2K Developing LEGO Sports Games
TT Games no longer has exclusivity over the development of LEGO games on consoles. 2K has signed a new partnership with LEGO to create several sports games based on the toy line. The first of those titles will be a soccer game followed by a racing game next year.
How many LEGO sports games is 2K developing?
2K currently has three sports games in progress, according to Video Games Chronicle. The first of those is a football/soccer title that is in development at Sumo Digital, the studio behind Sackboy: A Big Adventure. Details about this title are scarce although it is expected to release towards the end of 2022 to coincide with the FIFA World Cup that’s due to begin in November.
The second of the three titles is a racing game in development at Visual Concepts, the same game that sparked rumors of a Midnight Club revival a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to those job listings, we know this one will be an “open world driving game” with some form of multiplayer aspect that is “fun for all ages”. This one is expected to be released in 2023.
Finally, there is a third title “based on a major sports franchise” but there are no details about this one yet. All three titles could potentially feature characters from licenses like Marvel, Harry Potter and Star Wars, as well as LEGO’s many internal lines.
The deal adds further proof to the rumor that LEGO will no longer be extending their console exclusivity contract with TT Games. There are apparently several reasons for this. Firstly, LEGO is unhappy with recent claims of poor working conditions at TT Games. There is also uncertainty over Warner Bros. future in gaming following recent acquisitions. Finally, decreasing sales of LEGO titles has meant the company wants to broaden its output in the hope they can have a bigger role in the video game market. TT Games is currently working on Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and one other unannounced LEGO title, but it’s unclear whether they’ll create any more LEGO games once those two have been completed.
In other news, Shadow Warrior 3 will be added to PlayStation Now on its day of release, the first ever title to do so. This has sparked rumors that Project Spartacus may soon be revealed. Elsewhere, Guerrilla Games has confirmed they are concentrating on the visual issues players are encountering in Horizon Forbidden West’s performance mode.
