Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:49 pm
Back in December last year, I declared that The Rec in NBA 2K21 was garbage. I stand by that opinion, and the conclusions I drew about who we should blame for the current state of the mode. In short, blame can be attributed to toxic attitudes within the basketball gaming community, but Visual Concepts themselves share responsibility given how the online scene panders to elitism and focuses on pushy recurrent revenue mechanics. The Rec went from being a hit-and-miss experience that could be quite fun at the best of times, to an absolute nightmare.
And so, I gave up on it. It was a healthy decision, especially since I wanted to move away from MyCAREER and its connected experiences. As unfortunate as it was that it took all the fun being sucked out of the mode to break my habit, it did at least prove to be adequate incentive. Of course, I did still dabble with MyCAREER in NBA 2K21 Next Gen in order to play through the story and earn a Trophy, with a view to playing the occasional online game. If nothing else, I was curious to see if anything would change, and wanted to keep tabs on the scene in order to advocate for improvements. With that being said, what is The Rec like on Next Gen compared to Current Gen?
Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:57 pm
I'm fortunate in that I'm not completely reliant on the online scene to enjoy basketball video games. I grew up gaming in a time before online play was common - or for that matter, possible - on the virtual hardwood. Dynasty was my mode of choice in NBA Live, and I've also racked up many hours playing single player MyCAREER in NBA 2K. I'm therefore able to enjoy the offline experience, which is vital given that the online scene in NBA 2K has a myriad of problems, ranging from technical issues and design flaws to toxic attitudes and a sloppy style of play.
At the same time, while I find it easy to eschew the online scene, I would prefer it to be better than it is. Obviously I'd like to jump in on occasion, having developed an appreciation for it over the past generation. Even if I'm not partaking in it myself, I'd still like to see the scene thrive and be the best possible experience for those who are playing it; especially gamers who play exclusively online. I've previously discussed vital changes that the developers need to implement, such as proper matchmaking. Today however, I want to focus on the problem of how so many gamers aren't ready to drop their Player One mentality online, and how that could possibly be remedied.
Mon Apr 12, 2021 10:24 pm
For a long time - far too long, in fact - I left my weekly articles until the last minute. Not just writing them, but coming up with the topic, too. Even after I devised lists of ideas for future articles, I didn't always have anything prepared by the time Monday, Wednesday, and Friday rolled around. In recent years, I've made a point of building up a buffer of articles based on my list of topic ideas. It's meant that I've always got something ready to go, and if I've set aside the time, I'm able to schedule features a week or two in advance.
This prep work has been important for time management, consistency, and quality. Even though I've been pleased with certain articles that were actually written at the last minute, I'm far more satisfied with features that I haven't had to rush. Part of preparing articles in advance is ensuring that I have appropriate screenshots to use, which means taking the time to fire up the necessary games to capture them, and set up any specific scenarios as required. It's usually obvious why I have a particular screenshot in my archives, but recently I discovered one that left me stumped. This mysterious screenshot was for an article idea that I've completely forgotten about.
Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:35 pm
One of the major changes in NBA 2K21's MyTEAM was the adoption of Seasons. For those unfamiliar with the concept, MyTEAM Seasons run for about six weeks, with each Season featuring its own theme, content, and Challenges. While modes of play such as Domination remain unaffected by Seasons, and Triple Threat Offline simply gains new rewards as each new Season begins, Season-based content such as The Agenda has a time limit. If you have any unfinished business on The Agenda by the time a new Season begins, too bad; it's a new day in MyTEAM.
The Seasons approach is not unique to MyTEAM and NBA 2K, of course. It's a form of the "games as a service" model that mobile and Triple-A games alike are using with ever-increasing frequency, which invites cynicism because of the way those mechanics utilise FOMO to push microtransactions, season passes, and so on. Less cynically, however, it's a way to keep content fresh and not overwhelm late adopters with an overabundance of content. I'm generally in favour of Seasons in MyTEAM, but I do have a few criticisms and concerns that I'd like to discuss. Along with a few other aspects of the mode, the approach could be even better in NBA 2K22.
Mon Apr 26, 2021 2:06 pm
Underrated and overrated are relative terms. In online discourse, their usage often boils down to not liking something that's popular, or wanting the things you like to be more popular than they are, with little regard for consensus or objectivity. Since I'm talking about a mode that I believe is underrated, perhaps it would help to mention a few synonyms, such as undervalued, underappreciated, and overlooked. With that in mind, when we're talking about underrated modes in basketball gaming, what are some of the examples that you immediately think of?
