2K sports announces All-Pro Football 2K8 for summer release

[Deattribution]

2K returns to gridiron
Visual Concepts bringing football back with All-Pro Football 2K8 for 2K Sports; game set to hit next-generation systems this summer.
By Tim Surette, GameSpot
Posted Jan 30, 2007 5:58 pm PT

For NFL 2K Football fans, the announcement of Electronic Arts' late-2004 exclusive deal with the National Football League (NFL) hurt more than a blindside sack from a unblocked linebacker. The agreement made EA's popular Madden franchise the only NFL-licensed game in town and also effectively ended the career of Visual Concepts' NFL 2K Football series. Rubbing salt in the wound, EA would eventually acquire the exclusive rights to make games based on NCAA Football and the Arena Football League.

After EA made the deal, Sega decided to bail on the sports scene and sold off the jock-centric studios of Visual Concepts and Kush Games to Take-Two Interactive. Take-Two formed 2K Sports, and made sports games based on the licenses of the MLB, NHL, NBA, and more, but stayed away from football of any kind.


Midway Games went rough-and-tumble with the unlicensed Blitz: The League.

Midway Games, on the other hand, believed that a successful football game did not need the blessing of the NFL, and eventually released Blitz: The League, a dark look at the underbelly of professional football. Instead of using real teams and players, Midway created a fictional league and made up its own players. The publisher's gamble proved to be a good move, as the game went on to be a surprising success.

Now it appears 2K Sports is feeling like it wants to get off the sidelines as well. Today, the publisher announced that Visual Concepts is returning to football with All-Pro Football 2K8. The game is scheduled for release on "next generation video game systems" this summer.


Visual Concepts' NFL 2K5.

"Football gamers have been awaiting the return of the 2K series," said Visual Concepts president Greg Thomas. "All-Pro Football 2K8 will deliver an authentic next generation gridiron experience and we are happy to give fans another choice in the football category."

However, it's unclear what sort of players and teams will fill up All-Pro Football 2K8's rosters. While Blitz had the luxury of spicing up a roster of nobodies with gratuitous violence and performance-enhancing substances, Visual Concepts has an affinity for authentic simulations. One possiblity is 2K will opt for signing popular players of years past to fill out its teams, with Hall of Famers spanning decades going toe-to-toe against each other. However, that kind of roster would require 2K Sports to sign deals with each player individually.

For more on today's news announcement--and greater insight on the gritty details of All-Pro Football 2K8--check back shortly for GameSpot's Q&A with Greg Thomas, president of Visual Concepts.

This is the best announcement I've heard concerning console games in the last year or two.


http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/allprofootball2k8/news.html?sid=6165016&om_act=convert&om_clk=newlyadded

Here is the link to the Q&A

[SirFozzie]

Two Words.

Suh.

Weet.

[Eaglesfan27]

Awesome news. This is almost a must buy for me, even if just to support the competition against Madden. Can't wait to hear more about the game.

[Emiliano]

Great news.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Thank God! A very good competitor is back in the market. Madden has been going nowhere lately. Great to see this finally happen.

[Raiders Army]

I won't say what has already been said.

What the hell: Finally some competition!

[albionmoonlight]

I've always liked the 2K gameplay better than Madden.

[JimmyWint]

2K Sports is really stepping it up. The Baseball game sounds fantastic and now this! With all of the roster gurus out there it would be no time before someone comes up with an NFL roster. Personally I think i am just going to go with whatever stock rosters come with the game and start my franchise. Yeah!!

[albionmoonlight]

dola--

I find it funny that the author of the article cannot conceive of an "authentic simluation" that contains a fictional roster.

[MJ4H]

Two Words.

Suh.

Weet.

I don't know either of those words. :(

[Kodos]

Excellent. Maybe this will get EA off of their laurels a bit. I will definitely get this game.

[wade moore]

I've always liked the 2K gameplay better than Madden.

I've always enjoyed Madden more, but that may be because of so much time with the Madden engine.. however, I LOVE 2k's basketball games, so I'm definitely willing to give this a shot..

And has been said, competition is always good.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I don't know either of those words. :(
You don't know "suh" or "weet", but you know "lmaonade".

that is lol man

[Cringer]

Very cool to read this.

[MizzouRah]

Oh yeah baby!

[Mateo]

Sounds awesome.

Doubt it will last more than one game.

Do you know how much $$$ past players would command? And since EA is tight with the NFLPA, I think it'll be a matter of time before EA swoops in and snatches up Joe Montana, Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice, John Elway... all the greats and put them in the game as themselves.

Sounds great, but it also seems they tipped their hand a little bit.

[Deattribution]

Sounds awesome.

Doubt it will last more than one game.

Do you know how much $$$ past players would command? And since EA is tight with the NFLPA, I think it'll be a matter of time before EA swoops in and snatches up Joe Montana, Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice, John Elway... all the greats and put them in the game as themselves.

Sounds great, but it also seems they tipped their hand a little bit.

I think it's unlikely that they spend loads of money trying to get retired players while knowing that if they put in the proper amount of customization people will just make real rosters and never use them.

[Oilers9911]

I don't know either of those words. :(

He said Weet, you know it's a crop...like Grayne.

[sooner333]

Yeah, while the NCAA series is signed up with the NFL, they still can't use the names. I don't know if the 2k series would be allowed to make QB18 for the Colts, but they could certainly make some sort of hint to who it is and within a day a roster pack would be downloadable.

BTW, Madden had to do things generically as far as teams went in their first stint on N64 as the Acclaim (?) game had the exculsive rights. I think we know which franchise has lasted longer.

[dervack]

Yeah, while the NCAA series is signed up with the NFL, they still can't use the names. I don't know if the 2k series would be allowed to make QB18 for the Colts, but they could certainly make some sort of hint to who it is and within a day a roster pack would be downloadable.

BTW, Madden had to do things generically as far as teams went in their first stint on N64 as the Acclaim (?) game had the exculsive rights. I think we know which franchise has lasted longer.
Except I don't think they can call them the Colts either.

[wade moore]

Except I don't think they can call them the Colts either.


They could call them the Indiana Stallions and make the graphics and team name customizeable.

Same stuff Solecismic does/has done.

[gstelmack]

Why can't they use the names? Didn't the Fantasy Sports ruling pretty much screw the NFLPA?

[ice4277]

if they put in the proper amount of customization

Ping: Daivd Winters

[Eaglesfan27]

I doubt this will be one game and done. It sounds like quite a bit of effort has gone into the engine. I'm figuring a good franchise mode with plenty of customization.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Daivd ought to sue.

[Kodos]

hxxp://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sns-ap-fbn-nfl-retirees,0,5165222.story?coll=sns-ap-football-headlines

Could be relevant if All Pro goes the Legends route. Or not.

Retirees Sue NFL Union Over Licensing
By DAVID KRAVETS
Associated Press Writer
Posted February 15 2007, 8:11 PM EST


SAN FRANCISCO -- Two former NFL players are accusing the league's union of inadequately representing them and the 3,500 retired players in licensing deals and allege the player's association may owe millions of dollars in licensing fees.

In a lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, former players Bernard Parrish and Herb Adderley say the NFL Players Union's arm that handles licensing arrangements has done little to secure licensing deals with clothing manufacturers, video game makers and other venues. The suit seeks class-action status to represent the 3,500 retired players, which it says may be owed "tens of millions of dollars."

Parrish was a defensive back with the Cleveland Browns and Houston Oilers from 1959 to 1966. Adderley was a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys from 1961 through 1972.

The lawsuit claims that $7 million was given to 358 retired players in 2005, meaning a small percentage of players have been compensated.

"Defendant has not made diligent efforts to generate revenue for plaintiffs. Almost 90 percent of the class receive no money," the lawsuit says. "Defendant has not allocated opportunities to plaintiffs in any fair or equitable manner. Defendant has not, on information and belief, distributed revenues to plaintiffs that should have been distributed."

The suit also demands that the National Football League Players Inc., as the union's licensing arm is known, open more of its books to players.

Gene Upshaw, the union's executive director, called the lawsuit "baseless."

"We will vigorously defend it. We look forward to showing what we do for retired players," he said.

Upshaw said Parrish has never agreed to sign a licensing deal, and one Adderley signed expired in 2005.

Adderley, for example, claims he didn't receive any compensation from the union for licensing his name to Reebok.

"I think they have a lot of explaining to do," said Ronald Katz, the lawyer for Parrish and Adderley.

The case is Parrish v. National Football League Players Inc., 07-0943.

[WVUFAN]

Does anyone know if this will be released for the PS3?

If not ... this combined with Guitar Hero II (with 10 new songs and downloadable songs) will make me buy a 360, despite my hatred of all things Microsoft.

[Eaglesfan27]

Does anyone know if this will be released for the PS3?

If not ... this combined with Guitar Hero II (with 10 new songs and downloadable songs) will make me buy a 360, despite my hatred of all things Microsoft.


I'm almost certain this will be on the PS3 and 360 but not the PS2 or Xbox.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

Per Gamespot, it is being developed for the PS3 and the 360.

[WVUFAN]

Well, that and Guitar Hero II for 360 still is mighty tempting.

[Eaglesfan27]

Well, that and Guitar Hero II for 360 still is mighty tempting.


Plenty of other good games coming out for the 360 soon as well (along with the ones that are already out.)

[samifan24]

Plenty of other good games coming out for the 360 soon as well (along with the ones that are already out.)

Do tell.

[Eaglesfan27]

Do tell.


As far as excellent 360 games that are already out, there are quite a few threads floating around documenting people's thoughts on those.

As far as games that will be out in the near future that look like they have the potential to be very good:

MLB 2k7

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2

Forza Motorsport 2 (I loved the first one.)

Virtual Tennis 3 (not my thing, but it's an excellent series and this is the first game that will be fully rendered in 1080p natively.)

Guitar Hero 2 (not my thing, but should be a great game on the 360.)

Halo 3 should be out sometime this year.

Tenchu Z (I've really enjoyed previous versions on the PS2.)

Mass Effect - I'm looking forward to this Sci-Fi RPG.

Blue Dragon - The creators have a nice pedigree for RPG's, looking forward to this one too.

The Outsider - Will be interested to see how well they really do the branching storylines.

Spider Man 3 might be good.


There are plenty of others, but those are the ones highest on my radar to keep an eye on. Oh yeah, Winning Eleven 2007 was just released here and I'm waiting to hear some reviews on that.

[ageofquarrel]

I hope this ends up being just a rumor.

hxxp://kotaku.com/gaming/ea/analyst-ea-most-likely-buyer-of-2k-sports-237497.php

[Eaglesfan27]

Saw this earlier today. If you read it carefully, it says that scenario is "unlikely" to occur.


