Do you need PS Plus to play 2K23 online?
Yes, you need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to play NBA 2K23 online. Without PS Plus, you‘d be limited to offline single player modes.
As a passionate NBA 2K gamer and content creator with over 5,000 subscribers on YouTube, I often get asked whether PS Plus is required for 2K‘s online modes like Park, Pro-Am and MyTEAM.
So in this detailed guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know:
- Why you need PS Plus for online multiplayer
- PS Plus membership options and pricing
- Playing limited 2K23 online without PS Plus
- Tips for new 2K23 online players
Trust me, nothing beats the thrill of hitting a game-winning three pointer against a trash-talking kid in Park. 😄 So I hope this article helps you get online in 2K23!
Why PlayStation Plus is required for 2K23 online
First, let‘s quickly understand Sony‘s PlayStation Plus premium service.
PlayStation Plus enables online multiplayer access, free monthly games, exclusive discounts and more. It essentially gives you the full capabilities of your PlayStation Network account.
There are currently 25.7 million PS Plus subscribers globally as of January 2023.
Now when it comes to online multiplayer, there are 2 types of games on PlayStation:
- Free-to-play (F2P) games like Fortnite, Genshin Impact, etc.
- Paid/premium games like Call of Duty, Elden Ring, NBA 2K and more.
The key difference is that F2P games do NOT require PS Plus for online play, but paid games do.
So for example:
| Game Type | Requires PS Plus? | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Free-to-Play | NO | Fortnite, Genshin Impact, Apex Legends |
| Paid / Premium | YES | Call of Duty, Elden Ring, NBA 2K |
And NBA 2K23 of course falls into the paid / premium category, with 2K23 sales hitting an all-time high this year.
So that‘s why you need an active PS Plus subscription to play online multiplayer in 2K23 game modes like:
- Park
- Pro-Am
- MyTEAM Unlimited
Without PS Plus, you‘d only be able to play offline game modes against the AI.
Explaining PS Plus membership options & pricing
Alright, so PS Plus is required for 2K23 online. Here are the membership options if you need to sign up:
| Membership | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Month | $9.99 |
| 3 Months | $24.99 |
| 12 Months | $59.99 |
The 12 month subscription works out to $5 per month, so it‘s the best value if you play online regularly.
A couple other quick things to know about PlayStation Plus:
- You get 2-3 free games each month – Previous freebies have included huge titles like GTA V, NBA 2K, Star Wars Battlefront II and more. Definitely a nice perk!
- Exclusive discounts – PS Plus members save up to 60% on games and addons in the PlayStation Store sales.
So along with enabling online multiplayer for games like 2K23, a PS Plus membership can easily pay for itself each year.
Playing 2K23 online without PS Plus (limited options)
Alright, so now you know definitively that PS Plus is required to play 2K23 online on PlayStation.
But what if you only play online occasionally? Are there any limited options to access 2K23 multiplayer without a paid subscription?
Here are a couple potential workarounds:
Use Free PS Plus Trial Codes
If you don‘t subscribe to PS Plus already, you can sometimes find free 7-14 day trials for new members. Retailers like Walmart and GameStop have been known to include trial code cards when purchasing PlayStation games.
So with a free trial, you could test out the 2K23 online experience before committing to a paid membership. I‘d check in-store for potential free trial code opportunities when you pick up NBA 2K23.
Gameshare with a Friend
If you have a gaming friend or family member that pays for PlayStation Plus already, you may be able to "gameshare" with them.
By logging into your PSN account on their PlayStation console, and setting that console as your "Primary" device, you can access their PlayStation Plus benefits on your own console even when playing on your own account.
So essentially gamesharing allows multiple players to benefit from a single PS Plus membership. I‘ve used this method when I only play online occasionally.
Just know that gamesharing requires you to fully trust the other player and regularly sign in to renew licenses. Check YouTube for tutorials on setting up PS4/PS5 gamesharing.
Tips for New 2K23 Online / Park Players
Alright, assuming you now have your PlayStation Plus membership setup for NBA 2K23 online, here are my 5 quick tips for Park success as a newcomer:
- Matchmaking is your friend at first. Avoid hopping on the Got Next spots to play random high level competition.
- Max out your Takeover meter for a temporary ratings boost when needed.
- Equip badges like Clutch Shooter to increase abilities in late game situations.
- Learn how to trigger snatch back jumpers and speed boosting for the meta playstyle.
- Don‘t reach! Focus on maintaining good defensive position.
Hope these Park tips help you hold your own online as you get started. I may cover things in more detail in a future video on my YouTube channel.
Let me know if you have any other NBA 2K questions! I‘m always happy to help new players level up their game.