You could argue that the rise in online gaming has made franchise modes underrated, but they're still fairly widely enjoyed by basketball gamers of all ages. The W and The W Online are underappreciated examples of how a career mode without recurrent revenue mechanics is still viable, but the WNBA's popularity relative to the NBA is a factor. Staunch MyCAREER and MyTEAM gamers tend to underrate the opposing mode despite both ranking among the most popular experiences in NBA 2K, and boasting impressive depth. When it comes down to it though, the most underrated mode is one that we've had for decades now: the humble standalone Playoffs mode.
Mon May 03, 2021 7:38 pm
Fans are fanatical; it's in the name! It's fun to passionately enjoy things, but it doesn't take much for those strong feelings to turn to tribalism and toxicity. That attitude isn't just directed at people outside the fandom, either. There are all kinds of schisms in just about every fanbase you can imagine. Just because you like the same things, it doesn't mean you have the same opinions, and we're all convinced that our point of view is correct. When it comes to basketball video games, we can be really snobby about our preferences, from gameplay settings to the modes that we choose to play.
That's why we see absurd statements like "Who even plays MyTEAM?", when in fact it's one of the most popular modes in NBA 2K. It's why we see exclusively online gamers sneering at people who prefer single player experiences. "What difficulty are you playing on?" is a valid question if someone is bragging about their abilities on the virtual hardwood, but can easily turn into gatekeeping when someone is just talking about having fun with the game, which is the point of it after all. And then, there's the mocking of choice in camera angles, particularly the broadcast cameras. I'll just say it: it's one of the weirdest, dumbest forms of gatekeeping I've seen in basketball gaming.
Mon May 10, 2021 2:26 pm
I don't want to say I told you so, but my track record with predictions is hit and miss, so I'll take the opportunity to say: I told you so. Well, maybe not you, specifically. Perhaps like me, you saw the concept of Rookieville in NBA 2K21 Next Gen's MyCAREER, and realised it was terrible idea. Perhaps you saw it for the gatekeeping measure that it is, instantly giving The City an air of elitism. If so, you looked past all the bells and whistles, and the admittedly impressive loading times, to see the issues with the approach. As such, you won't be surprised that it's drawing criticism.
Of course, fanboys and shills couldn't see the drawbacks; or at the very least, didn't want to acknowledge them. To actually take a deep dive into the problems with The City, and Rookieville in particular, is to be a spoilsport in their eyes. Why are we daring to hate on such a cool idea? Don't we like fun? Aren't we good enough to get past Rookieville and into The City? As I pointed out in my previous article, it's not that getting past Rookieville is difficult; it's that it's unnecessary and problematic. It's not surprising that fanboys and shills are ignoring the issue and bleating defensively, but it's concerning that no one at Visual Concepts was thinking ahead here.
Fri May 14, 2021 10:53 pm
Sat May 15, 2021 3:10 pm
Mon May 17, 2021 8:06 pm
There's been a lot of talk in recent years about NBA 2K implementing a "skill gap". It seems that every year, we get a gameplay blog in which a new or tweaked mechanic is touted as bringing a proper skill gap to the forthcoming game. By and large, this is a promise that games have failed to deliver upon. That's not to say that the changes aren't improvements in their own right, or that there isn't any skill involved in playing NBA 2K. Furthermore, gamers definitely do demonstrate different levels of skill - such as it is - especially in the online arena.
However, it isn't a true skill gap as such, because the way one wins and loses in NBA 2K doesn't necessarily come down to skill; or at least, not pure stick skills. There are factors such as meta-gaming in MyCAREER and its connected modes, and pay-for-advantage mechanics in terms of quick MyPLAYER upgrades and pack openings in MyTEAM. I've discussed those issues at length before, so I won't be going into them today. Instead, I want to talk about core mechanics that stand in the way of NBA 2K truly having a skill gap. One of the most pressing issues in that regard, as I'm sure many NBA 2K gamers are all too aware, is the prominence of canned moments.
Tue May 25, 2021 2:06 pm
It's important to be critical, even about the hobbies and interests that we love. We don't need to pretend to enjoy something that isn't to our tastes. As consumers, it doesn't benefit us to keep quiet when there are problems, or we aren't getting value for money. New isn't always better, just as nostalgia can make us overlook issues of the past. There are plenty of valid reasons to speak out, or express a negative opinion. Of course, it isn't healthy to be constantly mired in negativity, and it's all too easy to forget that it's OK to enjoy and celebrate our passions.
