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NBA Live 08 Updated Hands-On

By Brian Ekberg, GameSpotPosted Aug 30, 2007 5:39 pm PT

Online leagues anyone? We've got EA's latest hoops game in house for a hands-on look.

Hang Time

GameSpot's Aaron Thomas talks with this year's rookies about NBA Live 08.

It's no secret that expectations are high for EA Sports' upcoming basketball game, NBA Live 08. Ever since the game first debuted back in May, we've heard that the focus has been on five-on-five gameplay and that the series is taking a back-to-basics approach, aimed at getting the fundamentals of on-court play before piling on extras. After spending some extended time with a preview build of Live 08, it's clear that the developers are working on improving the caliber of the Live series' gameplay while still tossing in new features at the same time.

In terms of additions to the game, the biggest news of all for NBA Live 08 comes in the form of online tournaments. Here, up to 32 players can compete in leagues that, according to producers, are based on online presence. In other words, EA does not handle the scheduling of tournament games; instead, the game merely handles the results and statistics then declares a winner when all games in the tournament are complete. Setting up a league is as simple as going to the appropriate menu and selecting "create online league."

The person who creates the league is the default commissioner and he or she has the option to set league rules. These league options include the following: league name, abbreviation, description, password, maximum number of users (from 2 to 32), games (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), maximum DNF percentage (any or increments from five percent up to 95 percent); reputation (Xbox 360 only; 2+ stars, 3+ stars, 4+ stars); quarter length (2-12 minutes), and fatigue (on or off). In order to keep leagues open, there can be overlap within the same league, so you can have multiple 76ers or Celtics (or any other, team for that matter) in the same league. Players will be able to keep track of their progress in the league via the "league standings" screen, which will keep track of things like recent game results, as well as the number of games each participant has remaining against every other player in the league. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be Web site or e-mail support for your league, but our fingers are crossed that this kind of thing is implemented in the future.

Other noteworthy online options in the game include a versus mode, which pits you and up to three friends on the same console against an online foe (also with up to three friends), as well as and online quick pick play, which lets you play a game after building your team from scratch from various NBA stars. There's also plenty of ESPN-related content in the game, such as ESPN videos playing in the newly refurbished practice gym (where you can horse around with your favorite NBA star), as well as live stats, results, and stories that you can filter by league or team.

Player models are looking sharp.

Other new game modes in NBA Live 08 include the FIBA World Championship, which will let you compete in an eight-team tournament using either top international or NBA teams. Want to see how far your beloved Atlanta Hawks match up against such international teams as China or Spain? This is the mode for you. Quick pick play is a new feature that plays similarly to the online quick play: You draft 10 players on any NBA team and then hit the court against your opponent's 10-man team. The new scenario play mode lets you either create scenarios of your own or go up against randomly generated challenges that will put your basketball skills to the test. Variables you can set in a scenario include home and away team, home and away scores, quarter, quarter length, time remaining, time remaining on the shot clock, home fouls, away fouls, team with the ball, timeouts remaining on both sides, and game situation (jump ball, inbound - sideline back, inbound - baseline front, and so on.) All of these modes are in addition to the standard game modes that were in last year's game, including quick play, dynasty mode, and the NBA all-star weekend, as well as all of its associated minigames.

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58 Comments

  • toysoldier04

    Posted Oct 1, 2007 8:07 am PT

    the online league is sellin 4 m3 2marra is da day

  • Amir29

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 8:44 am PT

    To be honest, I never really liked NBA 2K's approach to Basketball. I'm the type that needs fluent animation and control. NBA Live never had either, and NBA 2K had the control but animations were never fluent (Especially when dunking or going for lay ups). However, I just downloaded the NBA Live 08 Demo and it seems that this is now a thing of the past. Animations, and controls were very fluent and immediately felt like second nature when playing. Definitely excited about this title. So much so that I'll be reserving it within the hour.

  • swatboy82

    Posted Sep 10, 2007 3:13 pm PT

    i kno people probably arent lookin at this article anymore but i think i have an idea of how nba live in the future can overcome nba 2k...you know what would be a great game mode??? Going into the past or something...like different decades..even if its just like the 80s..i kno it would take a lot of work but imagine being able to take your own superstar and play then with all the legends or just playing as one of the legends in a franchise mode...also i think it would be fun if they added technical fouls and u can control your anger and even throw a punch or two lol...people would play it i think...you do this live..and you will beat 2k

  • ocdog45

    Posted Sep 10, 2007 2:25 pm PT

    the online seems better. which is good because i can't play this game alone.

