NBA 2K14 News Post

NBA 2K14 VC Shows Its Ugly Side

10:15 PM - December 10, 2013 by JohnDoe8865

Virtual Currency (VC) in NBA 2K14 is a problem and if consumers don't voice their concerns, it's going to get worse.

Sure, there are ways to get free VC via the mobile app (if you can get it working), but gamers shouldn't be required to use VC to do simple tasks such as changing a lineup. We can understand using it in MyTeam (as it has been successful for EA Sports and Ultimate Team), but to have it added into other modes really has the community fired up. Customization isn't as fun as it once was, since VC is needed to update accessories and the ratio is ridiculous. Could this be next?

While there are many posts here at OS slamming it, other sites such as NeoGAF and Reddit have also been killing it from day one. PastaPadre has written a detailed article on it and the hate is spilling over.

VGRevolution warned users about it last year. Twitter is filled with complaints from users actually purchasing VC and not receiving it or crashing/freezing in modes, losing what they've earned. With no official word from 2K Sports, this is becoming a very large concern.

Where do you stand on VC?

Game: NBA 2K14Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PC / PS3 / PS4 / Wii U / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 98 - View All

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Member Comments

# 41 joewink23 @ 12/11/13 11:43 AM

I'm fine with VC in general, but yeah, making us use it to tweak lineups is weird. We SHOULD have to use some type of XP to do things like upgrade stadiums, influence trades and signings, etc. I don't mind it.

The amount of VC one has to spend in order to change the color of their socks is a bit much though. In order to get a headband I have to choose "do I upgrade my 3pt rating five points or do I buy a headband?" It's a no brainer early in your career, you go with the upgraded skills. Later in your career you don't need it and you can just buy sweet swag.

But to get all up in arms about VC is a little over the top. You can play this game and enjoy it (as I do) without shelling out money in microtransactions.

The freezing issues and people losing money they spent has to stop though. That's the only objection I really have.

Bottom line, if you don't like paying for VC, don't pay for VC.

# 42 jeremym480 @ 12/11/13 11:47 AM

My main gripe was not being able to set my rotation, but I realized that all I had to do was play one game, then I had enough VC to change it; so it wasn't THAT big of a deal. With that said, I do agree that it does set a bad precedent.

Personally, I haven't spent a dime on VC and don't plan on it. I have played enough games (about 21-22 MyGm games and am currently in February) to unlock quite a bit. I know 2K's main objective is to make money. I just wish that they realized that if they built a truly great offline/online Association, then they wouldn't have to worry about nickle and diming everyone. The game would sell itself. The sad thing is I just don't think they see that in their "vision".

# 43 PPerfect_CJ @ 12/11/13 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarvinOida


	And the fact they haven't implemented the idea of importing careers from past games is funny. I mean, I know that would cause problems with 99 overalls on day one, but if everyone had to restart next year with no VC and then use that myCareer as it's "online" player and then carry over year by year it's ratings/animations/gear, people wouldn't really have a problem. And if people want to start a new career, they should be able to load out careers they want to play as online. So many ideas but never get implemented for some reason. EDIT: Who's the Keith guy in the Disqus chat, he seems very fan-boyish. One of the few guys who are defend 2k in this lol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If it's the Keith that posts on Pasta's site, then yes, he is VERY fan-boyish. Disgustingly so.

# 44 LorenzoDC @ 12/11/13 11:54 AM

The experience of the game is a a whole lot of "YOU CAN'T DO THAT (UNLESS YOU PAY UP)!"

All kinds of options and possibilities are built into the game, very visibly displayed. Whole modes are built around advancing using these options. The game itself is designed to make the player want and need these items. They're not even really "options" because you need them to advance. And if you put in 200 hours of grinding game play, you can make some progress.

Or you can buy your get out of jail free card for another $20+ just to be able to purchase the game you thought you bought right out of the gate.

It's not even a game anymore. It's a shakedown.

Casual gamers are not going to like this any more than the rest of us do. What's fun about an experience that is constantly showing you what you can't do? What's fun about a game that rubs your nose in the feeling of hitting a wall you can't get around without paying up? It makes even the things that should be fun, like just "playing" a game, and makes it feel like working.

"Working" for VC that pays you like a Southeast Asian garment factory worker is not "playing" a game.

# 45 VDusen04 @ 12/11/13 12:19 PM

Satirical video added to the original post of where VC could be heading:

Again, satire.

