The possible future of the 2K Sports titles

by pastapadre
Posted February 25th, 2008 at 3:42 am

With the EA purchase of Take Two seeming likely, and sooner rather than later, that brings up the question of what will happen to that which is now known as 2K Sports. After TT decided to drop the College Hoops franchise I took a look at the outlook for the future of the rest of their titles. However given the circumstances this would present a totally different scenario. While we don’t know some of the behind the scenes details of these games there is some reasonable expectations that could be made.

The potential acquisition of 2K Sports actually appears to be a secondary factor in the deal. Rockstar (which is also owned by TT) and their catalogue of big titles such as Grand Theft Auto is the main target as well as other studios such as 2K Boston with Bioshock. In actuality 2K Sports means more to EA (in removing competition) than it would mean to TT who has been looking for suitors to dump the unprofitable division off on.

EA’s official FAQ on the potential deal included the following:

Would you kill 2K Sports?
Any integration starts with our respect for the teams and people that make great games. Beyond that, it’s too early to discuss plans for managing Take-Two.

Continue on to read my analysis of the possible future of the 2K Sports franchises.

NBA 2K: The only one of 2K Sports main titles that is actually profitable. This is also the only game that really has earned itself name recognition that rivals EA Sports’ NBA Live. Would EA put resources into two NBA titles that would compete directly against one another? That seems unlikely. However I wouldn’t expect them to just scrap the 2K game entirely. They could add some of the talented developers to their Live team, or they could get creative and go a different direction such as releasing the 2K game at a different time of the year such as prior to the playoffs.

MLB 2K: The third-party exclusive license resides here (runs through 2012) and EA would be picking that up. That would potentially mean the return of the highly acclaimed MVP Baseball series. It would seem likely that would at first just be in name alone as it would be difficult to build a new engine up to their standards for the 360/PS3 in time for next year’s release. Regardless the license requires a release every year so 360 owners wouldn’t have to worry about having no baseball offering next year. But what may end up happening would be something similar to what MLB 2K9 would’ve been but with the MVP name.

The BIGS: While no announcement has been made as to a sequel it’s safe to assume that there will be based on the critical success and relatively good sales the first attempt brought. Blue Castle, another developer owned by Take Two, would come along in the deal. Interestingly several of the important producers from the MVP series had shifted on to this game. The BIGS would fit into EA’s plan of offering accessible titles to complement their sim offerings.

All-Pro Football 2K: Likely wouldn’t not continue. There is still question as to whether a 2K9 is in the works. However it would probably not see the light of day if it is. 2K8 did not garner much interest from consumers and the costs of signing the legends to individual contracts proved difficult and expensive. It would not surprise me however to see EA borrow some ideas or aspects of the game such as the customization.

Don King Prizefighter: With EA already having Fight Night and now Facebreaker this game would appear to have the worst future prospects. My first thought was that it would just be immediately shut down and never see the light of day, however the money invested in the game and that it is later in the stages of development would probably save it. After all Take Two reportedly paid a whopping $1 plus million to Don King for his rights and it would be tough to swallow letting that completely go to waste.

NHL 2K: After college basketball it was hockey that seemed the least able to support two competing products. The 2K hockey franchise would not have much appeal for EA as their NHL game has surpassed it critically and holds the advantage in sales.

Top Spin 3: EA does not have a tennis game so this franchise seems probable to continue.

College Hoops 2K: This franchise was shut down voluntarily by TT last month. No change here as EA’s March Madness will be the only NCAA basketball game.

Should the purchase go through it’ll definitely be interesting to watch the developments that take place. There is really no certainty as to what will happen with the 2K Sports games or the talent that works on them. While I don’t think it would be the slaughter that many people are suggesting, there certainly would be some significant changes to the landscape of sports gaming.

Tags:

Darkheath

popsting this again in case pasta deletes the previous post:

whoa whoa whoa Matt… just to clarify the score here. 1st off, we haven’t even seen 2Ks boxing game yet. Secondly, I only played the demos of NHL this season while EAs seemed nice and fluid, everyone was saying that once you get used to 2Ks new control system it’s more realistic, so I’d call that one a draw.

Thirdly, I know everyone swings on MVP’s jock strap around here, but I’ve been playing it for the last 2 months and while I’ve enjoyed it, I wouldn’t say it was better by a long shot. The ONLY two features I liked that MVP had that 2k didn’t are the complete minor league teams and the fielding throwing meters… BOTH of which Brinkman brought over to 2k8.

