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With the anticipated launch of EA Sports College Football 25 this summer, fans are growing more excited by the day. The last version, NCAA Football 2014, was released nearly 11 years ago on July 9, 2013, due to challenges with compensating players featured in the game. With those hurdles overcome, let's examine what we know about the upcoming game and three features that are must-haves!
What Do We Know About The Game
When is the game being released? That is THE most important question we currently do not have an answer to. EA Sports has announced a full reveal set for May, which is likely to include the actual release date, expected in mid-July.
A recently announced feature is that the game will include multiple broadcast teams. The broadcasters assigned to a game will depend on its significance. For instance, if you play your season opener against Kennesaw State, Rese Davis and Desmond Howard may cover the game. Later in the year, if your team is having a successful season, Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit could cover a top-10 showdown against Ohio State.
What else is currently known about the game? Let's do a quick recap:
Cover Athletes - According to Matt Brown with Extra Points, there will be multiple cover athletes representing the various power conferences. Each athlete will be a current player, with only one player used from each position. Many people, including College Football Dawgs, thought Nick Saban would be on the cover, but that seems unlikely.
Players Signed - More than 10,000 players have agreed to a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal to appear in the game. They will receive a copy of the game and $600 as compensation. Notably, Texas quarterback Arch Manning is one player who has opted out of the game.
Game Engine - The game will use the same engine as EA Sports' Madden franchise.
Game Modes - Dynasty mode and Return to Glory are returning, with updates including the addition of the transfer portal, NIL, and a 12-team College Football Playoff.
Trophies - The Heisman Trophy will be featured, but other awards like the Maxwell Award will not be included in this year's version.
Teams - In February, EA Sports confirmed the game will feature 134 FBS schools. It's important to note that coaches will not appear in the game, so do not expect to see Lane Kiffin or Ryan Day roaming the sidelines.
Three Features That Must Be In The Game
The game is expected to have an overwhelmingly successful launch, potentially selling millions of copies to fans who have waited over a decade to get their hands on it. Here are three features that are must-haves if EA Sports wants to truly surprise and delight fans this year:
Authentic Gameday Experiences
A significant part of the allure of college football is the game day experience and traditions at many schools. Whether it's Virginia Tech running out to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" or thousands of Badger fans jumping around before the fourth quarter, these sights and sounds make the college football experience uniquely thrilling.
What if the game included the wave that the Iowa Hawkeyes and the opposing team do for kids and their families at nearby Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital? Or Ralphie running onto the field for Colorado? Or Oklahoma's Sooner Schooner?
Incorporating these traditions would elevate the gameplay experience to a whole new level!
Historical Players And Teams
Imagine adding Jim Brown to your Syracuse backfield and watching him dominate opponents, leading your team to the ACC championship. Or consider playing as the 2005 Texas Longhorns during their debut year in the SEC, with Vince Young sprinting down the sidelines at Razorback Stadium. Are these scenarios realistic? Not exactly, but a reminder this is a game, and this feature promises over-the-top fun!
EA Sports has adopted a similar approach in several of its other sports games. For example, its NHL series allows you to play with all-time greats like Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe. Similarly, Madden 24 offers the ability to play as former legends such as Steve Young and Deion Sanders in its Madden Ultimate Team mode.
NFL Draft Prep
If this year's game continues to let players export their characters to Madden, EA Sports should also include various activities that college players engage in to prepare for the NFL Draft. This could encompass being invited to the combine, participating in a Pro Day at your school, and receiving invitations to post-season all-star games such as the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, or the East-West Shrine Bowl.
This feature would greatly enhance the Road to Glory mode, where players create and develop their own character throughout their careers. Imagine the thrill of navigating this journey and receiving a final evaluation of where your player might be drafted in the NFL, down to the specific team, round and pick!
Is It Really In The Game for EA Sports?
EA Sports' iconic slogan, 'If it's in the game, it's in the game,' promises that their video games authentically replicate real sports experiences. By including the three features discussed above, the EA Sports College Football video game could truly meet these lofty expectations.
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