Fixing NBA 2K14 Next-Gen - Operation Sports

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Fixing NBA 2K14 Next-Gen

Submitted on: 12/20/2013 by Dustin Toms

Depending on where you are at with your 2K experience, NBA 2K14 is either amazing or a disaster.

The NBA 2K series has enjoyed plenty of success since it launched NBA 2K11 with His Airness gracing the cover. Ever since then, EA Sports has been treading water while 2K has steadily improved year after year.

But then the next generation happened.

Despite having solid game play and – in my opinion – the absolute best graphics of all next-gen games, NBA 2K14 has plenty of areas that need improvement, and fast. Here are three specific areas which should be tuned in the next patch to fix some of the biggest complaints with the game -- outside of the still reported crashes and save file issues of course.

Make Virtual Currency What It Used To Be

In no living world should ANY sports gamer have to pay any sort of currency to change a lineup or fire a coach. For us who shelled out $400-$500, then another $60 on the game, that last thing we wanted to be told was that we had to pay for the ability to change a lineup. Sure it’s only 200 VC, but it slowly begins to add up the further you get in your career. It’s never been an issue when purchasing My Career upgrades; it’s been in games since MLB The Show’s Road to the Show mode was introduced. Nobody complained.

I’d love to get rid of VC all together, but I doubt that will happen anytime soon. But I can all but guarantee 2K will start losing ground if they continue with this. If NBA 2K15 shares the same philosophy, be prepared for an uproar and one PR battle that you won’t want to be a part of.

There are also plenty of other issues that My GM faces that stem from the use of VC, which deserves an article for itself. Without a good chunk of VC, you can’t experience what it’s like to be a GM. Instead, it feels a lot like the old Association Mode with a bunch of annoying interactions and cut scenes. Those interactions don’t get interesting until you can afford to purchase negotiation tactics. Even after you can buy those tactics, it's more of a cheat than a negotiation. This needs to be adjusted, and the option to "force" trades should return.

Trade Logic

This section will be brief, but is one of the biggest issues with the game's main team mode. For years trade logic was a pain in everyone’s behind. It’s never been perfected, mainly because nothing feels “real” until it actually blows up on Twitter. But when it’s literally impossible to prevent players from being traded during a season in My GM, it kills the mode. Why can't we turn off trades? By the time the playoffs come, it’s a fantasy draft, which makes me prefer selecting to play a Season rather than the career. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Ball Control

Ball handlers are too careless with the ball a lot of the time, which leads to ridiculous turnovers. Obviously you can’t run around in circles, spinning and crossing over, until you find an open lane. But if you’re walking it up with LeBron and do a quick, step-back hesitation, you should be able to keep control of the ball. Instead, the ball will fall out of his hands and slowly dribble alone until someone manages to pick it up. This doesn't happen all the time, but it does enough where you'll notice it. Even passes end up flying through the air when you're at a stand still. Then again, the Pacers looked like this in the first quarter against the Heat last night.

It’s a quick fix that I believe can be taken care of in the next patch. When the game released, corner 3 specialists would always be standing out of bounds, but the first patch sort of fixed that. The players started standing on the line instead. Since, it has all been fixed (to my knowledge) to where your corner treys are actually corner treys. If that can be fixed, so can the ball control.

Final Thoughts

NBA 2K14 on next-gen isn’t far from the original 8.5 I scored it in the official OS review, but the longer it takes to fix a few of these problems, mainly the VC, that score will slowly go down, down, down -- at least mentally. It keeps us from the “in-depth experience” that we expect from 2K, the same one that is always promised.

What do you think needs to be done to fix NBA 2K14 on next-gen?

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Member Comments

# 41 lynkraid @ 12/21/13 10:39 PM

What a joke. Fix next gen? NBA 2k has had issues going back to NBA2k3 when it first had server problems, and a total lack of roster updates, its been broken since then. Every year its something else or the same old things. Game play might be good, and graphics might be great but every year its broken on something. It isn't just next gen.

Never will be anywhere near perfection until 2k has competition.

