For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (IGN)

[olajuwon34]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

There's no way that the directors like Mike Wang and the head guys there are just sitting back as they come in and make the game revolve around this virtual currency. They in some way work with Take Two implementing it into the game, how can you say that Mike Wang is innocent when it comes to the microtransactions in this series now, maybe he doesn't have the final say because Take Two owns 2k, but if he really wanted to he and other guys there could have put their foot down, and saying that there is no monopoly in the basketball video game market? Name some other major selling basketball games besides NBA live over the past 10 years.

[RogerDodger]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Mike is one of the main reasons basketball gaming is in such great shape.

[Keith01]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Does Mike Wang care that godlike 3pt shooting is ruining the gameplay.

[Keith01]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

If their were 3 basketball games, one just focused on strict gameplay, fixing bugs and adding intriguing modes, then there was one that was in the middle but still had a little microtransactions and lacked strict gameplay focus fixing bugs etc, then the third was like 2k's game riddled with microtransactions and a excessive grind, ignoring easy bug fixes, glitches etc, the majority would buy the first one, your validation for microtransactions is wrong, its simply that 2k has had a monopoly on the basketball game market.

If EA executives were smart, this is exactly the route they would take (1st option) AND market it heavily as such:

- Great balanced gameplay. No OP builds

- Easy Grind (people would still be intrigued by trying out MORE builds AND actually getting into the competitive modes more) -- think 2K14. $20 maxxed out your guy, then hop in the game. I probably played 1000 crew games that year, and it was a blast because the majority of the game was spent on building your roster, recruiting, and developing team chemistry. How it should be!

- No or low VC

NBA Live would get 1000's of users just from these 3 elements alone, because

1) There's a large percentage of gamers who vehemently can't stand the grind/VC model

2) There's a large percentage who stopped playing 2K due to the grind (plenty on my friends list). This would bring them back.

3) It's contradictory to 2K's new business model, so there's an opportunity there. 2K is so reliant on this model now, that a game that was the antithesis to it, a throwback of sorts (and sim??), would be refreshing af to the bball game community.

I actually hope NBA Live starts competing, competition is good. Ironically (because 2K knows what it's like to be on the other side of it), 2K has kinda gotten like Madden got being an NFL game monopoly.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Lol, I need to tell some of these movie directors who had their projects ruined by studio interference they should have just "put their foot down"

Unfortunately, it doesnt work like that in real life. They can certainly fight it, but the funding entity always gets the final say. It's not really about guilt or innocence, just common sense of how this stuff works.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Reading these posts, I question if some of you ever had a job before if you think you can just go against what corporate wants.

[Trackball]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Does Mike Wang care that godlike 3pt shooting is ruining the gameplay.

In the real-life modern NBA, the rule changes have destroyed defense so badly that a three-point shooter jumping INTO a defender is a foul.

On the defender.

But sure, it's 2K's fault.

[swac07]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Reading these posts, I question if some of you ever had a job before if you think you can just go against what corporate wants.

Exaaaactly...
Alot of folks would be "fighting the power"alright... from the couches of their own home without a job cause they would definitely be fired [emoji1787]

Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

[ksuttonjr76]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Reading these posts, I question if some of you ever had a job before if you think you can just go against what corporate wants.

I thought the same thing. Don't get me wrong, people should be able to voice their opinion or expertise on the subject with their corporate heads and not be "yes" men. However, if my boss tells me "This is how we're going to do it, and we appreciate your input.", to me...that's the end of the conversation. I'm going to create the best product that I can while maintaining the company's goals and vision. You think I'm going to give up my good paying job for a small minority of people? Nope...not going to happen. ESPECIALLY if I love what I'm doing, and I enjoy working for the company.

And I'm talking from experience....

[Keith01]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

In the real-life modern NBA, the rule changes have destroyed defense so badly that a three-point shooter jumping INTO a defender is a foul.

On the defender.

But sure, it's 2K's fault.

Are you seriously saying 2K has no fault in this arcade gameplay lol, and it's the NBA's fault basketball has become less "sim"? Bball is still bball.

I think Steph Curry has warped too many fan's and 2K's perspective on what real basketball actually looks like. The only thing that's basically changed is less physicality and more team's and more players are shooting more 3's. But you're not seeing godlike shooters or godlike range, sans Steph Curry, Damien Lilliard, Klay Thompson. Yet 2K has hard coded a game killing badge into the game (Limitless Range) off of ONE once-a-generation player.

Please stop defending this company when the gameplay and business model of the last few years hasn't warranted it.

Mike Wang is in charge of the gameplay, I'm guessing has MAJOR pull with 2K, and he'd rather poll Twitter on what he should do instead of just producing a balanced basketball game. And come off it with the "big wig funders" , etc. If 2K had ANY sense, they'd realize that their HARDCORE ballers, brand ambassadors, defenders of their sim gameplay and commitment to realism, are what helped pushed this game forward with their feedback and ideas. That still should be their base. Or they can continue catering to the casual crowd who have no idea or appreciation for realism vs arcade (they actually prefer arcade), and keep creating a basketball environment where up is down. But what happens from that? You'll get the actual hoopers play this game less and less, or be the passionate base behind it.

Here's what 2K can't put a price on: Respect & Credibility. If they lose 100% respect as a realistic representation of basketball (both in gameplay and company goals), that will have a negative trickle down effect, eventually affecting sales.

2K is basically going the NBA Live route. Full appeasement of casuals and forgetting their roots. Which makes this article by IGN even more ironic/laughable lmao.

