How Should 2k Respond to Community Disappointment over Features Cuts?

[LorenzoDC]

Quote: Originally Posted by spankdatazz22

No, I don't. If HBO cancels the Wire or the Sopranos, they don't owe me an explanation why they cancelled it. Sure I'll wonder why, but they don't owe me some detailed blow-by-blow account of what the decision process was. Again, no. Since when do people expect everything with a launch game other than this year and with this game? By most accounts NBA2K14 made the biggest leap and has the biggest distinction between it's current gen version and the next gen version. It stood out as an almost must-buy as a launch game. It doesn't matter how powerful the new systems are, you're completely ignoring the fact that most of the launch games were ports and this one wasn't. 2K said repeatedly the next gen game was going to provide a distinct experience from the current gen game. Again, what do you want to hear? If they say "We plan to add x-y-z back to the game next year" - will that make you feel better? That's what this is all about, having your feelings soothed? They don't owe you anything, anymore than a network owes me a detailed rundown on what the decision process was when they cancelled a show. THE ONLY REASON WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IS BECAUSE OF THE STATE OF NBA LIVE. Some of you are acting like you're "loyal 2K customers", but that's complete BS. A loyal customer is labeled as a fanboy, which is frowned upon here. If the competition provided a better alternative, most of you would bounce in a heartbeat. We wouldn't even be having this conversation if NBA Live was the better game. Or if it were NBA2K14's equal. Because most of you would simply go to the better game. If my girlfriend left me when I was down, or a ballplayer leaves his team because he can make better money elsewhere that's not loyalty - yet you feel they owe you something? This situation is completely about some people feeling hurt and wanting to have their feelings massaged imo. Again, if the competition were better you wouldn't be pleading with 2K about providing you with some roadmap - you'd simply go to the better game. Many have mentioned they would've already. The complaints are because the people complaining know they have no where else to go. Because frankly, if the missing features are *that* important to you, you do have an NBA alternative. And that's the crazy thing. Given all these years not releasing a game, where was the expectation of NBA Live to hit a grand slam out of the park as a launch game? Why only expect that of NBA2K14?

I'm wondering, can you imagine a circumstance where a consumer can complain to or ask for information about a product they're disappointed in, where you think that's ok?

Your post kind of hurls a lot of insults at people. Thought I might point that out. And no, my feelings aren't hurt about that, and they're not hurt about anything 2k has or hasn't done. Just FYI.

[JasonMartin]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonMartin

So who exactly is in charge of this? I would love to know why VC is practically incorporated in every single mode and why there is so much emphasis on it.

To quote myself, I just found this article. Interesting to say the least.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-play#comments

Quote:

In Forza Motorsport 5, the problem runs deeper - the economy that's the backbone of the series has been altered, and it's too easy to come to the conclusion the changes have been made to make way for microtransactions. Unlike in older Forza games, cars aren't offered as rewards for success: instead, the only option is to buy them in a grind that can be augmented by pumping in real-world money

Seems like 2K is just doing like every other company and is following suit (to FIFA Ultimate Team). I only smell greediness, not a true desire to bring out a great game to satisfy the needs of actual gamers.


It's a shame that gaming has come to this.

[LorenzoDC]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonMartin

To quote myself, I just found this article. Interesting to say the least. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-play#comments Seems like 2K is just doing like every other company and is following suit (to FIFA Ultimate Team). I only smell greediness, not a true desire to bring out a great game to satisfy the needs of actual gamers. It's a shame that gaming has come to this.

That's a good article and link, and anyone looking at how VC has been infused into NBA 2k14 should read it.

It's not exactly on topic, but it does suggest that the VC structure in 2k may not be in the hands of the dev team to alter much. It may come from the suits higher up. The balance of the VC is all wrong, but the suits won't respond to that until they have more of a consumer revolt on their hands.

What this means for 2k's communications with gamers, though, is probably that we won't hear about or see any real changes to the VC system in this year's game.

