NBA 2K21 will feature female MyPlayer Builder on Xbox Series X, PS5

The NBA 2K series has for more than a decade offered gamers the opportunity to fulfil their wildest dreams by creating and guiding their own player towards NBA stardom. With NBA 2K21, it appears we’re a step closer towards being about to guide female players through to the WNBA.

MyCareer is arguably the best single-player, story-based mode across all sports game franchises. The likes of FIFA, NHL, and Madden have all made attempts to replicate the mode’s success, but few have been able to create as big and as engaging a spectacle as what the NBA 2K series has.

The last few NBA 2K titles have expanded the series somewhat, bringing in Hollywood A-Listers to direct and star in the MyCareer journey. This year’s outing, which you can read about here, stars Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy), Michael K. Williams (The Wire) and Djimon Hounsou (Guardians of the Galaxy).

Additionally, the growth and expansion of the MyPlayer Builder has given gamers more freedom and flexibility than ever to create a player in the mould of an NBA superstar. Just some examples being Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (I’m still trying to refine that Michael Jordan one).

NBA 2K21 will go up another level yet, at least once the game lands on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 later this year. For the first time ever, the series will include playable user-created female characters, via the MyPlayer Builder. Unfortunately, per reports, this feature won’t be available in the PS4, Xbox One or Nintendo Switch versions of the game.

It’s been tough going to get any sort of clarification from 2K Sports or developer Visual Concepts regarding the next-gen version of NBA 2K21, but this little tidbit does provide some insight as to just how much more detailed the version will be once it’s released. We saw the WNBA being added to NBA 2K20 last year via MyLeague, and so allowing gamers to create their own female WNBA superstar is an epic step forward for that sector of the sport.

A news release from the weekend noted that NBA 2K21 players “will be able to create a female customizable MyPlayer.” There’s no indication that these created players will have their own single-player story ala MyCareer, but they will be available for the slew of modes and games available in NBA 2K21.

“[NBA 2K21] new features and evolutions for WNBA and next-gen [consoles]; stay tuned for that,” NBA 2K21 executive producer, Erick Boenisch, said.

While details are scarce thus far, it’s still wonderful news for the progression and inclusion of the WNBA and female players in the NBA 2K franchise. While it’s not the first creative love female players have received in the genre — NBA Live 2018 featured female created players as well as WNBA teams — given the sheer amount of content on offer in NBA 2K21 it’s safe to say this will be the deepest level of offerings available for created female players.

NBA 2K21 launches September 4 on Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Next-gen versions will be released at a later date.