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

[beau21]

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

Trying to get caught up and understand what 2k is allowed, based on their agreement and the new EA agreement..

Is there anything stopping 2k from making a sim game with purely NFL legends? And to build on that, could they use team branding with those legends? I had assumed the EA license only prevented 2k from making a NFL branded game with current players, but maybe it extends deeper than that?

I would LOVE to see 2k take what they've done building out historic NBA teams and apply that to a historic NFL branded game.

Probably a pipe dream, though.

[J_Posse]

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

Trying to get caught up and understand what 2k is allowed, based on their agreement and the new EA agreement..

Is there anything stopping 2k from making a sim game with purely NFL legends? And to build on that, could they use team branding with those legends? I had assumed the EA license only prevented 2k from making a NFL branded game with current players, but maybe it extends deeper than that?

I would LOVE to see 2k take what they've done building out historic NBA teams and apply that to a historic NFL branded game.

Probably a pipe dream, though.

Yeah, right now everyone is just spitballing and hoping that they do something beyond a 'NFL Playgrounds' type game. We likely won't get anything concrete until next year.

The difficulty in signing a 52 - man roster (after retirement) would likely make it extremely unlikely. The best they could do is something similar to APF if they don't go the 'Playgrounds,' Blitz or Street route.


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[zello144]

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

We all need to get together and get some money to fund our own football game APF style with fictional players and teams with a franchise mode and career mode.

[Blzer]

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

We all need to get together and get some money to fund our own football game APF style with fictional players and teams with a franchise mode and career mode.

Outside of 2K, at this point Maximum Football would be your best bet.

[J_Posse]

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

We all need to get together and get some money to fund our own football game APF style with fictional players and teams with a franchise mode and career mode.

Unless you know some very talented programmers/coders or a multi-billionare then I would say that is pipe dream.

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[Kanobi]

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

We all need to get together and get some money to fund our own football game APF style with fictional players and teams with a franchise mode and career mode.

Yes, what Blzer said. Have to Support Maximum Football.

[UFCMPunk]

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

I was watching SOFTDRINKTV on YouTube the other day, and his latest video got me thinking. So yes, we know EA has the simulation license, there's speculation it could be an NFL version of NBA Playgrounds, etc.

If Madden via the contract with the NFL is a simulation game, what is NFL Head Coach considered? Could 2K have the Franchise Mode and depth that was the NFL Head Coaching games be considered 'non-simulation'?

[illwill10]

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

I was watching SOFTDRINKTV on YouTube the other day, and his latest video got me thinking. So yes, we know EA has the simulation license, there's speculation it could be an NFL version of NBA Playgrounds, etc.

If Madden via the contract with the NFL is a simulation game, what is NFL Head Coach considered? Could 2K have the Franchise Mode and depth that was the NFL Head Coaching games be considered 'non-simulation'?

I watched that vid and enjoyed it. It still comes to what falls in the "simulation" range. We don't know if simulating a NFL season with all the responsibilities falls under the simulation umbrella.

As stated in the video, that type of game wouldn't sell "well". It is a niche type game. At the timd around first HC game I was a young teen and would've been overwhelmed. But now would love a game like that. But my only issue with Head Coach game, the gameplay would have to be top notch even if I couldn't "play" games. Mainly because you're relying on CPU AI at all times during gameplay. I wouldn't want Madden to create a new HC game unless it overhauls gameplay and AI.

I still think NFL Playgrounds is a high possibility. The NFL keeps stressing "casual" and "Arcade" and reaching a "younger demographic" when it comes to 2k. A NFL Playgrounds would meet those criteria

[J_Posse]

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

I watched that vid and enjoyed it. It still comes to what falls in the "simulation" range. We don't know if simulating a NFL season with all the responsibilities falls under the simulation umbrella.

As stated in the video, that type of game wouldn't sell "well". It is a niche type game. At the timd around first HC game I was a young teen and would've been overwhelmed. But now would love a game like that. But my only issue with Head Coach game, the gameplay would have to be top notch even if I couldn't "play" games. Mainly because you're relying on CPU AI at all times during gameplay. I wouldn't want Madden to create a new HC game unless it overhauls gameplay and AI.

I still think NFL Playgrounds is a high possibility. The NFL keeps stressing "casual" and "Arcade" and reaching a "younger demographic" when it comes to 2k. A NFL Playgrounds would meet those criteria

Right, I think that is sadly why a 'Playgrounds' esque game is the most likely too. Especially with how apparently Madden's demographics skew in the 20's, 30's & 40's. "Older" gamers that have been around the series since the PS2/Xbox era.

I still think there is a chance they could do something that catches on with that (older) audience too. Like has been said before (by me in particular), APF had the MUT/MyTeam formula and would only need to add in a bigger, more substantial (actual players) pool of players.

Now, the issue would be selling a product only (or mainly) marketing that feature. How could or would they bring in the "diehard," "simulation" oriented crowd with such titles?

Even if their agreement says otherwise, they'd still be better off attempting to reach all demographics and grabbing some of EA/Madden's marketshare.

