VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

[Barncore]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

VC is the reason i don't play MyPlayer.
Same thing last year.

I love the concept of MyPlayer, it's a great way to capture people's imagination. But you know what doesn't capture my imagination? Playing with a slow, unskilled, trashy player who is supposed to be some budding superstar. He's getting shoe deals but he can't play for ****. The only way to get the realism (of the player actually matching up with his status within the game): spend hours practicing or spend a bunch of money.

A) I already bought the game, why do i have to pay more to experience realism.
B) Who the hell wants to practice in a videogame? We use videogames to ESCAPE the grind of life. I don't mind a FEW training drills and stuff, but I don't want to put 20 hrs into training a virtual player in a video game. Boring.

I want to experience the journey of an awesome player. You can't do that unless you sacrifice money or time (2 things i'm already doing by buying and playing the game!!) which i'm not willing to do.

But i'm sure there are kids out there buying a bunch of VC anyway so therefore 2K will continue to do it.

But 2K have definitely entered "greedy corporation" status for me now. The earn vs spend ratio is ridiculous. Earn 600 VC for a well played NBA game. Spend 1,000 VC for a full beard. Spend 6,000 on a sweet pair of Nikes. Shoes are 12x more than my weekly salary. What? Spend 1,000 to upgrade your shooting attribute by 1 point, get 300 VC for a nice teammate grade. Haha it's so greedy. There's really no choice other than to spend money or be a trash player

[meccs]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

The reason you can not skip cut scenes is because there is product placement in them. They are basically ads.

I feel this video explains my exact sentiments towards the whole vc "debacle" ....especially the "11 yr old vs 27 yr old scenario"
https://youtu.be/99TcR5WaVbI

What you and the guy talking in the video don't get is that the "27 yr old" can't enjoy the game because of the artificial VC grind. They make it so hard, especially this year, to make those people with a job and family buy extra VC. But this is not needed. Even playing an MMO would be easier in this situation because there wouldn't be another sequel out 12 month later.
The conclusion of this video is "maybe this game is not for your lifestyle". But it's all artificial tedious grind to make you spend VC or invest a large amount of your free time into a game that is obsolete 12 month later and then it all starts over. It's a F2P business model in a $60 game. Simple as that.

[335TDC]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

VC is the reason i don't play MyPlayer.
Same thing last year.

I love the concept of MyPlayer, it's a great way to capture people's imagination. But you know what doesn't capture my imagination? Playing with a slow, unskilled, trashy player who is supposed to be some budding superstar. He's getting shoe deals but he can't play for ****. The only way to get the realism (of the player actually matching up with his status within the game): spend hours practicing or spend a bunch of money.

A) I already bought the game, why do i have to pay more to experience realism.
B) Who the hell wants to practice in a videogame? We use videogames to ESCAPE the grind of life. I don't mind a FEW training drills and stuff, but I don't want to put 20 hrs into training a virtual player in a video game. Boring.

I want to experience the journey of an awesome player. You can't do that unless you sacrifice money or time (2 things i'm already doing by buying and playing the game!!) which i'm not willing to do.

But i'm sure there are kids out there buying a bunch of VC anyway so therefore 2K will continue to do it.

But 2K have definitely entered "greedy corporation" status for me now. The earn vs spend ratio is ridiculous. Earn 600 VC for a well played NBA game. Spend 1,000 VC for a full beard. Spend 6,000 on a sweet pair of Nikes. Shoes are 12x more than my weekly salary. What? Spend 1,000 to upgrade your shooting attribute by 1 point, get 300 VC for a nice teammate grade. Haha it's so greedy. There's really no choice other than to spend money or be a trash player

I wrote the same thing last year: how ridiculous it was that the superstar narrative had no connection to your actual attributes. And lots of the best animation are unavailable at lower attribute ratings, so you're grinding with a nerfed, vanilla player. As an RPG/franchise guy at core, that killed it for me. In an RPG, once you level up you gain instant access to a new ability that reinvigorates the experience; in 2k you grind for pennies on the dollar, time v reward. Both are "addiction models," but in one it's like you're Dan Bilzerian and in the other you're like Mikey from the Wire.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[MrWrestling3]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

