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Z
06-28-2007, 12:44 PM
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2007/06/27/inside-the-developers-studio-erich-waas/
Thanks to the PS3’s cell processor, NBA 08 runs in Full HD — 1080p and 60fps. Not up-scaled to 1080p. Not a choice to run at 1080p OR 60fps. True Full HD. At the same time, we have detailed sweat that you can see rolling down players’ faces, head and eye tracking and facial animation for all 10 players at once. Additionally, thanks to the cell processor, we simulate cloth not just for the 10 players on the court but the bench players for each team as well. We also have such a variety in our arena crowds that you’ll only see 2 in every 2048 crowd members with the same model, wearing the same clothes and doing the same animation. And we do this from our “Behind the Player” cam which is more demanding on performance (because more is being drawn) than the sideline or broadcast cam you will see in other basketball games. There is also a lot of new ball physics that has been added to NBA 08 as well as a total of 2,000 unique animations within the game and 4 times the amount of AI routines for greatly improved variety of gameplay. With art assets created with native 1080p in mind as well as audio, we also have more data than can be stored on a dual layer DVD.


controls:
NBA 07 was the first BluRay title at 1080p and 60fps. It was also the first sports game to offer new content the Friday of each and every week during the NBA season (6 months) through our “Games of the Week” feature. Both of these are available in NBA 08 as well as a new level of play control fidelity in a basketball game through the use of the SIXAXIS controller. We’re tying animation to SIXAXIS functionality and going beyond jukes, cross-overs and spins. You’re able to rock the SIXAXIS controller back and forth to dribble the ball between the legs. You’re able to move the ball around while in a “triple threat” situation to help keep defenders from stealing the ball as well as improve your chances of a successful pass. Along with this, you can select between bounce passes, chest passes and lob passes. Conversely, on defense you’re able to get high or wide by tilting the SIXAXIS controller forward or backwards. By widening the defender’s stance and arms on defense, there is a greater chance in deflecting a bounce pass or closely defending the ball handler to keep them from successfully executing a juke move (although this will fatigue your player faster). By putting the defender’s hands straight up in the air, there’s a better chance of tipping a lob pass and the shot percentage of a shooter is reduced.

I am very impressed with the tech details. and I love the weekly updates. I didn't know about them till now.

VG Aficionado
06-28-2007, 12:48 PM
Awesome stuff :) Too bad I don't like sports games.

makeitlookreal
06-28-2007, 12:49 PM
The CELL is awesome.

Marjoh
06-28-2007, 01:33 PM
Too bad 1st party sports game are usually not the best choice, or even second. Long live XSN and 989.

.aZnF

Shogun042
06-28-2007, 05:42 PM
hm maybe i'll get NBA 08 over 2k8 this year.

Z
06-28-2007, 08:08 PM
Too bad 1st party sports game are usually not the best choice, or even second. Long live XSN and 989.

.aZnF

989 are the ones who are making this.
in any case, I am interested in the tech more than the game really.

fastasleep
06-28-2007, 08:21 PM
NBA 07 blows. Unless they've totally redone the game engine, NBA 08 will also blow, it'll just blow at 1080p 60fps.

LaLiLuLeLo
06-28-2007, 08:21 PM
Very cool. If only I were a basketball fan.

Viper
06-28-2007, 08:24 PM
989 are the ones who are making this.
in any case, I am interested in the tech more than the game really.

But suck in 1080P is still suck.

LaLiLuLeLo
06-28-2007, 08:59 PM
It just sucks really really sharp and crisply.

Viper
06-28-2007, 09:07 PM
Which if you think about probably makes matters worse because then you can really see what so sucky about it and just how close it came to being non-sucky.

But that's all dependent if the game sucks.

SleazyBig slim
06-28-2007, 09:38 PM
I'll be getting NBA Live 08. 2k sports games are sooo boring, and Sony;s own NBA game looks like plastic crap.

woundingchaney
06-28-2007, 10:04 PM
Basketball is about the only sports game I play on even an irregular basis. The 2k series is by far the best recreation of the sport (imo).

section
06-28-2007, 10:17 PM
I still can't tell which title is which, there's NBA, NBA Live and NBA2KX series?

Do they all suck in every possible way? So there actually aren't any good basketball series around?

Gegenki
06-28-2007, 10:24 PM
The last basketball game i liked was NBA Jam for the sega megadrive.
Once they went all 3D i just hated them because it felt impossible to make a decent tackle. Once you start losing, you are screwed

fastasleep
06-29-2007, 12:05 AM
I still can't tell which title is which, there's NBA, NBA Live and NBA2KX series?

Do they all suck in every possible way? So there actually aren't any good basketball series around?

The top of the food chain is 2k, by a long shot. Live the past two years has been a complete and utter mess. NBA by sony has never been good, imo.

Z
06-29-2007, 12:17 AM
But suck in 1080P is still suck.
lol, as I said, I am not interested in the genre at all. I am thinking of such technical feats and how can they be integrated into other games that I am interested in. I just threw in the controls part for those who want to check the game.
It just sucks really really sharp and crisply.
it so crisp you can smell the suckiness. lol

as for sports, they wholly belong to EA and to a smaller part 2K. the only exception entry would be Konami's footy ball. the only exception.

Viper
06-29-2007, 05:31 AM
Z, sports game have a few natural benefits that allow for 1080p and 60 fps given their closed in arenas or limited play field with almost no obstruction but other players. You can't take what's being done technically on a sports game and expect the same treatment right away on other genres that are more complex and demanding.

Nameless
06-29-2007, 05:34 AM
I'm sure NBA 2K8 will remain king from a gameplay perspective, but this game could have the edge visually... I'm curious if NBA Live will be an absolute joke are a real contender this year?

GTShotoKen
06-29-2007, 09:12 AM
NBA 2K7 was no slouch in visuals compared to the last iteration of NBA so I don't think NBA 08 is gonna edge out 2k8 visually.

Z
06-29-2007, 02:07 PM
both Live and 2k looked better than 08. what the latter had going for it is 1080p at 60fps. I think 2k had the best looking b.baller of last year.

Z, sports game have a few natural benefits that allow for 1080p and 60 fps given their closed in arenas or limited play field with almost no obstruction but other players. You can't take what's being done technically on a sports game and expect the same treatment right away on other genres that are more complex and demanding.

not directly of course. plus, indicatively of processor workload is more on how I look at it.