WWE 2K14 News Post

WWE 2K14 Arrives This Fall, Five Year Deal Announced

11:39 AM - February 20, 2013 by Steve_OS

It appears that the WWE and 2K are five year business partners minimum, with Yukes being retained to develop the game which will release this fall. In a release sent to ESPN today, it appears 2K's work on NBA 2K is what impressed WWE officials the most. When 2K officials were approached, they saw a similar type of fit for WWE in their gaming lineup.

�We�ve looked at the WWE franchise with respect for a long time,� said Jason Argent, 2K Sports� vice president of marketing. �There are a lot of similarities that we see, from the size of the franchise to the demographics of the franchise, and they fit in very well with what we�ve done with NBA in terms of development and marketing. We thought we could add tremendous value right off the bat and down the road. We�re super excited to get an agreement in place.�

2K will be using Yukes this year in conjunction with the team at Visual Concepts. In the future, a hybrid model of Visual Concepts and Yukes developing the game looks to occur for now, with changes to that plan obviously possible in the future.

Added Argent: �Everything that we�ve done with NBA is what we�re trying to contribute to WWE. So the growth that you�ve see in the NBA franchise from the authenticity in the game to the excitement of the marketing that surrounds it is all something we expect to add to the franchise. We�re going to create one hell of a video game franchise.�

Are you excited about the prospects?

UPDATE: Here is the press release. Is the offical name WWE '14 or WWE 2K14?

2K and WWE� Announce Exclusive Multi-Year Agreement
for WWE Video Game Series

2K and WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that they have entered into an exclusive multi-year agreement granting 2K the exclusive worldwide rights to publish the critically acclaimed WWE video game franchise across all major platforms and distribution channels. The series, which will continue to be developed by Yukes in Japan, will combine the studio�s signature gameplay with 2K�s commitment to authenticity in WWE �14, the latest iteration of the popular, long running series. With the addition of the WWE franchise, 2K will continue a highly-successful, 15-year tradition established by past WWE titles. Financial terms were not disclosed.

�The WWE series is a great addition to our stable of triple-A titles, and we�re very happy with this exclusive agreement with our new partners,� said David Ismailer, Chief Operating Officer for 2K. �We look forward to capturing the excitement of WWE and marrying it with the same commitment to authenticity and entertainment that we give to our NBA 2K and MLB 2K franchises.�

2K has a strong history in growing premier sports simulation titles, evidenced by the incredible commercial success of the NBA 2K series, with more than 15 million units of NBA 2K11, NBA 2K12 and NBA 2K13 sold-in to date worldwide. This year, in the first week of its release, NBA 2K13 sold 49 percent more copies in the same time frame than the franchise�s previous record-holder, NBA 2K11.

�2K�s reputation for outstanding quality and dedication to authenticity are a perfect fit for WWE,� added Casey Collins, Executive Vice President, Consumer Products for WWE. �This new partnership will ensure that WWE continues to be one of the leading video game brands in the world and we look forward to continuing the franchise with the benefit of their expertise across a variety of platforms.�

�The development work on the WWE franchise is impressive, and we�re excited to combine our background in developing the NBA 2K series with theirs in this new partnership,� concluded Greg Thomas, Executive Vice President of 2K Sports. �Fans can expect the most authentic WWE experience on game consoles this fall.�

Developed by Yukes, WWE �14 is not yet rated by the ESRB and will be available for consoles in the fall of 2013.

Game: WWE 2K14Hype Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 15 - View All

WWE 2K14 Videos

Member Comments

# 41 Sandhu246 @ 02/20/13 09:08 PM

WWE 2k15 will be the big step forward. I don't see 2k14 any better than WWE 13 other than a few features. Do you think they will add my career like in NBA? Hope so. That would be amazing.

# 42 PhilsPhanatic927 @ 02/20/13 09:18 PM

I enjoyed WWE '13, I may pick '14 up.

# 43 Houston @ 02/20/13 09:30 PM

The MLB series was pretty bad from 2K. NBA 2k graphics are amazing but the game still is broken in areas. This was a horrible move as 2K will destroy this game. If you never seen the player models on MLB 2K maybe you should and I pray they don't screw up the player models on a wrestling game but rest a sure the game will have a ton of glitches.

