Visual Concepts Finally Returning to Football Field

[fitbabits]

Finally confirming what very many have hoped for since the release of NFL 2K5 (still my favorite football game by a country mile), GameSpot (http://www.gamespot.com) is reporting that 2K Sports and Visual Concepts are set to unleash All-Pro Football 2K8 this summer on next generation platforms.

You can read more here (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164995.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6164995).

...Visual Concepts is returning to football with All-Pro Football 2K8. The game is scheduled for release on "next generation video game systems" this summer.

"Football gamers have been awaiting the return of the 2K series," said Visual Concepts president Greg Thomas. "All-Pro Football 2K8 will deliver an authentic next generation gridiron experience and we are happy to give fans another choice in the football category."

However, it's unclear what sort of players and teams will fill up All-Pro Football 2K8's rosters. While Blitz had the luxury of spicing up a roster of nobodies with gratuitous violence and performance-enhancing substances, Visual Concepts has an affinity for authentic simulations. One possiblity is 2K will opt for signing popular players of years past to fill out its teams, with Hall of Famers spanning decades going toe-to-toe against each other. However, that kind of roster would require 2K Sports to sign deals with each player individually.
This is HUGE news for me. Bigger than Halo 3, bigger than Mass Effect, bigger than Half-Life 2: Episode 2, even.

[Disgustipated]

YES!!!!! NO MORE MADDEN! THE 360 HAS A NEW FOOTBALL CHAMPION!

Fuck you Electronic Arts!!

[Jarvis]

I will pre-order this game the minute I hear you can edit player and team names. I might buy it even if you can't but it would really need to be beyond amazing.

[fitbabits]

I just checked the official site (http://www.2ksports.com/games/football2k8/) and this is what they have to say:

ALL-PRO FOOTBALL

We’re coming out of retirement to satisfy our employees, 2K fans and those passionate about the sport of football.

More information TBA.

[biscuitdough]

sweet, i said the last football game i'd ever buy would be 2k5 because i thought the price point was reasonable for a 1 year update and because they actually tryed to switch things up and take chances. i really hope that they get some teams to sign on individually, and that the price is still 20, or maybe even 30 for next gen. cant wait to see some screen shots to see how much better it is than madden

[The Continental]

CFL rosters here we come!

In all honesty though it doesn't matter which roster they use as I've always preferred Madden to the far more arcadey 2K series. That's not to say I don't believe EA having exclusive rights to the NFL license is the biggest crock of shit in gaming, because it is.

But while the 2K series always had Madden beat as far as new features (online leagues) and a better implementation of shared features (franchise mode), the core gameplay of Madden always felt tighter and more realistic than 2k. Regardless, I hope this title does well if only to make the NFL have second thoughts about renewing the exclusivity deal with EA.

[Sandman]

This is the best news ever...no more Madden for me!!!!!

but I'll still have to buy NCAA each year.

[jpublic]

A 2K Games football sim of CFL would be the first football game I bought...ever.

[rein]

If they do not have NFL teams and rosters (and they do not) this is a train wreck waiting to happen. It will not fly with the general public. Heck, I like NFL 2K5 and I am not interested without real NFL teams and rosters.

[Adam Blue]

This is the best news I've heard in a long time. Wait 'till you see the innovation the new Football games will bring now...

[fitbabits]

If they do not have NFL teams and rosters (and they do not) this is a train wreck waiting to happen. It will not fly with the general public. Heck, I like NFL 2K5 and I am not interested without real NFL teams and rosters.
I bet you prefer FIFA to Winning Eleven as well. Gameplay counts for me, not licensed content. I'd rather play a game with a team called the Indiana Panthers, featuring Jake Smith at quarterback, than a half-assed piece of crud with the Indiana Colts with Peyton Manning.

Your reasoning is part of just why EA Sports can get away with the crap they do with the Madden franchise.

[TDiddy]

I can finally have fun while playing a football game again.

[jeffool]

Shit, I may buy this on principle alone. I don't even like football too much, but I enjoyed their sports games well enough.

[rein]

I bet you prefer FIFA to Winning Eleven as well. Gameplay counts for me, not licensed content. I'd rather play a game with a team called the Indiana Panthers, featuring Jake Smith at quarterback, than a half-assed piece of crud with the Indiana Colts with Peyton Manning.

You're reasoning is part of just why EA Sports can get away with the crap they do with the Madden franchise.

You're absolutely correct. The problem is, there are more people out there like me than there are people like you. :)

I did not mind what Blitz did with the non licensed content. It made sense and fit in that world but if they are going for a simulation type game, it's hard to get into a fantasy world of Jake Smith and the Indiana Panthers. Especially if the competition has it. I'm not saying I like it that way, it is just the way it is. I would be none the happier if EA lost the exclusive contract and VC was able to do a proper NFL game. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

[Xerxes]

I bet you prefer FIFA to Winning Eleven as well. Gameplay counts for me, not licensed content. I'd rather play a game with a team called the Indiana Panthers, featuring Jake Smith at quarterback, than a half-assed piece of crud with the Indiana Colts with Peyton Manning.

