Gaming

NBA 2K25: All the gameplay improvements

Everything you need to know

Published

August 3, 2024

GadgetMatch

NBA 2K25 has released a new preview trailer showcasing everything players need to know regarding gameplay enhancements. The sports title was announced a few weeks ago, with NBA champion Jayson Tatum and Hall of Famer Vince Carter revealed as the cover athletes.

Same with what was integrated on NBA 2K24, the NBA 2K25 edition will likewise come with ProPLAY for next-generation realism and animations. For starters, what ProPLAY does is replace traditional motion-captured animations with real-world NBA footage to contribute to an even more realistic gameplay experience.

In a nutshell, the game’s improvements cover a new dribble engine, offense, defense, and even AI’s role to gameplay. Here’s a summary of the Courtside Report.

All-new dribble engine

For the upcoming game, among the improvements are a revamped dribbling engine and enhanced overall gameplay on both offense and defense. NBA 2K25 mentioned that 1,500 dribbling, 1,300 off-the-ball, and 1,100 signature shot animations were added, making it the “most amazing upgrade” added to the gameplay engine in years.

Particularly, the all-new dribble engine was built from the ground up. Thanks to ProPLAY, the engine generates dynamic motion from real-world footage for a more authentic feel. Players will notice tighter stops, more explosive launches, and smoother and more lifelike court probing.

Furthermore, players can expect about 20 to 40 unique dribble styles from a particular athlete, compared to just four or five from last year. That’s a vast improvement, as the engine has taken about six times the amount of motion data as the previous version of NBA 2K.

Offense

Meanwhile, NBA 2K25 also adds a bunch of gameplay improvements on offense for variety, accessibility, and freedom, including:

Shot Canceling
Signature Go-To Shots
Shot Timing Profiles
Pro Stick Rhythm Shooting

Think of these additions as a follow-up to Dribble Breakdowns concept introduced to 2K24. Holding up on the Pro Stick will trigger Signature Go-To Shots. For variety, gamers will be also able to break out of any advanced shot and switch to other moves via Shot Canceling.

For those who are totally new to the game, NBA 2K25 debuts a new setting Called Shot Timing. This allows users to customize the risk-versus-reward of their shot timing.

For instance, the “Low Risk-Reward” option will provide a more forgiving shot timing. But it comes with a smaller green window, so it would be more difficult to pull off excellent-timed releases. On the other hand, “High Risk-Reward” will lead to a more challenging shot timing with green-or-miss outcomes, basically.

Lastly, Pro Stick Rhythm Shooting introduces a brand new way to shoot. That’s instead of simply pressing and releasing the shot button or stick. Players will have to pull the shot stick down to start the shot first. Afterwards, as they see the jump shot animation reach its Set Point, they should push the shot stick up and try to match the timing and speed of the player’s Push motion.

This feature makes it more intuitive for players to accurately mimic each real-world player’s signature shooting motion.

Defense

Moreover, NBA 2K25 features a brand new defensive cutoff system. This is so defensive players can match offensive players who have been able to change direction with the right stick. Using the same stick on defense, one may control their player and quickly slide laterally into position to cut off an offensive player’s attack. A successful read of the ball handler may stonewall the offensive counterpart or cause them to fumble the ball.

Even the contest system has been improved significantly. The game will use a dynamic weighting system, rather than a fixed one. This evaluates the impact of defense at the start of the shot versus the release, and computes the proper coverage impact. In addition, perimeter and interior defensive ratings, as well as height differential, will now play a more important role.

2K Sports Q&A

In case you still have questions regarding NBA 2K25’s gameplay and the improvements you expect to see, the title’s gameplay director, Mike Wang, has been responding promptly to inquiries on Twitter/X.

For example, he explained how 2K25’s shooting model will take into account shot ratings a lot bigger. While shot timing or rhythm shooting still plays a part, a higher rating will lead to a better shooting percentage.

If you have the time to scour his profile, you’ll find a lot of helpful answers to fans’ queries.

Gaming

Valve unveils price of the Steam Frame

The VR headset starts at US$ 1,059.

Published

September 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The trifecta is complete. Almost a year after announcing their new hardware, Valve has finally unveiled the price tag of the Steam Frame, complementing the Steam Machine and Steam Controller revealed a few months ago.

Whereas the Steam Machine is a console of its own, the Steam Frame is a traditional VR headset with a pair of controllers for both hands. Unfortunately, despite being in a different segment, the headset is not immune to the rising prices of technology. The Steam Frame will start at US$ 1,059 for a 256GB model and can go up to US$ 1,299 for the 1TB model. On the plus side, each box will come Half-Life: Alyx packaged along with the headset.

Here’s a more detailed rundown of what you’re getting. The Steam Frame will ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM. Each eye comes with a 2160 x 2160 LCD screen, putting out images at up t0 a 144Hz experimental refresh rate. As mentioned above, the headset will start with 256GB of storage but can go up to 2TB. It will come packaged with SteamOS 3 and a rechargeable 21.6Wh battery.

This might be a hard buy for some. The industry currently has more affordable options, for one. Also, virtual reality isn’t the most thriving segment of gaming today.

If you’re still decided on buying one, however, Valve is using its lottery system. Interested customers can sign up from now until September 17. The company will then randomize the purchasing order. Those who draw the first ones in the lottery can get a purchase email as soon as September 18. Meanwhile, anyone who registers after September 17 will automatically be put at the back of the queue.

