In an attempt to replicate the "alternate universe" vibe of games like Mortal Kombat , introduced "2K Originals." These were DLC packs featuring:
The central story of 's MyCAREER mode follows the intertwined journeys of two lifelong best friends, (the female MyPLAYER) and
: The plot includes a major life-changing secret revealed through flashbacks that impacts their bond. Gameplay Features & Structure : The story spans 18 chapters and approximately 100 matches , taking about to complete. Dual Perspective WWE 2k20
The story mode followed custom characters "Red" and "Tre" — two independent wrestlers trying to make it to WWE. The writing was cheesy but charming, reminiscent of Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 storylines. However, the gameplay loop was repetitive, the loading screens were endless, and the dialogue choices often led to crashes. It was a good idea buried under technical rot.
With a drastically shortened development cycle and an entirely new team learning a complex, decades-old engine, WWE 2K20 was set up to fail. The result was not a polished evolution but a digital house of cards. In an attempt to replicate the "alternate universe"
MyCareer mode took a bold swing by moving away from the standard "create a wrestler and grind through NXT" formula. Instead, it introduced a comedic, scripted story involving an undead biker gang and a demonic contract. It felt like a B-movie horror-comedy. While some players appreciated the absurdity and the voice acting, others missed the grounded sports entertainment feel of previous years. It was a divisive creative risk that was ultimately overshadowed by the game's instability.
WWE 2K20 is not a good game, nor is it a so-bad-it’s-good game. It is a tragic example of corporate deadlines crushing artistic and technical quality. For the dedicated wrestling fan, it served as a breaking point—proof that annualized franchises cannot survive on recycled code and rushed production. The writing was cheesy but charming, reminiscent of
The warning signs were there long before the game hit shelves. For years, Japanese developer Yuke’s had been the backbone of the WWE simulation series. However, after WWE 2K19 (widely considered a high point for the franchise), Yuke’s departed the project. 2K Sports handed the reins entirely to their internal studio, Visual Concepts, known primarily for the NBA 2K series.
: A story-driven mode following the careers of the "Four Horsewomen" (Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Sasha Banks).
The response to was so devastating that 2K Games did something unprecedented: they canceled the next year's game.