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

[mestevo]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

An NFL version of a game like Super Mega Baseball?

Probably not. There have been alternatives on mobile for most of the duration of the exclusive contract, and I'm not sure any of them have had franchise mode. The games with GM / franchise aspects are pretty consistently non-branded.

So I expect this to be more of an ultimate team / arcade style game.

[TheGentlemanGhost]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

Why non-sim though? I hope it was because it was the only way they could negotiate with the NFL. I definitely need a NFL 2K son experience though. Can’t lie that it’s a bit disappointing it will not be sim.

[MajorSupreme]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

Below 10 for me lol. I was so excited when I woke to the notification on my phone, but after three minutes of research knew it wasn’t gonna be for me. Remember when everyone was all hyped over that Joe Montana Football game?

I think there is a very distinct difference between 2K producing a football game with NFL licensing and the vaporware that was Joe Montana Football.

[50West]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

Why non-sim though? I hope it was because it was the only way they could negotiate with the NFL. I definitely need a NFL 2K son experience though. Can’t lie that it’s a bit disappointing it will not be sim.

EA's current contract with the NFL specifically states "simulation" type games, although the EA contract expires at the end of 2021.

I want to think 2K is just playing coy and will release a game in the vein of 2k5, but the cynic in me knows we are getting some micro transaction based online mode similar to MUT, I’m sure there will be purchasable power ups and evertthing

Take a look at the Polygon article I linked. There was some good points made in there.

[Cory Levy]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

My excitement pretty much dropped with the "non-simulation", "casual crowd" comments. I would take a guess that part of these negotiations included the NFL going to EA and telling them outright that whatever 2K makes it won't be infringing on their "simulated NFL replica gameplay and depth". I would bet the gameplay will be very arcadey and there won't be much depth to the game at all, at most I would think a single year season mode. Honestly imagining a new, updated NFL Street style game but in the actual stadiums, just as cartoony and over the top. Hopefully I'm just being too pessimistic and we will get a good experience that tops Madden but it looks doomed from the start.

I also don't think this will put that much pressure on EA. They'll continue to be the flagship NFL video game while this one will be an 'alternative' that you can play for a few weeks once it comes out. It won't have a deep franchise mode so there won't be any pressure to improve Maddden in that aspect.

Possibly the only pressure EA could face is if the NFL gets that impressed with 2K or their game sells so well they decide to give the full license to 2K for a few years and let them try the whole shebang, but, again, the EA and NFL have been in bed for so long I don't see them breaking up that easily. It would take multiple years of Madden selling supremely poorly for the NFL to even begin to reconsider.

[50West]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

My excitement pretty much dropped with the "non-simulation", "casual crowd" comments. I would take a guess that part of these negotiations included the NFL going to EA and telling them outright that whatever 2K makes it won't be infringing on their "simulated NFL replica gameplay and depth". I would bet the gameplay will be very arcadey and there won't be much depth to the game at all, at most I would think a single year season mode. Honestly imagining a new, updated NFL Street style game but in the actual stadiums, just as cartoony and over the top. Hopefully I'm just being too pessimistic and we will get a good experience that tops Madden but it looks doomed from the start.

I also don't think this will put that much pressure on EA. They'll continue to be the flagship NFL video game while this one will be an 'alternative' that you can play for a few weeks once it comes out. It won't have a deep franchise mode so there won't be any pressure to improve Maddden in that aspect.

Possibly the only pressure EA could face is if the NFL gets that impressed with 2K or their game sells so well they decide to give the full license to 2K for a few years and let them try the whole shebang, but, again, the EA and NFL have been in bed for so long I don't see them breaking up that easily. It would take multiple years of Madden selling supremely poorly for the NFL to even begin to reconsider.

I agree, and unfortunately EA is in a pretty good position with Madden right now (from the NFL's perspective). EA just released earlier today in their statement that Madden 20 was the best selling Madden ever.

[sva91]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

If 2k was allowed to make a 7 on 7 with full rosters and stadiums, I’d be very happy.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[SolidSquid]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

My excitement pretty much dropped with the "non-simulation", "casual crowd" comments. I would take a guess that part of these negotiations included the NFL going to EA and telling them outright that whatever 2K makes it won't be infringing on their "simulated NFL replica gameplay and depth". I would bet the gameplay will be very arcadey and there won't be much depth to the game at all, at most I would think a single year season mode. Honestly imagining a new, updated NFL Street style game but in the actual stadiums, just as cartoony and over the top. Hopefully I'm just being too pessimistic and we will get a good experience that tops Madden but it looks doomed from the start.

I also don't think this will put that much pressure on EA. They'll continue to be the flagship NFL video game while this one will be an 'alternative' that you can play for a few weeks once it comes out. It won't have a deep franchise mode so there won't be any pressure to improve Maddden in that aspect.

