Why do players always want to make a "wishing machine" in NBA 2K?

Here is the Staples Arena in downtown Los Angeles. The 19,060-capacity arena was filled with Lakers fans.

The 76ers trailed by 4 points in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

They were standing on the edge of a cliff.

Iverson stood outside the three-point line and dribbled the ball, looking at the basket, but could never find a breakthrough. The defenders guarded Hill in the bottom corner, and there was no chance to catch the ball and shoot.

Under the basket, Mutombo was also caught in the dilemma of hand-to-hand combat. He was the DPOY (defensive player of the season) for four seasons and the league's rebounding champion in 2001, but he had to face the slogan that is reputed to be the best. 

The timer on the rim was flashing red numbers, a reminder that time was still ticking by. In desperation, Iverson chose the signature cross in disguise to break through to the basket, effortlessly dodging the defensive player and then laying up with a low hand.

The basketball laps the rim for a few laps then buzzes into the net.

The scoreboard showed that they were still 2 points behind, the smallest difference since the start of the game. He turned his head and glanced at the Lakers head coach Zen Master sitting not far away and Kobe, who was about to play. Their expressions were relaxed and natural, and they couldn't guess what tactics the opponent would use next.

The computer screen is playing the game live, the 2001 finals, the 76 teams against the flourishing Lakers.

Fortunately, the Lakers missed a jumper, and the 76ers got the ball.

But the 76ers had no timeout, and Hill dribbled the ball past half court. Iverson used the screen to get rid of Tyronn Lue, who was marking the whole game, but Kobe, who was switched over, was already firmly on his breakthrough route.

He was running out of time. Iverson took off and leaned back, and his hasty shot caused his upper body to twist slightly, but his firm and powerful arms still threw the ball. The ball draws a nice arc in mid-air.

 The ball goes in, and the whistle blows.

I let out a breath and retracted my arched back into the sofa. This isn't the first time I've replayed the 2001 Finals script, but every time I cross a 3-1 match point, my heart skips a beat. It is the charm of video games to make the impossible and unchangeable regrets reverse at this moment.

Every September, it happens to be the NBA off-season.

But even if you can't see your favorite team win a hearty game on the court, it doesn't prevent us from entering the world of the NBA - just one "NBA 2K".

Players come to NBA 2K for various reasons, like I'm obsessed with experiencing classic moments in basketball history, some players want to control a favorite star or a great dynasty team, and some players Simply play a high-quality basketball game... But I think the best one of these reasons is to realize the dream of "playing on the same court" with NBA players - players are full of desire for basketball and want to Stand on the highest stage in the world and "fight side by side" with NBA players.

 The "NBA 2K" series has a "wish machine" that has been built for fans over the years to realize their dreams - MC "career mode."

Although the career mode debuted in "NBA 2K10" as early as 2003, in ESPN BASKETBALL (2K4) "24/7" mode, players can customize their appearance and ability of players, starting from a rookie's basketball career. Just like the later career mode.

Later, "NBA 2K7" wrote the prototype of the plot for this mode for the first time a. Basketball boy met NBA star Shaquille O'Neal by chance on a street court. Under his guidance, he won the streetball championship and successfully entered the NBA story.

The career mode after this time is still relatively simple regarding gameplay. After a period of appearance, it was "hidden" for two years.

In "2K10", the career mode was brought out again, and the design was more substantial.

After the player establishes a character, he will have to go through a long selection of summer leagues and training matches before he can get the chance to enter the NBA. If the performance is too bad, you can go to the development alliance first and increase your ability value. Try your hand at the NBA. This is a setting that I prefer. As a rookie at the time, I practiced my skills hard to avoid being repeatedly delegated to the G League.

Probably many players don't like this upgrade and upgrade mechanism, and this setting has been removed in subsequent generations.

However, in the career mode of "NBA 2K10", players play games without much detail. In "NBA 2k11", the career (MP) mode simulates a player's journey more completely.

In 2K11, the most exciting thing for players is that they can play Jordan, who has just entered the league, in career mode and start from 0 to compose a legendary road. In this career mode, players will start from the G League, step by step, after long training in the NBA arena. The post-match press conference, sponsors, and other scene designs make the plot more full. There is also an exciting place in this mode. That is, you can constantly unlock Jordan's signature shoes.

In October 2012, "NBA 2K13" was officially released, and the My player mode officially became the My career mode.

