NBA 2K16 ’s MyCareer Mode has taken on a world of its own, as Spike Lee has written perhaps the deepest story a sports simulator has ever seen. 2K Sports recently released a trailer for the new mode, which provides players with an in-depth look into the new world created by the highly acclaimed director. Players will navigate their character’s through the ins and out of being an NBA superstar from high school standout to newly minted rookie. Not only does the trailer provide some concrete details about what players should expect from the newly revamped game mode, but it also provides a glimpse at the evolution of the sports genre by encompassing RPG and adventure-type elements from otherwise unrelated titles.
A part of me is really stoked by these new additions not only because I’m the guy who spends hours reviewing and choosing options to customize my gameplay, but also because I’m a story guy – yes, English degrees do pay off, kids! I like the fact that the game has done a better job of infusing a storyline into our created baller since last year’s version was a little choppy and cheesy at times. I’m intrigued by the possibility of customizing my “private court” and inviting my ultra-competitive friends over to play a round of pick-up. I also like the idea of bringing in a brash and unique thinker like Spike Lee to smooth out the bumps and incomplete subplots found in 2K15 .
However, the other part of me can’t help but think that 2K Sports might have gone just a little bit too far with the additional depth provided. If the new trailer, and all of its drama-filled scenes, is any indication, then my concerns are valid. I don’t want to entirely rain on the 2K parade, because the game looks phenomenal and I’m excited for its arrival, but I am worried that I’ll eventually get tired of the intangibles that come along with the new update.
I’m concerned that I’ll get annoyed with arguing with my agent, pushing away my money-grubbing friends, and doing photo-shoots and autograph sessions in a rinse and repeat fashion. Yes, the game does offer some flexibility with how I customize my experience, but if I have to vicariously experience going through a live NBA practice in order to avoid the endorsement and connection opportunities, I’ll go mad. I don’t ever want to relive those days of basketball practice for as long as I live. Running through drills and scrimmages will bring back too many memories of Coach B and his foot being firmly planted in the backsides of me and my teammates. Nonetheless, I am slightly concerned and cautiously optimistic about the new content contained with NBA 2K16 ’s MyCareer mode.
The upside to all of this is that the game industry is truly evolving and expanding beyond what most of us could have ever predicted, let alone envisioned. I think bringing significant depth to a game mode such as MyCareer, regardless of my preconceived concerns, is a positive sign for the sports game genre. Yes, we could go on and on with potential “what if” scenarios and radical claims that this RPG style could potentially ruin the foundation of sports simulators, but what fun is that? The industry is changing, the platform is growing at exponential rates, and the genres themselves are continuing to evolve as well. The newly redesigned MyCareer mode in NBA 2K16 is going to be the first step in that evolution, let’s just hope it turns into something great and not glorified digital soap opera.