NBA 2K9 Still Having Serious Online Issues

by pastapadre
Posted October 9th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

With the NBA 2K franchise as the flagship of 2K Sports it has always seemed to offer the best overall experience with the most resources behind it. That has carried over to online play where it has generally been stable while offering great online leagues. Right now however the game is experiencing some major online related issues.

The first and most prevalent is the lag that is crippling games for many users. That is if the 2K Server is even up and running to attempt to start a game. This has especially been the case with Team-Up mode where having multiple users involved has resulted in laggy play and disconnects. There have also been reports of the game freezing while making player match challenges.

2K made the decision to remove lobbies this year. They did so in Prizefighter and NHL 2K9 and that continues with NBA 2K9. The reasoning behind it seems to have to do with their Team 2K challenge. Now the only way to play ranked games is against random opponents through This has caused an uproar within the community. Essentially they are punishing everyone in order to prevent a few people from choosing easier opponents rather than fixing the online ranking system. It is seemingly far too difficult, if it is even possible, to play a friend.

The 5 on 5 Team-Up mode has been practically impossible to play with any success since release day. I still haven’t been able to get involved in a game that wasn’t a complete waste of time. The one I just tried had the worst lag I have ever seen. I couldn’t even quit out of the damn thing because you aren’t allowed to pause. Eventually it disconnected after about 10 minutes passed yet the game clock had run down only 16 seconds! For anyone wondering why I haven’t done a write-up on the mode…this is why. As detailed previously when looking at the mode in NHL they made the decision that ranked Team-Up games would not allow the user to choose who they play with, the team they are on, or the player they control. All of that is random and they seem to have a handful of standard matchups that you’ll get over and over. I do really like shooting around in the gym beforehand though. Again it is far too difficult in order to start a Team-Up game with friends.

Interestingly one of the strengths of the series, the online leagues, has also received an unpopular change. Flex scheduling has been removed. As someone who used to run leagues I know how important flex scheduling can be. The more games available to be played the better as that open nature leads to more activity and a higher chance of the league being successful. As it is right now only a handful of games are open at a time and must be completed to move forward.

Users are now reporting abnormal rosters being used in online games. Players on teams that they shouldn’t be. Rosters full of players from other teams. This one is bizarre especially considering the discussion in the conference call late last week. It was stated that the added player animations that come with the Living Rosters would not transfer into online play because they couldn’t validate that everyone had the same rosters. That had always been done automatically, everyone online would use the latest roster update. So something is up here and it may be more than a coincidence.

There also seems to be a calling to raise the difficulty level as the consensus seems to be that it is way too easy to score.

It is frustrating that so many sports titles seem to release with terrible online performance on release day and soon after. The biggest concern in the case of NBA 2K9 may be how recent 2K titles have struggled with online well beyond that time period. MLB 2K8 was arguably the worst online experience in sports gaming history and never was fixed.

Tags:

http://pastapadre.com sdot

CRYIN is NEVA da RIGHT way a MAN should go about fixin his PROBLEMS leave dat 2 da F-E-M-A-L-E-S of da WORLD

@ C-T-R-O-B
mvpv

hey guys i dunno if anyone has seen this or brought this up, but im playing my association with hornets vs. the clippers and neither team has numbers on their jerseys
mvpv

hey guys i dunno if anyone has seen this or brought this up, but im playing my association with hornets vs. the clippers and neither team has numbers on their jerseys
dubb40

I think both games are good this year but I just hate the way 2k has set up the leagues this year I was so ready to start this year but the no-flex schedule has thrown some kinks in the system 2k’s presentation is awesome and the gameplay is alot of the same but hey if its not broke dont fix it right? I think Live is also taking the necessary steps to be the best again all in all its a good year to be a basketball fan!
dubb40

I think both games are good this year but I just hate the way 2k has set up the leagues this year I was so ready to start this year but the no-flex schedule has thrown some kinks in the system 2k’s presentation is awesome and the gameplay is alot of the same but hey if its not broke dont fix it right? I think Live is also taking the necessary steps to be the best again all in all its a good year to be a basketball fan!
Its Britney B!tch

u happy now E
Its Britney B!tch

u happy now E
joel0078

[quote comment="41536"][quote comment="41529"]Why do people constantly come in here and complain about the lack of coverage non ea games get? Shut up already, seriously. This is pasta’s site, first and foremost. Last time I checked, that means he has the right to write and review about whatever he wants. Next, yes, I think it’s pretty clear that pasta prefers Live over, 2K…Big deal, get over it. If you don’t like that, than don’t bother wasting everyones time with your worthless complaining posts. No one wants you hear. Next, I’m sure it’s easier for pasta to provide info on ea games, as he is part of the “ea community” and gets access to ea games as such (correct me if I’m wrong pasta)…..To whoever else wants to bitch and complain about the content of the site…..If you don’t like it, don’t come here, go start your own fanboy site.[/quote]