Your reasoning is part of just why EA Sports can get away with the crap they do with the Madden franchise.

What?! I though Jake Smith got traded to the Chicago Popsicles... I hope the Arizona Rattlesnakes get Gary Jones in the draft. That boy can play.

[Franjo]

Why not high school football? You tell me how many copies that will sell around the states in high school crazy towns. Although I'm basing all of this from movies like Varsity Blues and Friday Night Lights.

[jeffool]

Why not high school football? You tell me how many copies that will sell around the states in high school crazy towns. Although I'm basing all of this from movies like Varsity Blues and Friday Night Lights.No, that's absolutely a great move. Just have a way to trade teams with other people on Xbox Live (as well as obviously with memory cards and HDDs) and it's genius.

[J Arcane]

Why not high school football? You tell me how many copies that will sell around the states in high school crazy towns. Although I'm basing all of this from movies like Varsity Blues and Friday Night Lights.
Super Play Action Football for the SNES had what I still think was one of the coolest modes of all time.

It was a "High School" mode, where you got to name your own school, design your own jersey, and then play out games against various made up schools. It also doubled as the lower difficulty setting, with a simpler playbook.

It was a nice way to play a little football without dealing with digging into the sim-heavy end of things, but also without going all arcade-y either.

I don't think I've seen a single game yet that's captured the coolness of that feature.

[Xerxes]

Mutant League Football... :-P

[J Arcane]

Mutant League Football... :-P
A Visual Concepts developed Mutant League game could be quite sweet.

Even better would be one developed by the team from Midway back when Blitz was fun instead of shit.

Sadly neither of those things will ever happen.

[jeffool]

Actually Mutant League Football was created and is owned by Electronic Arts, so, that's a no go.

Besides, they want to keep it real, and I'm for whatever they're for.

[bjornbarspingvinen]

PRE-ORDER! Great news, EA has driven my interest of the NFL to the bottom since their exclusive NFL deal. NFL2k5 kicked so much ass!

[bjornbarspingvinen]

You're absolutely correct. The problem is, there are more people out there like me than there are people like you. :)

I did not mind what Blitz did with the non licensed content. It made sense and fit in that world but if they are going for a simulation type game, it's hard to get into a fantasy world of Jake Smith and the Indiana Panthers. Especially if the competition has it. I'm not saying I like it that way, it is just the way it is. I would be none the happier if EA lost the exclusive contract and VC was able to do a proper NFL game. Unfortunately, that is not the case.


Try Winning eleven, that´s soccer!

[maja]

Here's what they need to do....
*edit player names
*edit team names
*edit team uniforms
*edit team mascots
*place your face on a player like in Rainbow Six Vegas
*build your stadium

Heck, you can make your own NFL or CFL or High School or whatever you want it to be! That would rock! Oh, and use the Unreal 3 engine :D

[bapenguin]

Awesome news....awesome awesome news. Frankly I wouldn't care if we only had city names and player #s for the teams. As long as the color scheme was similar it's all good.

[TheHammerGod]

...the core gameplay of Madden always felt tighter and more realistic than 2k.

Yikes, I'll disagree on that point. Unless Maddens turn-overs to even the game score was a realistic feature and not bad design.

[bjornbarspingvinen]

Awesome news....awesome awesome news. Frankly I wouldn't care if we only had city names and player #s for the teams. As long as the color scheme was similar it's all good.
It´s great news. I think VC will have lots of custumization availible for this game, everything from color schemes, logos and 360 camera support. Anyhow, the big thing is , atlast I can play a football game that´s great again. I hope they return their presentation along with the PBP guys, animation package and allround greatness :)

CAn´t way to see some screens, or even better, the game in motion. 2k/VC has always kicked EAs ass when it comes to animation.

[phantomhitman]

omg there isa jebus!!!

[Xerxes]

the core gameplay of Madden always felt tighter and more realistic than 2k.
Is it opposite day again? :confused:

[phantomhitman]

Is it opposite day again? :confused:
that would be my assumption as well...

[rein]

Try Winning eleven, that´s soccer!

I have played Winning Eleven. You are missing the point. The majority of people get attached to real NFL teams and players. They like that connection when playing a video game based on the NFL. If anyone thinks that VC's All-Pro Football will match Madden in sales (or even their old 2K5 sales) they will be in for a rude surprise. It will not matter if All-Pro football is 'better' than Madden. All people will see when they go pick up a football game is that one has the real NFL teams and players and one does not.

[Xerxes]

I have played Winning Eleven. You are missing the point. The majority of people get attached to real NFL teams and players. They like that connection when playing a video game based on the NFL. If anyone thinks that VC's All-Pro Football will match Madden in sales (or even their old 2K5 sales) they will be in for a rude surprise. It will not matter if All-Pro football is 'better' than Madden. All people will see when they go pick up a football game is that one has the real NFL teams and players and one does not.

If it's that innovative we will see.

[the soUL TRAder]

I hope it's $70; I hope you can only choose between uniforms the color Pink or Fuscia;
and don't care if there are only 100 of us that buy it.

Being president wouldn't bring me a greater sence of superiority.

