Posted 29 October 2024 - 15:35 pm
NBA 2K25 Patch 2.0: What You Need to Know About the Latest Adjustments and Issues
The NBA 2K franchise has become a household name in the world of sports video games, and with each new iteration, fans anticipate exciting gameplay improvements, new features, and of course, the dreaded patches that follow. NBA 2K25 has been no different, with the game hitting the virtual courts with Patch 2.0, causing quite a stir among its fanbase. From gameplay adjustments to player complaints, this patch has had a mixed reception. Let's dive deep into the changes, the issues, and how players are adapting to the new landscape of 2K25.
The Gameplay Adjustments: Shooting and Dunking Nerfs
One of the most noticeable changes with Patch 2.0 is how players now have to approach both shooting and dunking. The era of laissez-faire defense on the perimeter seems to be over, with many players realizing that they now have to jump at virtually anyone with a decent shooting percentage. If someone has the capability to hit the three-ball, defenders can’t afford to sag off. Instead, they need to contest every shot vigorously, or risk the opponent going on a hot streak.
However, the more contentious aspect of this patch is the dunking nerf. Dunking has always been a thrilling part of the NBA 2K experience, a way for players to assert their dominance over their virtual opponents. Yet, many players are reporting that they’re now being hit out of dunk animations, regardless of the defender's size. Whether it’s a guard or a center contesting the dunk, players are experiencing the frustration of being stopped mid-animation. This is causing a lot of frustration, as dunks that would have been automatic before are now contested by seemingly any defender.
Players like Brutal Sim, a well-known figure in the 2K community, have voiced their concerns, asking others if they are experiencing the same issues. It seems that the dunking nerf isn't necessarily about the dunk meter, but more about the ease with which opponents can disrupt dunk animations, turning what used to be an exciting moment into a gamble of success. The hope is that 2K will address this in future patches, as it has dramatically shifted how players view in-game finishing.
Severe Issues: Possessed MyPlayer Glitches
While the dunking nerf has been a hot topic, a far more severe issue has emerged that has players up in arms. The “possessed MyPlayer glitch” is back, and it's causing major frustrations across the community. This glitch essentially sees the player losing control of their MyPlayer mid-game, as if the player character has been taken over by the game’s AI. This bug has become so notorious that it’s even got big-name players, like Laker Fan, taking to social media to share their frustration.
Laker Fan’s clip shows him attempting to move his MyPlayer but being unable to. Despite repeatedly flicking his stick and pressing multiple buttons, nothing happens. The player is stuck, unable to move, while the AI takes over control, making erratic movements. Even after unplugging and plugging back in his controller, the problem persisted, leaving him helpless on the court. The issue is more than just an annoyance, as players are removed from games for inactivity after being locked in this state, often resulting in unnecessary losses.
This isn’t a new issue either. Brutal Sim recalls experiencing the same bug during last year’s patch cycle, noting that it often crops up after 2K’s first major patch of the year. While developers have been made aware of it in the past, the fact that it’s resurfaced in 2K25 post-Patch 2.0 suggests that it’s a recurring issue that’s yet to be fully resolved. Many players, including Deontay Warren, have voiced their concerns on social media, highlighting how such a major bug detracts from the overall experience. For competitive players, losing control of their MyPlayer can be devastating, especially when it results in unnecessary losses or being booted from games for inactivity.
Rhythm Shooting: From Consistency to Chaos
Rhythm shooting is another area where Patch 2.0 has introduced significant changes—much to the chagrin of players who had previously mastered the system. Rhythm shooting, which allows players to time their shot release through flicking the stick up and down, was a fan favorite for those looking for a more skill-based shooting mechanic. However, since the patch, players are reporting severe inconsistencies in how rhythm shooting registers.
Many players have noted that rhythm shooting no longer feels as responsive as it once did. The flicking up motion, which is integral to rhythm shooting, isn’t always registering. In some cases, it’s only recognizing the pull-down of the stick, leading to missed shots even when the player's timing is perfect. This has frustrated many who have built their gameplay style around this mechanic, leading some to revert to button shooting, which, post-patch, seems to be more forgiving.
On Twitter, user NBA 2K Central shared their frustrations, echoing a sentiment that has been growing within the community: rhythm shooting feels broken. Players who had no issues greening shots pre-patch are now struggling with timing issues, leading to inconsistent results on open shots. The complaints aren’t limited to a few isolated players either, with multiple users across the community voicing their displeasure at the current state of rhythm shooting.
The VC Grind: A Subtle Nerf
Patch 2.0 also quietly nerfed the ability to grind VC effectively. Pre-patch, players could score around 25 points in the second half of a game and simulate out, which allowed them to earn VC efficiently. However, after Patch 2.0, 2K has removed this feature, forcing players to grind through games to earn their VC at a slower rate. This isn’t the first time 2K has targeted VC earning methods, and it likely won’t be the last. The game’s microtransaction system has been a point of contention for years, and any method that allows players to earn VC without spending real money is often patched quickly.
Brutal Sim touched on this as well, advising players to take advantage of efficient VC grinding methods as soon as they become aware of them, as 2K is quick to shut down any technique that might reduce the need for microtransactions. For players trying to build their MyPlayer or earn enough VC for new attributes, this change makes the grind even more tedious, further pushing players toward purchasing VC with real money.
Proving Ground Glitches: Quitting to Keep Rank
One of the more bizarre exploits that has returned with Patch 2.0 involves the Proving Ground, where players can quit out of games while retaining their rank. This exploit is allowing some players to stay at the top of the leaderboards with abysmal win percentages. As highlighted by ja page, the number one player in Proving Grounds has a win percentage of just 46.1%, indicating that they’ve been quitting out of games to avoid losses. This has sparked outrage among the community, as it undermines the competitive integrity of the mode.
While some players, like Brutal Sim, are enjoying this glitch because it often pairs them with less-skilled opponents, many are calling for 2K to patch this exploit to preserve the competitiveness of Proving Grounds. However, until it’s fixed, it’s likely that players will continue to exploit the system, leading to lopsided matchups and an unfair ranking system.
Conclusion: A Mixed Bag
Patch 2.0 for NBA 2K25 has introduced a host of changes, some welcomed and others not so much. While the gameplay adjustments, such as the shooting and dunking nerfs, have shifted the meta, the return of major bugs like the "possessed MyPlayer" glitch and the inconsistency of rhythm shooting have caused frustration among the player base. Add to that the subtle VC grind nerf and Proving Ground exploits, and it's clear that Patch 2.0 is far from perfect.
As the community continues to voice its concerns, it's up to the developers to address these issues in future updates. Whether you're a casual player or a competitive grinder, adapting to these changes will be key as 2K25 continues to evolve.
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