JAY-Z GETS BARKLEY TO SIGN ONTO NBA 2K13 FOR 2012 TEAM USA VS 1992 DREAM TEAM

Last month I had a chance to get some hands-on time with NBA 2K13, and after walking away impressed, I didn’t think there was a way to get more excited for the basketball simulation title.

That changed after I spent even more time taking a closer look at the game’s new presentation, additions and modes this week,

The biggest sell of NBA 2K13, outside of the phenomenal gameplay and foundation, is the fact that the team at 2K Sports has brought Jay-Z in as an executive producer.

HOVA’s presence is overwhelming in the game, and that’s a good thing. Right at the opening montage (one of my favorite things from 2K12 was the Kurtis Blow basketball montage) you can see and feel the impact that Jay-Z has had on the title. The new opening montage features gameplay moments as well as a Jay-Z song to really set the stage for what is a totally different game presentation-wise.

The game’s soundtrack, from what I was able to experience, is phenomenal, and again Jay-Z’s fingerprints are all over not only that but the game’s menus as well, which feature pulsating levels and bars that react to the bass and other music elements from the soundtrack.

But the presentation and musical aspects aren’t the only areas where the rapper’s influence changed the game.

NBA 2K13 will feature the 2012 Team USA as well as the 1992 Dream Team. During the demo, I was told that prior to this year Charles Barkley had been a very difficult get for the team to appear in the game, but all it took from Jay-Z was a phone call and Barkley signed on to be part of the project.

Moving onto the other features, the classic teams will all be returning this time around, albeit they will not be featured as prominently as they were in previous installments (i.e. being on the cover). There will also be a special Celebrity Team, featuring Justin Bieber, DJ Pauly D, Bow Wow, Sean Kingston and Vinny Guadagnino amongst others. Bieber even came in for motion capture sessions, although his 6’4 frame in the game may be just a BIT exaggerated.

This year 2K Sports decided to split the My Career mode into two separate areas. All of the features and gameplay options from last year’s title remain intact, but the major difference is that My Player and My Career have been split into two separate areas. While you will still control your player in the My Career mode, My Player allows for the accentuated role playing elements to play their part in the game.

In My Player, you will have the option to edit your player’s look, playing style and abilities by purchasing new clothes and team gear using the new in-game currency. In My Player you will be able to style your player for off-the-court, on-court and for the pre-game cutscenes with over 1,400 articles of clothing and accessories.

Furthering the enhanced role-playing aspect, using the in-game currency, which you earn at all times in all modes, gamers can purchase upgrades for their players (via knee/ankle braces etc) and can completely customize their pre-game rituals as well as create their own intricate sneaker with seemingly endless possibilities.

My Career remains mostly intact with the exception of a more in-depth interview process prior to being drafted as well as a change for the NBA Draft that allows your player to be selected No.1 overall based on your play in the Rookie game.

Another first for NBA 2K13 is the all-new My Team mode, which plays similarly to collectible card games we have seen in previous sports games. Users can buy packs of cards to create a team and take it online and earn more in-game currency to purchase better players and upgrades. The unique aspect of this mode is the integration with NBA Today and the way it will track players’ performance and adjust their price based on the track record. This mode is a nice addition for those who enjoy fantasy sports and/or stock-watching because of the player forecasting element involved.

Other additions to the game include the new CBA, Start Today and Total Sim Control for The Association. Start Today uses NBA Today to have players jump right into a season in progress without having to catch up or deal with early injuries. Total Sim Control allows you to create a gameplan tailor made for each matchup and really play the role of NBA coach.

NBA 2K13 releases for Xbox 360 and PS3 on October 2. Check back with the Post Game Report for more information as we get closer to release.