Many gamers have fond memories of playing the NFL 2K series back in the early to mid-2000s. The franchise gave the Madden NFL series a run for its money and even surpassed it in certain areas. Unfortunately, the NFL 2K franchise became stagnant after EA purchased exclusive rights to the NFL in 2005. However, 2K recently signed a deal with the NFL allowing the company to use iconic teams and players. The agreement led some to believe 2K was getting ready to revive its beloved football franchise, but while it is working on a new football game using the NFL license, it might not be what fans are expecting.
2K's upcoming NFL game will not be a football simulator like many fans were hoping for. Instead, it will be an arcade title, presumably like 2K's NBA Playgrounds. The game will be the first in the series and will not compete with the latest Madden entry. 2K describes the upcoming arcade titles as fun, approachable games that will not simulate the football experience.
The news came as a disappointment to fans hoping 2K would resurrect the cherished NFL 2K franchise. Many gamers are tired of Madden being the only football simulator on the market and were hoping to see 2K release an alternative to the legendary franchise. EA has grown content with the series and refuses to push it in an innovative direction. Although 2K's upcoming game will provide a new football experience, it won't be the realistic simulator fans have been seeking for over a decade.
2K's questionable business practices also have gamers hesitant about the upcoming title. The company's other sports games are loaded with predatory microtransactions and loot boxes, with the NBA 2K franchise in particular receiving harsh criticism for hiding a great deal of content behind egregious paywalls. 2K also has a history of releasing unfinished games full of game-breaking bugs and glitches. WWE 2K20 launched in a completely broken state that made the game nearly impossible to enjoy. Many have grown sick of 2K's anti-consumer nature and are reluctant to back its new NFL title due to the company's less-than-stellar reputation.
Although 2K's new NFL game isn't what fans were expecting, it still has tons of potential. An arcade football game featuring NFL teams and players could be fun if done correctly. Games like NFL Street and NFL Blitz became extraordinarily successful with their exaggerated depictions of the sport. 2K's upcoming football title could do the same if the company can put its own unique spin on the genre.