The commentary and the presentation are boring at best. I actually don’t mind the announcers they used, it was just implemented badly. And the owners mode was a disaster. That I may try again with different tactics, but starting a team off with only 10000 seats while the rest of the league had full stadiums was a mess. My team ended up 28mil in the red after one simmed season! That was even after trading away all of my good (expensive) players! oiy…

Anyway… I think that those of you thinking that great collaborations will come of this are a bit delusional. I’m just thinking the downsizing will put a lot of good people out of work and the 2k stockholders walk away with a poopie-eating grin on their faces.

rich get richer…
Matt

you have seen 2k’s boxing (ie. Rocky)

NHL 08 = sports game of the year for 2007.
^fact.

How was MLB 2k when the MVP series was still going?
= it was alright, but not as good as MVP.
Matt

you have seen 2k’s boxing (ie. Rocky)

NHL 08 = sports game of the year for 2007.
^fact.

How was MLB 2k when the MVP series was still going?
= it was alright, but not as good as MVP.
The Saint

[quote comment="14309"]you have seen 2k’s boxing (ie. Rocky)

NHL 08 = sports game of the year for 2007.
^fact.

How was MLB 2k when the MVP series was still going?
= it was alright, but not as good as MVP.[/quote]

No, Rocky wasn’t “2K’s boxing.” Rocky was based on the Rocky films and catered to an arcade fanbase. You can deny Prizefighter all you want, it won’t change the fact that it’s a different game suited for sim fans.
The Saint

[quote comment="14309"]you have seen 2k’s boxing (ie. Rocky)

NHL 08 = sports game of the year for 2007.
^fact.

How was MLB 2k when the MVP series was still going?
= it was alright, but not as good as MVP.[/quote]

No, Rocky wasn’t “2K’s boxing.” Rocky was based on the Rocky films and catered to an arcade fanbase. You can deny Prizefighter all you want, it won’t change the fact that it’s a different game suited for sim fans.
The Saint

It’s really pathetic and funny to watch posts of EA employees in disguise all over the net.
The Saint

It’s really pathetic and funny to watch posts of EA employees in disguise all over the net.
Darkheath

Actually, I think Rocky was a Codemasters game. I could be wrong, though. 2Ks boxing game, Don King, is due out later this year.

I also know that EAs NHL game was very well received.. I just think that 2K over-complicated the controls (from what I read). Those that got used to them really liked it.

I played a lot of MLB 2k5 and don’t think that MVP was that much better, with the obvious exception of the minors and the fielding throwing meters. But perhaps you’re right, I should play a game of both, one after the other. One thing that definitely swayed my decision at the time was 2Ks $20 price point. I bought all 2k5 games that season. I’d never done that before or since.

For what it’s worth… I don’t think that Matt is a subversive EA troll.
Darkheath

Actually, I think Rocky was a Codemasters game. I could be wrong, though. 2Ks boxing game, Don King, is due out later this year.

I also know that EAs NHL game was very well received.. I just think that 2K over-complicated the controls (from what I read). Those that got used to them really liked it.

I played a lot of MLB 2k5 and don’t think that MVP was that much better, with the obvious exception of the minors and the fielding throwing meters. But perhaps you’re right, I should play a game of both, one after the other. One thing that definitely swayed my decision at the time was 2Ks $20 price point. I bought all 2k5 games that season. I’d never done that before or since.

For what it’s worth… I don’t think that Matt is a subversive EA troll.
Matt

[quote comment="14312"]Actually, I think Rocky was a Codemasters game. I could be wrong, though. 2Ks boxing game, Don King, is due out later this year.

I also know that EAs NHL game was very well received.. I just think that 2K over-complicated the controls (from what I read). Those that got used to them really liked it.

I played a lot of MLB 2k5 and don’t think that MVP was that much better, with the obvious exception of the minors and the fielding throwing meters. But perhaps you’re right, I should play a game of both, one after the other. One thing that definitely swayed my decision at the time was 2Ks $20 price point. I bought all 2k5 games that season. I’d never done that before or since.

For what it’s worth… I don’t think that Matt is a subversive EA troll.[/quote]

thanks you sir. and no i don’t work for EA, lol. I’m not out of high school yet.

I’ve played all the games you’ve mentioned.

Liked them all but prefer MVP over MLB 2k anyday. (played the life out of this game.)

NHL 08 over NHL 2k8 because of the great controls and awesome online play.

