Ever wanted a game that plays the business side of sports? Then, the NBA General manager app might be the right fit for you. Instead of playing the role of the athletes on the court like nearly every other video game, this app allows the user to control the business and front office decisions via simulations to feel like the general manager.
Check out this official trailer for the mobile game:
Users can sign up for free and select which team they want to manage. The team you select is assigned a lineup (seemingly at random), and you get $5,000,000 and 25 coins to start your journey as an NBA General manager.
After selecting a team, you can play simulated matchups against other users. The matchups are totally simulated, one of the major drawbacks of the app. While using the app, I kept thinking it would be pretty cool to see this game tied in with NBA 2K14 where you could both make the front office decisions and then actually play the games.
Within the app, you have the ability to bid on free agents, and accumulate coins to purchase big name players. The app lends itself toward well-balanced teams, so it is key to make smart personnel moves to properly fill out your roster.
You also have the ability to “train” your players. In the app, you can train two players at a time for free, and the process takes 55 minutes. As an incentive to spend money within the app, the user can use two coins to finish the process instantly. For $3.99, the user can get 590 coins. You can also buy more “cash” in order to spend on free agents. Users also have the ability to earn cash and coins through solid play and decision making in the game.
There is a bank within the app that allows you to deposit and withdraw money, though at a 10 percent fee. Perhaps the best feature of the app is the “personal assistant” that you can access via the home screen. When you first download the app, there is a lot going on, and this function helps you figure out how to use everything.
As you win simulated games, you get to “level up” and earn more cash for each win. Certain players that have good numbers during the simulations also earn updated skills. As the GM, you can then leverage these skill upgrades to trade the player and gain more cash. It’s all part of the game, and it’s designed to give users the ability to feel like they can control the franchise.
At its core, the app is a very cool idea that hasn’t been seen before in sports. As I said before, I think it could be really useful if this were integrated with an existing NBA game like 2K14. I think people that consider themselves true fans of the business of sports and find themselves always following free agency and trades will really enjoy playing this type of game.
