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2K Admin Ron
May 15th, 2008, 01:14 PM
2K Sports Signs NHL® All-Star Rick Nash to be Cover Athlete for NHL 2K9
Visual Concepts to bring the fun and excitement back to hockey video games

New York, NY – May 15, 2008 – Millions of hockey fans continue to enjoy intense Stanley Cup Playoffs action, but it’s never too early to start looking forward to next year’s NHL season. 2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), today announced that three-time NHL All-Star and captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Rick Nash, will be featured as the cover athlete and spokesman for this year’s highly anticipated hockey video game, NHL 2K9. Visual Concepts has taken over the development duties for NHL 2K9 and are building a brand new experience from the ground up with the ultimate goal of creating an addictively fun sport simulation of the NHL that will be available this fall.

“I’ve been a longtime fan of the hockey games from 2K Sports. My idols have all been on the covers of video games as I was growing up, so to be on the cover of NHL 2K9 myself is truly incredible,” said Nash, who scored an impressive three goals in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game. “The set of new features they’re adding is really going to make this game special for hockey fans - I’m hoping they give me a couple extra points to my player rating this year!”

Nash was selected first overall in the 2002 NHL Draft and is one of the most exciting and dynamic young players in the NHL. In only his second season, at the age of 19, Nash became the youngest player in NHL history to win the “Rocket” Richard Trophy by co-leading the League with 41 goals scored. Now an established superstar in the NHL, Nash was also a member of Team Canada at the 2006 Olympics, and was named MVP of the 2007 World Championships. His deep level of involvement and work with Visual Concepts, alongside his background as an experienced gamer, provides an invaluable contribution and influence to the overall development process for creating the most fun hockey experience available.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Rick Nash be part of the 2K Sports family,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Nash is one of the marquee names in the NHL today. He is a true gamer and there is no player more fitting to represent NHL 2K9 as we bring high quality fun to hockey video games for another year.”

NHL 2K9 is being developed by Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio, and is not yet rated by the ESRB. NHL 2K9 will be available this fall for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. For more information, please visit www.2ksports.com.

b-Dub
May 15th, 2008, 01:22 PM
It's nice to see 2K get up and coming superstars for their cover athletes. I think Nash is very deserving of this honor.

I'm looking forward to the changes that will be made to the game, to see how they improve on last year's effort. Can't wait for more info. :thumbsup:

Cee_Nasty_00
May 15th, 2008, 01:36 PM
Awesome, I was thinking maybe Malkin but Nash is a very good choice and lol @ Crosby if he doesn't cover for EA's 09.

Grandmaster D
May 15th, 2008, 01:59 PM
Visual Concepts has taken over the development duties for NHL 2K9 and are building a brand new experience from the ground up with the ultimate goal of creating an addictively fun sport simulation of the NHL that will be available this fall.
[...]
“The set of new features they’re adding is really going to make this game special for hockey fans - I’m hoping they give me a couple extra points to my player rating this year!”
So there was truth in the rumors over at 2khockey. Can you tell us if the game will use the same engine as the last ones with some tweaks and gameplay/modi-wise "new features" or is it a completely new one?
I really hope the 2k8 controls won't be abandoned but honed a little.

LordStanley Esq
May 15th, 2008, 03:46 PM
From the Ground up eh? Hoo boy, where is this one heading.....Good luck anyway visual concepts, and way to go landing Nash for the Cover

Cee_Nasty_00
May 15th, 2008, 07:07 PM
So there was truth in the rumors over at 2khockey. Can you tell us if the game will use the same engine as the last ones with some tweaks and gameplay/modi-wise "new features" or is it a completely new one?
I really hope the 2k8 controls won't be abandoned but honed a little.

Too early for him to comment on, He will get fired if he discloses info that wasn't supposed to be disclosed yet and we don't want that to happen to him :) and fourth he might not even know as he might just play messenger and thats all.

CrazyCougar
May 15th, 2008, 08:22 PM
So there was truth in the rumors over at 2khockey.

