NBA 2K9 Still Having Serious Online Issues
by 
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.
October 10, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Fam dis game is so far from subpar
4 U 2 say dat is STUPID STUPID da game da BEST B-BALL GAME eva put out only thing mess’d up is da On-Line & even though I wanted 2 play OTP
itz NOT a BIG deal cuz itz still crazy off line
homies still comin throw so we still got people 2 play against
(granted U hav friends n REAL LIFE)
STOP CRYIN
October 10, 2008 at 2:23 pm
all dis complainin ya’ll doin repeatin da same thing OVER & OVA is
REAL FEMALE Like we all kno it needs 2 be fixed dey workin on fixin it
comin off as itz Britney B!tch ( minus da itz britney part)
October 10, 2008 at 2:44 pm
[quote comment="41521"][quote comment="41516"][quote comment="41508"]I think it’s so funny how spoiled society has gotten when it comes to technology. People have become so dependant on it that it drives them crazy when something goe wrong. Yes, we pay money to play these games but, come on, do we really expect the game to be perfect? Name one game that was flawless when it first came out….
Just imagine if they didn’t have the ability to fix games and patch the problems…people should be glad that they have the ability to fix whats going on.
Patience is a virtue. Meanwhile…play a season or something…it’s not the end of the world. I play a lot online but I DO have other things to do when it doesn’t work.[/quote]
Well said brotha![/quote]
Dead wrong. You are making excuses for these companies to say, oh well lets fix it later. If a game claims it can do something, then it should do it and do it right the first time. That is not too much to ask ever. Imagine the outrage when you must repeatedly take your car to the shop for service. “Well just patch that part later he says.” Meanwhile you cant turn left in your car until the patch comes out. Could anything be more preposterous than that. Dont tell me it is ok to buy an inferior product and that they might fix it later. You are enabling these companies to release an inferior game by making excuses for them[/quote]
Dude again the game has only been out for 3 days. There’s millions of people trying to play online. There’s gonna be problems when that many people are playing. I’m sure they’ll fix these issues. No need for everybody to get so worked up over this.
October 10, 2008 at 2:47 pm
[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
October 10, 2008 at 2:52 pm
[quote comment="41436"][quote comment="41413"]Not a big problem, you are being overbearing. The lag issues are no different than all games online right now. Even COD4 has been horrible lately with d/c. The real issue is that live is an inferior game, and Pasta always chooses to rant in favor of EA, and down on 2K, I’ve been the anti-EA on pasta’s site for two years now, and its never failed that he’d have a negative article or three about something wrong with 2K products. Now you talking about online gaming? No one really cares. In fact, people are complaining about nothing. Online gaming is not the reason people buy sports games. secondly anyone upset that ranked games are random is a loser gamer anyway, picking your opponent is what makes all these online games corny because no one picks middle of the pack teams. Bad rosters can be eliminated. Only thing I hear in my Neighborhood is how great 2k9 is, I show live 09 after 2k9 and everyone laughs and says put 2k back in.[/quote]
If you’ve really been visiting the site that long you’d know how tough I’ve been on EA when their games have had online problems. I try to bring light to these things and pressure to get them fixed. No other site seems to care whether online play works or not for these games or even considers it as a factor in reviews which is disappointing.[/quote]
thank you pasta…people say so many bad things about you sometimes that are baseless…it’s good to hear you tell the truth to them sometimes…
pasta has just as many negative articles about games as he does positive articles….just because you choose not to read them, does not mean they don’t exist…
October 10, 2008 at 3:10 pm
there not going to fix this they did not even fix mlb which was 100% unplayable .
