Anyone think Don Kings name actually hurts the game more than helps?

[Shamrock6699]

I'm a little baffeled about why 2K would use Don King as a icon for thier game. Most true boxing fans hate this guy and his name goes hand and hand with everything that is shady/dirty about boxing.

I've been reading various forums (IGN, NEO-GAF, Xbox.com, etc) and I haven't see one person post anything positive about Don King being involved with this game. In fact I've seen just the opposite where people are saying they won't buy the game because he is invovled.


Regardless of King being the spokesman/coverman for this game I'll buy it if it's a good game, but I sure do hope the reason they used King with this game is because he brought something to the table like using the boxers he promotes or something because otherwise his involvement hurts the game more than it helps.

[Face2k]

A year back or so they wanted to drop Don King it was called Ring King at first but King claimed some breach of contract and wanted to get paid. The article was on Ign boards when the news broke last year. Here's the link
http://boards.ign.com/fight_night/b7350/131329815/p1/

I'm guessing since they did contract him and they had to pay him and use his name. The next game may just be title Prizefighter. It's just the "Don King Presents..." stuff we see but it's Prizefighter to me.

Remember this is the internet people complain about everything. Most are kids and just parrot what someone else posts. All I want it 1 video then I will not look at any info until it comes out and I play it.

[Shamrock6699]

Well I can udnerstand it if 2K did this because they locked up King (and the over 100 boxers he promotes exclusively (http://www.donking.com/Template_New.aspx?html=new_home.htm&left=1)). It's not so bad if it was some kind of package deal with King and his Boxers included. That basically would be like locking up the boxing genre sort of like the way EA did in football with the NFL.

If thats not the case though then it would be absurd to use King in anyway as part of this game because he really is a hated icon that benifits the game in no way, shape, or form.

[TyrantT316]

I think his name, face and hair alone will help the "product" go off shelves....Boxing fans already know to pick up the game...

Don King will help ensure that casual fans or normal gamers pick it up because they'll see it as a "Don King Fighting Game That's Cool"

[gotiye]

I don't care if don king's name is on the game despite his reputation; if you're given the option as a promoter to be crooked like he's considered to be than it makes the game even better in the career mode.....................
at the end of the day if the game is good I'll buy it..................
I want to see screenshots or videos soon and make sure this game is worth following. looking at 2ksports track record I have high expectations in gameplay and presentation. even if they can't get all of our ideas in one game if the first one is an open door to suggestions than I'll support it as long as it lasts......................

[Vonhendon]

Everybody seems to have angelwing's when it comes to Don King or Tyson I dont give a rats ***** I just want a good boxinggame sim. boxing is a dirty sport.

[IVODEM]

I think his name, face and hair alone will help the "product" go off shelves....Boxing fans already know to pick up the game...

Don King will help ensure that casual fans or normal gamers pick it up because they'll see it as a "Don King Fighting Game That's Cool"
EXACTLY He is for the Casual Fan like at first I was a casual Boing fan but when I started learning more about Boxing first thing I knew about is Don King...

[agnthvc]

it odesnt matter if he is in the game or endorsing the game ,, this game will be the bomb if it is developed correctly!!

nothing could stop it. game[play gameplay gameplay!!!!

[anESPNfan]

lol I think that's absolutely silly to not buy a game because Don King's name is on it. Why? What are you proving? You'll just be missing out on a good game and not supporting one of the few companies that actually cares about it's customers because Don King is promoting the game?

wow.

The way I see it is that Don King adds authenticity to the game and name recognition which will = more sales.

[kcxiv]

If your game is good and you put some kind of decent advertising behind it. It will sell.

2k sports has always been somewhat controversial. They arent scared of bad press. YOu know the old saying. Any press is good press.

[sampsonthestrong]

Even though Golden Boy is coming on strong, Don King remains the biggest promoter in the sport. Say what you want about King, but the man knows boxing and 2K knows this. I wouldn't be surprised if you see every King fighter....past or present.... in this game because King is a shrewd businessman and he knows his stuff, so he probably worked out some kind of mega-deal with 2K to use a whole stable of past & present fighters. Sure, he's a controversial figure, but boxing is a controversial sport. 2K doesn't mind taking chances, that's why you saw O.J. Simpson in All Pro Football. 2K wants to be the best, and who better to get than the biggest promoter in the history of the sport for your first boxing game? I think it would be silly not to buy this game just because King's name is on it. Say what you will about King, but this is the man who brought us some of the biggest fights in boxing history like "The Rumble in the Jungle" and countless others. As long as it's a good game and not like Fight Night, i'm buying it for sure!