[Smirkin Dirk]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

There's no way that the directors like Mike Wang and the head guys there are just sitting back as they come in and make the game revolve around this virtual currency. They in some way work with Take Two implementing it into the game, how can you say that Mike Wang is innocent when it comes to the microtransactions in this series now, maybe he doesn't have the final say because Take Two owns 2k, but if he really wanted to he and other guys there could have put their foot down, and saying that there is no monopoly in the basketball video game market? Name some other major selling basketball games besides NBA live over the past 10 years.

Firstly, Mike is an employee. Not a boss. He'd have more say than any other employee (maybe) but if the company had to choose between a highly skilled employee and a river of revenue, it's an easy decision.

Secondly, this is not a 2K issue. It's industry wide. We can still enjoy large parts of the game without having to spend a cent.

Lastly, if you're an offline gamer who loves the NBA, you will probably be very happy with 2K. We get catered to with modes more than anyone else. Ask MAdden or NHL or FIFA fans if they'd like their own MyLeague.

It is very, very likely that the production of these modes has been possible via the income generated from MTs.

And Im not defending MTs. I actually think fans will actually begin standing up to them throughout the year. But the narrative being presented by critics is just too simple.

[ksuttonjr76]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Are you seriously saying 2K has no fault in this arcade gameplay lol, and it's the NBA's fault basketball has become less "sim"? Bball is still bball.

I think Steph Curry has warped too many fan's and 2K's perspective on what real basketball actually looks like. The only thing that's basically changed is less physicality and more team's and more players are shooting more 3's. But you're not seeing godlike shooters or godlike range, sans Steph Curry, Damien Lilliard, Klay Thompson. Yet 2K has hard coded a game killing badge into the game (Limitless Range) off of ONE once-a-generation player.

Please stop defending this company when the gameplay and business model of the last few years hasn't warranted it.

Mike Wang is in charge of the gameplay, I'm guessing has MAJOR pull with 2K, and he'd rather poll Twitter on what he should do instead of just producing a balanced basketball game. And come off it with the "big wig funders" , etc. If 2K had ANY sense, they'd realize that their HARDCORE ballers, brand ambassadors, defenders of their sim gameplay and commitment to realism, are what helped pushed this game forward with their feedback and ideas. That still should be their base. Or they can continue catering to the casual crowd who have no idea or appreciation for realism vs arcade (they actually prefer arcade), and keep creating a basketball environment where up is down. But what happens from that? You'll get the actual hoopers play this game less and less, or be the passionate base behind it.

Here's what 2K can't put a price on: Respect & Credibility. If they lose 100% respect as a realistic representation of basketball (both in gameplay and company goals), that will have a negative trickle down effect, eventually affecting sales.

2K is basically going the NBA Live route. Full appeasement of casuals and forgetting their roots. Which makes this article by IGN even more ironic/laughable lmao.

That was a nice "I have a dream" speech. At the end of day, you still represent a very, very small minority of gaming base while the majority is generating record profits.

[MrWrestling3]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Firstly, Mike is an employee. Not a boss. He'd have more say than any other employee (maybe) but if the company had to choose between a highly skilled employee and a river of revenue, it's an easy decision.

Secondly, this is not a 2K issue. It's industry wide. We can still enjoy large parts of the game without having to spend a cent.

Lastly, if you're an offline gamer who loves the NBA, you will probably be very happy with 2K. We get catered to with modes more than anyone else. Ask MAdden or NHL or FIFA fans if they'd like their own MyLeague.

It is very, very likely that the production of these modes has been possible via the income generated from MTs.

And Im not defending MTs. I actually think fans will actually begin standing up to them throughout the year. But the narrative being presented by critics is just too simple.

Very true, I see this working in a different industry at a much lower level; Unless you're at or near the top of the corporate ladder,at the end of the day you have little to no say over what is implemented or not.

For the great majority of employees,if we want to keep our job we have to figure out how to make top decisions handed down to us,whether brilliant or stupid, work on a practical level whether we agree with them or not.

That was a nice "I have a dream" speech. At the end of day, you still represent a very, very small minority of gaming base while the majority is generating record profits.

True, and I'm going to put a good portion of the blame on the consumer.When it comes down to it, we're the ones who allow companies to get away with continually being sold an increasingly monetized product without a corresponding increase in quality.Until something happens to change that situation(i.e. strong enough competition to force a rethink, a major industry downturn,etc.) it will be more of the same.

[olajuwon34]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

Lol, I need to tell some of these movie directors who had their projects ruined by studio interference they should have just "put their foot down"

Unfortunately, it doesnt work like that in real life. They can certainly fight it, but the funding entity always gets the final say. It's not really about guilt or innocence, just common sense of how this stuff works.

So we do agree then that the game isn't being made to its best right? With Take Two doing all the studio interference.


Also you never did name that other competition in the basketball video game market besides NBA live, which is a series that has struggled to even make it back to its feet the past 5 years, so to be blunt, yes 2k has a monopoly on the basketball video game market.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: For Those That Didn't Know, Mike Wang Got Noticed From Posting on the OS Forums (

So we do agree then that the game isn't being made to its best right? With Take Two doing all the studio interference.


Also you never did name that other competition in the basketball video game market besides NBA live, which is a series that has struggled to even make it back to its feet the past 5 years, so to be blunt, yes 2k has a monopoly on the basketball video game market.

I mean yeah, if you now agree that gameplay directors arent out here driving pricing then we're on the same page, because that was my point.

The word Monopoly has a pretty straightforward definition. Throwing "besides" in there doesnt change the fact that NBA Live exists and is a functional option. Anything else is just contorting the word to fit opinion so I wasnt really interested in debating that.