NFL2K rises from grave as All-Pro Football 2K8
by Jared Rea 
{ Jan 31st 2007 at 1:45AM }
Today is a day that sports gamers have prayed for since the fateful morning of December 13th, 2004 when EA locked up the NFL license in an exclusive agreement, effectively shutting down their critically acclaimed rival, NFL 2K. Not one to go quietly, 2K Sports has announced their long rumored gridiron return with All-Pro Football 2K8, slated for this Summer and for "next generation video game systems."
Gamespot sat down with Visual Concepts president Greg Thomas to cover some of the more obvious challenges they will be facing in the marketplace. With no license to work with, All-Pro Football 2K8 will be facing an uphill battle for mind share when it comes to dealing with EA's unstoppable Madden series. This doesn't seem to bother Thomas as he is "expecting this game to be a big, big seller, we're expecting our fans to be really excited, and there's a lot of fans."
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jungle King @ Jan 31st 2007 2:36AM
Thank goodness...now maybe we can get some advancement in the gameplay department...EA was starting to get lazy with no competition to spark that creativity.
vaylen @ Jan 31st 2007 2:40AM
With the 360 and the PS3 being online, I see no reason that the player shouldn't be able to create his own rosters and team names and colors and post their creations for others to enjoy. The legality of such fair use has already been set in the Marvel v. NCSoft case. Keep Madden on it's toes, V.C.! NFL2K was the most groundbreaking sports title in the past 10 years.
Hannibal @ Jan 31st 2007 3:18AM
I bought NFL 2k5 and played it for a total of 8 hours before going back to Madden. The 2k series was totally broken and I'm glad it didn't pollute for 3 years.
Dirk Dorkelson @ Jan 31st 2007 3:41AM
Do they know it's 2007 this year? What's with the 2K8 garbage?
pintofcrownroyal2004 @ Jan 31st 2007 4:53AM
There is a GOD, I've never liked playing madden, I always say myself seeking alternate sports titles like Joe Montana sports talk and the excellent NLF2k series, they always put the number one year higher than the current Dirk you'd know that if you were a hardcore 2k fan. Madden is overated and has always been that Way THERE IS A GOD, now if he could only make 2k5 BC I'd be in heaven
James K. @ Jan 31st 2007 7:21AM
Oh thank god.
I liked Madden on *Genesis* but the 2K series for dreamcast was everything the latest Madden wasn't -- namely, FUN. It carried over that fun to Xbox, where I was happily converting people to the series until EA spoiled my fun.
I just hope that EA responds to this by reviving the Mutant League franchises. They were crap, but they were fun. :)
k9
ncxcstud @ Jan 31st 2007 7:12AM
#3 - So madden has gotten better every year since 2K went away huh? I haven't seen it...you may not like so it doesn't effect you. I however can't stand madden and much prefer 2K football. It's a win-win situation... possibly even a win-win-WIN situation ;)
#4 - Madden comes out during the summer every year and uses the next year as it's moniker. Madden07 came out in August of 2006...it's still called 2007...sports games have done that every year when they release in the latter half of a year it's been done like that for forever.
aznfury @ Jan 31st 2007 7:13AM
"4. Do they know it's 2007 this year? What's with the 2K8 garbage?"
What the hell man. Get your facts straight. Madden 07 was released in 2006. Quit your bitching.
Dirk Dorkelson @ Jan 31st 2007 7:25AM
"What the hell man. Get your facts straight. Madden 07 was released in 2006."
It's not a question of me getting my facts straight, dumbass. Just because there's a precedent for something doesn't mean it's the right way to do it. It's dumb to have the game that comes out before the 2007 season be called 2008, particularly if it's a legends game. At least with the regular licensed Madden game I suppose they could argue that the Super Bowl for the 2007 season is played in 2008. Not so much with a legends title.
hegemonyhog @ Jan 31st 2007 8:36AM
#9, where does it says it's a legends game? It doesn't. It does say "legendary gameplay", which is totally different.