  • BrUnOdeFeNiX

    Posted Sep 9, 2007 9:38 am PT

    Maybe NBA 2k8 will be better...I don't know...
    We've similar problem with NHL 2k8 or 08?2 great games, either.

  • fax555241

    Posted Sep 6, 2007 4:07 pm PT

    it will be better than 07 but not better than 2k8.

  • twashington9737

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 5:53 pm PT

    I dunno. I am a middle of the road kind of dude and like to see underdogs win and comebacks made but did anyone see that 2K8 trailer on this website???? I am not taking sides, per se, and "hate" to say it but I think Live 08 maybe in BIG TROUBLE! I have NEVER seen that kind of realistic movement in a basketball game or any sports game, for that matter. These are the kind of animations I have been waiting for since Double Dribble!...well, maybe not that far back but u get my drift - LOL! GO CHECK IT OUT - http://www.gamespot.com/video/939854/6178003/videoplayerpop?

  • Manhattan212

    Posted Sep 4, 2007 4:57 pm PT

    This one better be good!

  • HollywoodR15

    Posted Sep 4, 2007 3:27 pm PT

    bwgamer, u do know that the NFL was shopping the exclusive rights to EA and 2k right? That is why EA bit the bullet and paid the NFL x amount of millions for the exclusive rights, it is not like EA was pressuring the NFL because 2K was giving them competition, they were still more than tripling the sales......but yeah the games LOOKS good, lets hope it PLAYS good

  • bwgamer

    Posted Sep 4, 2007 1:00 pm PT

    If this version of Live fails the only way for EA to survive is to pull the same junk they did with Madden and form a monopoly by purchasing exclusive rights to all NBA professional players. I still haven't got over that from EA and the NFL for doing that. I know it's business but sad but true we the consumers lose out when there isn't a fair market for competition. But anyway, hopefully Live will succeed for EA's sake, but all and all 2K has put it too them that past few years so they must make a great Live this go around.

  • mixhawkeye

    Posted Sep 4, 2007 1:19 am PT

    Screw all the politics and hate about EA cuz this game looks pretty good. I'm going to wait a week or two after it comes out before I go out and buy it. though. The game right now looks awesome, but I want to see my friends reactions and the reviews first before my final decision to buy it or not because last years NBA LIVE wasn't nearly up to par pn the mechanics of the game or the fun factor. 2K was better last year. Hopefully LIVE can pick it up this year.

  • CokeandTheworld

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 8:41 pm PT

    While the last three games on next gen consoles in the live series have been rather **** the 2k sucks as well in my opinion. I haven't played a great basketball game since NBA live 2006 for regular xbox and PS2. I'll definitely be picking this up when it comes out in october. I am glad I actually play more ball in real life then I do in games cause it seems to take several years for sports game to be done right with EA.

  • GamerKing22

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 7:59 pm PT

    I really doubt Live 08 will be that different from 07. It's sad that people are trying to give props to things in the game that don't even make any difference in the quality of the game or the game play itself. IF NBA Live doesn't do well, EA needs to fire the whole development team and start completely over. Until EA proves itself in the areas that matter in a sports game, the Live series is dead. 2k has the ball and is way ahead of EA at this point... It pathetic that EA is just now realizing they need to be trying to catch up.

  • btstlouis

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 5:23 pm PT

    Sounds good that they are going back to solid fundamentals

  • Ace303

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 3:53 pm PT

    Waiting for a demo.

  • LookOutSnake

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 3:02 pm PT

    Backing guys down with L2? Stringing moves together for a dribble drive? Why am I not impressed?

    I know...could it be because I've been doing those things for months in 2k7? Yup, that's probably it. Try harder, EA.

  • swatboy82

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 3:01 pm PT

    Lostboy1224, yea i agree the little things do help like how the bench players when they are coming in they check in and stand when game is close..how the time outs the cheerleaders and mascot come out although they should have more different things..i think they should improve commentary and the halftime show and post game, also i think it would be great if 2k added something like the mlb game where you control your temper except you can get ejected or technical fouls..i kno it gives the nba a bad image but it is part of the game..if live had the little things right especially the jumpers it could be the better one

  • Lostboy1224

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 12:44 pm PT

    What has won me over every year with NBA 2k series is that they do all the little things right that make me feel like I am playing real basketball, and not just shooting and dunking. Control and what happens away from the ball is everything in this game. If they can't get that right then they are just going to end up on the used-games shelf at your local game store shortly after it arrives for sale. I am not hating, I am just asking to prove me wrong EA.

  • bhaskarchatta

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 5:50 am PT

    Seems to be same as last one

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