For the first time in NBA 2K history, a fully authentically scanned and playable fan is in the game.
William Floyd, a 15 year old from Georgia, has a rare genetic disorder that causes severe heart problems and muscle weakness and got an opportunity to visit the 2K Games offices thanks to a coordinated effort between the developer and the Make-A-Wish organization.
Not only did Floyd get a tour and opportunity to meet people in different departments at 2K, he got into the game, officially.
Due to his condition, which he has been battling since the age of 18 months according to a statement, he is unable to participate in sports, but his love for NBA 2K keeps him busy while connected to basketball.
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Floyd went through the same process that all NBA players do in order to be included in the game at the 2K motion capture studio, where 140 motion capture cameras were ready to detail his movements. His likeness was then captures by 146 Pixelgun cameras, down to the wrinkle, according to 2K Games.
Today our guy William Floyd from @MakeAWish joins the NBA 2K20 roster as the first authentically scanned and playable fan in basketball video game series history 🙌
— NBA 2K20 (@NBA2K) March 4, 2020
Thanks for coming to visit us @thebuddyboy5 💯 pic.twitter.com/vufVPYN9ox
"Each player does a dance move or a celebration before he gets on the court," Floyd said in a release from 2K Games. "So, I got one of those, too. I got to create it."
Floyd also got to meet with prominent 2K community figures like Ronnie "Ronnie2K" Singh, the digital marketing director for 2K and one of the best-known representatives of the NBA game franchise.
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Floyd's player model can be found starting today in the Quick Game mode, where he is a free agent. The 15-year-old's avatar will also be available in the MyCAREER and MyLEAGUE rosters, according to 2K Games.
Make-A-Wish dove into another gaming-related wish at the Call of Duty League's Atlanta homestand in late February. The organization helped get 16-year-old Rand Smith to that event, where he met with FaZe Clan players and competed with members of the esports team.