so 2009 is coming and it was supposed to be the year the license expired

[Gtboys34]

for ea. Until of course they signed with the nfl till 2013. I just searched like hell for on google for anything 2k9 related and found nothing. I did find that Gta series is locked by take 2 up to 2012 though so hopefully they cotinue to produce more of those to get the company steered in the right direction. Take 2 just needs a larger profit margin in sales when and if they decide to release another football game. I personally think they'll wait for backbreaker to see what they do (as far as sales and popularity) to release another

[ElGreazy78]

Here's something I find very odd. BackBreaker did not come out this year as it was "originally" planned, but instead pushed back to 2009. APF did not come out this year with a 2K9 and have unofficially planned for the game to make a "bi-yearly" release (1 every 2 years).

BB is being developed as a Madden alternative. APF was created as a stop-gap Madden alternative until the NFL license was up for grabs again, which didn't happen, so now they can move on to other ideas.

Backbreaker is using the Euphoria & Natural Motion game engines to create a game nobody has ever seen before but as of now it's sitting on the shelf. 2K has their amazing football engine that's sitting on the shelf collecting dust. T2/2K already have partnered with the creators of Euphoria (BB developers) for use of the software on GTAIV and other games.

We have heard nothing from the 2K developers about anything moving forward involving APF, nothing. The guys from the BB boards have not received ANY update from the developers for almost 5 to 6 months after HEAVY developer/community feedback in the early month stages.

APF was "canned" because it didn't reach enough sales & met so-so reviews (bcuz it was a game created to test the market), so it was not included in the 2008 development cycle. NHL2K9 had just as much, if not less (can't remember the figures), sales than APF. Football is one of the highest rated programs and one of the sports that creates the highest revenues. T2 fought off EA this year from a merger, possibly thinking (knowing?) they have some good things up their sleeves.

Is this not somewhat coincidence? Is it too hopeful to think their may be something big coming? If not, at least their should be another Madden alternative next year (unless EA buys up BB, the developers & the int. props).

**crosses fingers**

[pats3912]

APF was canned cause EA sleezed there way into buying exclusive rights to all retired players through the NFL hall of fame and the NFLPA, causing "2k to back off from its plans of another APF". They were brought to court cause the NFLPA was caught sending emails that pointed out that they were helping EA get the exclusive rights to retired players at a huge bargain price which screwed alot of the legends. The retired players hauled the NFLPA into court and won in court and were granted 28 million from the NFLPA. However no further legal action has been takin by the FTC or Take Two to try and expose the collusion that has been revealed between EA and the NFLPA working together to keep Take Two and 2K out of the picture. It will be sad if no further action is takin to expose the anti-competitive acts and even if Take Two decides to do something about it, its probably gonna take a couple of years to investigate and bring this to a court room with enough evidence to stop EA's exclusive licensing.

heres the article on the whole situation from ESPN magazine:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3713403


at least its getting some national exposure.

[Numbski]

So far as we know, APF was not "canned". The "Bi-Yearly" part was brought up within a week of the game's release. Would you guys quit spreading rumors?

[Numbski]

APF was canned cause EA sleezed there way into buying exclusive rights to all retired players through the NFL hall of fame and the NFLPA, causing "2k to back off from its plans of another APF".

That isn't how the article says it. Here's what's actually there:

"EA owes me a huge favor because that threat [of no longer being able to use Hall of Famers] was enough to persuade Take Two to back off its plans, leaving EA as the only professional football video game manufacturer out there."

Note that "the threat of no longer being able to use Hall of Famers" is what is said, and it never says what plans. It doesn't say they can't use them. They can. They signed 3 year deals with all parties involved in the current title, and there are certainly non-HOF legends out there - heck, many very well should be inductees and just aren't.

Sit back, watch and wait. Take Two is doing just that, and it's the right thing to do. I doubt that they've sat there and done nothing all this time. Adding characters to a game is relatively easy - ask Tiburon that. :P I suspect that what will come of this is that EA has to pay damages to each every HOF'er that they use, which in turn will discourage them from using the HOF'ers. Also - I suspect a judge will rule that the NFLPA had no right to sign exclusive rights of all HOF inductees to EA, and in turn they will be free to sign with Take Two should they wish, and given EA's behavior, they'd be more than happy to do so.

Be patient people. This isn't over by a long shot.

[fldash]

Lets hope not... I'm praying for a 2k0 game... I don't even care if it has HOF players or real NFL players. We can always add/edit them in with rosters. I can't go back to Madden after experiencing this game play.

[Kdrontle]

I friggin' love this game. Keep this beast online and I believe I'll be happy for seasons to come... just like 2k5ers

[GhostRider]

That isn't how the article says it. Here's what's actually there:



Note that "the threat of no longer being able to use Hall of Famers" is what is said, and it never says what plans. It doesn't say they can't use them. They can. They signed 3 year deals with all parties involved in the current title, and there are certainly non-HOF legends out there - heck, many very well should be inductees and just aren't.

Sit back, watch and wait. Take Two is doing just that, and it's the right thing to do. I doubt that they've sat there and done nothing all this time. Adding characters to a game is relatively easy - ask Tiburon that. :P I suspect that what will come of this is that EA has to pay damages to each every HOF'er that they use, which in turn will discourage them from using the HOF'ers. Also - I suspect a judge will rule that the NFLPA had no right to sign exclusive rights of all HOF inductees to EA, and in turn they will be free to sign with Take Two should they wish, and given EA's behavior, they'd be more than happy to do so.

