2K revealed that pro golfer Justin Thomas will be the first official cover athlete forPGA 2K21. The title is 2K’s inaugural effort with the license and will release August 21 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia.
Regarding the reveal, Thomas, the 2017 PGA Championship and FedEx Cup winner, said, “Being chosen to be the first-ever cover athlete for the premiere PGA TOUR 2K game is a tremendous honor. I’m excited to join the 2K family and challenge players everywhere on the digital links.”
RELATED:PGA Tour 2K21 Game Announced
PGA 2K21will feature 11 other PGA Tour pros and the game will showcase 15 licensed courses that have been meticulously reproduced with innovative scanningtechnologyto ensure that they match the real-world venues that these athletes play on. Everything from fairways to water hazards will be faithfully recreated in-game to ensure the experience is as authentic as possible. Additionally, players will be able to create their own locales with a robust course designer. As with any sports game, there will be broadcast-style presentations featuring instant replays and play-by-play commentary of all the action.
The game will also feature a career mode, allowing gamers to challenge for the right to be called FedEx Cup champion. Players can also sport various brands and equipment before taking on opponents in online multiplayer with a variety of game modes to choose from. Alternate shot, stroke play, skins, and scrambles are all available and will give the game a high amount of variety right out of the gate.
The PGA Tour license has been in limbo since it was jettisoned by Electronic Arts after a nearly 30-year run. Golf superstarsTiger Woods and Rory McIlroywere the previous faces of the franchise before the PGA Tour took the brand toThe Golf Clubfrom HB Studios. 2K has a strong history of excellent sports titles going back to itsbreakout successon the Sega Dreamcast as Visual Concepts in 1999.
While golf games have always been a staple of console gaming, it has been some time since this category has had mainstream market appeal. Titles likeMario Golf: World Tourand the uniqueGolf Storyhave tried to take the sport in different directions with varying degrees of success. It remains to be seen whether 2K can reinvigorate the genre or if it will need another breakout superstar like Tiger Woods to really draw gamers back.
PGA Tour 2K21is scheduled to launch on August 21 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia.
