Screenshot comparison: NBA Live 08 vs NBA 2K8
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I went ahead and placed an NBA Live 08 screenshot side-by-side with each of the five new NBA 2K8 screens. I didn’t use the dunk contest ones from 2K8 since there is nothing comparable from Live in terms of the environment. I attempted to find two that were at least close to matching up. Both games are set to come out on the same day (October 2nd) so they should be in similar states of development.
Before anyone makes the comment, obviously screens don’t determine which game will end up being “better”. However this is all that 2K has released thus far making it the only comparison between the two games that can be made.
Click the thumbnails below to view the full size images.
198 ResponsesLeave a comment
July 27, 2007 at 12:19 am
Live owns
July 26, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Live owns
July 27, 2007 at 12:41 am
ill stick with 2ks gameplay…. live’s gameplay is 2nd rate…. game over
July 26, 2007 at 5:41 pm
ill stick with 2ks gameplay…. live’s gameplay is 2nd rate…. game over
July 27, 2007 at 12:55 am
Live looks too cartoony
July 26, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Live looks too cartoony
July 26, 2007 at 6:03 pm
whats with Lives bell-bottom shorts? lmao
July 27, 2007 at 1:03 am
whats with Lives bell-bottom shorts? lmao
July 27, 2007 at 1:58 am
I’ll give 2K the benefit of the doubt. I can’t remember the last time Live put out a game that played remotely similar to actual basketball.
July 26, 2007 at 6:58 pm
I’ll give 2K the benefit of the doubt. I can’t remember the last time Live put out a game that played remotely similar to actual basketball.
July 27, 2007 at 2:03 am
I don’t know why is everybody picking on the 2k shots. The player models are far superior than the ones in last year’s game. Live is looking good as well. I think both games will deliver this season.
ps.: Chris Paul is a Jordan Brand guy and he has Nikes on his feet in these screenshots. Poor atention to detail by Visual Concepts.
July 26, 2007 at 7:03 pm
I don’t know why is everybody picking on the 2k shots. The player models are far superior than the ones in last year’s game. Live is looking good as well. I think both games will deliver this season.
ps.: Chris Paul is a Jordan Brand guy and he has Nikes on his feet in these screenshots. Poor atention to detail by Visual Concepts.
July 27, 2007 at 2:13 am
Dante, I think 2k will pass on buying rights to have them in the game.. they were asking for to much paper.
July 26, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Dante, I think 2k will pass on buying rights to have them in the game.. they were asking for to much paper.
July 27, 2007 at 2:27 am
Live looks much better then 2K. Look at the Chris Paul pic, that is all you need to see. Their coverboy doesn’t look even close to what he actually looks like.
July 26, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Live looks much better then 2K. Look at the Chris Paul pic, that is all you need to see. Their coverboy doesn’t look even close to what he actually looks like.
July 27, 2007 at 2:50 am
I don’t know about that Mike. Look at the 2K8 Slam Dunk screenshots and you’ll see tha Bobbito Garcia is wearing Jordan Brand gear. I think developers don’t give a **** about making sure the players wear their proper equipment. This also applies for Live since their players sported their 06 version of equipment (headbands, armbands, sneakers, etc) in the 07 game and the 08 is following the trend judging by the screenshots.
July 26, 2007 at 7:50 pm
I don’t know about that Mike. Look at the 2K8 Slam Dunk screenshots and you’ll see tha Bobbito Garcia is wearing Jordan Brand gear. I think developers don’t give a **** about making sure the players wear their proper equipment. This also applies for Live since their players sported their 06 version of equipment (headbands, armbands, sneakers, etc) in the 07 game and the 08 is following the trend judging by the screenshots.
July 27, 2007 at 2:52 am
not feelin the baby oil effect on the 2k8 graphics…looks horrivble and unrealistic…like sdot said, Live owns….and you know the grapics suck when the fanboys are sayin “but the gameplay blah blah blah”…lol
July 27, 2007 at 2:52 am
First of all, i think LIVE 08’s graphics is overrated. Look at the players’ shorts…is Tony Parker wearing a skirt? F* rediculous. Look at the shot of Baron Davis compare to his real life shot. You might think that LIVE’s version look a lot similar to his real life counterpart with the darker beard but if you honestly ask yourself which one actually represent Davis real life counterpart, you would pick the NBA2k8 one. WHY?? Well look at the head…the size of the head…it’s similar and show a sense of resembling to his real life counterpart than the LIVE version. Forget about the skin tone…both are off anyway..but just the figure and the head…NBA 2k8 look more real. Bottomline is, NBA LIVE’s models show more clarity but that does not mean they’re better.
