A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

[Twitter]

This has been on my mind for quite some time.

A small open world with as many players as possible similar to NBA 2K's Neighborhood Park themed around the UFC. Let's say it's a large TUF compound where we're able to explore and interact with each other, challenge each other or get in line to fight the winner in one of the octagons, spectate other players as they fight in one of the octagons, cheer them or boo them with close proximity chat, buy gear from a virtual Reebok store (gi's, shoes, hats, shorts, t-shirts, etc.) or through random loot boxes.

We can buy the gear with virtual currency to subsidize the cost of producing and maintaining the game. The gear would only be used on our created walk around character, not necessarily as in ring gear.

Now to enter this space, we would be required to create a "Social Space" character that can wear the gear that we buy. This character would be separate from who we fight with in one of the octagons.

Now when it comes to fighting each other, the current winner or "King Of the Cage/Octagon" chooses the weight class and walks around with a UFC belt around his/her waist until he/she is dethroned. Also, there would be different octagons for different settings, i.e., A CAF only octagon, a non-CAF octagon, a Stand-Up only octagon, a submission only octagon, etc. Maybe a one-round only octagon, or a 3 round max with an accelerated clock to keep things moving quickly.

This space would also open things up for special events.

I've included some images of NBA 2K19's Neighborhood for reference.

[ragreynolds]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

Cool idea that I certainly wouldn’t be against. However, something like this would require a lot of attention and time to be done right, and I think I speak for most people on these forums when I say that I’d much rather that time was spent on developing actual gameplay mechanics, animations, a better career mode, and if a new mode is desired, then some kind of universe mode.

[Twitter]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

Cool idea that I certainly wouldn’t be against. However, something like this would require a lot of attention and time to be done right, and I think I speak for most people on these forums when I say that I’d much rather that time was spent on developing actual gameplay mechanics, animations, a better career mode, and if a new mode is desired, then some kind of universe mode.

I hope we can all be happy in the end. Besides, it would be healthy to work on something new and exciting because working on the same thing for so long can be draining and can cause burnout

[tomitomitomi]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

Yeah no. 2K18's neighborhood was absolute garbage and a huge waste of time. If I want to play against people online, I want to be in a match in a minute or two. These neighborhoods take forever to load, run like trash and even after spending minutes walking down to the actual playing area, you then have to deal with people cherry picking easy opponents to boost their meaningless records.

[LarsP]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

Yeah no. 2K18's neighborhood was absolute garbage and a huge waste of time. If I want to play against people online, I want to be in a match in a minute or two. These neighborhoods take forever to load, run like trash and even after spending minutes walking down to the actual playing area, you then have to deal with people cherry picking easy opponents to boost their meaningless records.

That would be a lot like real life MMA, wouldn't it?

[Twitter]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

Yeah no. 2K18's neighborhood was absolute garbage and a huge waste of time. If I want to play against people online, I want to be in a match in a minute or two. These neighborhoods take forever to load, run like trash and even after spending minutes walking down to the actual playing area, you then have to deal with people cherry picking easy opponents to boost their meaningless records.

It's unfortunate that 2k18 had some issues, but just after two years Neighborhood became their most played game mode. Also, the people over at EA have probably the most experience in the industry at developing full social games so a small additional unranked game mode should be a walk in the park for them if they found it in their best interest to do so.

[tomitomitomi]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

It's unfortunate that 2k18 had some issues, but just after two years Neighborhood became their most played game mode. Also, the people over at EA have probably the most experience in the industry at developing full social games so a small additional unranked game mode should be a walk in the park for them if they found it in their best interest to do so.

MyPark has been their most played mode for years. I wouldn't attribute it to the new overworld.

Also, nice pun.

[Twitter]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

MyPark has been their most played mode for years. I wouldn't attribute it to the new overworld.

Also, nice pun.

I don't think MyPark is the same thing as Neighborhood unless I'm mistaken? Both offer a great social experience where you can interact with other players and queue up to face the winners, but I think Neighborhood profoundly expanded upon that and added more things that could be done. MyPark also lends credence to my point that social areas are popular and keeps players coming back. MyPark was so popular that they added a neighborhood to it, which is now the most played mode.