Yup, its officiallly public knowledge now and not a rumor. Visual Concpets is in, Kush is out for the NHL series. Details on gameplay and new features will be posted as they become available for release to the press and public. Just, not yet...sorry. But I'll tell you this, most will be quite pleased with NHL 2k9!!! The game is going to be simply amazing. :)

2K Admin Ron
May 16th, 2008, 11:36 AM
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/nhl_experts/post/How-Rick-Nash-became-the-new-NHL-2K9-cover-boy;_ylt=AvKyLlqCaktmJbfXsleMYAB7vLYF?urn=nhl,8283 1

FSOTG
May 16th, 2008, 01:03 PM
Great choice for the cover athlete and I can't wait to hear some news and see some footage of NHL 2K9!

kcxiv
May 16th, 2008, 03:36 PM
Visual Concepts is the best Sports gaming studio there is.

FSOTG
May 16th, 2008, 06:49 PM
I really hope they won't change the faceoffs or the new controls to much, I really love them now. Maybe some tweaking here and there but not much.

Cozmicoz
May 19th, 2008, 09:04 AM
THANK GOD!!!

This series needs a COMPLETELY new direction. Period.

New menus, NEW AUDIO, new options, NEW CONTROLS, and a NEW LOOK.

It's time to reinvent hockey the way that EA did with NHL 07, but better.

I don't care if Visual Concepts sacrifices the already confusing mishmash of sliders and options (not to mention bugs), and creates a more streamlined, straight-forward game of hockey.

God Speed.

Cozmicoz

2K Admin Ron
May 19th, 2008, 10:29 AM
If I wasn't allowed to disclose something, I wouldn't have disclosed it in my message. That was the official release about the Cover Athlete, so yes it is now common/official knowledge about NHL 2K9.

Hank
May 20th, 2008, 11:42 AM
THANK GOD!!!

This series needs a COMPLETELY new direction. Period.

New menus, NEW AUDIO, new options, NEW CONTROLS, and a NEW LOOK.

It's time to reinvent hockey the way that EA did with NHL 07, but better.

I don't care if Visual Concepts sacrifices the already confusing mishmash of sliders and options (not to mention bugs), and creates a more streamlined, straight-forward game of hockey.

God Speed.

Cozmicoz

Well said. There were things I liked about 2K8 but this series has gotten so stale. From the horrible presentation to the visuals, it needs a complete make-over.

Good luck VC!

sf49steve1
May 30th, 2008, 01:01 PM
Yup, its officiallly public knowledge now and not a rumor. Visual Concpets is in, Kush is out for the NHL series. Details on gameplay and new features will be posted as they become available for release to the press and public. Just, not yet...sorry. But I'll tell you this, most will be quite pleased with NHL 2k9!!! The game is going to be simply amazing. :)
I've heard this song and dance before.

Thought I'm glad they are rebuilding from ground up, because 2K's hockey games have been terrible!

I'm cautiously optimistic, though it will tough to match NHL09.

yambag021
June 2nd, 2008, 08:02 PM
not a big nash fan, but i am a big fan of seeing a 2k9 in the works (sorry 2k devs, i know u said there would be one, but i was pessimistic....)

BruinsHockey08
June 11th, 2008, 08:20 AM
I disagree with you Yambag, I think Rick Nash is a great choice, I wish he got more exposure in America, because this kid is a great player but he's overshadowed by the Crosby's and Ovechkin's.

RoadDoggFL
June 11th, 2008, 08:32 AM
I agree. I'm loving Nash as a selection, all Florida fanboyism aside (I'd love to see Booth on a cover).

NTq
June 12th, 2008, 12:11 PM
Rhinehart is a Sharks fan yet he has failed to add the "Skate through the Sharks mouth" opening at the Shark tank to the 2k series (it's in the gretzkey games) he doesn't have the California Golden Seals as alternate jerseys for the Sharks (which has more of a connection than the northstars/wild, altlanta/calgary. Not to mention the Sharks are a better team than calgary every year (with the exception of 04) and aren't even rated in the 90's? I could go one, but that's some of my main gripes.