2K is among the world’s leaders in sports video games, especially the PGA Tour series. However, it has strained its reputation with gamers by pushing microtransactions to golf fans. The California-based company released PGA Tour 2K25 in February and has received positive reviews due to its graphics and gameplay. You get a more realistic golf experience than past titles have provided.
However, microtransactions have compromised the title’s integrity and driven away gamers. If you want to create a golf legend, you have to prepare to pay for virtual currency (VC). The 2K franchises are no stranger to VC, which has created controversy with NBA and WWE games. Players have started using real money to level up their characters and skill sets in the last decade. While VC used to be optional, it has become nearly mandatory for PGA Tour 2K25 gamers.
2K has changed its golf video game since the early access version, meaning improving your attributes through the typical grind is more challenging. Once 2K released it, the amount of VC players earned with each round on the links decreased. Now, you must swing the clubs for longer to earn in-game money. You can use VC to upgrade attributes and skill trees or buy new outfits. However, accruing the money has become a different story.
New technology has been quietly reshaping how people experience golf. A growing number of players are turning to virtual golf and video games for their fix. Titles like PGA Tour 2K25 and other golf simulators are drawing in gamers with lifelike visuals, gameplay and swing analyses. The convenience and precision is making digital golf more than just a substitute; it's becoming a preferred option for many and blurring the lines between sport and simulation. However, the increase in popularity comes with an increasing presence of microtransactions, testing the patience of fans who value skill and progression over spending.
PGA Tour 2K25 fans can use quests to make MyCAREER mode shorter, and they’ll often want to, it may take months of grinding to win a major championship. Since the release, 2K has significantly limited the VC you can earn from quests. Earning in-game currency can speed up your progress, so you must spend more time grinding.
2K said, “Players are also able to spend real money on VC, should they wish to accumulate the in-game currency at an accelerated rate. There are multiple options for purchasing VC based on the amount you would like to gain. It’s important to note that you must be connected to the internet for VC to be accrued.”
Even when you advance your character, you don’t get the rewards. 2K used to award VC when you level up, but gamers have said the bonuses are less common. PGA Tour 2K25 fans have also noted the progression is much slower than in past releases. The grind appeals to some gamers who want a realistic golf experience and the ability to earn their championships.
However, the slowed career advancement is not for the love of the game — it’s a cash grab for the company. Your opponents in online play may have bought the Legend Edition, which awards 1,800 VC, clubhouse passes and upgraded clubs from the start. Therefore, less gameplay is necessary for specific rewards.
Gamers have pointed out that paying the full price isn’t enough to play career mode. Instead, 2K has implemented obstacles to upgrading your character and has deviated from its past successful formulas. 2K made matters worse by fooling players with the early access version that made earning VC more manageable. They then pulled the rug from under golfing gamers and incentivized digital transactions.
However, the changes haven’t gone entirely unnoticed. People have made their voices heard on Steam and other online platforms, decrying these monetization tactics. Threads on the PGA Tour 2K25 subreddit have noted how long it takes to help your character reach a 99 rating.
Some players said 2K’s decisions prevented them from buying the game upon release and that they’ll wait for a sale on online marketplaces. Will 2K continue this strategy in future PGA Tour games? If it’s more profitable, it’ll be hard to stop. However, the publisher could alienate longtime customers and decrease engagement.