NBA Inside Drive 2004 E3 2003 Preshow Report

Microsoft will have NBA Inside Drive 2004, a new installment in its basketball series, on display for the Xbox at E3 2003. One of the big new features of Inside Drive 2004 is its inclusion in the XSN Sports network. Using XSN, you'll be able to organize and create your own teams, leagues, and schedules using a centralized Web site. The new site will have the ability to broadcast league scores, standings, statistics, trade proposals, and more to any Web-based device (including cell phones). You'll play online games using Microsoft's Xbox Live service, which will support player rankings and downloadable roster updates.

As far as gameplay is concerned, Inside Drive 2004's biggest new feature is a power post play system that presumably allows you to execute low-post maneuvers such as the drop step. Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal will be the cover athlete for Inside Drive 2004, further emphasizing the game's new focus on low-post play. Other aspects of the offensive systems have been revamped, such as a new juke system that will allow you to execute moves to shake opponents when isolated one-on-one. A new passing scheme will give you the ability to run the give-and-go. Inside Drive 2004 also promises adjustments on the defensive side of the ball, with improved control over stealing and shot blocking.

Veteran basketball announcers Kenny Smith, Kevin Calabro, and Marques Johnson are back in Inside Drive 2004, offering their unique brand of play-by-play and color commentary. The revamped dynasty mode allows you to play up to 25 NBA seasons with new GM capabilities like unbalanced trades. Rounding out the list of changes is a new camera angle in the game, which promises to bring you closer to the action.

NBA Inside Drive 2004 is currently slated for release in October 2003, just in time for the start of the next NBA season. We'll have more information on the game as it becomes available.