RaychelSnr's Blog
There's a lot of negative sentiment around the community about NBA 2K12 this season, some of the complaints are entirely justified. In fact, I'd say they're completely warranted in many cases.
But we're not here to complain or bash, we're here to try to give a rational explanation for why exactly NBA 2K12 seems to have 'failed' in many people's eyes (at least in terms of sales, which is the strongest indicator of approval or not we have). Here are what I feel the top three reasons for the game seeming to fail in the sales department at this point:
- The Lockout. Let's just get the easy and most obvious answer out of the way. The lockout killed NBA 2K12's sales above and beyond anything else. Most analysts predicted sales shortfalls of 50% or more, and while many in this blog space tried to argue the lack of NBA would make many want to buy the game, it just never works like that in the real world. But sales are on pace to be well below 50% of last year's totals if you believe some charts. So it just doesn't end with the lockout.
- Jordan Was Cool...Until He Wasn't. The buzz surrounding last year's release was just enormous. In every way, people were hyped because Michael Freaking Jordan was about to be in a video game again after a long hiatus. And not just any game, but one which promised to be the most realistic game of basketball in some time. Fast forward a year, and when it came out Jordan was on the cover, there was a collective groan. The marketing strategy for this game was to play it safe and hope the sales just came in on brand recognition it seems. Unfortunately for 2K Sports and Take Two, they have found out the hard way that the NBA 2K brand is just as expendable for gamers as Tomb Raider was (and Call of Duty will be).
- What Do You Have to Offer Me Again? Of course, the ever proverbial word of mouth is a big factor in getting a game over that hump from year to year. And the word of mouth simply wasn't that good. Games today, in the days of social media, are made or broken by how word carries. Hype can breed hype and disdain, disdain. NBA 2K12 had enormous expectations, impossible expectations of it. Gamers wanted a revolution but instead got an evolution and some cases, a careful step back by the developers. That was unacceptable. It's like whoever is going to follow Joe Pa at Penn State, they probably won't be a bad coach -- but they have no chance of living up to that legacy.
So what do you think? Are you enjoying NBA 2K12 this year? Do you think the game should be considered a failure given the horrible sales compared to last year? Let me know by commenting!!
Chris is the Executive Editor at Operation Sports. He is a native Oklahoman, has been playing sports video games since the age of eight and chases tornadoes in the spring.
# 2
KOYO78 @ Dec 7
This is simple 2K has been resting on their brand for sometime now. ONLINE killed it in my opinion and the lack of improving 2K basketball legacy issues. Well next will decide its staying power as competition will be back on the market again
# 3
Gramps91 @ Dec 7
To be honest I really love 2k12. I think it's better than 2k11. I've not played it in about a month, but that's only because I'm waiting of the rookies. Once all the rookies are released I will be a happy man.
# 4
wallofhate @ Dec 7
When did 2k become Tebow? They made another hell of a game in my opinion. I give anybody the complaint of online me not really being an online player it doesnt get to me as much. That being said 2k did what most reasonable people thought..it did what it did better and fix alot of the nagging problems of the series. Compared to all sports games how many just flat out reinvent themselves every year??? Besidds I loved 2k11 so I wouldnt want them to to change up just make it better. Maybe im on the spaceship because I dont see how 2k is bad at all. Especially when companies shovel out what they have been giving us with their products. Even nba elite was crap and was on the verge of still being released until everything went viral. If 2k is this bad tell me what sports games are better? What basketball game has ever been better? Especially under lockout circumstances.
# 5
tril @ Dec 7
I perosnally think 2k12 is probably the best basketball title released by 2k. Yes I beleive it rivals the Ch2k8 title.
I also believe alot of the negative sentiments are from
1. former EA basketball gamers
2. folks who havenet really taken the time to explore and utilize all the features available in the game.
This years version gameplay wise has the most free flowing feel in all NBA 2k titles. The open court, half court, transition game really flows naturally. even the momentum swings are subtle.
most the issues that folks complain about are pretty much non existant when ever I play.
like the prviosu postre said, I dont play online so I cant comment on the online gameplay
Finally, 2ks marketing and Advertising is also lackluster. with all the features they could do so much with advertising
2k12 is solid, very solid.
I also believe alot of the negative sentiments are from
1. former EA basketball gamers
2. folks who havenet really taken the time to explore and utilize all the features available in the game.
This years version gameplay wise has the most free flowing feel in all NBA 2k titles. The open court, half court, transition game really flows naturally. even the momentum swings are subtle.
most the issues that folks complain about are pretty much non existant when ever I play.
like the prviosu postre said, I dont play online so I cant comment on the online gameplay
Finally, 2ks marketing and Advertising is also lackluster. with all the features they could do so much with advertising
2k12 is solid, very solid.
# 6
swimfunk @ Dec 7
I love the gameplay but Online Association was a complete disaster. I play 2K for online leagues and it was a nice idea but executed horribly. They took away all the things that made 2k leagues far better than any online league offers (flex schedule, sliders, reset games, a working site, etc). We were lied to in the Online Association insight stating that "private associations" will have a level of customization. The fact is there is zero customization in a private or public association. I am giving NBA2K one more try once the rookies are added.
