How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

[scagwi]

I'm curious what folks think are the ideal solutions ... and then also what are the most likely ones.

I think the scenarios are a little different since 2K has a going concern already out there right now (2k21)

For me, I think honestly for both companies, the best thing to do is focus on the PGA course/tour content itself and handle player inclusions/removals via DLC as time goes on.

I'm really not sure what I think they *will* do though... this is all very fluid and I'm sure rather frustrating for the development and marketing teams.

I'd love to see custom rosters/editing if possible, but I sort of doubt we'll get it.

Anyone?

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

PGA 2K won't have LIV in any way, shape, or form, with Tiger Woods as the spokesman/cover athlete of that series now. TW has come out as very against the LIV and what it stands for, in his mind at least.

EA...with the relationship they have with the majors, I see them not having any LIV connection either. We still don't know if LIV will get OWGR points, so those players risk not being eligible for major championships. And since EA's game also includes "PGA Tour" in the title, I think it will avoid LIV completely.

I doubt we will ever get a name/player editor in either game. TGC19 had that with Solo Societies, and then had to remove it once they went all in on the PGA Tour license in PGA 2K21.

I think the games will release with pros names and likenesses as before, and if any defect to LIV after release, they will be patched/removed from the game. Since both games are still in development, they have already probably taken out Sergio, Bryson, Poulter, etc. if they were to be in either game. That said, all of those guys are still in PGA 2K21...so I am not sure how those contracts and deals work.

[VoltSwoosh]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

I'm curious what folks think are the ideal solutions ... and then also what are the most likely ones.

I think the scenarios are a little different since 2K has a going concern already out there right now (2k21)

For me, I think honestly for both companies, the best thing to do is focus on the PGA course/tour content itself and handle player inclusions/removals via DLC as time goes on.

I'm really not sure what I think they *will* do though... this is all very fluid and I'm sure rather frustrating for the development and marketing teams.

I'd love to see custom rosters/editing if possible, but I sort of doubt we'll get it.

Anyone?

As for EA, release the game spring 2023 before the masters. Let the courses sell the game. The cover itself tells the story-no player at all. It’s not as big a deal as people think. Get as many big names in as possible and go from there. Start with fan favorites Rory and Spieth(both who have already dealt with EA). Then get as many more as can be.

Secondly, have a great customization suite. I know they confirmed last year it was revamped. Make it so detailed I can create Brooks Keopka in some sense, or TW for that matter.

EA has the big time courses to sell on, 2K does not. I think LIV hurts them way more…. But then again they sold 2k21 without any playable pros at all so what do I know.

Just my 2 cents.


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[scagwi]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

have a great customization suite. I know they confirmed last year it was revamped. Make it so detailed I can create Brooks Keopka in some sense, or TW for that matter.

This would be great to see ... maybe we could insert "Krooks Bepka" and "Wiger Toods" into our own game rosters! :-)

[bigkev]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

Probably only one playable pro in 2K, Tiger. Maybe his bffl Thomas. Rory will be EA and who knows after that. I have no idea how they will dealt with the PGA leaderboard, whatever the PGA decide I guess. There will be free pro in both games, EA for sure as gamers are taking them to compete online right away.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

As for EA, release the game spring 2023 before the masters. Let the courses sell the game. The cover itself tells the story-no player at all. It’s not as big a deal as people think. Get as many big names in as possible and go from there. Start with fan favorites Rory and Spieth(both who have already dealt with EA). Then get as many more as can be.

Secondly, have a great customization suite. I know they confirmed last year it was revamped. Make it so detailed I can create Brooks Keopka in some sense, or TW for that matter.

EA has the big time courses to sell on, 2K does not. I think LIV hurts them way more…. But then again they sold 2k21 without any playable pros at all so what do I know.

Just my 2 cents.


Sent from my iPad Pro

LIV is hurting both...no doubt.

But I do think this undersells 2K a bit. They are the established player on the golf gaming block at the moment. EA's been away for over 5 years now. They are shooting for the moon with all the majors and Augusta. They need to have that to be relevant again.

The course creator is a big deal for 2K, too. Yes, EA will have a lot of the "big name" courses. But any courses available on EA's game after release will likely be paid DLC (Rory didn't have that, but it better not have, when it released with just 8 courses total). 2K will have a never ending amount of courses for people to play, all for no additional cost (if things stay the same as they have been throughout the series).

This is why both games end up being very appealing. One has (likely) higher production values and more "flash" with some huge licenses and a focus on single player mode, while the other has a continuous stream of playable courses coming out every day and a community of societies.

And it's also why it's so frustrating to see these games have their development hampered by the goings-on in real life golf.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

To add...I do think EA needs to hitch their game to a PGA Tour athlete who's stanchly in their camp. As was mentioned, it would likely be a Rory or a Spieth. Someone with charisma and appeal and who's not gonna leave to LIV.

I don't know how EA or Rory would feel about linking up too closely after the last game, but it's been a while and maybe things between them are totally fine...I have no clue. Might just be interesting if EA and Rory join forces again, despite the last attempt from EA and that they'd likely be wanting to distance themselves from their previous title.

[VoltSwoosh]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

LIV is hurting both...no doubt.



But I do think this undersells 2K a bit. They are the established player on the golf gaming block at the moment. EA's been away for over 5 years now. They are shooting for the moon with all the majors and Augusta. They need to have that to be relevant again.



