All-Pro Football 2K8 sales fall flat
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After two weeks, All-Pro Football 2K8 has sold 76,737 copies on the Xbox 360 and 23,618 on the PS3. The drop from week one to two was 59% and it isn't expected to have legs with Madden releasing soon. At a Take Two conference call on Tuesday, they commented on the sales of the game.
Via Kotaku: "We're not terribly pleased and not disappointed. We're watching closely and are going to act pro-actively when Madden comes out. We know we're in competition with them"
I'm not sure why all of the sudden they state they're in competition with Madden. As far as I can recall that is the first time they've said that. Certainly its about to get wiped out completely by Madden, so I suppose the idea would be to appear more attractive alongside it. The line from 2K had always been that they were shooting to be a complimentary title to Madden. It sounds like their way of doing that is to lower the price after being on the market for only a month.
This is about what I expected the game to do. I had felt it would probably end up selling 200,000 copies when all was said and done. It looks like that is where it will ultimately end up. I suspect Take Two had similar expectations although they certainly were hoping for a better performance. A non-licensed title, released on the same day as NCAA Football and only a month before Madden, produced only for the 360 and PS3, released to mediocre reviews, and sold for $60. Realistically there wasn't much chance for it to do significantly better.
Take Two/2K has stated that they looked at this as a potential bi-yearly franchise if the sales of 2K8 justified such. The fate of a 2K10 would rest on how well 2K8 performs. With the current state of the company, it seems more likely than not that this will be the end of the 2K football franchise. There is always the possibility that they produce a football game in a different way, such as the High School idea they tossed around. However the Legends concept is probably finished. While those legends helped sell the game more than if it had been completely generic, it just cost too much to sign all of them individually.
It is unlikely that we'll hear anything definitive regarding the fate of 2K football for a long time. Fans of the franchise will be left to wonder and hope. It may become very reminiscient of the couple years following the loss of the NFL license where 2K made no public statements one way or the other.
August 3, 2007 at 2:50 am
Such is what many expected and predicted. Many 2K fans expected the game to keep up with Madden (or even NCAA for that matter), but as we can see…..that is not the case. I have to admit that I really didn’t like the game. And from I’ve been seeing from Madden, it appears that there is no competition.
August 3, 2007 at 7:03 am
I have alway’s thought that the 2k series was better than the badden series.I also belive 2k 8 online and game play are by far the best i’ve ever seen yes they have thing to work on but the game hasent been out in like 3 years thats to be exspetced and the only reason there in trouble now is because madden bought all the NFL right because if was loosing to much market share ever year. Personaly i have playe every madden and i cant stand the game play gess after i’m done with all-pro i will just have to start playing Bascket ball or baseball or something.
August 3, 2007 at 7:17 am
RIP 2K Football….
I am a bit surprised that no one is mentioning much about one of the features for Madden that has been talked about in a couple of producer videos that have hit the web in the last month – the ability to use created teams (and stadiums) ONLINE. Apparently, this also includes the ability to use the Hall of Fame players in Madden in a type of Fantasy Draft, then be able to take that created team online and use them against a friend.
I have no idea how well this is going to work, but I find it very interesting that no one seems to be talking about it that much in the week leading up to the game’s release. I certainly hope to get some answers on the online features and future from the producers down at Tiburon next week, but I find myself getting really kind of fired up for Madden more and more each day (and this is from a guy who actually LOVES NCAA and has been playing it almost nightly since the release).
BTW – I think it should be pointed out that online lag (at least for me over the last week on NCAA for XB360 and PS3 has been almost non-existant. I know that may not be the case for everyone, but a lot of the guys I have played have commented to me that the lag on their games has also been noticeably less than it was a week ago…
August 3, 2007 at 8:13 am
Remember the reason that they came out with this game is because Madden had dropped the ball on next gen. A lot of ps2/xbox folks are going to be buying their first next gen madden this year. That is the market that they want to reach. No doubt there are going to be a lot of people that will pick up a 360 and madden this year and will think that it is a complete turd. And like Jerry and Elaine, APF2k8 wants to be ‘there for you’. I foresee a spike in sales 1-2 weeks after Madden is released.
August 3, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Nice Seinfeld comment, Bukk. Seeing this through an intellectual’s eyes, this was without doubt forseen. Now matter how many Elway’s orPayton’s they sign, their price tag would lead to downfall (the legends, not the game itself). But as an EA fanboy who had to withstand all the flak from the 2k brigade over at the EA forums, all I can say is IN YO MUTHA EFFIN’ FACE!!! Ha!
August 3, 2007 at 4:54 pm
If they do decided to lower the price in the nearer months then I’ll probably get it, if not…I’m not intrigued enough to buy it along with all the other great games coming out soon.
August 4, 2007 at 8:28 am
I don’t see how they think they are in competition with Madden, kinda funny really. They may want to read Marketing for Dummies.
August 4, 2007 at 11:46 am
doesn’t really matter at this point what happens. after a two year hiatus what more can you expect. madden 06 wasn’t exactly mind blowing on 360. getting the exclusive license
put 2k football 2 years behind madden. it is what it is.
August 4, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Come on now no 2k fan ever expected it to keep up with Madden or NCAA. I am a hardcore 2k fan, but i am not blind.
This game is way better then anything EA has ever put out. Anyone that plays it knows. Sure it could have used the extra’s but they were up front and let you k now. They said this is mainly an online game. There is almost 1500plus online everyday. Over 2k on the weekends.
Once fans realise what a steaming pile Madden is again. Dont kid yourselves we all know its not going to be a good game. They will be looking for something else to play.
August 4, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Yeah unfortunately EA Sports has blind followers and/or gamers that don’t put a high precedent on realism, thus EA Sports is set to outsell 2k8. Something we all knew would happen anyway.