Just like EA does by catering their experience to MUT, pushing non-simulation modes (Superstar K.O.) & practically ignoring the "simulation" crowd or portion of the game.

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[mestevo]

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

Right, I think that is sadly why a 'Playgrounds' esque game is the most likely too. Especially with how apparently Madden's demographics skew in the 20's, 30's & 40's. "Older" gamers that have been around the series since the PS2/Xbox era.

I still think there is a chance they could do something that catches on with that (older) audience too. Like has been said before (by me in particular), APF had the MUT/MyTeam formula and would only need to add in a bigger, more substantial (actual players) pool of players.

Now, the issue would be selling a product only (or mainly) marketing that feature. How could or would they bring in the "diehard," "simulation" oriented crowd with such titles?

Even if their agreement says otherwise, they'd still be better off attempting to reach all demographics and grabbing some of EA/Madden's marketshare.

Just like EA does by catering their experience to MUT, pushing non-simulation modes (Superstar K.O.) & practically ignoring the "simulation" crowd or portion of the game.

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I think they opt to not cater to the sim crowd at all, and lean into what sells VC, a fun arcade experience that gets people coming back and drives recurring purchases over the course of a season the same way MUT does.

In many ways, Madden is what you get when you're trying to cater to all types of player. I don't think that's a path 2k will go down and really due to exclusivity they really can't go down.



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[J_Posse]

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

I think they opt to not cater to the sim crowd at all, and lean into what sells VC, a fun arcade experience that gets people coming back and drives recurring purchases over the course of a season the same way MUT does.

In many ways, Madden is what you get when you're trying to cater to all types of player. I don't think that's a path 2k will go down and really due to exclusivity they really can't go down.



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Even still the game will have to have some "sim" elements with all football video games still encompassing passing, running, defense, etc. An "over-the-top" arcade approach akin to NFL Blitz, Street or (989 studios developed) Xtreme would likely not have wide enough of an appeal (to grab signficant marketshare).

Even if many pessimistic posters believe they don't possess a "modern football engine" - something I've read by multiple posters on OS - with their previous titles (NFL 2K5 and/or APF 2K8). They would be foolish to just discard all of that previous code.

A MUT style game based in loot boxes, "card" packs & microtransactions would still need to have the core experience similar to traditional, 11-on-11, 'simulation' football.

They also still need to have some component that can appeal to folks that only want to play with 'true-to-life' NFL rosters. We don't know how far they can lean towards a 'simulation' game or even really what that entails (simulation vs non-simulation).

They can go in a lot of directions (with multiple titles) to try to appeal to more than just a casual, "kid friendly" demographic. Obviously, they've likely done a lot of R & D while also having a good idea of what they can and can't do with the "non-simulation" license.

As an aside, Madden NFL, NBA 2K, MLB the Show & FIFA have all fallen into the issue or trap of attempting to "be all things to all people." It is understandable since the Diamond Dynast, Ultimate Team, MyTeam experience has helped grow revenue & appeal to more casual audiences. In particular by integrating "legendary" or HOF talent that most casuals recognize.

The negative side is that the core, 'simulation' experiences have stagnated due in part to those becoming less & less of the target audience(s).




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[VCdolphin]

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

I would not be surprised if the term 'simulation football' was defined as being able to recreate the NFL schedule and playoff format in a videogame. Maybe throw in the Conferences and Divisions too.

After that, it can be wide open to interpretation as to what simulation football is. I mean, a guy just won a Madden Champion with a punter at QB and never throwing a pass.

My point is that 2K could still have 11 vs 11 football and the familiar game play we expect from them (along with real team names, uniforms, logos, and players) but not be considered 'simulation football' since you don't see anything like a normal NFL schedule or team setup.

I can't see 2K Sports agreeing to build a game and THEN submit it for review to see if it falls under 'simulation football' as defined by the NFL and/or EA. You agree to a definition first, then develop your game from there.

[zello144]

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

What if it's just a career mode focused game with only one playable position QB.

NFL 2k QB or something.

[PVarck31]

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

What if it's just a career mode focused game with only one playable position QB.

NFL 2k QB or something.

Sounds like it would be pretty sim though.

[illwill10]

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

Sounds like it would be pretty sim though.

Exactly. That's like suggesting a franchise-only game, career mode only game, or Head Coach-like game we are just trying to find anything that isn't NFL Playgrounds and has a realistic sim feel to it lol. We all know that NFL has told them what they can and can't do. We can hope that 2k is given the creative freedom to do what they can do

My question is since the 7th generation, which arcadey sports games were considered a "commercial success"(sold well)? We seen a lot of good arcade games in the 6th gen and back. But, since start of 7th gen, there hasn't been a major focus on Arcade sports titles. I don't want to say a over the top wouldn't do well. You just need a major publisher fully committed to it. I think if EA would ever return with the EA BIG team, those arcade sports titles would do well. If 2k were to do a over the top arcade football game, they would have to fully commit to it and make sure it has depth