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Monday Tip-Off: End of the Road for PS4 & X1

Monday Tip-Off: End of the Road for PS4 & X1

We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Join me as I begin the week here at the NLSC with my opinions and commentary on basketball gaming topics, as well as tales of the fun I’ve been having on the virtual hardwood. This week, I’m tipping things off with some thoughts on how we might be reaching the end of the road as far as NBA 2K coming out on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Although I don’t support Next Gen Elitism any more than other forms of gatekeeping, there is a valid point when you sift through the snobbery. At some point, support does have to end for older hardware and software alike. It’s the same reason that, as much I dislike the timeframe and impact of NBA 2K’s server shutdowns, I do understand the practice. I can even relate it back to my time creating roster updates for NBA Live. As more and more gamers moved on to playing NBA 2K on PC, it was increasingly hard to justify the time and effort needed to mod games that were no longer as popular.

That’s just for mods that cost nothing to produce, and are freely available. Once the majority of gamers have moved on to the latest generation of consoles, it makes sense – technically and financially – for developers to leave the previous one behind. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the reality of the situation. With an annual release like NBA 2K, there’s always the question of how long the previous generation will still be supported. While I don’t have any official word about this – this is absolutely just me speculating – the series’ history and the handling of NBA 2K24’s preview season and post-release support subtly hint at this being the end of the road for PS4 and X1.

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NBA 2K24 Modding Sections Launched, Season 1 Details

NBA 2K24 Modding Sections Launched, Season 1 Details

With the imminent release of NBA 2K24, the community is gearing up for another year of modding the PC version! To that end, I’ve created new categories for NBA 2K24 in our Downloads database, as well as the usual Modding and Tutorials & FAQs sections for the game in the Forum.

You can find those Forum sections and Downloads categories, as well as our other key NBA 2K24 resources, at the links below:

As always, we encourage the use of our upload facilities, so that we can preserve mods and tools for years to come. Please note that members of the Contributors group can immediately create topics in our Tutorials & FAQs section; otherwise, feel free to post them in the Modding section, and we’ll move your resource to Tutorials & FAQs as soon as possible. We’d also appreciate any help in maintaining our other community resources, such as the Wiki pages.

Additionally, there’s a new Courtside Report providing an insight into what to expect from Season 1 in MyTEAM and MyCAREER. A trailer has also been released, which you can check out below. Stay tuned for our post-release coverage of NBA 2K24, as well as another great year of releases from our modding community!

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NLSC Podcast #493: All-Time Favourites, MyTEAM, & MyCAREER

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #493 of the NLSC Podcast!

Could you name your Top 25 all-time favourite basketball video games? We reflect on some of the titles that were ranked in last week’s Monday Tip-Off, and reiterate the distinction between personal favourites and “best” lists. With the release of NBA 2K24 looming, we also have some news on MyTEAM, MyCAREER, and The City to discuss. Have the promised changes to MyTEAM Points, pack odds, and Season progression, and the streamlined approach to the NBA career experience, affected our excitement and anticipation for this year’s game? Also, in this week’s mailbag, the community shares their reactions to NBA 2K24 gameplay footage, as well as some of the other details coming out of the recent community event.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

Monday Tip-Off: Why Basketball Game Reviews Suck

Monday Tip-Off: Why Basketball Game Reviews Suck

We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Join me as I begin the week here at the NLSC with my opinions and commentary on basketball gaming topics, as well as tales of the fun I’ve been having on the virtual hardwood. This week, I’m tipping things off with some candid thoughts on why so many basketball video game reviews suck.

As much as I value thoughtful critique over statements that are blunt and insulting for the sake of being provocative, I must be frank here: many of the reviews of basketball video games flat out suck. They aren’t helpful to enthusiastic hoops gamers who want to know if a title is a significant improvement over its predecessor, and whether it’s worth getting. Their lack of insightful commentary provides no useful feedback to the developers, and seldom holds the publisher accountable for business practices that are predatory and even hostile towards the core audience.

It’s extremely frustrating for me. As someone who has been playing basketball video games for over 25 years, and – at the risk of sounding egotistical – knows a thing or two about them, I’m unimpressed by such poor evaluations of them as products. On top of that, my philosophy is to stand with my fellow gamers rather than shill for a company. I believe it’s vital to be honest with ourselves and each other, and to keep the community informed. Also, while there’s really no such thing as an “unbiased review” as opinions are always subjective, personal bias can impact fairness and accuracy. It’s these recurring issues that result in laughable and subpar reviews.

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NLSC Podcast #492: ProPLAY, Mamba Moments, & Badges (Oh My!)

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #492 of the NLSC Podcast!

The NBA 2K24 preview season is certainly ramping up! This week, we’re reacting to the ProPLAY trailer and the insights of the gameplay blog, discussing the featured games in Mamba Moments and noting some missed opportunities, debating the merits of the “Green or Miss” approach to shooting mechanics, and mulling the pros and cons of the new MyPLAYER Builder and the Badge progression/regression system. There are some intriguing ideas, but also a few that could prove to be costly missteps for NBA 2K24. We also recap fun sessions with NBA Live 10 and NBA 2K14, celebrate a big milestone, and join the community in sharing some of our favourite memories of Kobe Bryant.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

NBA 2K24 Mamba Moments Trailer & Details

NBA 2K24 Mamba Moments Trailer & Details

We have our first look at Mamba Moments in NBA 2K24, courtesy of a trailer and the latest Courtside Report. As speculated, the mode is similar to the Jordan Challenge, tasking gamers to re-create some of Kobe Bryant’s most iconic performances while telling the story of his career.

