EA Sports is making its grand return to college football.
After eight long years since the release of the classic NCAA Football 14, sports gamers will finally be able to take control of their favorite college teams in the rebranded “EA Sports College Football.”
“We’ve heard from the millions of passionate fans requesting the return of college football video games,” said Cam Weber EA Sports executive vice president and general manager. “I am beyond thrilled to say we are back in development.”
What we know
Partnering with the collegiate licensing company, EA has gained the rights to over 100 FBS schools, as well as their traditions, uniforms, and playbooks. The new franchise plans to deliver “authentic college football experiences” with “high quality gameplay.” As of right now, the game will not feature rosters that include names, images, or likenesses of real college players.
Currently NCAA athletes are prohibited from selling their name and likeness, but that could be changing in the near future. When asked about the possibility of adding real rosters into the game, EA Sports vice president and general manager Daryl Holt said, “That won’t be a problem for us. But it’s really, that’s not an answer for us right now to decide.”
EA’s licensing agreement allows it to be the only publisher of simulation college football experiences. All but closing the door on 2K’s possible return to the NCAA football realm.
There is no word on a release date yet, other than that it will not be releasing in 2021.
All in all, this is fantastic news for gamers and college football fans alike. Players have been clamoring for a return to the college football gridiron for almost a decade now. There’s a reason why copies of NCAA Football 14 with Michigan’s Denard Robinson on the cover still go for upwards of $100 on ebay.
The NCAA Football games always showcased tremendous presentation, great dynasty mode depth, awesome playbooks, and really captured the feeling of college football Saturdays.
Here’s to hoping that EA Sports can breathe that kind of life into its new iteration 2022 and beyond.
