For the past 15 years, 2K Games has been known almost exclusively for the NBA 2K series. NBA 2K has its problems, but it is head and shoulders above EA’s NBA Live games, which is rare considering how EA’s Madden, NHL, and FIFA games dominate their respective markets. Recently, 2K has been moving to re-enter or enter other sports markets. The NFL 2K series was widely regarded as a superior series to Madden until EA secured the exclusive rights to the NFL in gaming following NFL 2K5. A few months ago, 2K re-secured a hold in the football market with an agreement with the NFL to make football games. Wednesday however, 2K announced that they would be entering a more standard market that hasn’t seen a new game since 2015: golf.
There has not been a popular golf video game since the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series ended in 2013. EA tried to restart the series with Rory Mcllroy PGA Tour 2015, but the game hasn’t been updated since then. It looks like EA may have missed their chance to bring back the series because 2K and The PGA announced a new partnership on Wednesday, and a new game – PGA Tour 2K21 – along with it.
We do not know when the game will release, but the announcement promises that it is coming soon, and there seemed to be game engine footage in the short trailer. If NBA 2K is anything to base expectations on, you should be able to play as your favorite golfers, compete online, and experience life as a pro in a story/career mode. There will also probably be some way to spend way more than you pay for the actual game for upgrades and cosmetics.
Regardless, a new game in a market that has been neglected for over five years is exciting, and release information for the game should be coming soon.