I wrote the same thing last year: how ridiculous it was that the superstar narrative had no connection to your actual attributes. And lots of the best animation are unavailable at lower attribute ratings, so you're grinding with a nerfed, vanilla player. As an RPG/franchise guy at core, that killed it for me. In an RPG, once you level up you gain instant access to a new ability that reinvigorates the experience; in 2k you grind for pennies on the dollar, time v reward. Both are "addiction models," but in one it's like you're Dan Bilzerian and in the other you're like Mikey from the Wire.

And a part of the problem is that the core RPG/SP Campaign/Be A Pro mode has for the most part evolved into an introduction to online MP/offline training arena mode with a weak narrative.

At this point,I'd be happy if they just reinstated Be A Legend mode (basic offline only My Career mode,sp/xp based,dynamic league a la franchise, make your own player, be a current player, or even be a legend).

I feel this would require only a relatively minimal investiture of development time as it's basically just a modification of current mode that is already featured yearly.

In return, you would alleviate a good chunk of the customer dissatisfaction that is currently going in.

[biggiejerseys]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

How intrusive the micro transactions of VC is in 2K18 is really making me consider getting NBA Live 18 over NBA 2K18. I shouldn't have to use the VC for just gear & accessories, or hair styles & hair color, it should only be for skill points & attributes.

[killakrok]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

I liked 2k better when they were the underdog.

Exactly. 2K originally grew the NBA2K audience by providing a product that the people wanted at a discounted rate in order to create a loyal fan base. When Live turned to crap 2K became the only show in town and now people blindly pre-order and drop extra money on VC each year just because that's the thing to do, allowing 2K to become the scummy company they overtook years ago.

[Sitew33]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

I'm mainly an offline player but every year I also play my career just for a change of pace. Up until this year I actually purchased VC to upgrade my player and for accessories so I'm not going to go on an anti-VC rant. But this year 2K has taken VC to a whole new level. To be honest My Career has become pointless because IMO the only gamers that actually play the career part are offline guys who just want a little different gameplay experience. Most gamers view My Career and simply a gateway to My Park, Pro-Am and now the Neighborhood & E-League modes introduced this year. I used to get some entertainment out of the My Career mode. It was kinda cool getting interviewed after games, having a crib, getting endorsements and of the other little things in MC. But now having to pay for hair and apparel at ridiculous prices compared to how much you actually make in games or what you earn from endorsements has sucked the life out of it for me at this point. There is no longer any point in attaining a shoe deal because unlike before the deal doesn't even get you free shoes. You make like 25 VC per game from you shoe contract but have to pay thousands of VC for shoes. The Neighborhood was nice for the 1st week or so but even if I have the VC to buy items it became a pain in the a$$ to have to keep running all over from place to place to buy stuff then back to the highrise to actually equip those items. I don't actually have a problem with VC I just have a problem with how it has been implemented this year. 2K has made the focus of MC about the grind and or purchase of VC instead of the fun one has playing the mode. Like I said I didn't have a problem in the past buying VC because the mode was fun. Hell there are tons of ways to easily scam VC through glitches but I have no interest in buying nor scamming VC this year because there's not a lot of fun in the actual MC part anymore.

[Retropyro]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

So 2K is now getting upset with reviewers for low scoring reviews and calling out VC.

Video is NSFW.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeZB8z1vQ2w

I don't agree with Sterling on everything, but calling out the VC is 100% spot on.

[heelphreak]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

It doesn't bode well for our future that the entire community isn't outraged. This microtransaction scourge will only get worse so long as people happily accept it.
I've always been against it but this iteration is just insultingly egregious.

[Barncore]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

Apparently 2K pressured TheSixthAxis to remove the 3/10 score from their 2k18 review: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1436493

The poor score was mainly due to microtransactions system and the rate at which you can earn VC.

