NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

[Nza]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

Looks like WWE 2K18 will be without micro-transactions:

https://twitter.com/WWEgames/status/914956241297743872

So NBA 2K is the goose laying the golden egg it seems - probably can't risk this level of exploitation against a less developed fan base. Perhaps NBA is the subsidizer, allowing other 2K properties to avoid the stigma of micro-transactions while it takes one for the team and generates the super profits.

It's so disappointing to see a once pinnacle of sports gaming in pretty much all aspects succumb to such a scummy influence. At the end of the day it's just a basketball game, so it's not going to keep you up at night as a 2K game designer, but it must be hard finding pride in work whose goal is to find ways to generate more micro-transactions at the expense of the OOTB user experience.

[ILLSmak]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

Looks like WWE 2K18 will be without micro-transactions:

https://twitter.com/WWEgames/status/914956241297743872

So NBA 2K is the goose laying the golden egg it seems - probably can't risk this level of exploitation against a less developed fan base. Perhaps NBA is the subsidizer, allowing other 2K properties to avoid the stigma of micro-transactions while it takes one for the team and generates the super profits.

It's so disappointing to see a once pinnacle of sports gaming in pretty much all aspects succumb to such a scummy influence. At the end of the day it's just a basketball game, so it's not going to keep you up at night as a 2K game designer, but it must be hard finding pride in work whose goal is to find ways to generate more micro-transactions at the expense of the OOTB user experience.

it's like damn if only I liked WWE haha.

One thing people aren't realizing is 2k pretty much sleepwalks into a 9 rating. It really is their flagship sports game. However, discounting some of the 'protest reviews', getting an 84 from IGN, 80 from gamespot... those are huge hits, and you would think they would rethink things.

Considering that they have already made so much money on it (I assume), I'm surprised they wouldn't do a sale on the game and/or VC in order to stop any lingering bitterness which might carry over to next year.

They got, while not slayed by some big name reviewers, definitely scores they cannot be happy about. I dunno if it impacted sales (so many preorders), but it's definitely impacted their brand a tiny bit.

-Smak

[FerdBrown]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

A sale is tempting.

[El_Poopador]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

A sale is more of a slap in the face, honestly. It’s still asking us to spend extra money on VC.

All they really need to do is rebalance the economy of VC and everyone would be happy.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Mweemwee]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

2K has resorted to booting me out of the game at the screen after the game where it is "saving VC earnings" so it doesn't have to pay out [emoji23] 2 games in a row now it just exits the app and goes to the Xbox home screen

Since I've been counting I've lost almost 10k VC from MyCareer games that aren't paying out

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Blaine_Man]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

To Whom it may concern,

First I would like to say that I am a yearly customer since 2K8. I have so many great memories from this game. So many great times with friends and family. So many great online matches(sometimes). I can overlook server issues here and there. A glitch here and there. Nothing is perfect. I also understand that you guys are creating a product to make money. You guys are a business first and foremost. The last 3 iterations(probably more) of 2k that have released have been either unplayable or broken in major fashion the first month of release. I can only recall the last 3 off the top of my head but i'm sure others have had the same fate. We all know that the servers have always been a problem. As a customer I am willing to throw down my $60 in spite of all of that. The game with all of those issues is still a wonderfully made game.

The game has now turned into pay to win freemium model. If you want to play competitively you have to spend money on VC for MyTeam packs/ attribute upgrades. Some may say you can grind out VC by just playing the game, but each year 2K raises prices of VC and lowers the amount you can earn. They look for every possible way to have a VC sink( haircuts/clothing/shoes/accessories). You not only have to pay expensive prices for these items but also if you want to make another character you have to buy them again. If you want a different hair cut you have to buy it again even if you have purchased it already. The people who play this game competively all spend more on VC than the game itself. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM for me as a consumer. For the first time since i fell in love with the series I am considering not buying next year. And this makes me sad. It makes me sad that something i have had so many good times with has turned into the most unfair/ unsporting videogame of all time. The worst part about it is that it will not change as the demand is such that 2K can get away with doing this and make millions of dollars. And I don't blame 2K for trying to make as much money as possible. I hope consumers wake up and stop buying this game so the changes could happen. Call me what you will but this sucks and i hope someone from 2k reads this and addresses it for next year.

Thank you for the time you spend reading my rant.
Have a blessed day.

[Nza]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

I decided to give grinding a go, but openly admit to exploiting the 1 minute quarter bug to do so. At roughly 5x the normal rate of VC accrual playing NBA games, it was bearable, because I don't play an awful lot. I managed to get to 75OVR or so, so it's now actually playable online - I can compete, and I can usually find games in the park that doesn't result in other players backing out because a low rated player wants to actually play the game they bought (the nerve!).

Now that the 1 min bug is "fixed" (top of the 2K todo list no doubt), I'm locked into the player I created as going back to 60 OVR at the inbuilt VC rate is simply unplayable for me, and I postulate the vast majority of gamers. So 5x the rate to me is more reasonable and a much better balance. I doubt increase VC to 5x would even make a dint $ wise, because it's still a grind and I suspect most people who buy VC would still do so. To me it's the only realistic way forward as 2K won't want to give up the cash cow, but they've clearly overshot the mark in 2K18.

[Iasounis]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

I decided to give grinding a go, but openly admit to exploiting the 1 minute quarter bug to do so. At roughly 5x the normal rate of VC accrual playing NBA games, it was bearable, because I don't play an awful lot. I managed to get to 75OVR or so, so it's now actually playable online - I can compete, and I can usually find games in the park that doesn't result in other players backing out because a low rated player wants to actually play the game they bought (the nerve!).

Now that the 1 min bug is "fixed" (top of the 2K todo list no doubt), I'm locked into the player I created as going back to 60 OVR at the inbuilt VC rate is simply unplayable for me, and I postulate the vast majority of gamers. So 5x the rate to me is more reasonable and a much better balance. I doubt increase VC to 5x would even make a dint $ wise, because it's still a grind and I suspect most people who buy VC would still do so. To me it's the only realistic way forward as 2K won't want to give up the cash cow, but they've clearly overshot the mark in 2K18.

Not with me!
Last year I sunk $$ into 5 players because getting them 'fully' badged up and HOFed was possible. This year, since every player I would create would be a fresh slate (no transfer of things like rep coupled with this year's grind), I'm likely sticking with my 1 build; whereas, I planned on ot least 3.