# 46 knick9 @ 12/11/13 12:27 PM

It's out of control now. VC is fine if people want "extras" like personalized shoes, clothes, stuff like that but it has no business interfering with basic game modes. If it's a money issue I would gladly pay $100 for a great game with no VC but full functionality. You know if all the money they make off VC was going back into the game to make it unquestionably more awesome every year I could even understand that...but it's like they just tweak the game every year with no major improvements. The "improvements" like shot blocking (!) are actually just fixes to a previously flawed game...and the updates are still always way behind...it's a problem.

# 47 mpenias @ 12/11/13 12:51 PM

This is the first year (playing since '07) that I ventured outside of just playing a season or exhibition matches. I am not liking what I am seeing. They have some serious balls expecting people to pay real money to dress a fake player in fake Jordan's. They should be giving this stuff away, not trying to sell it.
Wish I could meet one of these idiots who actually paid for these things so I could smack them upside the head.

# 48 supermati @ 12/11/13 12:53 PM

Great to see how OS's Staff is now on board with this. VC implementation has been criticized before the game even came out.

MyGM is a fine demonstration for why it's even there:
You need to buy upgrades in order enable basic functions (setting rotations, firing coaches, etc.). We are given an curious selling pitch; that your GM is "gaining abilities as he gains experience".

However, when one realizes that these upgrades carry over to new career you simply double react; A: I don't have to spend twice! ; B: Why am I spending in the first place? You start to realize the original intention on VC being there in the first place is just forcing the user to spend (even if it's only once for this mode.)

You can even see how 2K developers aren't completely happy with VC by looking at their posts. (SimBaller: If I'm wrong by assuming this, feel free to correct me)

Quote:


	Your GM Attributes, Special Abilities, and Facilities (yes, facilities) carry over from one MyGM to the next. I didn't want you purchasing these things more than once. Once you buy it, it's yours for all MyGMs that you start.

Sad.

# 49 jenglund @ 12/11/13 01:02 PM

The design decision to make VC impact MyGM in that way is stupefying. It took all my willpower, but I held off on buying a PS4 and 2k14. I wanted them, but at the last minute, decided to wait to see if they had issues. If this is the future, I'll stick with my PS3 versions. But it is incredibly frustrating, because I want to continue playing sports games on new consoles. But all these MTs have sucked out the excitement for me.

Nice thing about current sports games is that they are now so advanced (even on PS3/360) that older versions can satisfy the itch.

Like a lot of people, I still play College Hoops 2k8 and that still works for me.

# 50 vtcrb @ 12/11/13 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanbarkley


	You are wrong here! they have stated it wasn't included because of time constraints...[/IRONY] $60? and you think that's much? here in Spain the game is 70�, which equals $96.3! Can you imagine how people feel over here when after spending almost $100 in a game, and once you have wasted a couple of hours with it you realize that they are bleeding you asking for more money for almost anything? and moreover, after wasting another couple of hours you realize that the same game that's trying to cheat you has been stripped down and has more bugs than a puddle of mud? Candy Crush is a free-to-play game and its microtransactions are less restrictive than this $96 game. Do we have the word STUPID written on our foreheads??? I've been taking a look at Spaniard NBA2K forums and those are boiling too, so don't think it's just an isolated movement happening in OS or 2K Forums. Ronnie and LD just retweet positive comments but I'm sure that for each 2 positive tweets they have 50 not so nice. 2K has bitten the hand that feeds them and if they don't apologize and rectify their direction they will be in danger of starving. It's not the first time that has happened.

10000% AGREE. Also it sucks that you had to Pay EXTRA for the same Flawed game. I am glad I am not the ONLY one who sees ONLY Positive Comments Retweeted on Twitter. LOL

# 51 basehead617 @ 12/11/13 01:17 PM

Sounds like the OP is using his OS credentials to push a personal pet issue. Tons of people are playing that like the player progression the VC gating provides.

It is not at ALL the same as charging real money for features or customization. The fact that some people accept progression in everything but sports games baffles me.

# 52 juggaknot @ 12/11/13 01:19 PM

I've already returned my copy not only because of this VC BS, but due to the other myriad of issues. Rest assured, 2k14 will be the last game owned from 2K if this nonesense keeps up.