I am critical of certain aspects of basketball gaming, even though I love the hobby. I've got forthcoming articles where I examine problems and consider solutions, but today, I want to talk about why I love basketball, and video games based on it. The reason I'm taking time to do this is that last week, I encountered a miserable, mean-spirited article about film that was pure bait for rage clicks. It was snobby and snarky, essentially bashing a popular old film under the guise of "I'm smart enough to see that it sucks". I never want to be that kind of sad sack in my basketball gaming coverage, so today I'm talking about why I love the sport of basketball, both real and virtual.
Mon May 31, 2021 2:23 pm
Although I've spent a lot of time with MyCAREER over the past generation, I've also dabbled with MyTEAM. After making MyTEAM my mode of choice in NBA 2K21, I've had more firsthand experience with its troubling economics. For once, I'm not talking about microtransactions and Virtual Currency. While there is pushiness to the recurrent revenue mechanics in MyTEAM and I remain critical of those practices, I've covered that issue in previous articles. Besides, I can attest to the viability of sticking to a "No Money Spent" philosophy, and still greatly enjoying MyTEAM.
Ironically, the more pressing issue with MyTEAM's economics concerns MT: an in-game currency that can't be purchased (at least, not from 2K). It does tie into issues with VC to a certain extent - they're ultimately part of the same economy, after all - but even if you eliminate microtransactions from the discussion, there are still some major problems with MT. These issues affect everything from budgeting for packs and contracts, to the Auction House and the handling of pulling cards you already own. Some of these issues are unfortunately by design, but I believe that 2K should address problems affecting the mode's economics, as soon as in NBA 2K22.
Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:23 pm
In many ways, basketball gaming is notably unique compared to other genres of gaming. For example, in a basketball game, you participate in the sport of basketball. In other genres – outside of mini-games – you don’t. I know that these are the thought-provoking insights that you all come to the NLSC and read my articles for! In all seriousness, basketball gaming naturally involves different expectations, activities, and habits compared to other video game genres. One generally approaches sports titles with different ideas and methods than, say, an RPG or First Person Shooter.
And yet, some gaming habits cross the boundaries of genre, and habits in general are difficult to break. To put it another way, we each have our own gaming philosophies that influence how we play all our favourite games. I’ve stuck with a certain type of MyPLAYER build for years for the same reasons many of my Fallout playthroughs ended up being remarkably similar. That’s just one example of how my basketball gaming habits resemble the way that I play other games that I enjoy, even when those games have very little to do with the virtual hardwood. It hardly gets in the way of my enjoyment, but it does make it difficult to change things up when I feel so inclined.
Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:00 pm
Modern games prey on FOMO: the Fear Of Missing Out. From daily bonuses to content that is only available for a limited time, game modes are designed to get us jumping on as often as possible to boost engagement numbers, and in the best case scenario for the publisher, spend money on their recurrent revenue mechanics. It's the same approach that mobile games have pioneered, and it's become commonplace with Triple-A releases as well. From cosmetic items to content with a more tangible effect on gameplay, developers want us to dread missing out on acquiring goodies.
It's effective, too. Every time they release a great Michael Jordan card in MyTEAM, I can't help thinking "I want that". However, the Auction House economy is broken due to MT resellers, and I refuse to pay real money to rip open pack after pack with lousy odds. Not everyone can resist the lure of appealing digital content though, and to that end, I can understand falling victim to FOMO. It's harder to get games online - or at least be competitive - if you don't have the best cards, quick MyPLAYER upgrades, or even the right clothing. As premium skins in Fortnite have proven, it can even lead to bullying! That's why I'm offering up some tips to stand strong against FOMO.
Mon Jun 21, 2021 2:29 pm
There's a well-travelled fable about a boiling frog. The story goes that if you place a frog in boiling water, it will immediately jump out. However, if you place it in tepid water and slowly bring it to boil, the frog will not react to the danger and be boiled alive. Experiments have proven the premise to be false, but the imagery is still used as a metaphor for an unwillingness to react to threats that arise gradually, compared to those that arise suddenly. While the metaphor is based on a disproven principle, its imagery aptly illustrates the process of creeping normality.
Complacency is a major factor here, and it's certainly an issue in basketball gaming. The attitude of "well, that's just the way it is" shrugs off valid criticism and concerns. It can be shocking to look back at some of the fantastic games from years ago, and compare them to recent releases that are riddled with recurrent revenue mechanics, gatekeeping, and other aspects that are lacking in goodwill. How did we get from there to here? As in the boiling frog metaphor, had these changes come suddenly, there'd have been a revolt. By shrewdly introducing these elements and then turning up the heat, 2K has taken advantage of the complacency of the basketball gamer.
