The story mode is now a staple of the "NBA 2K" franchise having become the most popular way to play the video game since being introduced in 2013. It's essentially an interactive movie, taking new angles every year like chronicling the challenge of being an undrafted rookie in the league, cultivating relationships with teammates, building rivalries with opposing players and dealing with serious off-the-court distractions.
Now, one of the game's two franchise modes will be story-based as well. MyGM mode in "NBA 2K18" will let you take part in a story that revolves around being the general manager while still incorporating the team-building and management decision-making of the past.
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Here's a description of the game mode, courtesy of the "NBA 2K" Facebook page:
"Not that long ago, you were one of the brightest stars in the NBA. Personal accomplishments long since satisfied, all that mattered to you was getting another ring. On a warm, May night at the 2011 Western Conference Finals in Dallas, it all came to a sudden end. Your knee, it was finished. Now what?
Fast forward six years, and you find yourself at the outset of MyGM: The Next Chapter. After a number of interviews over the last couple years, you have just landed a job as the GM of an NBA team. Widely respected for your on-court success, you have finally found an owner that believes the very drive that propelled you to the top of the NBA will help you propel his team to an NBA title.
While MyCAREER focuses on your life as an NBA player out to achieve superstardom, MyGM: The Next Chapter aims to view the NBA world from the complete opposite perspective. Centered around you, the GM, you will need to navigate backroom scenarios while dealing with expectations from your owner, your staff, the press, other GMs and of course, your players.
How your MyGM experience turns out is completely up to you. Your path will be determined by the choices you make and the answers you provide at the many key points in the narrative."
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Other improvements to look forward to for MyGM and the highly-customizable MyLeague franchise mode include G-League integration, the addition of a jump-shot creator, the ability to stash draft prospects overseas, new cities for relocation and everything that comes with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement like supermax contracts and the roster size of 14 players.
"NBA 2K18" will release on Sept. 15 to those who pre-order. Shaquille O'Neal is featured on the two pricey special editions of the game, which will be sold for $150 and $100, and Kyrie Irving is on the cover of the standard edition.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the "Press Row Podcast" and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.