This sports activities simulation, launched on the flip of the millennium, supplied gamers with a digital basketball expertise mirroring the Nationwide Basketball Affiliation of that period. It allowed customers to handle groups, play video games, and expertise the skilled basketball surroundings by way of the expertise accessible on the time.
Its significance stems from its contribution to the evolution of sports activities gaming and its skill to seize a selected second in NBA historical past. Releasing throughout a interval of heightened curiosity in skilled basketball, this software program supplied followers with a tangible approach to join with the game and its athletes. It holds a nostalgic worth for many who engaged with it upon its preliminary launch and serves as a historic artifact documenting the state of basketball gaming on the time.
The next dialogue will discover varied sides of this explicit sport, together with its gameplay mechanics, its roster of gamers, and its reception by each critics and the gaming neighborhood. These areas will present a complete overview of its affect and legacy.
1. Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay mechanics inside this software program are a vital determinant of the person’s engagement and total expertise. These mechanics dictate how gamers work together with the digital illustration of basketball, impacting the perceived realism and strategic depth of the simulation. For instance, the accuracy of capturing fashions, the responsiveness of participant controls, and the effectiveness of defensive methods straight affect the person’s skill to copy real-world basketball eventualities. If capturing percentages are unrealistically excessive, or defensive maneuvers are ineffective, the simulation fails to offer an genuine illustration of the game.
Moreover, the implementation of particular gameplay options, such because the post-up sport, pick-and-roll execution, and fast-break alternatives, form the tactical approaches accessible to the participant. A strong and well-designed system permits for numerous play types, mirroring the variability seen in precise NBA video games. Conversely, restricted or poorly executed options can result in repetitive and finally unsatisfying gameplay. An instance of this is likely to be an over-reliance on three-point capturing on account of its inflated effectiveness, thereby negating the significance of inside scoring and defensive positioning.
In conclusion, the standard and depth of the gameplay mechanics are paramount to the success of the title as a sports activities simulation. They straight have an effect on the person’s skill to immerse themselves within the position of a coach or participant, impacting the long-term replayability and total worth of the expertise. Understanding these components is crucial for evaluating its historic affect and its contribution to the evolution of basketball gaming.
2. Participant Rosters
The accuracy of participant rosters within the title straight impacts its authenticity and enchantment. The inclusion of the right gamers, their correct rankings, and their correct workforce affiliations are essential for replicating the 2000 NBA season. If rosters are outdated or inaccurate, the simulation’s skill to signify the precise league is diminished, lowering its worth for these searching for a practical expertise. For instance, if a outstanding participant resembling Shaquille O’Neal had been lacking from the Los Angeles Lakers roster, or if his in-game attributes didn’t replicate his real-world efficiency, the general immersion can be compromised.
The sensible significance of correct participant rosters extends past easy illustration. It impacts gameplay technique, workforce administration, and the power to recreate historic eventualities. Right rosters enable gamers to relive the 2000 season, handle their favourite groups with the right personnel, and simulate matchups with groups as they really existed. Inaccurate rosters, conversely, create a distorted and ahistorical expertise. The power to commerce and handle actual NBA gamers of that 12 months is a core factor, enabling the person to make their very own selections with the workforce.
In abstract, correct participant rosters aren’t merely beauty however are basic to the gameplay and historic worth. They allow a extra immersive and practical expertise, fostering a stronger connection between the sport and the precise NBA season it represents. The hassle invested in making certain roster accuracy straight contributes to the general success and lasting enchantment of the software program, making it an vital element for customers who need to emulate that individual interval.
3. Graphics Constancy
Graphics constancy, the visible realism and element inside a online game, held a specific significance for sports activities simulations launched on the flip of the millennium, together with this particular title. The capability of the {hardware} and the event methods accessible on the time straight influenced the extent of visible illustration achievable, impacting the participant’s immersion and total expertise.
