NBA 2K20 has dealt with quite a bit of controversy surrounding the trailer for MyTeam that was dropped last week. Now, PEGI, which handles the ratings for video games in Europe, has delivered a response in regards to the trailer.
NBA 2K20 Controversy
In case you missed it, the MyTeam trailer dropped for NBA 2K20 last week. The trailer garnered quite a bit of controversy, however, due to the mini-games that will be available to gamers in 2K20. The mini-games feature standard casino games, such as prize wheels and slot machines, which gamers can play in order to receive prizes for their team. The issue here is that because of the inclusion of slot machines and prize wheels in NBA 2K20, the game may be encouraging individuals to participate in real-life gambling.
Here are just a few responses to the controversy on Twitter:
NBA2K20 is a GAMBLING SIMULATOR Now! In a game rated for Children! What does Slot Machines, Pachinko & Roulette have to do with BASKETBALL!?! Stop this SICK FILTH! We need to do something! Our Angry Rant! https://t.co/8DAR6Dzy7w Spread this to as many ppl as you can! RT PLZ! pic.twitter.com/Stltu8aO0i
— Joe Vargas (@AngryJoeShow) August 29, 2019
Older Pokemon games are rated PEGI 12 because of one slot machine mini-game with little gameplay influence and zero monetization attached. Meanwhile, NBA 2K's PEGI 3 listing doesn't even mention gambling elements. Yeah, something doesn't add up. https://t.co/nE7sexzEgH
— YongYea (@YongYea) August 30, 2019
In response to this trailer, a Redditor by the name of “AnimeNoireChan” e-mailed PEGI (Pan European Game Information), which establishes the content ratings of games in Europe, about whether or not NBA 2K20 would be flagged as a game that features gambling content. The user received a reply to the query by PEGI, and the response has been verified as authentic by Eurogamer,
PEGI’s Response to NBA 2K20
PEGI responded by detailing that a game receives the “gambling content descriptor” when a game contains “moving images that encourage and/or teach the use of games of chance that are played/carried out as a traditional means of gambling.” PEGI later wrote that this refers to gambling for money that is typically done in areas such as casinos and racetracks. This does not, however, refer to gambling that is done in a video game for storyline purposes, which is the case in NBA 2K20 according to PEGI.
PEGI later added that in order for the game to be given the gambling descriptor, it must “actually teach the player how to gamble or bet and/or encourage the player to want to gamble or bet for money in real life. For example, this will include games that teach the player how to play card games that are usually played for money or how to play the odds in horse racing.”
Also, PEGI wrote that they can only comment on the content that has been made publicly available in the trailer. “It is important to stress that the controversial imagery played a central role in the trailer, but it may not necessarily do so in the game, which has not yet been released.” The game could possibly given the descriptor in the future, depending on what the full game actually looks like.
For more NBA 2K20 news, be sure to keep checking out the SGO site.
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