It’s really disappointing that we have to deal with EA’s bowling ball running/tackling physics, and unrealistic QB animations as our mainstay in the football genre. But, hey I guess that’s what some people like. That or can’t expand their minds beyond the simplicity of Madden football.
The good thing though is that your thoughts on APF not returning next year is purely speculative. Thankfully APF is backed by a billion dollar company, with a lot of pride, so I highly doubt if they don’t come out with a 2k9, knowing that they’re a franchise mode away from delivering a superior title than EA has ever produced.
August 4, 2007 at 12:37 pm
It would be really unfortunate if this proves to be the last 2K game, as their engine simply blows the doors off the Tiburon engine. When you put the two games side by side and watch them play, there’s really no comparison. I also thought the legends concept was actually well executed and a lot of fun. All that said, I think the predictions of demise are probably a little premature. It’s clear that VC is hoping that the NFL will re-think its exclusive licensing arrangement when the initial deal expires, and they want a game engine in place should things open up. If EA re-ups (which is likely, seeing as EA is clearly better at throwing money around to squash competition than design a game where defensive ends don’t run straight into offensive linemen, for instance), then you’ll probably see VC pull the plug for good.
August 4, 2007 at 1:30 pm
In all defense..2k did a good job with the game..but pretty much from listening to them from the very beginning their reason for making this game changed alot.But seriously 2k made a good game with what they had this year..wasn’t great but good..now with that being said..2k from the very beginning of this game, has made drop ball decision after drop decision when it has come down to advertising and marketing..truthfully honest, they really did this to themselves by poor handling of business.To this day I really do not understand why they released it on the same day that ncaa 08 came out. Not a smart move to make. 3 strikes that probably led to this was no.1 poor advertising 2. no franchise mode or any thing that would appeal to the offline consumer and lastly a early release a month earlier would have really probably put this game to the next level..With that being said I applaud them for bringing something new to the market. Something that EA ripped away two years ago which was a choice.. now I as a consumer will have the joy of choosing and playing three instead of the same junior monopoly that has been rolling around in money. In my opinion whether you like EA or 2k or w/e you now have a choice..EA really is not handling their PR well either I think these companies need to both reconsider their outlook and approach to things…2k makes a good game but poor timing and lack of marketing along with some other does them in..EA simply needs to rethink themselves and learn that buying out everything does not mean its better it just means that your buying out everything..but i digress this year is something that i have not seen in a while..which is a choice..and nothing sounds more sweet to an Americans ears like mine than choice..just remember who took that away for two years..
August 4, 2007 at 4:26 pm
It’sfunny you mention the marketing because it was the marketing that made 2k5’s name with the $20 price tag… genius!!! Obviously some people have left 2k that were there back then.
August 4, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Well that decision ended up costing them and in hindsight it was a big mistake. It led to the loss of the NFL license, and it caused people to evaluated 2K8 as if it was a $40 price increase.
August 5, 2007 at 8:15 am
I think this is the end. Madden was going to win in sales but to actually be the better game (as said by numerous gaming web sites who were at e3 where both Madden and 2K8 was being shown, every web site had Madden as the best sports game)is a huge blow. So long.
August 5, 2007 at 8:24 am
That is true, but 2k really had to try something in order to create a larger fanbase. EA had been pushing for an exclusive deal anyone, the price cut was the wavering reason to allow that to finally happen.
Yeah, 2k8 is priced at $60, but so was Madden 06 and you can’t tell me Madden 06 was a better title. 2k will be back so long as EA doesn’t snatch up their legends idea. With a franchise mode next year there’s just no way Madden will be reviewed higher, unless they totally change their entire engine.
August 5, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Ryan- If Madden is similar to NCAA (and it very likely is)- there is no way in hell that it will be better than 2K8. There are so many things that the 2K engine gets right and the Tiburon engine gets wrong (just for starters, timing routes, pass drops, pass pockets, OL/DL interaction, gang tackling physics, ball velocity and arc, zone spacing), but these things go completely unnoticed by mainstream gaming media, who, let’s face it, would rather be playing Zelda.
I enjoy Madden and NCAA, but anyone who thinks that the game engine is anywhere close to 2K8 in simulating football doesn’t know what they are talking about.
August 5, 2007 at 5:27 pm
So this is how democracy dies, with thunderous applause.
All of you Madden fanboys happy about this news are disgusting. Your cheering the death of Madden right alongside these low sales numbers. Don’t you guys get that, are you so brainwashed?
August 17, 2007 at 11:01 am
I love how Madden fans are talking trash. Fear was the reason for Madden to cowardly attain exclusive NFL license. 2k8 wouldve taken a bigger chunk of the pie if NFL didnt give Madden exclusive rights. Stupid NFL should not let one company monopolise the game industry.
It’s not a fair competition, 2k8 is handicapped. It’s like running against a diabled in a 100 yard dash…so dont talk trash.
August 17, 2007 at 11:02 am
By the way, the last 2k game had a better review than madden and if 2k8 had nfl license then I gaurentee the game wouldve had a better review than Madden.
August 18, 2007 at 7:09 pm
I’m a Maddenite true and true but at the same time who couldn’t have seen this coming? Most people don’t realize at the time 2K5’s pricing was Take-Two’s idea and not Sega who at the time owned Visual Concepts. When the NFL License went up for bidding Sega refused to pony up the dough for it and instead merged with Guilty Gear maker Sammy. Competition is always good but in today’s world money talks and BS walks. EA gave the NFL the money and in exchange they got the license. Nobody liked Take-Two buying the third party MLB license either but look where we are.
August 18, 2007 at 7:10 pm
And as for your last comment Addict if Visual Concepts had a license and published the EXACT same game with no franchise, no crib, no anything it’d get the same reviews. Stop fooling yourself.