The Latest NBA 2K20 Trailer Makes The Game Look Like A Virtual Casino, Not A Sports Title [UPDATE]
Were you hoping to get your money’s worth in NBA 2K20? You better keep your wallet in a secure safe.
2K Games have released a new trailer for the basketball experience, and it’s hardly trying to hide what the series has become. Front and center, it features slot machines, pachinko parlors, spinning wheels – all of which dispense rare in-game characters for the ‘My Team’ mode. Of course, it even has stock actors acting like lucky winners, and getting so happy that you’d think they’d won a small lottery.
[UPDATE] The original trailer from 2K Games was taken down – which you can read about over here. In the meantime, check it out a mirror of the original trailer below.
The series’ fans and detractors definitely took offense at this egregious display of the game’s gambling-esque mechanics. At the time of writing, the video has only 172 Likes, compared to 20,000 Dislikes. Twitter lit up with some scathing comments about the trailer as well – with even content creator Angry Joe slinging hellfire at 2K Games.
BOYCOTT THIS GAME! CANNOT BELIEVE HOW DISGUSTING THIS IS! THE HELL is the ESRB thinking?! THIS IS Glorified GAMBLING for CHILDREN! 3 yr old's+ Rated "E" for Everyone?! Now you've Gone too far @2K! Raise Awareness! It breaks the ESRB own rules! #Corrupt https://t.co/WXPaZa7mGp
— Joe Vargas (@AngryJoeShow) August 29, 2019
Take Two: Loot boxes aren't gambling.
Also Take Two: Hey kids! Check out our MyCasino trailer for NBA 2K20!https://t.co/4BZclpw5Oa
— bryan wiedey (@pastapadre) August 29, 2019
"Us at 2K Games disagree that our NBA 2K lootbox systems are at all like gambling. Anyways, here's a fucking slot machine!" pic.twitter.com/Brdi47vDCO
— 🦢 AC Black★J0ck Shooter 🦄🐉 (@ACBlackJ0ck) August 28, 2019
This is the worst thing I've ever seen. pic.twitter.com/wxOuMzx4GB
— LonelyGoomba (@LonelyGoomba) August 28, 2019
According to you guys, any game with gambling with currency must be rated Adults Only. How is NBA 2K20 rated E when it literally simulates a casino where you can spend real money. pic.twitter.com/yHD9fnsjhe
— Solero man (@NateSolero) August 29, 2019
At the very least, the backlash here is justified: it’s true that these gambling mechanics will pose a large risk for younger gamers. There have been numerous cases of children emptying their parents’ banks due to microtransacations in games – and many don’t expect NBA 2K20 to be an exception.
In any case, NBA 2K20 launches for Nintendo Switch on 6 September 2019. Vote with your wallet then.
