NEWS: EA Sports to Release New PGA Video Game as 2K Competitor

Well, it looks like that 2K has some competition in the golf video game space.

Coming soon. 🎮👀

EA SPORTS PGA TOUR, a new next-gen golf game.

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 29, 2021

Just weeks after Tiger Woods announced his signing with 2K, EA announced their plans to release a PGA video game, filled with features that they say 2K’s offering in the marketplace, PGA Tour 2k21, doesn’t have. Woods had left EA in 2014, and after one year of Rory being the cover athlete, the game stopped being produced. Hence, this will be EA’s first PGA game in 6 years. 

While release dates and intended platforms have yet to be announced, EA did make it abundantly clear that the game will bring the “sights, sounds, and thrills of the PGA Tour including The Players Championship, FedExCup Playoffs and more unforgettable events” to the everyday player. 

Another big draw is the claim that as opposed to PGA Tour 2k21, EA’s new game will allow players to play with, against and as some of the biggest names in golf. This comes as a big blow to 2k, where fans desperately wanted to play as Tony Finau, Justin Thomas or Bryson DeChambeau, but weren’t given that option. Of course, 2K could add an update to future iterations, but for now, EA will have the only game to offer that feature. 

Where EA may not be able to compete, however, is in regards to the draw that golf’s most iconic  figure, Tiger Woods will have on golf fans. Woods, as mentioned earlier, signed a long term exclusive deal with the company. 

I’m excited about partnering with @PGATOUR2K and getting back into the video game space. We will have a ton of fun competing on the virtual links. pic.twitter.com/kk4Koirybr

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 29, 2021

2K is obviously very excited about the blockbuster deal, as this could have huge positive consequences, especially in regards to their competition with EA in the relatively small golf video game market. 

“Woods’ partnership with 2K includes rights for his name and likeness to appear exclusively in the PGA TOUR 2K franchise, as well as any other golf games published by 2K during the partnership term. Woods will play an active role in the video game landscape as an Executive Director and consultant with PGA TOUR 2K, while 2K will also partner with Woods’ TGR Foundation, which provides award-winning STEM curricula and college-access programs to offer underserved students the tools needed to thrive in school and beyond,” 2K said in a press release about the deal.

A smart play by 2K, to keep building on the success of their first entry in the market, PGA Tour 2k21. 

Again, for now, EA has announced that a game is in the works, while 2K has said no such thing. Fans will for sure be interested to see how both of these producers create a captivating, creative and realistic golf game, with the resources available to them. 

Cover Image via Instagram