Q&A: How ‘NBA The Run’ is evolving arcade basketball games

May 28, 2026 - 20:18

When "NBA The Run" hits digital storefronts on June 9, it will try to carve out a space between hardcore simulation and pure arcade fantasy. Play By Play Studios CEO Scott Probst sat down to explain what makes this title different from the usual basketball offerings.

Probst says the core idea is speed and accessibility. "We wanted a game you can pick up and play for ten minutes and feel like you had a full, satisfying game," he said. The controls are simplified compared to something like the "NBA 2K" series. There are no complex button combinations for dribble moves. Instead, the game relies on timing and positioning. A single button handles shooting, with a meter that rewards good rhythm rather than memorizing a player's animation.

The visual style is also a deliberate departure. "NBA The Run" uses a cel-shaded, almost comic-book look. Probst explains this was a choice to separate the game from the photorealistic sims. "We wanted the game to feel like a pickup game in a park, not a broadcast on ESPN," he said. The courts are smaller, the pace is faster, and the rules are looser. There are no fouls for reaching in, and goaltending is allowed. The goal is constant action.

Probst also addressed the roster. The game will launch with current NBA players but no legends or historical teams. "We are focused on the here and now," he said. The team plans to support the game with seasonal content and new modes after launch, but the initial release is a tight, focused experience. "We are not trying to be everything to everyone," Probst added. "We are trying to be the best version of a fast, fun, arcade basketball game."