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2K Sports shows off MLB 2K11's year-to-year improvements
As far as we can tell by the recently released comparison shots for MLB 2K11 -- posted in the gallery below -- the game's undergone two aesthetic improvements since last year. First: Everything looks way, way better. Second: Brian Wilson's crazybeard has experienced a truly prodigious thickening.
NBA 2K11 is 2K Sports' best-selling game ever
During an investor call today, Take-Two revealed just how nice a season NBA 2K11 has had without competition from an EA Sports' basketball sim. Hint: Really nice. "NBA 2K11 has now sold in nearly 4 million units since launching in early October," Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said during the call, "and has become the best-selling title in the history of both our basketball franchise and 2K Sports." ("Sold in," of course, refers to shipments to retailers, rather than actual purchases by consumers.) It would be irresponsible to attribute all of the game's success to the fact that EA canceled NBA Elite 11, leaving NBA 2K11 (pretty much) unopposed in the market. 2K11 was quite well-received by critics on its own. But it would be even more irresponsible to pretend the cancellation had nothing to do with the increase in 2K11 sales.
MLB 2K11's 'Perfect Game' trailer is the perfect motivator
2K Sports sent out this Major League Baseball 2K11 video, presumably to encourage players to try to throw perfect games of their own. We think it's pretty inspirational! Well, combined with the promise of a million dollars, anyway.
Top Spin 4 is Move compatible, but 'not Kinect'
When Top Spin 4 was announced in September, publisher 2K Games busted out accolades like "uncanny level of realism" and "all-new innovative controls," which certainly sounded like euphemisms for "you're going to play it with swinging motions." At the time, associate producer Michael Kelly told ESPN that support for PlayStation Move and Kinect was "something we are looking into, but I can't confirm or deny that it will be in the final product." Today, the publisher revealed Top Spin 4's box art, featuring Bald Agassi (his "Vintage" look will be available when you pre-order the game from GameStop) flanked by current stars Rafa and Serena. And the box art revealed that the PS3 version will be "PlayStation Move Compatible," which is corroborated by the Move logo's appearance in the new trailer. The Xbox 360 cover, however, is curiously devoid of any mention of Kinect, and a 2K Games representative confirmed to us that Top Spin 4 is "not Kinect ... but it is Move compatible." Considering the strong sales of both Kinect hardware and associated software since the device's launch in November, not to mention that there's no licensed tennis sim for Kinect on the market yet, 2K must have good reason for passing up this opportunity (though the company has "no further comment" at this time). Top Spin 4 is scheduled for release on March 15, 2011 for PS3, Wii and Xbox 360. Check out the full, 25-player roster and a new trailer after the break. %Gallery-114600%
MLB Bobblehead Pros get a nod from the ESRB
There's one feature that's been severely underutilized in this generation of gaming: big-head mode. Thankfully, 2K Sports is getting it on like Donkey Kong™. MLB Bobblehead Pros, as described by the ESRB, is a "baseball simulation game in which players compete using 'bobblehead doll' versions of real major league players." With big-headed baseball players running around, we fathom the game will look a lot like Japan's Jikkyo Powerful Pro Yakyu franchise. The ratings listing pegs Bobblehead Pros for release on PS3 and Xbox 360, which has us thinking thinking this may be a downloadable PSN/XBLA title. Surely, we'll find out more before the beginning of the baseball season later this year.
NBA 2K11 3D for PS3 launched as Best Buy timed exclusive today
Just when we thought we were getting out from under the spectre of exclusive 3D releases on Blu-ray we're hit with one from a very unexpected source in the form of an exclusive NBA 2K11 3D for PS3 SKU, available only at Best Buy. The only apparent difference in this version is its support for stereoscopic 3DTVs (not the first sports title this year to do it, Madden 2011 features anaglyph 3D on any TV with a code, but really, why try?), but for now you won't be able to get it anywhere else. Already have the game or plan on pick it up elsewhere? Expect a software update adding 3D to all PS3 versions (no cross-platform 3D for the Xbox 360 version on this one, leave that to Call of Duty: Black Ops and Crysis) in January according to Ron from 2KSports, for now enjoy the new trailer for the 3D version (embedded) and expect a post on the official PlayStation Blog.