# 42 radog99 @ 12/22/13 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtcrb


	1. Let USERs save to Hard Drive 2. FIX CPU Logic in Association(Contract and Trade Logic) 3. CAP(Create A Player) system in ALL Game Modes and FIX 2k Share GLITCH 4. FULL Editing available for Draft Classes(Deeper Scouting as well, maybe scout 2 classes at a time for FUTURE Drafts) 5. BRING Back Association Options. 30 Team USER Control being MAIN thing, also option to Simulate Games 6. Let USERs NOT have to be connected to the Internet to be able to Edit Rosters or Play Game Modes. Not everyone has Great Internet Connection. 7. CAT(Create A TEAM) feature ADDED BACK and fix 2k Share GLITCH 8. Get ALL players into the game that have signed Contract or Played in NBA in the last 18 months. 9. Bring Back D-League 10. Add Back HOT Spots and ISOLATION Tendencies. 11. Fix On-Line so USERs can USE Custom Rosters and Sliders 12. Fix 2k Server Issues 13. Full Playbook Editing and Testing Capabilities and REMOVAL of Broken Plays BRING Back TESTING in Practice MODE 14. Explanation of What Each Attribute, Tendency, Slider, Coaching Profile EFFECT in Gameplay and Sim Stats 15. Work on CPU AI in ALL Game Modes 16. ADD Back Defensive Settings 17. For MY GM Mode: The ability to intervene in games, Manual injury system 18. Add in REAL Life Trading of Draft Picks(ability to Protect Lottery picks,etc) 19. Making COACHING hirings and firings more important. Let us Sign Assistant Coaches from other teams OR Promote Our OWN Assistant Coaches. 20. Create a Coach Option 21. Fix Free Throw Shooting as far as having guys who SUCK at shooting them go 9/10 almost every game 22. If you ADD a game Mode(MyGM, My Player,etc) make sure they work. Put in the time to make each USERs Experience Unique. Too much GENERIC stuff. 23. Expand the TOTAL SIM CONTROL options. Lots of Potential 24. Remove Virtual Currency(VC). We already pay enough for game without having to PAY just to be able to be able to play Modes or Execute Options BUILT INTO the Game. 25. EXPAND Sig Shots(Shot, Layup, Dribbling) to give MORE Authentic Player Abilities on the Court 26. For My Career: Better CPU Draft Logic, More Options in Player Customization, Bring back Option to simulate games 27. Bring Back CREW MODE 28. TAKE OUT AUTO SAVE. No use for it, causes TOO many ISSUES for USERs, that CANT be Undone. 29. Deeper Simulation Mode(meaning you can Sim quarters and play 4th quarter, etc) 30. Get Back to BASKETBALL. Focus on the BASKETBALL element of the game, THEN you can work on all of the EXTRA Modes, Cutaway scenes, adding Celebrity Teams, etc.

What he said...

# 43 FINCANEfan @ 12/22/13 01:33 PM

I have no problem with the VC. I have been playing exhibition games and fiddling around with differnent trade scenarios in the MY GM earingn VC along the way. So by the time I do began my MY GM for keeps. I will have enough VC to do anything I please. You guys wine about anything not given to you on a platter. grow up and play the game and earn it.

# 44 demencia_total @ 12/22/13 01:35 PM

I haven't been aware on Next Gen since I don't have a PS4 so this is the first time I've heard about the VC being used like this. That's just...yeah. The gameplay might be solid and the graphics beautiful, but that's just bordering on game breaking. I didn't mind making VC a must for game modes like My Team or whatever since I stay away completely from it, it but its basically making people grind unnecessarily or baiting them into spending more cash on the game to purchase VC with real money and microtransacting them to hell. Making this system part of an integral franchise mode is unacceptable in my view and if this is the direction 2k will be taking in the future, I'm out for good no matter how bad I might want to play an NBA game.

I decided not to purchase an Xbox One ever because of anti consumer BS like this that Microsoft tried to pull and if this guys think that nickel & diming through the whole game is the way of the future, then forget it. I can live without it.

# 45 kadzier @ 12/22/13 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINCANEfan


	I have no problem with the VC. I have been playing exhibition games and fiddling around with differnent trade scenarios in the MY GM earingn VC along the way. So by the time I do began my MY GM for keeps. I will have enough VC to do anything I please. You guys wine about anything not given to you on a platter. grow up and play the game and earn it.

It's not about wanting things handed to you. It's about not feeling like you have to resort to a "grind" just to make normal progress in the mode. If VC was rationed out more generously then I'd have no problem with it whatsoever. But as it is, you should NOT be forced to spend an appreciable amount of time playing exhibition games you might not even want to play just to accumulate enough currency to perform fundamental tasks.

