Update:



2K Games has restored online functionality to the game for another nine months.



Original story follows:



A scheduled server switch-off for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One editions of NBA 2K14 has wiped players' save files because they required online synchronisation.

Despite publisher 2K Games previously assuring fans that save files would survive the transition, players began to notice in early April that their career mode data was no longer accessible.

2K Games did not warn players that their save files would be deleted, and has only confirmed the issue via responses to emails.

One such message, obtained by Polygon, explains that those who still play the basketball sim will need to restart their career mode if they wish to continue playing.

A 2K Support representative wrote: "This means that if you had created a MyCareer or a MyGM online save file that was once connected to our servers it too sadly has retired and is no longer available for use and it would be necessary to re-create these files as offline saves."

Players who have poured hours of time into the game have expressed their disappointment at the decision.

On Twitter, one player exclaimed: "Was 1/3 into my tenth and final season of NBA 2K14 career mode and you shut down the servers for good? Thanks a lot, 2K, I'm done with you!"

Was 1/3 into my tenth and final season of #NBA2K14 career mode and you shut down the servers for good? Thanks a lot, @2K, I'm done with you! — James Walker (@justtherejames) April 3, 2015

Another wrote: "Hard to believe a game that is 1.5 years old is useless already. Can't access my season now. Awful way to treat your customers."

Hard 2 believe a game that is 1.5 years old is useless already. Can't access my season now. Awful way 2 treat ur customers. #nba2k14 — Reid (@metalupurthrsh) April 1, 2015

Freelance games journalist Chris Scullion suggested on his blog that a bond of trust has been broken. He wrote: "Just like that, 2K Sports has ended my 73-hour single player career by killing its online servers."

GameSpot has contacted 2K to discuss whether the game's successor, NBA 2K15, will also implement the same save file deletion should its servers ever be switched off.

Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game are not affected.

The support message continues: "Sadly this may come as an inconvenience to some of you and if so we truly do understand and can feel for how upsetting this may seem as there always is a special bond that occurs between a player and their MyCareer save but all good things must come to an end and rest assured your MyCareer or MyGM went out while on top!"