NFL 2K Isn't REALLY Coming Back - IGN Now

NFL 2K is technically coming back, but probably not the way you're hoping. The NFL and 2K Games announced a new agreement today that will see the publisher of NBA 2K and WWE 2K return to football. But there's a big but big. But that's right. Ease long running Madden NFL series will remain unchallenged in the high end simulation market.

I know you're wondering. Wait, did you just say NFL 2K is going back a sort of NFL 2K together saying in the press release the games will be non simulation football game experiences while specific game titles, developers and release dates will be announced at a later date to confirm the projects are an early development and will launch starting in calendar year twenty twenty one next year.

The 2K senior V.P. of Sports Strategy and Licensing must look at the business card. Jason Argent told us these games will be NFL 2K products. Definitely, but you know, not v NFL 2K that everyone wants. This is the first time anyone but E.A. will release an NFL game.

An NFL football video game since 2K is extremely well received aggressively price ESPN NFL 2K 5 in July 2004. POCs remember after which E.A. signed a long term exclusive deal with the NFL? 2K says its resurrected NFL games quote will span multiple video games centered on fun, approachable and social experiences.

So I was on a conference call with 2K in the NFL yesterday. I pressed for details on what these non simulation football game experiences would be. And Argent told me, quote, Our goal is always authenticity, depth, fun. And as it relates to these titles, approachable and social.

Football experiences, we think this is a good opportunity to service a more casual market. And our research shows there's an appetite for that, end quote. Can you translate that, Damon? I think you can probably tell NFL blitz game NBA jam for football.

Yes, maybe like a football manager kind of thing. Probably something on mobile, too, from all those little Hershey words. Let's drop it in there. In other words, everything but a proper simulation football game that would compete with Madden. NFL senior Vise, president of consumer products Joe Ruggiero added Expanding the NFL presence in the world of gaming has become a focus for the league as we look to grow the next generation of our fan base.

And reviving our partnership with K was a natural step in that effort. So what I wonder is, you know, they've got this contract with the NFL. Does the contract specify what they can and can't do yearly? Does. So he thinks, yeah. I mean, they put out a statement as well saying, hey, we're still doing our thing with Madden, that that whole situation is unchanged.

So before this, as you know, as we talked about, there were no other NFL games. Now, I suspect the league, the NFL wanted to have their brand out on more things. I mean, there is there's there's just Madden. So if they wanted more NFL things and and they went, well, we've I'm sure they went, well, we've got our deal with you.

So. Okay. But we don't want to be competed with in this space. And it's it seems like a win win for I don't know about for gamers, but at least for now, it remains to be seen. And for for the league, certainly there'll be more NFL products out there and it's a win for 2K as well because they will probably make money on whatever mobile and casual kind of things.