2K Games has announced it will delist NBA 2K25 from all digital storefronts on October 30, 2026. The basketball sim, which launched on September 6, 2024, will be stripped from sale just over two years after its release.
Additionally, NBA 2K25's online servers will be shut down from January 1, 2027. This means the game's multiplayer modes and MyCareer, the single-player story mode, will be unplayable from that date. MyCareer relies on virtual currency to upgrade players, so without online servers those features are disabled.
2K's pattern of early shutdowns
2K Games has a track record of cutting the lifespan of its games short prematurely, as seen with WWE 2K23 and PGA Tour 2K23, in order to push more people to buy the latest iteration. The company's annual sports games typically have a shorter shelf life than other online titles.
The servers for NBA 2K24 were shut down the same time last year, so this move is not out of the norm for 2K. It remains a disappointing reflection of the times, and raises questions about why people would buy a game that becomes essentially defunct after just two years.
What remains playable
In a statement, 2K Games wrote: 'As of January 1, 2027, you'll no longer be able to play multiplayer games or access any online game modes. MyCareer and MyTeam will no longer be available, and it will no longer be possible to earn virtual currency (VC).'
'While you will still be able to enjoy Play Now, MyNBA, The W, and MyWNBA, any features that require a connection to 2K servers will be unavailable. This includes multiplayer, Online Leagues, and community sharing. Thanks for being a part of our community and hope you continue to enjoy NBA 2K!'
Impact on players and preservation
The fact 2K has done this over the past few entries suggests players haven't kicked up much of a fuss about it, reflecting the audience who buy annual sports games every year and rarely return to prior entries. When it comes to preservation, however, it's a bleak trend.