[reppa]

I don't really care either way. I just want a great boxing game. I'm still playing ***01 (ps2). What does that tell you? lol.

[TENNESSEESLIM]

i think the reason for using don king is. hes the one figure in boxing other than tyson and dlh that trancends the sport and is easily recognized by people who may not be big boxing fans.but honestly i dont know why they picked him dlh would have been a freindlier choice.im guessing this game is gonna have a dark side to it.wich would rock ballz.

[anESPNfan]

If your game is good and you put some kind of decent advertising behind it. It will sell.

2k sports has always been somewhat controversial. They arent scared of bad press. YOu know the old saying. Any press is good press.

If that was the case NFL 2k should have outsold Madden, NBA 2k should have long been outselling Live. America's Army True Soldiers would have sold more than it did. Some of the best games of their genres, but the sales figures doesn't always reflect that.

[sampsonthestrong]

If that was the case NFL 2k should have outsold Madden, NBA 2k should have long been outselling Live. America's Army True Soldiers would have sold more than it did. Some of the best games of their genres, but the sales figures doesn't always reflect that.


Madden has been around longer and has a built-in fan base more so than 2K Football which means that a lot of people buy it off name alone. Espn 2K5 Football opened a lot of people's eyes and was a serious threat to the EA Madden throne, that's why EA bought the exclusive NFL rights, they knew they were in trouble competing with 2K. They took the cowards way out instead of going head to head with 2K to let the people decide. And with the basketball games, you're right, Live was ahead in sales a while back, but now 2K has caught up and all but buried the Live franchise, and i truly believe that Madden would've suffered the same fate if not for getting the exclusive NFL deal. Let's see what happens when the deal is up in 2009 and 2K is allowed to make NFL games again.

[REDSFAN2004]

don king's name alone will sell this game for sure.be it he was a good or bad man he was a name in boxing.and he did help get mike tyson into the mix so thats another reason i think the game will sell.

[kcxiv]

If that was the case NFL 2k should have outsold Madden, NBA 2k should have long been outselling Live. America's Army True Soldiers would have sold more than it did. Some of the best games of their genres, but the sales figures doesn't always reflect that.NFL 2k and NBA 2k doesnt get the advertising that Madden and Live get. Not even close. Hell, i still see Madden commercials and its been out a good while now. NBA2k did sell more then live. NFL2k did outsell Madden on the 360 though. They were gaining momentum until EA and the NFL pulled the plug on 2k

[anESPNfan]

Madden has been around longer and has a built-in fan base more so than 2K Football which means that a lot of people buy it off name alone. Espn 2K5 Football opened a lot of people's eyes and was a serious threat to the EA Madden throne, that's why EA bought the exclusive NFL rights, they knew they were in trouble competing with 2K. They took the cowards way out instead of going head to head with 2K to let the people decide. And with the basketball games, you're right, Live was ahead in sales a while back, but now 2K has caught up and all but buried the Live franchise, and i truly believe that Madden would've suffered the same fate if not for getting the exclusive NFL deal. Let's see what happens when the deal is up in 2009 and 2K is allowed to make NFL games again.

I know, this was exactly my point. Now with 2k's boxing they're in the same situation going against a game with a strong fanbase that has a foothold on the market, which as you said - history shows that a solid game alone isn't going to be enough to topple them quickly. Thus, a little name recognition won't hurt marketing wise.

[sampsonthestrong]

I know, this was exactly my point. Now with 2k's boxing they're in the same situation going against a game with a strong fanbase that has a foothold on the market, which as you said - history shows that a solid game alone isn't going to be enough to topple them quickly. Thus, a little name recognition won't hurt marketing wise.


I agree with you, they probably won't topple them too quickly but eventually they will if this game is spectacular. A lot of people were disappointed with the Fight Night series and have been waiting for 2K to make a boxing game because they know the realism that 2K brings to it's sports titles. I think King's name adds instant recognition to this game for the casual fan. The die-hards like me are going to buy it anyway. But like you said, a little name recognition won't hurt.