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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