NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

[ph33]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

I am for your cause, and wish you guys the best in it. I don't think it will get off the ground, but I'd like to see it reduced to VC for attributes at least. Paying for a haircut in this situation preposterous.

I respect what you said and I sadly agree about how much it will take to force them to change.

Thank you for showing some empathy though. You get it. Some never will.

[Marty Funkhouser]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

I only play Head 2 Head but it's ridiculous watching 2K not fix legacy issues(MENUS STILL DONT EVEN WORK) but continue to raise prices for VC and screw the consumer over year after year. Look at other games: GTA V, BF1, Overwatch etc etc. All those games have microtransactions but provide so much more in terms of support and free content. It's ridiculous. You can't even get a straight answer from their community managers who just enjoy being in some athlete's DMs.

Even more ridiculous than the kids defending these practices are the grown adults. They'll say "if you don't like it don't but it" and smile while 2k keeps shoving their fist up th-

ahh, forget it.

I just really wish Kotaku, Polygon, Jimquisition etc would write some type of piece on these issues because it's obvious 2k doesn't care what their fans think.

[GisherJohn24]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

I just want a game where the focus is good, NBA basketball

I feel like those glory days are long behind us unfortunately.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

I personally don't spend any time with my career or online I just enjoy playing off-line with friends and enjoying the new teams they have added

[Bernte]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

concerning the question on what to do about it: it would be helpful, if the big review sites and magazines would make vc a topic in their reviews. i believe that if for example ign rates a 2k game significantly lower because of the vc rip off, it would become quickly a topic within socia media. 2k must be forced to react. and they only react if the fuss is big enough.

[zeroblackstar]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

I have never bought VC and never will, however, I don't see a problem with having micro transactions as part of the game...up to a point.

2K deliberately make the game a grind in order to "incentivize" VC purchase, read their corporate reports etc and you will know that their whole purpose is to turn their sports games, into micro transaction riddled money machines, and to increase the profits they make from this every year.

As a player, you have to decide whether you want to support them in this endeavor or simply say no and not take part. If your attitude is "meh, I will spend money on the game, so what" then thats cool, just expect 2K to see this as proof their strategy is working and find more ways to drive up VC sales. As they have done in past years they will also spend more time on those game modes which are more VC centric too.

Proof of this can be seen in the lacklustre prelude for 2k18. Did anyone at 2K play 2KU and actualy think that it wasnt massively annoying to have constant interuptions about passing? Why can't you even change basic settings or options? They probably dont give a sh*t because it's not going to generate any VC.

The new neighbourhood is just about finding more ways to introduce things to spend VC on too, "we can sell them skateboards and bikes!", so now instead of going to a menu....you have to slowly jog somewhere unless you pay some VC to go a bit quicker.

If you buy the game and don't buy VC you will be form part of the customer segment that they are trying to target to get them to start buying VC, they will make the game a grind fest so that you either spend a ridiculous amount of hours playing or you buy VC and get your life back. If you have a lot of time maybe that's ok and you don't mind.

If NBA Live comes out with a truly competitive offering it may force them to re-think what differentiates them in the market and it may help the situation, as it stands though, you just have to accept the fact that your gameplay experience is going to suffer in some way to make room for micro transactions because it makes them a boat load of money.

I personally have very little free time but I do enjoy the RPG-esque mycareer, I seldom play online as most players don't play team basketball. I am not going to spend money and encourage micro transactions because I dont want 2K19, 2K20 etc to be even more micro transaction focused. If the grind becomes too onerous then I will just go play other games, no big deal. I will have been a low value customer to 2K as I don't buy VC and I doubt they care if they lose customers like myself.

Being a bit older I am against micro transactions in games when it affects the gameplay experience as it's a relatively new development in the games industry. I think this has really spoilt some otherwise great games and probably robbed us of some amazing ones altogether as developers are forced to work on games/genres which offer more micro transaction opportunities.

I will continue to make my small and meaningless protest by not buying in game currency

[Vinsanity115]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

How can you defend this.

