NBA 2K
News, coverage and analysis tracking NBA 2K across the outlets.
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NBA THE RUN Wants To Change How Basketball Games Are Played
NBA THE RUN is a new basketball game available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC that shifts from the traditional five-on-five format to a 3v3 streetball experience. Developed by Play By Play Studios, the game emphasizes online multiplayer, spectacular highlights, and iconic outdoor courts, offering a faster and less structured alternative to traditional basketball simulators like the NBA 2K series.
Evening Interviews
Unknown Worlds Entertainment's Subnautica 2 will feature a non-violent approach to gameplay, as explained by a developer. Separately, former Electronic Arts developers are launching a new NBA game, lamenting the decline of beloved sports titles.
NBA 2K, Zynga and GTA drove Take-Two net bookings up 19% for 2026 fiscal year
Take-Two Interactive reported a 19% increase in net revenue and net bookings for its 2026 fiscal year, driven by titles like NBA 2K and Grand Theft Auto. The company forecasts significant growth in fiscal year 2027, largely attributed to the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Mobile gaming continues to be a substantial part of Take-Two's business, accounting for approximately 50% of its net revenue.
NBA 2K and WWE 2K Developer Visual Concepts Hit With Layoffs
Visual Concepts, the developer behind NBA 2K and WWE 2K, has reportedly undergone a round of layoffs. Multiple former employees announced their departures on LinkedIn, with some indicating that a significant number of staff were affected. One employee shared a personal account of being laid off while on sick leave due to a recent autoimmune disorder diagnosis.
WWE 2K Team at Visual Concepts Hit Harder by Layoffs Than NBA 2K Team – Rumor
Developer Visual Concepts, responsible for the NBA 2K and WWE 2K franchises, has reportedly experienced significant layoffs, with the WWE 2K teams being more heavily impacted than the NBA 2K teams. Sources suggest the underperformance of WWE 2K25: Netflix Edition, which failed to meet Netflix's expectations of it being a mobile game, contributed to the decision, leading Netflix to skip future editions. This situation left the development team for WWE 2K25: Netflix Edition without future projects.
Sony Settles PlayStation Store Lawsuit For $7.8 Million Soon
Sony Interactive Entertainment has agreed to a $7.85 million settlement in a class action lawsuit concerning PlayStation Store purchases made between April 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023. Eligible users who bought digital games with previously available retail vouchers will receive PlayStation Network credits. A fairness hearing is scheduled for October 15 to finalize the distribution plan.
Gamers Still Pick Consoles for Exclusives, New Data Finds
New data from Circana indicates that exclusive games remain the primary reason for consumers choosing a specific console, with 41% of US players citing them as their main decision factor. While this figure has slightly decreased from the previous year, it still outweighs factors like friends and family owning a particular platform. Sony appears to be re-evaluating its strategy of porting major PlayStation 5 exclusives to PC, focusing more on hardware-driving titles and upcoming exclusives like Marvel's Wolverine and Grand Theft Auto 6.
Call of Duty Player Finally Hits Breaking Point Over Massive File Size | HappyGamer
A dedicated Call of Duty player has uninstalled the game for the first time in years due to its massive file size, highlighting a growing issue in the industry. Modern titles like Call of Duty, Gears 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2 demand hundreds of gigabytes, straining console storage and bandwidth. While solutions like modular installs exist, developers are criticized for prioritizing development speed over storage efficiency, leading to player frustration.
Arcade Basketball Is Back on PS5 with NBA Street-Style Revival, Featuring Rollback Netcode
Play by Play Studios, led by EA Big veteran Mike Young, has announced an NBA Street and NBA Jam-inspired arcade basketball game for PlayStation 5 called NBA The Run. The game will feature over 30 NBA stars and five fictional legends, with gameplay powered by rollback netcode for seamless online multiplayer. A closed beta is scheduled for May 1st, with a full release window set for June.
The Skill Expression Gap: Why Sports Video Games Aren't Winning the Esports Race
This article analyzes why sports video games like EA Sports FC 26 and NBA 2K struggle to establish significant esports scenes. The author argues that a focus on casual accessibility and gacha mechanics over deep skill expression hinders competitive growth. While successful in sales, these games lack the mechanical depth found in titles like League of Legends, which are built for professional play.