Make sure you wipe Pasta’s jizz of when your done. Lol[/quote]

Good one buddy. What are you, 10?
joel0078

[quote comment="41536"][quote comment="41529"]Why do people constantly come in here and complain about the lack of coverage non ea games get? Shut up already, seriously. This is pasta’s site, first and foremost. Last time I checked, that means he has the right to write and review about whatever he wants. Next, yes, I think it’s pretty clear that pasta prefers Live over, 2K…Big deal, get over it. If you don’t like that, than don’t bother wasting everyones time with your worthless complaining posts. No one wants you hear. Next, I’m sure it’s easier for pasta to provide info on ea games, as he is part of the “ea community” and gets access to ea games as such (correct me if I’m wrong pasta)…..To whoever else wants to bitch and complain about the content of the site…..If you don’t like it, don’t come here, go start your own fanboy site.[/quote]

Make sure you wipe Pasta’s jizz of when your done. Lol[/quote]

Good one buddy. What are you, 10?
JR

After playing some 2K a little more this weekend, I find myself noticing a little bit more “jerkiness” than in previous 2K titles. I know this is attributed to reducing the sliding effect. I found myself missing the smoothness of 2K8. I think next year they need to work on finding a medium. The sliding issues was my biggest gripe about 2K8. It’s a love hate thing.
JR

After playing some 2K a little more this weekend, I find myself noticing a little bit more “jerkiness” than in previous 2K titles. I know this is attributed to reducing the sliding effect. I found myself missing the smoothness of 2K8. I think next year they need to work on finding a medium. The sliding issues was my biggest gripe about 2K8. It’s a love hate thing.
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

itz ALL LUV ova here

it ain’t NEVA bin more fun 2 use da nuggets especially A.I & da REAL J.R.
http://pastapadre.com sdot

itz ALL LUV ova here

it ain’t NEVA bin more fun 2 use da nuggets especially A.I & da REAL J.R.
http://www.220league.com/ mobbdeep1122

I’ll never understand why sports games always suck with online play. You have shooting games that support 32 or 64 players in one game, with no lag and no disconnects, but they can’t get a sports game with 2 people(or in 2k9′s case, up to 10 people) to play smooth.

This is a disgrace and these guys need to give up with the peer to peer style of play and move into the 21st century and give us server based play that would eliminate lag and all the other annoying problems online sports games seem to have.

Stop half assing it and give us our money’s worth.
http://www.220league.com mobbdeep1122

I’ll never understand why sports games always suck with online play. You have shooting games that support 32 or 64 players in one game, with no lag and no disconnects, but they can’t get a sports game with 2 people(or in 2k9′s case, up to 10 people) to play smooth.

This is a disgrace and these guys need to give up with the peer to peer style of play and move into the 21st century and give us server based play that would eliminate lag and all the other annoying problems online sports games seem to have.

Stop half assing it and give us our money’s worth.
dee

I WANT A REFUND
dee

I WANT A REFUND
Crosby

And no news on the patch that the PS3 already got.
Crosby

And no news on the patch that the PS3 already got.
LockNLoad70 PS#

All you players are talking about give it time they weren’t expecting this many people to log on or buy the game. Use your heads. The game was 19.99 when 2k first started. as it grew now its $60.00. Come on. They knew what they were doing. They had 0ne whole year to come out with a good game and make sure it works. So I don’t wanna here give it time. Just like madden last year was pure garbage. The graphics sucked and the game play. They knew people would buy it cause of the name and made a killing off our hard earned money. 2K you didn’t earn any of my $60.00. Next year I’m going to rent your game instead of buying it. I’m not the only one. You guys made millions in on week. Your stock went up. Plus your customer service sucks. You don’t even tell us that you are fixing the problem. We made you guys for years and this is what we get. Ea Sports is laughing all the way to the bank. You dropped the ball on this one. I’m glad i traded in 2 games and only paid what your game was worth : a big $4.14. lol so i’m laughing at you to 2k.

