NBA 2K15 allows gamers to put their face onto one of the players in the game. Sometimes this works. When it doesn't work, the results are terrifying.
Players use the Xbox One or PS4's camera to scan themselves. NBA 2K15 then turns that scan into a 3D model usable within the game. Here's what the face scans look like when they're successful:
For some reason, not every scan ends up looking so accurate. In fact, some of them don't even appear to be human. Here are some of the unsuccessful attempts posted on Twitter by NBA 2K15 players (via The Independent):
No offense, The Evil Within and Alien Isolation, but I don't think you're going to be the scariest game of the fall. NBA 2K15's got that accolade locked down tight.
If your face scans keep looking like burnt, deformed orcs, there may be a way to fix it. 2K Sports' Ronnie Singh tweeted the following tips over Twitter:
1. Make sure to be in a well lit area and minimize shadows. Natural lighting from the front and sides is best but keep it as equal/neutral as possible. Accurate skin tone is dependent on lighting and may need to be edited after the scan.2. Please remove any headwear accessories (glasses, caps, headbands, masks, etc.). If your bangs are too long, they could mess up the texture, so use a hairband to hold the hair off your forehead.3. You want to turn your head slowly 30 degrees to the left and right as the camera is taking hundreds of pictures of you. Keep your chin on a level field. Don't move the camera during this process.4. The scan area picks up the bottom of your chip to the top of your head. Keep your head in the green box. We don't scan head shape, ears, or eye color so users will need to edit those after the scan.5. Keep your eyes open and eye level with camera (try to avoid angling camera too far up or too far down, should remain neutral). Look at the central of the camera, keep your mouth closed, don't smile or make other facial expressions. Consider shaving, you can always add facial hair after the scan.6. If you continue to have trouble scanning, try holding a white piece of paper below your neck but in the field of view of the camera. The close to the camera you can get, the better quality scan you'll get. If you lose tracking a lot while turning your head, try backing up an inch or two.7. Once scanned, you can access our robust customization menu to ensure that your MyPlayer image accurately reflects your facial features and tone.8. For you perfections out there, you may want to try several times until you are satisfied with the quality of your scan. Feel free to scan at any point in your MyCareer. Grow a beard and want it in there? You won't lose your progress!
This is probably the first time I've heard a developer ask players to consider shaving. It won't be the last, though, if this face-scanning technology remains a part of the NBA 2K series. I hope 2K does keep this as a regular feature, too, if only because of the unexpected comedy it brings us.
NBA 2K15 launched in North America today on Xbox One, PS4, PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. Australia and Europe will have to wait until the 9th and 10th, respectively.
