When Did 2K Take Over WWE?
The world of professional wrestling has seen a significant shift in the video game industry, with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) franchise being a prime example. For years, the WWE games were published by THQ (THQ Inc.), but in 2013, the reign of THQ came to an end, and 2K Sports took over as the publisher of the WWE games. This change marked a new era for the WWE video game franchise, and in this article, we’ll take a closer look at when 2K took over WWE and what this shift means for the future of the franchise.
History of WWE Video Games
Before we dive into the 2K era, let’s take a quick look at the history of WWE video games. The first WWE game, MicroLeague Wrestling, was released in 1989, and since then, there have been numerous games in the franchise. The franchise has seen its fair share of ups and downs, with THQ publishing the majority of the games. THQ’s last WWE game, WWE ’13, was released in 2012, marking the end of an era.
The Rise of 2K Sports
In 2013, 2K Sports, a renowned sports game publisher, announced that they would be taking over the WWE franchise from THQ. This was a significant move, as 2K Sports was known for their success in the sports game genre, having published popular titles like NBA 2K and MLB 2K.
The First 2K WWE Game
The first WWE game published by 2K Sports was WWE 2K14, which was released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. This game marked a new era for the franchise, with 2K bringing their expertise in sports gaming to the table. The game received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, setting the stage for the future of the franchise.
The 2K WWE Roster
Over the years, the WWE roster has seen many changes, with new wrestlers being added and old ones departing. The 2K WWE roster has included iconic wrestlers like John Cena, The Rock, and Sasha Banks, as well as newer stars like Finn Bálor and Braun Strowman.
A New Era for WWE Video Games
The shift to 2K Sports marked a new era for the WWE video game franchise. With their expertise in sports gaming, 2K Sports brought a new level of realism and authenticity to the games. The franchise has continued to evolve, with new features and game modes being added to each iteration.
Comparison to THQ Era
Compared to the THQ era, the 2K era has seen significant improvements in terms of graphics, gameplay, and overall experience. The games have become more realistic, with detailed character models and environments. The gameplay has also seen improvements, with new modes and features being added.
Table: WWE Game Release Dates
| Year | Game Title | Console | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | MicroLeague Wrestling | Commodore 64, Atari ST | |
| 1992 | WWF European Rampage Tour | Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS | |
| 2012 | WWE ’13 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | |
| 2013 | WWE 2K14 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | |
| 2014 | WWE 2K15 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| 2015 | WWE 2K16 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| 2016 | WWE 2K17 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| 2017 | WWE 2K18 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| 2018 | WWE 2K19 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| 2019 | WWE 2K20 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| 2020 | WWE 2K Battlegrounds | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | |
| 2022 | WWE 2K22 | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
Conclusion
In conclusion, 2K Sports took over the WWE franchise in 2013, marking a new era for the franchise. With their expertise in sports gaming, 2K Sports brought a new level of realism and authenticity to the games. The franchise has continued to evolve, with new features and game modes being added to each iteration. From WWE 2K14 to WWE 2K22, the franchise has seen significant improvements in terms of graphics, gameplay, and overall experience. With the future of the franchise looking bright, it will be exciting to see what’s in store for WWE fans.