More Than a Roster Update: Why Sports Games Must Invest in Storytelling
This article argues that sports video games like NBA 2K and WWE 2K should move beyond simple roster updates and invest more in deep, RPG-style storytelling within their career modes. Implementing meaningful narratives would create stronger player connections, justify annual purchases, and provide new marketing opportunities beyond cover athletes and graphical improvements.
You Could Be In A PlayStation Game If You Write Well, Love PlayStation, Play And Own A Lot, Have Shareable And Entertain
Sony has launched a new contest called The Playerbase, offering winners the chance to have their likeness scanned and featured in PlayStation games, starting with Gran Turismo 7. Participants must submit written entries explaining their passion for PlayStation, with finalists selected for interviews. The grand prize winner will be scanned into Gran Turismo 7 and also help design a fantasy logo and vehicle livery.
Mini-Games And Whether They Add Or Detract From Console Games
Mini-games in console titles can offer a welcome change of pace or extra challenges, but their effectiveness depends on implementation. Titles like Grand Theft Auto V integrate them seamlessly, while sports games use them for skill training. When well-executed and purposeful, mini-games enhance player autonomy and exploration without disrupting the core experience.
WWE 2K26 review - High Flyer | TechStomper
WWE 2K26 is criticized for its consumer-unfriendly monetization practices, particularly regarding DLC and special editions that still require significant grinding. The article notes that the "accelerator" feature, common in previous installments, is absent, making the high cost of special editions feel unjustified. The author expresses frustration with 2K's business model, stating they would reconsider purchasing their games if not for the appeal of NBA 2K's franchise mode.
Why Randomness Makes Your Game So Hard to Put Down
Randomness in games, often referred to as RNG, creates excitement and replay value by introducing unpredictable elements like random item drops, surprise events, and unexpected outcomes. This uncertainty keeps players engaged as they chase rare rewards and adapt to changing game conditions, making each play session potentially memorable and unique.
Take-Two boss Zelnick says it would be "unfair" to put ads in premium games
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that implementing advertisements in premium games, for which players pay $70 or $80, would be unfair. He noted that while limited advertising is acceptable in titles like NBA 2K due to its in-game context, it is not suitable for full-priced releases. Zelnick also discussed the company's strategy to expand its revenue beyond the US and Western Europe by localizing content and investing in emerging markets.
Take-Two boss says he's not interested in putting ads into premium games: 'It would seem unfair'
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that the company is not interested in implementing advertisements in premium games, deeming it unfair to players who have paid full price. While acknowledging limited advertising in titles like NBA 2K that fits the in-game context, he believes interstitial ads are inappropriate for $70-$80 games. This stance contrasts with predictions of increased in-game advertising across PC and console titles as a new revenue stream.
Boss of GTA 6 Owner Take-Two Says the Idea That AI Tools Will Mean Everyone Can Create Video Game Hits 'Doesn’t Stand to Reason' - IGN
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick dismisses the notion that AI tools will enable individuals to create hit video games, calling the idea "laughable." While acknowledging AI's potential as a creation tool, he emphasizes that human creativity and engagement are essential for developing successful and engaging interactive worlds, contrasting this with the rapid launch of numerous games that fail to become hits.
“Not even the littlest bit": GTA 6 CEO doesn't think genAI will level the playing field for smaller devs
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick believes generative AI tools will not significantly level the playing field for smaller game developers, arguing that creating hits requires more than just asset generation. While acknowledging AI's potential for assisting in areas like storyboarding, he asserts that large-scale success still depends on human creativity and engagement, a sentiment echoed by Rockstar Games regarding Grand Theft Auto 6 development.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Won’t be Too Big For Older Audiences, Says Take-Two Interactive CEO
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed concerns that Grand Theft Auto 6 might be too large for older audiences with other responsibilities, stating the company caters to all demographics. He also expressed confidence in the game meeting its November 19th release date for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with marketing efforts planned for the summer.
