2K reaches deal with NFL to make football-themed video games

The NFL reached an agreement with 2K Games that will allow the company to develop video games with the league license for the first time since 2004, according to ESPN's Arda Ocal.

It's a "multi-year partnership encompassing multiple future video games," Ocal reports.

The deal allows 2K to create non-simulation game experiences, which means they could feature a more unrealistic, arcade-type style.

"As more people play more games than ever before, we have been increasing our efforts and looking to expand our footprint in the space," NFL vice president and head of gaming and esports Rachel Hoagland said, according to Ocal. "It just seemed to make sense as a natural step in that direction to revive our partnership with 2K."

The sides have discussed several platforms, including both consoles and mobile devices, but nothing has been confirmed. The release schedule and number of titles are also yet to be determined.

Electronic Arts (EA) owns the exclusive rights to creating NFL-based simulation games, which it's used to create the Madden NFL franchise since 1988. However, those rights expire at the end of the 2021 campaign, a source told Ocal.

"EA Sports is the exclusive publisher of NFL simulation games, and our partnership with the NFL and NFLPA remains unchanged," EA wrote in a statement shortly after the announced partnership between 2K and the NFL. "Our 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. ... 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."

The NFL 2K franchise spanned from 1999 to 2004. The final 2K offering prior to EA's exclusive agreement was ESPN NFL 2K5.