NBA 2K14’s Eco-Motion Engine Brings Players to Life on PS4

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NBA 2K14’s Eco-Motion Engine Brings Players to Life on PS4

What an exciting year for everyone in the video game industry. The team here at 2K has seen a lot over the years, and experienced countless new system launches. But we’ve never seen one like this year, with the launch of PS4. It’s an old cliché that new technology allows developers to take their products to the next level, but that’s never been truer than now. As work began on NBA 2K14 for PS4, the next-gen technology inspired our developers at Visual Concepts to develop a completely new experience from the ground up. NBA 2K14 on PS4 will feature re-built game modes, stunning life-like graphics, and a brand new gameplay engine.

With that said, 2K is excited to unveil the all-new Eco-Motion Engine for NBA 2K14 on PS4. With Eco-Motion, the entire NBA experience comes to life in ways never before seen in a video game, including crowd reactions, atmosphere, coaching strategies, real player voices, and most of all the emotion of the game. Player animations are dynamic, and evolve on the fly as you play. Player personalities and emotions factor into the game as well, affecting how players perform and even behave on the court. No longer will players look like robots on the court. Now you will feel the emotion of the game in a living, evolving basketball environment.

One example of the Eco-Motion Engine in action is the new fluid nature of player animations. Gone are the days of pre-canned animations that must play out exactly as they were mocapped. Now, players adjust their movements based on the environment around them. Jumpshots will change midair, dribble moves will alter in between dribbles, and players will land in a unique way following every thunderous dunk or block. No two animations will ever appear exactly the same. To illustrate this point, our Dev team recently showed off a looping video of OKC star Kevin Durant taking the same jumpshot ten different times. Sure enough, each clip was unique in some way. In one shot, KD pulled off a perfect shooting motion. But in the next, a defender stepped up and altered the shot, causing him to rush the release and land awkwardly on one foot. These types of play-to-play variations occur constantly in real life sports, but until now it’s been a challenge to capture the fluid and dynamic nature of live sports in a video game. Not anymore.

Of course, this is just a small sample of the exciting next-gen basketball experience gamers can look forward to in NBA 2K14 on PS4. Everyone here at 2K is so proud of this game, and we can’t wait for fans to get their hands on it on November 15th.

Give me a follow on Twitter @Ronnie2K. Thanks for reading!

Ronnie

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119 Comments

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  • Please tell me you guys made All-Star Weekend better???

    • What do you want to see? We made dramatic changes last year but something we’re always looking to expand on.

  • So hyped for this game! Will this version have classic teams?

  • THE GAME LOOKS GREAT BUT STEPHEN CURRY’S JUMPSHOT IS NO WHERE NEAR THE REAL LIFE ONE DO U THINK U GUYS WILL EVER CHANGE PLAYERS JUMPSHOTS ON THIS GAME ND WHERE ARE CURRY’S WRISTSBANDS

  • Wow…I got skipped.

  • Bar none PS4 is the sports enthusiast console.. NBA2K14 Next Generation along with your developed Eco Motion Engine is a perfect reason to own a PS4.. Tie that in with Sony prestige Flagship title MLB’14 and 2Ksports Flagship NBA2K14. Instant winner..

    @Ronnie2K nice to see you on this side of the console world besides twitter. Much Success & thanks for sharing the Eco Motion VIdeo. Don’t believe it’s discussed on this video, but any changing news surrounding Teamup from now gen to next gen would be appreciated. Say hello to FL1GHTMARE as he running a nice NBA2K14 forum :)

    • You know I love my Twitter. Haha, just an easy way to talk to as many fans as possible and get the word out there.

      More to come about those modes. We haven’t even discussed #ThePark.

  • hey ronnie the game looks incredible and i loved playing 2k13 but when i picked up 2k14 the controls where very different i would say they where def not user friendly. i enjoyed playing with my wife and kids and now they find is extremely difficult. i wonder what you are doing to make it more userfriendly for someone who never played before

    • There’s a constant battle between making the game new person friendly versus hardcore friendly and I think we strike a good balance. That takes the constant tweaking of controls which admittedly, probably is frustrating the first couple weeks post launch. But it does become intuitive and make sense in time but I hear you…

  • So I am now wondering if the question I posted earlier means that there hasn’t been any change in crowd reaction and noise. Was wondering why people questions are being skipped as well?

