NBA signs five way deal, Take2 decides its all about the shoes

In the tight wake of the recent signing of a five-way deal between the NBA and game publishers, Take2 Interactive and Nike have hooked up to give the shoe a very regal role in the 2K6 basketball title franchise.  In fact, even moreso than in real life (depending upon your opinion) the shoe on your feet will effect your performance.  Through the deal between Nike and Take2, NBA 2K6 will associate player enhancements with shoes - things like speed, control, etc.  Over time, new shoes will be "unlocked" through secret codes disclosed during the NBA season- and of course, no one will figure them out in advance ;-).  Product placement within games is a feature with which gamers are going to have to get more and more accustomed, so let's hope these features add something, rather than just extract something, from the gaming experience.