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

[AUChase]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

If people don't like whatever the result of this is then they can keep on keeping on with Madden. Bottom line for me is it's a start and more options and competition is good for everyone.

Some of my best sports games experiences were Looney Tunes B-Ball, NBA Jam, Rock the Rink, etc. The older I get the more I just want things to be fun and not require a **** ton of upkeep like worrying about slider sets. My most played football game this year is Retro Bowl on my Google Pixel.

Maybe EA will at least consider letting creative minds be creative and put some of that MUT micro-transaction money to good use now.

I think "glorified digital casino" is a bit unfair to say with consideration to the entire game.

NBA 2K definitely has those elements, but there is obviously still the modes like quick play/myleague that have no microtransactions at all tied to it.

There's almost no way any modern shooter or sports game is dropping with no micro-transactions, shortcuts, etc. It's easy money in the digital age. Take-Two may have some games where it's presented differently, but it's not like other popular sports games don't do it. MUT, Diamond Dynasty, etc. The delivery is just different. The difference to me is at least 2K's other modes aren't suffering as a result. I'm not COMPLETELY sold on this being the case for Madden, but the whole "perception is reality in the absence of the truth" thing comes to mind. It's hard not to feel that way.

[PVarck31]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

It'll probably be something like 2K's WWE Supercard game, but with NFL teams. If that's the case, I have no interest. I'm highly suspect the new game will be anything old 2K5 players will want, unfortunately. And the EA deal will likely be extended past 2021 while 2K publishes a crappy side game for the "more accessible" players. Nothing seems to work out for us who have wanted competition for EA for 15+ years. So until there's clear evidence that a game we'd want will be released, I have 0 expectations for anything worthwhile for us sim players.

I seriously doubt this will be anything like WWE Supercard. This is going to be a legit playable game of football.

Now what exactly what it will be, not sure. My guess is NFL Street esque. Which would still be pretty awesome.

Also, this could be a power move by 2K to blow the NFL's doors off with an offer for exclusivity when EA's expires.

[inkcil]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

2K and NFL Football in the same sentence for the first time since NFL 2K5 is a beautiful, beautiful thing. A whole generation of gamers have gone from Diapers to High School without experiencing the bliss of NFL 2K5 "in the moment." It's one thing to pop it in now and compare it to Madden 20, but when it dropped in the Fall of 2004...oh man, you had to be there. Especially on Xbox with custom soundtracks and the hard drive to facilitate the full weekly wrap-up show highlights!

I don't blame any youngsta for doubting, they too young; and old-school Maddenites have had 15-plus years to see their belief shattered that Madden alone in the marketplace is good enough for NFL video game fans. EA had more than enough time to prove doubters wrong.

Man, 2K, we been waiting a long time for this. I don't think the Suits even understand.

And don't forget 2K to sell it at full price!!

[NINJAK2]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

We will have to wait and see for what exactly it is for. You making assumptions is premature.
I hope it is more than that. Im really wanting to get away from EA. Dont even care if the real players names arent in it.
If i have to wait til 2022 for a simualtion game from 2K, so be it. Im not a annual must have Madden guy. Didnt buy 2020.

They flat out said 2k is licensed to make "non-sim" football games so how is my assumption premature? This would mean they aren't green lit to make a NFL Head Coach type game or any other sim type experience. I really hope I'm wrong but that headline doesn't leave much room for any other interpretation. All I'm saying is a non sim football game won't force EA to improve a.i., physics engine, etc. in their SIM game. EA needs competition in their market in the same way that PES pushes FIFA and vice versa. Happy to see 2k and the NFL connect again and I wasn't saying I wanted 2k to have exclusivity or something. I just wanted them to have the same opportunity as PES , Live..


Football games without NCAA or NFL tags have a tough time selling so I'm happy 2k got back in the mix.

[12_Adriyel_12]

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

Also a non simulation 2K Football game could also mean a Legends NFL 2K game.

Non simulation could just mean no “current” players on the field, which technically makes it non simulation since they would have all retired players on the field.

If 2K has the NFL license that means they would also have the NFLPA license which allows them to use the ENTIRE legends pool so instead of being like All Pro Football 2K8 with a few legends and no NFL license, they could be NFL teams with the ENTIRE roster of that team.

For example instead of just Brett Favre and a bunch of generic players, you’d have an entire 1997 Greebay Packers team with all the real players.

Technically that’s non simulation because the entire 1997 Packers team are all retired players being revived in a new 2K NFL game.

[PVarck31]

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

Also a non simulation 2K Football game could also mean a Legends NFL 2K game.

Non simulation could just mean no “current” players on the field, which technically makes it non simulation since they would have all retired players on the field.

If 2K has the NFL license that means they would also have the NFLPA license which allows them to use the ENTIRE legends pool so instead of being like All Pro Football 2K8 with a few legends and no NFL license, they could be NFL teams with the ENTIRE roster of that team.

For example instead of just Brett Favre and a bunch of generic players, you’d have an entire 1997 Greebay Packers team with all the real players.

Technically that’s non simulation because the entire 1997 Packers team are all retired players being revived in a new 2K NFL game.

I don't think this is how it works. I could be wrong, but I don't think just using retired players would qualify the game as non-sim.

Then you have a whole new can of worms with legends. You would have to get licenses for certain players. There is no all encompassing NFL legends license.

But I hope you are right, because that would be awesome if they could find a way to do that.

[ehh]

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

So we're in a wait-and-see situation. It's exciting that there's some activity with 2K and the NFL but who knows what this will mean. The best-case scenario is that the NFL doesn't renew the exclusive license in 2021 and we've got an open market again and we'll see the true rebirth of NFL2K. It doesn't sound like whatever kind of game we get next fall will be OS' cup of tea.