July 26, 2007 at 7:52 pm
not feelin the baby oil effect on the 2k8 graphics…looks horrivble and unrealistic…like sdot said, Live owns….and you know the grapics suck when the fanboys are sayin “but the gameplay blah blah blah”…lol
July 26, 2007 at 7:52 pm
First of all, i think LIVE 08’s graphics is overrated. Look at the players’ shorts…is Tony Parker wearing a skirt? F* rediculous. Look at the shot of Baron Davis compare to his real life shot. You might think that LIVE’s version look a lot similar to his real life counterpart with the darker beard but if you honestly ask yourself which one actually represent Davis real life counterpart, you would pick the NBA2k8 one. WHY?? Well look at the head…the size of the head…it’s similar and show a sense of resembling to his real life counterpart than the LIVE version. Forget about the skin tone…both are off anyway..but just the figure and the head…NBA 2k8 look more real. Bottomline is, NBA LIVE’s models show more clarity but that does not mean they’re better.
July 27, 2007 at 3:53 am
I’m sorry but Live kills 2K’s player models. How can you compare the head sizes reptile? The Live shot is from below so of course the head size will look a bit different. I don’t think you can make an accurate comparison there.
My Take:
Live
(+)Faces look pretty good
(-)Legs are a bit thin, no?
(-)Did the owners only pay half of the electric bill. go past like the 5th row and the crowd is in black.
(-)What’s with the parachute shorts lol
2K
(+)Court gloss looks pretty tight
(-)Faces are BAD. Face it. Even the cover boy looks wack
(-)They over did the sweat. I know guys perspire during a game but they look like they oiled up their legs before stepping on the court.
(-)The ball looks a little weird or worn out. Where are the black lines? I know a bit picky but it looks funny to me.
I think the jersey textures/effects and the crowd models are about even. I want to see the games in motion and see who really wins the battle. Animations can make or break graphics you know.
July 27, 2007 at 3:53 am
Live’s shorts may be a little long, but what is with 2K’s bunching effect in every screen? Thats just as unrealistic. It appears their cloth physics are still overdone.
So neither is perfect on the shorts lol.
July 26, 2007 at 8:53 pm
I’m sorry but Live kills 2K’s player models. How can you compare the head sizes reptile? The Live shot is from below so of course the head size will look a bit different. I don’t think you can make an accurate comparison there.
My Take:
Live
(+)Faces look pretty good
(-)Legs are a bit thin, no?
(-)Did the owners only pay half of the electric bill. go past like the 5th row and the crowd is in black.
(-)What’s with the parachute shorts lol
2K
(+)Court gloss looks pretty tight
(-)Faces are BAD. Face it. Even the cover boy looks wack
(-)They over did the sweat. I know guys perspire during a game but they look like they oiled up their legs before stepping on the court.
(-)The ball looks a little weird or worn out. Where are the black lines? I know a bit picky but it looks funny to me.
I think the jersey textures/effects and the crowd models are about even. I want to see the games in motion and see who really wins the battle. Animations can make or break graphics you know.
July 26, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Live’s shorts may be a little long, but what is with 2K’s bunching effect in every screen? Thats just as unrealistic. It appears their cloth physics are still overdone.
So neither is perfect on the shorts lol.
July 27, 2007 at 4:09 am
live has better faces and skin textures, but 2k’s body proportions and anatomy are more realistic…
live’s players are too skinny and their knees look really awkward and don’t bend properly.
live’s clothing is horrible…it looks stiff…it doesn’t flow and fold right…
2k’s cloth looks perfect.
July 27, 2007 at 4:09 am
i see what your sayin’. It’s like they’re shorts are riding up every step they take lol. yea so cloth physics could probably use some work on both parties too. also in addition to Live’s thin legs, i think 2K’s guys are a bit bulky. Picky i know but some middle ground should be established between the two.