Compared with previous generations, the career mode of this generation determines the basic process of "draft-NBA" in terms of plot. I experienced the whole process of the draft. I still remember the summer vacation when I graduated from junior high school. The agent took me to sit in a small dark room, uneasy, waiting for David Stern Jinkou Yuyan to read the draft report. When they read their name as the third pick, the agent team, relatives and friends would come over with excitement and congratulations. It was an exhilarating experience.

Until now, the career mode of the NBA2k series has reached a small peak in gameplay.

With the release of the new consoles, "NBA 2K14" arrived on schedule. In addition to the control and screen upgrades, a new "Park Mode" has been introduced. Players can control their career players, gather in a basketball park, and form their teams to fight, just like our common streetball rules. As soon as this down-to-earth model was launched, it accumulated a lot of popularity.

This can be said to be a new mode derived from the career mode, and it just happened to be one of the factors that prompted the focus of the career mode to shift from single-player to online confrontation gradually.

In the single-player part, "NBA 2K14" introduced the main storyline for the series career mode for the first time. Players' psychological activities, interpersonal relationships, etc., will be more vividly presented to the players through the cutscenes, further reinforcing our sense of substitution.

The action system is improving year after year, the details of the game are constantly enriched, and the game's authenticity is becoming more and more perfect.

The next-generation 2K15 has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in "hardware" under a series of previous works.

With the support of more advanced motion capture technology, the defensive player's actions during physical contact have significantly increased, whether guarding the ball or without the ball. Beads of sweat, Split's twisted expression, JR Smith's slightly restless mouth, or Harden's beard swaying in the wind are visible.

There is also a very selling face scanning function on the next-generation console. The condition for realizing it is to rely on the camera of the next-generation console to collect the details of your face to make an exclusive real face patch and cooperate with the "My Career" mode. , just like a player's own history of basketball struggles.

It can be seen that to restore the player's career faithfully, the NBA2K series pays attention to adding more and richer details in each generation of updates, whether it is the appearance of the characters, the interaction of teammates, the comments of fans, more endorsements and so on.

However, these are not enough. There may be too many unexpected stories and episodes in an NBA player's career, such as the legend that Joe was not selected for the high school team, LeBron's "decision," and Durant's love of drinking. The dark history of Carrie's bathing water, etc., whether these events add luster or smear, is the so-called "Where amazing happen" of the NBA, and the career mode of the 2k series has developed to this time, and it also needs a more in-depth story.

So starting from "NBA 2K16", the famous director Spike Lee joined the game production process.

The story of this generation starts from the protagonist's high school days and revolves around the protagonist's family and friends, telling us a story of a basketball career and emotion. At the same time, we also need to control the players to start playing in the high school league, go through the college league, and finally enter the NBA through the draft. The long period and the ups and downs of the plot make this process full of drama, and the film-like fine plot narrative also improves the level of the story. A higher level.

It may be wise to introduce such a plot from the game development perspective. In the era of refurbished console games, the requirements for storytelling have increased. For example, "GTA5" and "The Witcher 3" rely on excellent plots and Great reviews.

However, for some domestic players, a career like Yao Ming or Jeremy Lin may be more attractive.

And this wish was soon realized in "NBA 2k19". The protagonist is portrayed as an incompetent rookie in this generation's career mode. He came to the CBA after losing the draft and worked hard in the American secondary league. After a huge change in mentality and technology, he successfully entered the NBA arena.

In this script, closer to China, playing a small person heading towards the NBA may be more in line with the basketball dream of domestic players.

In the subsequent "NBA 2K" series, to allow players to enjoy a real NBA journey, the career mode has gradually developed in the direction of "life simulation." Whether it's the "neighborhood community" in "2k18" or the "open world" in "2k22", they gradually focus on competitions, daily training, shopping, collecting exchange fees, and even developing Rap sideline business... This kind of career The mode seems to be the Sims version of "NBA 2K", which makes people feel more immersive.

And the brilliant career mode in "NBA 2K23" will be the largest and most engaging story. Players will start straight in the NBA and experience some episodes of their college life afterward; or navigate a player's rich off-court career through music, fashion, business, and conquering the city.

Players' journeys will also have many optional side content. You can focus on playing in the NBA. You can also experience a complete part of the town, meet and interact with more celebrities... In short, a bigger and more exciting basketball world.

Alfie Brody, vice president of global marketing strategy for NBA 2K, once "bragged," saying: "The scale, depth and talent of MC this year has created an unparalleled experience in NBA 2K23."

As a basketball and basketball game lover, I hope his vision can be realized 100%. As for how much it can be realized, we will soon be able to experience it in the game.

After all, nothing is more convincing than a real "basketball career" in "2K23".