A little bit of story in sports games is nothing new, but usually focuses on a single player. Visual Concepts’ NBA 2K18 will be the first in the long-running series to offer a story-driven franchise mode for players to enjoy. Up until now, most franchise modes in sports games would focus purely on roster, finances, etc., but with the MyGM: The Next Chapter mode in NBA 2K18, fans will get to experience a different side of running a professional American sports team.

Visual Concepts announced that in the upcoming basketball title, the MyGM: The Next Chapter mode will have players take on the role of a former NBA star whose playing days were cut short due to a career ending injury. Six years later, “you” return to manage your own basketball team. Aside from the normal roster and financial responsibilities, as the GM, players will have to interact with the team’s owner and players, as well as the media and other teams’ GMs.

As far as what story elements players will face in NBA 2K18, Senior Producer Erick Boenisch is shying away from revealing too much before the title is release. He did, however, brush on what can be expected in the upcoming game:

With NBA 2K18, we are introducing an experience you won’t find in any other game; a narrative-driven story-based franchise experience that maintains all of the user control and team building aspects that you have grown to love from MyGM over the years.

While MyCAREER focuses on your life as an NBA player out to achieve superstardom, MyGM: The Next Chapter aims to view the NBA world from the complete opposite perspective. Centered around you, the GM, you will need to navigate backroom scenarios while dealing with expectations from your owner, your staff, the press, other GMs, and of course, your players.

How your MyGM experience turns out is completely up to you. Your path will be determined by the choices you make and the answers you provide at the many key points in the narrative. Understand, I’m intentionally being a little vague regarding the main plot of the story, as I want you to experience it firsthand rather than through thinly veiled spoilers. Just know that the intent is for an engaging experience that steers clear of the typical sports clichés you may be conjuring up in your head.

As a franchise die-hard myself, I understand the importance and integrity of team building to your franchise experience. We’ve designed a story that will delight and entertain without infringing on the plans you have for your roster. Draft, trade, and contract decisions are not spoon fed by the writing. Make the story your own, and build a winner“

NBA 2K18 will be released on September 19 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3 & 4, Xbox 36, Xbox One, and Windows PC. What are your thoughts on the narrative-driven franchise mode for the next NBA 2K title? Do you like that sports games are implementing stories to give players a little more immersion? Sound off in the comments section below! As always, be sure to follow DFTG on Twitter for around the clock coverage of the hottest news in gaming and entertainment thanks to our 24/7 live feed.