Yes, There is a Neighborhood in NBA 2K23
As an avid NBA 2K gamer and content creator, I‘m excited to share the details on this year‘s iteration of the Neighborhood in NBA 2K23. For those unfamiliar, the Neighborhood is a persistent online hub that connects various modes like MyCAREER, MyPARK, and more while letting you hang out and interact with other players.
The G.O.A.T. Boat Sets Sail
The Neighborhood is situated on a luxury cruise liner called the G.O.A.T. Boat this year. This high-end ship has plenty of activities, stores, and basketball courts to occupy your time between games. I love the creativity of having a mobile neighborhood that travels to real-world locations.
Based on early footage, the visual overhaul of the neighborhood is noticeable. The colors pop more, lighting looks more natural, and the water physics seem improved. As a content creator, having aesthetically pleasing zones to capture is a big plus.
Pickup Games Still the Main Draw
While it‘s fun to explore the neighborhood, playing pick-up games at the onboard courts is still the main attraction. Matchmaking seems snappier this year so you can get into games faster. And with four distinct affiliations or factions to join, there‘s a great sense of community pride when repping your squad.
My early testing suggests shooting and dribbling mechanics feel tighter too. I‘m hitting more greens even with a fresh MyPlayer. Defense seems tougher though and finishing through contact isn‘t as easy. So there‘s definitely a learning curve.
| Hood Location | Court Count |
|---|---|
| The Cancha | 3 Courts |
| The Cages | 2 Courts |
| The Theatre | 2 Courts |
As you can see in the table above, there are seven courts spread across three zones. This should prevent too much crowding and give you options. I love having the configurable rules in private matchmaking too. My squad has been working on some unconventional game modes to try out!
Wrapping Up
While the cruise ship concept is a bit gimmicky, I give props to 2K for trying something new with the Neighborhood‘s setting and design this year. Combined with the visual polish and upgrade to the on-court action, it should provide tons of hours of fun hooping with friends. Veterans may need to adjust to some of the gameplay changes but the foundation is strong.
As both a passionate basketball fan and gamer, I highly recommend NBA 2K fans check out this year‘s iteration of the Neighborhood. The ability to squad up or go solo and just run pick-up games with a strong community of players shouldn‘t be overlooked. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
