2K Games announces partnership with NFL to produce multiple non-simulation football games

2K Games has announced a multi-year partnership with the National Football League encompassing multiple future video games, which marks the return of football-themed titles to 2K’s lineup of sports games.

The games will be “non-simulation football game experiences” and are in early development for launch starting in 2021. Specific game titles, developers, and release dates will be announced at a later date.

“The NFL is one of the most successful sports brands in the world, known for creating incredible entertainment for fans,” said 2K Games president David Ismailer. “We’re thrilled to be back in business with the NFL in a partnership that will span multiple video games centered on fun, approachable, and social experiences. It’s exciting to bring together 2K’s expertise in creating award-winning sports games with the NFL’s renowned status as a world-class entertainment and sports organization.”

NFL senior vice president of Consumer Products Joe Ruggiero added, “Expanding the NFL’s presence in the world of gaming has become a focus for the League as we look to grow the next generation of our fanbase and reviving our partnership with 2K was a natural step in that effort. 2K is a worldwide leader in sports video games, with a proven track record of creating best-in-class and award-winning games and we look forward to sharing more about the projects we are working on with them in the future.”

It should be noted that this agreement does not allow 2K Games to develop National Football League-branded football simulation games. Electronic Arts, which is the exclusive publisher of those games, released its own statement on the partnership.

“EA Sports is the exclusive publisher of NFL simulation games, and our partnership with the NFL and NFLPA remains unchanged,” Electronic Arts said in the statement. O”ur agreements have always allowed for non-exclusive development of non-simulation games on various platforms. Our commitment to NFL fans, which spans almost 30 years, has never been stronger, and we’re having our biggest year yet. Madden NFL 20 is the most successful game ever in the franchise, and new modes like Superstar KO and our Madden NFL eSports broadcasts are growing the fan base. We’ll be building on that momentum with more new and different experiences, on more platforms and with new ways to play, in the years to come.”