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

[Darth Aegis]

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

Im really hoping its not a mobile game at all. Just my speculation, but seems more than that. Not saying mobile games don't have a place, but 2K has taken jabs at the Madden console devs in the past. I feel like 2K has been laying in the weeds for far to long. Exciting non the less!

[pietasterp]

Re: NFL 2K Coming Back in 2021!!

It's all very unclear at the moment, but the simple announcement that 2k was back in business with the NFL by itself has lit this forum (and others) on fire. That suggests pent-up demand and potentially, a very interesting situation depending on what happens in the coming years.

[kehlis]

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

Dor everyone claiming EA "dont care" about this,there's a speck of truth but I guarantee if they didnt see a threat why are they not allowing direct competition. Because as behind as 2K are there is NO doubt the following is totally different today compared to 2005. The outlets today would change the narrative. I'm sorry...IMO

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

Why in the world would they allow competition if they had a say?

[JayhawkerStL]

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

My guess is that in this situation, simulation means simulating the NFL season, and future season. No one is going to be able to take their favorite NFL team and play the real NFL schedule.

I suspect that this will be a somewhat expanded version of APF 2K8, but with more direct ties to the NFL. It will have some sort of card collectible mode. It should have custom online leagues. It will almost assuredly not have career or franchise play.

But the notion that the game will bear any relation to the even 2K8, let alone 2K5 seems ludicrous. This seems like it will be a new game being built by new people unless I'm missing something in the release. All we really know is that they possibly have access to AAA level resources, but that is not a given.

For me, that's all I really need to want to try out a new 2K football game. Just expand on what they did with 2K8, come up with interesting ways to build teams from all kinds of players from different eras. But I don't have any illusions that this game is going to be anything more than a first-run from a new developer.

I will say that if it is just a re-skin on the old 2K engine, then I will be massively less interested in what they are doing.

[4thQtrStre5S]

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

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.

Exactly, and EA knew about this before we did, obviously. How long they knew is anyone's guess. Maybe M21 will have some big surprises as the competition has been established. Market share is at risk. Even though many will potentially buy both versions, there is still the risk of people jumping, especially if they have a loyalty to 2K or just a grudge against EA.

[PVarck31]

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.

If they didn't care they wouldn't have put out a press release reminding everyone they have the exclusive license.

[UFCMPunk]

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

Dor everyone claiming EA "dont care" about this,there's a speck of truth but I guarantee if they didnt see a threat why are they not allowing direct competition. Because as behind as 2K are there is NO doubt the following is totally different today compared to 2005. The outlets today would change the narrative. I'm sorry...IMO

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

There is another thing that will help 2K in this day of age, that's the backward compatibility of the next gen consoles. Microsoft has said that the Series X will be able to play all generations of Xbox Games back to the original Xbox, and it's rumored the same for Playstation. If this means, we can dust off the copy of 2K5 or buy a used copy somewhere, put the physical disk into the new consoles and play it.... that's free advertisement. That alone would put new eyes on the product and get more hype toward a 2K licensed NFL game.

[kehlis]

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

There is another thing that will help 2K in this day of age, that's the backward compatibility of the next gen consoles. Microsoft has said that the Series X will be able to play all generations of Xbox Games back to the original Xbox, and it's rumored the same for Playstation. If this means, we can dust off the copy of 2K5 or buy a used copy somewhere, put the physical disk into the new consoles and play it.... that's free advertisement. That alone would put new eyes on the product and get more hype toward a 2K licensed NFL game.

No one who didn't play the game previously is going to buy a 15 year old game to play for the first time.

[kjcheezhead]

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

This news is outstanding. I’m not concerned about simulation/non simulation right. A major developer with a history of great sports games said they are making a new football game. I haven’t bought a football game in 5 years and haven’t enjoyed one since the ps2 days.

Let’s see what you got 2k, when can I preorder?


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[kehlis]

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

If they didn't care they wouldn't have put out a press release reminding everyone they have the exclusive license.

I don't agree with this.

Anytime an announcement is made that will cause an influx of questions to your company (and obviously this one will/did), it's a common practice for any company to release an official announcement rather than address questions individually or ignore them.

[mestevo]

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

Also good PR. Putting that out it becomes quoted in every credible article about this news, allows them to dispel many assumptions.

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[JayhawkerStL]

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

There is another thing that will help 2K in this day of age, that's the backward compatibility of the next gen consoles. Microsoft has said that the Series X will be able to play all generations of Xbox Games back to the original Xbox, and it's rumored the same for Playstation. If this means, we can dust off the copy of 2K5 or buy a used copy somewhere, put the physical disk into the new consoles and play it.... that's free advertisement. That alone would put new eyes on the product and get more hype toward a 2K licensed NFL game.

No one who didn't play the game previously is going to buy a 15 year old game to play for the first time.

Also, the manner in which Microsoft got those old games to work prevented almost any sports game from becoming BC. Because MS added code to the games, they would also need the permission of everyone that had to give permission in the first place.

Going forward, sports games will be BC, at least on Xbox. But that's because they are going to keep a consistent OS, and the games will play as is, and not need tweaking. But there will not be BC versions of NFL 2K5 or AFB 2K8 around.

[skinnybonez]

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

wonder if the devs from those nfl games still work for them or did they moved on ha

[thor-17]

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

I am so stoked for this. The last fifteen years have just about killed my love for football video games. Outside of ncaa 14 and mutant football league, it has been a void. A wasteland. Now, there is light at the never ending tunnel of doom. Who cares if it’s not “sim”? Tecmo Super Bowl for the NES was not sim, but it is still one of the most fun games ever made. I would be stoked with gameplay like this. Bring me fun. Breathe life into the genre.

[bad_philanthropy]

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

How exactly do you define the parameters of "non-simulation?" Couldn't 2k just make a game in the same spirit they made NFL 2k and make NBA 2k and say it's not a simulation? Iassume there is some kind of legal language defining it. It's a weird choice for the NFL to go suddenly partner up with 2k.