NBA 2K14: My GM Virtual Currency Rewards Slashed by 40%

Feature Article

Submitted on: 03/21/2014 by Jayson Young

Earlier this week, NBA 2K14 quietly installed a server-side update that has reduced the amount of virtual currency PlayStation 4 and Xbox One gamers receive for completing owner goals in the My GM game mode.

All season milestones which had previously awarded 200 VC and 250 VC, such as selling out 32 home games or winning the NBA championship, will now yield just 100 VC once they are completed.

It is unclear whether this reduction is a temporary, unintentional bug or a permanent "fix" designed to curb the productivity of virtual currency "farmers."

Forum speculation supports that second theory, as developer Visual Concepts is undoubtedly aware that NBA 2K14's most popular user-created roster file, "Youtube: Doogshere," currently has 356,488 downloads on the PlayStation 4 -- almost twice the amount of the next most popular roster, "Official w/Transactions 3/19" (186,601 downloads).

The latter file's creator, iTofutastic, has been offering up-to-date transactions alongside the 2013-2014 NBA season. His foil, TheDoooogs, has simply placed Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Julius Erving, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal and Bill Russell onto the Oklahoma City Thunder, while tossing every other team's superstar players into free agency.

Prior to this week, simulating a season with the "Youtube: Doogshere" roster would typically produce 1,850 VC:

200 VC -- Sell out 32 home games.
200 VC -- Finish first in division.
200 VC -- Finish first in conference.
200 VC -- Reach top 10 in attendance.
200 VC -- Don't let team chemistry drop below 67%.
100 VC -- Sweep your playoff opponent.
200 VC -- Reach the conference finals.
250 VC -- Win the NBA championship.
100 VC -- Release or trade Karl Malone.
100 VC -- Hire an assistant GM with the recruiter badge.
100 VC -- Hire an assistant coach with a "B" or better defense rating.

Now that all goals give 100 VC, regardless of their difficulty, a typical season's earnings have dropped to just 1,100 VC.

This week's My GM changes are not the first time that Visual Concepts has adjusted NBA 2K14's in-game reward systems. What's alarming, is how every change the company has made thus far has negatively impacted the game's fans.

Back in January, Visual Concepts decided to alter My Team's Domination mode so that team card packs could only be earned once. During NBA 2K14's first two months on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, gamers could replay Domination games and continue earning team packs endlessly. That sudden change drew pages of criticism from upset My Team players.

My Team's gold tournament rewards have also declined in value since NBA 2K14 launched, as the 5,200 My Team points you could have earned during the game's opening months have now diminished to 4,500 MT.

Most upsetting, is how Visual Concepts continues to tilt NBA 2K14's economy while ignoring actual game issues like players with no shot feedback, disappearing player contracts and dysfunctional signature skills.

Whereas developers like Turn 10 Studios, makers of Forza Motorsport 5, were quick to pacify the public's outcry that a $60 retail game could employ free-to-play mechanics, unnecessary paywalls and an unbalanced marketplace, Visual Concepts, at least for NBA 2K14, seems content to ignore its critics and continue mining its newfound streams of real currency.

Do you believe that NBA 2K14's reward system is playing fair or committing a foul? Make the call in the comments below.

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Member Comments

# 61 UncutMoneybags @ 03/22/14 12:12 AM

I have been saying this from the beginning 2k has the worst development team in the entire ****ing world. Instead of fixing the game breaking glitches like constantly getting dashboarded or servers not working they decide to patch domination glitches that actually let you get 1 myteam pack a game which actually makes sense. It also seems like I am in the ****ing depression because my vc is worth absolutely nothing. I have spent like over $80 and I have almost nothing to show for it because you don't get anything. For $80 I should be able to have a 99 overall player and the entire myteam collections but instead you get constant duplicates and pennies on the dollar for selling them back in. Honestly I like 2k but I swear on everything if they keep ****ing patching these glitches that people like me do because they don't want to spend money and actually want to make a decent amount of vc in a reasonably amount of time and they don't patch the ****ing glitches that actually hurt gameplay I am just going to quit 2k.

# 62 StankonYa @ 03/22/14 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knick9


	Thanks for writing this, it's just another smack in the face. I guarantee that the overwhelming majority of people who "farm" have also spent way more actual money on this game than they would want to admit. The whole reason for farming is that the VC reward system is way out of balance--which of course is intentional so you are practically forced to buy VC to get deep into a mode like MyTeam. I just read this morning that the winner of the Million VC giveaway couldn't even get the current 30 players he needed to unlock the diamond Lebron award! Think about it--1,000,000 VC isn't enough to get 30 current players you want... The sad thing is they've changed the reward but are too cowardly to announce that they have and too lazy to change the graphic that now tells you the wrong amount. Pathetic. Amazing how any part of the game that unintentionally benefits the consumer is quickly fixed while countless other problems will be ignored.