Gaming

BlizzCon 2026 announces World of Warcraft: Forever and Diablo V

StarCraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and more also get news

Published

September 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

Blizzard Entertainment kicked off BlizzCon 2026 with a packed Opening Ceremony featuring new games, major expansions, updates, and other announcements across its biggest franchises.

Blizzard Entertainment President Johanna Faries opened the event at the Anaheim Convention Center, celebrating the community behind the company’s games and the teams that bring its worlds to life.

World of Warcraft: Forever and Diablo V

The biggest announcement was World of Warcraft: Forever, a new World of Warcraft experience launching November 5 AEDT, with its beta beginning September 18 AEST. The new experience will feature three zones, more than 1,000 quests, nine dungeons, two raids, and a new Skyborne race.

Blizzard also officially announced Diablo V, marking the next era of the franchise. The game is set to launch in North America in Spring 2029, with Sanctuary having fallen and Diablo having won.

StarCraft is also returning with a new story-driven, open-world shooter. The game is currently planned for a Spring 2030 release in North America.

Beyond games, Blizzard revealed that an animated series set in the Diablo universe is in development with Netflix. The company says this is only the beginning of its plans to expand its universes beyond gaming.

For Warcraft III Reforged, the new Forsaken Kingdom campaign is available today. It marks the Warcraft RTS series’ first new storyline in more than 23 years and explores the fall of Lordaeron and the origins of the Undercity. The accompanying 3.0 update also brings graphical improvements and a revamped World Editor.

Heroes of the Storm is adding Xal’atath as its newest Hero. She arrives in the Nexus on September 29 AEST, with her PTR release scheduled for September 15 AEST.

Existing games updates

Meanwhile, Diablo IV is preparing for its next major content drop. Season of Hell’s Legacy begins September 16 AEST and celebrates the franchise’s 30-year history with the return of the Prime Evils and Deckard Cain, alongside themed rewards and gear.

The legendary Amazon class will also arrive in the first half of 2027 as part of Diablo IV’s first class pack. The Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection is additionally coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on September 16 AEST with cross-platform play and cross-progression.

For World of Warcraft, Blizzard teased the next major update for Midnight. Eclipse (12.2) will see Xal’atath move closer to her goal of claiming Azeroth’s Worldsoul. Blizzard also offered another look at The Last Titan, the next expansion in the Worldsoul Saga and a major culmination of more than two decades of Warcraft storytelling. More information is coming early next year.

Overwatch is getting a major update with Season 5. The season introduces new Support Hero Doctrine, reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, and the new Watchpoint: Grimsvötn map. It will also conclude The Reign of Talon, Overwatch’s first year-long narrative arc.

LE SSERAFIM & YOASABI

BlizzCon also featured performances from YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM. YOASOBI will perform during the first-ever esports halftime show at BlizzCon, while LE SSERAFIM will return to the Main Stage to close the weekend. A new LE SSERAFIM in-game collaboration is available now, with another Overwatch Spotlight scheduled for February 2027.

Finally, Hearthstone is getting its first new class in more than six years. The Monk arrives in 2027, while the upcoming Reign of the Black Empire expansion takes players back to the earliest age of Azeroth. It introduces the Assemble keyword, which combines two cards into a new one. Battlegrounds is also adding Aberrations as a new minion type.

BlizzCon 2026 is now underway, with Blizzard promising more announcements and details throughout the weekend.

Gaming

Just Dance: Decades of Hits to launch on October 13

All-new Just Dance experience that brings every generation together

Published

September 12, 2026

GadgetMatch

Just Dance: Decades of Hits will launch on modern consoles on October 13, Ubisoft has announced.

This will offer fans of the franchise a new experience across eras of music. The game will be available on PlayStation5 , Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on the launch date.

Nintendo Switch 2 users, meanwhile, will be able to enjoy the title by November 10, 2026.

Just Dance: Decades of Hits brings together every generation to one dance floor with 25 iconic songs across six different decades:

Mamma Mia by ABBA
Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
It’s Tricky by Run-DMC
No Scrubs by TLC
Wannabe by Spice Girls
Bye Bye Bye by *NSYNC
Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz
Turn Down for What by DJ Snake and Lil Jon
Danza Kuduro by Don Omar feat. Lucenzo
Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter
NUEVAYoL by Bad Bunny
And more!

Bringing every generation together

Songs, visuals, and an all-new Adventure Mode are all designed to immerse players in the spirit that made each decade unforgettable.

From the funky ’70s disco floors and the electrifying ’80s rock scene to the glossy 2000s pop and beyond, travel through time and share the joy of rediscovering iconic moments with friends and family.

In Adventure Mode, follow Lyra, Dr. Gigavolt’s daughter, in a playful journey through time to rescue her father.

Explore the decades through six themed worlds, enjoy fun mini activities, and unlock exclusive rewards.

For unpredictable, chaotic fun where the rules change every round, players can jump into Party Mode. Or they can get moving with the Workout Mode, which tracks calories burned with each dance.

Up to six players can dance locally in the game, with no extra accessories needed.

In addition those who own Just Dance: Decades of Hits as well as Just Dance 2023-2026 editions will be able access all their songs in one place on the same console without having to switch games or separate menus.

This also includes songs from purchased Music Packs and songs available through an active Just Dance+ subscription.