[mercalnd]

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

Also a non simulation 2K Football game could also mean a Legends NFL 2K game.

Non simulation could just mean no “current” players on the field, which technically makes it non simulation since they would have all retired players on the field.

If 2K has the NFL license that means they would also have the NFLPA license which allows them to use the ENTIRE legends pool so instead of being like All Pro Football 2K8 with a few legends and no NFL license, they could be NFL teams with the ENTIRE roster of that team.

For example instead of just Brett Favre and a bunch of generic players, you’d have an entire 1997 Greebay Packers team with all the real players.

Technically that’s non simulation because the entire 1997 Packers team are all retired players being revived in a new 2K NFL game.

1)The NFL license and NFLPA license are separate. So having the NFL does not necessarily mean having the NFLPA.

2)Even if they do get the NFLPA license, retired players or legends still have to be licensed individually since they are no longer part of the NFLPA. That's why we so often had unnamed players on classic teams in old sports games that had full PA licensing, and why NBA 2K's classic teams are missing players.

[Hooe]

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

If 2K has the NFL license that means they would also have the NFLPA license which allows them to use the ENTIRE legends pool so instead of being like All Pro Football 2K8 with a few legends and no NFL license, they could be NFL teams with the ENTIRE roster of that team.

Couple of corrections:

1 - The NFL and NFL Players Association are two separate business entities. Via Polygon, 2K has only announced a partnership with the NFL today:

It’s worth noting that 2K’s deal with the NFL only covers the names, logos, and associated elements for the league and its 32 teams — not the names, images, and likenesses of any NFL players. The two sets of rights are typically handled separately, and indeed, an NFL spokesperson told Polygon that 2K would need to sign a licensing agreement with the NFL Players Association in order to use real, current NFL players in its upcoming video games. A representative for 2K said the company could not comment on whether such a deal was in place.

2 - Retired players are not part of the NFL Players Association. As far as I know, there is no collective bargaining entity which directly represents the business interests of former NFL players. Their rights currently are negotiated individually, as how each historic player's appearance in Madden Ultimate Team is handled (this is also how each legend was contracted to appear in All Pro Football 2K8 over a decade ago).

[illwill10]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

Hopefully, this is the NFL/NFLPA wanting some form of a partnership in place with 2k prior to the expiration of EA's deal in 2021 so that the transition for 2k to make a full blown NFL2k game is smooth with a pre-estasblished market on next gen systems.

I do feel like that could be most likely scenario. This could be a situation where NFL wants to see if there is still truly a market for a 2k Football game. NFL could want to see how a 2k Football game fares initially before deciding.
I do feel the power of social media does help 2k. Social Media could really attract more gamers than normal advertising compared to how it was 10-15 years ago.
I expect what "non simulation" 2k Football game to be released before Madden. I think the initial 3-5 months would be important for 2k being that the EA deal would be announced before end of 2021

[PVarck31]

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

2K most likely also acquired the NFLPA license in this deal. Most of the time when a license is acquired for a sports league, the players association licensees usually come as a package deal. So I would be surprised if they don't have the NFLPA license.

Unrelated, but that press release from EA today just oozed of fear and anger.

[mestevo]

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

2K most likely also acquired the NFLPA license in this deal. Most of the time when a license is acquired for a sports league, the players association licensees usually come as a package deal. So I would be surprised if they don't have the NFLPA license.

Unrelated, but that press release from EA today just oozed of fear and anger.

NFLPA publishes a list of their licensees - https://www.nflpa.com/players/partners-licensees

There are other NFL licensed games that don't license via the NFLPA also, so maybe not a given. Really depends on the product they're putting together.

[DatsunDimer]

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

Not sure if this was mentioned, as I skimmed the thread quickly. Does anyone else have concerns that if 2K is very successful with their non-sim game, it could actually make Madden even worse for franchise players?

Madden has the rights to "simulation" and that seemingly means my favorite mode, franchise. Could we see them ignoring franchise even more (if possible) if the suits get nervous over the 2K sales?

Hopefully 2K can eventually get the full license and then the full demise of EA Tiburon can be complete.

[Hooe]

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

2K most likely also acquired the NFLPA license in this deal. Most of the time when a license is acquired for a sports league, the players association licensees usually come as a package deal. So I would be surprised if they don't have the NFLPA license.

NFLPA publishes a list of their licensees - https://www.nflpa.com/players/partners-licensees

There are other NFL licensed games that don't license via the NFLPA also, so maybe not a given. Really depends on the product they're putting together.

On top of that, I have to believe if 2K agreed to a deal with the NFLPA, they'd have announced that today as well, if for no other reason than that 2K is a publicly-traded company and investors certainly would like to know how the company is spending their money. I suppose a reporter type could and should ask that question at their next quarterly earnings call to get a definitive answer here.

In the meantime, I think the absence of 2K shouting from the rooftops "we have the NFL and NFLPA licenses" should be read as "we do not currently have both the NFL and NFLPA licenses, only the NFL". Doesn't mean it can't happen, there's a lot of time between now and the release of whatever they're working on, but for today I think we'd all be wise to temper expectations and resist the urge to read between the lines.

[Darth Aegis]

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

2K most likely also acquired the NFLPA license in this deal. Most of the time when a license is acquired for a sports league, the players association licensees usually come as a package deal. So I would be surprised if they don't have the NFLPA license.

Unrelated, but that press release from EA today just oozed of fear and anger.

I'm assuming it's pretty quiet on the EA grounds today & starting to hear footsteps behind them. While who knows whats going to come out of this, it can be a win win for the consumer.