# 44 OriolesFanRD @ 02/20/13 09:37 PM

Judgement

Reserved

# 45 shaunbot @ 02/20/13 09:59 PM

It'll probably never happen but I'd kill for a game that involved some classic WCW moments like the Attitude era moments this year. Playing as the nWo or Four Hoursman, playing some of the classic crusierweight match ups. With a robust selection of WCW stars.

Heck I'd even play a ECW version of it.

One can dream.

# 46 SkillzKillz719 @ 02/20/13 10:03 PM

I have no idea how games like these are more popular than college basketball games...

This really isn't meant to come off as hate, but I guess maybe I just haven't ever got into the serious, but the simple fact that keeps getting to me is that it is all "fake" and for show.

I guess I'm just putting food for thought out there.
Without hate some one care to explain why this franchise is doing so well?

# 47 Hooe @ 02/20/13 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkillzKillz719


	Without hate some one care to explain why this franchise is doing so well?

In short, there are a lot of pro wrestling fans and the WWE is by far the most publicly visible wrestling organization in the United States, possibly in the world.

There's a reason Monday Night Raw is "the longest running weekly episodic program in television history" (did I get that Michael Cole quote right, guys?).

That, and the game is actually pretty good. I think its strengths have always been competitive multiplayer, its fast action which at least looks like real life even if it doesn't quite play like real life, and its robust creation and customization suite. Singleplayer has always been hit-and-miss in these games, unfortunately, due to legacy AI issues and scattershot design in the campaign mode over the course of multiple releases.

# 48 Majingir @ 02/20/13 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkillzKillz719


	I have no idea how games like these are more popular than college basketball games... This really isn't meant to come off as hate, but I guess maybe I just haven't ever got into the serious, but the simple fact that keeps getting to me is that it is all "fake" and for show. I guess I'm just putting food for thought out there. Without hate some one care to explain why this franchise is doing so well?

WWE is fake, but if anything, that'll be even more reason to play the games, cause the games will have a realistic sports feel to it.

Playing video games based off a movie or something isn't really fun cause all you do is just replay the movie in video game form or something, and while WWE is scripted too, once you go into video game mode, the "it's fake" factor is no longer a consideration as to a reason to hate the game cause once you get into video game mode, you can basically do whatever you want on it in terms of created characters, wrestling companies, tag teams, attires, matches and all that.

And WWE has a huge loyal following. Fans loyalty to WWE is like sports fans loyalties to their team. lol, almost a mix between sports fan loyalty and the stereotypical loyalty you see people having to something like Star Wars or something lol.

Another big reason is that WWE is WORLDWIDE. Things like Madden,NBA,NCAA are mostly just USA games.

NCAA 2010 had almost 600k people buy their games in North America and a combined 40,000 in rest of the world.

WWE 13 has about 1M people buy their games in North America and a combined 940k in rest of the world.

NBA 2K13 with a combined 620k from outside NA

Madden 13 with a combined 590k from outside NA

# 49 jyoung @ 02/20/13 11:24 PM

In terms of sales, the WWE franchise is on about the same level as NCAA Football:

WWE 13 = 1.81 million units sold
NCAA Football 13 = 1.63 million units sold

The NCAA Basketball series were doing much worse before they both got canned:

NCAA Basketball 10 = 0.59 million units sold
College Hoops 2K8 = 0.28 million units sold

# 50 SkillzKillz719 @ 02/20/13 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CM Hooe


	In short, there are a lot of pro wrestling fans and the WWE is by far the most publicly visible wrestling organization in the United States, possibly in the world. There's a reason Monday Night Raw is "the longest running weekly episodic program in television history" (did I get that Michael Cole quote right, guys?). That, and the game is actually pretty good. I think its strengths have always been competitive multiplayer, its fast action which at least looks like real life even if it doesn't quite play like real life, and its robust creation and customization suite. Singleplayer has always been hit-and-miss in these games, unfortunately, due to legacy AI issues and scattershot design in the campaign mode over the course of multiple releases.

Alright so the gameplay is actually good and allows for customizable things. Fair enough. I have played games that aren't my genre like Hitman, but end up falling in love with the game because I love how it plays.