[MoodMuzik]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

Apparently 2K pressured TheSixthAxis to remove the 3/10 score from their 2k18 review: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1436493

The poor score was mainly due to microtransactions system and the rate at which you can earn VC

That's because any negative about the game is VC-driven, which is likely an article written by a 30+ year old with an 8-year-old upset, boyscout mindset who "doesn't have time to play the game" but has time to write a damn critical review of said game.

Christ in heaven, if a game review comes out "2K IS RATED 90+/A-RATED/BLAH-GREAT REVIEW/GOAT SPORTS GAME" it's like 3 pages max comments(with VC jokes included).

BUT... if it's "2K RATED P*SS BECAUSE OF VC" or "VC Crossed the Line" it's flooded with 15+ pages.

Negativity in this world, spreads soooo, sooooo fast and people jump on it like a damn succubus.

Have they crossed a line of acceptability? You could say so. Could they take away VC and have JUST THE GRIND AS IS? Yes, why yes they could. But that wouldn't help now would it? Because those that "don't have time to do anything but post their complaints on OS wouldn't be able to keep up with 'those that don't have lives outside of the game' - it isn't fair'"

Don't have lives? Now it's an insult to play the game? Last I checked a lot of us work 40 or more hours a week and have a wife and/or kids... and those in school? Yeah the game drops in September, like right as school is starting so from 8-3 (aka your basic work schedule) kids AREN'T PLAYING, then they gotta play sports or go to other after school activities, or do homework or oh hey have dinner and a movie with their mom and dad. Weekends? Family activities right? SO SERIOUSLY, IF WE'RE TALKING VIDEO GAMES... HOW MUCH TIME IS ADEQUATE TO PLAY AND EARN YOUR OVR?

Have they crossed a line? Sure - because a banner during the game of "Got VC?" is too much, but... if they took away VC altogether would it help those without time? No. It doesn't seem that it would, unless they shortened the time it took to get to 99, which imho, would suck. Because I looooooooooooooooooooooathe the 1st year rookie MyPlayer 90+ we had since MyPlayer began. "Hey look I was ROY and All-Team NBA, and MVP, and got my first ring with the Brooklyn Nets AND won Finals MVP AND I was a 96ovr 30 games in I'm the GOAT!!!" NONSENSE THAT WE'VE HAD SINCE 2K10.

Yeah that's beautiful for online. Take that guy online and once the shot stops falling... expect 15 threads 30 pages long of "I can't do this, it's broken" and then the "duh" crowd comes in followed by the "his voice should be heard because he's right I can't make a driving layup" crowd.

Whyyyyyy... whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy do I bother with release-weeks "Overreaction Sports?"

(Love this site, just... just... too much sometimes, I apologize).

[geezy]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

Cant believe if you start a new MyCareer u now haveta buy all your shoes/clothes and everything all over again, it doesn’t carry over like last year!

Preordered Shaq gear is only on ur first save as well, surely they patch this

[olajuwon34]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

Iv never seen a bigger pay to win formula for a game.

[trandoanhung1991]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

That's because any negative about the game is VC-driven, which is likely an article written by a 30+ year old with an 8-year-old upset, boyscout mindset who "doesn't have time to play the game" but has time to write a damn critical review of said game.

Christ in heaven, if a game review comes out "2K IS RATED 90+/A-RATED/BLAH-GREAT REVIEW/GOAT SPORTS GAME" it's like 3 pages max comments(with VC jokes included).

BUT... if it's "2K RATED P*SS BECAUSE OF VC" or "VC Crossed the Line" it's flooded with 15+ pages.

Negativity in this world, spreads soooo, sooooo fast and people jump on it like a damn succubus.

Have they crossed a line of acceptability? You could say so. Could they take away VC and have JUST THE GRIND AS IS? Yes, why yes they could. But that wouldn't help now would it? Because those that "don't have time to do anything but post their complaints on OS wouldn't be able to keep up with 'those that don't have lives outside of the game' - it isn't fair'"

Don't have lives? Now it's an insult to play the game? Last I checked a lot of us work 40 or more hours a week and have a wife and/or kids... and those in school? Yeah the game drops in September, like right as school is starting so from 8-3 (aka your basic work schedule) kids AREN'T PLAYING, then they gotta play sports or go to other after school activities, or do homework or oh hey have dinner and a movie with their mom and dad. Weekends? Family activities right? SO SERIOUSLY, IF WE'RE TALKING VIDEO GAMES... HOW MUCH TIME IS ADEQUATE TO PLAY AND EARN YOUR OVR?

