NBA 2K18 Prelude On PS4 & Xbox One Is Totally Different From 2K17, Insider Says

NBA 2K18 is getting a free Prelude demo in September, but according to a tweet from Operation Sports Owner Steve Noah, it won’t be a repeat of the college-themed concept we saw last year. The PS4 and Xbox One trial apparently has some new tricks up its sleeve.

Hours after Tuesday’s formal Prelude reveal, Noah tweeted “NBA 2K18 Prelude is completely different from NBA 2K17 Prelude.” The 2K insider added that “more details [will be revealed] in the coming weeks.”

That tease leaves a lot open to interpretation, but at the very least, it tells us what 2K18’s Prelude is not. In last year’s game, Prelude was essentially an introductory tour of MyPlayer. Those interested in the game could create an athlete, start his college career and raise his stock in the NBA draft. It played much like the final game, but it didn’t feature the true NBA star power of the full experience.

Assuming Noah’s statements are correct, they leave us a little unsure of how the upcoming demo fits into the larger 2K18 mold. Maybe instead of starting out in college, your MyPlayer will head straight to the NBA for his first few games as a rookie. Considering the huge weight 2K just recently put on art direction, accurate face scans and realistic graphics, the publisher may feel that showing off more hallmark NBA players is a better way to sell the product.

Alternatively, maybe this year’s Prelude isn’t based off a MyPlayer at all. Instead, it might be cool to get a brief sneak peek at The Next Chapter MyGM story mode. Taking the Prelude in this direction would allow enthusiasts to pick up a few games and experience some unrivaled NBA realism while trying out one of the title’s newest attractions. The Next Chapter was one of 2K’s first big mode reveals for 2K18, and crafting a narrative for any game takes lots of hard work. Offering a free taste is the best way to spark hype for what comes next.

These are just our theories of course, and none of them, or even both of them, could be deemed partially correct. That being said, it’s nice to see 2K switching things up for a free demo that many franchise fans assumed would be a rinse-and-repeat affair.

For those who missed Tuesday’s news, the Prelude launches Sept. 8 on PS4 and Xbox One only. While the full game will be available on last-gen consoles as well as PC and Switch, the indication here is that the demo won’t be developed for those niche 2K platforms.

In addition to offering up initial details about NBA 2K18’s Prelude, the publisher also released a brand new developer diary focused on the game’s simulated player models and accessories. The three-minute clip suggests that pretty much every aspect of last year’s presentation will be expanded. NBA player models have more varied body types, MyPlayer customization options have increased and there are lots of new shoe designs.

NBA 2K18 comes to PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch and PC Sept. 19. The Prelude comes to PS4 and Xbox One Sept. 9.

Are you happy the NBA 2K18 Prelude will be different from last year’s? How would you like to see it change? Tell us in the comments section!