Publisher 2K and developer Visual Concepts have unveiled a new video for NBA 2K21 that details some of the enhancements that next-gen consoles have allowed them to make to their hit basketball sim. Check it out below:
The footage looks absolutely incredible, but the NBA 2K series has always offered a visual masterclass between new generations of consoles so what else would you expect?
Today, Visual Concepts executive producer Erick Boenisch and gameplay director Mike Wang presented a closer look at some of the new advancements brought on by the arrival of next-gen hardware.
Commentating over new Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans gameplay footage captured directly from an in-progress build of NBA 2K21, Erick and Mike highlighted several examples of what the team was able to achieve in the next-gen version of the game. This included:
– Lightning-Fast Load Times: By utilizing the built-in solid-state drives (SSDs) of the next-gen consoles, NBA 2K21 now features incredibly short load times that get players directly into the action;
– Closer to the Real Basketball than Ever: Next-gen advancements around movement, impact, shooting, dribbling and more lead to an NBA 2K experience that blurs the line between game and reality;
– The Arena Comes to Life: A new standard of crowd interactivity has been established in NBA 2K21, thanks to the more than 150 AI-powered characters populating the Lower Bowl of the arena;
– New Perspective to the Game: The dynamic new Rail Cam presentation transports the player to the hardwood floors, providing a full view of the game and highlights the incredible visual fidelity of the players and arena.
Speaking of commentary – longtime fans will be excited to learn that the next-gen version of NBA 2K21 features two separate commentary teams! In addition to the current cast of Kevin Harlan, Greg Anthony and David Aldridge, players will also hear games cast by Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Grant Hill (color commentator) and Allie LaForce (sideline reporter), keeping the overall commentary experience fresh. Great analysis will still be provided by special guests which include Doris Burke, Steve Smith, Chris Webber, Brent Barry and Clark Kellogg and more.
NBA 2K21 is coming to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S at launch for both consoles – it’s also available now on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Find out more on the official website through this link.