Have they crossed a line? Sure - because a banner during the game of "Got VC?" is too much, but... if they took away VC altogether would it help those without time? No. It doesn't seem that it would, unless they shortened the time it took to get to 99, which imho, would suck. Because I looooooooooooooooooooooathe the 1st year rookie MyPlayer 90+ we had since MyPlayer began. "Hey look I was ROY and All-Team NBA, and MVP, and got my first ring with the Brooklyn Nets AND won Finals MVP AND I was a 96ovr 30 games in I'm the GOAT!!!" NONSENSE THAT WE'VE HAD SINCE 2K10.

Yeah that's beautiful for online. Take that guy online and once the shot stops falling... expect 15 threads 30 pages long of "I can't do this, it's broken" and then the "duh" crowd comes in followed by the "his voice should be heard because he's right I can't make a driving layup" crowd.

Whyyyyyy... whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy do I bother with release-weeks "Overreaction Sports?"

(Love this site, just... just... too much sometimes, I apologize).

So do you go to the doctor, pay full price for an operation, only to be told at the end that to have anesthetics it's a few hundred bucks more?

Would you like to buy a "fully furnished" home with no wallpaper and no windows, and have to fork extra for those nice-to-haves?

How about buying a brand new car for hundreds of thousands of dollars, only to have key ignition as an optional extra for a few thousand?

How about a TV without a remote, which costs an additional $300?

Look, we are complaining because we've already paid full price for the ****ing game, ok? It's not about how long it takes, it's about how 2K deliberately mess with the game in order to entice you to pay for VC.

Why is the difficulty multiplier gone from MyCareer? Why increase the prices of everything? Why there's no previews of any purchases? Why can't we see improved stats when buying a new stat point?

I'm sorry, but these are deliberate and unethical decisions that 2K made in order to boost VC sales.

Personally I don't mind buying stuff in a F2P game. Heck, I've spent more buying stuff in a mobile F2P title than the money it takes to buy 3 legendary copies of 2K18. I spent the money because I wanted, because I was positively incentivized. In 2K18, I'm always negatively incentivized.

What's the biggest issue with VC? It's completely p2w. On day-****ing-1 you can already have a maxed out player, without ever setting foot in a MyCareer game. So I'm supposed to just lose in MyPark and ProAm because I didn't pay? Pray tell how the **** do you grind to a 85OVR in 24 hours, unless you used a glitch? That's nearly 200k VC to grind for, or 8300VC/hour.

Nobody would've complained if VC was to be used for timed small stat boosts or cosmetic items. How many game modes are there in this game? MyLeague MyGM MyCareer MyPark ProAm. Are you telling me my $60 locks me out of 2/5 game modes, and I have to pay $150 or grind for 1000 hours to unlock the other 2? Why do my offline enjoyment has to suffer because online snobs want to dick fight and cheese out in MyPark and ProAm?

Grinding for VC is a drag this year, and the only reason it is so is because 2K wants everyone to buy VC for their MyCareer dude.

[Mweemwee]

Re: VC in NBA 2K18: Have We Crossed a Line of Acceptability?

Paying for attributes doesn't bother me at all, I'm happy to grind my rating up (although preferably at a slightly easier rate; making us a 75 or anything in line with the current rookie rating seems more realistic to the storyline at least) but paying for anything that isn't an attribute isn't good and should be reserved only for the premium items.

Let us have basic set of everything free and make us pay for the premium ones. Black or white headband should be free. Want a funky coloured one? Pay 1k VC. We should also have a selection of clothes and shoes etc free just not the premium brand ones. At least let us change the clothes COLOUR for free.