(Screenshot of NBA 2K15 running on my PC)
- PC Specs
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i3-4130 CPU @ 3.40 GHz (4 CPUs)
- Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 630 with Integrated RAMDAC
- RAM: 4 GB
- Operating System: Windows 7 (64-bit)
- Hard Drive Memory: 1 TB
- Motherboard: ASUS H81M-A
- DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Apparently, my PC can run NBA 2K15 on "medium" settings with player detail set to high, texture detail set to medium, special effects off and at my monitor's maximum native resolution. I get around an unstable 40 to 50 FPS (frames per second) which has microstuttering. Configuring the video settings, I can lock it in at 30 FPS to avoid the microstuttering completely since I can't reach 60 FPS without sacrificing the graphical fidelity of the game.
However, there is an EXTREME amount of input lag using either the keyboard or a gamepad. It takes around half a second or almost a second to process any actions which makes the game "literally unplayable". According to what I've read on the internet, the game has input lag when not running at 60 FPS, so basically you really need to have a powerful computer to run this at 60 FPS or else you'll be playing on the lowest settings imaginable just to be able to play the game without any input lag. I'm not sure if this is the case as well though for NBA 2K16 or NBA 2K17, I would still like to find out.
Playing with low settings on everything, but with anti-aliasing set to 4 with anti-aliasing quality of 4 allows me to play at around 55 to 60 FPS (frames per second) with V-Sync turned on and little to no input lag.
 (NBA 2K15 locked in at 30 FPS with input lag) |
 (NBA 2K15 logged in at 60 FPS without input lag) |
| Video Settings with Input Lag at 30 FPS
Video Resolution: 1600x900 VSync: On Texture Detail: Medium Player Detail: High Anti-Alias: 2 Anti-Alias Quality: 0 Special Effects: Off Shader Detail: Low |
Video Settings without Input Lag at 60 FPS
Video Resolution: 1600x900 VSync: On Texture Detail: Low Player Detail: Low Anti-Alias: 4 Anti-Alias Quality: 4 Special Effects: Off Shader Detail: Low |
Nonetheless, while the graphical improvements are good and the ability to step back in NBA 2K16/17 without gathering the ball is nice. It's probably the only thing I envy from next-gen NBA 2K titles. The fact that most of the stuff in these titles cannot be fully modified is the dealbreaker for me. Seeing Russell Westbrook's tiny head, inaccurate hairstyles, etc. without being able to modify them properly is only depressing compared to what we have in NBA 2K14. Plus the fact that there is no fully pledged roster editing software for these games for a primarily roster modder like me is probably the nail in the coffin. We custom roster lovers know that there are so many incorrect animations assigned to the players in official NBA 2K rosters, as well as incorrect accessories or ratings (which have been prioritized updated since NBA 2K13 in their defense surprisingly) and having no roster editor to do this quicker is too unproductive for my liking.
I'm not saying NBA 2K14 is better than next-gen titles such as NBA 2K15/16/17. However, as modder who likes to take control of what happens in the game I'm playing which means fully modifying the entire league to create something entirely new (PBA, FIBA & Kuroko V Slam Dunk) and that isn't possible in these next-gen titles. Sure, you can always Create-A-Player, import jersey textures, but you can only do so much until you realize that what you want to achieve is currently not possible. The addition of these enormous file sizes is just a dealbreaker as well for my poor internet connection. The argument of NBA 2K14 vs Next-Gen NBA 2K is relative, but a fully modifiable NBA 2K14 is exactly what I want right now compared to a barely modifiable console port.
I'd probably enjoy a game or two of next-gen NBA 2K, but it's more about playing what I love right now and that's custom content. I play PBA 2K most of the time because it's a much more unique experience from playing the NBA roster that we're all used to. A lot of people still can't play these next-gen titles due to many constraints and there needs to be updates for that specific audience (which includes me, of course). I can only imagine those people who want to play next-gen titles but are relieved to still be able to play NBA 2K14 with a roster that constantly gets updates for free with no redirecting or advertisement walls.
Needless to say, I'll still be here continuing to play and mod NBA 2K14.