IDK about prizefighter and FNR3, because nobody has played prizefighter. yes it could be good but honestly do you think it live up to what the FN series has brought to the table in one game? I don’t think so.
Matt

[quote comment="14312"]Actually, I think Rocky was a Codemasters game. I could be wrong, though. 2Ks boxing game, Don King, is due out later this year.

I also know that EAs NHL game was very well received.. I just think that 2K over-complicated the controls (from what I read). Those that got used to them really liked it.

I played a lot of MLB 2k5 and don’t think that MVP was that much better, with the obvious exception of the minors and the fielding throwing meters. But perhaps you’re right, I should play a game of both, one after the other. One thing that definitely swayed my decision at the time was 2Ks $20 price point. I bought all 2k5 games that season. I’d never done that before or since.

For what it’s worth… I don’t think that Matt is a subversive EA troll.[/quote]

thanks you sir. and no i don’t work for EA, lol. I’m not out of high school yet.

I’ve played all the games you’ve mentioned.

Liked them all but prefer MVP over MLB 2k anyday. (played the life out of this game.)

NHL 08 over NHL 2k8 because of the great controls and awesome online play.

IDK about prizefighter and FNR3, because nobody has played prizefighter. yes it could be good but honestly do you think it live up to what the FN series has brought to the table in one game? I don’t think so.
anthony

they better not get rid of nba 2k..what they should do is create a game called Nba Live 2k9 and team up to make a good game, nba live graphics with nba 2k8 gameplay would be crazy
anthony

they better not get rid of nba 2k..what they should do is create a game called Nba Live 2k9 and team up to make a good game, nba live graphics with nba 2k8 gameplay would be crazy
Bumble14

This is bad for gaming in general, 2k fan or EA fan, for too many reasons to even touch on here.

The only silver lining to this cloud is the possible resurrection of MVP baseball (greatest baseball series ever made), and the idea of NBA Live graphics with NBA 2K gameplay.

Aside from those two things, if this happens, it is a dark day for gaming- not to mention a monopoly.

How come EA’s way of dealing with competition is to simply buy them insteadofimproving their products to compete?
Bumble14

This is bad for gaming in general, 2k fan or EA fan, for too many reasons to even touch on here.

The only silver lining to this cloud is the possible resurrection of MVP baseball (greatest baseball series ever made), and the idea of NBA Live graphics with NBA 2K gameplay.

Aside from those two things, if this happens, it is a dark day for gaming- not to mention a monopoly.

How come EA’s way of dealing with competition is to simply buy them insteadofimproving their products to compete?
The Saint

EA is simply in it for the money with no regard to the consumers’ wants. If they put their $2 billion towards research to improve their games and to hire better talent, then they might be able to surpass 2K Sports in terms of quality. But the smarter business move for EA is to eliminate the competition–literally.
The Saint

EA is simply in it for the money with no regard to the consumers’ wants. If they put their $2 billion towards research to improve their games and to hire better talent, then they might be able to surpass 2K Sports in terms of quality. But the smarter business move for EA is to eliminate the competition–literally.
Darkheath

I can’t believe that you people keep talking about the MVP franchise coming back. At this point it’s nothing more than a title on the box. The heir to MVP baseball will be coming out in 2 weeks… whether it says “MVP” on the box or not.
Darkheath

I can’t believe that you people keep talking about the MVP franchise coming back. At this point it’s nothing more than a title on the box. The heir to MVP baseball will be coming out in 2 weeks… whether it says “MVP” on the box or not.
http://yahoo.com/ bobby

I will play NBA 2K8, and College Hoops 2k8 for as long as I possibly can. In terms of basketball games, nothing EA puts out in 2009 will be better than any 2k8 game. EA just has too much work to do. (my opinion)

College hoops 2k8 will never get old because people will keep posting updated rosters every year on 2k share, so that is a positive. (my opinion)

I really hope EA keeps some of TT’s talented staff members, just for the sake of putting out a game that may actually be enjoyable. I have not enjoyed an EA basketball game since live 04 and march madness 04. (my opinion)

pasta, thanks man. keep up the great work.
http://yahoo.com bobby

I will play NBA 2K8, and College Hoops 2k8 for as long as I possibly can. In terms of basketball games, nothing EA puts out in 2009 will be better than any 2k8 game. EA just has too much work to do. (my opinion)

College hoops 2k8 will never get old because people will keep posting updated rosters every year on 2k share, so that is a positive. (my opinion)

I really hope EA keeps some of TT’s talented staff members, just for the sake of putting out a game that may actually be enjoyable. I have not enjoyed an EA basketball game since live 04 and march madness 04. (my opinion)

pasta, thanks man. keep up the great work.