Backbreaker 2 announced before Backbreaker even hits store shelves

"There really isn’t much to say about this one yet, other than it looks like Natural Motion wants to make it clear Backbreaker is going to be a franchise. Obviously, for a game like this to be successful when it’s competing against something as established as Madden, it’s going to be difficult to get sales the first time around just due to brand loyalty. So even if Backbreaker turns out to be terrible, we are glad to see Natural Motion isn’t willing to give up easily."

[cain141]

If one is good enough, I might actually care. But I want to play a demo first...

[Qbanj69]

This is going to be really really sad... when nobody buys the first one and they have to shut down part 2.

[pimpmaster]

why does this game even exist? blitz tried and failed. you cant do a football game withought nfl license

[shoinan]

Backbreaker, huh? Yeah, not sold.

[cain141]

It uses the euphoria engine that was in Star Wars Force unleashed. So the hits and the player responses to those hits are the big selling point from what I have read.

[Clumzyagent]

I guess these guys can't just sit around while they wait to see if BB is a success. Mentioning it was probably a bad idea though.

[midi]

Just cant see this doing anything in the UK.

[cain141]

Ironicly it is a UK developer...

[BetaChris]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see what the big deal about Backbreaker is just yet - seems like it's just trying to be Blitz: The League without using NFL licensed players.

[iceman06]

The over-the-top title hints at Blitz style gameplay. However, it is actually striving to be closer to real football than the outrageous nature of Blitz. The BIG DEAL is that it is using the Euphoria physics engine to drive collisions. This means that every tackle, every collision, every block is rendered on the fly...no more canned animations. This brings variety to a sport where the interactions, at least in video game form, can get a bit mundane after playing several games.

[italianbreadman]

Give me 1997 and NFL Blitz!

[uscore]

Jumping the gun just a little, you think?

[CYCLEGAMER]

People are so closed minded when it comes to franchises they have known forever which would be madden (the most overated football game ever) in this case. I wish EA didn't have the NFL license, I guarantee you will see better football games when it is over, but Madden doesn't have any competition at the momment. I hope the makers of Backbreaker make a basketball game, that would be pretty awesome to see.

[skip2mylou]

back in the days of like 1999 NFL 2k raped madden :) but then ea got scared and bought out the NFL license for it

[orange-skittle]

How can 2K be out in 1999(Hence the name 2K)? You're an idiot. The 2K series started in 2000 with NFL 2K(Randy Moss of the cover). There was no 99. 2K started on the Dreamcast which was launched on Sept. 9, 1999(09/09/99), so how could there be a football game if the season already started. Where do they find idiots like this?

Seriously...are you that dumb? The Dreamcast was not launched with a football game. Really. Enjoy being suspended for a few days and dropping a bubble you moron.

[skip2mylou]

dude are you serious i just showed you proof that nfl 2k came out in 1999 and i never even said dreamcast started out with 2k.

[Dellis]

Its damn a Tech Demo

[iceman06]

but if this so called tech demo actually provides a framework for an excellent game...who knows. Madden isn't the same Madden that it was when it started. Nor was NFL2K the same game that was once on the Dreamcast. Everybody has to start somewhere. I, for one, just hope that the competition from this game will get the Madden devs to innovate and not stagnate! Competition is good for the industry and I think sports games probably get more from this competitive nature than any other genre.

[crapgamer]

There hasn't been a good football game since ESPN NFL 2K5. EA and Madden screwed over themselves and football fans with their greed.

[cpuchess]

That's the primary reason why people don't like Madden. Not because it doesn't do things right but becausee they have an exclusive license.

I don't see any other company making Killzone or Gears of War so one can say they have a monopoly too

[CYCLEGAMER]

@cpuches.....no the only reason why most people don't like Madden is because they were basically selling people the same game from 04-08 without any real improvement. They have only recently started to make good improvements and Madden sadly still isn't better than NFL 2k5 (close but not quite).

As for your second comment about other companies making killzone or gears (which is funny), I don't know if you know this or not but EA/Madden did not invent football games (i know its a shocker...lol) Epic games created Gears of War, Killzone was developed by Guerrilla games. All sports games have multiple developers except NFL, that is why EA has a monopoly on football games and that is why that statement can be said about EA/Madden.

[orange-skittle]

Again with the ignorant comments. Madden is a SPORTS game! It's not an original IP. before EA bought the license in 2006, there were multiple NFL games because the license was shared amongst other developers. EA bought ALL football licenses to stop 2K Games from showing that they can make a better game. They bought the NFL, AFL, NCAA, CFL, and the ESPN license along with it, so that there would be no competition. It wasn't because it was up for sale as they stated in a press release. It was because they wanted it all. If that was the real reason...why did they buy the ESPN license that 2K owned first? They never included ESPN in any of their games once they bought it except for ESPN radio. Even the new Madden has Fran Charles and Alex Flanagan who are on the NFL Network.

[Topshelfcheese]

man you uninformed are funny...but I already explained that in another reply.

Anyway, there's a reason APF 2K8 only sold 80k copies, it's cause the game sucked, it's UI graphic's looked like they were from the SNES days.

[Father Murder X]

When does the NFL license expire for EA. I am thinking that several companies are going to pool together to outbid EA this time around or make in non exlcusive.

[Topshelfcheese]

I really wish you people would do some research, before making blind statements.

The "NFL" wants the license to be exclusive so they can have better control over the content. EA didn't offer to buy exclusivity, they were just the highest bidder when the NFL made the move.

The deal has been renewed once already without other being able to bid, so I wouldn't get your hopes up, as long as EA is making money, and the NFL is happy, it will stay were it is.

[iceman06]

The license was renewed to go with some Madden anniversary. So, once that season is over...the bidding will begin again. The big problem is that I don't think that any other dev has the deep pockets of EA...so I predict more Madden exclusivity. That is certainly not my wish...but it remains my prediction.

[jermaine98]

i cannot wait till its over im tired of madden so bad if this game had license it would b better than maddden...

[cpuchess]

I am glad they will be sticking around because I think it has potential. The lack of information about career mode, half time shows, commentators, online league etc etc raises some concern for me

[Goozay]

Wow... just wow. This could be one of the stupidest marketing moves ever! Annoucing a second game before the first one hits shelves.
Most people who are willing to give this game a chance (which btw aren't that many in the first place) aren't going to want to spend money on a first game knowing that the second game probably will come within a year or so.
Stupid, stupid developers

[CYCLEGAMER]

Your statement does not make sense...
@cpuches.....no the only reason why most people don't like Madden is because they were basically selling people the same game from 04-08 without any real improvement. They have only recently started to make good improvements and Madden sadly still isn't better than NFL 2k5 (close but not quite).

As for your second comment about other companies making killzone or gears (which is funny), I don't know if you know this or not but EA/Madden did not invent football games (i know its a shocker...lol) Epic games created Gears of War, Killzone was developed by Guerrilla games. All sports games have multiple developers except NFL, that is why EA has a monopoly on football games and that is why that statement can be said about EA/Madden.