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[Yesh2kdone]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

What I find most disconcerting is the "I've got mine, so screw everybody else" crew that pop up in every thread where there is a complaint about anything, and tell everyone to stop complaining or don't buy the game because it doesn't concern them.

It's so unbelievably short-sighted; if they can screw over one section of the community today, they can hit another section tomorrow, but not only that, they can obviously tell what the thread is about from the thread titles, so why even get involved like some nosy old lady neighbour curtain twitcher?

[Thunderhorse]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

What I find most disconcerting is the "I've got mine, so screw everybody else" crew that pop up in every thread where there is a complaint about anything, and tell everyone to stop complaining or don't buy the game because it doesn't concern them.

It's so unbelievably short-sighted; if they can screw over one section of the community today, they can hit another section tomorrow, but not only that, they can obviously tell what the thread is about from the thread titles, so why even get involved like some nosy old lady neighbour curtain twitcher?

I've watched EA completely screw over an entire demographic for multiple console generations now in the football niche.

I understand where a lot of these people are coming from, because I don't like that it's going to cost me $50 to be able to have a competent MyPlayer day 1. But when you look at this product in relation to some others, 2K could be doing worse.

My primary concern will always be gameplay. If the gameplay is strong enough I believe it warrants re-investing in the experience (that can be time or money). Compare 2K and a title like Madden in this regard, and for me personally, 2K's product is so much more complex and polished, so much flat out better that it warrants that.

Micro-Transactions are not going to stop, they are just going to grow. Look at these Free to Play game models and how they make money, this is the future.

[Bernte]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

I've watched EA completely screw over an entire demographic for multiple console generations now in the football niche.

I understand where a lot of these people are coming from, because I don't like that it's going to cost me $50 to be able to have a competent MyPlayer day 1. But when you look at this product in relation to some others, 2K could be doing worse.

My primary concern will always be gameplay. If the gameplay is strong enough I believe it warrants re-investing in the experience (that can be time or money). Compare 2K and a title like Madden in this regard, and for me personally, 2K's product is so much more complex and polished, so much flat out better that it warrants that.

Micro-Transactions are not going to stop, they are just going to grow. Look at these Free to Play game models and how they make money, this is the future.

exactley, look at these FREE TO PLAY game models.

[Yesh2kdone]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

I've watched EA completely screw over an entire demographic for multiple console generations now in the football niche.

I understand where a lot of these people are coming from, because I don't like that it's going to cost me $50 to be able to have a competent MyPlayer day 1. But when you look at this product in relation to some others, 2K could be doing worse.

My primary concern will always be gameplay. If the gameplay is strong enough I believe it warrants re-investing in the experience (that can be time or money). Compare 2K and a title like Madden in this regard, and for me personally, 2K's product is so much more complex and polished, so much flat out better that it warrants that.

Micro-Transactions are not going to stop, they are just going to grow. Look at these Free to Play game models and how they make money, this is the future.

I partly agree, I've bought a load of VC in the past, and it's not ideal but it's the market so it is what it is. I think it's a smalltime move on 2k's part charging for haircuts and facial hair etc, but from what I've heard there are games within the neighbourhood that should give you the opportunity to earn a chunk of VC continually, so until we all see whats on offer then none of us really know how smalltime it is.

That said, the VC angle wasn't necessarily the point of my post, it's just annoying seeing the same community dismissing the concerns of others within because it doesn't concern them, but all that may change within a couple of years for what we know.

Even then, if you don't like the thread title, don't go into every thread you don't like them and tell people what they should think.

[Dyslexicphish]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

To the people defending 2k on this I just want to ask one question:

What is the line for you? What is something that would make you think that 2k is overstepping on this VC issue?

[Thunderhorse]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

I partly agree, I've bought a load of VC in the past, and it's not ideal but it's the market so it is what it is. I think it's a smalltime move on 2k's part charging for haircuts and facial hair etc, but from what I've heard there are games within the neighbourhood that should give you the opportunity to earn a chunk of VC continually, so until we all see whats on offer then none of us really know how smalltime it is.

That said, the VC angle wasn't necessarily the point of my post, it's just annoying seeing the same community dismissing the concerns of others within because it doesn't concern them, but all that may change within a couple of years for what we know.