Be patient people. This isn't over by a long shot.


That is correct....Because 2k is actually paying these players, there is no conflict..

This bogus 'reason' is all over the internet

In reality, it is EA who is the one in trouble about it..

Frankly I think that the rights to ALL past players should be included with NFL rights anyways...I hate EA, but they should be allowed to make a true retro game that allows gamers to relive seasons past with FULL NFL rosters.

Same thing for 2k with Baseball.....Just like baseball Mogul does.You don't have to bcak as far...I think being able to start in the 70's would be sufficient.

[Valdarez]

I think BackBreaker was really only meant as a demo to start. I'm playing Blitz the League II right now and loving it. APF could have used a little Blitz in it (big hits, bone breaking / injuries).

[ElGreazy78]

I think BackBreaker was really only meant as a demo to start. I'm playing Blitz the League II right now and loving it. APF could have used a little Blitz in it (big hits, bone breaking / injuries).
I have that on my Gamefly Queue, can't wait to get it.

[Gtboys34]

hey val, do we still have that guy ronnie who worked for t2 around? i would love try and find some info from him or anyone. Also, if you care as much as i you could try searching for people off of the APF credits on myspace/facebook and get in contact with them to see if you can find anything. I even tried finding david ortiz (the former ea developer that quit) but unfortunately, his name is synonymous with another big time ortiz

[kcxiv]

I expect to hear something from 2K about another football game in the next month or 2. I dont have any inside info. Its just my gut feeling about a few things.

Anyways, i hope we get a new one, because its time.

[kcxiv]

hey val, do we still have that guy ronnie who worked for t2 around? i would love try and find some info from him or anyone. Also, if you care as much as i you could try searching for people off of the APF credits on myspace/facebook and get in contact with them to see if you can find anything. I even tried finding david ortiz (the former ea developer that quit) but unfortunately, his name is synonymous with another big time ortiz

I talk with Ronnie quite a bit. Last time i asked was a few months ago, and i got a nothing on the immediate horizon about a football game. I just got a the series is not canned.

[Gtboys34]

I expect to hear something from 2K about another football game in the next month or 2. I dont have any inside info. Its just my gut feeling about a few things.

Anyways, i hope we get a new one, because its time.
yeah i was gonna ask how they did it with the release of apf...was the first news to come from that gameinformer mag or some other source that said that they were gonna be showing "something" soon and then it appeared in GI? I also have a gut feeling that something big is in the works..

I talk with Ronnie quite a bit. Last time i asked was a few months ago, and i got a nothing on the immediate horizon about a football game. I just got a the series is not canned.
yeah i remember something about them saying the game wasn't canned too

[squitsquat]

2k just needs to make 2k5 for the 360... and i'll be fine with a football game for awhile

[Gunther]

I think BackBreaker was really only meant as a demo to start. I'm playing Blitz the League II right now and loving it. APF could have used a little Blitz in it (big hits, bone breaking / injuries).
Does it have online?

[roadblock]

if u ask me i just think they aint doin 2k9 cause they planning a monster like 2k10 so the only thing we should do is wait.

[pats3912]

That isn't how the article says it. Here's what's actually there:



Note that "the threat of no longer being able to use Hall of Famers" is what is said, and it never says what plans. It doesn't say they can't use them. They can. They signed 3 year deals with all parties involved in the current title, and there are certainly non-HOF legends out there - heck, many very well should be inductees and just aren't.

Sit back, watch and wait. Take Two is doing just that, and it's the right thing to do. I doubt that they've sat there and done nothing all this time. Adding characters to a game is relatively easy - ask Tiburon that. :P I suspect that what will come of this is that EA has to pay damages to each every HOF'er that they use, which in turn will discourage them from using the HOF'ers. Also - I suspect a judge will rule that the NFLPA had no right to sign exclusive rights of all HOF inductees to EA, and in turn they will be free to sign with Take Two should they wish, and given EA's behavior, they'd be more than happy to do so.

Be patient people. This isn't over by a long shot.


The deal has been terrific for Electronic Arts, which not only got the rights to the best players in football history at an apparent discount but also essentially eliminated its competition. Walker claimed in his February 2007 e-mail: "EA owes me a huge favor because that threat [of no longer being able to use Hall of Famers] was enough to persuade Take Two to back off its plans, leaving EA as the only professional football video game manufacturer out there."

its an exclusive right. read more carefully.

[pats3912]

"no longer being able to use hall of famers" means "no longer to be able to use hall of famers". period. 2K cant use them. done, gone, poof, goodbye, no more, not allowed. how many more ways do they need to say it before you come out of denial.

[fldash]

**** EA. How's that?

[pats3912]

they did sign some 3 year deals, but that was only with a small handfull of legends that wouldnt be enough to make up or fill a game. The EA NFLPA deal took a good handfull of players away. 2K is not gonna come out with a second legends game if they're gonna be limited to what legends they can have. they want a long term goal, not just some game that will have to end in 3 years when those 3 yeard deals expire.

[fldash]

I know they've stated they don't want to make a generic NFL game, so maybe this means it is dead... completely crappy.