I just got this last week and I have to say..vc is evil. I can't believe 2k would even do us fans like this. I just got into myteam yesterday and man I've missed out on locker codes since I've had the game.

# 63 Coolade @ 03/22/14 12:47 AM

I never would have though back in October I'd be looking forward to NBA Live 15 of all things. 2k managed to lose a fan on their first next gen offering. I won't be buying 2k15. And if that means I don't get to play any basketball game this year or the next then so be it. It wont stop the game from selling well. It just has to be a personal choice to give up on basketball games for the foreseeable future. EA UFC, MLB the Show, and Fifa will have to fill that sports void. Not much else you can do. Wouldn't be surprised if in NBA2k15 after you pay $60 for the game, they gonna make you pay 1000vc everytime to save your game data to their servers, just watch.

# 64 RangersCruz @ 03/22/14 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDusen04


	Hey man, if I may ask respectfully, what was your breaking point this year? I cannot recall for certain, but you initially liked 2K14, yes?

i liked it until i got bored with it haven't touched in a few months then i come on in here and read this ..2k can just enjoy less sales next yr

# 65 King_B_Mack @ 03/22/14 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncutMoneybags


	I have been saying this from the beginning 2k has the worst development team in the entire ing world. Instead of fixing the game breaking glitches like constantly getting dashboarded or servers not working they decide to patch domination glitches that actually let you get 1 myteam pack a game which actually makes sense. It also seems like I am in the **ing depression because my vc is worth absolutely nothing. I have spent like over $80 and I have almost nothing to show for it because you don't get anything. For $80 I should be able to have a 99 overall player and the entire myteam collections but instead you get constant duplicates and pennies on the dollar for selling them back in. Honestly I like 2k but I swear on everything if they keep ing patching these glitches that people like me do because they don't want to spend money and actually want to make a decent amount of vc in a reasonably amount of time and they don't patch the **ing glitches that actually hurt gameplay I am just going to quit 2k.

These are the kind of comments I have a problem with. 2K has very far from the worst development team in the world. VC isn't a development team issue. Sadly, they put themselves in position for this kind of crap to be said about them.

If they're going to continue to be completely silent on this issue, then they better damn well ship a game in October (or November or whatever the schedule will be now for next gen) that is free of the DRM and VC issues that they've infested this title with because they are doing serious damage to their brand. They worked all these years to climb to the top and make 2K Sports a name synonymous with quality and excellence in the sporting game arena and they're flushing it down the ****ing toilet in one damn year. Everybody thinks they're untouchable until they get punched in the mouth and 2K's punch is coming if they don't get their priorities straight.

# 66 Melbournelad @ 03/22/14 02:23 AM

I really want to hear Leftos thoughts on this. Surely they couldn't have implemented this change without some input from him, right?

# 67 Vni @ 03/22/14 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melbournelad


	I really want to hear Leftos thoughts on this. Surely they couldn't have implemented this change without some input from him, right?

Leftos, Wang and and the rest of the core game developpers have probably nothing to do with that kind of decisions. They're the only reason this game is still great gameplay wise.

# 68 SouthBeach @ 03/22/14 02:59 AM

The sad thing about this is there are 2K devs reading this thread and saying/doing nothing.

I know the few that frequent OS probably aren't the ones making the big decisions. But, "our" voice collectively being against VC should mean something since we're the ones feeding their basketball monopoly. And whether our opinions are relayed to the decision makers or not remains to be seen.

They've taken the fun out of basketball and are almost turning the game into a managerial system.

All I want to do is have the ability to play Association, Create-A-Player, etc. like I used to do.

I used to strongly support 2K. But now, I dunno. All of these issues point at them turning into their competitors.

At the end of the day, 2K is reading complaints, making these monopolizing decisions, and doing this in our faces (ie. reducing VC earnings, KNOWING how hard it is to attain VC):

# 69 FBeaule04 @ 03/22/14 11:49 AM

It's funny that all of a sudden, a thing we expect from EA Sports is done by 2K*. It's no surprise to be honest. The game is popular, the opposition isn't there and the best way to make people buy the VC is to make it neart to impossible to improve while just playing the game.

As for the 2K devs on the forum, I mean, let's be honest a bit. If I was one of them, I wouldn't say a thing even if I'm against the way to do the thing. They have a job and you don't lose it for decision you don't have a say on.

