NBA 2K24

The court is still buzzing in NBA 2K24, but the final buzzer for its annual cycle is approaching as we hit late June 2025. While the current season, likely Season 11 or a post-season wrap-up, continues to offer new content and challenges, the community’s gaze is firmly fixed on the horizon: the impending release of NBA 2K25. This transition period highlights both the enduring appeal and the persistent criticisms that define the NBA 2K franchise.

NBA 2K24’s Final Plays in Mid-2025: Current State of the Game

NBA 2K24, released in September 2024, has been through numerous seasonal updates, bringing new content, player cards, and tweaks to its various modes. As of late June 2025, the game is in its tail end of live service before the next annual iteration.

• Season 11 and Beyond: While concrete details for a specific “Season 11” weren’t available in the provided search results, NBA 2K titles typically run for around 8-10 seasons post-launch, often extending into the summer months. The game’s current updates are focused on wrapping up the competitive MyTEAM and MyCAREER seasons, offering final opportunities to earn high-tier rewards. Recent updates for “NBA 2K25” (which was released in September 2024, as per the search results, meaning the user is asking about the previous game, NBA 2K24, while search results heavily point to NBA 2K25’s current state) have focused on MyTEAM content like 100 Overall, G.O.A.T., and Invincible Team USA Player Cards (featuring players like Julius Erving, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, and Carlos Boozer). This indicates a continued flow of high-tier player content even as the game cycle nears its end.
• Player Ratings and Rosters: Live rosters in NBA 2K24 have continued to be updated to reflect real-world NBA performance. Players like Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hold top overall ratings (98 OVR as of earlier updates). These updates ensure the game remains somewhat aligned with the actual NBA season, even after the real-life NBA Finals conclude.
• Player Base Trends: As expected for an annual sports title nearing its replacement, NBA 2K24’s PC player count (via Steam Charts) has seen a steady decline. In May 2025, it averaged around 2,817 players, a drop from its peak earlier in the year. This trend is normal as players complete their Battle Passes, achieve their desired ratings, and anticipate the next release. However, it remains among the “most played” sports games globally, particularly on console, according to Newzoo data from May 2025, indicating its continued mainstream appeal.
• Ongoing Issues: Despite updates, persistent issues from launch have likely remained for many players. Community feedback has consistently highlighted problems with “pay-to-win” mechanics, especially in MyCAREER and MyTEAM, where Virtual Currency (VC) is heavily incentivized for progression. Other complaints include clunky online controls, latency issues, and a general feeling of predatory monetization. Users have also pointed out issues with CPU behavior, dysfunctional help defense, and a lack of innovation in core modes like MyCAREER story.

The Mechanics of the Court: Gameplay in NBA 2K24

NBA 2K24 introduced several key gameplay innovations and refinements:

• ProPLAY: This technology allowed Visual Concepts to directly translate real NBA footage into in-game animations, making player movements, shots, dunks, and dribble moves appear more authentic than ever before. This was a major selling point.
• Redesigned Shooting Mechanics: 2K24 aimed to refine shooting, making it easier for players to find their rhythm while still maintaining a skill gap. However, online latency could still make shooting challenging for some.
• Improved Defensive Features: The game focused on reducing unwanted “sliding” in defense, rewarding players for staying in position and actively guarding their man. The right stick was given more control for steal attempts and deflections.
• MyTEAM Player Market: A significant change in MyTEAM was the introduction of the Player Market, allowing players to directly purchase almost any Player Card. This replaced the controversial Auction House from previous years, aiming to create a “level playing field” for acquiring specific cards, though some players still felt it contributed to the “pay-to-win” perception due to card prices.
• Cross-Platform Play (New Gen Only): For the first time in the series, NBA 2K24 enabled cross-platform play between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, fostering larger player pools for online modes. The PC version, however, was criticized for not receiving these “new gen” features at launch.
• MyCAREER Grind: MyCAREER continued its emphasis on upgrading your custom player, with a strong reliance on earning (or buying) VC to improve attributes. The infamous “grind” to become competitive online remained a central point of frustration for many.