It seems really dumb to complain about a convention which has been de rigeur for nearly 20 years.
Jonah Falcon @ Jan 31st 2007 9:23AM
That NFL Legends 2K rumor has been going on for the past 2 years. The press release indicates that it'll be fictional players and teams. Good. I really don't like the idea of an NFL Legends game, especially since you can't have franchise mode in that case.
I remember the first Front Page Sports: Football -- none of the players had real names (Phil Simms was "Ethan Anno", etc.) Still extremely fun, and you still get a sense of ownership with these players.
fffunfarm06---xbl @ Jan 31st 2007 9:35AM
so i guess there is a god. i love you 2k. from gta to bioshock to the best football game of 2004, you guys rule. but the only problem is like me, because i had no nfl2k6 to look forward to, i sadly did turn to madden and got used to it.
just if your listening, its gonna be real hard to wn the compitition 2k. what i look forward in madden now is roster updates and pre game games with friends. vick it the shit man. :( good luck !
COBRA @ Jan 31st 2007 9:53AM
For some reason, I just dont believe the ones who say they played the NFL2k games and disliked it, to have actually played it.
I have played Madden games and I dont think they were bad games, but they certainly didnt stack up to NFL2K games. That's why EA bought the license because they couldnt take the heat!! Wusses.
COBRA @ Jan 31st 2007 9:59AM
Why is it, in the interview, that Greg Thomas keeps talking about the PS3 and doesnt mention the 360. Damn, he's a fanboi. LOL
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 31st 2007 9:58AM
THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!
Visual Concepts was really hitting their stride when EA bought the NFL license away from everyone.
NFL2K5 was such a tight playing game. I loved it.
I can't wait to see 2K8 running in High DEF.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE...make your own player option!!!
Judd @ Jan 31st 2007 10:15AM
NFL 2K has got to be one of the greatest sport games ever. I still find it crazy that as of Madden 2007, I can still look at the other guys screen and find out what play he's doing. But back on the Dreamcast all the plays were mapped to the memory card. Bring back the VMU!
Slaziman @ Jan 31st 2007 10:30AM
Is that Elaine?
Z @ Jan 31st 2007 10:54AM
Any word if this will be for Wii?
That would be totally awesome.
Knoxximus @ Jan 31st 2007 10:48AM
Now, if we could just get SNK to churn out a new Baseball Stars, YOUR HEAD ASPLODE!
felkdogg @ Jan 31st 2007 11:25PM
I really needed an Altred Beast reference somewhere in this post. "Rise from your grave!"
Knoxximus @ Jan 31st 2007 11:19AM
Better yet, "Wise fwom your gwave...."
-Dominic @ Jan 31st 2007 11:21AM
This is great news, the number of times I have played football on a console since EA bought the rights can be counted on one hand and I hated every second of it. Madden has the most unrealistic gameplay ever, and every year lets add a new bullshit feature like "lead blocker control" update the rosters, and ship it out to be bought up. 2K5 had something real about the movements, the skill level, everything about that game just pretty much worked. With Madden, it is drop back as far as you can and throw the ball 80 yards in the air to Moss, T.O., Holt, whoever your receiver is. I am so happy they are finally bringing 2K back.
eman3d @ Jan 31st 2007 11:40AM
Yeeeyyyyyy This is good news (even though i knew about it a year and a half ago) The smart people will appreciate 2k's return because smart people understand that EA is simply an icon for every potential business owner- sacrifice minimal investment for a huge return. That's EA's motto. It's obvious in their games, just look at basketball. NBA Live smells like crap from the moment you buy it and the look and gameplay matches the smell when you play it. Can you imagine the disgust we would have if they owned exclusive rights to the NBA??!!! Madden is a marketing machine. Madden is considered 'cool and hip' If you play Madden then you are in the 'know' YOU must know something about football if you play Madden. This is why EA had to protect Madden from 2K Football. EA had to protect Madden's rep. Honest people know, when they actually gave 2k football a try they were amazed, impressed, and became a 2k fan.