[canucksss]

Instead of VC being spent in boosting your attributes, why not use this VC (besides the over priced commodities) for some training programs that could earn you points and apply that to corresponding attributes.

Example: Whatever exercises/training that is needed to increase the speed/quickness - then buy that training or "hire" a trainer and depending on how you do the exercises you get points that could be applied in increasing your boost.

That's another game within the game (myCareer) within the game (2k).

[seanbarkley]

Quote: Originally Posted by LorenzoDC

That's a good article and link, and anyone looking at how VC has been infused into NBA 2k14 should read it. It's not exactly on topic, but it does suggest that the VC structure in 2k may not be in the hands of the dev team to alter much. It may come from the suits higher up. The balance of the VC is all wrong, but the suits won't respond to that until they have more of a consumer revolt on their hands. What this means for 2k's communications with gamers, though, is probably that we won't hear about or see any real changes to the VC system in this year's game.

They only way to make it change is if they don't earn a buck with VC, and taking a look at some threads seeing how people spend extra I consider it highly improbable.

[Saturnis]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonMartin

To quote myself, I just found this article. Interesting to say the least. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-play#comments Seems like 2K is just doing like every other company and is following suit (to FIFA Ultimate Team). I only smell greediness, not a true desire to bring out a great game to satisfy the needs of actual gamers. It's a shame that gaming has come to this.

Great article, never noticed how bad it was for other games and 2k is headed down this same road. Never played diablo but its nice the players won out on that one. Nice that the higher ups actually listen and react accordingly.

Quote: Originally Posted by canucksss

Instead of VC being spent in boosting your attributes, why not use this VC (besides the over priced commodities) for some training programs that could earn you points and apply that to corresponding attributes. Example: Whatever exercises/training that is needed to increase the speed/quickness - then buy that training or "hire" a trainer and depending on how you do the exercises you get points that could be applied in increasing your boost. That's another game within the game (myCareer) within the game (2k).

That's another thing, those training boost that you could do to boost your character and gain vc was taken out in next gen. I haven't seen it so correct me if I'm wrong but its definitely not even there. (Shoot around, pick and roll defense etc)

I wouldn't be surprised if that's brought back but now you have to pay vc to unlock training. Let me not give any more ideas.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonMartin

To quote myself, I just found this article. Interesting to say the least. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...-play#comments Seems like 2K is just doing like every other company and is following suit (to FIFA Ultimate Team). I only smell greediness, not a true desire to bring out a great game to satisfy the needs of actual gamers. It's a shame that gaming has come to this.

As others have said, I thought that was a good article, though a little depressing. This likely is the only solution:

Quote:

...it's a trend that's set to continue well into the next generation of games. It's one that will carry on, as well, until companies realise it's a disrespectful, dishonest practice, and until players stop supporting it by pouring money into the bottomless pit it creates.

And in that case, there are no winners.

[Athame11]

I hope 2k is using sites like these to identify the fan base concerns with greed over quality. I will not buy another EA tittle because i feel they tipped those scales into a version that i view dishonourable.

On the other hand, probably thanks to mobile gaming, microtransactions are becoming a norm, and a company needs to keep up with some trends, or be left in the dust. The spinning wheel of our current form of capitalism, shady as it may be, and a large reason of an overall erosion of honour and respect in western culture, both company and people alike, is still a deep routed foundation of our current progress.

What i would like to see is a much better balance for people that want to pay to win, and people that want to play to win. As another poster said in a different forum, it should rain vc for certain achievements met after investing time into games like these. Right now, the people that actually want to play to succeed are at a disadvantage, because they needed to invest time into this game, instead of buyinggame, buying upgrades, and playing for a few weekends etc, then moving onto the next flavor. I see this as a version of disrespect the the most dedicated fans to the company, the same ones that got the company to where they were, and u pretty much tell them they meaning as much to u as any other fool that buys the game.

Again, i would like to see companies admit to their goals. Communicate with what would be acceptable balance for hardcores and the others. Items for completing seasons? Special trophies? Certain boosts for finishing played seasons?