Earn ‘NBA 2K13′ Loot With Companion Apps and Facebook Game

2K Sports is extending the gaming experience of the upcoming NBA 2K13 into both the mobile and social worlds, giving players ways to interact with the game even when they’re away from their console.

Gamers can access three different games that compliment the NBA 2K13 experience: MyNBA2K, a NBA 2K13 simulator and NBA 2K: MyLIFE for Facebook. Both MyNBA2K and the simulator are available for tablets and mobile devices. MyNBA2K and NBA 2K: MyLIFE each tie back into the console experience, allowing players to earn virtual currency and upgrades for their player and team on the console.

MyNBA2K: Mobile Mini-Games

MyNBA2K is a free app for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire tablets which includes several mini games that pick up on different gameplay elements. There are straight-forward basketball trivia games and free-throw games that you’d expect to see, but the app has several departures for NBA fans.

It contains two memory games: “Dribble Course” and “Film Study”. In Dribble Course, players must remember where the cones are in an obstacle course, then direct their player to dribble around them. “Film Study” has players recreate plays they are shown from memory.

Also unique is “Autograph Signing” mode, where you create your signature and try to replicate it well as many times as possible. Screwing that up elicits funny fan responses like “What am I supposed to do with that?”

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Succeeding at any of the mini games rewards the player with virtual currency, a new addition to NBA 2K13. This currency can be used to upgrade your player by giving him a customized wardrobe and signature moves, or to purchase players in the game’s matchmaking mode, MyTEAM.

The MyTEAM mode is also integrated into the app’s “Team Defense” mini game. Players can use their roster players’ attributes to set up the best offense and defense on a court, then see how their numbers stack up against an opposing player. 2K is comparing the mode to something like Stratego for basketball, a representative said.

All of these tie-in features can be accessed from the same account used to log in to the NBA 2K13 game, and the app is designed to either compliment to the experience, or be a stand-alone extension of the brand.

Play NBA 2K13 on Your Tablet

Another application launching with NBA 2K13 is the tablet application of the same name. The app is a full-on basketball simulator; gamers can play through match-ups against current teams, or even create play an older roster.

Players can control their team with either touchpad controls or one-touch controls that decide when they want to pass, steal and shoot. It’s a slimmed-down version of the console’s gameplay, but uses the full graphical capabilities of newer tablets.

The game doesn’t tie in with its full-featured big brother, but is another way for players to get their basketball fix on any device. The NBA 2K13 app will cost $7.99 on Android and iOS.

Build a Basketball Dream House on Facebook

The NBA also makes its way to Facebook in NBA 2K: MyLIFE, a social game that will look familiar to anyone who plays a lot of the genre.

Players can import a cartoon version of their NBA 2K13 player, then proceed to build him a digital life, including buying their player houses, basketball courts to practice on, and other things. The game has events where players encounter real NBA players and can add them to their entourage. Those players will then show up in NBA 2K13 if you’ve talked to them enough on Facebook.

Players play mini-games and interact with fans to earn cash they can use to upgrade their house. In true NBA fashion, you can build a giant, opulent stadium or move your house to the beach. In-game actions will lead to rewards you can apply to your player in the full version of NBA 2K13.

NBA 2K13 will be available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC and PlayStation Portable on Oct. 2, and the Wii U after the console launches. The connected apps only work with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the applications though.

Are you excited about having games that cross into social and mobile territory with tie-in apps? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.