Last year, 2K Sports introduced a studio show to their NBA 2K video game series that featured Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O'Neal. It was limited to being a pre-game show that covered up loading times, and wasn't part of most of the modes in the game. The studio show will be taking on more prominence now with NBA 2K16.
New to the desk is Kenny Smith, joining his colleagues from the award-winning program "Inside the NBA" on TNT. Only Charles Barkley is missing, and it's unlikely he would ever be willing to participate in the game in that capacity, as he continues to refuse even signing on for inclusion on any classic teams.
MORE: Where does NBA 2K fall in the sports video game power rankings?
The studio show now also expands to halftime and post-game, and it even travels with in-arena presentation for big games.
NBA 2K16 is set to release on September 29, but those who pre-order the game will get it four days earlier .
2K16's MyCareer Mode is written and directed by Spike Lee, and the three covers for the game feature Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Anthony Davis . An $80 special edition with Michael Jordan on the cover and bonus content has also been announced . Team relocation is a major feature for the two franchise modes .
Though still yet to be made official, it appears college basketball will be making a video game return in some form with at least 11 licensed universities involved .
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, has co-founded the new site HitThePass.com, is a regular participant in the Press Row Podcast, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.