Mon Jun 28, 2021 2:08 pm
Achieving completion in most video games is fairly straightforward. Any game with an ultimate win condition such as a final boss or mission/quest can clearly be finished. There may be postscript content in games that can be played after their ending, even if it’s just an opportunity to finish side quests/missions and achieve 100% completion. These objectives are usually listed somewhere in the game, allowing you to keep track of them. To that end, I can tell you which Grand Theft Auto games I’ve finished, what I’ve done in Fallout games, and how successful I’ve been in various other titles I own.
Basketball gaming is different, particularly when we’re talking about the sim titles. There are goals that you can aim for, such as winning an NBA Championship in the various season, franchise, and career modes. Simply playing every game on twelve minute quarters could be considered a form of completion, having experienced the ups and downs of an NBA campaign…then again, games can be simulated. More to the point, the depth of modern basketball games make it extremely difficult to clearly achieve completion compared to other genres. With that in mind, we have to set our own definitions of completion to achieve satisfaction before a release is outdated.
Mon Jul 05, 2021 5:43 pm
NBA 2K has done a phenomenal job with historical content over the past decade or so, at least in terms of quantity and innovation. The Jordan Challenge and NBA's Greatest brought actual retro squads to the virtual hardwood in an official capacity, when for many years it appeared as though such teams would only ever be added through modding. MyTEAM has also made extensive use of historical players as both collectibles and challenges in its various modes of play. All-Decade teams have even returned. The only thing missing is a Legends Pool for historical roster projects.
Of course, while there's no arguing with the quantity of historical content in NBA 2K - give or take a missing player here and there - there are issues with the quality. A number of NBA Legends and other retro players have inappropriate ratings, Badges, tendencies, and animations. As attention has turned to facilitating overpowered cards in MyTEAM, there's been less focus on player accuracy, quite frankly to the point of sloppiness. Since there are gamers who are more interested in historical content than current rosters - and as it might allow for greater attention to detail - I'm intrigued by the idea of a standalone game that focuses solely on the Legends of the NBA.
Mon Jul 12, 2021 2:18 pm
I've covered several topics related to online modes in NBA 2K, from gatekeeping and elitism to forced grinding and a lack of matchmaking. One issue that I haven't touched upon all that much is the use of AI Players in the online arena. As you know if you've played MyCAREER's connected online modes, AI Players are utilised in one of two ways. Either they make up the numbers when there aren't enough users to completely fill both squads, or they take the place of a user when they quit or foul out of a game so that everyone else can keep playing.
The use of AI Players in online team play modes is particularly controversial, though. It ties into the aforementioned issues of matchmaking and elitism, but there are some legitimate complaints regarding the practice. The presence of AI Players in the online modes runs contrary to their very concept, yet at the same time, it facilitates them. It's an issue where it's impossible to cater to two very different preferences, at least with the current options and mechanics. Moving forward, it's an issue that NBA 2K will have to resolve, but in the meantime, let's take a look at both the drawbacks and the benefits of AI Players in online modes, and why the matter evokes strong opinions.
Mon Jul 19, 2021 2:53 pm
It's fair to say that we have mixed feelings about advertising. While we do understand that it's a necessary part of running a business and that commercials support things we like, we find them annoying. The appeal of recording TV - either through DVR now or VCR back in the day - and watching it later instead of live, is that we can skip the ads. We consider ads intrusive, yet memorable ones become part of pop culture. One only has to look at the Super Bowl commercials and their popularity. And of course, product placement also draws scorn, as does sponsored content.
Like it or not, advertising is everywhere, and it looks like it's coming to video games, too. Well, that's not entirely accurate. While various developers including EA have recently signed deals with an in-game advertising platform named playerWON that will allow them to place ads in their games and incentivise gamers to watch them by offering rewards, it's not the first time we've seen this mobile gaming model in Triple-A titles. That's not to say that I approve. Like most gamers I'm sure, I rolled my eyes and grumbled at the news. It did get me thinking about the history of commercials in basketball gaming though, and previous attempts to advertise on the virtual hardwood.
Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:25 pm
Maybe it's too early to be eulogising the NBA Live series, though others might argue that it's too late. It's been almost two years since the official Twitter posted an update on the future of the series, announcing that EA Sports would be skipping NBA Live 20. Since then, the account has only Re-Tweeted a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. While the silence is deafening and does little to convince fans that the door hasn't been slammed shut on the NBA Live series, the lack of an official announcement and the occasional interesting leak or rumour has maintained a glimmer of hope.
