NBA 2K Faces Lawsuit Over Controversial Microtransactions, Loot Boxes
Microtransactions have long been a staple in the NBA 2K franchise. Now, publisher Take-Two Interactive is facing a lawsuit over their inclusion.
Gaming giant Take-Two Interactive is facing a lawsuit for the microtransactions present in the NBA 2K series. The long-running basketball franchise has been at the forefront of sports-based gaming for decades now and is part of the larger 2K banner of games offered by Take-Two - a family that will soon include various LEGO sports games.
When it comes to microtransactions, few franchises are as infamous as NBA 2K. While the vanilla multiplayer match-up modes remain mostly uncontroversial, issues have arisen through the areas like the games' MyCareer campaigns and MyPark system. In MyCareer, players customize a character and choose their starting stats, essentially starting things off as a basketball-themed RPG. From there, players can earn experience and level up as they would in countless other games, but they are also given the option to purchase VC, which stands for "virtual currency". This will greatly speed up the leveling-up process. With the introduction of MyPark, players can use their avatar to navigate a Second Life-style virtual environment will other players, using VC to purchase cosmetics and loot boxes. Additionally, NBA 2K games launch with multiple versions, with the more expensive versions offering more content and VC.
Now, a lawsuit alleges that the NBA 2K pricing model is unlawful and harmful to consumers, as reported by PC Gamer. The suit argues that the fixed price of the NBA 2K games (which is $70 for the base, next-gen versions), is deceptive as purchasers are led to believe that they will be getting a complete, comprehensive experience for the price. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that VC distances the players psychologically from the amount of money they are spending, which can be particularly problematic as it pertains to the series' large percentage of juvenile players.
Whether the implementation of in-game purchases in this franchise is lawful or not is difficult to say, but their inclusion can hardly be called popular. There are players who feel that the 2K sports games are no longer fun, and these microtransactions can arguably play a large part in this by encouraging players to spend extra money on in-game currency. In the case of the NBA 2K series, it can be argued that this has happened through the removal of features like earning extra experience for playing on harder difficulties, alongside the general truncation of free in-game rewards.
If this lawsuit ends up going to court, it could have long-lasting positive effects on the gaming world. There are some who aren't bothered by microtransactions, but few players would argue that their presence makes games more enjoyable. In a perfect world, best-selling franchises like NBA 2K would align more closely with consumers' desires, and that would likely include the lessening or removal of microtransactions.
Source: PC Gamer