2K signs a deal that will allow it to feature real-life players in its NFL football games. In March, 2K Sports made the surprise announcement that it hasmultipleNFL 2Kvideo games in developmentat several of its studios.
In a press release,2Kconfirmed that it has struck a deal with the NFL Players Association, or NFLPA, to feature “the names, numbers, images and likenesses for over 2,000 current NFL players.” 2K president David Ismailer said that this would allow the company to bring “the biggest and best stars in football” to its in-development NFL games. Having a roster of real-life players means that its developers can “give fans experiences that are authentic, memorable and fun.”
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Sports fans are well used to playing as generic teams and off-brand versions of star players in series likeeFootball PES, the series formerly known asPro Evolution Soccer. While the Konami series does have deals with some major soccer teams, such as Barcelona, Juventus, and Manchester United, it lacks other major teams, like Premier League champions Liverpool which are called Liverpool R in last year’s game.
Konami has also confirmed that it haslost the licenses to two major Italian football teams. Not having licenses in a sports game doesn’t stop it from being fun, but it does break the immersion.
2K’s statement revealed that the first of its new NFL sports games would be available in 2021. The company didn’t offer any teases as to what this game could look like, though its licensing deal only permits it to make “non-simulation” games, so fans shouldn’t expect any realistic, on-field action. EA holds the NFL license until 2025 meaning that if 2K did want to become the newMadden NFLdeveloper, it would have to wait another five years.
It seems likely that 2K will make a more arcade-style game, like theNFL Blitzseries. When made by EA, those games featured over-the-top, heavily exaggerated action and it’s possible that 2K could take this even farther, as not to break the rules of its license or step on EA’s toes. Any 2K take onNFL Blitzis unlikely to feature the violence or steroid use seen in Midway’sBlitz: The League, though, because of the official player likenesses.
It’s unclear when the first of 2K’s NFL games will be officially revealed, but fans have a lot of questions for the company. One big question is whether 2K’s NFL games willfeature microtransactions heavily, the way that itsNBA 2Kseries does.
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