 30fps ?
2k looks just as impressive tbh

That’s not even gameplay

I'll never understand how people say that the graphics look like current gen, but there are videos like these that clearly show there's a difference.

Also, these games are not a yearly cycle. Honestly, I'm putting my money on COD as best looking next-gen launch game.

Tobias Harris there is the perfect example of how 2K have got body shapes and proportions all wrong.
You can have the most realistic motion capture ever but it means little when it's being applied to models that just aren't realistic.

He's not as bulky as he was when he came into the league, but he's not that thin either. I don't know who makes these decisions lol.
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I never said 2k wasn’t impressive next gen, but I think these games are just as impressive or slightly more impressive. Like I said before I think 2k graphics and lighting made a huge leap IMO

I know, I’m saying that is what people were expecting that aren’t impressed by next gen 2k. I’m very impressed by next gen 2k, I think it’s honestly the same jump ps3-Ps4 with 2k Ps4-ps5. The side by side comparisons on YouTube say it all

I remember seeing that video before. I told people that if graphics reached that level of realism, I would give away my truck and car, lol. Nice to know that I won't be walking anytime soon.

I think KDs body type is the worst offending. He has this lanky/tall body with super skinny legs especially around his ankles in real life but 2k have him with skinny arms, stumpy/short torso and big legs with kankles.

Wow i don’t feel that bad about skipping out on next gen this year (graphically) but still need to see that gameplay

15 NBA 2K21 NEXT-GEN Player Face Scans Should Worry You.... PAC VIDEO....  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgsXMgQHH0g   .... 

The game looks phenomenal lol. Could it look a tad more realistic yes, but my main concerns are lighting, likeness, and atmosphere. As of now things look good on all fronts, we’ll see if it still looks good in 5 v 5.

If one of your concerns is player likeness and you think things are looking good, no offence, but you must not watch much real NBA.
I along with many others could list a page full of players out of date likeness and body type wise just on the handful of short clips we have on next gen

Looks like they havent changed jersey quality, or bagginess at all

Bro you act like no one has been updated yet..who knows how long ago these blogs were done. Now that the bubble is over, they should be able to get new scan or have made minor changes. If not, I'm sure they'll have access to them at the start of the season. Please stop acting like the game hasn't changed one bit when they clearly are making progress.
The more body types the game has the more work they have to do with animations. That's the reason there aren't unlimited body types in any game.
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NBA In The Zone (PS1 1998) had more body types than 2K.
Tokyo Olympic Games basketball mini game has more body types than 2K.

In fact you have few body types, but 3D model could be unique for each player.
2K just doesnt use to change it, but we, modders, use to do it.
For P.Maravich for example, i edited the body in the 3D Model "CF" : (aside the face itself) you can see i made skinner arms and legs :

or on P.Jackson, you can see the work on his shoulders and arms :

I'm going to pretend you didn't say this.
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You can only do so much before you break something. Try changing the actual skeleton rig.
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This is such a weak comment. I've been watching the NBA since the 80's and when it used to be on NBC. I don't what you be watching, but I know that I don't watch the game, so I compare the players' likeness in a video game. I watch mostly Pacers games, and I can't begin to tell what length of shorts the players wear or what accessories they have. It's really not that deep for me (and others). As long as I reasonably know who I'm passing to on the game, I'm good. Coming from the days of the Celtics vs Lakers videogame, a player have "short legs" is not going to bother me.

The lies you tell...

So what you’re basically saying is set the bar low and you won’t be disappointed.
Not going to apologise for expecting more from a company that is more than capable of delivering more

It's not a game per se (so your point stands), but as a general comment, I was hoping "next gen" would look more like the UE5 tech demo:
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/a-first-look-at-unreal-engine-5
But I always sort of expected this to be where PC will be in 2020/21+ and not consoles. Even though this demo was running on a PS5, reality doesn't seem to pan out it seems.

Wasn't this just introduced? Doubt many teams out there had the time to really dig in to that new tech. Probably 2023 is when we will see true next gen graphics.

I don't have a low/high bar for player models. I really don't care, because I will be PLAYING the game. Not watching replays and drooling over screenshots. While I'm PLAYING the game, I'm not going to notice that whoever's head is "too big" for their body. Some of y'all REALLY thought next-gen NBA 2K21 was going to be photorealistic...that's a shame.
And you're basing the idea that they can do more on what? Computer mods?

That UE5 tech demo is going to be a lot of people's new Madden 06 Donovan McNabb trailer banana in the tail pipe moment.

Lol. I went back and watched that trailer. That was a BIG lie, lol.

Come on, man. How can anyone consider 2K basketball realistic when LeBron is missing a leg hair from just below his knee, and Luka totally doesn’t have the right amount of nose hairs in his nose!
You’re ridiculous and 2K is just downright lazy.
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Honestly I haven't seen anything that looked genuinely next gen from a gameplay stand point.
The animations look like what we've gotten for the whole of the last generation...accompanied with the same promises.
This is coming from a person that likes 21 and loved how it was out the box...
But for the ps5 i don't wanna hear that a selling point is no suction blocks and foot planting.
planting.
-I want to hear about a new blending system that allows countless finishes because of x,y,z...
- I want to hear how passing has been revolutionized and now include arch and smart interior passing animations
- how animation footwork for catch and shoot situations are now realistic/dynamic and keep you from having to do a robo-180 before shooting...
- i want a shot change mechanic overhaul
Etc....
Guess I was being unrealistic too huh...

This is so bizarre to me. To come into an art related thread and find it odd people are having conversation about art? Honestly why are you even in this thread?

LMAO nah you got it twisted, brother. I’m all for good graphics and art related things.
But when someone has the nerve to say two basketball games from the 90s have better player models than a game from 2020 is where I just laugh at the lies and have to say something just as ridiculous
That my friend is what I find bizarre
Oh, and I’m in this thread because it’s a message board and I can be?
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This is like a presidential debate, talk about one topic and answer with different topic. Talk about art and answer with potential gameplay improvements lol.
Again my frustration is that the clips they use in the blogs don’t look up to the quality to the first next-gen trailer with the Warriors vs. Mavs. It’s like the more I see the less hype I get. That’s my personal opinion and I wished that 2K would go in a different , more realistic art direction especially going into the next-gen era which doesn’t seem to be the case.

Been watching the real NBA for a long time, and I care a lot about little small details like jersey materials, and big details like faces, body types and all that. That said the game still looks good. Looks great. There are improvements that can be made but to act like it doesn’t look good is lying to yourself. Again could some things be improved? Of course. But some of y’all are acting like you saw Luka built like Zion in the trailer or something.
I remember just wanting faces to not look pasted on (and I’m not old, just been playing games for a long time), so yea while certain things can be better, nothing is so bad that it’s making me rethink my purchase. I’m not even saying stop the complaining because it does help to speak on things you want/that should be changed, but some of y’all gotta stop acting like this is the worst thing you’ve ever seen.

I like the new graphics. Maybe not as big of a jump as 2K14, but looks nice. Keep in mind that 2K14 had some issues with player models - I remember CP3 looking like a kid.
I hope at some point they adjust the head sizes. They made them too big starting in 2K18, and it's been a problem since.