Back in July Sporting News reported on the inclusion of licensed universities in the upcoming NBA 2K16 . There hasn't been a college sports video game since the NCAA Football franchise was shut down in late 2013, and it's been even longer for college basketball; the last one came out in 2009. Legal battles made them endeavors that no company is going to touch until athletes are allowed to be paid for their likenesses in the games.
Just a week away from NBA 2K16's release date, 2K Sports put out a new trailer that offers the first opportunity to see an NCAA game with schools. The Kansas Jayhawks are briefly featured in a clip that shows the main character in the game's story mode choosing the school. The clip then shifts to a shot of the Kansas court with teams warming up.
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The glimpse comes from 'MyCareer' which is the popular story mode that was introduced in 2K14. This year it has been written and directed by Spike Lee . There are playable elements during both high school and college. However, the extent of which has yet to be clarified.
ESRB, the panel that assigns ratings to all video games, has placed an E10+ on NBA 2K16 which shows the impact Spike Lee had on making it somewhat more adult-natured. Almost all league-licensed sports games are rated "E for Everyone." The mode includes the death of characters, references to suicide, and the objectification of women. While the story mode won't be comparable to one of Lee's R-rated movies, it's not the PG fare that had been in NBA 2K14 and NBA 2K15.
NBA 2K16 is set to release on Sept. 29, but those who pre-order the game will get it four days earlier . A special edition with Michael Jordan on the cover and bonus content for $80 has also been announced. Team relocation is a major feature for the two franchise modes .
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, has co-founded the new site HitThePass.com, is a regular participant in the Press Row Podcast, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.