Player Lock Please...

[Teracolta]

I don't know how hard it is to add a REAL PLAYER LOCK, but this game really needs one. I have played the series since the beginning, but I am really not happy about having to always play as everyone.

Even with both player switching methods turned off I still have to start the game as a center, and I also have to be wary of what buttons I press, as the wrong button press can cause me to be someone I don't want to play with.

I suggest a dedicated player lock added to both the player profile and controller selection screen. That way we can pick whatever player we want from the begining, and never have to worry about it again with the option on Player profile as well.

It would make the game more enjoyable for many of us as it would allow a complete roleplaying experience, as well as adding playability to multiplayer by making it easier to work as a team.

[Teracolta]

I guess the game is not as popular as I thought. No one post on these boards. Anyway, it sucks that you have to play the same modes as the ohter ppl. Which means that I have to use the same camera online and play as everyone if hte ppl don't like the MOCK Playerlocking scheme of turning off the inbounding etc.

It would be more fun if I could choose my own camera and choose me own position to play. But hey, that is just me. I guess.

[Dislocate]

i dont mind... it would be cool if u had like 10 ppl playin all at once and they all controlled their own man.

[Shannonhottiebabe]

Inside Drive has had this every year, and Live had a pretty good version of it up until last year. I think Visual Concepts is too out of touch to add it anyway.

They messed up the game this year trying to copy Live and if they tried to add a player lock it would be the cruddy one that live had this year, where the players didn't shoot on their own.

[Teracolta]

I feel you on the live thing. Live was gonna be my pick this year. When I first got it, I was amazed by the improvements in game play.

Well, until I tried the player lock. After that I was not really into it anymore. I got tired of AI teammates that never finished or took their own shots.

Online the current game is unplayable to me and the people I play with. We currently have our own guild of players and pretty much just get together to play games together when we have time.

All of us use player lock except for Eric, but that is ok cause he needs all the help he can get. Long story short, the only basketball game we play this year is Inside Drive.

We tried the other two, but one has no player lock, and the other one has a really messed up version of it.

I guess that means that unless Live fixes the shooting issues and ESPN adds a real player lock, we will be sticking with Inside Drive for next years game. Especially if they bring up the franchise.

[Teracolta]

This is a call to all... 2 days to the end of of DREAMS....

VOTE VOTE VOTE

[TMAGIC]

Icon passing should work with or without the ball during player lock.

[Teracolta]

Rather than adding to this ever growing list of wishes I think I will just stick with the player lock initiative.

There are many great ideas for turning this franchise around this year. Last year I had a great essay on adding Chemisty, leadership, etc. to the game. It got rave reviews at Our Sports Central, but was never seen by anyone.

This year, I will just beat my dead horse with a Stick.

PLAYER LOCK!!!

[NBA2k4life]

I hate player-lock, because the AI is not advanced enough to make smart decisions as human players. And I can tell that if this method is implemented, many players will complain how much the game sucks JUST because of this feature alone (ie. AI sucks, they never rebound, never pass etc.). And most importantly, AI NEVER listen to you, unlike human teammates. At least when you play with your friends you can share some immediate feedbacks, like saying "pass it to me" or "go inside and get the rebound". But can you do that with AI? Nope. Chances are they'll either make your game or ruin your game. And do you notice that if you have a good lead on halftime (maybe 10 or 20 points), the AI purposely make the opponent almost unstoppable while your team seems to miss shots or make more turn overs than they used to? I bet your teammate AI will do this too on NBA2k5. They'll either make or screw your game, man.

If u insist to have one, at least have the option to turn it on/off.

[Teracolta]

Honestly, I have been there, but that is reality also. Every last second shot doesn't go in, and Player Lock makes the game more difficult.

I run the tables on the computer when not playing with a player lock. It is just too easy. Run in, pass, pass, dunk.

I really have not had any experience with the computer AI causing me to lose, cause I try to put us in a position to win. If I play point I call a play to get the right person the ball.

If that is AI, cool. If not, cool too. I only want the option added to the game.

If you don't like it cool, don't play with it.

I just know that from a coding standpoint adding new features is a lot more work than modifying old code to update the player locking feature.

Most of the wishers are wanting VC to turn water into wine, and it's not going to happen.

What's more, I have yet to play with one HUMAN that stays within the framework of a real play. Usually they just run around, with the ball, taking ill-advised shots. Which is another reason for the Lock.

LOCKING PPL into one position so that I can atleast try to run a play in cooperative multiplayer.

Yeah, it can be default off, but able to be turned on. I just want it in there.

[BN]

Live had a the player lock thing going... espn definetely needs something like that... yup...

[Teracolta]

The thing that used to impress me most with NBA 2k, etc. was the fact that the AI would actually take pretty decent shots. Sure it was not perfect, especially since there was no real player lock, but they sure shot the ball a lot more than the buffoons on NBA Courtside on the Gamecube.

I think you should expand the AI by adding player tendacies. A player like Iverson should hoist more shots than Fred Hoiberg etc, and Kobe should go Maverick, breaking the triangle, but that is asking for too much.

I should just shut up now. Ok, I'm out. Last player lock post, I promise. :P

[NBA2k4life]

I understand what you're coming from, that's why I'm suggesting that the locking feature should be an option rather than mandatory. Put it somewhere prior to the game or option, like "Player lock? Y/N"

That would be awesome.

[TMAGIC]

IMO, player lock is a must. I'm also one of those players that murders the AI if I dont let my own AI teammates make mistakes. Controlling every player is just way too easy. On 12 min qtr.'s, I can usually get all starters a triple double.

Player Lock needs to have some options when you dont have the ball, or its no fun. Icon or Analog passing should work precisely. This would allow you complete freedom to roam the court while still maintaining full control of ball movement.

[NBA2k4life]

Gez, bro. This player lock thingy should be an available option (on/off), NOT a permanent unmodified setting. Not everyone likes player lock, so if NBA2k5 only has player lock but removes the old way (controlling all the players), then Sega pretty much loses that market segment.

For obvious examples, take a look at the current problems of NBA2k4 that outrage the fans:

- having cool warm-up cutscenes but losing the old player introductions from previous 2k series.
-having cool player models but losing the old camera angle options from previous installments.
-having more accessories in create-a-player but losing the create-a-player body compositions (ie. waistline, weight, arm thickness etc.). NBA2k to 2k3 have these options, but not 2k4.

See what I'm getting at? Keep the old setting (no player lock) but at the same time if a user wishes to have player lock, it's there, too.

[Teracolta]

NBA Inside drive has 3 modes of play.

Traditional: Control Everyone

ESPN LOCK: Control one position more or less, while staying away from any button that changes you into someone else.

Player Lock: Pick one position, and play the entire game in that position.


I think all three should be in ESPN 2k5. If they are, I can guarantee that my friends and I will be back in the fold next year.

Since Inside Drive went online we have been playing it because you can have your own player and your own camera. The online tourneys aren't bad either.

Come to think of it, I think I have an idea for a player profile:

Profile Name: Lynsanity
Favorite Team: Charolotte Bobcats
Position Lock: Yes
Position: Point Guard
Offensive Identity: Run and Gun
Defensive Identity: Aggressive
Play Calling: Manual
Time Outs: Manual
Substitutions: Manual
Late Game Fouling: Manual

Honestly, having this Profile load up automatically would save me loads of time and make the game run a bit more efficiently, as I would have everything pre-saved to a profile.

[TMAGIC]

Dont worry NBA2K4LIFE, I dont think anyone wants Player Lock as a permanent mode. When I play against friends, I still prefer using Ball Handler Auto Switch. Player Lock would be more fun playing against the AI.