The course creator is a big deal for 2K, too. Yes, EA will have a lot of the "big name" courses. But any courses available on EA's game after release will likely be paid DLC (Rory didn't have that, but it better not have, when it released with just 8 courses total). 2K will have a never ending amount of courses for people to play, all for no additional cost (if things stay the same as they have been throughout the series).



This is why both games end up being very appealing. One has (likely) higher production values and more "flash" with some huge licenses and a focus on single player mode, while the other has a continuous stream of playable courses coming out every day and a community of societies.



And it's also why it's so frustrating to see these games have their development hampered by the goings-on in real life golf.

Eh, 2K/HB is established because they have been the only option for YEARS. No competition. I’m not sure they are as popular as you may think compared to EA. Not that people love EA, they are going to have to earn it.


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[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

Eh, 2K/HB is established because they have been the only option for YEARS. No competition. I’m not sure they are as popular as you may think compared to EA. Not that people love EA, they are going to have to earn it.


Sent from my iPad Pro

True, but imagine the opposite was the case - for example, if all of a sudden, 2K released an NFL sim game to compete with Madden. People would be jazzed about 2K football because of the series' past, but EA is still the main player on the block since they were THE game for a long time. 2K has been out of football for so long, that they need to make a splash to get back in it. They'd be the unproven one at this point, and couldn't just rest on their laurels.

I also see this as part of the reason 2K went in to get Tiger. This adds huge name recognition to their game. I think the fact they just added "2K" to their title was a big deal, since that holds more weight than "The Golf Club" did. Just by adding in Tiger and embracing the "2K Sports" moniker, they connect with a more casual crowd.

[VoltSwoosh]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

True, but imagine the opposite was the case - for example, if all of a sudden, 2K released an NFL sim game to compete with Madden. People would be jazzed about 2K football because of the series' past, but EA is still the main player on the block since they were THE game for a long time.



I also see this as part of the reason 2K went in to get Tiger. This adds huge name recognition to their game. I think the fact they just added "2K" to their title was a big deal, since that holds more weight than "The Golf Club" did.

I agree with that second part, but the first is different… here’s why.. 2k21 is an indie game dressed up as a 2k game. Madden at least is a big time game so to say.

Until 2k gets new engine, it’s always going to feel like indie.


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[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

I agree with that second part, but the first is different… here’s why.. 2k21 is an indie game dressed up as a 2k game. Madden at least is a big time game so to say.

Until 2k gets new engine, it’s always going to feel like indie.


Sent from my iPad Pro

Well, I kind of understand what you mean, but HB has been working with big-time publishers for lots of years (including EA, on their Tiger Woods and Madden games). They have experience in working on AAA titles.

And since HB is now owned by 2K, it's not indie anymore...I do think that's an interesting area to consider though. Being an in-house dev with 2K is going to lead to expectations of an HB game with more polish, depth, and engaging features since they have more financial support from 2K.

But I do see what you mean about the engine. That's an interesting spot that 2K is in...do they ditch it for newer, better graphics, or stick to what works and not rock the boat? Hmmm...

[scagwi]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

But I do see what you mean about the engine. That's an interesting spot that 2K is in...do they ditch it for newer, better graphics, or stick to what works and not rock the boat? Hmmm...

I really hope they are going to a new engine and have plans to bring the course creator up to that spec. I know it's a ton of work and some stuff will get left behind....

...but they need a graphical leap for the current gen (next gen) of consoles

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

I really hope they are going to a new engine and have plans to bring the course creator up to that spec. I know it's a ton of work and some stuff will get left behind....

...but they need a graphical leap for the current gen (next gen) of consoles

100% agree.

I was also thinking more about LIV, and what others have said here. I think I agree with bigkev, in that perhaps both games will totally scale back playable pros. It would be a bit odd, since a lot of early complaints of 2K21 were that you couldn't play as the pros. But honestly, eliminating most playable pros - no matter if it's for EA's game or 2K's - would save them a lot of work in the future if players leave for LIV.

[VoltSwoosh]

How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

Well, I kind of understand what you mean, but HB has been working with big-time publishers for lots of years (including EA, on their Tiger Woods and Madden games). They have experience in working on AAA titles.

And since HB is now owned by 2K, it's not indie anymore...I do think that's an interesting area to consider though. Being an in-house dev with 2K is going to lead to expectations of an HB game with more polish, depth, and engaging features since they have more financial support from 2K.

But I do see what you mean about the engine. That's an interesting spot that 2K is in...do they ditch it for newer, better graphics, or stick to what works and not rock the boat? Hmmm...

Another thing to note, You talk of how 2k has thousands of free courses, which is true. Nice feature no doubt. But until they get a new engine, they will always look early ps3 graphics wise. Most feel the same with the exception of a few gems people have made.


One more thing, in terms of courses. The top played courses in 2K? Always HB official and PGA Tour courses. That’s an interesting statistic. I think EA will be fine without as many courses because there’s will be “living” and up to date graphics wise. Also tons of varieties in the courses list to this point for EA.

We shall see come spring. [emoji106]


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[bigkev]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

I think 2K is in a much better position, no doubt. Tiger, a PGA license and more importantly... they will release for PS4/XBox One. They will get all the consumers who don't want to spend the $$$ for a new gen console, specially going on a recession. 2K is going to smoke EA in the next game.