ESPN Video Game

ESPN, the cable television channel originally created in 1979, began as a small and rather obscure network and has slowly expanded into the worlds of movies, radio and more. Their original video games branch, dubbed ESPN Video Games, is famous for popular sports titles produced annually. In 2005, ESPN Video Games changed its name to 2K Sports, reflecting a move into video game development in the new millennium.

The network's name originally stood for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network but was officially shortened to ESPN in the mid-1980's. SportsCenter, the network's signature telecast, created a famous look that video game developers have clamored to integrate into their own video games. In fact, Sega acquired the license to incorporate the ESPN look and feel into their own sports games from the 2004 season through 2006. However, Electronic Arts owns the rights for 15 years beginning after the 2006 season.

The network originally broadcast lesser-known sports and events such as the World's Strongest Man competition, Australian Rules Football and the United States Football League. In 1987 ESPN acquired the rights to show NFL football games. All of the ESPN video games are based on the more popular sports.

ESPN was purchased by the American Broadcast Corporation (ABC) in 1984 which is now a part of The Walt Disney Company.

In 2005, ESPN Video Games changed their name to 2K Sports. This label is made up of several smaller studios that develop sports games which are distributed by Take Two Interactive. They have a reputation for innovation and graphical realism in sports video games.

Formerly known as ESPN Video Games, 2K Sports is now a larger sports video games developer that is comprised of three studios: Visual Concepts, Kush Games and Indie Built.

Visual Concepts is responsible for most games using the ESPN Video Games license. They develop in full the 2K Sports titles from start to finish in their California-based offices.

The NHL 2K and Major League Baseball games are developed by Kush Games. Situated in California, they create new games each year to be distributed by Take Two Interactive.

The oldest of the 2K studios group, Indie Built was founded in 1983 and is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Since their inception, Indie Built has produced over 37 titles for 7 different gaming platforms!

The ESPN Video Games/2K Sports label creates sports video games based on the most popular sports. Basketball licensed by the NBA, hockey supported by the NHL, college basketball and poker games are all a part of their repertoire.

2K Sports releases yearly updates to their sports games, each one cleverly titled 2K5, 2K6, etc., the number changing to reflect the year. Updates receive all the latest player info and stats along with graphical retouches, play mechanic tweaks and other improvements.

Here's a quick look at 2K Sports' release list for the rest of 2005.

• NBA 2K6 (Fall 2005)
• NHL 2K6 (Fall 2005)
• Amped 3 (Fall 2005)
• College Hoops 2K6 (Fall 2005)
• Top Spin 2 (Fall 2005)
• World Poker Tour (Fall 2005)

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