Edit: Actually selective quoting doesn't show that in this particular article, but if you read Gamespot where they quote a larger piece of the analysis, it does say this is "unlikely" to occur.

[Eaglesfan27]

A guy over at OS is the first to get the May edition of Game Informer which has a 5 page preview of the game. You can read his posts over there, but some of the highlights and lowlights of what he has posted so far:

Lowlights:

- Player graphic models don't look next gen, although they note this was an early version of the game and that it would be improved before release.

- No ability to replicate the NFL or NFL Players which seems to indicate limited or no customization?


Highlights:

Greatly improved animation system.

Completely revamped running game.

Greatly improved O-Line/D-Line interaction.

Many more animations for different situations that occur in a game such as a QB running and being hit as he is throwing.

Very lively stadiums that are well done.

Revamped player rating system.



I'm a bit bummed out that there is a lack of customization, but if this game has any sort of decent franchise mode, I'll be purchasing this on release day.

[SunDevil]

... I'll be purchasing this on release day.


Have you learned nothing from the EA Head Coach experience. :D

[Kodos]

It needs to be customizable if I'm going to buy it.

[sabotai]

I'm a bit bummed out that there is a lack of customization, but if this game has any sort of decent franchise mode, I'll be purchasing this on release day.

With how bad Madden was this year, and how bad I suspect it will be next year, I don't really care about customization at this point. I just want a good franchise mode (how the ai?) and gameplay that plays like real football. If they can just give me that, I'll be happy.

[JediKooter]

It would be nice if had Co-op play.

[Eaglesfan27]

Have you learned nothing from the EA Head Coach experience. :D


Yes, I won't be buying that or Madden on release (probably not at all) this upcoming year ;)

[Eaglesfan27]

With how bad Madden was this year, and how bad I suspect it will be next year, I don't really care about customization at this point. I just want a good franchise mode (how the ai?) and gameplay that plays like real football. If they can just give me that, I'll be happy.


I agree. I wanted customization, but if the gameplay is solid and they have a good franchise mode (no 20 DE's in the 1st round), then I'll be happy.

[Pumpy Tudors]

With how bad Madden was this year, and how bad I suspect it will be next year, I don't really care about customization at this point. I just want a good franchise mode (how the ai?) and gameplay that plays like real football. If they can just give me that, I'll be happy.
Sadly, I never found franchise mode to be a strong point in the 2K series of football games.

[kingnebwsu]

Maybe they'll have a weekly highlight show like Sportscenter... ;)

[WVUFAN]

I agree. I wanted customization, but if the gameplay is solid and they have a good franchise mode (no 20 DE's in the 1st round), then I'll be happy.

This is gonna depend of what the gamemakers mean by "No NFL"; if they have completely removed the ability to rename/retool players, then I'm out. Uniforms don't mean as much, but renaming teams/players is a big thing for me in sports games.

[Mo.Raider]

I wonder why no licenses have went the nostalgic route and used the old USFL? I think you might even be able to use the rosters without much conflict.

[RedKingGold]

I wonder why no licenses have went the nostalgic route and used the old USFL? I think you might even be able to use the rosters without much conflict.

If they did that, they'd have to get the Kleenex out for me as I would be creaming all over the place.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I wonder why no licenses have went the nostalgic route and used the old USFL? I think you might even be able to use the rosters without much conflict.
I'll take a guess here. First of all, I doubt that many people under the age of 30 even know what the USFL was. Most of the ones who do know probably don't care about any of the teams. It might as well be generic team names like 2K Sports is apparently already going to do.

As far as the rosters go, it's doubtful that you could put Jim Kelly or Steve Young into an NFL game without getting somebody's permission, so I'd imagine that it's even more unlikely that you could put them into a USFL game. Each player would probably have to be signed individually, and that'd just be impossible.

Does anyone know where former New Orleans Breaker DB Woodrow Wilson is these days? :)

[stevew]

Yeah, I'd venture to say that .01% of people who would buy a console football game give a shit about the USFL or it's license. Perhaps a football RPG could be cool with the license. It would just be a waste of money to use it in a game when you could just make up team names and be in the same boat.

[DanGarion]

I think the most important part to this game will be if people that get the Xbox360 version can make rosters and design the teams correctly and then post those files online so other people can do the same as well.

Then you technically have two games that can play NFL football.

[RedKingGold]

A guy over at OS is the first to get the May edition of Game Informer which has a 5 page preview of the game. You can read his posts over there, but some of the highlights and lowlights of what he has posted so far:

Lowlights:

- Player graphic models don't look next gen, although they note this was an early version of the game and that it would be improved before release.

- No ability to replicate the NFL or NFL Players which seems to indicate limited or no customization?


Highlights:

Greatly improved animation system.

Completely revamped running game.

Greatly improved O-Line/D-Line interaction.

Many more animations for different situations that occur in a game such as a QB running and being hit as he is throwing.

Very lively stadiums that are well done.

Revamped player rating system.



I'm a bit bummed out that there is a lack of customization, but if this game has any sort of decent franchise mode, I'll be purchasing this on release day.

Can you post a linky?

[Mo.Raider]

Yeah, I'd venture to say that .01% of people who would buy a console football game give a shit about the USFL or it's license. Perhaps a football RPG could be cool with the license. It would just be a waste of money to use it in a game when you could just make up team names and be in the same boat.

I see a lot of the under 30 crowd wearing a lot of throw back jerseys, and those are way past their narrow view. The over 30 crowd has been buying and playing football games for quite a while. I see a lot of websites devoted to the old USFL and many of their games are broadcast on ESPN classic. Just a thought.

[Eaglesfan27]

Can you post a linky?


Here you go:

hxxp://forums.operationsports.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=203806 (http://forums.operationsports.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=203806)

The thread has exploded over there, but the first post has the most information. The point that has been raised over there, is that we don't know if there is "no customization." The article just says that it will be impossible to recreate the NFL.

[RedKingGold]

It appears that the article simply said that there would be no customization for online mode. There is nothing said in the article about whether you can customize teams/players in off-line mode.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

It appears that the article simply said that there would be no customization for online mode. There is nothing said in the article about whether you can customize teams/players in off-line mode.

That makes a lot more sense. I can't see them releasing a generic game without some form of customization to make your own NFL league.

[DanGarion]

It appears that the article simply said that there would be no customization for online mode. There is nothing said in the article about whether you can customize teams/players in off-line mode.

That makes a lot more sense.

[Eaglesfan27]

The guy who has the article already (a mod over there proved it) just said that NFL legends will be in the game. No details have been released yet, but the one screen shot they've shown looks a bit like Rice vs Deion Sanders.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm going to go buy the magazine for myself when it comes out in a week or so, but the original poster on OS is now mentioning something he read in the article that he "forgot to mention" - he claims the article says there is no franchise mode.

I could deal with no customization and generic teams, but if there is no franchise mode this game becomes a non-buy for me. I can't believe 2ksports would be stupid enough to not include a franchise mode.

[wade moore]

I'm going to go buy the magazine for myself when it comes out in a week or so, but the original poster on OS is now mentioning something he read in the article that he "forgot to mention" - he claims the article says there is no franchise mode.

I could deal with no customization and generic teams, but if there is no franchise mode this game becomes a non-buy for me. I can't believe 2ksports would be stupid enough to not include a franchise mode.

What is this game with no franchise mode? A season sim of fake players and teams?

Wow. that would be a disasterous decision unless they're putting it out for like $15 and using it as a building step to franchise next year.

[Eaglesfan27]

What is this game with no franchise mode? A season sim of fake players and teams?

Wow. that would be a disasterous decision unless they're putting it out for like $15 and using it as a building step to franchise next year.

IF they truly did that, my suspicion would be is that they focused on making it a great online experience. That still would be a no buy for me, unless it is very cheap.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

IF they truly did that, my suspicion would be is that they focused on making it a great online experience. That still would be a no buy for me, unless it is very cheap.

Online focus = bad. Good single-player experience = good.

To some extent, I think developers are using online play as a crutch so they don't have to do as much work on the AI. They just let the players do the work for them. I'm not too happy with that.

[Kodos]

No franchise mode = no buy for Kodos. The lack of customization is bad enough...

[sabotai]

I'm going to go buy the magazine for myself when it comes out in a week or so, but the original poster on OS is now mentioning something he read in the article that he "forgot to mention" - he claims the article says there is no franchise mode.

I could deal with no customization and generic teams, but if there is no franchise mode this game becomes a non-buy for me. I can't believe 2ksports would be stupid enough to not include a franchise mode.

I can't honestly believe that a sports game would not have a franchise mode. I doubt 2K sports would be that stupid. The only thing I can think of is that the article might have said something along the lines that the build they play-tested didn't have franchise mode available, and thus they couldn't comment on it, and the guy misread it or something. There's no way they would make a game without franchise mode.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

There's no way they would make a game without franchise mode.

Agreed. They already had a franchise engine built that they could just move over to the next game. They built their reputation by playing the 'We're not EA' card. I sincerely doubt they'd cut features from the next gen game. They've had 2 years to get it all pieced together.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Agreed. They already had a franchise engine built that they could just move over to the next game. They built their reputation by playing the 'We're not EA' card. I sincerely doubt they'd cut features from the next gen game. They've had 2 years to get it all pieced together.
Well, hey, if there's no franchise mode, we know they're really not EA. Flawed as it may be, at least EA includes a franchise mode. :)

[sabotai]

Apparently the quote from the article is : "Although the developer wouldnt go into detail about the games league structure, we know that there WON'T be a franchise mode"

So, either G.I. got it wrong or 2K Sports made the dumbest decision they possibly could have. (EDIT: Or the person who posted the quote is lying.)

[WVUFAN]

Is it just me, or are the people over in the 2kSports forum a bunch of bitch-ass complainers?

G.I. posts info on the magazine article over in OS, then gets asked to come over to the 2ksports section, and promptly gets called a liar because he hasn't shown "proof" of the article, so he posts .gifs with his camera phones of the articles, then gets bitched at because they can't read the article from the quick shots.

Maybe I'm used to the relative maturity of this board, but good lord people are idiots.

[Eaglesfan27]

Is it just me, or are the people over in the 2kSports forum a bunch of bitch-ass complainers?

G.I. posts info on the magazine article over in OS, then gets asked to come over to the 2ksports section, and promptly gets called a liar because he hasn't shown "proof" of the article, so he posts .gifs with his camera phones of the articles, then gets bitched at because they can't read the article from the quick shots.

Maybe I'm used to the relative maturity of this board, but good lord people are idiots.