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Participant Fashions
The extent of element in participant fashions, together with their bodily options, uniforms, and animations, performed a vital position in making a plausible on-court surroundings. Whereas not photorealistic by fashionable requirements, efforts had been made to seize the likenesses of outstanding NBA gamers. Limitations in processing energy and reminiscence constrained the polygon rely and texture decision, leading to character fashions that had been recognizable however lacked the nuanced particulars of real-life athletes.
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Area Illustration
The accuracy and element of area representations contributed to the general ambiance of the simulation. Elements such because the structure of the stadium, the position of followers, and the lighting results aimed to copy the expertise of attending a dwell NBA sport. Constraints in graphical capabilities led to simplified environments and fewer detailed crowd animations, nonetheless, the intent was to create a well-recognized and immersive setting for gamers.
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Animation High quality
The fluidity and realism of participant animations had been important for conveying the actions and actions of basketball gamers. Animations included dribbling, capturing, passing, and defensive maneuvers. Technical limitations usually resulted in animations that appeared stiff or unnatural in comparison with fashionable video games. Nonetheless, inside the constraints of the expertise, builders strived to create a visible illustration that captured the essence of the game.
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Texture Decision
Texture decision decided the extent of element seen on surfaces resembling participant uniforms, basketballs, and courtroom flooring. Greater decision textures allowed for sharper and extra practical visuals, whereas decrease resolutions resulted in blurry or pixelated photographs. On account of reminiscence limitations, the title probably used decrease decision textures, which impacted the general visible readability of the sport. Improved texture constancy would have enhanced the readability.
In essence, the graphics constancy of this period was a compromise between the artistic imaginative and prescient and the technological constraints of the time. Whereas not assembly the visible requirements of up to date sports activities simulations, it mirrored the state-of-the-art graphics capabilities accessible throughout its improvement. By recognizing these limitations, one can higher admire the sport’s inventive accomplishments and its contribution to the evolution of sports activities gaming visuals.
4. Sound Design
Sound design serves as a vital part in creating immersive experiences inside video video games, and its implementation on this explicit sports activities title considerably contributes to the general ambiance and realism. The audio components, encompassing every little thing from crowd reactions to on-court results, work to copy the aural surroundings of knowledgeable basketball sport.
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Crowd Atmosphere
Crowd sounds are essential for establishing the depth and power of a basketball sport. The audio design incorporates varied crowd reactions, resembling cheering, booing, and chanting, to replicate the ebb and circulate of the on-screen motion. The authenticity and responsiveness of those crowd cues straight affect the participant’s sense of presence inside the digital area. Lack of variation or inappropriate reactions would diminish this expertise.
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On-Court docket Results
The sounds of the ball bouncing, sneakers squeaking on the courtroom, and participant collisions are important for simulating the physicality and realism of basketball. These results present auditory suggestions to participant actions, enhancing the sense of management and responsiveness. Their absence or inaccurate illustration can create a disconnect between the participant’s enter and the sport’s output.
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Commentary
Commentary tracks, sometimes supplied by simulated announcers, provide context and evaluation of the sport, mirroring the printed expertise. The standard of the commentary, together with the accuracy of the play-by-play descriptions and the insightful remarks of the colour commentator, can considerably improve the immersion and leisure worth. Repetitive or inaccurate commentary can detract from the general expertise.
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Music Integration
The inclusion of licensed music or authentic soundtracks gives a thematic backdrop to the sport, influencing the temper and pacing of the expertise. Music performed throughout menus, replays, and timeouts contributes to the general presentation and aesthetic. The choice and integration of those musical components can considerably affect the participant’s emotional response to the sport.
The end result of those sound design components contributes to the immersive and interesting nature of the sport. They contribute to the ambiance and create a extra full illustration of the game. The audio surroundings, when rigorously crafted, allows an enhanced sense of realism.
