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‘NBA 2K21’ possible release date: Xbox Series X backward compatibility update suggests fans won’t have to purchase the game twice

From the “NBA 2K20: Momentous” trailer | Photo credit: NBA 2K / YouTube screenshot

The year 2020 is going to be exciting for the gaming industry. Next-generation consoles from Microsoft and Sony – namely Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 – are slated to launch in the coming months. It also provides hope that upcoming game installments such as “NBA 2K21” would benefit from the more advanced specs of these gaming systems.

NBA 2K21’ console compatibility: Xbox Series X might not require a new copy

Before fans get too excited about playing “NBA 2K21” on Xbox Series X and PS5, they should also be asking how these consoles will handle game compatibility. This title, along with many others, would be most likely developed based on the architectures of Xbox One and PS4. It is worth asking if this transition would require fans to buy games twice.

Sony and Microsoft have promised their upcoming consoles will support backward compatibility to help gamers make the move to the new consoles. The latter, however, has a more defined statement on how that works on Xbox Series X.

Xbox head Phil Spencer wrote last Feb. 24 that they intend to offer “four generations of gaming.” That means the games released for the first Xbox through its succeeding generations would be supported up to the Xbox Series X.

Spencer also took note of their Smart Delivery tech that will be available for “all developers and publishers” to make sure Xbox One games will play on Xbox Series X. While 2K Games has yet to address this matter, it is very likely for “NBA 2K21” to become playable on the Xbox Series X sooner than later.

SIE president Jim Ryan did tell CNET before, “Whether it's backward compatibility or the possibility of cross-generational play, we'll be able to transition that community to next-gen.” It is understandable if such a statement was not enough to assure gamers. Microsoft has been notably more generous with backward compatibility and cross-gen support compared to Sony’s approach.

NBA 2K21’ possible release date: Fall 2020 launch anticipated

One of the reasons this question is being asked about “NBA 2K21” is its anticipated release date. For years, new iterations of the game have been launched worldwide sometime in September or October.

“NBA 2K20” was released on Sept. 6, so it is possible for its successor to be released that early in the fall season as well. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X and PS5 are both expected to become available in the holiday season.

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