Roy Halladay named MLB 2K11 cover athlete
Having tossed only the twentieth perfect game in baseball -- ever -- this past season and tacking on twenty more regular season wins, not to mention recording only the second no-hitter in post-season history (in his first post-season game), Phillies ace Roy Halladay has earned himself the cover spot on this spring's Major League Baseball 2K11 (no curse attached). 2K Sports bestowed the honor today, in advance of tomorrow's National League Cy Young Award announcement, which the publisher predicts will go to "Doc" as well. "I'm honored to be on the cover of Major League Baseball 2K11," said the always-humble Halladay in 2K's announcement. "I'm not one for predictions, but should 2K Sports be right about tomorrow, well, that would be a great way to end the year." Certainly, it would be a better ending than the current one: watching teammate and former MLB 08 cover athlete, Ryan Howard, take strike three looking to seal shut a chance for the team's third-straight World Series appearance. Or is that not how it played out in your 2K10 season? %Gallery-107458%
NBA 2K11 trailer puts 'Jordan' on every jersey
Have you thought about all the opportunities you'll have to pervert Jordan's legacy in NBA 2K11? This new trailer will give you some good ideas.
NBA 2K11 demo dribbles out to PSN, XBLM
Attention, virtual ballers, the NBA 2K11 demo is out today on both the PlayStation Store (once it updates) and Xbox Live Marketplace (right now!). The demo features the NBA 2010 Finals match-up between the Lakers and Celtics, which means you won't be experiencing any Michael Jordan moments. You want MJ, you gotta pay. Oh, and don't break out those ice cream cones just yet, PS3 players, as the demo does not feature Move support (you'll have to pay for that, too -- it's in the retail version).
Top Spin 4 announced, with vintage Agassi pre-order bonus
2K Sports today announced that Top Spin 4 is coming to Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii in 2011. The next iteration in the tennis sim franchise will feature 25 top pros and legends, headlined by a young Andre Agassi -- the one with the rad hairpiece. Vintage Agassi will be offered as a pre-order bonus for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game purchased from GameStop. While neither Move nor Kinect support was confirmed in the announcement, the "exhilarating" Top Spin 4 is said to feature "an uncanny level of realism" and "all-new innovative controls," according to 2K Games' president of product development Greg Thomas. Who knows -- maybe that means they just swapped the slice and lob buttons? %Gallery-101537%
NBA 2K11 trailer shows us how to be proper ballers
Even the greatest basketballers had to start somewhere -- Jordan was perfecting his game in the back yard long before he was dunking on guys' faces in prime time. That's why we'd like to present you with the tutorial trailer for NBA 2K11 we've got embedded past the break. It's a pretty comprehensive guide to becoming a hardwood hero ... at least on the virtual court. If you wanna be a better real-life basketballer, we don't know what to tell you. Eat your Wheaties, maybe?
NHL 2K11 passes the puck to iPhone and iPod Touch
2K Sports has announced that, tomorrow, puck enthusiasts on the go will be able to access a version of NHL 2K11 optimized for iOS devices -- the first officially-licensed hockey game to lace up its skates on the iPhone and iPod Touch, actually. Sadly, 2K Sports has not furnished us with any media for the new game, but has revealed that it can be yours for $1.99 during its first week of availability. The company also promises the scaled-down skate-'em-up will sport "a new control system designed from the ground up; animations and graphics taken from the console version of the game; and fully realized season, shootout and free skate modes of play." You can find it on the App Store starting tomorrow.
Preview: NBA 2K11's Jordan Challenge mode
NBA 2K11 has everything to lose this year. As the top-selling basketball title of last year, and with EA rebuilding and re-branding its own basketball experience as NBA Elite 11, you might think 2K Games could probably coast for the next few years, sit back and count the dough. But if there's one phrase I've heard plenty of times from 2K reps during my visit, it's "The Pepsi Challenge." 2K is putting its money where its mouth is, investing in real improvements to its yearly franchise. The first (and perhaps most important to longtime fans) is the online play. Right away I threw the question at them (it's a hot topic in the community and something I bring up every time I talk to these guys -- we've gotta be sure!): "Are you going to fix the online experience this year?" I was told it was a big focus for 2K -- the other, obviously, being Michael Jordan. %Gallery-99635%
NBA 2K11 devs drop 'approximately 30 positions'
Take-Two Interactive sports game developer Visual Concepts recently let go of 30 employees, according to a statement issued by the publisher. VP of corporate communications and public affairs at Take-Two Alan Lewis told Industry Gamers, "In order to properly align its resources with its current and future goals, and to continue to develop games as efficiently as possible, 2K Sports has eliminated approximately 30 positions at its Visual Concepts studio." When contacted by Joystiq, Take-Two refused to provide further information. The next game due from Visual Concepts is NBA 2K11 on October 5, which is said to be unaffected by the layoffs. "These reductions will not affect 2K Sports' ability to create and deliver AAA titles, including its upcoming release of NBA 2K11," the statement from Take-Two claims. As always, we wish those affected the best in the future.