# 46 xxDHAINESxx @ 12/23/13 04:56 AM

All they put in this last patch and they couldn't add the ability for us to change our MyPLAYER's number? Man, my player's number changed from 1 to 57 and it looks lame as hell, I absolutely hate how my player looks right now and I' almost considering starting over because of it (and I'm almost through a whole season).

Seriously, the most important thing about your MyPLAYER other than his appearance is his number. Those two things are the most synonymous with what really defines your player on the court (other than his skills of course, but I mean visually). It's embarrassing that I have to run around with a point guard wearing number 57, it just looks absolutely terrible on any NBA player really. Please 2K, it can't be that hard to put this option in this game, a lot of us loyal 2K followers would sincerely appreciate it.

# 47 bumpyface @ 12/23/13 08:02 PM

Online is HORRIBLE!!!! I guess this is the best they can do. It basically takes this aspect of the game away. I can't adjust to the horrible lag I don't know how these other people are doing it.

# 48 bumpyface @ 12/23/13 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sword1986


	Imagine if NBA 2K11 was released on PS4 with all the content that it had and no VC. Can you just imagine the perfect video game! With those graphics. It would have won GAME OF THE YEAR no doubt in my mind. NBA 2K14, a hot girlfriend who is terrible in bed. Graphics and gameplay are nice but the game modes are watered down and all VC'd. It is all about making money in todays economy. I am keeping my PS4 and hopes high, but as soon as EA locks up another exclusive deal with the NFL, I am officially done with videogaming. 27 years old now, and I already had my fun. Good luck next generation with spending mommy and daddy's money.

I would pay top dollar for that ****! Give me updated rosters, graphics, and that same gameplay and I'm happy. I'm sick of all these cannimations and the lack of online lobbies and the lag. We don't even have the option of checking the quality of the connections in quick match. All you can do is flip through the teams quickly to see how fast the game responds. Pathetic!

# 49 regroc88 @ 12/24/13 01:45 AM

Bring back season mode and Association!!! please please must have!!!

# 50 richie777 @ 12/26/13 04:51 PM

Fix offensive 3 secs. Im tired of playing people online that just drive to the paint and stand in there for 6 secs with no call. Also fix that BS foul where my guy is just standing there with his hands up and its a foul beccause the offensive player missed

# 51 Lawston21 @ 12/26/13 10:50 PM

WTH IS 2K DOING WITH FIXING THE LEAGUES.. CANT PLAY IN ANY LEAGUES ON XBOX ONE.. THIS IS SOME BULL THAT WE PAY ALL THIS MONEY TO PLAY A GAME THAT HALF *** BUT THE 360 VERSION, IT PLAYS VERY GOOD WITH LIMITED PROBLEMS AND U CAN PLAY IN THE LEAGUES N ENJOY THEM.. GET IT TOGETHER 2K PLEASE.. IVE BEEN LOYAL TO YOU GUYS SINCE DREAMCAST.. BLU-RAY HOLDS WAY MORE THEN A DUAL LAYER DVD... SEE HERES THE PROBLEM 8.5GB NO PROBLEMS- 25+GB ALL THE PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE..?

# 52 johnlnames @ 12/28/13 11:11 PM

2k has the worst servers imaginable and they decide to make 90% of the game only playable online. and why can't we save anything to our hdd? my career player has been deleted twice because of those two issues. over 100k VC gone and 2ks customer service rep gives me the finger!

# 53 johnlnames @ 12/28/13 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINCANEfan


	I have no problem with the VC. I have been playing exhibition games and fiddling around with differnent trade scenarios in the MY GM earingn VC along the way. So by the time I do began my MY GM for keeps. I will have enough VC to do anything I please. You guys wine about anything not given to you on a platter. grow up and play the game and earn it.

Aren't you mr. cool dude? people don't like having to pay 200 VC to do something simple like change your line up.I get 200 VC for making the playoffs and completing a goal in MY GM. I'm charged more for firing a staff member than I do playing an hour long game. If you see nothing odd about that you should open your eyes

# 54 VDusen04 @ 12/28/13 11:31 PM

I believe it would be in the best interest of consumers and NBA 2K to remove the forced online connection to modes that have no business requiring an online connection. The current format is absolutely awful.