I rarely go over there (but have today) and I've found the level of maturity (or lack thereof) surprising.

I just hope the poster got that info wrong. The magazine is due to hit shelves in 5 days, and will probably be the first game review magazine I've bought in a few years.

Edit: I assume you are talking about the 2ksports forum and not OS.. at least that is what I'm talking about.

[WVUFAN]

I rarely go over there (but have today) and I've found the level of maturity (or lack thereof) surprising.

I just hope the poster got that info wrong. The magazine is due to hit shelves in 5 days, and will probably be the first game review magazine I've bought in a few years.

Edit: I assume you are talking about the 2ksports forum and not OS.. at least that is what I'm talking about.

Yeah, I was talking about 2ksports forum. Operation Sports is ok in my book.

For what it's worth, I agree, I hope the info is wrong, specifically the info on franchise mode.

[sabotai]

Maybe I'm used to the relative maturity of this board, but good lord people are idiots.

With the exception of the official boards for sport sim developers, and other indie-style game developer's forums, I stay away from pretty much all "official" forums. Big game companies, sports teams, etc. They are filled with two things, fanboys and haters. I know those two terms get thrown around a lot, especially here in certain threads, but no two words can better explain the people you run into on a sport team's forums, or on EA's forums, etc. I don't go to those kinds of forums anymore.

[WVUFAN]

With the exception of the official boards for sport sim developers, and other indie-style game developer's forums, I stay away from pretty much all "official" forums. Big game companies, sports teams, etc. They are filled with two things, fanboys and haters. I know those two tersm get thrown around a lot, especially here in certain threads, but no two words can better explain the people you run into on a sport team's forums, or on EA's forums, etc. I don't go to those kinds of forums anymore.

Good advice, sabotai.

[WVUFAN]

dola --

Someone else got the mag in the mail and posted higher rez pictures. He reiterrated the fact that the article specifically stated that there is no franchise mode in the game.

[Groundhog]

The only other games I've played from 2K sports are NBA 2K6 & NBA 2K7. Both play an excellent game of basketball, but leave a lot to be desired in franchise mode. Leaving it out of their football game however is very surprising - especially given that it's fake rosters. Who wants to play one-off games with fake rosters?

[Kodos]

That really is hard to understand. At worst, just slap in the franchise mode from 2k5...

[gstelmack]

Honestly, given my time I don't think I've ever completed more than a season-and-a-half in any console game franchise mode. If it's got in-game saves and lets me play a whole season, I'll buy it, if only to lodge my protest against the EA juggernaut / monopoly. I loved 2k5's gameplay.

[Calis]

Very odd to hear about franchise. That's dissapointing.

That being said it's still almost certainly a buy for me. 2k5 still gets played on a regular basis at my home anytime we want a football fix. I'll buy it just to support them. I'm guessing though that not many other people will, could be rough.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'll buy it, if only to lodge my protest against the EA juggernaut / monopoly. I loved 2k5's gameplay.


I'm disappointed in the lack of franchise mode, but I may buy it for this reason as well. Also, I'm guessing if there isn't a "franchise" mode, there might be some kind of story mode that covers multiple years. With good realistic game play and 11 on 11 football, that could be fun.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

Blue Lightning who is the main mod on 2ksports Forum has had these comments which are relevant to franchise mode:

hxxp://2ksports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115824&page=3 (http://2ksports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115824&page=3)


As for playing 2K-2K5 and the franchise feature that was in (if I recall correctly) 2K2-2K5... yes, that is a very fun feature, and one 2K Sports views as very important in all its sports games.


I cannot speak as to the inclusion of a franchise mode, but I can tell you that 2K Sports views a franchise mode as a key inclusion in every simulation sports game. 2K Sports will also not be releasing a "half-baked" game in APF 2K8

Ya' know, you ever think that maybe, just maybe, we might have something bigger in store???

[jaygr]

I cannot speak as to the inclusion of a franchise mode, but I can tell you that 2K Sports views a franchise mode as a key inclusion in every simulation sports game. 2K Sports will also not be releasing a "half-baked" game in APF 2K8

Ya' know, you ever think that maybe, just maybe, we might have something bigger in store???

I hate when they get all hinty and secretive like that, because it usually turns out being something that isn't all that great anyway. So what is bigger then franchise mode? That usually entails total control over your team. What else is there? Being commish of the whole league? I don't know if I would want that. I guess what I am saying is that off the top of my head I can't think of what would take the place of a franchise mode and be "bigger" and better.

[BrianD]

I would be pretty happy with just a full season mode since I never take the same team into a second season. I'm curious about the "something bigger" though. That something bigger might grab me better than a franchise mode would.

[Kodos]

Online leagues?

[illinifan999]

Pacman Jones mode

You take a player off the field and the game turns into GTA

[RedKingGold]

Well, after the buggy mess that was their baseball game for 360, I'm not really holding my breath for this "big breakthrough"

[wade moore]

Online leagues?

*drool*

[gstelmack]

*drool*

After the fiasco that was the FOFC ESPN NFL 2k5 online season, no thanks. What did that last, 3 weeks before people stopped answering the requests to play their games?

[Eaglesfan27]

After the fiasco that was the FOFC ESPN NFL 2k5 online season, no thanks. What did that last, 3 weeks before people stopped answering the requests to play their games?


Yeah, there are plenty of good people on here, but it is hard to sync up all of our schedules. That is why I'll be unhappy if they have decided to make MP a major focus of this game at the expense of SP.

[Kodos]

Online leagues just don't work. People who are losing a lot lose interest, and schedules are hard to synch up. The FML and the Madden tournaments I used to run demonstrated it all too well. It is way more frustration than it is worth. Unless you are able to play against the computer when your opponent fails to show by a certain time.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Online leagues just don't work. People who are losing a lot lose interest, and schedules are hard to synch up. The FML and the Madden tournaments I used to run demonstrated it all too well. It is way more frustration than it is worth. Unless you are able to play against the computer when your opponent fails to show by a certain time.

I didn't play online leagues with the previous game. Is there no way to have the CPU control some of the teams? Good example of that was the old Super Tecmo Bowl where you could flag teams as either a player or CPU.

[Kodos]

The FML was a Madden league where we did the scheduling out of game and then compiled standings by hand. My main point was people suck, and can't be relied on to play their games, especially if they aren't doing well. I've never played 2K's online leagues.

[SteveMax58]

... So what is bigger then franchise mode?...

Customizeable beer tents??

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Here's Bill Harris' take on the interview in Game Informer magazine. Not looking too good. This one is starting to tumble off the hype wagon for me.......

http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2007/04/all-pro-football-2k8.html

[sabotai]

Here's Bill Harris' take on the interview in Game Informer magazine. Not looking too good. This one is starting to tumble off the hype wagon for me.......

http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2007/04/all-pro-football-2k8.html

"but it's hard to have faith in a game where people were apparently high when they decided the feature set."

Pretty much sums my feelings up as well. It may turn out to be a misunderstanding on what a "franchise mode" specifically is, it may be that 2K is intentially playing a semantics game and will have some kind of 'franchise mode' and just call it something else....or it may be there is no franchise mode at all.

Whatever the situation may be, it certainly seems like this article, which is really supposed to be an 'infomercial' for the game, had the opposite effect that 2K would have liked.

So far, it's looking like Madden again... *sigh*

[Deattribution]

The obvious question is does that mean you won't be able to edit player names and ratings, but of course that question isn't asked. Here's what
Jeff had to say about that:
There's going to be a backlash, I know that. And you know what? Play the game and shut up."


Great PR there :rolleyes:

Whoever from 2k who thought doing this article was a good idea should be fired.

[wade moore]

Great PR there :rolleyes:

Whoever from 2k who thought doing this article was a good idea should be fired.


Yeah, but EA is Evil - love those guys from 2k!!!

[TazFTW]

This is the Brett Favre of sports video game blunders.

[Kodos]

They certainly seem to be making the worst out of what was initially a positive development (competition for EA).

[Eaglesfan27]

Through their forum mods, they have seemed to indicate some regret about how badly that interview was "misrepresented." Hopefully, this was just a bad PR blunder and not a sign of things to come. However, my optimism regarding this game is certainly less in the last week than it has been in the last few months.

[SteveMax58]

Through their forum mods, they have seemed to indicate some regret about how badly that interview was "misrepresented." Hopefully, this was just a bad PR blunder and not a sign of things to come. However, my optimism regarding this game is certainly less in the last week than it has been in the last few months.

Yeah...I've been checking out their forums for a few months as well, and I can't understand why they would stand to gain any advantage by not squashing rumors of not having a franchise mode.

I've read a few possible explanations(from members) on their boards about trying to surprise EA & the like...but the lack of information on the feature set, even if only semi-complete at this point, for a game which does not feature NFL rosters seems counter-productive to their cause.

I'd rather have a swarm of hype around my game over an indifferent calm which has already written it off. It isn't necessarily the case across the board, but I would think any effect would be enough to try & squash the rumors, if untrue. But maybe they really aren't far enough along to even speculate.

[sabotai]

Through their forum mods, they have seemed to indicate some regret about how badly that interview was "misrepresented." Hopefully, this was just a bad PR blunder and not a sign of things to come. However, my optimism regarding this game is certainly less in the last week than it has been in the last few months.

These guys have done these preview interviews enouth that they should know that they need to choose their words very carefully. Sloppiness with regards to any part of their business is not a good sign.

They thought they were going to get good hype for an upcoming game, what they got was a PR nightmare. And their silence is only making things worse.

[bob]

http://www.footballresurrected.com/games/football2k8/

Their web site has been updated to include the 240 legends that are in the game. Pretty good list - Montana, Marino, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, OJ Simpson (I'm not kidding), etc.

No Deion Sanders though.

[RedKingGold]

There's more information on the site too which gives a pretty good clue on the direction of the game.

Imagine Rice, Unitas, Butkus, and Singletary.
In their prime. On the same field.
Maybe even the same team.
Imagine preparing a precision squad of mercenaries—even building your own players.
Imagine football action the way football is really played.
Now imagine the best gridiron game coming back for more.
Imagine Football Resurrected.
This is All Pro Football 2K8.
This summer…the legend returns.




Draft your dream team from football’s legendary players--over 240 of them.
Choose your arena and pump up the fan base to create stadium energy you can feel.
Next Gen Graphics feature thousands of new player animations—games come alive with sweat and steam, rabid fans in the stands and dynamic weather challenges.
2K Broadcasting – A new style combining TV broadcast with on-field commentary to put you closer to the action than ever before.
2K Beats – Kick it off with original soundtracks, mashups and remixes by an all-pro producer with legendary artists (TBA).
Don’t miss the release date! Be sure to get on our mailing list.

