Two days before the release of NBA 2K23, developer 2k lets the last cat out of the bag: In the latest part of the series, after the career mode, The City also gets a makeover.
The developers focused on feedback from the community. In accordance with user opinions, screws were tightened on the game world, which is available exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series XS and represents “an incredibly authentic way to immerse yourself in basketball culture”. At least if Erick Boenisch, Vice President NBA Development and Visual Concepts, is to be believed.
Shorter distances, busier environment
Fair enough, Boenisch has some arguments in his favour. For indeed, work has been done, for example, on the travel times of the Open World, in whose past version you often couldn’t save yourself lengthy routes.
In NBA 2K23, these are a thing of the past: fast travel stations have been distributed throughout the city in the form of underground stations. They are a little smaller, but also busier than before. If your own pro wants to set off for matches or a shopping trip in the MyCareer mode, which has also been retreaded, this is now much quicker.
Free throws between lava flows and knight’s armour
The diversity of the metropolis, on the other hand, will not be spared – quite the opposite. There will be four different districts in The City, all of which will shine with their own designs and inhabitants. The palette ranges from a jungle with a temple and a plane wreck in the south of the city to a volcanic beach landscape in the east and a vast canyon in the west to a medieval-like district in the north, which is adorned with a castle.
In all the districts you can assert your supremacy in the streets against resident players from the South City Vipers, Beasts of the East, Western Wildcats as well as North Side Knights. Several courts per district function as the playing field, which fit into the typical environment in each case.
No less important than respect on the streets is success on the official court. You strive for this in the arena of The City, which you can enter seamlessly through a player entrance. In addition to the possibility to collect plus points by wearing cool outfits in the media area before matches, there are also occasional quests in the changing rooms and, of course, post-game interviews.
City centre becomes online headquarters
Conquering the streets and excelling in the NBA, that would leave “The Block” to shoot more baskets. This refers to the city centre, which acts as a venue for online matchmaking. More precisely, this takes place in the theatre. In different team sizes, you can compete against other ballers at any time on various special courts in the design of Black Lives Matter or Kobe Bryant. In addition, there will be weekly changing events, which will be renewed every Friday.
But that’s not the end of it. For the much-heralded Jordan Challenges have also found their way into The City. In a specially created building, you can also travel back in time in the world of MyCAREER and replay iconic NBA moments. “Players who only buy the game for the career mode should not have to do without this,” Boenisch explained this decision in a presentation.
Legendary status not a foregone conclusion
Last but not least, the Event Centre, where the coveted Legend status can be earned, is located right next to the Challenge building. According to Boenisch, achieving this status will be more difficult again in NBA 2K23, with time-intensive objectives providing a long-term grind.
On the other hand, unique rewards will be waiting in the Event Centre, which will constantly adapt to the changing events: “I can hardly wait until someone receives the first Legend prize,” says Boenisch, who says there will be different prizes on the different console generations.
But until gamers earn these prizes, there will certainly be a ball or two in the baskets of the new game world of NBA 2K23, given the abundance of employment opportunities. You can chase the big glory from 9 September.
