Top 3 Ideas for APF 2K8... as of Feb '07

[dragonjp]

Great to be back to the 2k Forums! Been too busy with rosters/xbox game covers for our classic 2k5 to post, but after the announcement of 2k8, I just had to come back...

Here are my Top 3 for right now... what are yours? BTW, I don't claim to be original; I have read the most intelligent ideas/criticism in these forums the last two weeks....

1. EDITING: This is a no-brainer. APF 2K8 has to be COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZABLE in practically every which way, from uniforms to helmets to logos to online leagues to rosters to stadiums to playbooks, and on and on. It would be great if there was a cache of hundreds of names pre-stored in the game that the announcers could use, for both players and possible teams...

2. PRICING: I just do not think that APF 2K8 can compete with Madden '08 without the NFL license at a price point of $59.99. Next-gen or not, many casual gamers already think that $60+ for video games is too much, and believe it or not it is the casual gamer APF needs to sell a million copies. $39.99 or $44.99 sounds much better to those looking for an excuse to kick Madden to the curb...

3 COVERAGE: Even though ESPN is out of the picture, no one will ever forget the jaw-dropping presentation of 2k5. APF 2K8 has to bring this back and hotter than ever! Pre-game shows, halftime shows, gamebreaks for highlights, magazine covers, whatever comes to mind. I cannot stress how this was a major difference from the Madden games and how important it will be to the success of APF 2K8...

Now marketing... oops blew my wad (should have been "Top 5 Ideas" huh?)... can't wait to read more ideas from everybody about this blockbuster game... April Game Informer can't get here fast enough....

[totalownership]

2. PRICING: I just do not think that APF 2K8 can compete with Madden '08 without the NFL license at a price point of $59.99. Next-gen or not, many casual gamers already think that $60+ for video games is too much, and believe it or not it is the casual gamer APF needs to sell a million copies. $39.99 or $44.99 sounds much better to those looking for an excuse to kick Madden to the curb...
I disagree with this point. The PS3 has NOTHING on it so any game coming out will be snatched up and sell well. The 360's library wont exactly fill a Barnes and Nobles either. Any good game will sell and sell well. This game has all rights to be full price if it truly is a nextgen game. I mean really back in the day Atari Football wasn't cheaper than any other game just because it didn't have a license. 2K may indeed lower the price of the game but that isn't a game they want to play for long. People start getting used to that and feel like 2K "owes" it to them to sell it for less.

[zRifle1z]

1. And this is a big one. VC and 2K SPORTS please allow SPECTATOR VIEWING of league games.


2. During the spectator viewing allow the viewers voice to come through in the crowd chatter ( some what muted, and blended in with the game crowd). Allow the viewer to change the tone of his or her voice to enhance crowd blending.


3. Limit the viewers to league participants only. Spectator viewing, along with the VIP system, and web support with game break down will be killer for all of the diehard football freaks.



You have my agreement to make this happen without any need for payment to me, and can sell it as a feature in your game :-)

[Enigmatic52]

I keep saying I doubt that the price will be anything less than $59.99.

That is the standard next-gen price. If you look around the net at some industry insider's interviews about price, they will tell you that $59 is not enough when you start talking about all the money they are putting into next gen games.

Better just hope that prices don't start going higher.

But in relation to 2k8, it might be best to get anything lower than$59 out the mind.

[Feldman9000]

Legendary Coaches and their teams. Screw the player names. Do like Miami 1972 Don Shula. It would be easier to do that and make fake names that are close to the players. You could get Shula, Lombardi, Stram, Landry, Noll, Vermeil, haha even Madden.

[MiltaJay]

I assume almost everyone thinks 2k8 will be at the regular $59.99 price point, but I also agree 2k will make the smart price drop of $39.99. One is because the game is not NFL licensed, second because 2k realizes the effort the we have to put into customizing the game ourselves and three, it will lure more Madden fans who are already dissapointed with their products. Yes it will be next gen, but remember NFL 2k5 was years ahead of its time and yet 2k priced it at $19.99 when we all know the game was worth its full price plus some back then. But you know what? even if 2k priced 2k8 football for $100.00, I'll sill buy it.

[KRS-One]

I disagree with this point. The PS3 has NOTHING on it so any game coming out will be snatched up and sell well. The 360's library wont exactly fill a Barnes and Nobles either. Any good game will sell and sell well. This game has all rights to be full price if it truly is a nextgen game. I mean really back in the day Atari Football wasn't cheaper than any other game just because it didn't have a license. 2K may indeed lower the price of the game but that isn't a game they want to play for long. People start getting used to that and feel like 2K "owes" it to them to sell it for less.

I'm thinking a price tag of $49.99 for next-gen systems and $29.99 for current-gen....?

