By Keanu Haghighi (@KeanuHaghighi):
NBA2k has been one of the most successful sports video games ever. In fact, the game became the best-selling franchise sports game to date.
One of the most popular features introduced in 2012 was the shoe creator. In this mode, players can create a shoe from scratch and customize everything from brand to colorways.
If there’s one thing NBA2k has done a fantastic job of, it’s appealing to its basketball player fan base through accuracy and realism. Those who know the game of basketball through its ins and outs can directly apply what they know on the hardwood to the virtual court.
In NBA2k18, players have the ability to choose what kind of cut they like their shoe to have and how many layers of colorways they prefer. The opportunities and types of shoes one can design are endless.
With numerous possibilities, players on the SJSU team look for different things when it comes to the type of shoes their characters wear.
“I look for colorways,” said freshman guard Caleb Simmons. “Depending on the design of the shoe, whether it has fly in it or not, I look for patterns.”
Sometimes though, it’s all about being noticed on the court.
“I like something that’s very bright and out there,” said freshman Noah Baumann. “Shoes that everyone can notice right away. Anything bright honestly.”
The two most popular modes in NBA2k are MyCareer and MyPark. All users are required to make their own player and play in different game modes with their customized player.
In MyCareer, users play with their customized player in a story mode where they solely control their player and try to make him a star in the NBA.
With MyPark, gamers play with their customized player against other users’ customized players online in various types of pick up games.
Most NBA2k players like to use different kinds of shoes for MyCareer and MyPar for various reasons.
Simmons chooses to wear the most dynamic shoes in MyCareer because of skill upgrades but prefers to wear whatever shoe looks best in MyPark.
For others however, it’s all about looking good at all times.
“For MyCareer, it’s all about looking swaggy,” Baumann said. “It’s the same for MyPark. It’s all about looking swaggy.”
Whatever one’s preference might be, it’s safe to say shoes are a vital part of basketball, whether you are playing for the Spartans on the court, or gaming with your MyPlayer in NBA2k.