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

[LorenzoDC]

Well, going back to what I was trying to ask and say in the beginning, how do people think 2k should respond by way of communications?

I get that there are people happy with the game and unhappy with it. I'm not even interested in taking sides on that directly myself as I have not even played it, I'm waiting for Xbox One.

But in the situation as it is now, 2k has done a lot and earned a lot of respect for making a sim friendly game, and they have done outreach to the community and have pretty good relations overall with the hard core sim crowd. But now, a lot of features have been implemented with less depth, and it's upset a lot of people they've had good relations with.

That's a fact, whether people agree with those who are upset or not.

So, my questions is, how should 2k respond? Should they answer questions next week? Next month? Never? What questions should be answered? For example, are the reductions in user control due to first year start up, or are they part of a new strategic plan for the game? Where is the game going? Should gamers who have grown accustomed to these features and customization options accept the new reality or will there be change, either with a patch or in 2k15? Etc.

My opinion is the longer they wait, the more good will they lose with the gamers. I don't want the NBA 2k forum to turn into the Madden forum, after all. Now there's a company who has not earned good will!

I'm hoping 2k won't go that route.

[Knux-Future]

All 2k has to do is explain why stuff is out and if they can fix it then do so.

That's all. It will suck but all we have right now is heresay and paranoid thoughts about why things are the way they are. This radio silence only serves to make it seem like they tried to pull a fast one on us.

Come out and say something and it dies down.

I hate the excuse but if they came out with "Due to the new engine we weren't able to put in certain features...sorry", I'd feel slightly better because that tells me that it will be back next year...that still may be the case but as is, one could think that 2k15 would be even worse because **** you thats why type stuff from 2k.

[Saturnis]

Quote: Originally Posted by nuckles2k2

It might not be what you want to hear, but how do you know you're the one being objective?

there are features missing, its common sense if you compare them. Content is missing period.

Quote: Originally Posted by Halloween

Honestly, looking at the game I wouldn't mind if 2k14 was exibithion mode only because a new console brings a new life cycle for a sports franchise. They need to build everything from the ground up and you can't knock VC for not having everything on board day 1. Yes, some missing features seem frustrating but it's the first game for the new systems. Y'all just have to accept that. BUT I will not endorse what 2k is trying to do with NEW aspects of the game like focusing so much on online for example. Just why do you have to save rosters online again? And I swear to God, those VC points...remove them asap! They are RUINING the MyGM experience. VC is just looking like any other videogame company trying to milk their customers by forcing them to pay extra money for shady virtual currency.

all they want to do is take features out and bring them little by little to make you buy it year after year, thats all it is. Crew was the same thing take it out and reintroduce a half *** version again later, rinse and repeat.

Quote: Originally Posted by LorenzoDC

Well, going back to what I was trying to ask and say in the beginning, how do people think 2k should respond by way of communications? I get that there are people happy with the game and unhappy with it. I'm not even interested in taking sides on that directly myself as I have not even played it, I'm waiting for Xbox One. But in the situation as it is now, 2k has done a lot and earned a lot of respect for making a sim friendly game, and they have done outreach to the community and have pretty good relations overall with the hard core sim crowd. But now, a lot of features have been implemented with less depth, and it's upset a lot of people they've had good relations with. That's a fact, whether people agree with those who are upset or not. So, my questions is, how should 2k respond? Should they answer questions next week? Next month? Never? What questions should be answered? For example, are the reductions in user control due to first year start up, or are they part of a new strategic plan for the game? Where is the game going? Should gamers who have grown accustomed to these features and customization options accept the new reality or will there be change, either with a patch or in 2k15? Etc. My opinion is the longer they wait, the more good will they lose with the gamers. I don't want the NBA 2k forum to turn into the Madden forum, after all. Now there's a company who has not earned good will! I'm hoping 2k won't go that route.

they wont respond because
1. they dont care.
2. you all will just buy it anyway.

just like someone above said, we all have to deal with it. which is completely nonsense because you really dont have to and when you don't you might get a better product out of it. Imagine if everyone just had to deal with that microsoft was trying to implement. Granted its a console but im trying to stress how important it is for a large group of people to stress their frustrations. unfortunately the group is not large enough and 2k keeping getting their pockets full so their is nothing to discuss.

[Leftos]

There's no conspiracy theory. There are only time restrictions and a huge rebuild that was needed to lay the foundation for the next generation of NBA 2K games. I can't go into specifics, but now that the foundation is laid out, things can only get better. At some points the base you have to work on just won't cut it moving forward, and you have to take a leap of faith to make sure you have the ability to easily innovate in the future. And that's what NBA 2K14 next-gen is. A bold step. Sure, I understand that it isn't a perfect product and that some things that were in old-gen are not in, but they weren't taken out because of a conspiracy to spite the userbase for a few years and then bring them back to be bathed in praise.

