NBA 2K14 VC Shows Its Ugly Side

[supermati]

One can only hope threads like these have the power to change things around.

Whoever from 2K Sports reading this topic must be at least wondering about their short term vs. long term gains from implementing VC.

Quick money grab vs. customer loyalty.

[PS3 resident wlh1361]

Quote: Originally Posted by Moegames

Amen - it's a disgrace to gamers. All of this new microtranscations,etc leaves a nasty bitter taste in my mouth. Here is where we are going...things that normally would be "free" in the game are now being held for money purchases. This is not where gaming needs to go. It will be a HUGE disaster soon enough, mark my words. We already pay 64 dollars per game...now we gotta shell out more money "after" buy the game to unlock features that would normally be free? Are you serious? Some poor innocent folks will be persuaded as usual but folks such as myself and many at NeoGaf have already made our opinions be heard and we will not stop until this BS stops. 2k...i am very disappointed on the road you are now choosing to go down...this is a disgrace to gaming and only shows you in it for the money and the passion for making games are now a thing of the past..what a shame...sad sad times for gaming. It all innocently started with DLC...now it has spread like cancer to micro-transactions. If you think console gamers are going to fall for it like mobile phone/tablet gamers have...you are in for a rude awakening!! Make no mistake about this...2k, you are getting very close to crossing that thin delicate line with all these crappy distasteful micro-transactions....these things should normally be free...or there is no need to GRIND IT OUT in order to unlock stuff or of course..the worst of them all..having to PAY MORE MONEY to unlock things that normally would of been free with options to make things easier for us that already pay for the damn game!! What a greedy move, 2k!!

You make a brilliant point, now I'm not going to sit up here and act like I didn't finally fall victim of 2K Micro-Management. Hell!!! I'm still in a claim suit now trying to get back the $50 worth of VC that I Purchased and Lost in myCareer Mode due to they're force download of PATCH #2. And I say force download because you can't play the damn game without it. From what I experienced with the customer support team I spoke with, they sound as if they NEVER played NBA 2K14. Because when I tell the operator why can't you just give me a "Locker Code" to reimburse the Lost Purchased VC? She re-acts like I'm speaking German or something.
But to stay on subject I never played myGM mode, but must say it's complete and utter BS if you have to pay to do simple USUALLY FREE **** like change your line up. In myCareer mode, one doesn't necessary have to buy VC. And can still function thru out the mode without it (gradually earning VC along the way). But that still doesn't eradicate justice for those who chose to buy VC, and have it lost because of your faulty servers lost connection and corrupted his/ or her files. Especially since they purchased these Micro-transactions via YOUR Server, and YOUR Playstation Store. Which everyone KNOWS you all keep track of all the Extra Dollars rolling in via these Mini-Micro-Transactions. But do you reimburse the customers right away "Noooo"...you make them wait (why?).
Because you know that some sad people make excuses for Greatness on any level. Be it a Great Game, or a Great Celebrity, etc. Some will make up these excuses and continue to throw more of money into these great products. Because they can't face the truth that, 2K may have some of the best developers in today's Game Industry. But these Developers, do they're jobs, go home, and don't get invited to the meetings with "The Suits". Who ponder and scheme up ways to sell one thing to one person 2, 3, and maybe even 4 times over. And I get it $64 for The Game, several more $$$ to even enjoy the game, ripping off desperate customers along the way...PRICELESS. At some point we have to start asking whose really the problem here, sure 2K is wrong for exploiting customers. But whose enabling these BS Micro-Transactions? WE are, by NOT voicing are opinions and STANDING UP TO 2K. By NOT spending anymore money with 2K, by NOT buying anymore games from 2K, and by Flat Out NOT supporting they're products of any kind until THEY STEP UP AND DO WHATS RIGHT.
Want to hurt the average man? Hit him in his package...Want to hurt a Business man? Hit him in his pockets. ALL Seriousness,
Because if we stole someones money, we would be arrested on the spot,
they do it and nobody does anything about because they don't know who to sue or who to file charges against. Well I say it's time to STOP letting THEM hide behind the product and start HOLDING THESE GREEDY MOFO ACCOUNTABLE.

"IF EA can be DEFEATED by the CUSTOMER...SO CAN YOU"
#WHOSNXT #FEARtheCONSUMERS

[kidfromqueens]

i hate vc... I'm a busy college student with a job... I dont have time to play and earn vc and i damn sure will not buy any. I didn't mind it in mycareer or myteam, but mygm? i gotta earn vc just to do what we used to do in association? I feel cheated

[kackle85]

I don't think we can blame can be mad at them for trying. After all they are a business and the whole point of the thing is to make money.

[MarvellousOne]

VC really needs to be for modes like MyTeam, now I can understand it for the Champs store also if you want to gear you my player with clothes that are NOT used on a NBA court. All accessories that are seen in the NBA in real life shouldn't cost me anything...it's crazy how they made VC a means to getting accessories that we have for years had free to us in MyPlayer/MyCareer modes. I'm not going to even get started on how dumb the idea is in MyGM mode....Come on 2K this is the appreciation we as Loyal consumers get in return for buying your product, which most of us do on a yearly bases. Not a good look, it was dumb in 2K13 and it's worst this year on 2K14 especially next-gen.

[trey2k198003]

ITS NOT THAT BAD! Its like in madden you have to get a certain amunt of points to get boost and and unlock discount and other packages this is how 2k is doing the new gm mode. hey should probably do a regular association mode for the fans who dont want the added challenge of earning VC to open things but i think its perfect for the gm mode. I like that i cant immediately do what i want like in current gen 2K.. just my opinion.

[trey2k198003]

and why would you buy VC earn it put the time in! and they cant have anymore of your money there counting on folk wanting it now and not earning it that all DLC is to me. in my team in all games you could wait ot earn those special cards or attributes but nope people want them now and will pay. The fact that they make the money off it is the only reason they offer it people stop paying!!!!!!

[poloelite]

Quote: Originally Posted by VDusen04

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. 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. 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?

I agree with your last point 100%, I actually worded my casual gamer comment entirely the wrong way. I meant to say hardcore sim players grind it out for multiple seasons, but the option to start off good for the casual gamer is there right away. Apologies for the error