NonBorn
18-05-2007, 23:43
NBA '08
Thanks to NBA '07's timely release alongside the PS3 launch last year -- and EA's lack of a basketball game for the system -- Sony got quite a bit of attention for its next-gen basketball debut. Now it's back for 2008 with NBA '08, and the experiments using Sixaxis tilt controls are as well.
In NBA '08, the PS3 controller tilt support allows you to move your player's hands independently of his body. On defense, if you tilt the controller forward, your character will put his hands in the air; tilt back, and he will put his hands down and to the sides. The idea here is to allow players better options for blocking passes and shots, depending on how they choose to stand. On offense, players have similar tilt control over their arms once they pick up their dribble -- they can hold the ball away from the defender and move it around to give themselves ball protection and a better passing lane.
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/788/788260/nba-08-20070514022309882.jpg
The key new feature this year is what the developers refer to as the "progression" system. It essentially takes the idea of 360 Achievements and uses it as the backbone for how you upgrade and customize your character in the game over time. When you play, there are various challenges available for you, ranging from recreating real-life scenarios like "score 81 points as Kobe" to fictional ones such as "earn five assists with a certain character in one game." You can choose to ignore them, and play as you normally would -- and likely earn a bunch without even trying -- or you can seek them out and try to complete all the challenges put before you.
As you complete challenges, you earn points, which you can use to buy shoes, jerseys, custom floors for the arenas, etc. If you buy certain items, you will gain stat points as well, so shoes may make you run faster and help evolve your character. Taking things one step further, if you decide to customize a created player rather than an established star, you will earn a "multiplier" that will give you an extra boost.
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/789/789125/nba-08-20070516082412296.jpg
The developers aren't going into much depth at this point on how the game will support Sony's online hub Home, but they have confirmed that in addition to the standard exhibition play from last year, players will be able to take the One-on-One and Own The Court modes online this year, which should give fans quite a bit more to mess around with in their spare time.
The core gameplay doesn't look to have changed drastically from last year, so those of you who prefer NBA 2K will probably continue to prefer NBA 2K, but the new additions for NBA '08 at first glance seem to present a nice way for Sony to move its series forward, and we're pleased to see the developers are continuing to try new things now that they aren't making a launch game anymore.
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/788/788260/nba-08-20070514022306116.jpg
Thanks to NBA '07's timely release alongside the PS3 launch last year -- and EA's lack of a basketball game for the system -- Sony got quite a bit of attention for its next-gen basketball debut. Now it's back for 2008 with NBA '08, and the experiments using Sixaxis tilt controls are as well.
In NBA '08, the PS3 controller tilt support allows you to move your player's hands independently of his body. On defense, if you tilt the controller forward, your character will put his hands in the air; tilt back, and he will put his hands down and to the sides. The idea here is to allow players better options for blocking passes and shots, depending on how they choose to stand. On offense, players have similar tilt control over their arms once they pick up their dribble -- they can hold the ball away from the defender and move it around to give themselves ball protection and a better passing lane.
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/788/788260/nba-08-20070514022309882.jpg
The key new feature this year is what the developers refer to as the "progression" system. It essentially takes the idea of 360 Achievements and uses it as the backbone for how you upgrade and customize your character in the game over time. When you play, there are various challenges available for you, ranging from recreating real-life scenarios like "score 81 points as Kobe" to fictional ones such as "earn five assists with a certain character in one game." You can choose to ignore them, and play as you normally would -- and likely earn a bunch without even trying -- or you can seek them out and try to complete all the challenges put before you.
As you complete challenges, you earn points, which you can use to buy shoes, jerseys, custom floors for the arenas, etc. If you buy certain items, you will gain stat points as well, so shoes may make you run faster and help evolve your character. Taking things one step further, if you decide to customize a created player rather than an established star, you will earn a "multiplier" that will give you an extra boost.
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/789/789125/nba-08-20070516082412296.jpg
The developers aren't going into much depth at this point on how the game will support Sony's online hub Home, but they have confirmed that in addition to the standard exhibition play from last year, players will be able to take the One-on-One and Own The Court modes online this year, which should give fans quite a bit more to mess around with in their spare time.
The core gameplay doesn't look to have changed drastically from last year, so those of you who prefer NBA 2K will probably continue to prefer NBA 2K, but the new additions for NBA '08 at first glance seem to present a nice way for Sony to move its series forward, and we're pleased to see the developers are continuing to try new things now that they aren't making a launch game anymore.
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/788/788260/nba-08-20070514022306116.jpg