The OJ Simpson topic surfaces yet again
by 
In what seems like ages ago, 2K Sports signing OJ Simpson to be in All-Pro Football 2K8 was the hot topic. Despite that it never really reached the point of anything more than a discussion over whether it was right or wrong. Anthony Chau of 2K has stated that OJ Simpson being in the game generated the most questions from the media. However it never got to the point where the mainstream picked up on it. Small mentions of it were made such as in this preview that called it the “only potentially sour note” regarding the game. In general it seemed to be somewhat overlooked as the game neared release. That may change with recent developments.
In a trailer released yesterday, Gametrailers features OJ Simpson in a video titled “Slashing the Defense Gameplay”. The summary they have written to accompany it is “OJ Simpson tears the defense to pieces showing he still has the skills to escape anything that comes his way”. Of course for the video they placed him on the team named the “Assassins”. As if the name and description of the trailer weren’t already distasteful enough, the end is what will really catch most people off guard. You can watch the video here by continuing on.
Now this is likely Gametrailers’ own doing. If so 2K should be on them to take it down immediately.
What you don’t see in the trailer is OJ performing his “throat slash” celebration which is common following him scoring a TD in the game when on that team. That, very specifically, seems to have been programmed in by 2K Sports. Knowing full well the possible reaction it would cause.
What is unfortunate is with its release earlier this week, APF 2K8 has been getting a lot of positive reaction from gamers. It may be not be getting glowing reviews, but the hardcore fans of sports titles know that reviews generally don’t touch upon the important aspects of the game and even at times can be flat out factually incorrect. Ultimately a review is just one person’s opinion and impressions from a variety of actual gamers generally will tell a better story. Those who have purchased it seem satisfied with the gameplay despite the relatively empty experience having only a basic season mode and online play. Something like this threatens to overshadow a good game.
If OJ had just been like any other player the game, this wouldn’t even be coming up again. Yet it makes you wonder even more if there were ulterior motives behind the decision to pursue OJ. That goes along with another potential controversy in naming a team the Indians and placing teepees on the field along with a giant bear with facepaint. Both of those things, which stand out from the actual game, could’ve easily been avoided if they had wanted to.
I have always fallen in the middle of the general debate on whether he should be in or not. It personally didn’t bother me to know he was in the game yet I felt it was a baffling decision from a PR standpoint. Paying him to be in the game, when he was not a necessity, didn’t make much sense. I can definitely understand why some people would have a problem with it. At the same time it is just a football game.
This though is almost starting to appear as if 2K is rubbing it in the face of those who are offended by it.
So now seeing OJ in action with the circumstances of this trailer and becoming aware of his “throat slash” celebration, don’t be surprised if this topic ends up becoming more than just a message board discussion.
Update: 2K has stated they did not make the video. That isn’t a surprise to hear. However by not demanding GT take it down it will continue to be perceived as representing them.
July 18, 2007 at 5:39 am
they are crazy… thats kind of a slap in OJ’s Face… But he let’um do it to him so be it.
Have you played this game Padre???
July 18, 2007 at 5:55 am
Interesting how the majority of America is still hell bent on OJ being a murderer. Here in Louisville we just had a little 4 year old cut in half and stuffed in a dumpster. How many of you guys want to bet that’ll be forgotten about by the media two weeks from now. Even crazier the Phil Spector trial, but hey I guess he’s no OJ.
Sorry for the rant on your blog Padre
July 18, 2007 at 6:03 am
Not yet. Waiting for it to arrive from Gamefly.
July 18, 2007 at 6:20 am
i copped both 2k8 and college… I popped it in yesterday and checked the game out for like 3 hrs… dope. both college 2008 and 2k8 are dope games… the only thing about 2k8 is that season mode… the gameplay is sick though.
I named my squad the ohio state wolverines…
July 18, 2007 at 6:37 am
@ shoe
I know you were asking padre, but I thought you might like to see a quick impression. I haven’t had much time with it yet, but if you are a 2K fan you will like it. Not as polished as 2k5 is, but the core gameplay is there.