Really sounds like it's going to be a one-dimensional game. Too-bad.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

http://www.footballresurrected.com/games/football2k8/

Their web site has been updated to include the 240 legends that are in the game. Pretty good list - Montana, Marino, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, OJ Simpson (I'm not kidding), etc.

No Deion Sanders though.

I'm a big stickler on the accuracy of uniforms/gear that each player is wearing. Can someone tell me if OJ Simpson has black gloves in the game?????

[TazFTW]

http://www.footballresurrected.com/games/football2k8/

Their web site has been updated to include the 240 legends that are in the game. Pretty good list - Montana, Marino, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, OJ Simpson (I'm not kidding), etc.

No Deion Sanders though.

Neil O'Donnell???

[Eaglesfan27]

At least they have a good list of legends. IF there is a story mode that progresses over multiple seasons, I could still see getting my money's worth out of this.

[Ksyrup]

I'm a big stickler on the accuracy of uniforms/gear that each player is wearing. Can someone tell me if OJ Simpson has black gloves in the game?????

Of course not. They don't fit.

[bob]

I think the $60 price is too high for this game.

[TRO]

At least they have a good list of legends. IF there is a story mode that progresses over multiple seasons, I could still see getting my money's worth out of this.

Pretty sure that I've read there is no multi-season mode in the game. So if this is important, might want to keep an ear out.

[JeeberD]

http://www.footballresurrected.com/games/football2k8/

Their web site has been updated to include the 240 legends that are in the game. Pretty good list - Montana, Marino, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, OJ Simpson (I'm not kidding), etc.

No Deion Sanders though.Neil O'Donnell???

Leon Lett :D :D :D

[Pumpy Tudors]

So I look at some of the names, and these stand out to me:

Andre Ware, Eric Martin, Eric Bienemy, Yancey Thigpen, Ernest Givins... actually, the list goes on for me.

I mean, some of these guys were serviceable NFL players. Eric Martin was one of the better receivers in Saints history, and Ernest Givins was pretty good in Houston (he was also a hell of a dancer). Still, when you're talking about NFL legends, all those guys seem pretty out of place.

I can see it now. Yancey Thigpen lined up on one side and Fred Biletnikoff lined up on the other. An NFL legend and an NFL has-been. Boy, I'm so excited about this, and I can also have Mark Rypien be my quarterback!

[albionmoonlight]

Yancy Thigpen: "Hello."

2KSports: "Hello, Yancy Thigpen?"

YT: "Yeah."

2K: "Yancy, this is the 2K Sports team. We are making a football video game."

YT: "Like Madden?"

2k: *Pause* "Yeah, like Madden. Anyway, we are going to put a bunch of NFL Legends in the game, so we are calling around trying to find retired legends and getting them to agree to be in the game."

YT: "Retired Legends? So, what, you want me to put you in touch with Mike Webster? That dude is hard to track down. I have his number around here somewhere, but I think that he was living under a bridge or something, so it might not be a good number anymore."

2K: "Um. Yancy, Mike Webster is dead. It was actually kind of tragic. But anyway, you don't understand . . ."

YT: "Mike Webster died? Well that's a sucks donut. So, who are you trying to track down? I got Bradshaw's email, and I'm sure he could get you in touch with Joe Green and all those legends. Man those were some great teams. They just don't make players like that anymore."

2K: "No, Yancy, we want to put you in the game. As one of the legends."

YT: *Pause* "Am I on Punk'd? Cause this isn't really that funny."

[Eaglesfan27]

ROFL.

[Eaglesfan27]

They did a nice job on some of these player faces:

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/6575/apf2k8yn9.png

[albionmoonlight]

This game will be manna from heaven for those who have been pining to play with an authentic Bernie Kosar ever since he was not included in Tecmo Super Bowl.

[stevew]

I'm all about football games that include Barry Sanders.

[Eaglesfan27]

Quotes from today's press release would seem to indicate that players are going to have some form of signature moves as well, similar to NBA 2k7.

[albionmoonlight]

I'm joking about this game, but I hope that it works well. I've liked the 2K games better than Madden in the past, and it would be great to have them as a viable option again this year.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Quotes from today's press release would seem to indicate that players are going to have some form of signature moves as well, similar to NBA 2k7.
Cue the Ernest Givins electric slide!

Edit: Sorry, it was the Electric Glide.

Edit #2: Maybe it was the Electric Slide. Does anyone give a shit at this point except me?

[BrianD]

As much as I loved the 2k football games, I don't see much point in this one for me. I've never liked playing with all-star teams, or historical teams, so I doubt I'll enjoy playing with historical all-star teams. I was really kind of hoping for Madden's Superstar mode done right. Put yourself in the game, play through college and hope to get drafted by the American Pro Football League...something like that. I just don't see single-season legends football grabbing that many people.

[Celeval]

This game will be manna from heaven for those who have been pining to play with an authentic Bernie Kosar ever since he was not included in Tecmo Super Bowl.

w00t

[nilodor]

They did a nice job on some of these player faces:

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/6575/apf2k8yn9.png

For someone nicknamed Joe Cool, that haircut is terrible. It looks like one that parents give their 5 year old so they don't have to pay for a cut.

[moriarty]

So I look at some of the names, and these stand out to me:

Andre Ware, Eric Martin, Eric Bienemy, Yancey Thigpen, Ernest Givins... actually, the list goes on for me.

I mean, some of these guys were serviceable NFL players. Eric Martin was one of the better receivers in Saints history, and Ernest Givins was pretty good in Houston (he was also a hell of a dancer). Still, when you're talking about NFL legends, all those guys seem pretty out of place.

I can see it now. Yancey Thigpen lined up on one side and Fred Biletnikoff lined up on the other. An NFL legend and an NFL has-been. Boy, I'm so excited about this, and I can also have Mark Rypien be my quarterback!

The explanation i read on this was that if you included 'only' the legends, you'd be playing AllPro teams vs. AllPro teams on Madden. Basically teams with no weaknesses. Supposedly throwing in some 'serviceable' guys will help the gameplay. In other words, Walter Payton will stand out a bit mroe running some C level linebacker as opposed to getting crushed constantly by Butkus.

Still, no franchise mode = no game for me. I don't see the point.

[Pumpy Tudors]

The explanation i read on this was that if you included 'only' the legends, you'd be playing AllPro teams vs. AllPro teams on Madden. Basically teams with no weaknesses. Supposedly throwing in some 'serviceable' guys will help the gameplay. In other words, Walter Payton will stand out a bit mroe running some C level linebacker as opposed to getting crushed constantly by Butkus.

Still, no franchise mode = no game for me. I don't see the point.
Well, that makes sense to me, but it still comes out looking a bit silly to me. I can't believe Yancey Thigpen and Eric Bienemy are going to make money off of this game. Good for them, but it does seem goofy.

[moriarty]

Agreed, I would have preferred a 100% fictional game, customizable, with a solid franchise mode. That way I could create my own legends league if I so desired.

[Kodos]

I like playing with classic players. But it needs a franchise mode...

[Ironhead]

Awesome, they have Jessie "The Hammer" Tuggle on there.

Luckily (?) I don't have a next gen console so I can someone avoid the hype on this.

[Logan]

Yancy Thigpen: "Hello."

I just want to point out that I started laughing at this line, and the rest didn't disappoint.

Agree on Montana looking like a freak. And when did Elway start roiding?

[Groundhog]

If they slouch on the realism and make this more arcadey it might be a good multiplayer game, but I can't see why you'd really want to play vs the computer with no franchise mode.

[Bee]

As much as I loved the 2k football games, I don't see much point in this one for me. I've never liked playing with all-star teams, or historical teams, so I doubt I'll enjoy playing with historical all-star teams. I was really kind of hoping for Madden's Superstar mode done right. Put yourself in the game, play through college and hope to get drafted by the American Pro Football League...something like that. I just don't see single-season legends football grabbing that many people.


That's pretty much my feelings as well.

[Pumpy Tudors]

albionmoonlight, I just want to add that I thought the Thigpen conversation was hilarious. Thanks!

[Kodos]

I think the Legends hook is fine, as there are definitely some guys out who love legends (me for instance), but they need to combine that with a highly customizable game that has a franchise mode.

[BrianD]

Can someone explain to me how a football game populated with legends even makes sense with a franchise mode? Are all of the legends going to enter the league as rookies, or will they be in the game in their prime? Does any financial model make sense with legends? I just don't see how legends and franchise go together.

[WVUFAN]

Can someone explain to me how a football game populated with legends even makes sense with a franchise mode? Are all of the legends going to enter the league as rookies, or will they be in the game in their prime? Does any financial model make sense with legends? I just don't see how legends and franchise go together.

You're absolutely right, which is why I probably will not buy the game. Given a choice between playing a single season with "legends"and former All-Pro players and having longer replayability with a franchise mode, I choose the latter.

[Kodos]

You could just have the legends staggered. Each year, a certain number are in the draft class, in an order that roughly approximates their order in real life. I'd imagine you would compress time a bit, so that people wouldn't have to play 40 seasons to get to all the players.

[stevew]

You could just have the legends staggered. Each year, a certain number are in the draft class, in an order that roughly approximates their order in real life. I'd imagine you would compress time a bit, so that people wouldn't have to play 40 seasons to get to all the players.

Yeah, my vision would be to have a starter roster with several "Older" legends spread out amongst the teams, and then to have a bunch of fictional players. And then to have several "Real" guys available in future drafts. Figure if there's a 20 team league, you can maybe put 10 real guys on each team, and then have 10 more blue chippers randomly appear each year in the draft. People don't really play 10 seasons out anyways.

[moriarty]

Can someone explain to me how a football game populated with legends even makes sense with a franchise mode? Are all of the legends going to enter the league as rookies, or will they be in the game in their prime? Does any financial model make sense with legends? I just don't see how legends and franchise go together.

There's a fantasy draft to start things. You could have a salary cap which restricts whom you draft in later rounds, or forces you to cut prior to the 1st game. I'm not sure how you'd stagger contracts so they wouldn't all come due at the same time (mabye 1st rounders 5 year, 2nd round 4 year, etc..).

The bigger problem you'll have is with only 240 players, how do you add new players handle injuries/retirements? You'd need some sort of player generation or regen (perhaps ala Winning Eleven) which it doesn't sound like they have.

That's why I'd prefer to have a customizable fictional league (maybe with some 'legendary' facial models). That way you could spend the time creating a legends league if you want, but could still play year after year franchise mode.