5. Recreation Modes
The accessible sport modes inside a sports activities simulation straight affect its longevity, replayability, and total enchantment to a various participant base. They decide the breadth of experiences provided, starting from fast exhibition matches to complete season simulations. Within the context of the title, the choice and design of those modes had been basic to its success in capturing the eye of basketball followers searching for assorted digital engagements with the game. The presence or absence of key modes, resembling a franchise mode permitting for multi-season workforce administration or a playoff mode replicating the depth of the NBA postseason, would considerably affect the perceived worth of the software program.
Completely different sport modes cater to totally different participant preferences. Some customers prioritize fast, pick-up-and-play experiences provided by exhibition video games, whereas others search long-term engagement by way of season or profession modes. If the software program provided a sturdy franchise mode, this might enable gamers to handle workforce rosters, scout prospects, and information a workforce by way of a number of seasons. Alternatively, a concentrate on single-game experiences may enchantment to these on the lookout for fast bursts of aggressive gameplay. The modes accessible and the options included in them are main figuring out components.
The sport modes provided are integral. They form the participant expertise and outline its worth proposition. A well-rounded number of modes, catering to numerous participant pursuits, is crucial for its enchantment and lasting affect inside the sports activities gaming style. These modes had been instrumental in solidifying the expertise, which helped outline its long-term standing with customers and critics.
6. AI Opponents
Synthetic intelligence opponents represented a vital factor within the title, figuring out the problem and realism encountered throughout gameplay. Their conduct, technique, and responsiveness straight influenced the person’s expertise. The sophistication of the AI, relative to the expertise of the time, dictated the depth and replayability of the simulation.
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Issue Scaling
AI opponents inside the software program sometimes featured adjustable problem ranges, influencing their decision-making, response occasions, and total effectiveness. Decrease problem settings may lead to much less aggressive protection, extra predictable offensive performs, and the next tolerance for person errors. Conversely, larger problem settings would produce more difficult opponents with tighter protection, extra advanced offensive methods, and better effectivity in exploiting person weaknesses. This scaling allowed gamers to tailor the problem to their ability stage.
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Staff-Particular Methods
The AI would ideally adapt its play model primarily based on the strengths and weaknesses of the simulated NBA groups. For instance, when taking part in in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers, the AI ought to prioritize feeding the ball to Shaquille O’Neal within the publish and double-teaming opposing gamers to restrict their scoring alternatives. When taking part in in opposition to a workforce recognized for its three-point capturing, the AI may concentrate on tighter perimeter protection and contesting photographs extra aggressively. The extent to which the sport precisely replicated these team-specific methods added to its realism.
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In-Recreation Adaptation
Extra superior AI techniques would exhibit the power to adapt to the participant’s methods throughout a sport. If a participant persistently exploited a specific defensive weak point, the AI may regulate its defensive scheme to counter this tactic. Equally, if a participant favored a selected offensive play, the AI may anticipate and disrupt this play extra successfully. The power of the AI to study and adapt created a extra dynamic and difficult gaming expertise.
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Reasonable Participant Conduct
The AI was chargeable for controlling the non-player-controlled teammates and opponents on the courtroom. Their particular person behaviors, resembling shot choice, passing selections, and defensive positioning, contributed to the general realism of the simulation. AI opponents ought to keep away from taking ill-advised photographs, make affordable passing selections, and place themselves successfully on protection. The realism of those behaviors considerably impacted the immersive nature of the sport.
The traits of the AI opponents inside the title had been integral to its gameplay and enchantment. The title’s skill to simulate practical basketball competitors was depending on the design and implementation of the AI. Its sophistication on the time was a major think about figuring out person enjoyment and the software program’s place inside the sports activities gaming panorama.
7. Management Scheme
The management scheme on this explicit sports activities simulation is a basic factor that dictates the person’s skill to work together with the sport world. The effectiveness and intuitiveness of the management scheme straight affect the accessibility, enjoyment, and aggressive depth of the expertise. A well-designed management scheme permits gamers to execute desired actions with precision and responsiveness, fostering a way of company and immersion, whereas a poorly designed one can result in frustration and impede the person’s skill to successfully have interaction with the simulation.