Even then, if you don't like the thread title, don't go into every thread you don't like them and tell people what they should think.

I don't think the people who are voicing concerns are wrong. I think their beefs are completely viable and I agree, people that are telling them to just skip on it if they have beef are being even crappier.

I just think 2K finding more creative ways to increase their profit margin is not a product of 2K's individual greed but more so the capitalist society we live in.

I think Basketball gamers are spoiled, quite frankly.

[Junior Moe]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

To the people defending 2k on this I just want to ask one question:

What is the line for you? What is something that would make you think that 2k is overstepping on this VC issue?

Understanding the business aspect is not "defending" 2K. It's reality. Whether a person understands or accepts it is entirely up to them. If they conflate stating the obvious with "defending" something, again, their problem.

As to you second question, I felt like 2K overstepped with VC when they charged to change rotations in 2K14. I'm familiar with the anger some have. There's nothing wrong with not liking it and voicing your concern. I did. I also bought it, because I wanted to change my rotations. I had more than enough VC to do it, it just didn't feel right. I, along with many others, voiced my concern here about it. Even stated how I saw it as a bad sign. That was it. Had 2K continued what I perceived to be nickle and diming i would have stopped fooling with them. Thats something within my control. I cant control what they sell VC for. Or how they implement it. I never once blamed MyCareer players who buy VC. Or MyTeam or 2K for being greedy. I get business. I also understand that I'm not being FORCED to do anything. Fortunately, the next year 2K introduced MyLeague and that was that. VC isn't going anywhere, though. And it's illogical to expect 2K to change a profitable model.

[ILLSmak]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

yea, I definitely don't blame people for buying VC. It may seem like I do because I say that people buying VC have enabled this to happen, but really... the people who *have* to buy VC to be competitive because they don't have the time to do much other than just fire up the game and play for a couple hours once in awhile, are the ones who are getting shafted the hardest. They aren't the demographic, they are the victims. They are the ones who have been dragged into something they have no way out of... other than not playing.

I'd be happy w/ VC if there was just a ranked team up mode.

I wasn't too worried about grinding my dude up over time last year. I took the Ls as a 60. I took the Ls as a 75 vs people who were close to as good as I was, that I prol would have beaten as 90. I watched my dude blow wide open fast break lay ups in park. I watched people get the ball over my back after boxing them out perfectly. I watched my dude miss inside shot after inside shot before I got my rating up. I had a big, so even at 55, I could still make people miss inside and grab boards, make passes, but everything else... dribbling? nah. Shooting haha. Dunk it under the rim? Sometimes. Mostly I'd just get blocked by the 95 glass cleaner.

I'm not mad at people. I'm not trying to be overzealous here, but when it's obvious they are changing it to make it so you *have* to buy VC for a full price game, that upsets me.

In summary, I think making your dude is a cool feature, but I think it's really lame that we can't play a game where we can pick many different dudes. Why should we have to put in x amount of money or time to play a different build? I wanna play different guys depending on how I feel. I wanna play each position. I don't wanna put in so much money to make a dude, and... y'know I could make a PG that plays D, but then what if I wanna shoot 3s with a pg? The game was more fun online with just old teamplay. I had many friends on there and we played team play as much as park, even when park came out. Sure, there would be the occasional... I got Kobe... no I GOT KOBE argument, but if you think about it, it's better than being like "Oh, we need a center now." "Damn, I can only be Kobe."

I know that stuff is still in the game, but that mode hasn't been developed. So nobody plays it. It's some mode where you got 8 year olds breathing heavily on the mic before they quit out after getting their pull up 3s blocked 2x in a row.

Edit: or you need to get 9 other people together to do a private room.

-Smak

[ph33]

Re: NBA 2k18 - Another VC grind fest?

Edit: or you need to get 9 other people together to do a private room.

-Smak

5 on 5 private team-up is insanely fun. I've done it before.

The problem is, you gotta find 9 other friends on at the same time....which happens very rarely.

But like you said, some kind of ranked 5 on 5 mode would be the best. Keep the nickel and diming to Ultimate Team modes as all other sports games do.