Are you a fan of college football? Do you miss playing your favorite video game series based on the sport? If so, you are in luck. EA Sports, the leading developer of sports video games, has announced that it will bring back its popular college football game series in the summer of 2024. The game, titled EA Sports College Football, will be a “next-gen” experience that will take advantage of the power and performance of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. It will also feature realistic and accurate representations of dozens of stadiums, detailed references for mascots, and exciting gameplay that captures the passion and excitement of college football.

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the upcoming game, including:

• How EA Sports obtained the licensing rights to use the names, logos, and uniforms of the college teams and conferences
• How EA Sports dealt with the new name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules that allow college athletes to profit from their brands
• What gameplay and features you can expect from the game
• When and where you can buy the game
• How much the game will cost

Let’s get started!

Licensing and NIL Deals: What You Need to Know

One of the main challenges that EA Sports faced in reviving its college football game series was obtaining the licensing rights to use the names, logos, and uniforms of the college teams and conferences. The previous installment of the series, NCAA Football 14, was discontinued in 2013 due to a lawsuit filed by former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon, who alleged that EA Sports used his likeness without his permission.

To avoid such legal issues, EA Sports decided to not use the NCAA name or logo in its new game and instead partnered with CLC, a collegiate licensing company that represents more than 100 schools. However, not all schools agreed to participate in the game, and some notable ones like Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Stanford opted out due to concerns over player compensation.

Another challenge that EA Sports faced was how to deal with the new name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules that allow college athletes to profit from their brands. EA Sports wanted to include real player names and faces in its game, but also respect the individual choices of the athletes. To do so, EA Sports teamed up with OneTeam Partners, a group licensing agency that represents several college athlete associations. OneTeam Partners will facilitate group bargaining deals for athletes who want to opt into the game and receive a share of the revenue.

However, this arrangement also sparked a lawsuit from The Brandr Group, another group licensing agency that represents dozens of Divisions I schools. The Brandr Group claimed that it had exclusive rights to negotiate NIL deals for athletes at the schools it represents and that EA Sports’ decision to work with OneTeam Partners was “tortious interference”. EA Sports filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in August 2023 and stated that it was still on track to release the game in summer 2024.

Here is a table that summarizes the licensing and NIL deals for EA Sports College Football:

Gameplay and Features: What You Can Expect

EA Sports has not revealed much about the gameplay and features of its new college football game, but it has hinted that it will be a “next-gen” experience that will take advantage of the power and performance of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. The game will likely be exclusive to these platforms, and not come to previous-generation systems.

EA Sports has also confirmed that it will use state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology to create realistic and accurate representations of dozens of stadiums across the country. The game will also include detailed references for mascots, such as Brutus Buckeye, Uga, and Ralphie. Additionally, EA Sports has said that it will bring back some of the fan-favorite features from its previous college football games, such as Dynasty Mode, Road to Glory Mode, and Campus Legend Mode.

Here are some of the gameplay and features that you can look forward to in EA Sports College Football:

• Play as your favorite college team and compete for the national championship
• Create your custom player and rise from high school to college to the NFL
• Manage your college program and recruit, coach, and develop your players
• Experience the atmosphere and traditions of college football, such as rivalries, bowl games, and awards
• Enjoy realistic graphics, animations, and physics that bring the game to life

Release Date and Price: When and Where You Can Buy the Game

EA Sports has not announced an exact release date or price for its new college football game, but it has said that it will launch in summer 2024. This means that fans can expect to play the game before the start of the 2024 college football season. The game will be available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

EA Sports has also not revealed if it will offer any pre-order bonuses or special editions for its new college football game. However, based on its previous games, EA Sports may offer some incentives for early buyers, such as exclusive content or discounts.

Here are some of the possible ways that you can buy EA Sports College Football:

• Pre-order the game online or at your local retailer and get access to some bonus content or a discount
• Buy the standard edition of the game that includes the base game and some basic features
• Buy the deluxe edition of the game that includes the base game and some extra features, such as more teams, modes, or customization options
• Buy the ultimate edition of the game that includes the base game and all the extra features, plus some exclusive content, such as legendary players, coaches, or uniforms
• Subscribe to EA Play, EA’s online gaming service, and get access to the game and other EA titles for a monthly or annual fee

Conclusion: Why You Should Be Excited for EA Sports College Football

EA Sports College Football is one of the most anticipated video games of 2024. It will mark the return of a beloved franchise that has been absent for more than a decade. It will also offer a realistic and immersive simulation of college football that will appeal to fans of all ages.

However, EA Sports still faces some challenges and uncertainties regarding licensing rights and player compensation. It remains to be seen how EA Sports will overcome these obstacles and deliver a satisfying and enjoyable game for its loyal customers.

If you are a fan of college football, you should be excited about EA Sports College Football. It will be a game that will let you experience the thrill and passion of the sport like never before. It will also be a game that will honor and respect the athletes who make college football possible.

We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about EA Sports College Football. Stay tuned for more updates and news about the game as it gets closer to its release date. Until then, keep cheering for your favorite college team! Go Tigers! Go Buckeyes! Go Crimson Tide! Go Ducks! Go Bulldogs! Go … (you get the idea).