  • WILL THERE BE A FANTASY DRAFT ON MY GM MODE

  • IMO, the controls for the dunk contest on the earlier 2K games like 2k11 were great. Any chance we could get those controls back for All-Star Weekend?

    • Something we’ll bounce around over here but if it’s set as is, imagine it’ll have to be addressed in a future year.

  • when you said .” But it does become intuitive and make sense” i get it but you would also agree with me that sometimes first impression is KEY.. am not hating on the game am just saying, i already reserved my copy for ps4 and also will the legends look as great as other players seen in the awesome trailers?

    • I understand you’re not hating, I don’t disagree. We just have to walk that balance and I think we doing a really good job of that. It’d be lame if they were the same exact thing year in and year out. That’s what I love more about our team, they’re always looking for ways to push the envelope and offer the best game yet.

  • I saw a demo of the game on IGN and to me it looks really good but the same gameplay as current gen. Is they’re any differences in gameplay between current and next gen besides graphics? Im still getting it but just to ask you guys. OH and I gotta ask is Tracy McGrady in his prime from like 2004 going to be in the game or next year?? He is my brother’s favorite player and really wants to boycott the game if he’s not in it lol.

  • you said lame haha .. cool keep doing what you do best there is a reason you guys are by far the greatest sports game ever.. and will the legends look as realistic. i would love an MJ sreenshot

  • I hate basketball. But really, hate basketball. This looks so good, that I want to buy and play it. Yeah, this is how good it looks. Awesome work on the details… The JERSEYS, are you KIDDING ME!? When can I get a hockey game that looks like that? Come on now!

  • I want to ask why there is no Vita version. Some of us really hopes for a Vita version. Understandably there’s an App Store version but I’d rather play it on a device with buttons.

  • I dont see the video anywhere….?

  • Hey Ronnie is the King James Pre-order pack available for the PS4?

  • Hey Ronnie,

  • Is scanning your face onto your myplayer using the ps4 eye/kinect an idea you guys plan on doing in future 2k’s?

    • Imagine next-gen is going to unlock countless possibilities. I will be sharing my own head capture in the coming days.

  • Hey Ronnie,
    I was wondering about creating MyPlayer. How realistic will it look compared to real life players in the game? Will we be able to edit wingspans? And can the PS4 camera play a role in the creation?
    Thanks

  • The graphics definitely look impressive but my number 1 request and probably the main request both on forums and twitter/facebook was a crew mode similar to what you had in 2K11 with arenas stats and qtrs. The blacktop crew just isn’t the same thing and I feel like you guys turn a blind eye to some of your hardcore fans, I personally would buy new 2K’s every year but despite having a PS4 reserved I’m still indifferent on picking up 2k14 until more online info is released.

  • Ronnie, one thing. There’s no possibility for the PC to have the next-gen 2K14?

  • How are the accessories & tattoos? are there more added to the game now since it’s next gen like added on sleeves like Lebron & Paul George ? & half sleeves like Deron Williams & Damian Lillard? Curious questions thanks ronnie

  • Also I see you mentioned the park, I don’t mean to be a hater but I’m wondering how you’re going to deal with the potential lag and all the mics going on at once. It almost sounds a bit gimmicky, I think a lot of people would have been very happy with a 2K11 styled version of crew instead. I’d love to see a video insight for parks regardless, any chance we get one?

  • With everything going on with NBA 2K and Live, will 2K also have the ability to update on a daily basis not only with shoes and accessories but also hairstyles and facial hair? (Maybe 2K14 or future iterations?)

  • Ronnie, if you are still answering questions, will this game have cross-play functionality?

  • Im getting this game come launch next week. I believe you guys at 2k really do a fantastic job of representing the sport of basketball. Just like MLB: The Show does for baseball!

  • Hi, have been a fan of NBA 2k for 5 years now. Have had every game on the PC. Is there a plan in place to finally bring next-gen graphics and MOST importantly GAMEPLAY and GAME MODES to the PC? Most PC’s could easily handle the game, since that is not an obstacle, what is, and what has been the problem for bringing even previous-gen console game modes to the PC?
    Cheers!

  • Hey ronnie one question if theres a posibility of a new image of crew mode on the nba 2k14 next gen????