Madden will always be the godfather of videogame football but EA constantly reminds us that they are not about maximum effort when it comes to making Madden. They prefer to go the cheap rout. For example: How can you possible make Madden 07 for the Xbox 360 with a 30fps frame rate??? 30fps??? When on the PS2 and Xbox it's running at a silky smooth 60 frames per second (this is the rate all sports games should run)Don't use the excuse that it's a new system because 2k Basketball on the Xbox 360 is running at 60fps. Another example- How can you take out the announcers?? Why is there only 'gang tackling' on the PS2 and Xbox?? Why are their servers piss poor?? Why is Marshall Faulk on the Rams?? This is what happens when you own the NFL. You can make anything and force it down the customers throat.
I am close friends with the people at Visual Concepts and they listen to their fanbase. If you have a gripe or an innovation they will listen. I call them all the time and have seen some of my request actually put in the game. They are a dedicated group who has yours and my concerns a priority.
So for you Madden fans, keep playing a game that features 25 yard drop backs by the QB followed by and 80 yeard bomb that is always caught. Keep enjoying games that feature over a 100 total points scored and defense is an afterthought. Keep enjoying a game where playing DB means you must have done something wrong in another life. And most of all keep enjoying taking it from behind from EA, a company that has lost the quest for innovation and let it's marketing machine take precedence over making a full fledged state of the art video football game.
Kizzle @ Jan 31st 2007 11:41AM
Suck my ass, EA.
It's about time.
I hope this is a FirePro-esque game where they have hilarious/ridiculous/clever Japanese-sounding renames for characters obviously inspired by the NFL. "Ray Lewis" becomes "Jay Smasher," "Reggie Bush" becomes "Young Rush," "Tom Brady" becomes "Bob Glory," etc.
eman3d @ Jan 31st 2007 12:08PM
Hey Dominic, you know about the 'super drop back' glitch that has been a tradition for Madden football?? That's hilarious yet people who play Madden say it's sooooo realistic.
What a joke.
I see why EA bought the NFL. It's easy to pay to be lazy then to work to be the best.
Tiberius Jones @ Jan 31st 2007 1:28PM
This is the best thing to happen to Video Game Football since, well, NFL2k5.
Knoxximuss, I totally agree, Baseball Stars is still the best baseball game ever as far as pure fun. CLimbing the wall and robbing homers was oh so satisfying.
Now, if they would just make a new Tecmo Bowl Football with updated graphics but the same, simple, sweet, run and gun gameplay! Now, THAT'D be a coup!
Miles @ Jan 31st 2007 6:51PM
Whoever said they played 2k5 for 8 hours and got bored is finished in life. He reminds me of all these people who couldn't stand 2K because, " the controls are so different !" When I worked in EB I would try to get customers to try it out, but so many of them are brainwashed by EA that they couldn't be bothered.
I'm finally gonna get gang tackles that aren't just canned animations anymore. Running backs that react to being stuck behind lineman, and don't just run the same exact way no matter where they are. And the guys who invented the right analog stick in football are gonna be using it again.
I just hope they make the greatest create-a-team and player mode of all time.
AdamP @ Jan 31st 2007 8:43PM
THANK GOD, MADDEN SUCK. Long live the the 2K games NFL Franchise.
Dave @ Feb 1st 2007 12:13PM
This game cannot come out to soon. I was about to pull my hair out because microsoft refuses to fix the backwords compatibility for 2K5 on the 360. I went out and bought Madden and tried to get into it but 2K5 is still the best. EA sucks for buying the NFL rights and the NFLPA sucks for letting them go exclusive.
Serge @ Feb 1st 2007 3:22PM
Is there going to be nfl teams and nfl players in
All-pro football 2k8?
Serge @ Feb 1st 2007 3:23PM
Is there going to be nfl teams and nfl players in All-pro football 2k8?
Serge @ Feb 1st 2007 3:23PM
Is there going to be nfl teams and nfl players in All-pro football 2k8?
