As the release of NBA 2K25 on September 6 approaches, a new controversy is brewing within the NBA 2K community. Fans of the popular basketball video game series are expressing frustration over a sneaky and, in their view, predatory advertisement that greets them every time they open NBA 2K24.

The Role of Ads in Modern Gaming

Advertisements have become an almost unavoidable aspect of modern gaming, especially in live-service titles. From cross-promotional products to constant reminders of new battle pass content, ads are omnipresent, often to the detriment of the user experience. In the case of NBA 2K24, the issue lies with an ad for the upcoming NBA 2K25, which has many players feeling manipulated.

The ad in question appears right at the start screen of NBA 2K24, encouraging players to preorder NBA 2K25. While this might seem like a standard promotional tactic, fans argue that the execution is far from harmless.

Why the Ad Feels Predatory

The frustration stems from how the ad is designed to catch players off guard. Reddit user fatepure highlighted the issue, showing that pressing the “A” button on Xbox or the “X” button on PlayStation—actions typically associated with confirming selections—immediately redirects players to the digital preorder page for NBA 2K25. Worse still, the ad pushes the Hall of Fame Edition, which carries a hefty price tag of $149.99.

They really want us to keep “accidentally” clicking on this, don’t they?
byu/mvpevy inNBA2k

Many players have voiced their dissatisfaction with this approach, describing it as manipulative. One Reddit commenter labeled it as “predatory behavior,” arguing that such tactics could lead to accidental purchases, particularly among younger or less attentive players. Another fan suggested that the ad should stop appearing after a few interactions, allowing players to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.

Growing Concerns Over NBA 2K25

This isn’t the first negative reaction surrounding NBA 2K25. Just last week, fans criticized the game’s graphics, arguing that they appear to have degraded compared to NBA 2K21, a title released back in 2020. Fans shared side-by-side screenshots to back up their claims, pointing out noticeable differences in visual quality.

Despite these issues, it’s unlikely that the controversy will significantly impact the sales of NBA 2K25. The NBA 2K series remains incredibly popular, with over 118 million units sold worldwide. However, the frustration among the community highlights ongoing concerns about predatory practices in the series, which has been criticized in the past for its aggressive monetization strategies.

Final Thoughts

The controversy surrounding the NBA 2K25 preorder ad in NBA 2K24 underscores broader issues within the gaming industry related to advertising and monetization. While the NBA 2K series continues to dominate sales charts, the growing discontent among its fanbase serves as a reminder that even successful franchises must be mindful of player experience. Whether this criticism will lead to any changes remains to be seen, but for now, players are left grappling with an ad they feel is just a bit too pushy.

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