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Button Mapping and Performance
The particular association of buttons on the gamepad and their corresponding in-game actions are vital for participant management. A logical and intuitive button mapping permits gamers to shortly study and execute varied maneuvers, resembling dribbling, capturing, passing, and defending. As an illustration, assigning the “shoot” button to a outstanding and simply accessible location facilitates fast shot releases, whereas dedicating separate buttons to various kinds of passes allows strategic ball motion. Poor button mapping can result in unintentional actions and a diminished sense of management.
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Responsiveness and Enter Lag
The responsiveness of the controls, measured by the point delay between a participant’s enter and the corresponding motion on display screen, is crucial for a fluid and reactive gaming expertise. Minimal enter lag permits gamers to react shortly to altering sport conditions and execute exact maneuvers. Extreme enter lag, conversely, creates a disconnect between the participant’s intentions and the sport’s actions, leading to a sluggish and irritating expertise. Quick and responsive controls are significantly essential in fast-paced sports activities simulations.
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Complexity and Accessibility
The complexity of the management scheme should strike a steadiness between depth and accessibility. A management scheme that’s too simplistic might restrict the participant’s strategic choices and scale back the general depth of the simulation. However, a management scheme that’s overly advanced could also be intimidating and tough to study, significantly for novice gamers. The perfect management scheme gives a adequate stage of depth for skilled gamers whereas remaining accessible and intuitive for newcomers. A well-designed tutorial system also can assist in easing gamers into the sport.
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Analog vs. Digital Management
The utilization of analog controls for motion and participant actions gives a better diploma of precision and nuance in comparison with purely digital controls. Analog sticks enable for variable participant motion velocity and path, offering extra practical and fluid locomotion. Analog triggers can be utilized to regulate the facility of photographs or passes, enabling extra delicate and strategic performs. Digital controls, whereas less complicated to implement, usually lack the precision and responsiveness of analog inputs. The adoption of analog controls on this particular software program would have contributed to a extra nuanced and immersive gaming expertise.
The effectiveness of the management scheme within the title finally determines its playability and its skill to offer an genuine illustration of the game. A well-designed, responsive, and intuitive management scheme empowers gamers to execute their desired methods with precision, resulting in a extra participating and satisfying expertise. Conversely, a poorly designed management scheme can hinder participant efficiency, create frustration, and finally detract from the general high quality of the software program. This aspect is key to the general optimistic or damaging reception.
8. Crucial Reception
Crucial reception gives important context for understanding the affect and legacy of the software program. Assessments from reviewers and publications reveal the sport’s strengths, weaknesses, and its standing inside the sports activities gaming panorama on the time of its launch.
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Gameplay Analysis
Reviewers continuously concentrate on gameplay mechanics, evaluating the realism, responsiveness, and total enjoyment derived from the simulated basketball expertise. A sport praised for its easy participant animations, intuitive controls, and strategic depth would probably obtain optimistic evaluations. Conversely, criticisms concerning clunky controls, unrealistic AI conduct, or repetitive gameplay loops would contribute to damaging assessments. Gameplay analysis is a core factor in evaluations.
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Graphics and Presentation
The visible constancy and total presentation of the software program are sometimes scrutinized by critics. Assessments sometimes embody the standard of participant fashions, area particulars, animation fluidity, and the person interface. Critiques may commend a sport for its devoted recreation of NBA gamers and arenas or criticize it for its blocky graphics, stiff animations, or cluttered interface. Critiques of this nature form public notion.
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Function Set and Content material
Critics assess the vary of sport modes, customization choices, and different options provided by the software program. A title boasting a sturdy franchise mode, a deep participant creation system, and quite a lot of on-line multiplayer choices would typically obtain favorable evaluations. Conversely, a sport missing in content material or options would probably be seen much less favorably. The vary of options usually influences the general rating.
