NBA 2K14 VC Shows Its Ugly Side

[poloelite]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sinner

There's no need to make little simple things cost VC to make the game last, they didn't have to do anything they've done to make the game last. The only reason they did it is for more money...period. If they wanted to make this game so people will play it longer and make it last you know the BEST way to do this? Make a damn good game that allows you to play the modes in it how you want. Even in one of your earlier post you mentioned people who say they are "sim" should like the way VC is used.....I'm having a very hard time putting "SIM" and "VC" in the same sentence as linking one with the other. There is no sim in needing VC to change rotations in MyGM, there is no sim in your MyPlayer having a contract paying you in VC...it's just not working for me or many others. Also in your earlier post you mentioned being able to play the app to earn VC...well there is a problem login in to play the App, so can't do that.

Fam, I haven't had any problems with app at all. My brother had an issue logging in, but he didn't realize the password was case sensitive and the iPhone makes the first letter capital by default.

I'm saying VC makes things more sim, because you actually have to progress to get things and it forces you to build a more realistic player or GM. I do agree there are some flaws in the implementation, but I think it's a decent foundation for progression.

You're a GM, not a coach. I don't know of any GM's that set the rotation, so it's a coaching upgrade that you receive for playing one game. Do I think a headband should be 1,200 VC or a pair of Jordans 7,500 VC? Of course not. But do I think progression being tied to VC is a good concept? Yes.

Replay value may be there for basketball lovers, but to hold a casual user's attention, taking 5-10 seasons to max out your myPlayer or myGM can work. Gives you a goal to maybe buy the franchise or purchase the private plane. If you want to be a 3 point marksmen or a typical slasher that can finish. But if you don't have the time to progress in these modes over multiple seasons as intended, you now have the option at buying accelerators.

[poloelite]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sundown

That's not it at all. No one blew through 2K in two weeks or expected to before VC. The problem is prices and rewards for not playing are out of wack compared to just playing the game. It's fine if the game is meant to be played for a long time-- in fact that's how the game's always played without ridiculous VC prices and paltry rewards. But the VC hikes are so high now that you CAN'T progress in multiple modes at a reasonable rate without paying money. They weren't meant to prolong the game. They were meant to frustrate players into paying to get a full experience in all modes (of which there are really only three, and one is almost completely inaccessible without paying or massive grinding). The iPhone app really shouldn't even be used in any argument about VC, because I am infinitely more concerned about VC rewards balance in the core gameplay. The fact that such a tangental, gimmicky "gameplay" experience is 50% of the VC in your example spells out how messed up the core VC balance is. I actually like this and have said so. I like the slower progress for MyPlayer alone. But I do not like that you are stalled in progress if you want to spend your VC on an arm sleeve or new shoes. You can say that you spend your VC how you want, but truth is, that is 10 hours of gaming you are spending on a pair of shoes that you could have spent on regular player progress after every few games. That shouldn't even be a thing.

You don't buy shoes in myCareer I thought? Don't you get them for free when you sign a deal?? And I totally agree with the amounts being out of whack for the app and game play, but my point is even with both being out of whack, between the two you can put together a decent player playing through one season.

[Cleveland Rocks]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarvinOida

Then what paid MJ at 2K11? Obviously if VC was really a sure pocket money, team USA and Dream Team would still be here. Jay-Z and these legends came BEFORE VC, Jay-Z "produced" 2K13 and that INTRODUCED VC, so your argument involving him is invalid because they had Jay-Z and these legends in the game BEFORE VC. If VC went into the Euroleague, then its not much still cause its on like 14 of the 24 teams in that league.

Yeah the legends thing is a weak argument. They haven't add one single legend or classic team since vc got kicked off in 2013. If they were adding more legends and classic teams and giving us a full featured game with user control like 2k13 I would gladly pay 80-90 bucks for this game to be constantly nickeled and dime for a locked down glitchy controlling game is unacceptable.

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by poloelite

I'm saying VC makes things more sim, because you actually have to progress to get things and it forces you to build a more realistic player or GM. I do agree there are some flaws in the implementation, but I think it's a decent foundation for progression. Personally, I find virtually no realism or simulation in the idea of "leveling up" as a GM, nor purchasing the ability to execute mundane tasks with the help of fake currency. I think there's a lot of way a game could handle the idea of progression, and the manner with which 2K has handled VC is not one of those ways.

