Skip to main content

Believe it or not, actual athletic talent won’t help you in NBA 2K15

believe actual athletic talent wont help nba 2k15 uncensored
Image used with permission by copyright holder
So it turns out that all-star-caliber athletic talent in a particular sport doesn’t translate to video game success in simulations of that sport. Who knew?!

The dirty truth spilled out when NBA all-stars Kevin Durant, James Harden, Steph Curry, and Anthony Davis sat down on August 19 to chat with sportscaster Ernie Johnson about professional sports, pop culture, and yes, even video games. It was all part of 2K Sports’ NBA 2K15 Uncensored event, meant to hype fans up for both the coming NBA season and the October 7 release of developer Visual Concepts’ NBA 2K15.

Recommended Videos

Related: Listen to Pharrell’s full soundtrack for NBA 2K15

“When you’re playing the game, who do you enjoy being the [most]?” Johnson asked. “Like, when you play, do you go, ‘I want to be Steph Curry because I want to shoot like Steph tonight’?”

Durant’s deadpan response led to a round of agreement, even from Curry himself. “The crazy thing is, I can’t shoot with Steph. I can’t play well… he’s terrible in the game.”

Even better? Curry agreed! “I can’t even figure out my own jump [shot],” he said.

Imagine for a second how that feels. You’re Steph Curry. You just picked up NBA 2K15 and you’ve fired up an exhibition match pitting your own Golden State Warriors against the L.A. Lakers. Virtual Steph Curry gets the ball in the final seconds of a close game… and real-life Steph Curry fumbles the controls, resulting in a loss.

That’s got to be a pretty low moment, right? It’s the kind of thing you repress and don’t talk about until you’re in a shrink’s office 20 years later.

Adam Rosenberg
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…
WWE 2K23 improves the wrestling sim with subtle tweaks and a bit of chaos
Steve Austin in WWE 2K23.

I’m deep into a WarGames match when I find myself locked in a battle with the fearsome Rhea Ripley. Due to the unique structure of the match, where two rings sit side by side surrounded by a cage, I’ve broken off into a one-on-one match on the right side of the cage. I’m so locked into the action that I don’t notice that my teammates are getting demolished on the other side, with Charlotte Flair and Bayley having constructed an ungodly mess of tables. I sprint across the ring, hop into the other one, and even the odds. The sequence ends with me slamming Charlotte through her own table, giving me the kind of hero moment I’d pop for in a real wrestling match.

The WWE 2K series hinges on moments like this, letting wrestling fans live out their wildest fantasies without having to worry about tearing a pec. This year’s edition, WWE 2K23, looks to continue that streak by adding WarGames, a creative spin on its signature Showcase mode, as well as by making a whole bunch of tweaks to smooth out the series’ bumps. There’s essentially one goal here: eliminate any remaining ring rust from the disastrous WWE 2K20.

Read more
WWE 2K23 brings the pain with John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Bad Bunny
John Cena stands on a ramp in WWE 2K23.

Publisher 2K Games revealed the first details of WWE 2K23, the next installment of its long-running wrestling simulator. This year's game will focus on John Cena, who will grace both the game's cover and it's signature Showcase mode. The 2023 edition will add new a unique new match type too: WarGames.

WWE 2K23 gets the wrestling series back into annualization mode after 2K Games took two years off between WWE 2K20 and 2K22. This year's edition will come to PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and PS5 on March 17, retailing for $60 on last-generation consoles and $70 on PC, PS5, and Series X/S. Those who buy its $100 Deluxe and $120 Icon Edition will get early access starting on March 14.

Read more
NBA 2K23 will deliver better AI players, new badges, and a slew of new advanced player controls
Devin Booker in NBA 2K23.

NBA 2K23 is set to release on September 9, 2022, and 2K developers are starting to publically talk about big changes coming to the premier basketball simulator, and major improvements coming in the next installment. Notable improvements coming to this year's NBA 2K include an upgraded Pro Stick that will allow players to pull off more flashy dribble moves and emphatic dunks than ever before, more advanced AI teams that will react to your playstyle like real NBA teams, a new tiered badge system, and, of course, the option to hang on the rim post-dunk whenever you'd like.

"NBA 2K23 is nearly here and it features gameplay enhancements that elevate the competitive intensity in all facets. The main pillar for us this year can be summed up with one word: Authenticity," reads a release from the development team.

Read more