The mode will be comprised of seven games:

  • 2001 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 4 (vs. 00-01 Sacramento Kings)
  • Kobe Sets NBA Three-Point Record (vs. 02-03 Seattle SuperSonics)
  • The Mentee Faces His Mentor (vs. 02-03 Washington Wizards)
  • Kobe Erupts for 62 Points In Three Quarters (vs. 05-06 Dallas Mavericks)
  • Three-Point Barrage Leads to 65-Point Game (vs. 06-07 Portland Trail Blazers)
  • 2008 Western Conference Finals, Game 5 (vs. 07-08 San Antonio Spurs)
  • 2010 NBA Finals, Game 7 (vs 09-10 Boston Celtics)

Clearing the challenges will also unlock rewards in MyTEAM and MyCAREER. Mamba Moments is available in all versions of NBA 2K24, contrary to MyNBA and The W which are exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Check out the trailer below, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, as well as join in the discussion here in the NLSC Forum! Dee and I will be discussing all of the latest developments on the next episode of the NLSC Podcast, so stay tuned.

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NBA 2K24 MyNBA Adds LeBron Era

NBA 2K24 MyNBA Adds LeBron Era

The Courtside Report for MyNBA in NBA 2K24 has been posted, and it’s brought some good news! MyNBA Eras will be returning in NBA 2K24, which means that in addition to playing with current season rosters, we can still throw it back to the Magic vs. Bird Era, the Jordan Era, and the Kobe Era.

Not only that, but NBA 2K24 has added a new starting point: the LeBron Era! It begins with The Decision and a brand new decade in the NBA, with the Class of 2011 on the horizon. Additionally, players will age into different faces as the years progress, and there will also be era-specific media recapping your latest game. New CBA rules have been accounted for in the Modern Era, and MyNBA Online now features expanded roles. There’s also now a “Lite” version of the mode, if you prefer a streamlined experienced.

You can find a breakdown of all the information below, but as always, I encourage you to read the original Courtside Report for the full scoop. Got any thoughts on our first look at MyNBA in NBA 2K24? Have your say in the comments, and join in the discussion here in the NLSC Forum! You can also find my recap of the developer blog on The W here, and the gameplay blog and trailer here.

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Details on The W in NBA 2K24

Details on The W in NBA 2K24

A new Courtside Report has provided an insight into what to expect from The W in NBA 2K24. For those who are unaware, The W is the WNBA version of MyCAREER, and is exclusive to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S version of the game.

One of the biggest additions this year is the ability to choose your background. You can opt to be a top college prospect and number one pick, or an “undiscovered gem” who was an MVP overseas. The background that you select will come with its own perks and challenges, as well as different starting ratings.

There are also new rivalry features, pick-up games, and more rewards to collect. You can find my breakdown of the Courtside Report below, but as always, I’d recommend checking out the original article for the full scoop on The W in NBA 2K24. Feel free to share any thoughts in the comments, as well as join in the discussion here in the NLSC Forum! If you missed the gameplay blog, you can find my recap of it here.

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NLSC Podcast #491: A Tipping Point for Microtransactions

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #491 of the NLSC Podcast!

Two tiers of Season Passes have been confirmed for MyTEAM and MyCAREER in NBA 2K24. Needless to say, it was a controversial announcement! This week we’re taking a deep dive into the issue, examining the potential impact on the game, as well as Take-Two’s history of aggressive recurrent revenue mechanics. We also read out comments from community members; it’s not a spoiler to say that we’re not alone in being unimpressed by the adoption of Season Passes for premium content! Meanwhile, content creators that shill for greedy business practices seem to be getting called out, which we’re glad to see. All in all, NBA 2K24 could prove to be a tipping point for microtransactions in the series!

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

Monday Tip-Off: The Lies of Developer Blogs

Monday Tip-Off: The Lies of Developer Blogs

We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Join me as I begin the week here at the NLSC with my opinions and commentary on basketball gaming topics, as well as tales of the fun I’ve been having on the virtual hardwood. This week, I’m tipping things off with a video essay examining the lies of developer blogs, with an example demonstrating why they should be taken with a grain of salt.

Back in August 2018, as the preview seasons for NBA 2K19 and NBA Live 19 were well underway, I wrote an article discussing the cynicism that developer blogs sadly often inspire. I drew some comparisons between the NBA 2K18 developer blogs and a Game Informer interview previewing NBA 2K19, noting that the latter revealed some outright lies in the former. I don’t like to throw around the word “lies” easily, but with some developer blogs, it’s a fair accusation. As we prepare for our first look at NBA 2K24, I wanted to revisit those blogs. They’re a reminder that while we may always hope for the best, we can’t always put much stock in what developer blogs say.