By the way, with a 40 man roster the 240 legends will give you a whopping 6 teams. If they're not adding any fictional players, you're not even going to have much variety in the teams you do play with.

[BrianD]

I totally get the completely customizable fictional league with franchise mode. I also get the single-season legend game (not that it would interest me). I just don't get people wanting to combine the two.

If I had the resources to make a game and couldn't use the NFL license, I'd either go with a customizable NFL-like game, or a RPG-type game that follows an individual...or possibly a combination of the two.

Combining legends and a multi-year franchise model seems like it would always look half-assed no matter how it was done.

[Eaglesfan27]

My guess is that there is going to be a story based mode in this game, where you create a rookie, and try to work him up to "legendary" status over many years. However, I agree with others that I just don't see how the legends already being in the game and a multi year game are going to work unless no one else ages.

Also, unless they have a very small number of teams, it would seem there will have to be generic players as well. I'm suspecting that each team will have a "point" cap and will only have 3-5 legends max.

[moriarty]

I totally get the completely customizable fictional league with franchise mode. I also get the single-season legend game (not that it would interest me). I just don't get people wanting to combine the two.

If I had the resources to make a game and couldn't use the NFL license, I'd either go with a customizable NFL-like game, or a RPG-type game that follows an individual...or possibly a combination of the two.

Combining legends and a multi-year franchise model seems like it would always look half-assed no matter how it was done.

Agree on the questionable design decisions. But I still think legends/franchise is better than providing legends and NO franchise model.

I enjoy the winning eleven series which doesn't have legends per se, but does have some real players (and ability to make real player sets) with a simplified regen model. It works for me, and could have been an easy model to follow IMO.

[Kodos]

I don't think there is any question that there will have to be a certain number of fictional filler players to fill out the league. Nobody wants a football game with only 10 teams.

[BrianD]

I don't think there is any question that there will have to be a certain number of fictional filler players to fill out the league. Nobody wants a football game with only 10 teams.

This could be why the "legends" contain some pretty average players. Filling the league with decent retired players seems to make more sense than adding fictional players. Fictional players would make it feel like tossing the legends into a semi-pro league.

[RainMaker]

I'm not a huge fan of historical players and think 2K should have gone for a more fictional approach. I think if the atmosphere is creative, the gameplay is great, you can actually build up fictional players to a level of video game popularity. How many of us still remember some of the players on Baseball Stars?

My suggestion would be to put in 30 or so cities with unique stadiums. It seems like they've gone overboard with atmosphere and making sure each stadium and crowd is unique (which is good). I'd build a solid pool of players, but also make your stars have unique traits and names.

The key to a non-licensed game is to get everything in that the NFL won't allow you. From relocation, new stadiums, late hits, realistic injuries, off-field incidents and so on. Put agents in the game that are like the real ones with different personalities. Allow people to build their own city/team with the option to customize every inch of the stadium and field.

But the key to making a game like this succesful, is ONLINE LEAGUES. If you allow 20 people to build up their own city, stadium, and so on. Throw them in an online draft, and then allow them play an online league, you will simply kill a portion of EA. People have been clamoring for online leagues, EA doesn't really care about its fan base, and the ability to completely customize your team and stadium would allow for some unique leagues with unique characters.

[WVUFAN]

But the key to making a game like this succesful, is ONLINE LEAGUES. If you allow 20 people to build up their own city, stadium, and so on. Throw them in an online draft, and then allow them play an online league, you will simply kill a portion of EA. People have been clamoring for online leagues, EA doesn't really care about its fan base, and the ability to completely customize your team and stadium would allow for some unique leagues with unique characters.


I must be losing track with the rest of the gaming world, because the last thing I would be interested in a football game is an online league. A good number of people who play online are childish people who cheat and/or have no clue how to play football in a realistic style.

I'm just one of those few people who can't stand playing online. It might be I've just not had good luck with the people I've been playing with, but give me good gameplay and a good franchise any time over online play.

[Kodos]

Also, it is near impossible to get people to play their games in a timely fashion, especially if their team isn't doing well in the standings.

[SFL Cat]

I remember when 2K first came out for the Dreamcast. I was in a store (Best Buy maybe), saw a demo game running on the monitor from a distance and, at first, thought it was a real game. I was thinking "since when do they play NFL games on Wednesday night?"

[Travis]

Too bad they didn't get Moon for this game, looks like they have quite a few members of the Run and Shoot offense in the game, that would have made for some fun and a much more tempting buy, at least for me.

[Eaglesfan27]

Warren Moon has been announced as being in the game. (I suspect he was a late addition since he is at the bottom of most lists.) Also, this makes me believe they may still be in negotiation to add more legends.

[Travis]

Ah, awesome, didn't see his name on the site when I was cruising through it.

I just hope this game is worth buying as I'm very likely to shell out on it to help there at least be some competition for Madden, even if it's sorely lacking in features this year.

[Eaglesfan27]

I just hope this game is worth buying as I'm very likely to shell out on it to help there at least be some competition for Madden, even if it's sorely lacking in features this year.

Ditto that. I pre-ordered during my lunch break. I've decided to get it to support the idea of competition in the genre. I'm just hoping it actually is a good game worth the money as well.

[Eaglesfan27]

A new preview is up. Not much info, but apparently you will be able to edit team names, what city they play in, and a few other small things. No word if you will be able to edit players at all. Also, teams will include a blend of legends and fictional pros. They also reiterated that the game will include a season mode, but no franchise mode.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/784/784922p1.html

[WVUFAN]

A new preview is up. Not much info, but apparently you will be able to edit team names, what city they play in, and a few other small things. No word if you will be able to edit players at all. Also, teams will include a blend of legends and fictional pros. They also reiterated that the game will include a season mode, but no franchise mode.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/784/784922p1.html

Thanks for the link, good info.

This is a near-certain no buy for me. No franchise, and no in-season development equals no reason for me to buy it. I couldn't care less about online gameplay or legends.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jerry Rice seems likely to be the cover athlete since he had another press conference talking about the game, today. He confirmed that online leagues will be fully functional in the game.

[DanGarion]

This game will be manna from heaven for those who have been pining to play with an authentic Bernie Kosar ever since he was not included in Tecmo Super Bowl.
Only if he throws sidearm!

[Bearcat729]

Only if he throws sidearm!

And runs like a wounded duck

[Evil Afro]

I can see a real problem with online leagues.

If you're a bad team, and you don't get a high drafgt pick for being a bad team, why would you keep playing?

[Logan]

Jerry Rice seems likely to be the cover athlete since he had another press conference talking about the game, today. He confirmed that online leagues will be fully functional in the game.

For some reason, I laughed at this statement. Something about the NFL's greatest receiver being the one to confirm a feature in a video game...

[JediKooter]

No franchise mode, no buy. Simple as that.

[WVUFAN]

What a completely underwhelming trailer.

Good lord.

http://www.dailymotion.com/NoxCovenant/video/x27nni_apf-2k8-trailer

[Kodos]

But Ickey Woods has still got the moves!

[jaygr]

Actually I think the player movement look pretty nice and fluid. But the models and graphics are pretty bad. Underwhelming was a great word for it, WVUFAN. I not sure how that would pump anyone up for the game. The music said to get ready, but for what?

[TroyF]

What a completely underwhelming trailer.

Good lord.

http://www.dailymotion.com/NoxCovenant/video/x27nni_apf-2k8-trailer


I'm not likely to purchase this without a franchise mode, but the trailer didn't really underwhelm me at all. The greatness of the 2K series was the gameplay. The graphics were always ok, but the controls were phenominal.

If the gameplay were to be like it has been in the past, I may end up getting the thing anyway.

[sabotai]

I really like the player animations. But without franchise, at best, it'll be a "wait until it's $20" buy from me.

[MizzouRah]

I really like the player animations. But without franchise, at best, it'll be a "wait until it's $20" buy from me.

No doubt I'm in this camp.

I guess it's Madden for me.

[johneh]

Hmmm.... do I pick up 2k8 Football or Maximum Football.... :p

[Balldog]

Am I the only one buying this game?

[Phototropic]

For some reason, I laughed at this statement. Something about the NFL's greatest receiver being the one to confirm a feature in a video game...
I still get a good laugh out of this every time I think about it. I can only wonder what Rice's opinion on DB AI is.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Am I the only one buying this game?
Uh, I hate to say it, but I think you are.

[TroyF]

I've been on the fence, but I'll likely get it.

Reasons:

I've always liked the gameplay of the 2k series. While I wish there were multiple seasons available, there is replayability with picking different stars each go around. It has Rick Upchurch in the game. Any game with Rick Upchurch is ok by me.

I'm not 100% decided yet, I want to see a few reviews, but I'm leaning on grabbing it.

[Kodos]

I'm unlikely to grab it if Madden and NCAA are as good as I expect them to be.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm unlikely to grab it if Madden and NCAA are as good as I expect them to be.


Same here.

[Calis]

Am I the only one buying this game?

I'm 99% certain I'll be buying it. I'm going to wait and check out a few reviews, but as long as they're not terrible I'll be getting it.

While I don't like the direction they went in a lot of ways, it also looks like the kind of game that'll be a blast to play with a couple of friends, which is what I really look for in a football game. More importantly, I want 2k to keep on making a football game. Actually the more I read about it also the more I get interested, it is kind of a fun idea. I can use Christian Okoye again, that's a selling point right there. I only wish Steve DeBerg had made the cut.


The last couple iterations in Madden still haven't caught up to the last 2k release, so I'm not real keen on spending more money on one of those.

Anxious to see how the game is received and how it sells.

[MizzouRah]

I'm going to talk my neighbor into it. :)

[Ironhead]

I will likely buy it but not at $60. I will probably only buy it in the under $40 range. I was pretty excited about the game but it has been tempered by the fact that NCAA is solid and I also still have to continue my WWSM career.

[Bee]

I might rent it if it gets decent reviews.

[Kodos]

It's definitely a game that, if you buy it, you should buy it new. We want to support competition in football games as much as possible.

[Phototropic]

I'll probably wait and hope for a price drop. The good news is this shouldn't be as much of a seasonal game as Madden and NCAA.

[kingnebwsu]

If it gets above an 8.0 review average I'll definitely check it out at some point. NCAA 08 better be good dammit :p

[jbmagic]

Hmmm.... do I pick up 2k8 Football or Maximum Football.... :p

Or EA Head Coach :)

[MizzouRah]

Son of a B!*!*

Reading some impressions from a guy over at digitalsportspage and this one sounds really fun. I really wish they had more than just a season mode though.

They do have the halftime show and some other similar 2k5 stuff in the game. Creating your team sounds like it's a blast.