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Innovation and Influence
Reviewers usually contemplate the software program’s originality and its contribution to the evolution of sports activities gaming. A sport that introduces modern gameplay mechanics, pushes the boundaries of graphical constancy, or units a brand new customary for realism is likely to be hailed as a major step ahead. Conversely, a title perceived as by-product or uninspired is likely to be dismissed as a minor addition to the style. Originality performs a key position in excessive scores.
In summation, vital reception gives a priceless perspective on the benefit and significance of the title. By analyzing the assessments of reviewers and publications, one can achieve a extra complete understanding of its strengths, weaknesses, and its place inside the broader context of sports activities gaming historical past. The vital assessments information the general public in making knowledgeable selections.
9. Industrial Success
The industrial success of any software program title is a vital indicator of its market enchantment, its affect on the gaming business, and its potential long-term legacy. Within the context of the required sports activities simulation, its gross sales figures, income technology, and market share present quantifiable metrics for evaluating its efficiency and understanding its affect on the sports activities gaming market throughout its launch 12 months and past.
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Preliminary Gross sales Efficiency
The preliminary gross sales figures within the weeks and months following launch served as a main measure of the sport’s fast recognition and shopper demand. Sturdy preliminary gross sales indicated efficient advertising and marketing, optimistic pre-release buzz, and a capability to seize the eye of the target market. Excessive gross sales quantity translated straight into income technology and established a basis for long-term profitability. Preliminary gross sales had been a key indicator.
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Sustained Gross sales Over Time
Sustained gross sales over the months and years following the preliminary launch mirrored the long-term enchantment and replayability of the title. Optimistic word-of-mouth, continued advertising and marketing efforts, and the sport’s skill to retain participant curiosity contributed to sustained gross sales efficiency. Lengthy-term gross sales success solidified its place out there and prolonged its revenue-generating potential. Sustained gross sales cemented its recognition.
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Market Share and Competitors
Market share, the share of whole gross sales inside the sports activities gaming market that the title captured, supplied a measure of its aggressive standing. A big market share indicated that the sport successfully competed in opposition to different sports activities simulations and captured a considerable portion of the patron base. The extent of competitors inside the sports activities gaming style influenced its skill to achieve and preserve market share, requiring strategic pricing, efficient advertising and marketing, and a compelling gameplay expertise. Competitiveness influenced its success.
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Influence on Subsequent Titles
The diploma of success or lack thereof might affect the event and advertising and marketing of subsequent iterations within the sports activities collection or different sports activities video games from competing builders. Industrial failures might have resulted in funds cuts for future iterations, which affected gameplay, graphics, and different options. Success might have result in better funding. Both means, it affected the NBA gaming panorama.
In conclusion, analyzing these sides of economic efficiency gives a complete understanding of the software program’s affect on the sports activities gaming business. The extent of success it achieved influenced its standing, its long-term legacy, and the trajectory of subsequent iterations inside the sports activities simulation style. It additionally had a possible affect on competing builders inside the business, shaping the evolution of sports activities gaming as an entire.
Incessantly Requested Questions
The next represents a compilation of continuously posed inquiries in regards to the specified sports activities simulation title, offering concise and informative responses to deal with frequent factors of curiosity.
Query 1: What platforms supported the “nba within the zone 2000” software program?
The software program was launched totally on the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 consoles. Availability on different platforms was restricted or nonexistent.
Query 2: What was the first focus of gameplay?
Gameplay centered on simulating the expertise of taking part in skilled basketball, with emphasis on workforce administration, particular person participant management, and strategic decision-making throughout video games.
Query 3: Did the “nba within the zone 2000” embrace correct NBA rosters?
The software program aimed to copy the workforce rosters of the 2000 NBA season. Nonetheless, the accuracy might have been topic to licensing agreements and the accessible information on the time of launch.
Query 4: What sport modes had been sometimes included?
