When EA Sports announced the return of NCAA college football as a game, many questioned the likelihood of player likeness being included. After all, authenticity is a major part of sports simulation games. Many reports since the announcement reported EA would be working to figure out how to overcome the obstacle that originally saw their NCAA title shelved indefinitely. As of this week, we finally have an answer to that question.
EA Sports College Football to feature FBS player likeness
ESPN broke the news regarding EA and OneTeam coming to an agreement that allows FBS players to opt-in on having their names and player likeness included in EA Sports College Football. According to the OneTeam (the FBS partner handling contract negotiations) representative, all eligible FBS players who opt-in to have their likenesses in EA Sports College Football receive compensation for being placed in the game. Details like how much athletes get paid and how have yet to be finalized; however, EA Sports says the goal is to be “as inclusive and equitable as possible.”
Finally: EA Sports College Football is coming back next summer and FBS players will be able to be have their actual names and likenesses in the game.
EA Sports & OneTeam have a partnership in place, paving the way to make it happen, per @mikerothstein. https://t.co/JsktEzCcLL pic.twitter.com/WV2wj5bOwP
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 17, 2023
Additionally, OneTeam comments that in the event player influence of individual sales cannot be figured out, including for video game licensing, then “revenue will be divided equally among the athletes included in each licensing program.”
Opting in and opting out
According to ESPN, EA plans to go the distance when capturing player likenesses but there could be some obstacles. For those opting in, it is possible a face scan of their likenesses to be featured in the game. That said, it’s very possible not every athlete who opts in will receive a face scan due to the sheer quantity of FBS players across the country. More than 120 FBS schools have committed to being in EA Sports College Football along with all 10 FBS conferences and the College Football Playoff. EA Sports intends to have every FBS school in the game. Of course, those who opt-out will be replaced with an in-game avatar.
Remember, College Football will not be launching in July 2023 as initially reported. The game has been delayed until the summer of 2024.
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