# 51 SkillzKillz719 @ 02/20/13 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Majingir


	WWE is fake, but if anything, that'll be even more reason to play the games, cause the games will have a realistic sports feel to it. Playing video games based off a movie or something isn't really fun cause all you do is just replay the movie in video game form or something, and while WWE is scripted too, once you go into video game mode, the "it's fake" factor is no longer a consideration as to a reason to hate the game cause once you get into video game mode, you can basically do whatever you want on it in terms of created characters, wrestling companies, tag teams, attires, matches and all that. And WWE has a huge loyal following. Fans loyalty to WWE is like sports fans loyalties to their team. lol, almost a mix between sports fan loyalty and the stereotypical loyalty you see people having to something like Star Wars or something lol. Another big reason is that WWE is WORLDWIDE. Things like Madden,NBA,NCAA are mostly just USA games. NCAA 2010 had almost 600k people buy their games in North America and a combined 40,000 in rest of the world. WWE 13 has about 1M people buy their games in North America and a combined 940k in rest of the world. NBA 2K13 with a combined 620k from outside NA Madden 13 with a combined 590k from outside NA

And then this answered my question on the following. I guess a loyal fan base + good gameplay = successful games.

Thanks guys! Now I won't shake my head in silence anymore when reading these articles. lol
Might have to rent it some time or something.

# 52 Majingir @ 02/20/13 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	In terms of sales, the WWE franchise is on about the same level as NCAA Football: WWE 13 = 1.81 million units sold NCAA Football 13 = 1.63 million units sold

Where you get that from? I got:

WWE13-1.93M sold(940k from outside NA)
NCAA13-1.63M sold(120k from outside NA)

Not to mention,NCAA came out almost 4 months AFTER WWE did. So WWE is over a quarter of a year behind, and has 300k more sales. That doesn't sound too close to me.

# 53 jyoung @ 02/21/13 12:25 AM

That sales figure you've got for WWE is including the Wii version.

I was just counting the Xbox 360/PS3 sales since those are the only platforms NCAA Football releases on.

# 54 bigbob @ 02/21/13 12:28 AM

For anyone expecting major changes this year, they'll be disappointed.

They're basically going to continue with what Yukes already has right now and then, the way I read some quotes earlier, possibly dump them whenever they get their own engine going.

I do expect little things like the 2-count glitch unless it's a transition pin to be fixed.

# 55 PVarck31 @ 02/21/13 12:44 AM

I think integrating VC into the development process is a good thing. We all pretty much agree Yukes is stale. VC has a history of making quality games. Yes, MLB2K is the black sheep, but not all the versions were developed by VC. NHL was a good game, better than EA's NHL for a while by most accounts. Then of course football and basketball, both quality series'.

I would feel more comfortable with VC at the helm than many other developers personally.

# 56 Majingir @ 02/21/13 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbob


	For anyone expecting major changes this year, they'll be disappointed. They're basically going to continue with what Yukes already has right now and then, the way I read some quotes earlier, possibly dump them whenever they get their own engine going. I do expect little things like the 2-count glitch unless it's a transition pin to be fixed.

That's basically what I said. WWE 2K14 will be WWE13 with the bugs/glitches fixed up, and 2Ks touch to the game with their servers,menu design, and WWE Today feature.

# 57 Rockie_Fresh88 @ 02/21/13 01:41 AM

[quote=theCP;2044730796]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mars5541


	Lol They're coming out this year bro... Watch the Sony conference at 5 est[/ So they may announce a new console today. That doesn't make me wrong, "bro." As I said... "it ain't official 'til it's official" - 2k has not said anything about their first WWE game being on a new console. If the new consoles come out later this year and this game IS released for them, we can't expect a totally new experience this short out. It would be at least the 2k15.

Did I piss in your coffee? I wasn't going at u. Not that serious ..

I didn't say u were wrong .

# 58 Rockie_Fresh88 @ 02/21/13 01:52 AM

I don't see a big change coming yet BUT

IF keyword IF it does come to next gen 2k could start a blank slate there IMO

# 59 BDKiiing @ 02/21/13 01:55 AM

I'd preorder it today if I could.

# 60 PVarck31 @ 02/21/13 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mars5541


	I don't see a big change coming yet BUT IF keyword IF it does come to next gen 2k could start a blank slate there IMO

Why wouldn't it come to next-gen? They have a 5 year deal. I would say its about as close to a sure thing as you could possibly get. I would say it would be one of the most shocking decisions ever if they just stayed on this gen.

« Previous 1 234 Next »

More Links

WWE 2K14 Arrives This Fall, Five Year Deal Announced