What We Know About NBA 2K25 So Far
The annual release of NBA 2K is something I always look forward to, even if I feel like the series has lost its way in recent years. The gameplay itself has always been top-notch, it is the systems around the gameplay that I have concerns with. That said, I still want to play the game every year so I look for any information I can in the lead up to release. With that in mind, I have put together everything we know about NBA 2K25 so far.
Cover Stars
The cover star is always a coveted position for each release of NBA 2K and this year it is hard to argue with the pedigree of player taking on the role. First up we have 5-time All-Star, NBA Champion and my son’s favourite player Jayson Tatum gracing the standard edition cover. On the All-Star edition of NBA 2K25, Jayson is joined by two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson. A’ja will also star by herself on the cover of the WNBA edition. Finally, on the (likely very expensive) Hall of Fame Edition we have a dead-set gun and one of my favourite players to watch from my younger days, Vince Carter. In all, I feel like the cover star selection this year is great, bringing new faces, instead of just rolling out the old favs like Jordan, Le Bron and Steph.
Gameplay
Gameplay changes are important, especially for long-time players so it is always interesting to see what is being tweaked and improved. In a recent press release, the team at 2K outlined the following enhancements to gameplay for the current gen versions of the game, which finally includes the PC version thank god.
Gameplay innovations featured in NBA 2K25 for PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S & PC include:
- Gameplay, Powered by ProPLAY: 9,000 new ProPLAY™ animations have been added to NBA 2K25 pulling from real-world NBA footage to seamlessly translate actual NBA moments into authentic gameplay. Featuring 1,500 dribbling animations, 1,100 signature shot animations from most rostered players from the 2023-24 NBA season, and more than 1,300 new off-the-ball animations, including 150 new signature motion styles, NBA 2K25 delivers the most realistic gameplay to-date.
- All-New Dribble Engine: NBA 2K25 features one of the biggest changes to gameplay in years with an all-new dribble engine powered by ProPLAY™. Now, with the power of ProPLAY™, NBA 2K25‘s dribble engine generates dynamic motion from real-world NBA footage to create a new and more authentic feel. This update means players will experience a more lifelike movement that is one-to-one with how NBA players dribble in real life.
- Offensive Innovations: Creativity, personalisation, freedom, and accessibility are the cornerstones of NBA 2K25 offensive updates, catering to both newcomers and experts alike. Features like Pro Stick Rhythm Shooting, Custom Visual Cues and Shot Timing Profiles give players the ultimate customisation over how they shoot the ball as they balance the risk-versus-reward of their choices. Other updates include a new Shot Canceling feature that allows players to break out of any advanced shot at any time to transition into other moves. We’ve also taken last year’s Dribble Breakdowns a step further with Signature Go-To Shots which features dribble-into-shot combos, directly translated from NBA footage – another feature Powered by ProPLAY™.
- Defense Wins Championships: NBA 2K25 features a brand-new defensive cutoff system that empowers defensive-minded players. Dynamically change direction using the right stick to control a player and quickly slide laterally into position to cut off an offensive player’s attack. The Contest System received significant changes and now uses a dynamic weighting system, rather than a fixed one, that evaluates the impact of defense at the start of the shot versus the release and computes the proper coverage impact accordingly.
- AI Gameplay: AI gameplay has been improved across all platforms to play a more complementary role with updates to Court Spacing, Offense, Defense, Coaching, and the AI Difficulty to elevate the overall experience.
- Learn 2K: NBA 2K25 features a new Learn 2K mode that lets players learn everything from the basic mechanics of 2K all the way through how to execute the most advanced moves. Whether players want to try out the new Rhythm Shooting, learn the hundreds of moves, play mini-games, run drills, or work through practice scenarios, Learn 2K is an educational tool built to make NBA 2K25 more accessible for all.
My Player and My Career
Probably the most important part of the game for me, the My Career mode is where I spend the majority of my time in NBA 2K. This is where, in recent years, I feel 2K has dropped the ball, focusing less and less on the actual basketball and more on the culture that surrounds it. While the information released so far doesn’t go into the career mode as such, it does outline some key improvements to the My Player tools and systems that seem to be wise.
- MyPLAYER Builder: The NBA 2K25 MyPLAYER Builder caters to all different playstyles and strategic preferences with a myriad of new possible archetypes to create. NBA 2K25 offers access to more information on a player’s Build than ever before. Dig deeper with the opportunity to preview all assets a Build now qualifies for, including Badges, Takeovers, and Signature Animations as well as customisation options like jump shot and dunk packages. Players can leverage the Build Tester and participate in 3v3, 5v5 or the new Freestyle practice option to preview and tinker with their new Build.