The whole choosing your players is a lot of fun and I found myself tweaking my team to suit my play style as I went on. I just wish it had a little more on the modes/features side, but it is an exciting football game and most the legends have a really unique feel on the field. For example, you can really feel Dan Marino’s quick release and Walter Payton’s scissor kick is very satisfying.
Overall the game hasn’t blown me away, but the bottom line is that it’s fun and I can’t wait to get off work to put some more time into it.
July 18, 2007 at 6:40 am
Sorry, I didn’t refresh the page. Shoe, I now realize you don’t need the quick impression, but hopefully someone else will find it useful.
July 18, 2007 at 6:49 am
yeah thats cool because I just wanted to see if he peeped it, but your view sounds like my view on the game so far. I just havent had time to master it yet (although I did get a achivement w/ randell cunningham) so far its dope. I felt like 2k5 but it felt rushed to me… they didnt take no 3 years making that game because so of the celebrations are the same as the old ones (same movement). College has my attention because me and my boys play for money so I gotta be on my shit… 2k8 will be my online game probably…
July 18, 2007 at 8:50 am
What an over reaction, who cares?
July 18, 2007 at 8:56 am
Yeah, I hope to put some good time into it this week. Is it just me or are the DBs a lot better in APF than 2k5? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good thing, but I am having trouble with my passing game. Most likely it’s user error, but some more practice should bring me back around. If you ever want to play online shoe, my gamertag is igjoe.
July 18, 2007 at 9:46 am
Honestly, who cares?
I’m sick of your fetish for Madden pasta.
July 18, 2007 at 9:56 am
I love the 2k8, you know I put in a good 3 hours last night. and almost called in to work so I could play it. I also bought the college 08, great games! think about it, You have the legends so you really over look the actual Team names and colors I think outside of not having the season,(even though I think the focus was for online game play) APF is off the chain!
And Damn, We had a lady burned to death in Houston, the suspect was a boyfriend, who was smiling on his mug shot. But OK is the ONLY one that has been found innocent but will for ever be guilty
July 18, 2007 at 10:19 am
“What is unfortunate is with its release earlier this week, APF 2K8 has been getting a lot of positive reaction from gamers. It may be not be getting glowing reviews, but the hardcore fans of sports titles know that reviews generally don’t touch upon the important aspects of the game and even at times can be flat out factually incorrect.”
We both know this is garbage. You’re making a shitstorm over nothing.
There is exactly 1 (1!!!) review out on the net, at 1up. It is about 3 paragraphs long. Saying something like this in an ‘article’ on your blog is just slander.
Ugh.
July 18, 2007 at 3:04 pm
How come they didn’t add me to the game??? Rae Carruth via satellite state prison
July 18, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Also why not put OJ on that game manhunt as well ?
July 18, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Thats why i dont talk negative about this EA Vs 2K b.S. because its all opinion… I played it more today and the DB are sick on there… I had night train lane and grabbed 3 Int’s with the guy… the game is dope.
Igjoe, I ‘ll get w/ you on the weekend… Mine is Shoeprint614…
Why isnt Rae Carruth on there??????????????
July 18, 2007 at 11:16 pm
This is such a non issue. The celebration is team specific not player specific, end of story. Oh yah and by the way, this game rocks!!!
July 18, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I see you got your memo from the guys over at EA to try and bring some bad publicity to 2K, nice try, but like people already said, this is user created.
July 19, 2007 at 6:43 am
no comments… IM POSITIVE NOW, but this bashing is CRAZY…
July 19, 2007 at 8:09 am
“What is unfortunate is with its release earlier this week, APF 2K8 has been getting a lot of positive reaction from gamers. It may be not be getting glowing reviews, but the hardcore fans of sports titles know that reviews generally don’t touch upon the important aspects of the game and even at times can be flat out factually incorrect.”
That’s actually true, 1up.com posted a review that seemed as if they didn’t even own the game and gave a 6.5 – Look at the comment about the right stick lol they forgot that it’s also used for Big hits, hurdles, spins, and jukes, and kicking. It’s obvious they didin’t give it time or at least invest a degree of care, reading the manual a bit is a must for deep sports games.
I actually agree and appreciate this article from pasta as a 2k fan.
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