2K Sports dishes on NBA 2K11's 'Jordan Challenge'
"It was tough to narrow down the list to just ten, but we wanted to pick games and moments that were career-defining and that translated well to replicating through a video game," explained 2K marketing director SportsChris Snyder of NBA 2K11's new "Jordan Challenge" mode -- a series of recreations of some of Michael Jordan's most famous moments on the hardwood. As the cover athlete, Jordan has been involved with the game's development to some extent. "Michael has been great with feedback," Snyder told us. "When he talks we are definitely all ears." While Jordan did not personally assemble the list of games featured in the Jordan Challenge, "he also didn't shut it down when we sent it in for approval," Snyder said. "So I like to think we picked a good list." When asked whether Jordan's famous teammates, such as Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, would be included in the game, Snyder promised, "fans will be pleased with who they see on the court." Outside of the Jordan Challenge mode, players can use the "Classic Bulls team," which 2K confirmed would be selectable right from the beginning. (Snyder couldn't say whether players would be able to use this team online.) Finally, for those of you lamenting the absence of perhaps Jordan's greatest basketball accomplishment -- defeating the Monstars in the epic Space Jam showdown -- Snyder offers this: "Bugs Bunny's price was too high." We guess the price of carrots must be on the rise. %Gallery-96342%
NBA 2K11's full list of 'Jordan Challenges'
Earlier today, we were told of the "Jordan Challenges" in NBA 2K11, a series of highlight games from the illustrious career of the game's cover athlete, Michael Jordan. There will be a total of 10 different challenge games players will need to compete in and 2K Sports was kind enough to bestow upon us the full list, which you can take a look at after the break.%Gallery-98029%
NBA 2K11 players to take on 'The Jordan Challenge'
2K Sports has announced an intriguing, star-powered mode for its upcoming pro hoops title, NBA 2K11: "The Jordan Challenge." As your brain probably discerned upon reading the words "hoops" and "Jordan" in the same sentence, the mode will place you in the comically large sneakers of Michael Jordan and task you with recreating 10 of the biggest games in the legendary athlete's career. These recreations must be perfect, or the time-traveling Jordan might just create a paradox, simultaneously destroying all matter at every point of time. Only a handful of games have been revealed so far: There's his 69-point bout against the Cavaliers in March of 1990, his self-described best game. There's also his flu-ridden performance against the Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA Finals. And, of course, the collection wouldn't be complete without his climactic match-up against the Monstars, in which his physics-defying, game-winning slam dunk guaranteed the freedom of his animated teammates, and led to his recovery of the basketball skills of fellow ballers Barkley, Ewing, Bogues, Johnson and Bradley.
Lebron James' move to the Miami Heat and how it'll affect NBA 2K11
Yesterday, it seemed like the only thing people could talk about on TV, the radio and Twitter was Lebron James. For the uninitiated, he's one of the greatest basketball stars playing today. Wrapping up a lengthy stay in Cleveland with the Cavaliers -- where he's been for the past seven years, since age 18 -- James had finally become a free agent, able to go wherever he wished. As we learned last night, he chose to join the Miami Heat. With 2K Sports set to launch the latest iteration in its NBA 2K series, NBA 2K11, on October 5, we got in touch with Chris Snyder, director of marketing for the label, to get his thoughts on the situation. While he admitted that 2K Sports was "not at all" worried about the recent events surrounding James stealing the spotlight from Michael Jordan's signing as this year's cover star, he did admit that James and the teams affected by his decision haven't had their stats finalized in the game just yet. "It's too early to tell, as the Heat have to fill out the rest of the roster," Snyder said. "The Heat definitely will be improved, and the Cavs will definitely take a hit, but we need to see where everyone else lands before we can determine who is the number one ranked team." (Sports experts currently predict a Celtics-Heat Eastern Conference showdown for the foreseeable future.) Finally, 2K Sports offered us a lone screenshot (above, click to enlarge) which provides us with our first glimpse of James in a Heat uniform. We know it's painful to see, Cleveland -- but it's all a part of moving on.
The Michael Jordan NBA 2K11 cover
2K Sports calls it the "Greatest Cover of All Time" -- but, you know, it's not even the greatest Michael Jordan cover of all time. Five words: Chaos. In. The. Windy. City. (Click the image for a better look at Jordan's latest comeback.)
Preview: NBA 2K11
There's a lot riding on NBA 2K11. Not only did 2K Games secure Michael Jordan -- a huge get -- but with EA looking to revitalize its basketball game with NBA Elite 11, there's more pressure on the NBA2K franchise than ever before. Being the top-selling basketball game across all platforms last year doesn't mean that NBA 2K11 can secure Jordan and then "rest on its laurels and call it a day," a 2K rep told me. %Gallery-96342%
