NBA 2K13

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NBA 2K13
Nba2k13box.jpg
NBA 2K13 cover featuring Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose, along with "Executive Produced by JAY Z" branding.
Developer(s) Visual Concepts
Publisher(s) 2K Sports
Series NBA 2K
Platform(s) Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation Portable, Wii, Wii U, Windows, iOS, Android
Release date(s) PC, PS3, 360, PSP, Wii
October 2nd 2012
Wii U
November 18th, 2012
System requirements Minimum:
  • Windows XP/Vista/7
  • 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 or equivalent
  • 512 MB RAM
  • 8 GB free hard drive space
  • 128 MB video card with DirectX 9.0c driver
  • 8x or faster DVD-ROM Drive
  • Sound card with DirectX 9.0c compatible driver
  • Dual Analog GamePad (Recommended)

NBA 2K13 is an NBA basketball video game by 2K Sports. It is the fourteenth installment in the NBA 2K series and was released on October 2nd 2012 for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation Portable, Wii and PC, with the Wii U version being released on November 18th 2012 upon the launch of the console. Mobile versions are also available for iOS and Android devices. It is the direct sequel to NBA 2K12 and was followed by NBA 2K14 in 2013. Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, and Blake Griffin appeared together on the cover.

Features[edit]

Key features of NBA 2K13 include the new Control Stick, enhanced MyCAREER mode, Signature Skills, Shoe Creator, MyTEAM and the return of several classic teams. NBA 2K13 also features Kinect support for the Xbox 360 version of the game and several Wii U exclusive features, being one of the launch titles for the console.

Development[edit]

NBA 2K13 is a sim-oriented basketball video game, retaining staples of the NBA 2K series such as Association Mode, MyCAREER (formerly branded My Player), the Shot Stick and Isomotion control. It features historical content that was introduced in NBA 2K12, however with the league's labour issues now resolved, the focus has returned to current NBA. The game also introduces new dribbling controls on the right stick, not completely unlike the dribbling controls utilised in the NBA Live series.

2K Sports' Community Manager Ronnie 2K began reaching out to several celebrities during early 2012, suggesting that they will be available as special hidden players or at least involved in the promotion of the game. On March 1st 2012, several sources including Forbes.com confirmed that Justin Bieber had provided motion capture and would be included in the game, where he is joined by other celebrities on a special team. Early on, Austin Rivers and Dion Waiters were revealed to be two of the players providing motion capture in NBA 2K13. In May 2012, the development team also sought feedback for the upcoming game via Twitter, inviting users to Tweet their ideas with the hashtag #IdeasforNBA2K13.

Following the game's demonstration at E3 2012, the earliest improvements hinted at for NBA 2K13 included smoother transitions into ambient animations (such as player celebrations), simplified controls that were more user-friendly for less experienced players, fluid player movement and better parity between offensive and defensive players. Passing was also mentioned as an area where NBA 2K13 endeavours to improve upon its predecessors.

2K Sports would reveal information on the game throughout the Summer of 2012 via video Developer Insights, which not only talked about some of the new features and improvements but also showed them in action. Key features of NBA 2K13 include the re-branding of My Player to MyCAREER and its expansion including a virtual Twitter interface, the new right stick dribbling controls, the addition of the Shoe Creator and various other enhancements and fixes for both gameplay and game modes, both online and offline. NBA 2K13 also introduces Virtual Currency for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game, which can be used in-game to purchase Player upgrades in MyCAREER. It can be earned through in-game tasks and also purchased through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.

In addition to carrying over the historical teams from NBA 2K12, albeit minus a few players whose likeness rights 2K Sports were unable to secure, NBA 2K13 also includes the complete 1992 and 2012 USA basketball teams.

Cover Player[edit]

On June 20th 2012, 2K Sports began a social media campaign to uncover clues for the NBA 2K13 cover, encouraging fans to Tweet #UncoverNBA2K to gradually reveal a teaser image. The teaser image was ultimately revealed early and was shown to feature two blue griffins, several red roses, a gold tarantula and the Brooklyn Bridge. The first three clues were speculated to represent Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant respectively, while the Brooklyn Bridge was assumed to represent Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony or Deron Williams.

On June 26th the cover art was officially unveiled, revealing that Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose would indeed be appearing together on the NBA 2K13 cover. It was originally speculated that the Brooklyn Bridge was a hint that Michael Jordan would continue to have a presence in this year's game and while Michael Jordan is featured on several of the historical teams, it can be assumed that the Brooklyn Bridge was in fact a nod towards Jay Z's involvement as an executive producer (see below).

All-Star Weekend Pre-Order Bonus Content[edit]

On May 29th 2012, it was revealed that gamers who pre-order NBA 2K13 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 will receive bonus content in the form of the NBA All-Star Weekend, including the All-Star Game, Rookie Challenge, Slam Dunk Contest and Three Point Shootout. The content will not be available for any other version of the game. The news has been met with mixed reactions, with many gamers expressing frustration that a much-desired feature will not be available across all platforms and available only to those who pre-order.

On January 8th 2013, the All-Star Weekend was made available as downloadable content through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network, at a cost of 400 Microsoft Points or $4.99, ending speculation that it would become available to everyone as DLC some time after the game's release.

Dynasty Edition[edit]

On June 28th 2012, 2K Sports announced a special "Dynasty Edition" of NBA 2K13 to be released the same day as the standalone game, at a cost of $99.99. The Dynasty Edition includes a copy of the game, the All-Star Weekend pre-order content, an NBA 2K13 themed full-sized basketball from Spalding and Art of Basketball, 2K Sports themed Ink'd earbuds from Skullcandy and an NBA 2K13 basketball textured controller skin from Skinit.

Jay Z's Involvement[edit]

On July 30th 2012, the official Twitter account and Facebook page of rapper Shawn "Jay Z" Carter leaked a teaser video narrated by Michael Jordan, which referred to the game as being "executive produced by Jay Z". On July 31st, 2K Sports officially confirmed Jay Z as an executive producer on NBA 2K13, revealing that he handpicked all of the songs on the soundtrack and worked closely with the development team on various "cultural" elements of the game, as well as presentation. The full 24 song soundtrack, featuring six songs by Jay Z, was revealed at the same time.

Jay Z is also credited with the idea of including the original 1992 USA Dream Team and 2012 Team USA in NBA 2K13. Both teams are included in their entirety, though Scottie Pippen was originally left off the Dream Team's roster when 2K Sports were unable to secure his likeness rights. Pippen and 2K subsequently came to an agreement which allowed him to appear on the Dream Team's roster, in addition to the historical Chicago Bulls teams.

Companion App & Facebook Game[edit]

2K Sports released a free companion app for NBA 2K13, MyNBA2K, for iOS and Android devices. The app can be linked to a MyCAREER game in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of NBA 2K13, with users being able to take part in several mini-games to earn Virtual Currency and ratings boosts for their player.

A Facebook game, NBA 2K: MyLIFE, was also launched shortly after the game was released. It can also be connected to a user's MyCAREER game (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 only) and can be used to earn VC and boost player attributes.

Reception[edit]

NBA 2K13 has received mostly positive reviews from fans and the gaming media alike. The PlayStation 3 version holds a score of 90 on Metacritic while the Xbox 360 version has garned a score of 88. The gameplay has been praised for its realism and controls, though some fans have expressed a dislike of the new controls and frustration with some of the game's bugs. The PC version has also been criticised for lacking various features present in the console versions.

Links[edit]

NBA 2K13 Logo






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