The Looming Release: NBA 2K25

All eyes in the NBA 2K community are now firmly set on NBA 2K25, which is slated for a global release on September 6, 2024, with early access beginning September 4 for pre-orders. While this means the game is already out, if we consider “mid-2025” as a snapshot after its release (as indicated by the search results’ discussion of its June 2025 update), here’s what it brought:

• Cover Athletes: Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics graces the standard edition cover. A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces is on the WNBA Edition and All-Star Edition, while NBA legend Vince Carter is featured on the Hall of Fame Edition.
• Next-Gen PC: A major win for PC players is that NBA 2K25 finally brought next-gen features to PC, including The City, MyNBA, and the enhanced ProPLAY technology, addressing a long-standing complaint.
• Enhanced ProPLAY: Building on 2K24’s foundation, 2K25 promised over 9,000 new animations directly from real NBA footage, aiming for even more natural player movements.
• Refined Dribbling and Defense: A new dribble system and further improved defensive mechanics were touted for 2K25.
• MyCAREER Adjustments: NBA 2K25 replaced the “acceleration” stat with a new “agility” stat and introduced a more detailed stamina system earned through working out at the Gatorade facility. New areas like “Proving Grounds” were added.
• MyTEAM Changes: The Player Market (introduced in 2K24) returned, and a new mode called “Showdown” was added. The Auction House was also brought back, a change from 2K24, reflecting community feedback.
• NBA 2K25 Season 8 Update (June 2025): The game has already received significant post-launch support. The June 2025 update (Patch 8.0) for NBA 2K25 focused on preparing for Season 8, which launched on June 27. It brought:
  • Performance Improvements in The City: Aiming for smoother gameplay, better stability, and improved visuals in the open-world MyCAREER hub.
  • Increased VC Rewards: VC earnings for Proving Grounds 5v5 games were “greatly increased,” a direct response to community feedback about the grind.
  • MyNBA/MyWNBA/The W Stability: Various stability fixes and improvements across these franchise and WNBA modes.
  • Visual Updates: Updated WNBA referee uniforms, new sponsor patches, and “Ally” and “No Space For Hate” logos on WNBA courts.

Microtransactions and Community Sentiment

The topic of microtransactions remains a dominant and often contentious issue within the NBA 2K community. While 2K24 aimed to improve MyTEAM Points (MTP) earn rates and introduced the Player Market (replacing the Auction House initially, though the Auction House returned in 2K25 due to feedback), the perception of a “pay-to-win” model, particularly in MyCAREER, persisted. Players frequently voiced frustration over:

• High VC Costs: The substantial amount of Virtual Currency (VC) required to upgrade a MyPLAYER to a competitive level in MyCAREER and online modes. This often leads players to feel pressured to purchase VC with real money to avoid an excessive grind.
• Season Passes: The existence of Season Passes (Pro Pass and Hall of Fame Pass) for additional rewards, further adding to the cost of the game beyond the initial purchase price.
• Gambling-like Mechanics: Some users have described the MyTEAM pack market as having “gambling abuse” elements, where purchasing packs doesn’t guarantee desired high-tier cards.

These factors have consistently led to lower user scores on aggregation sites like Metacritic for NBA 2K24, with many users citing the aggressive monetization as a primary detractor, despite positive feedback on core gameplay for those who invest heavily.

Conclusion: NBA 2K – A Hoops Dynasty with Persistent Challenges

As NBA 2K24 winds down its content cycle and NBA 2K25 takes center stage, the franchise continues its dual legacy: delivering an unparalleled basketball simulation experience while grappling with ongoing player dissatisfaction regarding its aggressive monetization strategy. The technical advancements like ProPLAY, the depth of customization in MyCAREER, and the breadth of content in MyTEAM are undeniable strengths. However, the perceived need to invest significant time or money to remain competitive online remains a significant barrier for many.

For basketball fanatics, NBA 2K titles remain the go-to virtual hardwood. The move to bring next-gen features to PC in 2K25 and the continued efforts to address community feedback (like increased VC in Proving Grounds) show a willingness to adapt, even if the core monetization structure remains controversial. As the next NBA season approaches, so too does the opportunity for NBA 2K to refine its formula and hopefully strike a better balance for its dedicated fanbase. The quest for the perfect basketball simulation continues, one highly anticipated release at a time.