List of game engine changes?

[pdandy]

Gary,
We've seen a ton of info on the new UX. Is there also a list you can share about the game engine changes that were made in this iteration?

[Gary Gorski]

The actual simulation engine itself hasn't changed too much (it was already really good and last year's additions of the defensive matchup stuff really made it even better) but there are some tweaks. Experience will factor in as a small added boost in the playoffs, there are factors you can change now for the amount of 3 point shots (or not allow 3s) and to change the overall pace of play so that you can better simulate eras. Also a couple logic tweaks to the engine. The 2D screen has been drastically changed to give you all the coaching options at once and the overall presentation has new additions like an information box that slides in and out and toasts on the screen to highlight player/coach interactions with the refs. There is also a new energy display so that you can see energy bars that go from green to red instead of numbers that kind of blend in with all the rest of the numbers. The ball is also animated better now so that when it is shot you can tell and it will look like it bounces off the rim on misses.