After a ten-year absence, the iconic video game franchise returns this summer with EA Sports College Football 25.
Developed by EA Orlando, the team behind the successful Madden series, it promises to be a truly authentic and immersive college football experience.
EA Sports College Football 25’s recent teaser trailer serves as a prelude to the game’s official May reveal, offering a glimpse into the future of college football gaming. It goes beyond its Madden counterpart, incorporating unique assets, playbooks, mascots, and the rich traditions of various universities.
Yeah, It’s really happening! Coming this summer. Full reveal in May #CFB25 pic.twitter.com/yMMXz7OeR8
— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) February 15, 2024
A key factor in the game’s revival is the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) rule change. Under the new rule, college athletes can receive compensation for their likenesses in products such as video games. EA Sports has partnered with OneTeam Partners to facilitate deals with players, who will receive compensation by opting in. Those who choose not to participate will be replaced with generic avatars.
However, the journey has been far from smooth. The legal hurdles and concerns about fair compensation for player likenesses posed challenges for years, ultimately preventing a new entry from being made for over a decade.
But now, fans can look forward to seeing their favorite modes – Dynasty, Road to Glory, and Ultimate Team – return. Not all schools have agreed to be part of the game yet, but negotiations are ongoing.
EA has offered athletes upfront payments as part of a $5 million package, with an average of $500 per athlete, although some athletes have advocated to receive higher compensation. The release window aligns with the traditional late July to early August launch timeframe of previous NCAA Football titles, suggesting a return to the series’ roots while embracing the new era of college sports.
Interestingly, this would also put it curiously close to the usual release window of EA’s own line of Madden NFL games.
While this hasn’t stopped EA from releasing both Madden NFL 13 and NCAA 13 within just a month of each other, it’ll be interesting to see how these two will coexist and if they’ll affect each other’s market.
After EA Sports FC and Madden NFL, EA Sports College Football is EA’s third annual sports sim. So far, its reign on the gridiron and pitch have remained uncontested but 2K could be looking to change that next year.