[totalownership]

Well they did say this game was "for the fans" so I'm assuming they know us fans are more than willing to pay normal price for the game. I'm not a 2K employee or anything but I'd like then to get their fare share of cash for the simple fact that if the game makes the money we are sure to see 2K9 instead of them saying forget it. 39.95 is really too low a price point for the simple fact that they are making this a 360 and PS3 game only and the customer base is smaller.

Trust me, I'm not so much of a fan of 2K that i want them to be filthy loaded. I just want them to make as much cash as necessary so that we are assured a APF2K9

[totalownership]

I'm thinking a price tag of $49.99 for next-gen systems and $29.99 for current-gen....?
Unfortunately this game wont be on the xbox and ps2. Only next gen consoles.

[CAGE RATTLER]

#1 IMO should definitely be SPECTATOR MODE! at least for LEAGUES

[MadMasterMind]

#1 IMO should definitely be SPECTATOR MODE! at least for LEAGUES


Without question. This feature was talked about months and months ago. It's time to implement it now.

[jayrivera]

I believe this will be a top notch quality game that should sell for full value - $59.99! The game should come out a month or two before Madden and then think about dropping the price when Madden comes out. 2K gave us a gift with 2K5 being only $20.00 and the 2K faithful should return the favor and have no problem paying full price. If we want this game to suceed, WE need to support it!

If 2K5 for $20 never happened, would everyone asking for a lower price have a different opinion? I would bet they would.

As far as my 3 ideas/wishes:
1. Full roster editing
2. Uniform editing. I don't even care so much about the logos.
3. Online franchises with drafts, free agency, etc. Basically, everything we can do offline in regards to franchises, we should be able to do online.

[49er_Faithful24]

I think 2k will do the same thing they did with all the 2k5 series when they were 19.99. It may not be 19.99, but it will be cheaper then Madden. From a business stand point it would be a great move. The people at 2k are smart and hopefully the cheaper price will persuade people who haven't tried the franchise to try the game and if it is anything like 2k5 then the EA vs. 2k war will once again start which I hope will lead to better games from both EA and 2k.

[NFL2K]

I'm thinking a price tag of $49.99 for next-gen systems...

I agree. I believe it will drop to $49.99 by release time.

[strider761]

All three sound like top ideas to me as well.

[dragonjp]

Feelin' hot ideas like the Spectator Mode, $49.99 next-gen price, Headset Audible (affected by crowd noise on the road------ brilliant!:) )... 2KSports Forums has hands down some of the sharpest cats on the gaming net...

Here's one I just thought of... what about Downloadable Content? Just off the top of my head would be a free Expansion Pack of City Names (40? 50? 100?) for teams.

Ooooh... (just two more) what about all teams having home and road and two alternate uniforms, selectable at any time? And there has to be an ALL-STAR GAME, right?

[Enigmatic52]

1. Spectator Mode
2. Revamped Physics Engine
3. Customization (prefer total) but gotta be realistic.

[scdame]

A Ranked Multiplayer Lobby.

[djphleks]

What about for online play there can be two lobbies. A sim style lobby and a lobby for those that don't play sim. That way you can enjoy online play without having to worry about whether a players is sim or not. I know even people that cheese think they are sim but this might be a better way to seperate the two players.

[Serial Killa 2k]

Instead of lobbies there should be a game settings option. No settings being the default and then options like:

Force punt on 4th down * options such as yards to go pos of field score quarter
Force no dline usage
Force no onside kick *options such as score/quarter
Force (whatever else)

those game settings could be visible in the lobby, that'd be pretty sweet.

[Millertime1979]

Unfortunately this game wont be on the xbox and ps2. Only next gen consoles.
its still early alot of people arent gonna waste their money on a next generation system just for A GENERIC GAME,,, seriously other than 2k8 , i have nothing to look forward to other than resident evil 5.....i have tons of games on ps2 im still working on....why spend thatm uch just to buy 2k8... im sure current gen systems will see this game once theyl ook at the big picture

[thePLAGUE]

i have decided to get both 360 and ps 3...my "girlfriend" is getting me a 360 for my room(32 inch LCd westinghouse) and for my living room(42 inch hitachi plasma) am doing the ps3...infact, am waiting to maybe chrismas to get the ps3 cos it really makes no sense watsoever to get it now...there just arent any worthwhile bluray movies available and games???!, wat games...

by the way kids, be kool and stay in school...