July 26, 2007 at 9:09 pm
live has better faces and skin textures, but 2k’s body proportions and anatomy are more realistic…
live’s players are too skinny and their knees look really awkward and don’t bend properly.
live’s clothing is horrible…it looks stiff…it doesn’t flow and fold right…
2k’s cloth looks perfect.
July 26, 2007 at 9:09 pm
i see what your sayin’. It’s like they’re shorts are riding up every step they take lol. yea so cloth physics could probably use some work on both parties too. also in addition to Live’s thin legs, i think 2K’s guys are a bit bulky. Picky i know but some middle ground should be established between the two.
July 27, 2007 at 4:40 am
Live’s graphics won’t be worth anything unless they’re done something to fix the gameplay and physics.. how can Live “pwn” with just graphics. that Live 08 video of kobe making a turnaround shot just looks horrible.. does anyone really thing that looks like kobe’s signature move? animation is stil not very far from this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvnv4rCtm2Y
but even with improvements, 2K is still years ahead, and it will be a while before Live gets back on track.
go get Live and oggle at its graphics… there wont be much else there… when you’re done and want to play a good basketball game, go get 2K
July 26, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Live’s graphics won’t be worth anything unless they’re done something to fix the gameplay and physics.. how can Live “pwn” with just graphics. that Live 08 video of kobe making a turnaround shot just looks horrible.. does anyone really thing that looks like kobe’s signature move? animation is stil not very far from this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvnv4rCtm2Y
but even with improvements, 2K is still years ahead, and it will be a while before Live gets back on track.
go get Live and oggle at its graphics… there wont be much else there… when you’re done and want to play a good basketball game, go get 2K
July 27, 2007 at 4:42 am
2k8 b-diddy is better then live’s b-diddy. especially in the jersey’s
July 26, 2007 at 9:42 pm
2k8 b-diddy is better then live’s b-diddy. especially in the jersey’s
July 27, 2007 at 4:46 am
Cleric you shouldn’t go that far at this point, I played Live 08 for a full 6 hours and it is much improved. The problems that we pointed out to them they stated they would address. And apparently we’re going to have a chance to actually see how they worked on those things in the near future.
2K…well we don’t know what they’ve done. They chose to unveil the game with their big new feature being a slam dunk contest.
The game may not have caught up to 2K all in one year, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it at least has gained a ton of ground.
July 26, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Cleric you shouldn’t go that far at this point, I played Live 08 for a full 6 hours and it is much improved. The problems that we pointed out to them they stated they would address. And apparently we’re going to have a chance to actually see how they worked on those things in the near future.
2K…well we don’t know what they’ve done. They chose to unveil the game with their big new feature being a slam dunk contest.
The game may not have caught up to 2K all in one year, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it at least has gained a ton of ground.
July 27, 2007 at 4:52 am
and yes live’s graphics are too cartoony. look at b-diddy’s leg in 2k8 pics and the real pic. identical. the entire body of b-diddy in 2k8’s pic looks real. all accept his face and head. i agree that the shorts rinkling in the b-diidy pic looks unrealistic but 2k8 is 60% done and b-diddy already looks real. they just need to finsih up the faces and they got players thatm look way more real then live’s player models.
July 26, 2007 at 9:52 pm
and yes live’s graphics are too cartoony. look at b-diddy’s leg in 2k8 pics and the real pic. identical. the entire body of b-diddy in 2k8’s pic looks real. all accept his face and head. i agree that the shorts rinkling in the b-diidy pic looks unrealistic but 2k8 is 60% done and b-diddy already looks real. they just need to finsih up the faces and they got players thatm look way more real then live’s player models.
July 27, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I’ve heard every year that Live “is improved”. Then play it and its still not very good gameplay wise. We’ll see how different it is this year.
July 27, 2007 at 5:15 am
I’ve heard every year that Live “is improved”. Then play it and its still not very good gameplay wise. We’ll see how different it is this year.
July 27, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I still like 2k, but i must say that live looks dope… But the gameplay will tell the story… Not screenshots.
July 27, 2007 at 5:18 am
I still like 2k, but i must say that live looks dope… But the gameplay will tell the story… Not screenshots.
July 27, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Live has always looked better than 2k series, but it falls short in the gameplay catagory each year. It looks like 2k stepped it up this year with the graphics, making an already amazing game even better..nuff said..