And the pun was absolutely intentional

[tomitomitomi]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

I don't think MyPark is the same thing as Neighborhood unless I'm mistaken? Both offer a great social experience where you can interact with other players and queue up to face the winners, but I think Neighborhood profoundly expanded upon that and added more things that could be done. MyPark also lends credence to my point that social areas are popular and keeps players coming back. MyPark was so popular that they added a neighborhood to it, which is now the most played mode.

And the pun was absolutely intentional

MyPark was a mode where you used your own created player and you could physically join these courts to match up with other players around you. At least in 2k18 it worked the same way but instead you had to physically walk to the court area. There streets were lined with shops and a barbershop whereas before you just accessed them via a menu. I much preferred the menu system because it was a lot quicker and others still could see your appearance.

edit: I haven't played 2k19 so I can't comment on how much it changed from 2k18.

[HereticFighter]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

What if we just had a Challenge mode or something? You could see a list of online players, their rank/score/record/ping. Then you could challenge people, and they could accept or reject. You could challenge high ranked guys to get a chance to have your *** kicked by the best.

This part is a bit ambitious but, it could show top level fights in a separate list and allow streaming so we could watch if people have their settings to allow it.

[Twitter]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

MyPark was a mode where you used your own created player and you could physically join these courts to match up with other players around you. At least in 2k18 it worked the same way but instead you had to physically walk to the court area. There streets were lined with shops and a barbershop whereas before you just accessed them via a menu. I much preferred the menu system because it was a lot quicker and others still could see your appearance.

edit: I haven't played 2k19 so I can't comment on how much it changed from 2k18.

As I said, MyPark is not the same as Neighborhood. But both offered a social experience, and that social experience is the reason for its success. A social experience for EA's UFC would be a welcomed featured.

[tomitomitomi]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

As I said, MyPark is not the same as Neighborhood. But both offered a social experience, and that social experience is the reason for its success. A social experience for EA's UFC would be a welcomed featured.

What is this assessment based on? I would attribute MyPark's (Neighborhood is just convoluted MyPark IMO) popularity to the fact that it is much easier to play as one character as opposed to a whole team. Using a whole team in 2K is considerably more difficult than in a game like FIFA. Playing as an individual is more fun since every role contributes to offense in basketball whereas football has some very defensive positions/roles and you need too many people to have a proper football match.

Now, obviously social features and the ability to express yourself (e.g. your appearance) are good for any online game but I don't think a hub world would fit a 1-on-1 fighting game. I think in-game tournaments, clans/camps, lobbies with spectate mode etc. would be much more practical features.

[Tyeanisbae]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

I have 2k18 and I can say adding the neighbourhood into ufc 4 would be the biggest waste of time. This honestly has to be one of the worst ideas I’ve read. Legit made me cringe thinking about dealing with the neighbourhood on ufc.🤢🤢🤢

[Twitter]

Re: A Social Space Similar To NBA 2K's

What is this assessment based on? I would attribute MyPark's (Neighborhood is just convoluted MyPark IMO) popularity to the fact that it is much easier to play as one character as opposed to a whole team. Using a whole team in 2K is considerably more difficult than in a game like FIFA. Playing as an individual is more fun since every role contributes to offense in basketball whereas football has some very defensive positions/roles and you need too many people to have a proper football match.

Now, obviously social features and the ability to express yourself (e.g. your appearance) are good for any online game but I don't think a hub world would fit a 1-on-1 fighting game. I think in-game tournaments, clans/camps, lobbies with spectate mode etc. would be much more practical features.

You couldn't be more wrong. MyPark's popularity has nothing to do with the ease at which to play with one character as opposed to a whole team as you suggested. That makes no sense to me. Playing with a group of people and relying on others to succeed makes the game much more difficult as opposed to using a whole team.

I think what I described in the original post would work great for this game. I may have updated it so try reading it again. As for what you mentioned in your post about "in-game tournaments, clans/camps, lobbies with spectate mode etc," can you explain what you mean by this? There are already "in-game tournaments." Don't you mean online tournaments?