2K Games has released the third and final “Field Side Report”, aimed at showcasing NBA 2K21 gameplay on PS5 and Xbox Series. On the program this time: new options for the player creator and improvements to artificial intelligence.
NBA 2K21 Gameplay Director Mike Wang promises “more freedom to design the player of your dreams”, with the disappearance of predefined skills charts. As shown in the video below, you will be able to set the limit for each characteristic. “You will obviously have to respect the physical profile of the player you want to create and you will not be able to put everything to the maximum”, says Mike Wang.
MyPlayer Builder – Archetype
Regarding badges, the system remains the same: perform well in the different categories (Finishing, Shooting, Organization, Defense / Rebounds) to earn points, then apply them to the badges you want. Some badges have been resurrected, redesigned or completely removed “because they didn’t fit our new gameplay or because the community didn’t like them”, explains Mike Wang, who advises players “to experiment with badges that you might have given up on in the past”.
There is also something new for Takeover, a mechanic that boosts your player’s stats when he performs good deeds. You will have to choose from the following 24 skills, more specific than the eight general archetypes previously offered, with the possibility of selecting a primary and secondary skill, or putting the same skill in both slots to strengthen it.
The list of Takeovers:
“During matches, your Takeover gauge will first fill the Main Takeover slot. Once filled, you can choose to activate it right away or wait to fill your secondary slot. Think carefully, because you are running the risk losing all your progress if you lose the ball or miss a poor shot. But if you manage to fill the secondary slot, you will be able to activate both Takeovers at the same time and for longer. “, introduces Mike Wang. Note that when you have earned all your badge points, you will receive the “Mamba Mentality” badge, in tribute to Kobe Bryant, which allows you to modify your Takeovers whenever you want.
MyPlayer Builder – Takeover
Last point addressed: artificial intelligence. In defense, we are promised less bad changes on the screens, a better adaptation on actions away from the ball (fast screens, low screens, back screens, hand-to-hand passes), improvements in defense in transition and grip of position for forced passages or a redesign of the defense system on the screen installer. It will also be possible to call a defender for help by maintaining L1, rather than asking for a two-person take.
In attack, Mike Wang highlights a new “next-gen tactical preparation” feature that allows develop more precise game plans. “Before you could choose to pick & roll with LeBron, but the new system will allow the AI to target the best players on a team. Not only will the Lakers be able to pick & roll, but you will be able to perform them. exclusively with LeBron and Anthony Davis. The pause menu has a new game plan option. Players will be able to select 8 predefined game plans (focus on the star, favor penetration …) to which they will have access during a match via the Live Coaching panel. Each game plan has predefined options “, we are told. We are also told about a better response to two-person grips, a better balance between improvised actions and imposed tactics, or even a new management of spacing on picks & rolls. Finally, note that the specific tactics and screens are reassigned to the L1 key, and the preferred tactics to the directional keys.
NBA 2K21 will be available when the new consoles launch on November 10 on Xbox Series X / S and November 19 on PS5.
