The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning in 2021

[ChaseB]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

My guess is "simulation" has a very broad inclusion, maybe even anything that's even 11-on-11 and so on. And yes, the NFLPA is still the other component here.

[TheGentlemanGhost]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

Oh I promise you that EA is petrified right now given NBA 2K’s success. You remember NBA Live right? It was Madden back in the day.

Yeah, I don’t think EA woulda made a statement about it at all as soon as they did if they weren’t concerned. They know they need to start bringing their A-game.

[drewst18]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

I fully believe 2k is going to make an arcade style game and it will still be more sim than Madden.

[DeuceDouglas]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

There's a lot of questions in regards to this new deal, specifically what is considered simulation and 'Non-Simulation' from the perspective of what type of game can be released. Would a Football version of MyGM & MyLeague with real teams and custom rosters with amazing depth be considered "non-simulation"?

At this point, it could mean pretty much anything and I'm sure there has to be some kind of verbiage in place that dictates the checklist of what the contractual definition of simulation is. It's so open ended that it could be something as simple as 11-on-11 gameplay that includes authentic players on authentic teams in authentic stadiums or it could get much more complicated and strict in regards to gameplay applications, feature sets, etc.

For example, a football version of Super Mega Baseball 2 wouldn't really be in line with what our definition of simulation is with exaggerated animations and Fortnite-esque graphics but could still fall under the criteria of being simulation in terms of whatever is in place. But it's impossible to say without knowing.

[olliedathird]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

Yeah, I don’t think EA woulda made a statement about it at all as soon as they did if they weren’t concerned. They know they need to start bringing their A-game.

There's no denying this didn't light a fire under their *** for sure. NBA 2k has dominated Live to the point where they keep taking it away, bring it back, only to be gone 2 years later. Tiburon is worried

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

I will bet once the CBA is agreed/approved the NFLPA license will be announced.

[PhillyPhanatic14]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

I will bet once the CBA is agreed/approved the NFLPA license will be announced.

Could also be a part of the to-be-negotiated media deals

[ggsimmonds]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

Seems everyone is jumping to Blitz style thoughts but my expectation is a casual mobile game.

Regardless of that, this is still potentially huge news. It tells me that the NFL is not fully on board with extending the exclusive license with EA. Even if this agreement is limited and only allows for small games, it reestablishes a business relationship. EA is on notice to step their game up I promise you that.

I work as a software developer for an outsourcing company (US based). And if my company hears that my client signed a contract with another company to do work similar to mine but on a smaller scale I guaran-damn-tee you I'd be called into my bosses office for a impromptu meeting on keeping the client happy. EA is nervous right now, I'm sure of it.

And I'm also sure that 2k is using this as an eye on developing a fully featured "simulation" NFL game. This is a declaration of war. I wouldn't even be surprised if right now 2k programmers are laying the groundwork for such a game, so that when the exclusive license does expire 2k can demo what they have for a sales pitch.

So yeah, we may not see the ramifications until 2 years from now, but this is a very big deal

[bigboyc]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

2K needs to fix their online coding/servers. They have never come CLOSE to matching EA's servers for lag free game play/stability.

[SolidSquid]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

I fully believe 2k is going to make an arcade style game and it will still be more sim than Madden.

This is my only hope right now. We already have madden with superstar abilities, no sense of weight or momentum, and dice roll outcomes. If 2k finds an “arcade” way to do it better I’m ok with it.

[ggsimmonds]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

Madden NFL 20 was the third-best selling video game in the United States in 2019, per NPD. The Madden brand is still both a commercial juggernaut and cultural touchstone.

I honestly don't think EA much cares what 2K announces right now.

They do care. Executives are very sensitive to these types of things. This is not good news for EA.

Madden was the 3rd best selling game, but what was the second best? NBA 2k20. And now that company just entered business with the NFL? EA cares. A lot.

[Kanobi]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

I honestly don't think EA much cares what 2K announces right now.

They care. Their statement amounted to some rich but below-average looking guy (I picture Rick Moranis in Ghostbusters) who paid the nightclub owner to be the only guy allowed in the club, saying:

"Hey, no worries. My deal has always allowed the chicks to flirt with other guys in the parking lot."

However, this time one of the guys in the parking lot is Jason Momoa.

[burter]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

Ok I know this is the new age of Social Media, but I'm a bit surprised that they just ran on ESPN ticker on sportscenter about the NFL deal with 2K being able to make NFL games. I mean it's big for us gamers, but surprised it show up on ESPN's ticker lol.

[speels]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

Technically a 10 vs 10 on field line-up is non-simulation. Maybe they just drop the FS and a Tackle and call it good.

[drewst18]

Re: The NFL and 2K Are Back Together, 'Non-Simulation' Games Will Release Beginning i

I think the NFL knows the leverage they hold. When they signed the exclusive contract it was more than 2k could afford and they made more money than EA and 2K were paying combined.

Weve finally hit the perfect storm. Exclusive license is expiring. 2k has the money to come after the license next year and I think they have the urgency to do so.

The NFL can say this is the cost of the license and it will be non exclusive. Worst case in NFL eyes is you don't want to pay it then 2k will. Net neutral for NFL. But most likely both entities pay because they can't afford not to.

That's my hope anyway.