STACK #216 October 2022

GAMING FEATURE

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TOP STUFF Topgolf will be making its debut in PGA Tour 2K23 . The new mode features a true-to-life reproduction of the flagship Topgolf Las Vegas location and can be played with friends or solo. With ten balls to hit into a series of different targets, players will need finesse and good club selection to earn points and MyPLAYER XP.

This month sees PGATour 2K23 taking a swing at the golf sim crown, with aVIPTiger in its tank – living legendTiger Woods.We chatted with developer HB Studios’ franchise manager, ShaunWest, about what to expect. Words Amy Flower

TigerWoods is back where he should be, gracing the cover of an official PGA game. What has it been like working with him, especially with him acting as an executive director? Getting to work with Tiger Woods has been a career highlight for all of us at HB Studios. As huge golf and Tiger fans, it doesn’t get better than collaborating with a cultural icon who has his fingerprints all over the golf and video game world. HasTiger given you any hot tips for your own game? He has, but we’re not giving away our advantage!

We’re getting 20 courses to play right off the bat… erm, club.What do you have up your sleeves as far as adding more courses after release?

• PGA Tour 2K23 is out on Oct 11/14

The original list of licensed courses is just the start for PGA Tour 2K23 . We’ll be adding six additional courses post-launch, including the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links.

time. With over 14 pros available in game, delivering this popular feature was a major priority.

How’s MyCAREER shaping up? We’ve aimed to make this year’s MyCAREER more comprehensive and authentic than ever before. Players will first set out to prove themselves on the six events in the Korn Ferry Tour, before earning their TOUR card and the chance to compete against elite talent. This year will feature 34 tournament events as part of the TOUR circuit, with new official events at launch including RBC Canadian Open, Genesis Scottish Open and the BMW Championship. Can we expect anything big and new in the telecast-styled presentation and commentary team? We’re excited to share that our broadcast and commentary team of Rich Beem and Luke Elvy will return this year with the addition of English golf pro and broadcaster Henni Koyack. She will be the first female to join the broadcasting team, ensuring a more inclusive set of voices. Have any Aussies snuck into contention in PGATour 2K23 ? No Aussies to share just yet, but we do have a Kiwi with Lydia Ko!

What would you say are the biggest tweaks to gameplay this time out? PGA Tour 2K23 is all about playing your way. Raising the level of customisation and personalisation was one of the biggest improvements that we made to gameplay. To start, we’re giving players two swing options – the new three-click swing along with the returning analog stick swing. We’ve also reimagined the level of MyPLAYER

We loved the promotional interview with Christopher McDonald/ Shooter McGavin andTiger. Does Shooter appear in the game at all? Are there any other big surprises that you’re prepared to reveal or hint at? The crossover between golf and the NBA has been

customisation to enable greater control over choosing your own playstyle. With five archetypes to pick from as a baseline, players will also get to evolve their MyPLAYER with new Skill Points and Club Fittings as they progress.

strong, so it seems only fitting that we introduce two of the

How about brand-new features? For the first time, players will be able to

games’ greatest. Not only is our NBA 2K23 cover athlete, Michael Jordan, part of the pre-order bonus, but players will also get to tee off as golf fanatic Steph Curry. As for Christopher McDonald and other personalities, only time will tell…

hit the course as male and female playable pros in online and local play. To tee off as the iconic Tiger Woods himself, or one of the franchise first female pros such as Lydia Ko, is something our community has been requesting for a long

10 OCTOBER 2022

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