NBA 2K15 Introduces Face-Scan Technology for PS4 and Xbox One

The NBA 2K team may have finally outdone itself. On Wednesday, the team announced new Face-Scan technology for its create-a-player suite. All summer, NBA 2K's hashtag campaign has been, Your Time Has Come. It's clear that was a literal reference to something that could revolutionize create-a-player and single-player campaign modes in sports video games.

A few weeks back, the developers spoke about a robust create-a-player suite in an interview announcing the new MyLeague feature with Steve Noah of Operation Sports. I can tell you from first-hand experience, it is the best such option the series has ever had.

In previous years, the NBA 2K series has been behind other sports gaming franchises as it pertains to creating players. With this new innovation, the series just jumped to the front of the line.

The video below explains the process, but since I've actually gone through the scanning during the NBA 2K15 Community Team-Up meeting in Novato, California, I can speak about details.

Gamers will use the PlayStation 4 or Kinect camera for the Xbox One. Essentially, the process begins with you staring straight at the camera and turning your head slowly to the left, and then to the right. You repeat this process for what should generally take about 45 seconds to a minute—possibly longer depending on each person's camera setup.

Here's a look at videos from SubTheGamer and Two Bros. Gaming on YouTube. They were both in Novato for the Community Team-Up as well and he has a video that shows the highlights of the process:

The screen goes completely white to help add some light to the photo—which is essential in obtaining the best results. The camera is basically taking a ton of quick photos of you from every angle.

On the screen you'll see a percentage meter rising as your scan is taking place. The percentage number represents the amount of photos successfully taken during the scan process. Once your scan is done, you'll see a transparent head on the screen while the data collected is used to mold your face.

You can actually watch the sectors fill in and you can also see the amount of reference points collected at the top of the screen. A solid number that generally indicates an accurate image is around 5,000. 

The render below of yours truly was the product of a scan with 5,800 reference points collected. 

image from NBA 2K15, provided by 2K Sports

image from NBA 2K15, provided by 2K Sports

In case you've never seen a real image of me, let's just say my wife came in and saw the picture on the screen and asked when I had that picture taken.

Here's a few things to consider: The build we were using was not the finished product; this system is still being tweaked to perform as accurate as possible; and it was literally changed a few times in minutes while we were in the studio.

As it stands now, the best results come when the scan takes place in a well-lit room with natural lighting.

It's best to hold the camera in front of your face about six to 12 inches away, and to keep your eyes open and on the camera throughout the scan. Depending on each gamer's individual setup, it may take a few reps before you can obtain the most desired result.

That said, if you consider just how impacting this feature is to the rest of the game, it's worth the time investment to get the best results.

Anyone worried about some of the details with the process, here are a few other nuggets.

Once you have your completed scan, you can still alter hair, facial hair and complexion, and can sculpt several parts of your face. Also, you can create players without the face-scanning process. That option is as intricate as it has ever been with a detailed face-sculpting dynamic that will enable a skilled CAP artist to create just about anyone.

Here's one more awesome detail for those of us that like to create players: You can create up to 150 players and all of them can be imported into your MyLeague or MyGM saves within custom rosters. 

Early on Wednesday, Ronnie Singh—aka Ronnie2K, the social media manager for NBA 2K—revealed that the face-scanning would be available in MyCareer as well as MyGM:

Yes, that's bananas.

There's more to come on this feature and how it will affect the entire game in the future. For now, let's just marvel at the way NBA 2K just upped the ante again in the world of sports video games. The game releases on Oct. 7 for PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC.

Current-generation gamers, get your cameras ready.

Follow Brian Mazique aka FranchisePlay, the Sports Video Game Journalist