CHICKEN LITTLE @ Feb 5th 2007 10:17AM
Wouldnt it be pimped if they used actual x NFL Players? And counter EA with freakin an awesome REAL passing game... NO more pressing the A button and passing it 80 yards actually make it manually using an analog stick and move a little cursor over the area u want to pass...Also it would be neat if they have freakin running back vision... and a way to defend the pass unlike ea stupid ea... AND TOTALLY MORE AUDIBLES>>x players x coaches and make it like half simulation and half arcade PIMPOLICIOUS, by the way is Champ Bailey gonna be on the cover of madden???
Mike Camp @ Feb 10th 2007 11:39PM
Thank god!!!!! Guys this is the best news we could have evEr gotten. EA is going to sweat bullets now. Here is all I hope for. I hope that they make the game completely customizable, so we can create the wole nfl! I will personally sit there and create the whole freakin league. There is no law from us users creating the players and placing in the logos ourselves. My friends and I will buy 2 copies of the game each just to shove it to EA. I still play 2k5 and is so much better than anything madden has. Guys when this game comes out do whatever you can to support it and assist other gamers in creating the league. Long live Allpro Football 2K8
BroGreg @ Feb 21st 2007 7:40PM
The 2008 is done so people are not confused with which one is the lastest version. It isn't stupid it is smart marketing actually.
For the one that said 2k5 was broken I think you need to visit Madden and I'm sure you will see it was just as busted up and still so with no competition. Madden still have players that GHOST through other players and DB's that turn up field yet stop quicker than the WR who know the route and jump in front for the INT all with his back turned.
Yes I'm talking about Madden 2007.
Ree williams @ Mar 3rd 2007 6:47PM
Real Football is on the way..Great!Sorry Madden Lovers,You Get the same game every year and still buy it..so sad..Ohh well..Just bend over for ea..Not i ,have not played an ea Game in 5yrs,i see some of my buds playing madden,i make no comment i just look on thinking maybe one day they will care(lol)about the fan.Nope.Well now it does not matter because the best is Football team is back..2k Sports.
knuckles @ Mar 14th 2007 12:34AM
Man I am excited about this news. I can't stand Madden, I bought the 2006 version for the xbox for 59.00 plus tax and it was horrible the game play was inferior to 2K5 as well as the graphics. Madden 2006 was by far the biggest rip off... everything that Madden 2005 had was left out except for playing the actual season.
Because 2K5 was benched I fell for the same hype of Madden 07 and was let down again. They have not changed the player models since 2000. All they did was render them with the new 360 engine and change the texture maps. Madden 07 on the xbox 360 is slow loading, the player animations look like something out of a early 90s stand up arcade game, nothing next gen except for the textures and they're weak IMO. And even though it was an entire year later to develop the 07 version what was new? All they did was add the stuff they left out of the 06 version so what I got is a full copy of the game for $118.00?
I don't care if I don't see "real" NFL teams I want the game play and options that 2K5 had updated for the next gen game consols. If 2K5 was just able to be played on the 360 with defferent team textures I would buy it.
The running addition in Madden sucks compared to 2K5. Nothing like running into a shoelace and having your running back fall backwards or I love how the recievers can catch a ball that goes through a players chest with his forearm. All you Madden lovers go and find a freind with 2K5 and play it. You will be pleasently surprised. Even the players looked like the players on your team not some generic face or body.
And all the options you had with 2K5 was amazing, kept me playing for hours...
tlupher3 @ Mar 17th 2007 10:27AM
All I can say is bring on Dan Stevens and Peter O'Keefe baby!!!!!!!!!!!!
Madden suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goldar @ Apr 24th 2007 9:33PM
Anyone that says Madden was better than 2k is just a straight hater! Madden sucks! It's the same game year after year! 2K5 blew Madden on ANY system out of the water! EA knew they couldn't compete, that's why the bought the exclusive rights, and they thought they wouldn't have to worry about 2K until those rights were up, well, they're baaaack! The folks at EA better get their resumes ready cause 2K8 will put them out of work!