Further Details on the NBA Elite 11 Enhancements and First Screenshots

EA Sports has released a a series of bullet points going deeper into describing the right analog stick usage dubbed “Hands-On Control” and the addition of real-time physics in NBA Elite 11. In doing so they have broken down many of the different ways in which the stick will be used from dribbling, to shooting, to defensively. I’ve also added the first three screenshots released for the game to the gallery.

The Game is in Your Hands—For the first time in a basketball video game, dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense are based on skill, fundamentally changing the entire NBA basketball experience. With complete hands-on control outcomes are no longer predetermined, and you become the deciding factor between game-winning shots and momentum-changing blocks.

Enhanced Dribbling System—The right analog stick controls your hand movements like never before, allowing you to dribble with one-to-one movement unique to NBA ELITE 11. Control the floor with all-new hesitations, spins, behind-the-back dribbles, and much more.

Call Your Shot—The days of predetermined outcomes based on a random push of the button are gone forever, as the result of every play is based on skill. Each player has a ‘sweet-spot’ and the ability to hit a shot is based on their skill set, defensive pressure, and proximity to the net. It’s up to you to put everything together and hit the shot.

The Drive to Win—The ability to drive to the net has never been so true to the game of basketball. Independent control of your hands and feet allows you to maneuver and dribble with precision, making the drive down the lane based on skill instead of a scripted defensive reaction.

Defense Matters—Independent hand controls also allow you to be more strategic on defense as you use the right analog stick to make steal attempts and game-changing blocks.

Feel the Game Like Never Before—Radically improved game physics rid the days of locked animated sequences leaving you in control of the player at all times. When you drive aggressively to the net and go up with authority, you can be sure that whoever is standing in your way is going to be knocked to the ground.

Still no mention of whether Freestyle Passing which was introduced last year will remain as a feature though. Despite some quirks that worked pretty well for making quick passes when on the run. Passing in general actually hasn’t been discussed at all which is an odd omission considering all the other things they have brought up in relation to the right stick. Frustrations with the various passing systems has probably been one of the most difficult things to deal with in both of the NBA games. Hopefully this has been addressed in some manner.

In addition to this info Gamespot has posted up an extensive interview with creative director David Littman which goes deeper into the philosophy behind the changes and the development team and how all of it will work. You can check that out in full here. As expected EA is not going to repeat the mistake made with Fight Night Round 4 and will be including standard control options.

Clearly the news of Michael Jordan being on the cover of NBA 2K11 and his inclusion in the game overshadowed what EA Sports was trying to do in launching the new take on the series. A serious shift has taken place with EA attempting to differentiate themselves from the competition through the controls and physics. It is a bold move, arguably born out of desperation, but one that seems justified due to the circumstances. Despite that I’d have to say I’m very tentative about buying into anything that is being said about it right now. There seem to be too many variables involved to have any idea how it is all going to come together.