Tag: NFL 2K

All hope is lost for an NFL 2k game anytime soon and that’s disappointing

Sigh.

A couple months ago news broke that the NFL and 2k sports agreed to a deal with the NFL allowing it to make video games again.

Immediately, we all though NFL 2k FINALLY BYKE! Turned out that wasn’t the case — the deal was only for “non-simulation” football experiences, which meant NFL 2k wasn’t an option.

Still, though, some of us held out hope that after some time that could change. But after today? Yeah, chances are slim.  We’re not getting an NFL 2k game — at least until 2025, anyway.

During the NFL’s owners meetings, the league agreed to extend their exclusive licensing deal with EA Sports through the 2025 season, according to a report from Albert Breer.

We’re stuck with Madden. For five more years. At least. This is what we’re getting.

That’s a whole FIVE MINUTES of gaffes and glitches in the middle of Madden gameplay. A simulation game should never be this glitchy. The Madden community has been pestering EA about fixing it for years now, but no dice.

And why would they fix it? They have absolutely no reason to.

They have no competition to worry about. There’s no reasonable place that gamers looking to play a football game could go outside of Madden. There’s no alternative.

That’s where a 2k Sports game would come in. It’d be another option for gamers to go to when they aren’t getting what they want from Madden. But that can’t happen, though, because of the NFL’s exclusive licensing deal with EA Sports.

Now, sure, an NFL arcade-style game could be pretty cool. Maybe we’d get something like the old NFL BLITZ series again. And maybe that’ll hold us over for a bit.

But there’s nothing like being able to control your favorite football team or your favorite football players and build dynasties around them in franchise mode. There’s nothing like simulating a playoff experience or replaying old events that actually happened in the NFL. An arcade style game would be fun, but it’s not the same.

Monopolies generally suck anywhere — that includes gaming. Mediocrity arises because fewer options are available. That’s what’s going on with Madden right now. The game is extremely flawed and there’s nothing pushing it to be better.

And, from the look of it, we have five more years of more of the same. The only way to stop it is for people to stop playing the game until it gets better and, uh, that isn’t going to happen.

So buckle in, folks. Five more years.

NFL and 2K Sports announce partnership to produce video games

The NFL and 2K announced a partnership to produce new non-simulation NFL video games, with the first game set to release in 2021.

After a 16-year hiatus, 2K Sports is making a comeback to the NFL. The league and video game maker announced a multi-year partnership on Tuesday that encompasses multiple games.

The games will be non-simulation, with 2K announcing in a news release that they are in early development and are expected to launch in 2021. Because the games will be non-simulation, they will not compete with the “Madden” franchise.

“We’re thrilled to be back in business with the NFL in a partnership that will span multiple video games centered on fun, approachable and social experiences,” said David Ismailer, president of 2K. “It’s exciting to bring together 2K’s expertise in creating award-winning sports games with the NFL’s renowned status as a world-class entertainment and sports organization.”

2K published the “NFL 2K” franchise from 1999-2004. It currently produces the “NBA 2K” franchise as well as “WWE 2K,” “BioShock,” The Golf Club” and “X-COM.”

“It’s an exciting time for 2K and our fans,” said Ismailer. “We’re growing our s​ports offerings and building on our core games with new [intellectual property], as well as continued support of award-winning franchises, all with the goal of giving our fans more amazing games and entertainment for years to come.”

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The NFL, 2K partnership, explained: Don’t expect another NFL 2K

Madden won’t be the only NFL video game around in 2021.

For the last 15 years, NFL fans have been mourning the loss of the NFL 2K series, the last real challenger to EA Sports’ Madden NFL video games. NFL 2K5, released in July of 2004, was the last annual release of an NFL game by 2K, and is still regarded as one of the best football games of all time.

On Tuesday, 2K announced a “multi-year partnership encompassing multiple future video games” with the NFL – but you may want to reserve your excitement for now.

The first new NFL game from 2K is slated to release in late 2021 – but it won’t be a “football simulation” game.

“The games will be non-simulation football game experiences. While specific game titles, developers and release dates will be announced at a later date, 2K confirmed the projects are in early development and will launch starting in calendar year 2021, during Take-Two’s fiscal year 2022.”

EA Sports responded to the news by noting that it is still the “exclusive publisher of NFL simulation games,” according to its deal with the NFL and NFLPA.

So what does this mean for NFL 2K? It’s difficult to say, as the distinction between what constitutes a “simulation” game and a “non-simulation” game is unclear. Modern Madden NFL games, for example, can be played with an “arcade” ruleset, but would still likely be considered by most to be a simulation even in arcade mode. If the new NFL 2K can exploit such a loophole, we could potentially see a true contender for Madden’s throne.

It’s also possible that 2K plans on delivering an entirely new experience. NFL Blitz and NFL Street were both highly regarded in their own time, so we know that a truly arcade-style NFL game can work.

A bigger question is whether 2K, specifically, can deliver a game that can live up to the legacy of NFL 2K. Review scores for NBA 2K, long considered the best sports simulation on the market, have dipped in recent years, and 2K has been criticized for the abundance of micro-transactions in the game. WWE 2K20, meanwhile, was the worst-received game in the series, with a Metacritic score of 43. The prospect of a challenger to Madden is exciting, but 2K has to prove it won’t fumble the opportunity.

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