There are always rumors about FIFA 2K. For the first time, the Take-Two CEO comments on this and makes it clear that the FIFA rights alone would not help. Nevertheless, the door is ajar
It’s been more than two years since EA SPORTS and FIFA ended their partnership. The developer continued the series with EA SPORTS FC, and the world soccer association wants to compete with its own game.
However, it is still unclear when FIFA’s soccer simulation will enter the field. Although the president of the association, Gianni Infantino, has occasionally spoken pithy words, there are no public results. A question that concerns many: Who will even develop the first FIFA without EA SPORTS? Again and again there are rumors about 2K Games, which has some experience in the sports business through NBA 2K or WWE 2K.
Take Two Interactive, the parent company of 2K Games, has not officially commented on this for a long time. In the company’s recently published earnings call, CEO Strauss Zelnick has now broken the silence. “We are aware that it is incredibly difficult to develop a great simulation experience for consoles. It takes time,” opens the 67-year-old.
FIFA licenses alone are not enough
The biggest challenge, however, is the licenses. The FIFA rights alone would not bring much. After all, they don’t come with “players, teams or leagues”. The negotiations are “not as easy as with the NFL, NBA or MLB, for example, where you simply talk to the league or the players’ association”. So “if you want to compete in the soccer simulation market, you can’t just deal with a specific brand license”. A nod to Infantino, whose bargaining chip is the brand name.
At the same time, Zelnick explains that Take Two Interactive and 2K Games see no need to develop another soccer game. With Top Eleven, they have the most successful mobile soccer manager in their portfolio, as well as NBA 2K, WWE 2K, PGA Tour 2K and, last but not least, Top Spin 2K25. “I’m sure we’ll be making further announcements in due course,” concludes Zelnick.
A rejection of FIFA? Take Two Interactive is not really showing its cards, but the door seems to be at least slightly ajar. But: The world soccer association may have to work hard to convince the developer