Out of Bounds: The Sad College Basketball Void

[stlstudios189]

I just don't understand why college hoops games don't sell well enough. NBA 2k sells buckets but, college hoops have so many more passonate fans.

[ehh]

I wasn't too upset about the axing of CH because NBA2K9 and 2K10 had major issues and CH2K8 was still the best 2K basketball game out. But now it looks like 2K finally came correct with 2K11 so I'll be annoyed that we aren't getting a college version of it.

I refuse to believe that we'll never see a college basketball game again though. One of these days we'll get that major announcement that it's coming back.

[Tomba]

Beautifully said my friend...

Not have a college basketball game is very rough.

[Airmaxpenny1]

I got emotional reading this article. I can't wait for the day when I rejoice about a new College basketball game.

[dtharp12]

I will clarify that the lack of a 2K college basketball game is disheartening.

Being one myself and knowing how rabid they are I can't help but believe that UK fans themselves could make a game profitable if you slapped a former UK player or Calipari on the cover. I'm on the sane end of that spectrum and I'd be in for 2 if the game was an upgraded CH2K8.

It would be interested to know what the NCAA is demanding for licensing a basketball game.

[Steadtler]

No other developer can step up. At this generation, the cost of making a simulation sport game is so high that even if the license(s) was free, a developer couldn't make a profit with college basketball alone. The only hope is for 2K or EA to re-use their NBA engine. Now the fact that BOTH of them decided to give up despite a working engine gives you an idea of just how unreasonable the NCAA is or was. If you want to complain to anyone, write to the NCAA.

Also, the world doesn't grind to an halt each march. Face it: worldwide, college basketball is less popular than female beach volleyball.

[Philstat]

EA destroyed college basketball video gaming, they couldn't compete so they bought the rights and then screwed it up!

[stretch45]

Man EA did not buy the rights!
NCAA went up on fee and 2k said 4@#k it

[tyreeii]

FYI, 2K did not give up on NCAA. EA sports bout exclusivity rights. I think the contract is up in a year or 2. College Hoops 2K8 was profitable but not profitable enough for 2K to justify outbidding EA for the rights.

[khaliib]

There's no need for these "Exclusive" contracts. Backbreaker's open customization showed that a developer can get around that issue and retain all the money that would've been used to utilize to purchase so called permission.

At some point, some developer will realize that the more they allow their sports game to be customized by the individual gamer, the more money they can profit through external cost reduction.

Why pay for licenses when there is the ability to have full customization.

Why pay an individual to create rosters and input ratings, when 99% of gamers will edit themselves or utilize another gamers edited version.

Why spend money for the processing for new game disk, when only the visuals and presentation that change from year to year could be downloaded as DLC.

Why waste tons of money utilizing old marketing avenues when the greatest tool is the gamers word of mouth that utilizes the "Free" social networks with greater occurance than costly TV, radio or web spots.

Let's not kid ourselves though!

The next College BBall game to drop no matter who makes it, or what the review scores look like, many will by on the notion that something is better than nothing.

We do it every year with our beloved Football.

[rman]

http://kotaku.com/344490/rumor-2k9-college-hoops-canned-ea-seeks-ncaa-deal

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6184658.html

[smithdynasty]

Wow, it's crazy to think about what college hoops 2k11 could be with NBA 2k11 gameplay. Personally i would do almost anything to get this game back. Im playing CH2k8 currently but can't get over how much better it would be, it's hard to sit there and continue playing. Im just hoping. If NBA 2k11 says you can import draft class then I'll know we're back in business!!!!

[GamerzIgnite]

I see where you are at but the comparisons to Lacrosse and MMA and rubgy are a bit misleading. Those 3 sports, although their fan bases are smaller, are all ridiculously passionate. Theyre all like hockey fans in the sense there almost arent casual fans of those sports...just hardcore fans and non fans. Almost no middle ground. Basically, id be willing to a bet a higher percentage of lacrosse fans would buy a lacrosse game vs. basketball and football. In the end, that could be a nice figure. Just a gut feeling.

College basketball is almost entirely casual fans (or current students who just like going to games when football isnt going on) in my opinion. Most people will only watch in March...and i doubt regular season games are pulling huge tv numbers. Maybe some big matchups, but with 68 teams in the tourney...regular season isnt that exciting.

I consider myself a college bball fan, but i will still only watch a handful games of my own team and maybe 3 big regular season games. And even with those im probably half-watching while doing something else.

[flamangatang2k5]

Well put my friend. I hope 2k producers are putting a game together right now. Maybe we return to glory next year.

[Brew]

Whats confusing is why the NCAA cant scale back its demands for the profit margin in comparison to NCAA Football... sport games are a great way to market your sport especially to youth who are watching and playing less and less sports(and playing more video games)