Categories
NBA 2K

NBA 2K24 Top 12 Rated Players

NBA 2K24 Top 10

NBA 2K24 is set to launch on September 8 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC consoles. So far, 2K has not given us much, revealing very few details since announcing that Kobe Bryant is this year’s cover athlete. That’s starting to change, as the first big info dump is coming August 14. The team at 2K did give us a little something, releasing the ratings for the top players in the league.

Last week, we learned a few of the top rookie ratings. This week we learned who the top players in the entire game are. The list gets started with reigning NBA Champion Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, who is actually rated two points better than any other player in 2K. Here’s the full list of the top 12 players in NBA 2K24:

  • Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić: 98 OVR
  • Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokunpo: 96 OVR
  • Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James: 96 OVR
  • Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid: 96 OVR
  • Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant: 96 OVR
  • Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry: 96 OVR
  • Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic: 95 OVR
  • Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum: 95 OVR
  • Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler: 95 OVR
  • Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard: 94 OVR
  • Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker: 94 OVR
  • Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard: 94 OVR

NBA 2K24 launches on September 8 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. As mentioned, we’ll get our first look at gameplay on August 14, and 2K will follow that up with a deep dive into The W, MyNBA, and Mamba Moments on August 21. Then, we’ll get a look at MyCareer, The City, and MyTeam on August 28 before 2K reveals the contents of Season 1 on September 4.

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NBA 2K

NBA 2K24 Schedule Teases Several New Reveals

NBA 2K24 Teasers

2K Sports officially announced NBA 2K24 earlier this month but didn’t reveal much outside of the cover athlete and pre-order bonuses. As of now, the only thing we really know about the game is that it will support crossplay on next-gen consoles and is using the Jordan Moments concept to make a Kobe Bryant-centric mode. Beyond that, we’ve only gotten hints at gameplay improvement with ProPlay and other small teases. Fortunately for NBA 2K24 fans, that’s going to change soon as 2K Sports announced its reveal roadmap for August and September which will take us up to the game’s release on September 8.

The current roadmap for NBA 2K24 reveals kicks off on August 14. That’s when 2K will give the first real look at gameplay, including the new ProPlay technology. We don’t know much about what this is at this point, but 2K did call it “a groundbreaking new technology that directly translates NBA footage into gameplay and delivers animations and movements via on-court NBA action for a generational leap in authenticity on PS5 and Xbox [Series] X/S.” That sounds…pretty great.

The next week, on August 21, we’ll learn more about the game modes. 2K Sports will be talking about The W (the WNBA mode), MyNBA, and Mamba Moments. MyNBA is similar to Franchise mode in other sports, but last year 2K introduced a feature that would let you jump a save back to specific Eras to redo older seasons in the NBA. On August 28, we’ll get a look at MyCareer, The City, and MyTeam, the competitive modes that generally drive sales of the 2K series. We haven’t gotten any real teases about these modes, so it’ll be cool to get a first look.

Last up, we’ll get the reveal of NBA 2K24‘s Season 1 on September 4. With the game launching later that week, it’ll serve as the kick-off for the final week of hype. It’s likely that 2K will do what it always does and start revealing giveaways for copies of the game, Virtual Currency to use in MyCareer and MyTeam, and even a few real-world pieces of NBA memorabilia.

Upward and Onward!

 

 

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Categories
MADDEN

Madden NFL 24 Devs Reveal Upcoming Changes Based on Closed Beta Feedback

Madden 24 Beta Updates

Madden NFL 24 developers have taken in the closed beta community feedback and released some of the upcoming improvements in the latest Gridiron Notes.

Note that certain features, including Superstar modes and specific Franchise mode elements discussed, will not be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Here are the notes:

Input latency – sometimes actions are missed or delayed

  • DEV NOTE: This issue was particularly noticeable by players who tend to make rapid pre-snap adjustments. Fixing this has been our top priority, even going as far as reopening the closed beta environment to get additional testing on the fix. Based on player feedback and internal testing, Input latency has been significantly improved. For PC players, this issue was often confused with general lag or hitching. That was a separate issue which we’ve also addressed.

GAMEPLAY

  • Pass Blocking Improvements  – Improved the Offensive Line’s ability to pick up Edge heat vs. pre-snap adjustments such as ‘Pinch’ DLine and user-defender stacking.
  • Man Coverage Win Chance Tuning – Increased Receiver cut-move win-chances to appropriately balance passing game vs. man.
  • Man Press Win Chance Tuning – Increased beat-press chance and Super Win animation chances to better reflect Receiver’s ability to beat the press.
  • Pass Rush Disengage Tuning – Addressed issues where Pass Rushers would disengage off of a block then re-engage instead of being allowed to pursue the QB escaping the pocket.
  • Match Coverage Fixes – Addressed issues where Deep Zone Defenders were letting a deep route go free to pick up shallow out breaking routes.
  • Catch Tackle Knockout Tuning – Decreased trailing defender knockout chances when trailing behind receivers. More receivers will hold on since the ball is not being directly affected when pulling in the catch.
  • HB Screen Coverage Fix  – Changed the Man Coverage behavior on HB Screen plays so defenders are no longer psychic, they will not charge into the offensive backfield to cover the screen back and the Defensive Tackle does not sniff out the play so frequently.
  • Fixed QB Stuck in Idle animation  – Addressed an issue where the QB would get stuck when snapping the ball during certain animations.
  • Fixed Camera Changing (PC Only) – Addressed an issue where bringing up Coach Cam during pre-play would change the camera if a user first controlled the game with Keyboard and Mouse.
  • AI Team Field Goal Attempt Logic – The AI team was attempting too many long field goals so we reduced the frequency so it would only happen in more appropriate last resort situations.
  • AI Clock Management & Field Goal decisions – Offensive Teams will be more decisive with their timeout usage in both halves.