[Eaglesfan27]

Son of a B!*!*

Reading some impressions from a guy over at digitalsportspage and this one sounds really fun. I really wish they had more than just a season mode though.

They do have the halftime show and some other similar 2k5 stuff in the game. Creating your team sounds like it's a blast.


If it had any type of multiseason mode, I would have bought this today and juggled it with NCAA. So far, the impressions have been favorable for what it is, but I just don't play enough online and that seems to be the major emphasis with the game.

[MizzouRah]

If it had any type of multiseason mode, I would have bought this today and juggled it with NCAA. So far, the impressions have been favorable for what it is, but I just don't play enough online and that seems to be the major emphasis with the game.

I don't play much online either, but picking a team from a list of greats and then playing a season doesn't seem that bad... although the game should be $30 instead of $60. I would have picked it up at that price today along with NCAA.

[Travis]

Sitting on my desk right now alongside NCAA. Very much looking forward to giving it a whirl and it'll probably be in the system first.

[Calis]

I lied, I didn't wait for any reviews.

Picked it up on the way home today, should get a chance to try it in a few hours.

I won't be hard to please, if it plays like a HD version of NFL2k5 I'll be happy for quite a while.

[TroyF]

I lied, I didn't wait for any reviews.

Picked it up on the way home today, should get a chance to try it in a few hours.

I won't be hard to please, if it plays like a HD version of NFL2k5 I'll be happy for quite a while.


I think you'll be happy. I went off at lunch and picked it up and played a game. (I REALLY have to get back to work after this post) :)

Thoughts after a game:

Selecting the all pros is a lot of fun. It's also good strategy. I picked Elway, Reggie White, Karl Mecklenberg, Dexter Manley, Cliff Branch, Rick Upchurch, Kory Stringer, Dermotti Dawson, Floyd Little, and a couple of guys I don't remember now. (most Broncos, Manley from Oklahoma St, Branch from Colorado)

The game is very similar to the gameplay of 2K5. Maybe even a little better.

The ball floats horribly if you don't set your feet. Throwing with a QB who can throw on the run makes a difference.

Highlights are awsome. Example: "Elway hit Branch with this pass on 3rd and 8 to keep the drive alive. It stalled and they had to punt three plays later"

Load times? Did you say load times? There are almost none. I mean, not even a second. After you finish a game, you want to see that 4th and 1 play from the second quarter? Go to the play by play, select the play, hit A and you are now watching the play. You can be moving to a second or third play in the length of time it took me to type this paragraph.

Stadiums are well done, uniformas are generic. (think the default fake NCAA logos when you create a team)

Slower than NCAA, but that's not a bad thing.

I love the pass rush. Stud DE will bull rush, deke to the inside, speed around the corner. . . in other words they look like real DE.

WR make nice cuts. The pass routes are terrific.

As always with 2K, the running game feels like a real running game. You have to fight for yardage, but when you call the right play, you can bust one off.

--------------------------------------------

I really like what I've seen in my half game of NCAA and will play that a ton, no doubt. But as someone else said, I think this will have some staying power out of season. Probably NCAA for the rest of the week for me, but this will get played more than enough to make it worth the money.

[TroyF]

Oh, one last thing before I head off. . . DO NOT run a route over the middle when Ronnie Lott is there. Poor Maynard almost had his head taken off. My spine hurts after the hit he got.

[MizzouRah]

Get back to work Troy! I will NOT get this game today. :D

[MikeVic]

What systems is this for?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Oh shit, now I'm tempted to get this game. Grrrrr.

[Kodos]

I have to admit that I'm tempted today as well...

[Eaglesfan27]

What systems is this for?

360 and PS3.

[albionmoonlight]

Troy,

How distinguishable are the various all-star players? Like, can you tell the difference between, say, Walter Payton and Jim Brown, or is it more a matter of having superstars who are generically awesome and role-players who are generically meh?

[MikeVic]

360 and PS3.

Damnit.

[TroyF]

Troy,

How distinguishable are the various all-star players? Like, can you tell the difference between, say, Walter Payton and Jim Brown, or is it more a matter of having superstars who are generically awesome and role-players who are generically meh?


I've only played a game, so I don't know to tell you the truth. Most of the guys I picked are very generic in their play for being all stars anyway. Elway was mobile and has a rifle arm. Branch was fast as all get out. Maynard ran precise routs. Floyd Little was elusive, but not too elusive. And he wasn't especially strong at breaking tackles.

I guess the short answer is that it's going to take me some time to see.

For all who are considering it. . . don't take my word of a game. I'm prone to liking a game early, than I start finding the warts in it as I move on. I love how the game plays right now and the strategy of picking the all stars is a lot of fun.

After thinking about long and hard as to if I'd get the game, that's what swayed me. Sure, I'd love season play. But the ability to pick a series of different all stars and go through a season at a time is great too. I'm not sure I'll want Elway as my QB next game. Maybe I'll go with Unitas and Rice. Or Butkis and Peyton. Or Marino and Alworth.

If the gameplay continues to be as good as it was in my first game, it's going to give me a lot of entertainment for the dollar.

I'm not sure of how much more I'll play this week. I only have a week before I'm out of town for two weeks and I'd like to get a decent career with NCAA going so it's over and done with when I get back. I'll play another game or two tonight though. If anyone has questions, post em here and I'll try to get them answered for you.

[TroyF]

Oh, one more thing. The generic guys played generic, but they weren't horrible. You had a chance to pick what type of skills you want with your generic players. Like with running backs, do you want fast scat backs, power backs or balanced backs? Do you want your OLine to be run or pass block oriented?

I selected balanced on everything but the running backs. (I figured I had Little for the speed, I wanted some power guys) A couple of generics made big plays in the game. My generic TE ran a nice route and caught a pass in traffic for 13 yards. I had a generic DT slice through the line for a sack. (I'm thinking have White and Manley made it easier for the generic tackles because they take so much attention)

And one of my generic RB's broke a tackle for a two yard TD run. So they aren't superstars, but the generics aren't useless either.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I remembered how much fun I had playing NFL 2K5 on XBox Live. I normally hate playing sports games online against random people, but that game provided me with a lot of entertainment. Just remembering that was enough to get me to buy this game. Doh!

[Calis]

Ok, I've had a chance to play a couple of games now and so far I'd give it a thumbs up.

I thought it would be a case of these superpowered all stars running rampant against other guys in sort of a more arcade-like game but I've had some pretty tough and relatively realistic games. I haven't noticed a huge difference between players, but then again I haven't even looked at the abilities or paid any attention to what they have. I've used Barry who seemed pretty Barry-like to me, and a game with Okoye who I oddly enough had better luck with just pounding the hell out of people behind a star-studded offensive line. I can seem some real cool stories inside the game happening from this, as Barry was up against Mike Singletary and he was EVERYWHERE, the whole game just coming after him, it was a great battle.

Anyway, not much else I can say yet. If you were a 2k5 fan I don't think you'll be dissapointed, which is good. This doesn't feel like a crappy rush-job next gen game...at least yet. I hope it sells well enough that they can continue and add in some more options to increase longevity.

[Balldog]

I've only played one game and I somehow managed to forget to add a Legend as a QB so I played with a Generic QB. I was quite impressed with him, it might have helped that I had Andre Reed and Mark Carrier at WR with Earl Campbell at RB. My Generic QB threw some horrible ducks but he played a lot better than Bobby Hebert did for the CPU.

As of right now I am liking this over NCAA, granted once I get real names for NCAA it might help me get into it more.

I saved a couple highlights but it wouldn't let me upload for some reason.

[FBPro]

No franchise mode, no buy. Simple as that.

Yep, ditto.

[TroyF]

OK, remember what I said above about not trusting me? Keep that in mind with this post. . . I just played the single best game of football I've ever played on any console.

I redrafted. Elway and Earl Campbell my two Golds. Three offensive lineman, Cliff Branch, Don Maynard and then the rest defensive players. (notables included Carl Banks and Chris Doleman.

I start a season mode and realize I screwed up. Quarters were set to 5 minutes and the difficulty level was on pro. Oh well. I play against the Legends. Half of their roster is stacked with superstars. Montana, Sanders, Rice, Singletary, Night Train. They are freakin loaded.

Game starts off with me stopping Sanders two straight carries. Then they run a draw play on 3rd and 9. Sanders hits my secondary, spins past one guy, breaks a tackle and hits the sideline. TD.

I hit a big pass play to Branch to set up a TD at the end of the first half and we go into the second half tied. Sanders and Rice take control in the third quarter. He makes a series of runs I can't stop. Then I load the line and Montana hits Rice on a slant. Good bye. Down 14-7. It stays that way until the fourth quarter. I stop them and get the ball at my own 35. Elway proceeds to get hot. He hits 6 different receivers as I drive up the field. 3rd and 12 at the 22, I call a double out and up. The generic guy beats his man clean as they are doubling Maynard and I score a TD with 38 seconds left.

Tie game. I go into a prevent and Montana simply picks me apart. Hits Rice with two sideline patterns. Then hits his TE in the middle of the field for 14. Sets up a 47 yard FG for them to win it. The kick has the distance, but it hooks left. Overtime.

I get the ball first in OT. Elway hits a couple of passes the gets me to the 50. I run a trap play to the weak side with Campbell. The defense is fooled. I've only ran to that side of the field three times on the day. (my stars are all loaded up on the strong side) Earl breaks a leg tackle from the LB and is in the clear. The FS is the only guy with a shot at him. He tries to take Earl high and Earl drops the shoulder. BOOM. FS falls down, Earl runs up the sideline for the game winning TD.

A couple of cool things in the game:

After a first down pass, there was a flag thrown. Holding on Singletary. I watch the replay and he did hold the TE coming out into the flat. (only penalty of the game, I may need to tweak some sliders there)

On one play Earl broke a tackle and just as he was about to get hit again, he covered up the ball.

The Legends ran a pick play that got Rice on one of my generics. Rice did a shimmy and my poor generic guy is probably still looking for his jock.

After rushing outside with Manley about 7 or 8 straight plays, I faked out and cut in. The OLine whiffed and I nailed Montana. Next play I tried the same move and the OT shoved me toward the interior line and pancaked me.

I'm going to set the difficulty up and get the minutes higher and play it some more. More thoughts later.

[ShaneTheMaster]

Here is my review, from a coach mode perspective. You get pretty realistic play with Accelerated clock, and 13 min quarters.

Gameplay:

The good:
The running game is sweet and realistic. I have Earl Cambell, and it is fun watching him run over certain players - but watch out! He won't do that against certain player's!