However, after another EA Play without any word on the future of the series, many of the fans who have continued to fly the flag for NBA Live are beginning to give up on it ever returning. If nothing else, supporters of the brand are resigning themselves to the fact that until they actually hear concrete news, there's no point in speculation and getting their hopes up. I'd count myself in the second group, though I've never been less optimistic about NBA Live. You may ask why we wanted NBA Live to return, and why we care about its current state. To be blunt, the NBA Live series deserved much better than it received over the past fifteen years, and so did hoops gamers.
Mon Aug 02, 2021 2:54 pm
Although I gained some experience with programming way back in high school, I'm not a programmer or software engineer. I'm not fluent in code, nor do I have any experience in developing or designing video games. Like a majority of people that play video games, I'm just a consumer; an outsider when it comes to the industry. I say this because I don't want to present myself as an infallible expert or come off as though I see myself as superior to anyone else. After all, I disdain a content creator with a massive ego and foolhardy overconfidence in their knowledge and expertise.
With that being said, and at the risk of sounding egotistical or pretentious, I do know a thing or two. Aside from dabbling with programming at school and messing around with computers both professionally and recreationally, I've spoken to people who do know what they're talking about. Running the NLSC for the past twenty years has granted me opportunities to gain insights into the development of basketball video games, and some of the technical aspects of game design. A recent Forum post asking about Next Gen features in the Current Gen version of NBA 2K reminded me of some misunderstandings about game design, and inspired me to provide some explanations.
Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:49 pm
If you're familiar with my stance on the importance of deep modes in basketball games, then this week's topic might be understandably confusing. After all, I'm on record saying that a game cannot sustain interest if it doesn't have at least one mode that can keep its audience hooked. I do stand by that, and one only needs to look at how NBA Live's shallow modes over the past generation have failed to maintain the same engagement and enthusiasm as the experiences on offer in NBA 2K. In 2021, a basketball game needs to have both variety and depth in its modes.
However, there's obviously still a use for exhibition play, or Play Now as it's usually called in NBA Live and NBA 2K alike. More than that though, there's a lot of fun to be had in exhibition games. The irony here is that while I advocate for deep modes because of their longevity, goals, and consequences, it's the lack of stakes and long-term ramifications that I find so appealing about jumping into Play Now. As much as I enjoy progressing through a mode and achieving some sense of completion, I can also find great satisfaction in playing a game that doesn't count towards anything. In fact, it could be argued that exhibition games are where we can be the most creative.
Fri Aug 13, 2021 2:57 am
Andrew wrote:Monday Tip-Off: The NBA Live Series Deserved BetterMaybe it's too early to be eulogising the NBA Live series, though others might argue that it's too late. It's been almost two years since the official Twitter posted an update on the future of the series, announcing that EA Sports would be skipping NBA Live 20. Since then, the account has only Re-Tweeted a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. While the silence is deafening and does little to convince fans that the door hasn't been slammed shut on the NBA Live series, the lack of an official announcement and the occasional interesting leak or rumour has maintained a glimmer of hope.
However, after another EA Play without any word on the future of the series, many of the fans who have continued to fly the flag for NBA Live are beginning to give up on it ever returning. If nothing else, supporters of the brand are resigning themselves to the fact that until they actually hear concrete news, there's no point in speculation and getting their hopes up. I'd count myself in the second group, though I've never been less optimistic about NBA Live. You may ask why we wanted NBA Live to return, and why we care about its current state. To be blunt, the NBA Live series deserved much better than it received over the past fifteen years, and so did hoops gamers.
Fri Aug 13, 2021 3:19 am
Andrew wrote:Monday Tip-Off: The Joys of Exhibition GamesIf you're familiar with my stance on the importance of deep modes in basketball games, then this week's topic might be understandably confusing. After all, I'm on record saying that a game cannot sustain interest if it doesn't have at least one mode that can keep its audience hooked. I do stand by that, and one only needs to look at how NBA Live's shallow modes over the past generation have failed to maintain the same engagement and enthusiasm as the experiences on offer in NBA 2K. In 2021, a basketball game needs to have both variety and depth in its modes.
However, there's obviously still a use for exhibition play, or Play Now as it's usually called in NBA Live and NBA 2K alike. More than that though, there's a lot of fun to be had in exhibition games. The irony here is that while I advocate for deep modes because of their longevity, goals, and consequences, it's the lack of stakes and long-term ramifications that I find so appealing about jumping into Play Now. As much as I enjoy progressing through a mode and achieving some sense of completion, I can also find great satisfaction in playing a game that doesn't count towards anything. In fact, it could be argued that exhibition games are where we can be the most creative.
Fri Aug 13, 2021 4:03 pm