I think there's the possibility, if implemented absolutely correctly, that VC could complement a simulation product. As it stands now, VC use is so far gone that many aspects of simulation have been left in the rear view mirror. Unfortunately, I don't view this type of VC implementation as a base. If anything, 2K13 seemed to provide the VC base and 2K14 then opted to evolve and drown the entire product in it.

Quote: Originally Posted by poloelite

You're a GM, not a coach. I don't know of any GM's that set the rotation, so it's a coaching upgrade that you receive for playing one game. Do I think a headband should be 1,200 VC or a pair of Jordans 7,500 VC? Of course not. But do I think progression being tied to VC is a good concept? Yes.

The mere idea of a coach having to upgrade to the ability of adjusting a rotation only after their team has played one game and earned a bushel of golden coins is the complete antithesis of simulation, in my opinion. Though, I am glad we can both agree that the prices behind many products is outlandish and unreasonable.

I think the crux of the problem is that VC being tied to progression accounts for but a fraction of its existence. It seems to have altered the entire direction of the franchise by serverly limiting user options and freedom, all while looking to intermingle a real simulation with a fictional fantasy world where players have mime outbursts and coaches have to barter for their job-given rights with golden fiction coins.

Quote: Originally Posted by poloelite

Replay value may be there for basketball lovers, but to hold a casual user's attention, taking 5-10 seasons to max out your myPlayer or myGM can work. Gives you a goal to maybe buy the franchise or purchase the private plane. If you want to be a 3 point marksmen or a typical slasher that can finish. But if you don't have the time to progress in these modes over multiple seasons as intended, you now have the option at buying accelerators.

I actually feel the opposite may be true. I'm not sure I buy the idea that droves of non-hardcore, casual fans of basketball are going to want to grind through 5-10 seasons of tedium just to finally get that right forearm tattoo. This whole situation almost begs the question: what is the point? Why would gamers work through 10 franchise years of banality or opt to spend real life cash? Is enjoyment still a part of the equation here? Or it just a matter of arbitrary achievement?

[Entiae]

Quote: Originally Posted by poloelite

Replay value may be there for basketball lovers, but to hold a casual user's attention, taking 5-10 seasons to max out your myPlayer or myGM can work. Gives you a goal to maybe buy the franchise or purchase the private plane. If you want to be a 3 point marksmen or a typical slasher that can finish. But if you don't have the time to progress in these modes over multiple seasons as intended, you now have the option at buying accelerators.

If someone even considers playing 5-10 seasons, s/he is probably not a casual basketball gamer.

What if someone doesn't have much time over every day to play, yet want to enjoy MyGM, MyCareer and MyTeam. S/he payed full price for the game so this should not be a concern.
How will this person be able to get enough VC to get a decent MyCareer player (first round choice after all) who also has a couple of accessories, enough VC to at least put out a somewhat competitive lineup in MyTeam, and how should this person get enough VC to buy all the various things in MyGM to avoid having the game tell you you're fired?

VC works the way it does in 2k14 so that 2k can make a profit, but I really hope they rethink how VC is used for 2k15. They don't need to completely do away with it, but changes definitely need to be made. I hope they come through as I have really enjoyed 2k basketball over the years, and I don't want that to stop.

[BBallcoach]

Leave in Myteam... Let me change my lineups and basic GM stuff un MyGM, For MyCareer and MyGM, leave VC out, make special abilities unlocked via an XP system by playing the game or hitting bench marks. But simple actions or accessories required by VC is a joke.

[chilllwinston]

Worse thing to happen to the 2k series... killed Myplayer for me.. tried using the App, didn't work and wouldnt sync.. went back to 2k12 to enjoy then myplayer one last time!

[RangersCruz]

Quote: Originally Posted by BBallcoach

Leave in Myteam... Let me change my lineups and basic GM stuff un MyGM, For MyCareer and MyGM, leave VC out, make special abilities unlocked via an XP system by playing the game or hitting bench marks. But simple actions or accessories required by VC is a joke.

Should stay in MyCareer