Possibly the only pressure EA could face is if the NFL gets that impressed with 2K or their game sells so well they decide to give the full license to 2K for a few years and let them try the whole shebang, but, again, the EA and NFL have been in bed for so long I don't see them breaking up that easily. It would take multiple years of Madden selling supremely poorly for the NFL to even begin to reconsider.

The thing is the new 2k game is going up against madden. You have a team making their first game since 2008 and we don’t even know what it will be vs EA and Madden who have been the only “real” football game on the market for 15 years. It’s really apples to oranges, I don’t see how anything 2k does can threaten madden since they aren’t releasing the same type games. How can you compare 11 on 11 franchise mode football(even though it’s trash) to the football adjacent game 2k will put out?

Best case scenario is The NFL will give both companies the license, 2k will be exclusive NFL arcade style games and EA will keep the flagship nfl sim

[TheGentlemanGhost]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

EA's current contract with the NFL specifically states "simulation" type games, although the EA contract expires at the end of 2021.







Take a look at the Polygon article I linked. There was some good points made in there.

Yeah, just found out, thanks. Okay, so if that means 2K may start making sim games after just this one arcade game, I’ll definitely support 2K no matter what just so they have the numbers.

EA’s response was so contradictory. One sentence they say they are dedicated to making a sim game, then the very next they brag about their arcade modes lol. We really need 2K back in the NFL business.

[SolidSquid]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

If 2k was allowed to make a 7 on 7 with full rosters and stadiums, I’d be very happy.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Idk. The love I have for 2k and what they did with 2k5 has me not wanting to settle for less.

These are the guys that put weekly game planning into franchise mode, something madden just got 3 years ago.

I won’t settle for an arcade football game just bc it’s 2k.

[slickdtc]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

I don’t get this. The NFL won’t let the game become an overly violent NFL Blitz style game, so that’s out. NFL Street style games stopped being made because they didn’t sell.

My best guess is, based off the “casual, social” comment, is this is geared towards online players... going around playing 7 on 7 in like an open world. Not simulation but not completely over the top, think like sandlot football. Kinda a medium of casual, relatively realistic, fun, simple.

I’m sure there’s an audience for that, people love to play Madden in so many different ways. But I just don’t see it being that popular and will be just a memory in 10 years.

Also, just having the NFL rights is... weird. In a game where you play as... players... they’re more important. So that makes me think this will be like a Create a Player full game experience.

[50West]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

Also, just having the NFL rights is... weird. In a game where you play as... players... they’re more important. So that makes me think this will be like a Create a Player full game experience.

2K is still free to negotiate with the NFLPA to use their names and likeness, if they so choose. It is a separate agreement/license than with the NFL (if I understood it correctly). 2K did not yet say if they have such an agreement, or are seeking one, with the NFLPA.

Having said that, I'm sure they fully understand how important it is to use real player names.

[SolidSquid]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

I don’t get this. The NFL won’t let the game become an overly violent NFL Blitz style game, so that’s out. NFL Street style games stopped being made because they didn’t sell.

My best guess is, based off the “casual, social” comment, is this is geared towards online players... going around playing 7 on 7 in like an open world. Not simulation but not completely over the top, think like sandlot football. Kinda a medium of casual, relatively realistic, fun, simple.


I’m sure there’s an audience for that, people love to play Madden in so many different ways. But I just don’t see it being that popular and will be just a memory in 10 years.

Also, just having the NFL rights is... weird. In a game where you play as... players... they’re more important. So that makes me think this will be like a Create a Player full game experience.

Maybe something along the lines of 2ks pro am? You play on a team where everyone makes their own character. So one person would control the qb one would control the RB, 3 people playing WR and so on.
Full stat tracking so you can see how you did at the end of every “season”.

I’m sure there would be a market for that.

[SolidSquid]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

2K is still free to negotiate with the NFLPA to use their names and likeness, if they so choose. It is a separate agreement/license than with the NFL (if I understood it correctly). 2K did not yet say if they have such an agreement, or are seeking one, with the NFLPA.

Yes the nfl Licenses gives them use of teams and stadiums. They would need the NFLPA license for player likeness and the such. The fact that they won’t confirm or deny that they have the NFLPA on board makes me think they don’t. This will be an online multiplayer game where everyone creates their own player and controls them online in multiplayer games.

[slickdtc]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

Maybe something along the lines of 2ks pro am? You play on a team where everyone makes their own character. So one person would control the qb one would control the RB, 3 people playing WR and so on.

Full stat tracking so you can see how you did at the end of every “season”.



I’m sure there would be a market for that.

This is what I was trying to get at. I don’t play much anymore so not sure what modes there are in the newest games these days. Totally think they’re going to expand on this as a full game... tournaments, seasons, skills challenges, etc.