[scottyp180]

i tried to think of some features i didnt see anyone mention yet
1. weather effects the way you play. in real life teams usually need to change the way they play when playing in the rain or snow. the ball is slippery so u cant just throw where ever u want. no matter how good of a qb u are the weather will have some effect on ur game. i remember playin madden 07 and playin in the rain and there would be puddles on the ground. they lookd good but wouldnt players be slipping and sliding all over the place because of it(not to mention there was no water effects). i also want to see jersey get really ****d up in a muddy game. if a team is wearing white i wana see the jersey brown by the end of the game.

2.celebrations touchdown celebrations are probably goin to be entertaining but what about championship celebrations. have the players show emotion. there are players who cry after losing or winning a championship game (especially if its late in their career) while other players jump in joy. show how much the win means for the players and coaches.

3.home field advantage. whats better then having the crowd into the game and then just having one play that quiets them. maybe a big interception or the offense converts a 3rd down/4th down. maybe the crowd is so loud that the qb needs to burn a timeout. crowds can change the whole momentum of a game have it show especially in playoff games. another thing is if a team is really bad or is gettin blown out have less fans at the stadium. why would a team with a 1-10 record have a full attendence or a team thats gettin blown out by 20 in the fourth.

4.superstar players kind of on the lines of what nba live has except not a cheap. have qbs that have clutch factor and they stay cool in a close game. have shut down corners and wide receivers that will come up with a big catch when needed. maybe a kick returner who is dangerous everytime the ball is kicked to them(devin hester). 2 different runnin backs one who will truck u and one who will juke u. the only thing that sucks is that in an nfl game we would know who is in what catergory but in a game like this its random.

5. player awarness if i throw it to a receiver near the sideline he should try to keep his feet in and make the catch instead of just catchn the ball. if a team has no timeouts at the end of the game they should be tryin to get out of bounce instead of throwin to the middle of the field. players should not run into there own teamates(in 2k5 they pushed off their own player soo im sure that will be in again). one thing a can not stand is when i throw to a receiver and hes running into a defense player so hes not moving and there is no pass interference called. have the receiver try to get around the defender instead of me wasting a down when i could have had a big player.

thats all i can think of right now if i come up with more ill post them

[dragonjp]

i tried to think of some features i didnt see anyone mention yet
1. weather effects the way you play. in real life teams usually need to change the way they play when playing in the rain or snow. the ball is slippery so u cant just throw where ever u want. no matter how good of a qb u are the weather will have some effect on ur game. i remember playin madden 07 and playin in the rain and there would be puddles on the ground. they lookd good but wouldnt players be slipping and sliding all over the place because of it(not to mention there was no water effects). i also want to see jersey get really ****d up in a muddy game. if a team is wearing white i wana see the jersey brown by the end of the game.

2.celebrations touchdown celebrations are probably goin to be entertaining but what about championship celebrations. have the players show emotion. there are players who cry after losing or winning a championship game (especially if its late in their career) while other players jump in joy. show how much the win means for the players and coaches.

3.home field advantage. whats better then having the crowd into the game and then just having one play that quiets them. maybe a big interception or the offense converts a 3rd down/4th down. maybe the crowd is so loud that the qb needs to burn a timeout. crowds can change the whole momentum of a game have it show especially in playoff games. another thing is if a team is really bad or is gettin blown out have less fans at the stadium. why would a team with a 1-10 record have a full attendence or a team thats gettin blown out by 20 in the fourth.

4.superstar players kind of on the lines of what nba live has except not a cheap. have qbs that have clutch factor and they stay cool in a close game. have shut down corners and wide receivers that will come up with a big catch when needed. maybe a kick returner who is dangerous everytime the ball is kicked to them(devin hester). 2 different runnin backs one who will truck u and one who will juke u. the only thing that sucks is that in an nfl game we would know who is in what catergory but in a game like this its random.

5. player awarness if i throw it to a receiver near the sideline he should try to keep his feet in and make the catch instead of just catchn the ball. if a team has no timeouts at the end of the game they should be tryin to get out of bounce instead of throwin to the middle of the field. players should not run into there own teamates(in 2k5 they pushed off their own player soo im sure that will be in again). one thing a can not stand is when i throw to a receiver and hes running into a defense player so hes not moving and there is no pass interference called. have the receiver try to get around the defender instead of me wasting a down when i could have had a big player.

thats all i can think of right now if i come up with more ill post them

Great ideas... very sharp. Especially lovin' the celebrations... you get to the Pro Bowl/All-Star Game, you get to the Super Bowl/Championship Game: where's the difference? I want to see substantial differences in presentation between playing games in the regular season and the playoffs and the championship game. You work hard to get there; there should be a real payoff for it... home field advantages is something else that should definitely be looked into... maybe some kind of momentum swing or something... and I guarantee you Visual Concepts will make the weather a dynamic part of this game. They have to find ways to draw in football fans without the NFL license, and dynamic weather effects that affect the game seriously is a way to do just that....

