SGN : 5) What are some of the key features that will be included in NBA Tonight?

Robson : NBA Tonight's most unique feature is the ESPN TV-style production. First, we've got SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott and Basketball Hall of Famer Dr. Jack Ramsay, ESPN's two top NBA experts as color commentators in the game. Stuart and Dr. Jack give us the best color commentary team in video game basketball, with humor and insight

We've worked closely with ESPN to understand every part of a TV broadcast, from camera angles, to stats and information tracking, and different replay styles and camera wipes. This is really an ESPN broadcast you can play.

Finally, we're really focusing on making an accurate and fun NBA simulation. Our Read and React Artificial Intelligence is based upon giving players the intelligence to make good decisions on the court, no matter what the situation. The real beauty of basketball is it's fluidity. Every player reacts to situations differently, and there's so much improvisation and constant motion in an NBA game. We've tried to capture that by not only making the players smarter, but by also taking out the mechanical set plays. NBA Tonight gives gamers strategy-based plays, rather than the traditional video game set plays, making the offense and defense much more natural than other games.

SGN : 6) Will NBA Tonight allow playable multiplayer gameplay via internet?

Robson : Yes, NBA Tonight will be playable via networks (LANs and WANs), modem-to-modem, and the Internet. Of course, proximity and ping will affect the speed of gameplay.

We're also using the Internet give gamers a closer link to ESPN, with real-world sports score broadcasts from SportsTicker, and downloadable roster and player information updates, and ESPN PowerRanking updates throughout the NBA season.

SGN : 7) Is there a General Manager mode in the game? (trading, salaries, drafting, signing, etc...)

Robson : GM Mode in NBA Tonight enables gamers to trade players, create players, and sign free agents. We haven't implemented a salary cap yet, and we hope that lets us steer clear of any virtual lockouts or strikes!