You lost me to NBA live after a 7 yr run
LockNLoad70 PS#

All you players are talking about give it time they weren’t expecting this many people to log on or buy the game. Use your heads. The game was 19.99 when 2k first started. as it grew now its $60.00. Come on. They knew what they were doing. They had 0ne whole year to come out with a good game and make sure it works. So I don’t wanna here give it time. Just like madden last year was pure garbage. The graphics sucked and the game play. They knew people would buy it cause of the name and made a killing off our hard earned money. 2K you didn’t earn any of my $60.00. Next year I’m going to rent your game instead of buying it. I’m not the only one. You guys made millions in on week. Your stock went up. Plus your customer service sucks. You don’t even tell us that you are fixing the problem. We made you guys for years and this is what we get. Ea Sports is laughing all the way to the bank. You dropped the ball on this one. I’m glad i traded in 2 games and only paid what your game was worth : a big $4.14. lol so i’m laughing at you to 2k.

You lost me to NBA live after a 7 yr run
LockNLoad70 PS3

the patch didn’t do nothing it still freezes. I called a 2k tech he said he was the only one working on it. LOL
LockNLoad70 PS3

the patch didn’t do nothing it still freezes. I called a 2k tech he said he was the only one working on it. LOL
ReignMan

LockNLoad, You are a little whining liar, did not You say in your previous email, that You have traded the game? Be a man, no games are perfect, 2k shall solve these servers issues, as their ‘other side’ online project with those NBA players costs a lot of money.

My judgement for little crying LockNLoad : GO and GET nba live 09, You deserve it…
ReignMan

LockNLoad, You are a little whining liar, did not You say in your previous email, that You have traded the game? Be a man, no games are perfect, 2k shall solve these servers issues, as their ‘other side’ online project with those NBA players costs a lot of money.

My judgement for little crying LockNLoad : GO and GET nba live 09, You deserve it…
http://pastapadre.com/ sdot

itz tooo MANY FEMALES on here all d’s “MEN” cryin like lil BITTIES bout sum internet ISH is CRAZY as if da game is WACK or sumthin

so cuz da On-Line is Temporarily mess’d up ya’ll gonna by an inferior product wit but has betta on-line

if dat ain’t STUPID STUPID but A i’m just sayin
http://pastapadre.com sdot

itz tooo MANY FEMALES on here all d’s “MEN” cryin like lil BITTIES bout sum internet ISH is CRAZY as if da game is WACK or sumthin

so cuz da On-Line is Temporarily mess’d up ya’ll gonna by an inferior product wit but has betta on-line

if dat ain’t STUPID STUPID but A i’m just sayin
Dave

Now over a week and still no fix in sight. I get the feeling that 2K9 might just let this issue play itself out over the coming weeks and hope the anger dies down. A similar approach to what they did with MLB 2K8.
Dave

Now over a week and still no fix in sight. I get the feeling that 2K9 might just let this issue play itself out over the coming weeks and hope the anger dies down. A similar approach to what they did with MLB 2K8.
Liam

its been a lot better over the past few days for me. I live in Ireland and true it’s a load of crap getting into a game but once you’re there I haven’t found too many issues other than the usual missing easy lay-ups with people like Ray Allen and Derrick Rose. I’m sure after this team 2k crap finishes they’ll bring back lobbies and a patch will probably be released over the next couple of weeks that’ll fix the servers. It is easily the best basketball game ever and not like that live shit which doesnt even have proper player styles
Liam

its been a lot better over the past few days for me. I live in Ireland and true it’s a load of crap getting into a game but once you’re there I haven’t found too many issues other than the usual missing easy lay-ups with people like Ray Allen and Derrick Rose. I’m sure after this team 2k crap finishes they’ll bring back lobbies and a patch will probably be released over the next couple of weeks that’ll fix the servers. It is easily the best basketball game ever and not like that live shit which doesnt even have proper player styles
melville

what the f**k is wrong wit 2k online. I love the game but for the first time im thinking about nba live(HATE IT).2k is great but what does mean without online.2K sports get it right
melville

what the f**k is wrong wit 2k online. I love the game but for the first time im thinking about nba live(HATE IT).2k is great but what does mean without online.2K sports get it right
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A C D

