Is NBA 2K13 an "always-on" game? (UPDATED)

[Leftos]

UPDATE: You can sign out and stay offline and save, but you're not able to earn any VC points while offline, per an OS user who has the game.

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I'm seeing people reporting "server errors" and freezes when trying to go past their first game in MyCareer or when trying to save an offline Association, which leads me to think that 2K has gone to extreme measures to disable hacking and cheating by keeping the saves in the cloud, or at least keeping a copy in the cloud so that it can double-check.

Can someone who has the game already confirm whether there's any saves in the HDD (Rosters/MyCareer/Association) or whether all the saves are in the cloud?

Is the game going to require a constant, always-on connection to the 2K servers? Will we be able to play offline? Can someone test it out by disabling their WiFi or unplugging their Ethernet cord and see if the game allows them to save and/or progress in modes?

I understand the reasoning behind this, but being able to edit the roster files and game mode saves is a big part of the modding community both on the PC and the consoles. Also, "always-on" games end up being a pain in the ass for people with spotty connections. I don't want not to be able to save without being connected to the internet.

Thanks for any answers beforehand.

[benji]

I doubt they put anything in a cloud, you think VC can possibly support cloud saving considering the rest of their online? VC knew which people were hacking MyPlayer in the past, so it's probably just a check like they do with the rosters/NBA Today.

I don't like a lot of the stuff they've done to MyPlayer because of their obsession with leaderboards. Just make people do it a certain way to be considered and kick everyone else off.

I also think there's basically zero chance they don't allow offline playing. I think it was last year that 40+% of Xbox 360s still aren't online more than once.

[Leftos]

Hopefully it is just a check. But why would it need to check your offline Association file?

[JaoSming]

cause you earn VC in that mode

[Leftos]

And you earn VC in practically every mode, per Ronnie2K.

People over at OS are looking at the Terms & Conditions for the NBA 2K13 Digital Download at the Playstation Network and they claim that there's a condition that says "you must be logged in to the Playstation Network when starting the game". There's no such condition for Borderlands 2, per them, so...?

[chicagoRAW]

I don't know how that would work with offline association since the cloud is for xbox live gold members only, or am I wrong?

[volsey]

It would make sense if you just didn't accumulate VC if you're not online. I have no problem with that if it prevents cheating.

I don't understand the major beef people have with this sort of system. When Blizzard did this with Diablo people flipped out, but it's really the best way to prevent cheating. How often are people playing without internet connection?

[JaoSming]

well, its more due to 2K's server stability. that is my issue with it.

[shadowgrin]

I don't understand the major beef people have with this sort of system. When Blizzard did this with Diablo people flipped out, but it's really the best way to prevent cheating. How often are people playing without internet connection?

well, its more due to 2K's server stability. that is my issue with it.

That.
Not only the stability of the connection from the company but the internet providers themselves that consumers use.
Not every gamer lives in a first world country with good internet connection.

People were flipping out with it not because of the 'cheating' reason for it's implementation but the single player issue.
Why would you need to be connected to the world when you just want to play by yourself.

[JaoSming]

there is a reason Andrew supplied the online updates and latest rosters all year

[Leftos]

Updated first post with info from an OS user.

[Leftos]

Further clarification:

In MyCareer, they give you the option whether to start a career Online or Offline. The only difference between the two is how you earn skill points. Playing an Online career, you obtain Virtual Points. It's the Nba2k currency where you're able to boast your skill. The VP could also be used in MyPlayer and MyTeam Modes. Offline Mode, you earn skill points to be used on attributes. No VP in Offline Mode.

And yes, when playing offline association, you could still save an offline game.

[Andrew]

I'm guessing the VC is more useful for the online features anyway, but that still seems like it's shortchanging offline players somewhat.

[Leftos]

Andrew, VC unlocks players in Blacktop, for one thing. So Jao could be a sad panda.

[JaoSming]

yea, but only ~100VC each. Stream I was watching the guy only had 250VC and was able to unlock Iverson and MJ.

[Andrew]

Might have to break that promise not to cheat.

[shadowgrin]

We're not gonna cheat. We're just testing the limits of the game.