July 27, 2007 at 6:04 am
Live has always looked better than 2k series, but it falls short in the gameplay catagory each year. It looks like 2k stepped it up this year with the graphics, making an already amazing game even better..nuff said..
July 27, 2007 at 4:30 pm
To me the live models have better facial details but that’s only because the 2K models are hella sweating and the live models do look pretty accurate except kobe. I agree on the knees and the general physique of live models they look skinny. screenshots of the 2k basketball games for the next gen always looked funny to me but i still love the gameplay and it always looked better in motion. they might have put the sweating overboard this time though. hopefully live’s gameplay has been fixed, because i never liked playing it after i purchased nba 2k5. i dont think the cloth physics this time are too over exaggerated just a little pay attention to ur net shorts the next time u play basketball
July 27, 2007 at 4:30 pm
My money is on 2k. Live08 models have better faces. Thats about it. Other then that their models are too skinny and cartoony as everyone has already pointed out. By the way, i’d rather have over done wrinkle animations then chicken legs and cardboard shorts. NBA LIVE animations are WACK. It makes me think that EA’s live 08′ development team employs no real basketball fans. Just programmers.
P.S. If you want a solid NBA title that plays well and looks great from the camera angle you actually play from, grab 2k8. If you want a game that might be good if they can fix:
-defensive play
-realistic animations
-rainbow court when people are shooting
-Crappy franchise mode
-and the TRUMP CARD!!!! ONLINE PLAY (which ea’s sucks at)
Even if EA fixes every problem they have, that might bring them about even with 2k7 not 2k8. Granted 2k7 has its own problems, but they have already accomplished many of the same things EA is striving to do with Live08.
Enough with all of this BS that EA will make it competitive with live 08′. People want to play the best basketball game and the majority will not buy both.
At best, Live 08 has a shot at being 2nd fiddle in the basketball gaming world. The only way EA could pull off a miracle is if they were 2ksports.
July 27, 2007 at 9:30 am
To me the live models have better facial details but that’s only because the 2K models are hella sweating and the live models do look pretty accurate except kobe. I agree on the knees and the general physique of live models they look skinny. screenshots of the 2k basketball games for the next gen always looked funny to me but i still love the gameplay and it always looked better in motion. they might have put the sweating overboard this time though. hopefully live’s gameplay has been fixed, because i never liked playing it after i purchased nba 2k5. i dont think the cloth physics this time are too over exaggerated just a little pay attention to ur net shorts the next time u play basketball
July 27, 2007 at 9:30 am
My money is on 2k. Live08 models have better faces. Thats about it. Other then that their models are too skinny and cartoony as everyone has already pointed out. By the way, i’d rather have over done wrinkle animations then chicken legs and cardboard shorts. NBA LIVE animations are WACK. It makes me think that EA’s live 08′ development team employs no real basketball fans. Just programmers.
P.S. If you want a solid NBA title that plays well and looks great from the camera angle you actually play from, grab 2k8. If you want a game that might be good if they can fix:
-defensive play
-realistic animations
-rainbow court when people are shooting
-Crappy franchise mode
-and the TRUMP CARD!!!! ONLINE PLAY (which ea’s sucks at)
Even if EA fixes every problem they have, that might bring them about even with 2k7 not 2k8. Granted 2k7 has its own problems, but they have already accomplished many of the same things EA is striving to do with Live08.
Enough with all of this BS that EA will make it competitive with live 08′. People want to play the best basketball game and the majority will not buy both.
At best, Live 08 has a shot at being 2nd fiddle in the basketball gaming world. The only way EA could pull off a miracle is if they were 2ksports.
July 27, 2007 at 8:03 pm
live looks like the games take place in dark caves…when you go to a basketball game, that’s not what it looks like, you can see fans in the 40th row on tv and in reality, i live they are hidden in ‘darkness’ good for same fisher, but not mr. nosebleed seats. The graphics are slightly better overall for 2k but animation is where it counts and last year there was no point in a comparison since live was terrible.
July 27, 2007 at 1:03 pm
live looks like the games take place in dark caves…when you go to a basketball game, that’s not what it looks like, you can see fans in the 40th row on tv and in reality, i live they are hidden in ‘darkness’ good for same fisher, but not mr. nosebleed seats. The graphics are slightly better overall for 2k but animation is where it counts and last year there was no point in a comparison since live was terrible.