NBA 2K14 is a basketballvideo game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. The fifteenth installment in the series, it was released on October 1, 2013, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One versions were released on the consoles' respective launch dates. LeBron James of the Miami Heat became the cover athlete, and also served as the music curator for the game. 2K Sports also released the DLC pack that as a bonus for pre-ordering the game, they would receive 10,000 VC, bonus content for "Path to Greatness" mode, adding James in the Blacktop mode and a signature skill for MyCareer mode. On August 14, 2013, 2K Sports announced that Crew Mode would return to this year's installment of NBA 2K. NBA 2K14 is the successor to NBA 2K13 and was succeeded by NBA 2K15 in the NBA 2K series.
Development
On July 2, 2013; 2K Sports and EuroLeague signed an exclusive multi-year deal to include teams in the game. This marks the first time EuroLeague teams have appeared in the NBA 2K series, similar to EA's NBA Live series, which included FIBA teams and also the U.S. national basketball team found in 2K13, beginning with Live 08 and ending with Live 10.
LeBron James Soundtrack
NBA 2K14 features soundtrack hand-picked by LeBron James. "2K is letting me take control of some important elements in NBA 2K14, including this year's soundtrack," James said in a statement. "I love that I'm the first NBA 2K cover athlete to choose the soundtrack."
NBA 2K 14 received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregatorMetacritic. Ryan McCaffrey of IGN rated the game a 9.3 praising the gameplay saying, "With just enough new features, and tighter-than-ever gameplay, NBA 2K14 tops its predecessors and competitors... again". Tom McShea of GameSpot rated the game an 8.0 praising the game as well but criticizing designing of the game. USA Todays Brett Molina rated the game 3.5 out of 4 stars, noting that the game's new dribble and shoot mechanics may be simpler to newcomers, but frustrating to veteran gamers. Shortly after release, the game was the best-selling sports game on 8th-consoles.
Additions and changes
As well as the aforementioned new soundtrack and inclusion of EuroLeague teams, several new changes have been made since 2K13:
"LeBron: Path to Greatness" mode, which is not found on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game, is reminiscent of a cut-down version of NBA 2K11s Jordan Challenge, where players get to control LeBron James' career as they attempt to win multiple rings.
New signature skills, including an exclusive pre-order "LeBron Coast to Coast" skill, One Man Fastbreak, Pick Dodger, Tenacious Rebounder, Flashy Passer, Screen Outlet/Pick & Roll Maestro. a new way of passing by holding a trigger and pressing a control stick in the direction the playerwant to pass.
The "potential" stat is now limited and restricts the overall level a player can grow to, rather than increasing as the player improves. This seems like a minor change but it has severely limited the amount by which players' stats can improve in Association Mode.
A new "Training Camp" mode, which is there to guide players to master the new controls.
Training Drills now have their own menu in My Career mode, meaning players don't have to return to the main menu to do multiple training sessions.
Always Online DRM added in patch requiring users to be connected to 2K servers to play MyCareer and MyGM modes. However the patch is only available on the PS4 and the Xbox One versions of the game and not on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC versions of the game.