It’s a good start!

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Categories
MADDEN

Madden 99 Club Update

Madden 99 Club

In last year’s edition of Madden, just four players received the 99 overall rating from EA Sports: 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams, Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, Browns EDGE Myles Garrett and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Will more players rate a 99 this season?

The first player to be announced as a 99 overall player was Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson in 2022 led the NFL with 128 receptions and 1,809 receiving yards while adding eight receiving touchdowns.

It was Jefferson’s first selection to the 99 Club, probably not the last.

Who’s Else in the 99 Club So Far?
Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

Donald was unveiled as the second member of the 99 Club on “Madden 24” on Tuesday, marking his seventh straight year in the 99 Club and giving him the most all time, surpassing Peyton Manning. It’s unsurprising, considering Donald earned Pro Bowl status in 2022 even amid a “down year” for one of the all-time great defenders in NFL history.

Donald in 2022 missed six games, marking a career high for him in his nine-year NFL career. While he was still a force on the interior, he also experienced career-lows in sacks (five) and quarterback hits (11). That clearly wasn’t enough to sway EA from giving him one of the top ratings this year.

Zack Martin, G, Cowboys

Six-time first-team All-Pro selection Zack Martin became the third member of the 99 Club on Wednesday, as announced on ESPN’s “Get Up!”

Martin is now the first offensive guard to join the club since another former Cowboy in Larry Allen (2003).

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs

Kelce became the fourth member of the 99 Club on Thursday, as revealed by ESPN’s “Get Up!” It is is his fourth time receiving a 99 rating, most all time among tight ends in the Madden franchise.

Kelce in 2022 earned his fourth first-team All-Pro nod, setting career highs in receptions (110) and touchdowns (12). He also had 1,338 receiving yards, the second-most of his career.

Patrick Mahomes is sure to join the club when Quarterback rankings are revealed July 21st, but will anyone else?

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Categories
MADDEN

Madden 24 Closed Beta Returns Until July 17th – How To Sign Up

Madden 24 Beta

The Madden 24 Closed Beta has returned and will remain active until July 17th. The release comes with a patch that addresses an issue concerning lag input when playing online. Unfortunately, the only modes available for this beta test are Play Now, Play A Friend, and Mini-Games. Franchise is no longer an option.

Madden 24 is newest installment of EA Sports’ NFL simulation franchise. The game’s cover features Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, the first Bills player to grace the cover.

The game utilizes SAPIEN Technology to create accurate endoskeletons of NFL players to allow for more tackling animations and realistic player models. FieldSENSE also returns to try and bring a more realistic experience to the game.

To enrich the experience, Mini-Games are returning, as well as improvements to Franchise mode.

How To Sign Up For The Madden 24 Beta

If you previously had access to the beta, then there’s nothing you need to do. Just simply start the app and you can play. Additionally, players can leave their feedback on the official Madden 24 Closed Beta Forums.

For those of you who didn’t take part in the beta’s first run, here’s how to sign up:

  1. Go to EA’s website
  2. Login/Create An Account
  3. Visit Account Settings
  4. Go To E-mail preferences
  5. Under “Manage Your E-mail Preferences” Tick the box that says “Yes, e-mail me about EA’s products, news, events, promotions, consistent with with the EA Privacy and Cookie Policy”

This doesn’t confirm you’ll receive the Madden 24 beta code, but you’ll have a chance. Just keep checking your mailbox and spam folders daily to see if they send you a code.

Once the code is received redeem it on the platform and start playing!

 

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Categories
FIFA

Erling Haaland Named Cover Athlete for EA FC 24

Fifa FC 24 Cover Athlete

Manchester City and Norway forward Erling Haaland has been named the cover athlete for the standard edition of EA FC 24.

“Every footballer dreams of this. Proud to be on the cover for the first season of a new era EA Sports FC,” Haaland tweeted after the reveal.

After thirty years of working together, FIFA and EA decided to part ways when the publisher declined to renew its license to use the FIFA name. In response, FIFA revealed its own plans to create and release its own game.

Haaland moved to Man City from Borussia Dortmund last summer and won the treble, the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in his debut season. He crushed several records in the process, scoring 52 goals in one season for City and three more for Norway.

 

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Categories
MADDEN

When is the Madden 24 ratings reveal?

