Look out world! Visual Concepts’ NBA 2K14 takes a full court press in offering basketball heads unimaginable capabilities in their gaming experience.
With the launch of the Sony PlayStation 4 console today, NBA 2K14 made a complete re-imagination of what a franchise mode should be.
The game’s last installment for PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360 featured it’s cover man LeBron James and his signature Path to Greatness and Continue Heat Dynasty modes that allow console-holders to ball like ‘Bron and control his team destiny. The latest installment of 2K14 for the next generation systems shelve the LeBron modes and focuses on the all-new MyGM mode. “I’m looking to kind of push the envelope and cause more people to think in different directions,” said 2K Sports Senior Producer Erick Boenisch. “We want to get them to think outside the box a little bit.”
Basketball games involve strategy, and the MYGM mode enhances that by featuring role playing developments. The mode is controlled by the MyPlayer character that the user creates when the game box is cracked open after it’s purchase from the store. The MyPlayer will serve as the team’s general manager and will also be be responsible for a myriad of other things like setting budgets, communicating with the head coach, team physicians, psychologist and most importantly the players on the team.
According to Boenish, like real life sports, communicating with players and winning is essential to retaining star players. While developing the game he used the Sacramento Kings in the MYGM mode. He traded DeMarcus Cousins after Cousins demanded a trade before the NBA’s February trade deadline. “I had a number of conversations with DeMarcus Cousins throughout the course of the season,” said Boenish. “We talked about what my long term plans for the team was and ultimately what we would do with the current roster. After losing five straight games Cousins demanded a trade. That was something in that moment that I realized that I had failed personally as the GM of the team.”
The game’s MYGM mode element is a hit with general managers as it tackles the daily grind and realistic decision making processes. Just ask five time NBA Champion Steve Kerr, a former general manager of the Phoenix Suns for three years. “I’ve been with 2K for a few years now and it never ceases to amaze me of the improvements and the evolution that the game makes,” said Kerr now an analyst on TNT who also lends his voice to the game. Like Boenish, Kerr had to make tough decisions while on the job, except he did it in real life. He traded Shaq to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009. “It starts with how life-like the players look in the actual game. I dealt with all kinds of things including hot dog prices and ticket prices and ultimately it wasn’t my decision but I sat in all kids of meetings.”
MYGM was the signature upgrade to the newest installment of 2K14, but you’ll also notice another big surprise in the game. Kevin Harlan, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr are still the game’s play-by-play and color commentating crew, but the game’s sideline reporter Doris Burke gets an enhanced role in the Real Voices Mode. In that mode, Burke will interview coaches and players during the game’s halftime and post game shows. The game captured roughly 600 sound bites provided to them by the NBA that are accurate voices of the subjects Burke is interviewing. “It was a real interview that was done in real life and it’s pretty cool,” said 2K’s Senior Game Designer Michael Wang. Don’t be surprised if you catch the Knicks’ Ron Artest shouting out his hood in Queensbridge or hearing the Nets’ Kevin Garnett screaming, “Anything is possible.”
The game’s soundtrack features some of today’s most viral rap joints. LeBron James plucked the tracks first-hand. “2K is letting me take control of some important elements in NBA 2K14, including this year’s soundtrack,” James told NBA.com this past summer. “I love that I’m the first NBA 2K cover athlete to choose the soundtrack.” Players can run the court to the sounds of Drake’s “Started from the Bottom,” Eminem’s “Not Afraid,” Jadakiss and Ayanna Irish’s “Can’t Stop Me,” Jay-Z’s “The Ruler’s Back,” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.”
With the added MyGM and Real Voices mode, Visual Concepts still keeps the game moving on a 3 on 1 fast break. NBA 2K14 is released for PlayStation 4 today and will release on the Xbox One console when it drops on November 22. It looks to be a hot buy with the Christmas season right around the corner.
-Brandon Robinson (@ScoopB)