  • just answer me if is a posibility????

  • One thing that has bothered me for a long time with 2K is the shoes they just look so bulky and ugly , unlike LIVE … is this something u guys have taken into consideration of fixing?

    • We are the Shoe game. Something we’re always looking at. Have you seen some of the footage with them in game? It looks ridiculously amazing.

  • Damn looks fantastic

  • Hey Ronnie, really excited about NBA 2k14 on next gen, it’s a really exciting time to be a PlayStation gamer. I’d like to know how created players will look in 2k14 NG? Considering how different non-facescanned 2k14 players look vs. those who have been scanned, I’m worried that CAPs and created rookies in MyGM will stick out and be an eyesore on an otherwise beautiful game! Also, how have the create-a-player and create-a-team features been updated for next gen? TIA

  • is the instant replay feature confirmed?

    • Are you talking about the Next-Gen console features? Not sure I understand the question. We’ve had replays in our games for years.

  • I am literally wating to take advantage ofthe next gen featurs & graphics… Cannot wait for next week!

  • Only 8 more days till greatness arrives. Midnight launch is gonna be fun.

  • Is this going to be available day one on PS store? Its not up for preorder along with some other games yet.

  • quick ? the shoes well mainly jordans will we be able to have all the jordans next gen. Talking about all the retros and spikes and fusions? i am HUGH sneaker fan as well 2k fan so i am hoping they will be in there

  • This is my first NBA game ever, been from UK i’ve never even watched a NBA game, seen how good this looks and got it on ps store ready to upgrade on launch :D Can’t wait!!!

  • I have an idea that will make 2k a boatload of money.
    Create an entire game just for NBA my career. For instance NBA the life was a hit and with 2k obviously killing the basketball market I could easily see a two for one package in stores for 100$. The game would easily be based off of fans wishlist etc. That is just my idea I wanted to share tho. Can not wait to buy both consoles and play 2k14 for next gen!!!

  • its gonna be EPICCCCCCC…. cant wait to play it all day same as NBA LIVEEEE….. nEXT Gen Rulessssssss… Sony has done a great job.. Im sony all the way

  • Is Jordan and the other classic teams going to be in next Gen?

  • Hi Ronnie !
    I have a question as a really big pc player, i love basketball and i have NBA2k13 on my pc. But to you guys make the next gen game on pc ?
    Thanks :)

  • This game is a first pick for me before launch. Congratulations!! But I will like to know which build was first PS4 or Xbox One?

  • @Ronnie 2k can we get screenshots of john wall and trey burke?

  • idk if u r still here but i just want to say that i been playing this game since well forever and every year this game is a must have for me and i want to say thank u and ur team for ur hard work and dedication to the game so thank u for everything and hopefully i can meet u and the team in person thank u

  • hey Ronnie2k I was wondering if you guys will have something called a friendly quit that madden has on online ranked match in-case you winning and you have to go somewhere. plz respond.

    thank you

    • I feel like that would be exploited. Not this year but something we can discuss for future year’s feedback.

  • Hey Ronnie little curious question

    1. With MyPlayer would we get the option of having the identical tattoos like such players like Lebron James, Paul George, Iman Shumpert & Damian lillard? that would really be helpful to know seeing how you & LD2k said there are tons more tattoos added to the game?
    2. Would we be able to change the jersey we wear during the season with whatever teams we get drafted too? we never had it in the past & it would be a perfect addition to have now?
    Thank you

  • I know we heard about the park, but what about the other half of online gaming in 2k. Anything new or improved within the quick match, leaderboards, lobbies? uploading created shoes to media share like we do rosters? improved servers etc..

  • i’ve been playing 2k for a while and I love playing mycareer and myteam but myGM looks great! but I have one question, will you be able to pick another shoe company other than jordan and nike in mycareer?

  • Hey Ronnie,

    Just an idea, can we get a mode where it simulates what it’s like to create and manage a new team. Kind of like my player except instead of creating a player, you create a team. You design their uniforms, mascots, and pick the players and staff. You have to build the team from the ground up and make them a championship contender. The mode would have custom commentary just like MyPlayer.

    In current gen I could create a team and play them in association, but it duplicates the players and I’d have to remove a real life team in order to get mine in.

    Perhaps you could even have your MyPlayer play in the team.

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