Three from 2K Games for Xbox 360 Launch

[fitbabits]

At least in Europe. EuroGamer (http://www.eurogamer.net) has the details (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61530).

2K Sports is aiming to have Amped 3, NHL 2K6 and NBA 2K6 ready for the launch of Xbox 360 in Europe on December 2nd, the publisher confirmed today.

It's all a question of whether the games get through Microsoft's submission process in time, but speaking to Eurogamer this morning a 2K Sports rep said, "That's what we're working towards".
Given the recent uncertainty surrounding launch titles, I would think that Microsoft would be eager to usher these through their submission process. Which would mean sporty goodness over Thanksgiving weekend!

[Qoz]

I would think that Microsoft would be eager to usher these through their submission process. Which would mean sporty goodness over Thanksgiving weekend!
Or some buggy crap to ruin the holidays.
Its never good to rush things - especially true for gamedevelopment.

[Vandenh]

Amped 3 would be nice....

[fitbabits]

Amped 3 would be nice....
At this point anything confirmed is nice...

[A-Team]

Amped 3 has already made it through testing here in the States.

[Silversmith]

Can't wait for NBA 2K6!!!! !@#$ing NFL taking diversity away from sport games == More medicore madden. Sorry I'm a EA sport hater.

[MosBen]

I'm just hoping they put some extra polish on NHL 2k6. I've held out on buying a hockey game this year for the 360 launch, and the reviews that I've of NHL 2k6 for the versions already out make it look like they dropped the ball, or puck, a bit this year. Again, hopefully that's because they were spending all their time making the 360 version awesome.

[fitbabits]

I'm just hoping they put some extra polish on NHL 2k6. I've held out on buying a hockey game this year for the 360 launch, and the reviews that I've of NHL 2k6 for the versions already out make it look like they dropped the ball, or puck, a bit this year. Again, hopefully that's because they were spending all their time making the 360 version awesome.
I bought the Xbox version of NHL 2K6 and it's pretty awesome - especially for the price. It is a slight departure from 2K5, but who said change has to be a bad thing?

[Wonka]

Microsofts submission process for games is the most thorough in the business. I doubt they will rush anything through. Launch window or not. Whether or not you think this is a good thing will vary from person to person. Personally I think its a good thing, but I am a patient person.

[bjornbarspingvinen]

NHL 2k6 is the best hockey game ever, amazing game, and I have played almost all there have been. I will pick that up for xbox 360 along with Project gotham Racing 3 and maybe NBA2k6.

[bean19]

I bet their submission offices are backlogged like crazy with all the launch titles. X360 testers are probably burning the candle at both ends.

[Mr.Green]

NHL2K6 on Xbox is in a beta state at best. I hope the 360 version comes out better. Hell, anything will be an improvement.

[fitbabits]

NHL2K6 on Xbox is in a beta state at best. I hope the 360 version comes out better. Hell, anything will be an improvement.
I respectfully disagree, but perhaps you could explain why you think it's in a beta state?

[Mr.Green]

- The UI is unintuitive and at times barely functional. In my last league game I was never able to change goalies. Although I selected the other one and then picked "assign to line" the other retard stayed in the net. When you receive a challenge in the lobby you have to, dramatic pause, pull down on the right thumbstick to bring up the challenges menu and then accept. Managing the settings is still a pain and some of them don't seem to save. I could go on but you get the idea, the UI is horrible.
- There's a bug where your center will start to move before a face off.
- Better say "good game" to your buddy before the end of the game because it throws you out faster than... something really really fast.
- The soundtrack is atrocious
- The commentary is dull and sometimes out of sync.
- Graphics are very poor, fugly even. What's up with the metallic jerseys?
- The new on the fly coaching feature is kinda cool but the D-Pad presses don't register half of the time. It needs to be more sensitive since you need to drop the left analog to press it real quick.
- This is arguable but my main gripe is that I don't like where they are going with the gameplay. There's too much "randomness" to the game for my tastes. I know it's supposed to make the game more realistic but there are too many garbage goals that happen for no other reason than a roll of dice. Players will miss passes and miss the net by 6' without any apparent reason. Your AI teammates take stupid penalties. It feels sluggish.

Ok this is not a very coherent post but I'm supposed to be working here. ;)

[fitbabits]

- The UI is unintuitive and at times barely functional. In my last league game I was never able to change goalies. Although I selected the other one and then picked "assign to line" the other retard stayed in the net. When you receive a challenge in the lobby you have to, dramatic pause, pull down on the right thumbstick to bring up the challenges menu and then accept. Managing the settings is still a pain and some of them don't seem to save. I could go on but you get the idea, the UI is horrible.
- There's a bug where your center will start to move before a face off.
- Better say "good game" to your buddy before the end of the game because it throws you out faster than... something really really fast.
- The soundtrack is atrocious
- The commentary is dull and sometimes out of sync.
- Graphics are very poor, fugly even. What's up with the metallic jerseys?
- The new on the fly coaching feature is kinda cool but the D-Pad presses don't register half of the time. It needs to be more sensitive since you need to drop the left analog to press it real quick.
- This is arguable but my main gripe is that I don't like where they are going with the gameplay. There's too much "randomness" to the game for my tastes. I know it's supposed to make the game more realistic but there are too many garbage goals that happen for no other reason than a roll of dice. Players will miss passes and miss the net by 6' without any apparent reason. Your AI teammates take stupid penalties. It feels sluggish.

Ok this is not a very coherent post but I'm supposed to be working here. ;)

On the contrary, it's very coherent, and very much appreciated. It bothers me when people say things like "that gaym sux00rz" and can't or won't back up their claim with anything approaching a well-reasoned explanation.

And here's where I think you and I may differ - I am not a huge hockey fan. Therefore the points you make (albeit totally valid) are not necessarily things I would pick up on. I just enjoy playing the game. That said, I would be much more attentive and critical if it were a soccer game. :)

Back to work!

[bjornbarspingvinen]

I think mr green is wrong on most accounts, and I am a die-hard hockey fan, have followed hockey since I was a little kid, and been addicted to hockeygames ever since. And NHL2k6 is the best hockeygame there has ever been. The soundtrack I like, but that´s highly individual . But, the randomness and garbagegoal effect he talks about is due to the much better collision detection, and the much more realistic one. Now the puck actually bounce of the skates etc. The animations are great and it has the most realistic wrister and slapshot animation I have ever seen. And the feel of the shots are amazing!

At first I didnt like the PBP either, but actually they sound very good and the knowledge of those two are amazing. Those guys are the most famous Canadian PBP guys there are.NEver experienced it to be out of sync , check your xbox.

On the fly works like a charm, and they actually do what you tell them to do. Maybe your controller is messed up?

About where they are going with this game; I love it, as do my die-hard hockey friends, some of them had trouble with the new momentum (as green call sluggish), but now they love it. It´s friggin realistic and makes you plan your movement as you would in real life hockey. Anyhow, if you don´t like momentum SIMPLY turn ice friction up(and it will be like 2k5). The shotcounts are realistic from the AI, and the percentages are realistic, the sometimes missed shots are realistic, screening goalies actually works, and the AI is alot better.
This is game for real hockeyfans. But that´s my opinion. :D