- A Brand-New Takeover System: NBA 2K25 introduces a brand new Takeover system, with 72 Takeovers and 14 Takeover Abilities. Each Takeover targets different attributes and has five levels, ranging from Level 1 when a player is heating up to Level 5 when they’re red hot. As players excel on the court, the Takeover Meter fills up, gradually boosting the targeted attributes as players rise up the five levels. Once a player reaches Level 5, their Takeover Abilities will turn on automatically and if used effectively, it can make them the most dominant player on the court for a short period of time.
- Improved Badges: Badges in NBA 2K25 are more impactful and all-encompassing than ever before. With the list refined to 40 Badges, each one now feels equally valuable and desirable. Badge progression is designed to match a player’s on-court actions – the more a player uses a Badge the faster it will progress. NBA 2K25 will introduce a new level of Badges higher than Hall of Fame called Legend. Also new this year are Badge Elevators that can boost individual badges to higher levels and Cap Breakers to increase attribute ratings above max potential “caps” set at build creation. Badge Perks and Performance Multipliers will also receive updated perks.
- Heart of a Dynasty. MyCAREER in NBA 2K25 is all about building the next great dynasty. Ranked against the best dynasties in NBA history, players will vie to make deep playoff runs and win championships in order to climb the Dynasty Rankings and etch their legacy above the best. Before winning it all, players can lay the foundation of their career and relive their MyPLAYER’s journey to the NBA from high school to FIBA games in a new flashback story called Heart of a Dynasty. Finally, Key Games are back and upgraded to give players more choice and control over how they progress through their MyPLAYER’s career.
MyNBA and MyGM
This is where some genuinely exciting things are happening. The main draw for me is the new showcase focused on Steph Curry. It seems to be similar to what NBA 2K has done in the past with players like Jordan and Kobe and what pops up in WWE 2K every year. Players will get the chance to follow Steph’s career and play key matches, trying to recreate his undeniable impact on Basketball. The My GM mode is also getting a range of boosts an improvements that should improve things greatly. The full list of additions are below.
MyGM
- Full NBA General Manager Experience: MyGM arrives on New Gen for the first time enabling players to take on the role as an NBA Team’s General Manager. Redesigned into a dynamic role-playing franchise experience, players start by choosing their own GM backstory to define their managerial style. From an Ex-Player transitioning to the front office, a Previous Scout, Savant of Finance, or a Closer among others, each backstory will determine initial attributes and baseline boosts leading to different playstyles for running a franchise.
- Dynamic Conversations & Goals: A core part of MyGM is conversations with staff and players to manage everyone’s needs and help execute a player’s Goals. In NBA 2K25, MyGM introduces dynamic conversations for a highly customisable experience – these simplified yet meaningful interactions significantly affect a player’s team trajectory and outcomes. Backstory and attribute ratings can come into play during these conversations and unlock more paths by determining the dialogue choices available to respond in a way that best satisfies a player’s goals.
- MyGM Building: Brand new is the MyGM Building, a free-roaming space where players can take control of their MyGM to carry out responsibilities as the brains of the team. Engage in in-person conversations with staff members or the Governor for a more authentic feel.
- Perk System: NBA 2K25 introduces a new perk system that allows players to unlock perks with extra capabilities that help increase GM skills upon achieving goals. Take advantage of an initial set of 55 Perks in MyGM starting at launch, from Winning Culture to Data Analyst, that offer a boost to specific areas of a player’s GM skills, both on and off the court.
MyNBA
- The Steph Era: Eras in MyNBA take players back in time to start their league during the greatest periods of NBA history. In NBA 2K25, players can now begin their journey in 2016 and immerse themselves with Stephen Curry and the Warriors. Relive the legendary run alongside superstar teammates Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant or attempt to rewrite history by challenging one of the greatest dynasties ever assembled in professional basketball.
- NBA Cup: The Emirates NBA Cup features more integrations in MyNBA with competitive group stage play and intense single-elimination knockout rounds to test a team’s depth and resilience.
- League Expansions and Contractions: Expansions and contractions have been adjusted within the game, giving players full control over how they shape their team and the league over time. Whether it’s recreating the league’s expansion boom in the 80s and 90s or dramatically increasing (or decreasing) the size of the league in the Modern Era, this unlocks more possibilities to customise the MyNBA experience.
So there you have it folks, a whole bunch to look forward to for NBA 2K fans. I am keen to see how it all plays out and if the game can move away from the things that have upset so many players in recent seasons. We will all find out for sure when NBA 2K25 is released on the 4th of September.
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