By Max Phillips If you enjoy spending your time on the blacktop, the hardwood, or shopping in the Neighborhood, then NBA 2k20 is the game for you. But this is not just a game, it is a lifestyle. Ballers are known as much for their individual fashion style as they are for their moves on the court. Creators claim that its “next level features are the closest thing to actually playing in the league.” The game begins in the My Career mode where an athlete is created, and a legend is born. Throughout this process, there is a wide range of physical attributes that are able to be changed, ranging from hair style and eye width to customizable style preferences such as tattoos and accessories. Once Che, the game’s star player, is created, the audience is transported into the stands of the Bay City championship game, where the skills and empathy of Che are first tested. Shortly after coming out of the game, Che watches as his teammate and best friend suffers a knee injury as a result of a cheap shot by the other team. Che is devastated when his friend returns to the locker room after undergoing surgery and informs the team that the coach has revoked his scholarship. This is the first time that the created player’s character is demonstrated. He takes a stand for his friend by not dressing for the big game. This choice leads to a lot of scrutiny and problems for the star athlete. Che eventually decides to drop out of college and return home when hearing word about his mother’s health complications. I believe that this can create a feeling empathy in those who have witnessed a teammate being injured or had to go through other hardships similar to the poor health of a loved one or dropping out of college. By creating this emotional connection, it reaches out into the player; therefore, investing them deeper into the game. Leading the controller through a whirlwind of scenarios, the storyline continues with Che finishing college and leading up to his NBA debut. The game reinforces the adage that hard work and determination are the only ways to rise up through the ranks to become a basketball superstar. One of the most enthralling features of the game is the Neighborhood. Within this hub, players customize fashionable kicks and outfits to fit individual style. In addition, this is where attribute and skill upgrades are made. Finally, the option to step onto the blacktop and engage players around the world through an online gameplay exists in the Neighborhood. To be frank, I did not think of relating NBA 2k20 to real life, but this course has made me look intently into new aspects of digital literature. A difference between this game and Gone Home and Firewatch is the level of direction. The My Career story is heavily creator driven. Aspects that can be controlled by the player are the clothing, sponsors, team, and dialogue in interviews. Otherwise everything is predetermined. Conversely, in Gone Home and Firewatch, the developers give the player free rein of the world within the game. Personally, I enjoy the mechanics of games with more direction. Moreover, within our country, waves of changes are prevalent. One of those changes is women being in positions of power. The recent games we have played for class demonstrate this. The prominent similarity/theme in 80 Days, Gone Home, and Firewatch is one of women of power or main characters being women. Specifically, in 80 Days, some of the generals and rulers met on the journey are women. Being that this game was set long ago, having women of power adds a modern twist. Gone Home is set in the 90s, and even then, it was not as common for women to hold many offices or top positions. NBA 2k20 finally joins the trend by adding WNBA players and teams into the game. This addition is quite significant because it is the first year of the game that the WNBA is added in. While it is not possible to select to be a female player in the My Career mode, signature moves from WNBA stars are available. One can expect future versions of this game to further acknowledge women in athletics. In conclusion, NBA 2k20 is a well-developed game that strives to connect with players on a deeper level. The premise of the game is deepened by the personal connectivity and individuality allowed. Modern culture is acknowledged in the respect given to women. NBA 2k20 successfully envelopes the competitor in the lifestyle of a baller. Go find a controller and let’s start ballin’
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AuthorWe are the students of "Digital Literatures" at Millikin University. These are some of the digital narratives that entice, inspire, and challenge us. Categories
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