NBA The Run Adding Style Moves, Gameplay and Server Tweaks in Next Playtest

The team behind NBA The Run spent last week’s PC playtest dealing with a lot of ups and downs, and they’re not pretending otherwise. While some players got through without issues, plenty of others ran into server problems, lag and disconnects. The studio said getting that fixed before launch on June 9 is the main focus right now. Part of the problem came from changing over to a more cloud-based server setup instead of the bare metal machines used during the first playtest. It was meant to see how the new setup would hold up under pressure and according to the team, they got their answer pretty quickly. They also ran into a crash tied to the KO Solos mode once player counts got high enough, though they say that issue has already been fixed. On top of that, CPU spikes during matches were causing lag and disconnects for some players. The team says they’ve narrowed that issue down and are still working through the fix. The developers admitted the problems fell on them and said they’ve been pushing hard to get things stable as fast as possible. Because of that, another playtest for NBA The Run is coming soon, this time with PC, PS5 and Xbox players all included. The idea is to make sure everyone gets a chance to jump in before launch instead of limiting the test to one platform. Gameplay tuning is also getting some tweaks based on player feedback. Shoves are being toned down across the board with higher energy costs, tougher chase-down attempts and lower success rates in situations like throw-ins or passes in the air. Rebounding is getting more attention too, especially for stronger rebound-focused builds with added height boosts and better ball assist positioning. Defense and shooting are both seeing changes as well, including easier blocks when guarding properly and tougher contested shots in traffic. Moving shots are getting punished harder, intercepts are a little easier to pull off and the ball physics around the rim have been adjusted for more unpredictable bounces. The team also added new runner jumpshot animations along with improved MVP presentation at the end of rounds. One of the bigger additions heading into the next playtest is the first implementation of style moves. Players will be able to pull off moves like Crossovers, Shammgods and Slip ‘N Slides during matches. The developers said style moves add another layer to the gameplay, especially since shoves now work as a direct counter when someone starts getting flashy.