Considering how infrequently the illuminating discrepancies between the NBA 2K18 and NBA 2K19 previews are mentioned by content creators and influencers covering the games, I wanted to do my part in ensuring that the matter isn’t forgotten. It’s all too easy to write off understandable scepticism and fair criticism with the label of “hater”, or thought-terminating cliches about nostalgia and always preferring last year’s game. We have proof straight from the source that games don’t always get better, even if that isn’t admitted until later. Just something to keep in mind! Be sure to subscribe to the NLSC YouTube channel for more video essays, and other basketball gaming content.

NLSC Podcast #488: NBA Live 09 & The Road to NBA 2K24

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #488 of the NLSC Podcast!

In an exciting development, NBA Live 09 now works with the PlayStation 3 emulator! We recap a fun session with the game – which will now be part of our rotation – and compare it to NBA Live 10. In other news, 2K has revealed a roadmap for the NBA 2K24 preview season. This sets us thinking about what to expect come August 14th, as well as how to fairly evaluate the game when it’s released. With a slightly clearer picture of what ProPLAY might entail, we also join the community in discussing the historical players we’d love to see it used to capture animations from. Finally, in this week’s mailbag, we quiz the community on Overall Performance Ratings in NBA Action 98.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

NBA 2K24 Previews Tipping Off August 14th

NBA 2K24 Kobe Bryant Edition Cover

Although the cover reveal technically tipped off the previews for NBA 2K24, the preview season obviously isn’t quite in full swing until we learn more concrete details about the game. As announced by the official NBA 2K Twitter (or X) account, in-depth previews for NBA 2K24 will begin the week of August 14th.

The schedule is as follows:

  • Week of August 14th: Gameplay with ProPLAY
  • Week of August 21st: The W, MyNBA, Mamba Moments
  • Week of August 28th: MyCAREER, The City, MyTEAM
  • Week of September 4th: Season 1 in MyTEAM and MyCAREER

A reminder that ProPLAY, The W, MyNBA, and The City will be exclusive to the PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X|S version. The prior gen consoles and PC port will retain MyLEAGUE, basic WNBA content, and The Neighborhood in MyCAREER. However, this roadmap does confirm the leaked Mamba Moments mode, and seemingly for both generations.

NBA 2K24 is scheduled for release on September 8th. Pre-orders have been open since July 7th; if you’re interested and need a refresher on the bonuses, you can find them here. I will of course be aggregating the news throughout the preview season, and discussing it with Dee on the NLSC Podcast, so stay tuned!

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Monday Tip-Off: Making The Case for Basketball Game Demos

Monday Tip-Off: Making The Case for Basketball Game Demos

We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Join me as I begin the week here at the NLSC with my opinions and commentary on basketball gaming topics, as well as tales of the fun I’ve been having on the virtual hardwood. This week, I’m tipping things off by making a case for releasing basketball video game demos.

It’s strange how when I think of basketball video game demos, they feel like such an antiquated concept. That may be because video game demos in general have fallen out of vogue – much as shareware did – but it hasn’t actually been that long since we had a demo for an upcoming hoops title. The last NBA Live demo came in 2018, while we had a small preview of NBA 2K21 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Now, that is indeed going back a few years at this point, but for some reason those demos don’t immediately come to mind. Instead, demos seem like a relic of the 90s and 2000s.

Of course, one could very well argue that that’s when basketball game demos were far more relevant. There was legitimate competition between NBA Live and NBA 2K right through to the end of the decade. The preview season for both games began around June, and there was a steady stream of information as they competed for attention and pre-orders. There was value in both companies dropping a demo a few weeks before the full version was released, to show off a few key improvements and possibly change some minds. Even with NBA 2K’s virtual monopoly over basketball gaming, however, I maintain that there’s still value in providing a pre-release demo.

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NLSC Podcast #486: Our Excitement Level for NBA 2K24

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #486 of the NLSC Podcast!

As we await the next round of news and previews, how hyped are we for NBA 2K24? Along with the community, we rate our excitement on a scale of one to ten. Of course, some of us break the scale in both directions! We also recap what we’ve been playing this past week, including a surprising session of NBA Live 18, testing out a work-in-progress mod for NBA Live 08, throwing it back with NBA Basketball for Intellivision, and tackling a tough challenge in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition. There’s also some more virtual hardwood elitism on Twitter to push back on, and the reveal of some interesting clutch ratings in this week’s mailbag trivia.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

NLSC Podcast #485: NBA 2K24 Preview Season Tips Off

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #485 of the NLSC Podcast!

The NBA 2K24 preview season is officially underway, with the reveal of this year’s cover players and a few interesting tidbits that have the community buzzing. To that end, we break down and react to everything we know so far. That also includes confirmation that the PC version will be a prior gen port once again, which has naturally drawn some strong reactions! Speaking of reactions, one of Dee’s Tweets about NBA 2K14 Next Gen really resonated with the community, demonstrating how it’s still held in extremely high regard. We share that sentiment, especially after a co-op session that earned the game a place in our Parsec rotation! We also touch on devious practices, and the latest ridiculous comments from online cheesers.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!