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Screens & Info Updated: 9/27/2004

Much like playing basketball, running a basketball franchise is a team effort. In ESPN NBA 2K5, gamers will realize all the joy and pain of running pro basketball operations through several key features found in ESPN NBA 2K5’s new franchise mode, The Association.

Every NBA team has their scrubs, rookies, role players, and superstars, and as a general manager in ESPN NBA 2K5, maintaining a winning record means keeping tabs on Team Chemistry. Each NBA franchise has a different Team Chemistry rating -- higher Team Chemistry means greater benefits to the team. Several factors can affect the increase or decrease of Team Chemistry including win/loss record, making the playoffs, intensity of weekly training, and player trades. One of the biggest factors in maintaining good Team Chemistry is managing Player Personalities.

When playing The Association, a different player will visit the general manager almost every week during a season with a specific question or situation that he would like addressed. Every virtual athlete in ESPN NBA 2K5 has a different Player Personality and depending on the general manager’s response, Team Chemistry can increase or decrease dramatically. Players can come asking for more playing time, for more time off, or even just to blow off some steam to see the general manager’s response. As the general manager, it’s not just about managing the budget but also dealing with different player behaviors.

Another groundbreaking feature of the Association is a brand new simulation system, Full Authority, which gives the user ultimate control in simulating games during the season. In a Full Authority simulation, each quarter gives the user two opportunities to adjust player abilities and various offensive and defensive strategies. After strategies and abilities are selected, the user is treated to highlights based on the decisions made. Depending on the success of these decisions, gamers can increase the number of shots for specific players, open new special abilities, make substitutions after each simulation period, and much more. Through Full Authority, players retain full control of simulated games like never before.

The development of a NBA player's skills doesn't happen overnight. While it takes years of hard work to fine-tune skills to become an NBA champion, it all starts on the street court. The development of a killer crossover and fade-away jumper starts on the neighborhood blacktop. ESPN NBA 2k5 re-introduces 24/7 Mode, one of the most unique features in any sports game. 24/7 invites you to create your own street baller and tailor every aspect including tattoos, hairstyles, accessories, and even your own shoe!

Once you've got the look, it's time to get down to what really matters –It’s all about your skills. Take up new timed training games to re-familiarize yourself with the basics of the game, learn new IsoMotion2 techniques, and build the abilities of your street player. Unlock new items for your baller and play against the NBA elite. Over 200 new items can be earned and the new ‘Respect’ system will make gamers work hard to get the NBA stars to recognize their skills. To earn the top items and to battle against the best, players will have to keep track of what events are happening; using the system console clock - Special events will happen only at specific times of the day.

Lastly, take your 24/7 player online to compete against other players and win exclusive ‘online only’ 24/7 items.

Think you’re a baller? Try balling 24/7.

Realism to the game is the rule of thumb in ESPN NBA 2K5. There's plenty of style and flash in streetball, but to truly capture the realistic play of pro basketball, ESPN NBA 2K5 adds new gameplay features and enhanced game mechanics to the virtual court.

Smooth and realistic movements are easily visible in ESPN NBA 2K5 with the Next Movement. At the basic level, players will notice the small details in animations as players protect the ball while dribbling, footplant when changing directions, sprint when accelerating in the lane, and much more. When players look closer, they will experience The Next Movement, adding a natural element to ESPN NBA 2K5. The Next Movement emphasizes realistic momentum, contact-sensitive moves and actions dependent on opponents, and control that is more fluid than ever before.

ESPN NBA 2K5 expands upon the IsoMotion dribble system with IsoMotion2. Now, players can use IsoMotion to expand their game in every area of the floor. In the backcourt players can use IsoMotion2 to get past defenders with wicked crossovers and spins. In the paint, IsoMotion2 empowers post-up players with new head-fakes and up-and-under moves. Players can also use IsoMotion2 in the air to make last minute adjustments to layups and dunks.

While many think that the NBA is dominated by flash and style, it’s proven once again - by the World Champion Detroit Pistons - that team work, passionate play, and relentless defense wins championships. Highlight dunks and jaw-dropping crossovers look great on TV, but when it comes down to it, it’s about team chemistry, stubborn defense, and controlling the boards-- it all comes down to the basics. When it comes to these elements, no player exemplifies these qualities better than Detroit Piston Center Ben Wallace. Demonstrated through his hard work ‘in the paint,’ tenacious defense, and winning attitude, Wallace led his team to capture the 2003-2004 NBA Championship. Given that the ESPN NBA 2K5 team and Ben Wallace personify passion for excellence, there is no more complete basketball video game than ESPN NBA 2K5.

To dominate in the Association, one must be able to create, reinvent, and evolve their game to overcome all opponents and obstacles. Staying the course is a formula for mediocrity, and setting the path ultimately leads to success. Re-introducing the king of the court, ESPN NBA 2005 will change the way we experience the virtual basketball game forever with a host of new graphical and gameplay improvements never before seen in sports video games. Let the next movement begin.

• The Next Movement - A new momentum based gameplay system that gives gamers a complete difference in control between various types of players. Now a player’s ability and physical makeup will determine how fast they can run up the court on a fast break, how well they can cut to the basket off their opponent, and more, creating a new level of realism and natural team movement.
• Visual/Graphical Supremacy - Graphical realism has never come this close with new lighting effects, hyper-realistic court reflections, self-shadowing on the players, and the most lifelike player faces and expressions - gamers will think they’re sitting on the courtside seats!
• Reactive Court Sense - Pioneering a new standard in artificial intelligence, computer-controlled players now have the ability to decide independently how they can best help their team and realistically react based on each human players’ actions. CPU players determine the best way they can help win in accordance with each team’s philosophy and distinct play sets.
• IsoMotion2 - Beyond the Next Movement, IsoMotion2 improves upon the exciting dribble system of last year. Deftly perform spins, crossovers, and fakes outside the perimeter and now, in the post. Use enhanced IsoMotion2 on the defensive side to contain overaggressive ball-handlers and force turnovers.
• 24/7 - One of the most innovative features in sports games gets twice as big with over 100 new items, new timed mini games, and multi-player games. New respect level determines which NBA baller will answer your call for 24/7 games.
• Presented by ESPN - New press camera angles, follow cams, and stat overlays all in the style of the worldwide leader in sports. The captivating Michelle Tafoya reports from sidelines while Hall of Fame legend Bill Walton dissects the action.
• Play Online - 24/7 multi-player, real-time stats, buddy lists, and friend connection updates, all add to our seamless online play for the ultimate community experience.