2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

[illwill10]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

So basically the "Madden 64" situation (for anyone who remembers that game - licensed by the PA but not the league. so the Pats were "Foxboro"* for example)?

If they were gonna do that I couldn't really see them chasing after the NFL license in the first place though - it would mean they're creating two games.

*The full city name didn't fit in the team name string back then I guess, so they shortened it

I agree. If they wanted to do a Madden 64 type game, then they could have just went after NFLPA license only. They could have saved millions from not having to pay for NFL License.

I feel the consensus is that either is keep expectations low(Playgrounds) or try to find loopholes for best case scenario(APF or 7-on-7) . I'm sure NFL has given them strict guidelines of what they can and can't do and will probably have to submit updates what 2k is doing for approval. But at the same time, worse case scenario NFL Playgrounds and a mobile card game. As J-Posse said earlier, does that move the needle for 2k and is it worth it for 2k? NFL Playgrounds and a mobile game isn't going to sell well and be profitable for 2k unless they fill them with appealing microtransactions. Couldn't find exact numbers, but original NBA Playgrounds sold just over 500k copies. I don't see NBA Playgrounds 2 selling much more than that. I don't see WWE Battlegrounds selling that well since the WWE 2k series was selling poorly last few years. I don't see 2k investing and spending so much money on NFL license just to put out a Playgrounds game.

As others said, if they can't find a loophole for best case scenario, then I think a NFL Street esque game would be okay if they can include a Park like online and a solo offline experience. I would be supportive of a NFL Street esque game if it still feels like Football

[canes21]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

So basically the "Madden 64" situation (for anyone who remembers that game - licensed by the PA but not the league. so the Pats were "Foxboro"* for example)?

If they were gonna do that I couldn't really see them chasing after the NFL license in the first place though - it would mean they're creating two games.

*The full city name didn't fit in the team name string back then I guess, so they shortened it

I don't anticipate them doing that, but some are speculating they may go down that route along with an NFL Playgrounds type of game. I think we're getting NFL Playgrounds and that's it, but we'll see.

[beau21]

2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

Would a legends game (using old retired players) be allowed to be a simulation under the deal?

This has been my hope.
Seems safe to assume 2k will not be making a NFL branded current roster football game.

I’m not sure however, with the licenses they now have, if a legends / historic teams game w real NFL logos and uniforms would be allowed. Would be an evolution of APF 2k8 but with real rosters and NFL logos.

I would eat that up. I realize it’s much harder to pull that off in football vs basketball (way more players) but I love all the historic teams in NBA2k.


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[canes21]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

Are former players even a part of the NFL PA? I thought when 2k8 was being made that 2k had to negotiate with each individual because getting a deal with the NFL PA only allows you to use the likeness of active players.

[beau21]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

Are former players even a part of the NFL PA? I thought when 2k8 was being made that 2k had to negotiate with each individual because getting a deal with the NFL PA only allows you to use the likeness of active players.

Would be curious to know myself.
I seem to remember reading about 2k signing legends individually.

I’d be curious if they’d be allowed to make an NFL simulation game with only historic teams. Since Madden doesn’t have historic teams anymore, you could argue its not competing with Madden.


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[ksuttonjr76]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

You all do realize that EA or NFL doesn't "own" the sport of football, right?

[kehlis]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

You all do realize that EA or NFL doesn't "own" the sport of football, right?

We sure do.

But as of right now, they own the right to make a simulation NFL football game.

[ksuttonjr76]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

Personally, I don't see how creating a game with fictional teams and stadiums would fall in the category of "simulation".

There's a difference between trying to replicate a "football experience" versus a "NFL experience". Any MyCareer mode would immediately fall into the "non-simulation" category, because it's a work of fiction. Any MyTeam/MyGM mode would immediately fall into the "non-simulation" category, as long as the teams are playing in neutral stadiums/locations.

If EA Sports had true exclusive rights to being the only developer to create a simulation football game, then there would have never been an APF 2K in the first place.

[kehlis]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

Personally, I don't see how creating a game with fictional teams and stadiums would fall in the category of "simulation".

There's a difference between trying to replicate a "football experience" versus a "NFL experience". Any MyCareer mode would immediately fall into the "non-simulation" category, because it's a work of fiction. Any MyTeam/MyGM mode would immediately fall into the "non-simulation" category, as long as the teams are playing in neutral stadiums/locations.

If EA Sports had true exclusive rights to being the only developer to create a simulation football game, then there would have never been an APF 2K in the first place.

You're 100% right about the bolded.

This exclusive right to being the only developer that can make a simulation game is new this year (it's part of this new agreement between 2k and the NFL).


To your other points, no one knows true definition of what dictates simulation. Personally, I believe that the definition lays somewhere much closer to "anything that looks like a true football game."

That said, no one really knows, it's all speculation.

[ksuttonjr76]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

Real talk...

Do y'all REALLY believe that Take Two is going to settle with developing some BS arcade and mobile games? The fact they went and seeked a separate agreement with the NFLPA AFTER EA's press release should tell you everything you need to know about what Take Two is planning to do.

[zello144]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

That's not how it works. They can't just strike this deal and then call their game authentic instead of simulation and return NFL 2k because of their word choice. Simulation is defined by certain criteria that only the NFL, 2k, and EA know and we can only speculate on it. It may be that simulation gameplay is anything 11 v 11, anything with a franchise mode, or whatever the NFL defined it as with EA.

Fingers crossed for an "Authentic football" NFL 2k game.

[Kanobi]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

If 2k could make a sim football game with NFLPA wouldn't they announce that?

According to the press release, the titles and their respective developer studios will be announced at a later date. Stay tuned.

[ksuttonjr76]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

Can the NFL block other organizations from creating a new football league?

[Kanobi]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

If EA Sports had true exclusive rights to being the only developer to create a simulation football game, then there would have never been an APF 2K in the first place.

EA holds exclusive rights to make NFL-licensed simulation football games....not simulation football games period. If you wanted to make a pro football sim using fictional teams, logos and stadiums, EA could not stop you.

[kehlis]

Re: 2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

Can the NFL block other organizations from creating a new football league?

Are you looking for an answer or are we just going with rhetorical questions as a point of conversation?