For the 4 pages of people not happy in here, there's still a bunch of people buying VC, so we can talk all we want about that, it's like trying to kill someone with a Nerf sword. We'll get tired before the guy in front is dead.

# 70 sO100 @ 03/22/14 12:25 PM

They can do this crap but I still can't see Awards, Voting, Hall of Fame, Team History or player or the week/Month on mycareer? Nor do I have a free agency

# 71 knick9 @ 03/22/14 12:43 PM

Meanwhile Ronnie2K will do a MyTeam broadcast where he'll use his all-diamond lineup he didn't earn against some average Joe who's been playing his butt off to get his players. They don't even play the game the way it was designed, they're better than us, they don't have to, so why would they care? 2K is way out of touch.

# 72 The 24th Letter @ 03/22/14 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shade8780


	What game modes do you play?

quick games CPU/HUM
MyTeam
Regular season mode fantasy draft

# 73 Francis94 @ 03/22/14 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knick9


	Meanwhile Ronnie2K will do a MyTeam broadcast where he'll use his all-diamond lineup he didn't earn against some average Joe who's been playing his butt off to get his players. They don't even play the game the way it was designed, they're better than us, they don't have to, so why would they care? 2K is way out of touch.

They don't even pretend to complete collections with their unlimited VC and MT, they have those players via locker code, period.
They can't even play the game.
And the devs didn't fix ANY bug, or upgraded theit garbage servers (input lag all day everyday, no matter what quality your connection is), the only thing they did has been fix the domination stars and nerfed the payouts, in 5 months...
What about MyCareer and MyGM major bugs? (stupid scripts, no FA, awful AI, contracts' negotiation, first round PO's bug etc.)
Pure madness.
No way I'll buy 2K15, I officially abandoned 2K14 yesterday, no reason to keep playing this joke.

# 74 WarlordZMaster @ 03/22/14 04:34 PM

Greedy, but I have a ton of VC from the iPad app.

# 75 ERA @ 03/22/14 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ_Solis


	Let me know how that goes for you. I was actually thinking about trying Live myself. I might wait till Live 15 tho because this one doesn't look too great. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just had a good 3-hour session with the game, it isn't great, but I was really impressed. If you grew up playing Live like me you will love the game.

I don't regret trading 2K in for it, but from a gameplay standpoint the two games aren't all that close. 2K easily has the superior gameplay. One thing I do love about Live thus far is the presentation, they really nailed it. It looks like a real broadcast when you're playing the game.

I wouldn't recommend it if you're a 2K diehard, but I certainly would if you are open to trying a new experience.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk now Free

# 76 Smirkin Dirk @ 03/22/14 09:43 PM

Anyone who buys VC is an idiot.

# 77 Halloween @ 03/22/14 09:51 PM

I love 2k, but I hate greedy capitalisim with a passion.

One can just hope EA steps up their game or 2k comes to their senses. This is taking an ugly turn.
I REALLY want to have 2k15 but if they push this even further I wont be so sure about a purchase down the road.

Those business people in the 2k offices are destroying a legacy in one year that needed a decade to build up. I basically hate everybody who makes more than 100,000$ a year, minus doctors and other good people.

I need to become a dictator. No VC in no video game ever again!

# 78 Shakedowncapo @ 03/22/14 10:27 PM

Game is worth $40 as a trade-in at bestbuy...

# 79 DJ_Solis @ 03/22/14 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA


	I just had a good 3-hour session with the game, it isn't great, but I was really impressed. If you grew up playing Live like me you will love the game. I don't regret trading 2K in for it, but from a gameplay standpoint the two games aren't all that close. 2K easily has the superior gameplay. One thing I do love about Live thus far is the presentation, they really nailed it. It looks like a real broadcast when you're playing the game. I wouldn't recommend it if you're a 2K diehard, but I certainly would if you are open to trying a new experience. Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk now Free

I'm not a 2k die hard but I do like my graphics to look good. Looking at some screenshots, I think I might just have to wait til 15 to try it out.
I haven't played Live since 07 but I'm definitely open to trying something different. Especially if 2k doesn't make any big changes this year.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 80 DJ_Solis @ 03/22/14 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA


	I just had a good 3-hour session with the game, it isn't great, but I was really impressed. If you grew up playing Live like me you will love the game. I don't regret trading 2K in for it, but from a gameplay standpoint the two games aren't all that close. 2K easily has the superior gameplay. One thing I do love about Live thus far is the presentation, they really nailed it. It looks like a real broadcast when you're playing the game. I wouldn't recommend it if you're a 2K diehard, but I certainly would if you are open to trying a new experience.

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