The cries of almost eight years for the return of college football to our video game consoles were answered earlier this week. EA Sports announced, initially in very few words, that college football was returning to the mark for a game that was to be made in the near future. In particular, EA Sports avoided placing the four letters “NCAA” anywhere in its ad or later. Press release.
In the ESPN report, Michael Rothstein and Dan Murphy mentioned that the NCAA rules do not need changes for EA Sports to continue with an official title.
“Current NCAA rules prohibit EA Sports from paying players to use their names, images and similarities in the game,” they write. “If these rules are still in effect at the launch of the game, EA Sports intends to include real details, such as team names, mascots and uniforms, but nothing that resembles the real players in those lists. EA Sports has announced that it will stop playing college football in 2013, shortly before the company agreed to pay part of a report. $ 40 million to former college players to settle a lawsuit filed by former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon. The lawsuit alleges that it was illegal for EA Sports to sell a game with characters that looked strikingly like real athletes without paying those athletes. ”
Forbes sports and games journalist Brian Mazique told Deadspin that the absence of the “NCAA” title in the game will not affect the launch of the product, as they have already signed an agreement with the Collegiate Licensing Company.
“EA has obtained the CLC license, which gives them access to logos, uniforms, signature celebrations and shows from over 200 schools,” Mazique told Deadspin. “In fact, the absence [NCAA] the license could create even more freedom for developers to allow fans to create their own custom post-season structure. Playoff formats with 16 teams or maybe even 32 teams. Maybe even a return to a BCS-style system, though he would have called it something different. ”
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Creativity is at least in part what made the NCAA Football franchise so popular for starters. It also explains the euphoria surrounding his waiting return, says NBA 2K League correspondent and host HQ Trivia Jeff iron tape.
“Before online gaming and e-sports took off, NCAA Football had one of the most robust dynastic modes in sports video games, “Eisenband told Deadspin. “Research, recruitment, realignment of conferences, programming, these are things you could not do in video games based on professional sports. You could turn Bowling Green into the next Alabama if you wanted. ”
Even with a quick search on YouTube or Twitch, you’ll immediately see numerous recent videos with people who have removed their seventh-generation consoles (or personal gaming / PC) to play favorite games or modes for fans like Road To Glory or Dynasty. The fact that many of us were caught (and maybe we are still) at home during a global pandemic only added to the nostalgia, along with the fact that this announcement would have been even more welcome 10 months ago. As EA Sports’ previous football series disappeared after the launch of NCAA Football 14 in the summer of 2013, potentially newer college sports titles missed much of the online game, as well as an increase in e-sports, which they could eventually capitalize on their launch. Colleges have even begun building e-sports programs in recent years, making it appropriate to attend a sports video game in college.
“I think online gaming could be interesting, especially here at the college level,” Eisenband added. “Could you have college athletes who represent their schools and actually play as teams, with logos, T-shirts, etc.?” There will be some legal parameters, but there is a way to do this that benefits everyone: student-athletes, student-players, academic institutions, athletics departments, EA Sports, etc. It is important to note that this game will come out as EA Sports College Football, not NCAA Football. This suggests that legal discussions will include a direct conversation with players, unlike the NCAA. ”
No other pending college degree was mentioned, including a possible rebirth of NCAA basketball/March Madness , which ended in 2009 after NCAA Basketball ’10. But Mazique adds that the boyfriend (and probably superior) College Hoops 2K serial, which has not produced a game since Hoops College 2K8 in 2007, it is also worth monitoring.
“I think his return College Hoops 2K it is a safe possibility, 2K using the EA approach and rocking its massive popularity NBA 2K series, ”he said. “It would be the rebirth of another beloved college series that disappeared in 2007. I’m not sure there is another college sport that would have enough audience to justify the strong licensing fee that comes with school insurance. I guess College Hoops 2K he is the one who would most hope to return. ”