In coach mode, I had a 4th and 1 at the opponents 30 yard line. My team lined up in offense, to go for it. After getting to the line, the coach called time out, with the announcers saying they want to 'talk it over'. After the timeout, the FG unit trotted on to the field. First time I have seen a football game do that!


The bad:
If you are playing coach mode, the passing game is non-existant, unless you change the sliders by improving passing for human and cpu, and decreasing covergae for human and cpu.

The ugly:
Always a problem with the 2k games and still not addressed, running backs running flats and receivers running out routes will run their routes until they go out of bounds, at which point the QBs don't mind throwing it to them out of bounds. Also, the QBs don't seem to put zip on the ball when throwing passes in the middle of the field, letting their receiver get hammered in the process.

Presentation:

The good:
Commentary is excellent, as always with this series. Camera angles are customizable.

The bad:
Unless I don't have something configured right, there are no video highlights as in 2k5, I only get photo stills of the game at the half.

The ugly:
No ticker showing scores of other league games, another missing feature that it seems I should see, but can't. I think you need to be hooked up to the internet to get real time stuff, but I shouldn't need to be in order to get my own league scores.

Configuration/Options:

The good:
Best uniform editor EVER. You can change the colors of the ingame logos, and create virtually unlimited variations of uniform designs.

The bad:
You can't pit 2 teams you created against each other. :rolleyes:

The ugly:
Nothing ugly about this.

Replayability:

NO FRANCHISE MODE!


Overall, I would give this game an 8. Add a franchise mode with completely fictional players, and this gets bumped to a 9. If you like coach mode, this is your only option right now, as I don't think you can do it with NCAA.

[Balldog]

I just played with another team, I loaded the offense with Marino at QB and 9 other Legends, while just adding White at DE. I got beat, 27-24! Marino was 26 for 42 with 424 yards. Since my defense sucked Hebert did a lot better, he was 14 for 18 with 218 yards.

In the 2nd half they kept mixing up their coverages and blitzing, I couldn't do anything. They also dominated the time of possession in the 2nd half with short passes and running with Marcus Allen.

So far I am very impressed, I would love to have seen how this would have turned out with current NFL. There is a major difference in the game depending on who you pick for your team.

[Calis]

Yeah actually after spending the whole night playing with a couple of friends, I'm less saddened by the absence of a Franchise, because I don't want to play with a set team through a series of years. I want to try different meshes of legends every game. I'm going to have trouble sticking with one through a season let alone a franchise.

I love the added strategy of picking teams. I played against my brother and just got smoked with him using Montana and a mesh of stud receivers, so the next game I counted on him going with the same strategy, and went with Woodson and Night Train Lane for my two golds and then a bruising running game to really play clock management. Next game he switched gears and I had to also, we basically ended up playing a best of 5 series re-drafting before each game. I was down two games to one when we had a good'un.

It was a tough game throughout, he finally scored near the end of the first half. I had the immortal Bernie Kosar behind the helm, and he was terrible. I just couldn't buy anything, O.J. was having to carry the team but he was really being keyed on. I wound up late in the 3rd catching him off guard with a FB Draw to Ickey Woods that got broke free for big yards and eventually tied the game. He turned around and immediately bombed one deep and took the lead back. I finally get a decent completion as the 4th is winding and turn it into a big play. I score, and somehow while watching an achievement scroll across the bottom while kicking muff the frigging extra point. I'm down 14-13 with just a couple minutes left. I should mention I'm not a fan of the new kicking system, it's just not working for me.

I manage to shut him down and still have a timeout. I have a long ways to go though, but manage to nab a couple good passes, and catch him off guard with a couple runs to the Juice. I get down well within field goal range, and there's 2 seconds left. The field goal team is out and I'm a little nervous now after the extra point debacle, the snap comes and the kick is up...it's blocked! We see the blocked text across the screen and I jump up pissed that I lost and my brother is immediately taunting me, but I glance back and the ball is still moving forward, it inches over the bar and is good. That was good for a win, and in the next game I mauled him with a really well-rounded team. Was a great gaming moment though.

I can see myself playing this for a long time trying out different combinations.

Love to see them do some sort of expansions with extra players, that seems like a great easy way to make a couple extra bucks.

[Calis]

Here is my review, from a coach mode perspective. You get pretty realistic play with Accelerated clock, and 13 min quarters.



The bad:
Unless I don't have something configured right, there are no video highlights as in 2k5, I only get photo stills of the game at the half.



The bad:
You can't pit 2 teams you created against each other. :rolleyes:



I definitely had video highlights in the games I played at the half and at the end of the game. We were just playing quick games though, not season ones.

As for pitting 2 teams you created against each other do you mean put two created teams in a season? Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but I definitely played several games with only created teams in the quick games.

And yes, the running backs in the flats and receivers on outs DRIVES ME CRAZY. Happens quite often, and has as long as I can remember in 2k games.

[TroyF]

Shane,

1) I'm not sure what you have configured. I'm getting full video highlights at halftime.

2) I've played through three games and have yet to see the RB thing.

3) It seems like everytime I play a game, I'm seeing something I've never seen in a football game before. In my last game I shanked a punt short. The CPU player slid on his knees to catch it and prevent it from rolling.

4) I initially thought the replayability would be a problem. After playing it? Not an issue. All of the legends play diferent from each other. Having a season with Campbell as your RB and having a season with Sanders are going to give you two very different ways to play. While playing my last game, I'm thinking of new ways to play and set up my team. This is the first time I can say this in a long, long time: If this game had a season mode, I wouldn't play it. I don't want to keep my current team forever. I'm excited about all the different ways I can change it up.

I want to try 11 all pros on D, 11 all pros on O, a passing offense, a dominant run offense. I want to play with Montana, Unitas, Young, etc. The replayability factor for me is endless. I understand everyone won't have that view and I can respect that, but I think they created a gem here.

I'd probably give it an 8.5 at this point. 13 minute quarters give great stats when you control the players as well BTW.

[TroyF]

I definitely had video highlights in the games I played at the half and at the end of the game. We were just playing quick games though, not season ones.

As for pitting 2 teams you created against each other do you mean put two created teams in a season? Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but I definitely played several games with only created teams in the quick games.

And yes, the running backs in the flats and receivers on outs DRIVES ME CRAZY. Happens quite often, and has as long as I can remember in 2k games.

Just strange, I haven't seen it at all. It has been an ongoing problem in the 2K series, but I haven't had the issue. Probably pop up 45 times next game and piss me off.

[Groundhog]

In 2K's NBA title some folks, myself included, also had the issue where they weren't getting video replays, and the solution was to, a) ensure you have available space on your HDD (obviously), and b) clear the cache.

b) worked for me.

[ShaneTheMaster]

In 2K's NBA title some folks, myself included, also had the issue where they weren't getting video replays, and the solution was to, a) ensure you have available space on your HDD (obviously), and b) clear the cache.

b) worked for me.

So I need a harddrive on my 360 (sold seperately) to get the video highlights? I got the video in 2k5 without one. Speaking of which, would any external harddrive with a USB connection work on the xbox?

[Kodos]

I'm unlikely to grab it if Madden and NCAA are as good as I expect them to be.

It's definitely a game that, if you buy it, you should buy it new. We want to support competition in football games as much as possible.

I have to admit that I'm tempted today as well...




Well, proving that I have the willpower of a mayfly, I went ahead and impulse-bought All Pro, justifying it to myself that I am supporting competition for EA. Played one game after playing two games of NCAA. In general, it seems pretty solid. I've always preferred Madden's gameplay (and playcall screens) to the 2K series, and that still holds true. The sidelines had great animations, players reacted well, the crowd was better than in NCAA. In the end, my EA-football preference will probably relegate this to a novelty. Marino does not look like himself with a helmet on, but Montana looked pretty good, as did Jerry Rice.

[Kodos]

Oh, a couple other notes:

I can't kick in this game to save my life.

I was annoyed that they don't show what personnel the other team is sending out for plays on the playcalling screen.

[Balldog]

I was annoyed that they don't show what personnel the other team is sending out for plays on the playcalling screen.

They do, you just have to wait for the CPU to call its play.

[Kodos]

Really? Maybe I call my plays too quickly.

[Eaglesfan27]

So I need a harddrive on my 360 (sold seperately) to get the video highlights? I got the video in 2k5 without one. Speaking of which, would any external harddrive with a USB connection work on the xbox?

Yes, you need a harddrive to get the highlights. I do not believe the 360 will work with any external harddrive, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

[Travis]

Only got one game in last night but quite enjoyed the presentation and the above average player chatter. Having Moon tell Andre Reed that he'd take it easy on them at the opening coin flip was amusing. I can definitely see a lot of replayability to this game as Troy mentioned with the different team makeup potential. Hopefully going to have time to play it a bit more seriously tonight and tomorrow and really see what all it has to offer (while getting NCAA in there some too, maybe).

[ShaneTheMaster]

I definitely had video highlights in the games I played at the half and at the end of the game. We were just playing quick games though, not season ones.

As for pitting 2 teams you created against each other do you mean put two created teams in a season? Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but I definitely played several games with only created teams in the quick games.

And yes, the running backs in the flats and receivers on outs DRIVES ME CRAZY. Happens quite often, and has as long as I can remember in 2k games.

You can pit 2 created teams againast each other in exhibition, if they are both human teams. But if I wanted to play a game versus the CPU, you can't assign a created team to the CPU.

[Balldog]

Here is my team for my first season. All CAPs, we will see how this works.

(Gold)
Tom Brady, QB - Laser Arm, 4th Qtr Comeback, Deception
Brian Urlacher, MLB - Big Hit, Ball Hawk, Wrap Up Tackler

(Silver)
Randy Moss, WR - Deep Threat, Acrobatic Catches
Walter Jones, T - Bulldozer, Stone Wall
Julius Peppers, DE - Sack Master, Reach Tackle

(Bronze)
Shaun Alexander, RB - Cutback Ability
Kevin Mawae, C - Stonewall
Shawn Merriman, OLB - Sack Master
Chris McAllister, CB - Coverage Bonus
Brian Dawkins, S - Big Hit
Adam Vinatieri, K - Clutch

[MikeVic]

So you can use real current NFL players...? I thought they could only use "legends" i.e. retired, Hall of Famers because of some licensing issue?

[Kodos]

Those are CAPs (create a players).

[TroyF]

So you can use real current NFL players...? I thought they could only use "legends" i.e. retired, Hall of Famers because of some licensing issue?


Ummm. . . No, you can't use real players.

[TroyF]

Those are CAPs (create a players).


Ahhh.

Now we just have to figure out how Peppers, Jones and Merriman are lower than a gold tier player. :) (I know, you can only pick one attribute for them as a bronze and 2 for silver)

[Balldog]

I have Merriman as a Bronze based on he's only been in the league a couple years.