[lawston52]

Originally Posted by scottyp180
i tried to think of some features i didnt see anyone mention yet
1. weather effects the way you play. in real life teams usually need to change the way they play when playing in the rain or snow. the ball is slippery so u cant just throw where ever u want. no matter how good of a qb u are the weather will have some effect on ur game. i remember playin madden 07 and playin in the rain and there would be puddles on the ground. they lookd good but wouldnt players be slipping and sliding all over the place because of it(not to mention there was no water effects). i also want to see jersey get really ****d up in a muddy game. if a team is wearing white i wana see the jersey brown by the end of the game.

2.celebrations touchdown celebrations are probably goin to be entertaining but what about championship celebrations. have the players show emotion. there are players who cry after losing or winning a championship game (especially if its late in their career) while other players jump in joy. show how much the win means for the players and coaches.

3.home field advantage. whats better then having the crowd into the game and then just having one play that quiets them. maybe a big interception or the offense converts a 3rd down/4th down. maybe the crowd is so loud that the qb needs to burn a timeout. crowds can change the whole momentum of a game have it show especially in playoff games. another thing is if a team is really bad or is gettin blown out have less fans at the stadium. why would a team with a 1-10 record have a full attendence or a team thats gettin blown out by 20 in the fourth.

4.superstar players kind of on the lines of what nba live has except not a cheap. have qbs that have clutch factor and they stay cool in a close game. have shut down corners and wide receivers that will come up with a big catch when needed. maybe a kick returner who is dangerous everytime the ball is kicked to them(devin hester). 2 different runnin backs one who will truck u and one who will juke u. the only thing that sucks is that in an nfl game we would know who is in what catergory but in a game like this its random.

5. player awarness if i throw it to a receiver near the sideline he should try to keep his feet in and make the catch instead of just catchn the ball. if a team has no timeouts at the end of the game they should be tryin to get out of bounce instead of throwin to the middle of the field. players should not run into there own teamates(in 2k5 they pushed off their own player soo im sure that will be in again). one thing a can not stand is when i throw to a receiver and hes running into a defense player so hes not moving and there is no pass interference called. have the receiver try to get around the defender instead of me wasting a down when i could have had a big player.

thats all i can think of right now if i come up with more ill post them

Great ideas... very sharp. Especially lovin' the celebrations... you get to the Pro Bowl/All-Star Game, you get to the Super Bowl/Championship Game: where's the difference? I want to see substantial differences in presentation between playing games in the regular season and the playoffs and the championship game. You work hard to get there; there should be a real payoff for it... home field advantages is something else that should definitely be looked into... maybe some kind of momentum swing or something... and I guarantee you Visual Concepts will make the weather a dynamic part of this game. They have to find ways to draw in football fans without the NFL license, and dynamic weather effects that affect the game seriously is a way to do just.


Yes., I these are GREAT IDEA.. notice what he said 1st. In QB club back on SNES, not only would you see weather changing, but you would see people falling on Snowy surfaces.. Great Idea. Or having people don't use as much speed burse on wet surfaces.. b/c on all games... just hold down speed and the elements dont matter. Oh by the way, 2 of the best sack D's in one game .. only tallied 3 sacks (all on Peyton Manning) because of the elements. Oh, Dwight Freeny struggled all night on that RAINY SURFACE in Miami.

[zRifle1z]

I agree there are some great ideas within this thread.

[dragonjp]

Some more ideas (no, couldn't wait 'till Mar. '07)...

1. Co-op PLAY: Co-op play seems to be the rage on new Xbox 360 games lately, and I think APF 2K8 should find creative ways to join in. Maybe let cats on your friends' list either challenge you or join your team when you're playing APF online. Man, you could have 2-on-2, 5-on-5, 11-on-11? Imagine filling entire leagues in co-op...:dance:

2. SPONSORS/MARKETING: I don't know if there's time left to implement it but I have seen several cats on this board mention potential sponsors like Under Armour (Imagine that cover, playa?) or Nike (jersey editing?) or Sports Illustrated (Magazine covers during the season dawg!!!). If it were me, the more sponsors the better, if it will help profitability towards 2K9 or 2K10...

3. BEHIND THE SCENES: What about the roles of offensive/defensive coordinators, or the general manager? Anyone who knows pro football knows that their roles are crucial to the success of any team. APF should find a way to stress their importance to playcalling, practice, and talent acquisition, especially during season or franchise modes...

P.S.: Now that I have had a little time to think about it, no way EA gets to buy 2KSports. With Grand Theft Auto IV coming, APF 2K8 coming (why risk 2K8 when you think you're in danger of being sold?)... I just can't see it. Hell, they'd unload it to Micro$oft before letting EA have it....