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Writer's pictureBrennan Smith

"NBA 2K23": Why the toxicity? And is this game different?


This image is of a real basketball game in the Chase center. "NBA2K" tries simulating this real-life experience through their games that get released once per year.


Released on September 8th, 2022, “NBA 2K23” is back after a long-awaited year from fans. Players have been anxious for a new game after awful reviews on the previous year's game which had an average review rating of two stars. This game's hopes were high throughout the community to outshine and surpass last year's expectations and ratings. The game designers of “NBA 2K23” promised better graphics, bigger and better storylines, and better animations for more enjoyable gameplay.


Despite the changes, fans still found ways to ridicule the game. A lot of fans were quick to call the game the ¨same thing¨ and a ¨cash grab¨ despite changes made in this year's game. Of course, this isn't the first time this community has been known for strong critique. The “NBA 2K” community is known to be toxic. Gamers who play online report a frequency of racial slurs and profanity, making this community one of the most toxic communities in gaming.


¨I have experienced profanity, harassment, and racism,” said sophomore Trathan Gragg.


Some of the culture may stem from the online component and the anonymity of users. Gamers might feel more comfortable using questionable language since they feel like no one knows who they really are.


¨People seem to abuse speech when it's not face-to-face, ¨ said junior Isaac Carr.


While harassment and racism have been big factors in shaping this community, "freak-outs" playing the game online have also gone viral. Content creators screaming and slamming controllers have also had a big factor on players throughout the community.


¨I haven't played it since I don't watch basketball, but I've seen some gameplay online of raging and toxicity like breaking controllers, walls, and doors,” said senior Aiden Hodges. “It is pretty entertaining to see them get so mad. After all, it's just a game. People get so heated by it.¨


Players can get emotional while playing. Some people will go to extreme lengths to get back at the people they are playing against. Some players have reported that opponents have pulled their IP address, which gives them access to your location and internet.


¨I have had my wifi turned off by the person I was playing,¨ said senior Parker Fisher.


Even though the new game is still the same community as last year's, the new question is has it changed? A poll sent to students of WHS asked this question. Around 70% of students said that the game was different.


¨I think this game is different,” said junior Aiden Parks. “The shot meter is different, the gameplay mechanics perform differently. The storyline is different with different city games that are more entertaining, and the rec center feels a lot more refurbished.¨


As a reviewer, I also believe that this game is different from last year, as the student body poll indicates. Despite complaints heard from members of the community that it was a ¨cash grab,¨ I would have to disagree. This game is a huge step up from previous year's games and this is coming from somebody who has played these games for a while. This game should make fans excited for this franchise and the games to come in the future.


Whether or not the community manages to overcome its own toxicity, however, is yet to be seen.


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