The best-selling sports game on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One is Visual Concepts and 2K Sports’ NBA 2K14, according to a new report from the NPD. The game beat out both the Madden and FIFA franchises, and is the fourth best-selling game on the next-gen systems overall.
“NBA 2K14 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One distinguished itself by providing an entirely new experience designed specifically for next-gen platforms, featuring all-new game modes distinct from the current-gen version of NBA 2K14,” Jason Argent, Senior Vice President of Basketball operations for 2K said. “We partnered with the King of Basketball, LeBron James, as our cover athlete and delivered an unprecedented level of realism, making NBA 2K14 a showcase for the potential of next-gen gaming.”
The next-gen versions of NBA 2K14 differ from their current gen counterparts in a handful of ways. The obvious next-gen upgrades – audio and visual – are there, but the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game offer features not available on the PS3 or Xbox 360. Two of the most significant changes are in the created player mode, which now includes a new storyline complete with rivalries, and the new online game mode known as the Park, which lets your created character wander around and watch other online gamers play anywhere from 2v2 to 5v5 games. You can then wait in line and play yourself, or just watch the games unfold. Of all the games ported from current to next-gen, NBA 2K14 offers some of the most notable changes between editions.
“2K Sports and Visual Concepts built two different games (current-gen and next-gen), instead of porting the same game to next-gen, and brought emotion and a human element to the game like never before,” 2K’s press released stated. “This included bringing our head-scanning tech on the road to capture 3D images of almost everyone in the NBA, and including actual audio clips of players and coaches to bring real-life interviews to life in the game like never before. These things helped to set NBA 2K14 on next-gen apart from other sports titles.”
Bragging rights aside, the news marks a shift in the sports gaming landscape. The FIFA series is still among the biggest gaming franchise in the world, while Madden is still a multi-platinum seller in the US. EA has already pulled its PGA golf game (formerly known as the Tiger Woods franchise) out of its annual rotation, and cancelled its College Football series. This news may force EA to look at its next year editions in a different light.