Kinda how I felt when 2k4 was ESPN football and I was winning championships playing FirstPersonFootball style.

But if all of you want to jump on the bandwagon now, and play a superior football simulation, that's cool too.

[Trazzlo the Magnificant]

Originally Posted by rein:
The majority of people get attached to real NFL teams and players. They like that connection when playing a video game based on the NFL. If anyone thinks that VC's All-Pro Football will match Madden in sales (or even their old 2K5 sales) they will be in for a rude surprise.

Actually, I agree with you. People do like the connection but I think you are underestimating the effects of people knowing young players in their own community, their own local team names, their own high school names where they or they kids go.

I could see this being big, if for no other reason than there is no reason not to get both games. What is there not is one game and no competition at all. Some people will buy this simply for that reason. Some buy it out of their attraction to the underdog. Some buy so they can "play them all".

I think it might also bring interest in high school football. People might come out to more games if they also had this. It could be a stellar community builder; one which would make the link to the "big names" who you never really get to meet up with appear ever so more distant.

Plus, after a few years to see a young player migrate from one game to the other ... would that not be great? Seeing talent before anyone else.

Not to mention, a fairly major (and influential) part of the gaming community happen to be either going to that high school, or are recent graduates. Hmmm.

Sorry, I place myself rather firmly into the side that thinks this sort of game might be wonderful. And, I would never buy the EA game. It's just not my cuppa tea.

[DjinniMan]

This is great news. I had just the Gamecube for the longest time, and couldn't play the 2k5 game. So for the past few years, I have been playing NFL Blitz Pro. I just can't get into Madden, it is far from a pickup and play game, and since I'd likely be playing it with my kids, that is important to me. Arcadey > Real life, after all. Put in a few Hall of Famers adn I am absolutely sold on this.

[PsychoticVile]

I have played Winning Eleven. You are missing the point. The majority of people get attached to real NFL teams and players. They like that connection when playing a video game based on the NFL. If anyone thinks that VC's All-Pro Football will match Madden in sales (or even their old 2K5 sales) they will be in for a rude surprise. It will not matter if All-Pro football is 'better' than Madden. All people will see when they go pick up a football game is that one has the real NFL teams and players and one does not.

Sadly your are correct most people are stupid like that and will probably dismiss it at first. However if it has superior gameplay to Madden and word of it starts getting around people will start picking it up. Because even with Madden by the time you get 5 to 10 seasons into a dynasty you are playing with made up players anyway that come in through the draft. They only constant are the uniforms and team names and if you only play a game because it of that it's just sad.

[jeffool]

I had a pal who was a 'casual gamer who impulse bought an Xbox'. He found out that VC wasn't making any more football games, so he was dejected. His wife bought him the new Madden next year to be kind, but he ended up playing 2k5 again anyway. He was so adamant that 2k5 was better that after I told him there was a way to update rosters, he googled it, went and bought an Action Replay, and eventually modded his Xbox. Dude went a little overboard, but love of a good game does that to people.

[DubiousQuality]

As long as this is Visual Concepts deving the title and not Kush, it very well may turn out to be damn awesome. If its Kush doing it, well you need just look at MLB2k6 and NHL 2k7 to know that they can't put out a good non bugtastic title to save their lives.

The hockey line especially has been a bug riddled mess the last few years and with how good NHL 07 turned out on 360 this year, should EA go in the same direction while fixing some of the issues with 07, (ie defensive play) EA may very well for the first time ever put out a better sports title 2 years in a row than their 2k counterpart when it comes time to ship their 08 hockey campaign.

[Franjo]

As long as this is Visual Concepts deving the title and not Kush, it very well may turn out to be damn awesome. If its Kush doing it, well you need just look at MLB2k6 and NHL 2k7 to know that they can't put out a good non bugtastic title to save their lives.

The hockey line especially has been a bug riddled mess the last few years and with how good NHL 07 turned out on 360 this year, should EA go in the same direction while fixing some of the issues with 07, (ie defensive play) EA may very well for the first time ever put out a better sports title 2 years in a row than their 2k counterpart when it comes time to ship their 08 hockey campaign.


You're absolutely 100% correct. I believe KUSH only deals with the hockey series and not the football series. I know this football game will be handled by a good team, I don't think it would land on KUSH's lap. They handled hockey just because the market share isn't there like NBA2k7 and football games.

I've been a hardcore NHL2Kx fan since day one. But NHL2k7 just seemed boring to me no matter the settings, if NHL08 has stepped up defense controls it will be the king. I completely dropped hockey and have picked up NBA2k7 for the 360. You can see the difference in development quality between it and NHL2k7, I haven't been able to put it down.

[Dakar]

If they make fully editable rosters/teams/players, watch out. It could end up being that all you have to do is download community made rosters that are complete NFL conversions.

I will be pre-ordering this ASAP though, this was the best football franchise and 2k5 is still better than Madden. A few years ago I said I would never get a generic football game. It's taken 2 Maddens for me to change my mind. I didn't even buy a football game this year (first time in a looooong time) because I was unimpressed with Madden again after a rental period.

This and A Song of Ice and Fire on HBO proves God loves me.