Generally included modes had been exhibition video games, season modes, and playoff modes. Some variations might have additionally featured a franchise mode for long-term workforce administration.
Query 5: What had been some frequent criticisms of the software program?
Criticisms usually focused the graphics constancy, the bogus intelligence of opponents, and the fluidity of participant animations.
Query 6: How does “nba within the zone 2000” evaluate to up to date basketball simulations?
Compared to more moderen sports activities simulations, this older title displays limitations in graphics, gameplay mechanics, and total function set, reflecting the technological constraints of the period.
These responses provide a quick overview of a number of points associated to the legacy of the software program, aiming to facilitate a clearer understanding of the product and its historic context inside the sports activities gaming style.
The subsequent part will additional elaborate on the enduring legacy of the title. This exploration will deepen the great understanding of this explicit piece of software program.
Skilled Steering
The next data gives a strategic benefit inside the simulated surroundings, leveraging particular in-game mechanics. These insights are relevant throughout varied sport modes, enhancing the participant’s skill to succeed.
Tip 1: Grasp the Choose-and-Roll.
The pick-and-roll stays a extremely efficient offensive maneuver. Exact timing and execution are essential for maximizing its potential. Pay shut consideration to the defender’s positioning and anticipate alternatives for both the ball-handler to drive to the basket or for the screener to obtain a move for an open shot. The pick-and-fade technique also can create mismatches, as nicely.
Tip 2: Exploit Mismatches within the Put up.
Establish advantageous measurement or power mismatches within the publish and exploit them persistently. Direct the ball to the participant with the superior matchup, using post-up strikes and fast turns to create scoring alternatives. That is particularly helpful when taking part in a workforce with weaker inside defenders.
Tip 3: Prioritize Defensive Rebounding.
Dominating the boards is paramount to controlling the tempo of the sport and limiting opponent scoring alternatives. Place gamers strategically to safe rebounds, specializing in boxing out opponents and anticipating the trajectory of missed photographs. This ability ensures extra possession for the person.
Tip 4: Successfully Handle Participant Fatigue.
Monitor participant fatigue ranges carefully and make strategic substitutions to take care of optimum efficiency. Overusing key gamers can result in diminished effectiveness within the late phases of video games. Implement a balanced rotation to make sure that gamers stay contemporary and able to executing their roles successfully. Take into account adjusting minutes within the pre-game settings.
Tip 5: Capitalize on Quick Break Alternatives.
Transition shortly from protection to offense to capitalize on quick break alternatives. A well-executed quick break can result in straightforward scoring possibilities and momentum shifts. Emphasize fast passing and strategic participant positioning to maximise the effectiveness of the transition sport. Be certain that your gamers are adept at working the courtroom.
Tip 6: Alter Defensive Settings.
Tailor defensive settings to counter particular opponent methods. Implement zone defenses to restrict penetration or change to man-to-man protection to comprise particular person scorers. Experiment with totally different defensive pressures to disrupt the opponent’s offensive circulate and drive turnovers.
Efficient implementation of those methods enhances total participant skill. Success inside the sport is commonly straight correlated to efficient implementation of those methods.
The following pointers are a method for achievement. They assist to reinforce ability stage, making ready for a complete conclusion.
Conclusion
The previous exploration has examined key sides of “nba within the zone 2000”, from its gameplay mechanics and participant rosters to its graphics constancy, sound design, AI opponents, and total vital and industrial reception. These components collectively outline the person expertise and contribute to its historic significance inside the sports activities gaming style. The evaluation signifies that its strengths and weaknesses mirrored the technological capabilities and improvement practices of the period, impacting its lasting legacy.
Contemplating its place within the timeline of basketball simulations gives a priceless lens for understanding the evolution of sports activities gaming. Additional examination of comparable titles from the interval might reveal frequent developments and shared challenges within the improvement course of. This explicit software program encapsulates a definite second, a digital file of the game on the flip of the millennium.