October 10, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Wow, this is alot, listen there’s nothing wrong with Pasta’s loyalty to EA, EA does a great job of getting the product to be fun, is live09 fun? yes. As for whether online is a must or not, it remains for debate, my take is, Sports is very personal, even though its fan friendly, I ‘d hate to jump online with my Jets and have gamers ruin my idea of how sporting events should play out. Not everyone is online for the same reasons. I know that when I hold game days/nights in my house, me and the homies rock for hours, no lag, no glitchers, no d/c, Just the trash talking.We use every team in the NBA/NFL/MLB, but online you see the same overpowering teams. I just think online is an add on with sports games. Who cares if you won 100 games with the Cowboys or the Lakers..can you win with Arizona Cardinals or the Oklahoma Thunder? when online restricts top team jocking, call me…
October 10, 2008 at 3:22 pm
[quote comment="41540"]Wow, this is alot, listen there’s nothing wrong with Pasta’s loyalty to EA, EA does a great job of getting the product to be fun, is live09 fun? yes. As for whether online is a must or not, it remains for debate, my take is, Sports is very personal, even though its fan friendly, I ‘d hate to jump online with my Jets and have gamers ruin my idea of how sporting events should play out. Not everyone is online for the same reasons. I know that when I hold game days/nights in my house, me and the homies rock for hours, no lag, no glitchers, no d/c, Just the trash talking.We use every team in the NBA/NFL/MLB, but online you see the same overpowering teams. I just think online is an add on with sports games. Who cares if you won 100 games with the Cowboys or the Lakers..can you win with Arizona Cardinals or the Oklahoma Thunder? when online restricts top team jocking, call me…[/quote]
i hear you on that but ive learned to play only people i know. then with different modes like otp or online dynasty i deal with less of that. its made online a lot more fun then just playing random people cause i dont care about the rankings
October 10, 2008 at 3:23 pm
@ adam dey will fix dis
1)dis is deer BIG $$$ MAKER
2)dis is da series dat put me on to 2K along wit NFL 2K (dat was a great X-MAS)
3)Lastly dis is da SPORT I actually like I really HATE Baseball
da video games are coo (as long as long as u only play 4 a couple of innings)
but I Hate da REAL SRORT
October 10, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I switched over and brought 2k for this DAM!!!! Always go with my gut I should of got LIVE!
October 10, 2008 at 4:04 pm
yes stick wit live
while da majority enjoys da B-E-S-T thang S-M-O-K-I-N-G
October 10, 2008 at 4:17 pm
yes stick wit live
while da majority enjoys da B-E-S-T thang S-M-O-K-I-N-G
Sure, as long as you don’t want to play online.
October 10, 2008 at 4:19 pm
fam haven’t U read my post On-Line A-I-N-T a BIG DEAL 2 me
& I also Hav Live TOOO if I want 2 go On=Line
SO DEER DAT GO
October 10, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Ummmmm………….what?????!!!
October 10, 2008 at 7:24 pm
There isn’t millions of people tryin to play this online. No game has millions of people playing online…..wtf
October 10, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I couldn’t get a ranked match started tonight, but an unranked match started up and I was able to play. Was a bit laggy in spots.
October 10, 2008 at 9:54 pm
who cares which game is better. if u like live then play live, if u like 2k then play 2k. no need to argue about which game is better. 2k is better than live tho. haha
October 10, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Pasta when you get a chance please post some impressions on 2Ks Team Play 5 on 5.
October 10, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Pasta,Live has the clubs but Im telling you 2Ks 5 on 5 is so much better than Lives.After watching some of the videos you posted from your club play,I came away very discouraged cause of the lack of defense and franatic play.
In 2K9s 5 on 5 you can block shots steal the ball,and there is better body detection on the players.Also you can set picks, call for the ball, and with the trigger buttons you can juke your defender to get open when the ball isnt in your possesion.
October 10, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I hope Pasta goes into detail on how sweet the 5 on 5 team play in 2K9 can be when not lagging or getting disconnected.Unlike Lives defensively challenged 5 on 5.
October 11, 2008 at 8:04 am
http://www.pastapadre.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1469
October 11, 2008 at 10:20 am
Sdot you buy nba live? O_o what a surprise because you hate nba live
October 11, 2008 at 10:58 am
I posted this over at 2K forums, I’m putting it up everywhere I can until it is fixed…
We have expressed our issues and concerns to 2k, and we haven’t really gotten any responses. I’m sure they will get to the issues, but if we want to expedite the process here is what we have to do. I’ll give you a hint…we don’t have to let 2K know, we have to let the world know. The idea hit me after reading this article.
http://www.pastapadre.com/4169/nba-2…-online-issues
We must send e-mails, post comments, do whatever we can to reach out to the major gaming media outlets. This is how you hit them where it hurts, by challenging there credibility and reputation which in the long run will hurt their pockets much more. I love 2K, and I have for many many years. I tried to play live, but I just can’t it’s not better than 2K now with all the issues. This is why I’m doing this, because I know they can do so much better than this. It’s like a parent punishing a teenager. They don’t know this is for their own good but it is. I just want this game to be what it was supposed to be, the best sports game ever released. I think it still can be, but they can’t keep ignoring the consumer.
So any gaming site you know of, let it be known the level of community outrage. Of course some of them know already, but when you have people appealing to them in this manner, it is cause for a story and I guarantee it will get results.
