This Madden 64 article could be a hint

[Kanobi]

Quote: Originally Posted by canes21

So 2k is going to make 2 games that will compete against themselves and Madden thus likely resulting in less money for themselves at the end of the day?

But who says the 2k football titles would be released together in the same year, let alone around the same time as Madden? They will likely be rotational releases - Playgrounds one year, possibly (albeit a remote possibility) an APF style game the following year - similar to what they did with WWE Battlegrounds and WWE 2k.

[PVarck31]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kanobi

But who says the 2k football titles would be released together in the same year, let alone around the same time as Madden? They will likely be rotational releases - Playgrounds one year, possibly (albeit a remote possibility) an APF style game the following year - similar to what they did with WWE Battlegrounds and WWE 2k.

So after the year of the triumphant return of NFL 2K they are just not gonna have a new year based NFL game the next year to compete with Madden? That makes no sense.

People are gonna be like where is NFL 2K? Then they might see that they came out with a generic game with no real teams or logos and the majority are gonna be like I'll stick with Madden this year I guess.

And WWE Battlegrounds was an emergency game. It was never supposed to happen until WWE 2K20 bombed. They needed another year, so they went into we gotta fill a hole mode and made Battlegrounds. I doubt we ever see it again.

I get the desire for another simulation football game. I would welcome it, But if we know the gaming business right now, and how it works, companies don't take big risks anymore. And this is a big risk.

[Kanobi]

Quote: Originally Posted by PVarck31

So after the year of [v]the triumphant return of NFL 2K[/b] they are just not gonna have a new year based NFL game the next year to compete with Madden? That makes no sense.

Unlikely that it will be NFL2k as you are implying or as we remember it. It would have been if they were allowed to make a full blown sim-style title that would compete annually against Madden head-to-head for market share but that isn't the case as we know it.

Between now and 2026 (when the sim license might be up for bid again), I think it'll be something where 2k football focuses on re-restasblishing themselves in the football-gaming market with one of their "non-sim" titles offering a close enough glimpse at what a true simulation-style NFL title might look like if they were allowed to make one.

Now, they might release one of their titles annually but I don't see it happening because there's no pressure on them to do so, especially on the level that EA/Tiburon have to ship Madden every year to offset exclusivity costs, make profits and appease an expectant fanbase. 2k has a lot more freedom in that regard.

Quote: Originally Posted by PVarck31

And WWE Battlegrounds was an emergency game. It was never supposed to happen until WWE 2K20 bombed. They needed another year, so they went into we gotta fill a hole mode and made Battlegrounds. I doubt we ever see it again.

One can safely assume WWE Battlegrounds was in development, at the minimum conceptually, well before WWE 2K20 ever released, let alone be critically panned. That's especially considering two different studios, Visual Concepts and Saber Ineractive, worked on those titles.

Whether Battlegrounds is released again or not, there is no way it was developmentally improvised in the wake of the WWE 2k20 debacle.

[simbayless]

2k knew APF wasn't gonna sale without a franchise mode and told their fans to shut up and just play it. And I remember when they said they thinking about doing it annually or not. Let's see if they bring that same energy telling us shut up and play playground football without franchise mode. I doubt it
Read those comments below and imagine that in 2022 (twitter cancel era)

https://www.pastapadre.com/2007/04/12/358

[SmashMan]

Quote: Originally Posted by simbayless

2k knew APF wasn't gonna sale without a franchise mode and told their fans to shut up and just play it. And I remember when they said they thinking about doing it annually or not. Let's see if they bring that same energy telling us shut up and play playground football without franchise mode. I doubt it Read those comments below and imagine that in 2022 https://www.pastapadre.com/2007/04/12/358

If you follow the sourcing on that, you’ll see the “Play the game and shut up” quote is a response to the expected backlash about being unable to recreate NFL teams and players. Didn’t mention franchise at all. Not sure why you’re linking the two.

[simbayless]

One thing for sure 2k gotta make big statement next year or else it's close curtains in 23 when college football comes back along with Madden

Imagine NBA Jam going against NBA 2k and NBA Live

[PVarck31]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kanobi

Unlikely that it will be NFL2k as you are implying or as we remember it. It would have been if they were allowed to make a full blown sim-style title that would compete annually against Madden head-to-head for market share but that isn't the case as we know it. Between now and 2026 (when the sim license might be up for bid again), I think it'll be something where 2k football focuses on re-restasblishing themselves in the football-gaming market with one of their "non-sim" titles offering a close enough glimpse at what a true simulation-style NFL title might look like if they were allowed to make one. Now, they might release one of their titles annually but I don't see it happening because there's no pressure on them to do so, especially on the level that EA/Tiburon have to ship Madden every year to offset exclusivity costs, make profits and appease an expectant fanbase. 2k has a lot more freedom in that regard. One can safely assume WWE Battlegrounds was in development, at the minimum conceptually, well before WWE 2K20 ever released, let alone be critically panned. That's especially considering two different studios, Visual Concepts and Saber Ineractive, worked on those titles. Whether Battlegrounds is released again or not, there is no way it was developmentally improvised in the wake of the WWE 2k20 debacle.

I was simply talking about whatever they are gonna release. NFL 2K23 Playgrounds or whatever the non-sim game will be. Which would be the game we basically know is coming. I believe it will be a yearly release to compete as much as possible with Madden.

I will do some more research on Battlegrounds if I can. It may have been in development and maybe planned as a stand-alone release some other time before it took the spot of WWE 2K21.

[Rocky]

Quote: Originally Posted by simbayless

One thing for sure 2k gotta make big statement next year or else it's close curtains in 23 when college football comes back along with Madden Imagine NBA Jam going against NBA 2k and NBA Live

It's definitely going to be interesting to see what 2K comes up with. I've said this before but the only thing that gives me pause about a full on Playgrounds/Street/Jam, etc. game is the NFLPA license and the exclusion of offensive and defensive linemen in a super arcade like game.

A game more along the lines of a MLB BIGS might be a better possibility.