'NBA 2K13' developers break down career mode changes

NBA 2K13's developers at Visual Concepts changed the name of the series' career mode from "My Player" to "MyCareer" this year, and in a new video, they discuss the changes coming in the rechristened mode.

NBA 2K13's developers at Visual Concepts changed the name of the series' career mode from "My Player" to "MyCareer" this year, and in a new video, they discuss the changes coming in the rechristened mode.

According to producer Erick Boenisch, Visual Concepts' goal was to "blur the line" between your player's on- and off-court lives. The game's commentators will mention things you do off the court. At the same time, a social media area — similar to the Twitter integration in Madden NFL 13's Connected Careers mode, but without the official branding features comments on your in-game performance.

Those comments come from fellow NBA players, legends like Michael Jordan, media personalities including ESPN's J.A. Adande, and celebrities such as Justin Bieber. (It's unclear if the people in question actually wrote the in-game tweets-that-aren't-tweets, or if Visual Concepts wrote them in the style of tweets from those individuals.)

The developers also say they've made improvements to player AI in MyCareer, so your teammates will respond to the way you're playing around them. And NBA 2K13's new "Signature Skills" can be purchased with the game's virtual currency, which is integrated with the career mode this year.

For more details on Signature Skills and the other gameplay changes Visual Concepts is making to NBA 2K, check out our full preview of NBA 2K13.

NBA 2K13 is set for release on October 2nd on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii, and PSP, with a Wii U version coming this holiday season.