For many years, EA has had a stranglehold on the NFL license. Via their long running and iconic Madden franchise, they signed an exclusive deal with the league years ago that has since left any other other publisher unable to use the popular license. But things seem to be changing, if even so slightly, as a new deal was reached that will put 2K Games in the conversation.

It was announced earlier in the year that the NFL and 2K Games had reached a deal to create games together. The catch was that what they are going to produce will be “non-simulation” games, though what that actually means isn’t entirely clear. What those games will look like is anyone’s guess, but 2K Games have now confirmed they have also reached a deal with OneTeam Partners and the National Football League Players Association to use the likeness and numbers of players in whatever they produce, so if you were worried about not having your favorite player in these “non-simulation games,” you can rest easy.

It’ll be interesting to see what 2K ultimately produces considering it’s been so long since someone besides EA has been able to use the NFL license. 2K has created more arcade and cartoony games with some sports licenses they own, such as NBA and WWE. Whatever it’ll be, it’s a ways out it seems. But in the meantime, Madden NFL 21 will be releasing next month for your football fix.

UPDATE: EA have provided a statement regarding the nature of their partnership with the NFL, and what their agreement with 2K Games means for the Madden NFL games.

“EA SPORTS is the exclusive publisher of NFL simulation games, and our partnership with the NFL and NFLPA remains unchanged,” the publisher wrote in a statement. “Our agreements have always allowed for non-exclusive development of non-simulation games on various platforms. Our commitment to NFL fans, which spans almost 30 years, has never been stronger, and we’re having our biggest year yet. Madden NFL 20 is the most successful game ever in the franchise, and new modes like Superstar KO and our Madden NFL esports broadcasts are growing the fan base. We’ll be building on that momentum with more new and different experiences, on more platforms and with new ways to play, in the years to come.”

Original story follows:

While Madden has always been the crown jewel for the NFL in the video game space, it wasn’t always the only show in town. From 1999 to 2004, Sega and Visual Concepts published NFL 2K. It offered some steep competition both from a quality standpoint as well as pricing (the last entry, NFL 2K5, launched at $19.99 USD at a time when $49.99 was the standard). It prompted EA and the NFL to enter into an exclusive arrangement, effectively killing NFL 2K and any other non-Madden NFL titles for over 15 years. Today, that seems to have changed- but it’s not clear  how just yet.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the NFL and 2K Games (who now own the 2K license as well as Visual Concepts) announced that a multi-year deal between the two had been reached. It is said this will span multiple games.

There does seem to be a catch, however, as it’s specified this is for “non-simulation” games. What that means exactly isn’t clear, but if one defines Madden as simulation, it’s unclear if NFL 2K can actually return, at least in the form it was known years ago as a direct competitor to that franchise.

“We’re thrilled to be back in business with the NFL in a partnership that will span multiple video games centered on fun, approachable, and social experiences,” said David Ismailer, president of 2K. “It’s exciting to bring together 2K’s expertise in creating award-winning sports games with the NFL’s renowned status as a world-class entertainment and sports organization.”

Meanwhile, Joe Ruggiero, senior vp consumer products at the NFL said, “Expanding the NFL’s presence in the world of gaming has become a focus for the League as we look to grow the next generation of our fan base and reviving our partnership with 2K was a natural step in that effort. 2K is a worldwide leader in sports video games, with a proven track record of creating best-in-class and award-winning games and we look forward to sharing more about the projects we are working on with them in the future.”

Given 2K’s success with the NBA license, NFL might be hoping for similar results for their partnership with the publisher (then again, the WWE license has definitely seen better days, so you never know). THR also states that sources have informed them EA’s deal with NFL is coming to an end in early 2022, and many parties have expressed interest in the license in light of that.

Either way, we’ll keep you updated on any new info that comes our way regarding this, so stay tuned.

EA are at it again with the use of dynamic buzzwords to make even the simplest things sound complex. If the recently posted job listings are to be believed, EA Sports may be taking a more story driven approach with their upcoming “gripping” and “emotional” sports games.

Why EA Sports needs a “Narrative Designer” is anybodies guess, but the job listing reads, “The Narrative Designer will bring the player’s experience to explosive life in its story-telling mode, championing story to the team and ensuring that script, speech and story-telling devices are tuned to achieve a gripping emotional narrative experience.

“You will create characters that game players fully embrace and bond to, and will capture emotional experiences that drive the story forward through non-linear storytelling techniques.You’ll work closely with other designers and producers to create game worlds where story is core to the player experience and will drive an innovative story vision that is central to one of EA’s AAA titles.”

This is of course no official indication that the future sports titles under EA’s name will have a story driven narrative, but that’s certainly how it seems.

[Source]

A bunch of consumers filed a lawsuit against EA Sports regarding their NFL franchise back in 2008, and it’s now been approved. So EA is being sued. Go ahead, you can cheer.

Apparently, the lawsuit has been filed on the basis that EA Sports “as driven its competition out of the market for interactive football software” thanks to “unlawful” securing of exclusive rights with the NFL Players Union, AFL and NCAA.

Here’s what it says:

Through an unlawful and anticompetitive series of exclusive agreements with the National Football League, the NFL Players Union, Arena Football League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”), Electronic Arts has driven its competition out of the market for interactive football software, including most significantly Take Two Interactive Software, Inc., the maker of the interactive football software title NFL 2K5 and has prevented additional competitors from entering the market.

Here’s what the lawsuit wishes to achieve:

Ultimately, the lawsuit hopes to supposedly produce one result: “Additionally, the Settlement provides that Electronic Arts will not enter into an exclusive trademark license with the AFL for five years from the date of approval of the Settlement; and that Electronic Arts will not renew its current collegiate football trademark license with the CLC on an exclusive basis for five years after it expires in 2014; and that Electronic Arts will not seek any new exclusive trademark license for the purpose of making football videogames with the CLC, the NCAA, or any NCAA member institution covered by the current exclusive license for five years after the expiration of the current CLC agreement.

In all honesty, that sounds a little… stupid.

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.