Visual Concepts and 2K Sports might have the wrong thesaurus on their hands because they seem to think that PC gamers are synonymous with second-class citizens. At least, as far as the NBA 2K series goes.
Ever since the PS5 and Xbox Series S/X came out in late 2020, every NBA 2K iteration since that’s been released for the PC use last-gen versions. While it was understandable for NBA 2K21, NBA 2K22, and maybe even NBA 2K23, it’s inexcusable to leave PC gamers in the dust with NBA 2K24.
The much-awaited NBA 2K24, slated for release on September 8, is billed to be a quantum leap forward in terms of gameplay and interactive experience. The introduction of new features such as PROPlay and crossplay have set the gaming community abuzz. However, there’s a caveat: these features will only be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X leaving PC gamers – many with technology that surpasses the specifications of these consoles – in the lurch.
PROPlay, the new animation system touted as a “generational leap in authenticity,” will be noticeably absent from the PC version of NBA 2K24. This omission, coupled with the lack of crossplay on the PC version – a feature limited to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X – constitutes a significant blow to PC gamers that want a comprehensive and immersive experience. To make matters worse, the MyCareer mode on PC will be stripped down to the smaller Neighborhood hub instead of the expansive City hub.
This decision by 2K Sports to sideline PC gamers, while not new, continues a trend that has plagued major sports games over the years. Similar disparities have occurred in the past with the Madden NFL series. However, with Madden NFL 24, EA Sports decided to bring parity between PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X delivering a clear message that PC gamers are not a secondary market.
It’s perplexing that, despite high-end PCs’ capabilities to run the current-gen versions of these games, developers are still choosing to offer them last-gen experiences. In an age where PC gaming is growing exponentially, a choice between the current and last-gen versions should be the norm. Such an approach would ensure that high-end users have access to the most up-to-date technology while still providing for players with budget-friendly builds.
With the current-gen consoles having been on the market for almost three years, it makes little sense to keep PC players – whose hardware often surpasses that of the Xbox Series S/X or PS5 – locked into an inferior gaming experience.
NBA 2K24 is undoubtedly a highly anticipated release. Its pre-orders are currently open for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. However, with the recent revelations, it’s evident that not all versions of the game will be created equal, leading to a potential loss of goodwill among the PC gaming community.
The question that now remains is whether 2K Sports will eventually follow EA Sports’ footsteps and grant parity to the PC versions or continue with the practice that is increasingly seen as a snub to the PC gaming community. The answer, much like the detailed performance of NBA 2K24, remains to be seen.
It’s a shame that, for two straight versions of NBA 2K now, 2K Sports is using players who demanded nothing short of the best of themselves as cover stars for entries that are short-changing fans.