What is the deal with the online? I can’t create a game, there are no lobbies, I can’t even finish a team-up game. what is the point of a game that is unplayable online and that you can’t play a friend. what is being done to fix this
A C D

What is the deal with the online? I can’t create a game, there are no lobbies, I can’t even finish a team-up game. what is the point of a game that is unplayable online and that you can’t play a friend. what is being done to fix this
mike

these fucking idiots always want to fuck up the game how the hell is 2k8 better than 9 its suppose to be the other way they dont knwo what they doing in 2k sports i fuking regret buing this bullshit ass game wasted my fucking 60 dollars fucking idiots at 2k sports
mike

these fucking idiots always want to fuck up the game how the hell is 2k8 better than 9 its suppose to be the other way they dont knwo what they doing in 2k sports i fuking regret buing this bullshit ass game wasted my fucking 60 dollars fucking idiots at 2k sports
TERROR

Its been a week and a half and me and my friend still crash on this game in create match. yesterday we both crashed 3 times each! Before we finally got a game in. 2k seems to not care anymore and if there is no patch soon this will be the final 2k game i purchase. mlb 2k8 was horrible and still its not fixed!
TERROR

Its been a week and a half and me and my friend still crash on this game in create match. yesterday we both crashed 3 times each! Before we finally got a game in. 2k seems to not care anymore and if there is no patch soon this will be the final 2k game i purchase. mlb 2k8 was horrible and still its not fixed!
2k sports = enron

2k sports ripped me off twice this year $130 mlb 2k = straight garbage and nba 2k9 is the most pathetic online game Ive ever tried playin. Effn joke. I want my money back. Keep calling the number on the back of the game to complain dont stop.
2k sports = enron

2k sports ripped me off twice this year $130 mlb 2k = straight garbage and nba 2k9 is the most pathetic online game Ive ever tried playin. Effn joke. I want my money back. Keep calling the number on the back of the game to complain dont stop.
sdot = illiterate clown

Sdot you need some schooling hate to break it to you but put down the controller and get to school.
sdot = illiterate clown

Sdot you need some schooling hate to break it to you but put down the controller and get to school.
http://thereal2kinsider.blogspot.com/ Rashidi, the Real 2K Insider

[quote comment="41427"][quote comment="41419"]Ron = The FAKE 2k Insider.

Rashidi (me) = The REAL 2k Insider.

Go figure, 2k Sports.[/quote]

Rashidi??? haven seen u here before, banned from 2ksports.com still? This is proly the most disappointed I have ever been towards any nba2k game but I hardly go online but to only play my friends which I cant do anymore. How do they expect the reverse fantasy league to work if we cant play online?[/quote]

Hi guys. Apparently someone has been impersonating me on this website. All posts written by “Rashidi” were not me. After spending 7 years posting at GameFAQs where all profanity is banned, I avoide using it in any of my internet posts.

Anyway, Version 2.0 of my Real 2K Insider series has been uploaded to 2K Share for NBA 2K9 on 360. You can check the progress of this project at real2kinsider.blogspot.com
http://thereal2kinsider.blogspot.com Rashidi, the Real 2K Insider

[quote comment="41427"][quote comment="41419"]Ron = The FAKE 2k Insider.

Rashidi (me) = The REAL 2k Insider.

Go figure, 2k Sports.[/quote]

Rashidi??? haven seen u here before, banned from 2ksports.com still? This is proly the most disappointed I have ever been towards any nba2k game but I hardly go online but to only play my friends which I cant do anymore. How do they expect the reverse fantasy league to work if we cant play online?[/quote]

Hi guys. Apparently someone has been impersonating me on this website. All posts written by “Rashidi” were not me. After spending 7 years posting at GameFAQs where all profanity is banned, I avoide using it in any of my internet posts.

Anyway, Version 2.0 of my Real 2K Insider series has been uploaded to 2K Share for NBA 2K9 on 360. You can check the progress of this project at real2kinsider.blogspot.com
Jordan

when i play nba 2k9 it searches for a user then it says conecting to host then i dont get to go choose team it just says unable to play go to online faq or 2k spotrs online email me at beboj123@yahoo.com
Jordan

when i play nba 2k9 it searches for a user then it says conecting to host then i dont get to go choose team it just says unable to play go to online faq or 2k spotrs online email me at beboj123@yahoo.com