# 8
NINJAK2 @ Dec 7
I believe the lockout had more to do with the fall off compared to the other 2 reasons. I can't believe someone can play 2k12 and say they just coasted this year and didn't do much. The greatest mode with time specific commentary and presenttion filters. All the legends they packed in, playcalling, post game improvements, etc. This game is no where near perfect (Still can't figure out passing,online connectivity issues which have been a problem in 2k for ages) but anyone with a right mind can see they put a lot of work into 2k12.
A long lockout leading to a league with no buzz and a pissed off fan base and no rookies or player updates in 2k hurt this game. Most importantly with 2k11 being as good as it was imo and the months of September/October/November 2011 being bombarded with AAA titles (MW3, Gears 3, Batman, Rage, Uncharted 3, BF3, Forza 4, Dark Souls, etc., etc.) most people probably just passed on it due to a lack of funds and not having the need for it right away due to 2k11 and having the need to play some of those other titles as well. I think the sales have more to do with stiff competition and a buzz killing lockout and isn't exactly a testament to the quality of 2k12.
A long lockout leading to a league with no buzz and a pissed off fan base and no rookies or player updates in 2k hurt this game. Most importantly with 2k11 being as good as it was imo and the months of September/October/November 2011 being bombarded with AAA titles (MW3, Gears 3, Batman, Rage, Uncharted 3, BF3, Forza 4, Dark Souls, etc., etc.) most people probably just passed on it due to a lack of funds and not having the need for it right away due to 2k11 and having the need to play some of those other titles as well. I think the sales have more to do with stiff competition and a buzz killing lockout and isn't exactly a testament to the quality of 2k12.
# 9
l3ulvl @ Dec 7
Nah, 2K was just taking it easy this year so they can blow away EA next year 
I know I'm in the minority about the gameplay, but I miss the old style of on court activity, circa 2k8. I'll take the current graphics, though.
I know I'm in the minority about the gameplay, but I miss the old style of on court activity, circa 2k8. I'll take the current graphics, though.
# 10
ROCStorm @ Dec 7
Kennyacid, that slogan is a trademark of the NBA. Expect to hear from David Stern's lawyers. Instead of suing you, he's going to force you to have Minnesota Timberwolves season tickets.
# 11
Ryn Vintage1986 @ Dec 7
They made an awesome game. Admittedly, I'm an offline guy (online dudes don't play anything that even kind of resembles basketball) but no game on the market not called The Show comes as close to the presentation, graphics and feel of the actual game it simulates.
I'm a little disturbed the OS brass keeps on crushing 2K. Have we hit the double digits in "No seriously, it's a bad game, you just don't realize it," articles here yet?
I'm a little disturbed the OS brass keeps on crushing 2K. Have we hit the double digits in "No seriously, it's a bad game, you just don't realize it," articles here yet?
# 12
nigel36r @ Dec 7
Defense doesn't exist, online league is terrible, pick up and crew games are non existent, lobbies no longer exist, hall of fame difficulty against cpu is ridiculous and a WHOLE BUNCH of other pet peeves that i dont like. thats why the game fell short in my opinion. still fun, but not better than 2k11. the defense was perfect in that game
# 13
rangerrick012 @ Dec 7
I don't get the whole "I don't play online" argument. Not playing online is fine, but it doesn't mean excusing the missteps that have been made in that area of the game. Taking away sliders, lobbies, crew (which I didn't use, but many did), MyPlayer pick-up games, and the huge disappointment of Online Association - random simming in the middle of games, simming games before users get to play them, specifically in the playoffs, lack of reset option, lack of customizable sliders, user who leave leagues cannot rejoin them - are enough to acknowledge that online is severely flawed and a huge step back from 2K11.
Even offline the issues like slow passing, which ties into the cheesy CPU defense on transitions, player tendencies on the default roster being off, guys with jacked up 3pt ratings - are all issues that have made this game tough for me to enjoy, even after slider adjustments.
Even offline the issues like slow passing, which ties into the cheesy CPU defense on transitions, player tendencies on the default roster being off, guys with jacked up 3pt ratings - are all issues that have made this game tough for me to enjoy, even after slider adjustments.
# 14
DaReapa @ Dec 7
I agree. While the lockout and lack of rookies may have affected sales to a degree, I think the whole arguement of the lockout largely contributing to the decline in sales is overrated. As some have stated, I believe gameplay is the standout among possible factors. 2K has decided to go in different directions for both off and online features and gameplay, and certainly quite a few have been turned off by their actions...me included. 2K12 is the first NBA 2K I haven't gotten since the series branched off from the Dreamcast.
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# 15
Jrocc23 @ Dec 7
None of those reasons factor into my opinion of this game being a step back of 2K11. It's just they should of kept building off of 2K11, it's somethings they improved in 2K12, but for the most part they made sooo many little dumb mistakes that ruined the game.
Of course they messed up by removing crew, but little stuff like adding the camera settings to the D-Pad and removing the heat check(stats). I can go and on, so many things they messed up in this game smh. Please 2K, just build off of 2K11 for 2K13.
Of course they messed up by removing crew, but little stuff like adding the camera settings to the D-Pad and removing the heat check(stats). I can go and on, so many things they messed up in this game smh. Please 2K, just build off of 2K11 for 2K13.
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