Neighborhood Event Ends, Kicked from Rec Game

[Andrew]

So there I was, actually having an enjoyable game in The Rec. I had good teammates, the game wasn't feeling too bad on the sticks despite the assorted quirks and legacy issues, and then...

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The 2x MyREP in The Rec event ends mid-game, and so I'm kicked from the game. Goodbye VC, goodbye Badge progress.

Look, I understand that there were difficulties in developing the game, given the current pandemic and all. They were in a tough spot releasing at the usual time when the 2020 season isn't over due to the stoppage and restart, and yes, it's Current Gen, so it's not going to be the focus. I think we can all appreciate that.

However, bugs like this are inexcusably sloppy. By all means don't grant the 2x MyREP if the event ends while we're in the middle of a game, but to interrupt the game with the end of the event? That is terrible design. I don't recall it being an issue in NBA 2K20, unless I was particularly fortunate with the timing of those events. From memory though, I'd get the "event has ended" splash screen after finishing a game. And even if that issue was present last year and I was lucky enough not to get hit by it, it's a major legacy issue that should've been resolved. Stuff like that should be a much higher priority than adding a questionable new shooting mechanic, or redesigning The Neighborhood. What good is any of that if we can't finish games because of sloppy issues like this?

Honestly, I'm not filled with confidence for Next Gen. Yes, it's being built from the ground up and is getting a lot more focus than Current Gen, but the same design principles are going to be used; it's still going to be an NBA 2K game. We've already seen legacy issues persist through multiple generations and changes in engine/tech. In the meantime, I have to say that I feel completely discouraged from playing NBA 2K21 Current Gen, on PC and PlayStation 4. I wasn't expecting an overhaul, but I was expecting a certain level of polish and competence. We didn't even get that. I get the feeling that this is a year to skip NBA 2K, regardless of platform. Perhaps Next Gen will turn out better, but at this point, I'm not optimistic about that at all.

[rickberge]

I expect next gen to be a bug fest infested game. I mean patches among patches. I believe they are just doing whatever they can to get the game out (money) and use patching as a means of fixing the game if they want to.

When 2k went next gen in 2014, Im trying to think was the game bare-bones? Can't recall if there were a lot of kinks with it.

But yea I agree. Thats why I'm sticking with 2k20 until 2k22 comes out. I bought 2k21 but it just doesn't play right to me for some reason. Maybe after we get some patches (the way its going hell we might not get any for PC) and new mods itll grow on me, but I can't vibe with it now.

[Andrew]

NBA 2K14 on PS4/X1 was definitely lacking in depth. Fortunately, the prior gen version of NBA 2K14 was still a good all-around game with familiar features and solid gameplay, which is why the PC version still has an active modding scene all these years later. Sadly, NBA 2K21 didn't turn out that way.

I know what you mean about NBA 2K21 just not feeling right. It doesn't help that it launched while the 2020 season restart is still underway, but it goes beyond that.