With the latest news of EA extending their NFL license deal and 2K losing the license for NCAA basketball, 2K Sports is in a crucial situation. Any wrong wrong move could result in a major disaster.

What can they do when they are losing exclusive license left and right? Are they doomed?

Nope they are not doomed, but they need to start changing and work on some plans quick or else the company is goin down the hole.

Here are some plans in my opinion that would help the company dominate the sports gaming food chain.

1. Simplify Game Development

Programming

I like what 2K Sports did with the APF2k Abilities how they simplified the Ratings for each players. This feature should be added in ALL of their games and take out the Old ratings system. Allow the ability for the programmers to create and input players easily to cut time and cost. Create a framework that allows the ability to easily add new features into the game. By making it easier and simple, this will save the company money.

Graphics

License a top notch graphic engine, 2K Games recently license the Unreal Engine 3 which is a good move. This engine should be used in all of their games to help cut the development and time cost.

Animation

License animation engines such as Endorphine, animation engines that simulate real time animations. No need to hire extra people to do motion capture, this all takes time and takes away development cost.

All of this will simplify and speed up game development. This will free up more money that will be used for MARKETING.

2. Brand Development

First of all, what is the 2K Sports brand?  when you think about 2K Sports what image comes to your mind? Hmmmm.....give up?...... none! You only think of their logo right?

2K Sports doesn't really have a strong image and this is one of the reasons why they do not stand out.

2K Sports Branding

Think about Apple vs PC. Apple has their own image that stands out, while PC is just a PC. Apple did not have an image before, but now when you think bout Apple, you think about iPod, and their kick ass designs. 2K Sports need to create this type of branding.

2K Sports needs a strong image that will market their brand that is different from any one else. When you think about EA Sports, who do you see? You see John Madden right? You see an image that connects a person to the brand everyday, every year and into the future that people instantly recognize.

2K Sports does not have this connection. And this is one of the areas that they need to focus on if they ever want their brand to be recognizable. They need an iconic symbol that people can relate to, that people already know, and then hang on to this iconic symbol and groom it every year, and implant it into every person.

The Iconic Symbol

Who can this iconic symbol, person be?

This person needs to be respectable, he needs to be in television most of the time, he needs to have charisma and knows what he is talking about. A person that the masses can connect and relate to.

Do you know who it is?

Michael Buffer !

Who else captures the essence of sports other than Michael Buffer's "Lets Get Ready to Ruuuuuuuumbbbbbbleeeeeee!!!"

 This tag alone captures everything about 2K Sports.

Michael Buffer could be included in every 2K Sports game, and also be a part of the commentary team. He will become the voice of 2K Sports that everyone can connect to.

And when someone says "Lets Get Ready to Rumble," You will instantly know that its 2K Sports.

2K Sports should hire this guy exclusively for 10 years. Of course he will be expensive, but if 2K Sports wants to create a strong brand image, then it is worth it in the long run.

3. Marketing

Once Michael Buffer has signed in, you now have a well known figure with a kick ass tagline that can market the 2K Sports brand image.

And with every event that he goes to, he has to wear or promote the 2K Sports brand. And everyone will have their eyes on him and all they see will be 2K Sports. He will be the 2K Sports image, the 2K sports voice.

So imagine, would you choose John Madden or Michael Buffer? Do you want to hear someone go Boom! Pow! Ping! or you want to hear..."Lets Get Ready to RUUUMMMMMBBBBBLLEEEEEEE!"

Think about it, which one has the greatest effect on a gamer? Michael Buffer!

Everyone gets hype when you hear his tagline. EVERYONE, it is just exciting, and this excitement should be brought into 2K Sports.

4. Community Relations

2K Sports need to connect with their community of gamers, allow and help the gamers spread the word about their game. Maybe offer affiliates, and partnership with top gamers that can promote their brand.

5. Partnerships

2K Sports need to partner with companies that can promote their game. This is how Windows and Bill Gates took over the world. They just partnered with PC makers and told them to install their software.

2K Sports needs to do the same thing,  they need to  partner with companies that are well known. Partner with Coke, Pepsi, Samsung, Cell phone, Clothing Line, Shoes etc. and offer free Xbox Live downloadable addons to all people who buys those products.

Partnerships is a strong way of marketing 2K Sports brand to a lot of people.

6. Charity Events

2K Sports need to start sponsoring charity events. They need to create their own charity event that will help kids become future athletes in what ever sports they want to get in to. They could start a 2K Sports basketball, football, hockey programs for inner city troubled kids.

By doing this, 2K Sports is helping the community as well as promote their brand in a positive way. It is a win win situation for everyone.

7. High School and College Tournaments and Clubs

Bring the 2K Sports brand into high school all over the country by sponsoring the 2K Sports High School tournament.

Create 2K Sports High School club by allowing fans to sign up and start their own club in their own High School.

Very easy way to promote the 2K Sports brand by connecting with the fans.

Conclusion

So is 2K Sports ready to kick the bucket? Nope! Unless they follow my plans, 2K Sports will dominate the sports gaming world.