NBA 2K24’s MyCareer is all about freedom, 2K’s VP of NBA development Erick Boenisch tells GLHF. Fans pointed out how choppy and disconnected the sports game’s mode was in previous years, when you were limited to a set number of games before having to run around and do a bunch of stuff you probably weren’t interested in. Boenisch says that this time, you have the flexibility to do pretty much whatever you want.
Quests and other activities still have a role to play and come with worthwhile rewards, but they’re entirely optional now. You can do them if and when you feel like it, or just ignore them completely. You can grind in the arena, run around to level up stats, or just play games the whole time.
“If you just wanna hoop, you’re gonna hoop all you want to,” Boenisch says.
2K and Visual Concepts also trimmed how long it takes to finish a career. You play as the most promising generational prospect in years who’s determined to unseat the reigning champ, Michael Jordan, and become the best player ever.
That career unfolds across hundreds of games and several years, but NBA 2K24 adds a simulation system so you don’t have to actually play them all. You still have to play key games and playoff matches, but you can let the system take care of ones you’re not interested in or don’t have time to play.
The simulator analyzes how you played in previous games and uses that data to predict what would have happened if you played the match yourself. If you’ve been on a losing streak, for example, don’t expect the simulated match to play out any differently.
NBA 2K24 launches for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC on Sep. 8, 2023. If you’re looking for more about the upcoming game, check out our coverage of its new features, the Mamba Moments mode, and how WNBA has changed this time.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
