Newest edition of NBA 2K features expansive WNBA content centering rookies

The GIST: Long-running sports video game franchise NBA 2K announced expansive in-game WNBA upgrades for its forthcoming NBA 2K25 title yesterday, giving gamers innovative offerings around the league’s biggest players. Leveling up.

The history: The NBA video game series has released games annually since 1999, but didn’t introduce a WNBA component until 2019. By the 2020 edition, users could create customizable players and battle against the W’s 12 teams, with gameplay developing further in the years since.

• Candace Parker became the first W athlete to grace the cover of NBA 2K in 2021, while A’ja Wilson will become the game’s first WNBA global cover athlete this year. Notably, Wilson enters the game with a 99 OVR, the highest rating for a WNBA player in 2K history. This girl is on fire.

The updates: NBA 2K25 launches next month and will build on its Pursuit of Greatness WNBA story mode feature that lets users play through an in-game narrative. This time, players will compete in the 2024 Rookie of the Year race against Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Other updates include the ability to mentor other players during gameplay and fully-voiced WNBA press conferences.

The why: In May, GameRant highlighted critiques about NBA 2K’s WNBA mode, which has historically had fewer gameplay modes and more simplistic avatars compared to the NBA version. However, some critiques still appear unaddressed — gamers have described difficulties playing W games online, with users surmising that it only functions on PS5 consoles.

• This is particularly problematic considering at least 88% of U.S. gamers have played online before, and many PS4 users haven’t upgraded yet.

Zooming out: The WNBA has seen explosive growth this season, and it's often hard for infrastructure to respond in real time. But that’s not the case for modern video games, which can issue new editions, software updates, and expansion packs that entice users to stay in the game.

• Bringing W players into the NBA 2K world is one thing, but involving rookies like Clark and Reese in a game mode devoted to pursuing greatness compounds the narrative that they are the stars to watch, and are quantifiably bringing more money and attention to the league. No lag here.