Madden 24 Player Rating Release

With Madden 24 now officially revealed, EA has been revealing more and more details about the upcoming release. From the recent gameplay deep dive to the franchise overview, there’s a lot to be excited about. One of the most anticipated releases every year is that of the player ratings.

In recent years, EA has made a week-long event of Madden’s player ratings reveal. For Madden 23 and Madden 22, the publisher teamed up with ESPN for Madden Ratings Week. The sports network offered programming dedicated to the discussion of Madden’s ratings. It’s a big deal, and not just for fans but for the players too.

With Madden 24 set to release in a little over a month on August 18, it’s only a matter of time before EA begins its player ratings reveal for this year. So when can we expect player ratings to start releasing?

When is the Madden 24 ratings reveal?

EA hasn’t announced when they will begin revealing player ratings for Madden 24 but it will take place in July. ESPN’s Madden 23 Ratings Week kicked off last year Monday, July 18, 2022, while Madden 22 Ratings Week started on July 23, 2021.

Assuming EA follows a similar schedule for Madden 24, then the third week of July for 2023 runs from July 17 through July 21. It’s likely that the ratings for Madden 24 will be revealed around then. At worst we should see the ratings reveal coming between July 24 and July 28.

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Categories
NBA 2K

Kobe Bryant Names NBA 2K24 Cover Athlete

NBA 2K24 Cover Athlete

Last week we speculated that Kobe Bryant might be the NBA 2K24 cover athlete, this week that prediction came to fruition. Kobe Bryant will grace the cover of NBA 2K24.

Revealed in a tweet from NBA 2K, the Kobe Bryant Edition and Black Mamba Edition will be the two more expensive versions of this year’s game, what add-ons come with it have yet to be announced.

2K has yet to reveal the standard edition cover star which will most likely be a current NBA player.

Bryant’s appearance on the cover of NBA 2K24 was at least partially driven by his number 24 jersey, which he wore for most of his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. NBA 2K did something similar last year, putting Michael Jordan and his number 23 on the cover of 2K23.

Not much else has been revealed about NBA 2K24 so far, though the tweet notes that preorders are now open.

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Categories
ESports

When Will NBA 2K24 Reveal The Cover Athlete?

NBA 2K24 Cover Athlete

It’s that time of year when the community is gearing up in anticipation of news of the cover athlete for NBA 2K24. Several candidates deserve a spot, but the developers have remained tight-lipped.

Many fans have been trying to predict when the cover athlete will be revealed, as it marks the official announcement of a new game. Despite the lack of official information until now, few predictions can be made based on the pattern followed by 2K Sports over the last few years.

Since the NBA 2K franchise has an annual release, 2K Sports follows a pretty set routine. A new game typically releases in the first 10 days of September of each year.

Similarly, the first announcement typically occurs a few months before the release. Last year, Devin Booker was the cover icon, and the news was confirmed on July 7, 2022.

If 2K Sports follows the same pattern, we can expect the reveal in the first half of July. 2K Sports will also likely release two editions, one featuring a legend.

Last year’s Legend Edition was dedicated to Michael Jordan, and there’s a good chance for him to retain his spot. Alternatively, 2K Sports could go back to Kobe Bryant again. Hall of Famers like Larry Bird and Wilt Chamberlain would also be good choices.

The harder decision for 2K Sports will be selecting the cover star from the current era. This year might be the best chance for Nikola Jokic to be on the cover of NBA 2K24. After winning the MVP award for two straight years, the Serbian has finally won the coveted NBA ring.

If 2K Sports goes in another direction, Jayson Tatum might be another player with a good shot as he has ascended to one of the best handful of young players in the NBA. Tatum will have to play a pivotal role next season if the Boston Celtics are to push for a spot in the finals.

If 2K Sports wanted to be bold, Victor Wembanyama could be the cover athlete. The No. 1 pick from the NBA 2023 draft is touted to be a generational talent. Picking him as the cover star is a decision that would grab plenty of headlines.

Stay Tuned!

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Categories
MADDEN

Madden 24 Release Date & Early Access Info

Madden 24 Release Date

Whether it’s building your dream team or tackling opponents in the game’s competitive multiplayer, Madden 24 aims to deliver adrenaline-fueled entertainment.

For those that can’t wait until the game launches on August 18, there are a couple of ways that enable you to play early.

So, without further ado, here’s how you can join Madden 24 early access and play the game ahead of its worldwide release.

How to get early access to Madden 24

There are two ways to get Madden 24 early access. The first option is by pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition of the game, which will enable you to play the game three days before the worldwide release date. Simply purchase the Deluxe edition and you’ll be able to play on August 15, 2023. Madden 24 Deluxe Edition also comes with a number of exclusive in-game items that are not present in the standard edition.

If you don’t wish to purchase the Madden 24 Deluxe Edition to gain early access, then you can gain entry through EA Play or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions. However, it’s important to note, that you’ll only have access to a 10-hour trial. So, if you’re itching to play Madden 24 early, you’ll need to pay for the Deluxe Edition.

Stay tuned for more Madden 24 news!

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