I don't get how people get away with this. Pay $60 bucks and they expect you to pay another $60 just to set lineups, buy shoes, etc. lol

7500 VC points for ONE PAIR of shoes to use on your myplayer...come on now...

If they're gonna charge this much for VC, might as well make it Free to Play.

# 53 methodinchaos @ 12/11/13 01:24 PM

Personally VC just broke my next gen experience:
Since online is barebones and still unplayable and single player season is kinda boring, for the past 2 years MyPlayer and MyTeam are the most interesting parts of the game since they are a nice change of pace. As others post, the VC problem has been growing but this year on next gen is just unacceptable. On MyTeam for example, you start with a crappy team that can't win one single game (yeah, that can be me being a crappy player, but after playing NBA 2K for the past 6 years I can tell when its more the players' attributes fault). That means having to LOSE a bunch of games in order to get the bare minimum VC to buy one pack that might or might not have better players. If you're lucky, your team will improve but most of the times you are stuck with that team for a while making each experience just not enjoyable.
It's the same thing with my player. Last year I remember MyPlayer starting with better stats so he didn't start as a scrub. That made the game mode a lot of fun 'cause I felt from the start I was contributing to my team while improving my player.
This year you can't even assign attributes (not that I know of) so you start with a default player and once again I feel like he has no chance of making a noticeable impact on that very first game.

I think the root of the problem is that right now, grinding for the VC is more a chore than an enjoyable experience. 2K should learn form other games in other type of games where, if you need to grind, you actually feel rewarded (pokemon anyone?).
Finishing a level in Rayman Legends is so rewarding 'cause you get bombarded with a ton of stuff you just won and a tease of stuff you still need to earn.
All in all, if VC is gonna be the norm now, at least it should be easier to earn in every game mode.
I don't have a problem with virtual currencies as long it doesn't feel like a punishment to earn it.

# 54 RangersCruz @ 12/11/13 01:25 PM

You can easily get 20-30k VC just off simming in MyGM and its really your choice to buy it or not nobody is forcing you to press X on purchase

# 55 patchwork @ 12/11/13 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juggaknot


	I've already returned my copy not only because of this VC BS, but due to the other myriad of issues. Rest assured, 2k14 will be the last game owned from 2K if this nonesense keeps up. I don't get how people get away with this. Pay $60 bucks and they expect you to pay another $60 just to set lineups, buy shoes, etc. lol 7500 VC points for ONE PAIR of shoes to use on your myplayer...come on now... If they're gonna charge this much for VC, might as well make it Free to Play.

The 7500 VC for shoes is to wear for The Park not in MyCareer. You still get endorsed and get the shoes for free in MyCareer.

# 56 rkocjay @ 12/11/13 01:29 PM

They should just go back to the exp points for my career and the same for my gm both great modes(in my opinion i like gm better) but i don't think its fair we pay 65$ on a game on where some of us has to pay maybe double that just to unlock certain items or skills stop vc. honestly do it how Madden 25 does there ccm

# 57 VDusen04 @ 12/11/13 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RangersCruz


	You can easily get 20-30k VC just off simming in MyGM and its really your choice to buy it or not nobody is forcing you to press X on purchase

Do you mean simming as a part of the MyGM experience? Or are you referring to simming in MyGM as a means of artificially farming Virtual Currency? If the latter, are you suggesting one of the most effective ways of earning what's available in NBA 2K14 comes through non-traditional gameplay and tedium? Further, what does 20,000 virtual currency allow a gamer to purchase? And is it possible to earn enough virtual currency through natural, fun gameplay in order to "unlock" all 2K14 has to offer in each mode?

# 58 MasonOS95 @ 12/11/13 01:32 PM

Really starting to get a bit absurd

# 59 law_1990 @ 12/11/13 01:40 PM

Never thought i'd say this but EA need to step it up with live 15. Put 2k on the backfoot. They've had the monopoly on the 'ball games for a few years and have become stagnant.

The ratios for VC in my career is madness. I'm all for working towards making your creation better over time but seriously. Some of these prices are stupid.

1,200 for a headband...sure.

# 60 asitter @ 12/11/13 01:41 PM

Obviously VC isn't going anywhere. But I wish they'd do it like FIFA did (does?), and only have it in Ultimate Team. In FIFA, you rank up your virtual pro by accomplishing different tasks. This means that the better you are, the better your guy is. No more people paying $50 for a perfect player. Only the people who know how to play the damn game can have a high ranking player.

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