Here are a few sites to get started at…visit as many as these as you can, and state your case, I guarantee we will get immediate results, and the developers will be on these boards getting this right.
http://www.ign.com
http://www.gamespot.com
http://www.1up.com
http://www.g4tv.com
http://www.pastapadre.com
http://www.sportsgamer.com
http://www.n4g.com
http://www.operationsports.com
http://www.gamespy.com
http://www.mtv.com/games/video_games
videogames.yahoo.com
http://www.gamedaily.com
http://www.gametrailers.com
reviews.cnet.com/games
http://www.videogamecritic.net/
October 11, 2008 at 11:13 am
[quote comment="41625"]I posted this over at 2K forums, I’m putting it up everywhere I can until it is fixed…
We have expressed our issues and concerns to 2k, and we haven’t really gotten any responses. I’m sure they will get to the issues, but if we want to expedite the process here is what we have to do. I’ll give you a hint…we don’t have to let 2K know, we have to let the world know. The idea hit me after reading this article.
http://www.pastapadre.com/4169/nba-2…-online-issues
We must send e-mails, post comments, do whatever we can to reach out to the major gaming media outlets. This is how you hit them where it hurts, by challenging there credibility and reputation which in the long run will hurt their pockets much more. I love 2K, and I have for many many years. I tried to play live, but I just can’t it’s not better than 2K now with all the issues. This is why I’m doing this, because I know they can do so much better than this. It’s like a parent punishing a teenager. They don’t know this is for their own good but it is. I just want this game to be what it was supposed to be, the best sports game ever released. I think it still can be, but they can’t keep ignoring the consumer.
So any gaming site you know of, let it be known the level of community outrage. Of course some of them know already, but when you have people appealing to them in this manner, it is cause for a story and I guarantee it will get results.
Here are a few sites to get started at…visit as many as these as you can, and state your case, I guarantee we will get immediate results, and the developers will be on these boards getting this right.
http://www.ign.com
http://www.gamespot.com
http://www.1up.com
http://www.g4tv.com
http://www.pastapadre.com
http://www.sportsgamer.com
http://www.n4g.com
http://www.operationsports.com
http://www.gamespy.com
http://www.mtv.com/games/video_games
videogames.yahoo.com
http://www.gamedaily.com
http://www.gametrailers.com
reviews.cnet.com/games
http://www.videogamecritic.net//quote
Its sad seeing people at OS take shots at pasta when theyre completely ignorant. Haters indeed. I think youre right about doing this but then look at the thread on OS and its like people want to ignore the problem because of there love of 2K (theres only like 27 replies) or they want to blame pasta because he is the only one to speak out for the community. And he has done it more on EA games then 2K games. It doesnt matter the game or the company he puts the heat on them. This is a case where it is necessary to get on 2K about getting things running. Just bitching silently wont do anything.
October 11, 2008 at 2:33 pm
@ David I didn’t B-U-Y NBA Live @ all I traded in madden & MGS4 & got it
October 11, 2008 at 2:36 pm
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
October 11, 2008 at 3:31 pm
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
October 11, 2008 at 3:34 pm
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!
October 11, 2008 at 4:53 pm
u happy now E
October 12, 2008 at 5:21 pm
[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?
October 12, 2008 at 11:22 pm
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.
October 13, 2008 at 7:45 am
itz ALL LUV ova here
it ain’t NEVA bin more fun 2 use da nuggets especially A.I & da REAL J.R.
October 13, 2008 at 8:05 am
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.
October 13, 2008 at 10:44 am
I WANT A REFUND
October 13, 2008 at 4:16 pm
And no news on the patch that the PS3 already got.
October 13, 2008 at 10:40 pm
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
October 13, 2008 at 10:44 pm
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
October 14, 2008 at 7:04 am
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…
October 14, 2008 at 3:05 pm
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
October 15, 2008 at 3:17 am
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.
October 15, 2008 at 1:02 pm
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
October 15, 2008 at 8:10 pm
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
October 16, 2008 at 1:40 am
Nice site where we got more information from this site. Really it is very nice site.well, keep up it.
October 17, 2008 at 12:53 pm
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
October 21, 2008 at 11:34 am
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
October 22, 2008 at 12:38 pm
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!
October 23, 2008 at 12:48 pm
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.
October 23, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Sdot you need some schooling hate to break it to you but put down the controller and get to school.
November 1, 2008 at 6:47 pm
[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