While 2K Games continues to talk up the use of loot boxes in-game, they implemented another possibly frustrating feature into their titles that have angered a large portion of the community: unskippable ads. NBA 2K19 recently got an update where ads will play before matches. That in itself isn’t totally terrible, but apparently, these ads are unskippable and the fan-base is more than a little miffed at the addition.
From Twitter, to Reddit – even Facebook – the community is alive and well when it comes to letting their displeasure with 2K Games become known after paying full price for a game only to have paid ads become a requirement in between matches. Even though some may have gotten the game cheaper – as low as 3 bucks according to a recent PlayStation sale – it’s still forced advertisement that detracts away from the progression of the game and the ability for players to immersive themselves into the world of professional basketball.
So what are these newly added ads anyway? The newest addition is boasting a TV series called Snowfall. For longtime fans of the franchise, the move towards unskippable ads isn’t totally new, though the inclusion comes at a terrible time with 2K Games being under such a massive spotlight regarding their controversial business practices with a lean towards pay-to-win and other decisions that gamers feel hurt the experience.
With anti-loot box legislation popping up all over the world, many have voiced their concerns that this will be the new alternative to microtransaction profits and that “all” AAA games in the future will have this. Keep in mind though that this is just speculation on the community’s part, but not something that is totally out of left field when looking at previous profit patterns courtesy of the mega-publisher.
As for the game itself, NBA 2K19 is available now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