[Kodos]

And the fact that he's a cheater.


;)

[MikeVic]

Ahh ok, so those players don't really exist lol. Do you download the created players?

[Kodos]

I think you can only create them yourself.

[Balldog]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you have to create them yourself.

One more thing I really like is how when I had my generic QB, Archuleta, with Earl Campbell in the backfield the AI loaded up the box. Then late in the 2nd quarter I threw a bomb, well a 40 yard bomb, then they backed off the rest of the game.

However, when I had Marino the coverage always had at least one DB deep to prevent the long ball.

[TroyF]

I just played another game with another designed team. It's safe to say that this will not be traded in. This game will be in my rotation for the next year, no matter what Madden does.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I just played another game with another designed team. It's safe to say that this will not be traded in. This game will be in my rotation for the next year, no matter what Madden does.

The impressions on this game have been surprisingly good, despite the lack of a career mode. May have to pick this one up.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I only played one game last night, and it was online against a stranger. I had Elway as my quarterback, and one of his skills is being able to draw the opponent offsides more easily. Trust me, it came in handy.

I had 4th and about 25 from the opponent's 44 with a minute left in the game. The score was tied, and I needed to get a field goal attempt. I ended up just calling a long bomb pass. Once everybody lined up, I started barking signals, and I got Refrigerator Perry to jump. I snapped the ball before he touched my lineman, so I got a free play. My pass ended up getting intercepted, but it moved the ball to the 39. Next play, same thing. If nobody would've jumped offsides, I would have just taken the delay of game and punted, but the Fridge jumped again and I got another free play. Another interception. Fine, the ball moves to the 34 yard line with about 40 seconds to go. I call in Eddie Murray to attempt the go-ahead field goal. It juuuust cleared the crossbar, and I took a 10-7 lead. My opponent marched down the field and got into field goal range against me with 2 seconds to go. It was a chip shot, really. He only needed to make a 25-yard kick. I don't know if the pressure got to him or what, as he shanked the kick to the right, and I won my first game ever of All-Pro Football 2K8.

Really, this game is a lot of fun online.

[TroyF]

I only played one game last night, and it was online against a stranger. I had Elway as my quarterback, and one of his skills is being able to draw the opponent offsides more easily. Trust me, it came in handy.

I had 4th and about 25 from the opponent's 44 with a minute left in the game. The score was tied, and I needed to get a field goal attempt. I ended up just calling a long bomb pass. Once everybody lined up, I started barking signals, and I got Refrigerator Perry to jump. I snapped the ball before he touched my lineman, so I got a free play. My pass ended up getting intercepted, but it moved the ball to the 39. Next play, same thing. If nobody would've jumped offsides, I would have just taken the delay of game and punted, but the Fridge jumped again and I got another free play. Another interception. Fine, the ball moves to the 34 yard line with about 40 seconds to go. I call in Eddie Murray to attempt the go-ahead field goal. It juuuust cleared the crossbar, and I took a 10-7 lead. My opponent marched down the field and got into field goal range against me with 2 seconds to go. It was a chip shot, really. He only needed to make a 25-yard kick. I don't know if the pressure got to him or what, as he shanked the kick to the right, and I won my first game ever of All-Pro Football 2K8.

Really, this game is a lot of fun online.

Be careful with it. He can draw people offsides, but he can also cause off starts for your own guys. (as I found out last night when I was trying to get into FG range at the end of a half.)

[Pumpy Tudors]

Be careful with it. He can draw people offsides, but he can also cause off starts for your own guys. (as I found out last night when I was trying to get into FG range at the end of a half.)
Whoa, I didn't think about that. Fortunately, that didn't happen to me in my one game.

[JimmyWint]

So Far I am having a great time with this game just playing the CPU! There are just so many 'little' things that you notice while playing. I am so happy to finally play a football game on the 360!

A Couple of questions...Do you have to pay to play on-line? Also, is anyone by chance playing on a samsung HD TV? I have a 37' and everything looks fuzzy, it is like I am not getting the HD effects. Is there a special cable you need to putrchase or anything? I have only had the TV for a couple of weeks, so maybe I did not hook it up right. Thanks!

[Calis]

So Far I am having a great time with this game just playing the CPU! There are just so many 'little' things that you notice while playing. I am so happy to finally play a football game on the 360!

A Couple of questions...Do you have to pay to play on-line? Also, is anyone by chance playing on a samsung HD TV? I have a 37' and everything looks fuzzy, it is like I am not getting the HD effects. Is there a special cable you need to putrchase or anything? I have only had the TV for a couple of weeks, so maybe I did not hook it up right. Thanks!

You have to pay to use XBox Live which is required for online play, but not on a game by game basis. It's pretty reasonably priced imo and a great service.

I unfortunately am playing on my PC monitor mostly so I can't help you much on the HDTV issue. There is a switch on your component cable that you have to make sure is flipped to the HD side or it won't work. Also might try going into the XBox console settings and seeing how your TV is setup.

[Eaglesfan27]

Double check to see that the little switch on your HD cables is actually set to the HDTV position.

[Balldog]

Joe Theissman sucks! I played two first halves last night, due to time constraints. The first game he was horrible, though he did manage to hit a 46 yard PA bomb. Other than that we was missing WRs by 5-10 yards. Luckily Ronnie Lott picked Dan Marino off 3 times and we were leading 20-0 at the half.

In the 2nd game, granted there was heavy rain (looks awesome by the way) but Bart Starr had no problems hitting wide open WRs. Joe sucked again and we trailed 10-0 at the half. I need to find a better Silver Tier QB for my online team.

I played both of these games before I realized you had to charge up your QB to activate full "Laser Arm" and "Rocket Arm". Maybe I will give him one more game.

[JimmyWint]

I have been using Starr as well, and he is very accurate. It is nice to see some of the generic players shine from time to time. I had a generic defensive lineman get three sacks in a game. Thanks for the HD help as well, What a difference it makes! I think I am going to play out a season with all 32 teams. I Do not know why EA and Now 2K took out the Cpu vs Cpu feature for the 360. I used to like to 'watch' some of the bigger matchups.

[Calis]

Some people are getting some pretty accurate representations of NFL uniforms.

hxxp://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rconnery2k8/

In other news, I still can't decide on a team to go through a season. I'm getting close though, and have ended up with an almost completely defensive team with Del Greco and Guy as well. The games aren't pretty, but man Defense is fun. Butkus and Lilly are my two golds, although I think might possibly switch Lilly for a RB before I start my season, not sure yet. I spent a lot of time mocking Ray Guy in the game before I actually used him, and now I don't regret it at all. I've only played a few games with him but he is consistently booming huge kicks and pinning teams deep. My starting field position has been VERY good, and I sure need it.

Too Tall Jones has far and away entrenched himself as my #1 favorite Silver, he's great value. Clyde Simmons is a steal at bronze also.

[MizzouRah]

I've read the CPU teams are "static", meaning they are always the same and never change.. is this true?

[Anguscl]

hxxp://deadspin.com/sports/stabby/insert-your-slicing-through-the-line-joke-here-281702.php

Deadspin enjoying the OJ irony team.

[astrosfan64]

For online play this game is really, really, really good. I won't play it offline, because it lacks franchise, but I'm having so much fun with it online.

[MizzouRah]

I'm actually liking the demo quite a bit.

[MizzouRah]

Ok, I can't stop playing the demo. I haven't played a lick of NCAA since this demo came out. Passing is so much fun.. bullets, lobs, throwing with one arm.

Now I remember what I loved about 2k football, the ATMOSTPHERE! it's incredible.

I think I'm going to pick this one up soon.

[astrosfan64]

Ok, I can't stop playing the demo. I haven't played a lick of NCAA since this demo came out. Passing is so much fun.. bullets, lobs, throwing with one arm.

Now I remember what I loved about 2k football, the ATMOSTPHERE! it's incredible.

I think I'm going to pick this one up soon.

Well worth it.

[MizzouRah]

Well worth it.

I'm finally putting MLB 2k7 to rest and picking this one up today. I'm thinking I could live on NCAA and APF this year alone. I'm going to take a "wait and see" attitude on Madden as I haven't been into that series in a long time.

Should be fun going into Gamestop today to cancel my Madden pre-order and buying APF. :cool:

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Impressions from Bill Harris. They sound a lot like the impressions he wrote for MLB 2K7.......brilliant in some places and mind-numbingly terrible in other.

http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2007/07/all-pro-football-2k8-360_25.html

[MizzouRah]

Impressions from Bill Harris. They sound a lot like the impressions he wrote for MLB 2K7.......brilliant in some places and mind-numbingly terrible in other.

http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2007/07/all-pro-football-2k8-360_25.html

Which is why I can look past the issues with MLB 2k7 and now APF. NCAA is much improved, but I'm not sure I want to play the same engine with Madden this year.

I can play a dynasty with NCAA and seasons with APF. I'm telling you, the game reeks football. In fact, any game that starts up with "Tom Sawyer" from Rush has to be decent. :D

[Balldog]

I'm still loving this game and I haven't played online yet.

Anyone up for an online game around 9 EST tonight?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm not entirely sure why, but the more I read from Bill Harris, the more I want to hit the man with a brick. Why do I do this to myself?

[RedKingGold]

I'm not entirely sure why, but the more I read from Bill Harris, the more I want to hit the man with a brick. Why do I do this to myself?

B/c he's a party pooper. It's easy how some people forget that Tecmo Bowl was considered a technological breakthrough less than ten years ago, and twenty years ago, football was simulated using tiny dots.

[Calis]

I'm not entirely sure why, but the more I read from Bill Harris, the more I want to hit the man with a brick. Why do I do this to myself?

Glad I'm not alone here. I'm not sure when or why he was put on such a pedestal in the sports video game world, but it happened and I find his reviews pretty grating. I can't really place it, but when I read one it seems to be a couple points of praise...occasionally, and a couple of points of downside which is dragged out to several paragraphs, and that's fair, but you never end up with any feel for the game at all after reading it.

[Anthony]

what games does he absolutely love? like what are the perfect games in his eyes?

[RedKingGold]

$60 is a bit too expensive for my taste right now, but I definitely see myself getting this at some point over the next few months simply to re-create my LA Express team.

Hell, maybe it'd be fun to create all of the USFL teams (using CAP) and just have some games playing with them.

[gstelmack]

what games does he absolutely love? like what are the perfect games in his eyes?

This is a good point. We ought to make it a rule that whenever a reviewer prints or posts a review, we get to see their top-5 rated games and bottom-5 rated games.