The amount of discussions I and others have been having around the office based on the feedback we've gotten since the release is astounding. Take that for what it's worth.

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by Leftos

There's no conspiracy theory. There are only time restrictions and a huge rebuild that was needed to lay the foundation for the next generation of NBA 2K games. I can't go into specifics, but now that the foundation is laid out, things can only get better. At some points the base you have to work on just won't cut it moving forward, and you have to take a leap of faith to make sure you have the ability to easily innovate in the future. And that's what NBA 2K14 next-gen is. A bold step. Sure, I understand that it isn't a perfect product and that some things that were in old-gen are not in, but they weren't taken out because of a conspiracy to spite the userbase for a few years and then bring them back to be bathed in praise. The amount of discussions I and others have been having around the office based on the feedback we've gotten since the release is astounding. Take that for what it's worth.

I am attempting to figure out the correct way to word this so I apologize ahead of time if it comes out sounding funny but, is the base you guys put together something you put together to allow gamers to create a more personally customized experience in the future? Like, is this a base upon which an incredible create-a-player shall appear in future 2K's alongside a crazy-upgraded create-a-team that will allow us to freely share and customize rosters on 2KShare while saving locally and taking those created teams into Association?

Or, to put it more succinctly, was it a matter of tearing everything completely down so it could all be re-built in a much, much better form? Or is the bold move in reference to steering away from customization and more toward the MyModes?

Also, I'm always curious about the conversations held by game employees regarding their project's feedback. When you say "astounding", do you mean that in a way like you guys are just excited how you'll be able to make MyGM, MyCareer, and VC even better or do you mean some of the critical feedback may have created some active discourse regarding the game's direction?

[LorenzoDC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Leftos

There's no conspiracy theory. There are only time restrictions and a huge rebuild that was needed to lay the foundation for the next generation of NBA 2K games. I can't go into specifics, but now that the foundation is laid out, things can only get better. At some points the base you have to work on just won't cut it moving forward, and you have to take a leap of faith to make sure you have the ability to easily innovate in the future. And that's what NBA 2K14 next-gen is. A bold step. Sure, I understand that it isn't a perfect product and that some things that were in old-gen are not in, but they weren't taken out because of a conspiracy to spite the userbase for a few years and then bring them back to be bathed in praise. The amount of discussions I and others have been having around the office based on the feedback we've gotten since the release is astounding. Take that for what it's worth.

First, foremost, and overall: thanks for posting this response. I know there's not a ton you can say substantively on your own at this point, but I certainly appreciate that you took the time to jump in to try to offer what you can by way of information.

I'm hopeful that the conversations you and others are having internally will lead to some process where 2k can come to the community to engage a little more directly and completely on all the questions out there. Sure there are some that are conspiracy minded but there are a ton more that are coming from a place of disappointment, bewilderment, fear and confusion about what you guys are trying to do, where the game is headed and what if anything can be addressed in this year's title through patches and fixes.

Hopefully that process of getting 2k's message together won't take too long, because silence only makes things worse and breeds more conspiracy thinking.

Thanks again. It's a start!

[Leftos]

I can't speak of our direction, it's not my place to do so. I'm really, really, REALLY excited about the future of NBA 2K though, and I'm happy the hardest part is over. It's not easy building a new foundation and delivering a great game in a yearly cycle, especially while also making sure your current-gen product provides a great experience. And with that out of the way, every design meeting we have puts a huge smile on my face. I wish I could tell you more guys. I really wish I could.

[TeeDogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Leftos

There's no conspiracy theory. There are only time restrictions and a huge rebuild that was needed to lay the foundation for the next generation of NBA 2K games. I can't go into specifics, but now that the foundation is laid out, things can only get better. At some points the base you have to work on just won't cut it moving forward, and you have to take a leap of faith to make sure you have the ability to easily innovate in the future. And that's what NBA 2K14 next-gen is. A bold step. Sure, I understand that it isn't a perfect product and that some things that were in old-gen are not in, but they weren't taken out because of a conspiracy to spite the userbase for a few years and then bring them back to be bathed in praise. The amount of discussions I and others have been having around the office based on the feedback we've gotten since the release is astounding. Take that for what it's worth.

most of us understand this completely. what you guys did to kick off next gen while keeping the game from being completely stripped down was awesome. looking forward to this generation of sports gaming. it looks to be a VERY good one.