We’re at the point in the NBA 2K cycle where we all have a great handle on the good and bad aspects of the latest version of the game. The more astute fans of each mode can compile a pretty strong wish list for the next iteration of the game.
As someone who gets the most enjoyment from 2K’s MyNBA and roster creation than any other aspect of the game, it’s easy to hone in on the aspects of the offline experience that can be vastly improved.
The modding community for NBA 2K is one of the best in any sports video game scene. They consistently come up with outstanding tools to expand on the many options 2K already has available. Unfortunately, all of these tools are exclusive to PC users, which means at this point, we’re not even seeing some of the best user-created expansions with next-gen bells and whistles.
One of the tools created by modders that would be an excellent addition to NBA 2K’s console experience with the MyNBA, roster/player creation, Pro-Am and PARK experiences is the CyberFace Mixer by Jeek13.
The tool essentially allows you to mix and match existing player’s faces, body types, skin complexions, hair styles, eye color and attributes. The tool is a little complicated–especially if you’re not accustomed to modding–but the results are pretty cool as they add an additional layer of creative options for users who want to create players with more variance than the factory tools allow.
I used it to make a player I named Stephen James (a blend of LeBron James and Steph Curry). That’s the player featured in the lead image. I’ve also made mix-and-match versions of players with Kevin Durant’s facial features and Robin Lopez’s complexion and hair.
Take a look at the results of the James-Curry experiment.
If you are a 2K PC user, here is a tutorial on how to install and use the CyberFace Mixer. It was uploaded and narrated by Shuajota.
If this is possible using a modding tool, you’d like to think it is something 2K developers could incorporate into the game as an actual feature for all versions of NBA 2K23.
If you add this on top of the ability to better sculpt created players–and to possibly upload the image of a face as a base–NBA 2K’s player-creation options would go to the next level.
Brian Mazique worked as an NBA 2K League insider from March-September 2021.