# 55 birthday_massacre @ 12/29/13 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regroc88


	Bring back season mode and Association!!! please please must have!!!

there is a season mode
just hit R1 when you are on GM mode
it should change to season mode
its hidden

# 56 rasheem21 @ 01/06/14 10:52 PM

For me, i just wanna see more missed shots by the cpu, and less offensive rebounds, i have a problem with all the made 3's, I don't like seeing players, with a 60 Rating, scoring 30 points against me. and 1 more thing, all the steals with there backs to you, has got to go also.

# 57 virtuoz @ 02/07/14 12:11 AM

FIX THE FUC**N PLAYVISION IN MyCAREER. damn, is it seriously that hard? Do I really have to play PG just to see playvision on the court or dominate every single offensive possession calling picks, setting picks, breaking ankles, posterizing. I want to play a realistic game that I paid 60bucks to and not have to average 35ppg 12apg 7rpg in my rookie season.

FIX THE PATHETIC SERVERS. I have 15mb wireless connection. There are 3 ipads 3 laptops in my home. When I play BOPS 1 in my PS3 there isn't a single connection issue, but when I want to play 2K14 online I turn all their wireless connections off and still can't play without the input lag. Just now I launched a myteam online game and it kicked us back to the myteam menu because of "network conditions are too poor to continue" and I received the loss?! 2K is really starting to drop their standards.

# 58 jayska23 @ 02/07/14 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtcrb


	1. Let USERs save to Hard Drive 2. FIX CPU Logic in Association(Contract and Trade Logic) 3. CAP(Create A Player) system in ALL Game Modes and FIX 2k Share GLITCH 4. FULL Editing available for Draft Classes(Deeper Scouting as well, maybe scout 2 classes at a time for FUTURE Drafts) 5. BRING Back Association Options. 30 Team USER Control being MAIN thing, also option to Simulate Games 6. Let USERs NOT have to be connected to the Internet to be able to Edit Rosters or Play Game Modes. Not everyone has Great Internet Connection. 7. CAT(Create A TEAM) feature ADDED BACK and fix 2k Share GLITCH 8. Get ALL players into the game that have signed Contract or Played in NBA in the last 18 months. 9. Bring Back D-League 10. Add Back HOT Spots and ISOLATION Tendencies. 11. Fix On-Line so USERs can USE Custom Rosters and Sliders 12. Fix 2k Server Issues 13. Full Playbook Editing and Testing Capabilities and REMOVAL of Broken Plays BRING Back TESTING in Practice MODE 14. Explanation of What Each Attribute, Tendency, Slider, Coaching Profile EFFECT in Gameplay and Sim Stats 15. Work on CPU AI in ALL Game Modes 16. ADD Back Defensive Settings 17. For MY GM Mode: The ability to intervene in games, Manual injury system 18. Add in REAL Life Trading of Draft Picks(ability to Protect Lottery picks,etc) 19. Making COACHING hirings and firings more important. Let us Sign Assistant Coaches from other teams OR Promote Our OWN Assistant Coaches. 20. Create a Coach Option 21. Fix Free Throw Shooting as far as having guys who SUCK at shooting them go 9/10 almost every game 22. If you ADD a game Mode(MyGM, My Player,etc) make sure they work. Put in the time to make each USERs Experience Unique. Too much GENERIC stuff. 23. Expand the TOTAL SIM CONTROL options. Lots of Potential 24. Remove Virtual Currency(VC). We already pay enough for game without having to PAY just to be able to be able to play Modes or Execute Options BUILT INTO the Game. 25. EXPAND Sig Shots(Shot, Layup, Dribbling) to give MORE Authentic Player Abilities on the Court 26. For My Career: Better CPU Draft Logic, More Options in Player Customization, Bring back Option to simulate games 27. Bring Back CREW MODE 28. TAKE OUT AUTO SAVE. No use for it, causes TOO many ISSUES for USERs, that CANT be Undone. 29. Deeper Simulation Mode(meaning you can Sim quarters and play 4th quarter, etc) 30. Get Back to BASKETBALL. Focus on the BASKETBALL element of the game, THEN you can work on all of the EXTRA Modes, Cutaway scenes, adding Celebrity Teams, etc.

2K finally has number 8 complete!

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