Pucking Ridiculous: Dear 2K, You Can't Give Up on NHL 2K

[RaychelSnr]

Hello everyone and thanks for choosing to read the second edition of Pucking Ridiculous (The OBG Chronicles). Last week's subject was respect and courtesy towards the NHL developers here on the boards at OS -- or any Web site you may see them for that matter -- during this intense stretch of time leading up to release day in September.

This week, however, I have a strong feeling about the folks over at 2K Sports.

At this point, I suppose it's beyond obvious that NHL 2K has somehow fallen from the pinnacle of its sim roots to its potential demise as a series. At this point in time, I might safely assume that there are not many of us who could say that their hopes are flying high for an NHL 2K12 for the 360/PS3.

That's just wrong.

Read more - Pucking Ridiculous: Dear 2K, You can't give up on NHL 2K

[Scottdau]

I hope they go the MLB 2K10 and NBA2K10 route. Those presentation are very well done. That will help the game in the long one for me. And also fix some key game play issues and I believe you will have a very good hockey game. I still have faith they will do this for NHL 2k12.

[MoutonDocile]

We need 2K sports back in the game. EA is doing a good job with the NHL franchise but competition is an healthy thing to have in this genre. I miss 2k hockey and hope they ditch this damn wii crap.

[Uncle Stumpy]

Hard to believe it wasnt that long ago I had pretty much ignored EA hockey but 2k was better. No longer the case, obviously. Unfortunately, the hockey market (the people that pla the games) is way too small, and they don't make enough money even on a successful game.

[stlstudios189]

I agree with the presentation element MLB 2k10 is downright awesome in that dept.

[Money99]

Nice subject. I became a 2K fan with 2K2 and especially 2K3.
If they do decide to come back to next-gen next season, they really do need to start from scratch.,
And they absolutely HAVE TO copy the Skill-Stick. EA's Goliath isn't going down to no measly pebble.
Skill stick, 2K online hockey league, big-time presentation and great AI has to be present in order to take back the crown.
It's almost unfathomable to think that at one time, 2K's hockey title owned over 50% of the market share.
Sitting on an outdated engine built on the Dreamcast isn't going to keep you ahead of the game.

Reboot and do it right.

[Flyermania]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Dear 2K, You Can't Give Up on NHL 2K

Nice read, but the writing is on the wall for this series. Bug-filled games, lack of post-release support, and poor marketing have enabled them to dig their own grave over a few short years.

Moving away from the 360/PS3 wasn't a good sign, and now EA has moved onto the only arena 2k has left -- and has added one of the most (if not THE most) recognizable faces to help market the title.

[Stormyhog]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Dear 2K, You Can't Give Up on NHL 2K

2K thought they were smart by just releasing this years game on the Wii thinking they would make some kind of profit after abysmal sales on the PS3/360 last year. That was until EA announced a game of their own with Gretzky promoting it with the Wii motion hockey stick. I think it is safe to say which game will get the most sales on the Wii this year. I loved 2k hockey for years but those days are long gone and just like their lack of customer support it appears everyone else has bailed on them as well.

[AtlusSaGa]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Dear 2K, You Can't Give Up on NHL 2K

I still feel bad about playing EA's title now even though it is clearly the better game. I remember being sick of EA's arcadey NHL series and picking up 2K3 for the PS2. I was in love from the beginning. I barely even recognize what 2K has become. I hope they can get it together next year. I hate supporting EA's franchises.

[Money99]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Dear 2K, You Can't Give Up on NHL 2K

I still feel bad about playing EA's title now even though it is clearly the better game. I remember being sick of EA's arcadey NHL series and picking up 2K3 for the PS2. I was in love from the beginning. I barely even recognize what 2K has become. I hope they can get it together next year. I hate supporting EA's franchises.

Same here brother.
But 2K3 was developed by Treyarch. Unfortunately, they were hired by Activision to develop a Spiderman game and Kush was hired on for 2K4 - 2K9.

You're always going to get a different feel after you change developers.
But I still wonder what could have been if Treyarch stayed on.

[Eddie1967]

I don't agree with EA's series being better, but I do agree that 2k has to do something to make their game as or more popular than the other game. Adding something like NHL today and other presentation upgrades will go a long way towards making the game more enjoyable for the consumers. Of course making it bug free is important and I think this year was much better than previous versions when it came to that. This year was far better than years past but as evidence by visual concepts taking off a year, they still have a ways to go.

[JoeMan88]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Dear 2K, You Can't Give Up on NHL 2K

I don't agree with EA's series being better, but I do agree that 2k has to do something to make their game as or more popular than the other game. Adding something like NHL today and other presentation upgrades will go a long way towards making the game more enjoyable for the consumers. Of course making it bug free is important and I think this year was much better than previous versions when it came to that. This year was far better than years past but as evidence by visual concepts taking off a year, they still have a ways to go.

LOL, EA NHL pwns 2k Hockey. Put down the 2k fanboy kool aid.

[Diehardfan]

They know what they're doing...unfortunately, that only applies to their Online League setup. Its extrodinary. Sorry to say the NHL2K series as a game, is not. I will say that they tried but the fact is that they are making video games and video games are supposed to be fun...the 2K series was a lot of things but fun wouldnt be a word I'd use to describe it.

Bottom line is that "sim" sports games wont pay the bills...2K soon realized that and tried to be the best of both worlds(arcade & sim). They failed on both counts, miserably. They need a reboot....a BIG reboot to get back in the war against EASports. I dont see it happening.

[tabulaRasa]

Competetion drives excellence.

2Khockeys concept(SIM and community(2k3-2k6) and then 2K got an identity crisis (2k7cinemotion,fog,control switches,2k9 reboot,going casual etc)
2K had boardplay,Defensive sticks, manual passing, dynamic goalies, close crease garbage goals, presenation etc long before EA had it... a damn shame that they didn´t keep their strong sim base.

Never lose your core.

[peigone]

Re: Pucking Ridiculous: Dear 2K, You Can't Give Up on NHL 2K

a damn shame that they didn´t keep their strong sim base.

Celery wilts, flowers die, leaves dry up... Shut up and play!

No I'm not ragging on you, I'm working on a new marketing slogan for 2K Sports.