The End of Anticipation

EA Sports’ New College Football Video Game Is Set To Make Its Return This Summer

Photo by Hector Alejandro / CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from original

The wait is finally over! After nine years of waiting, college football fanatics will soon be able to play with their favorite players and teams in the new college football video game. The game is set to launch on July 12. Fans countdown the days until they hear announcers Kirk Herbstreit and Rece Davis screaming after a game winning touchdown.

For years, rumors spread that EA Sports would launch a college football video game. However, these rumors proved to be false as year after year, EA Sports was silent. Seven years went by and there was no sign that the college football video game would make a return, but on Feb. 2, 2021, EA Sports made an announcement that shocked the entire sports world: EA Sports College Football would return in 2024.

“I’m really excited for a different kind of football game to come out that brings a new experience,” junior Hayne Miller said. “You can play with new college players, and it's a change from the old Madden.”

Designers, animators and engineers all spent countless hours perfecting every little detail. College football announcers spent almost two years as the designers implemented their voices into the game.

With Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) approved on July 1, 2021, collegiate athletes are now eligible to make money from endorsements, autograph signings, fundraisers and other methods. NIL deals also allow collegiate athletes and coaches to be in the new college football video game. EA Sports cannot make a player opt to be playable in the game so they have offered $600 to each football player if they choose to be in the game. Stars like Alabama QB Jalen Milroe, Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter and Texas QB Quinn Ewers have already accepted their invitation to be playable in the new video game.

“If they bring back iconic college players, I would want to use Johnny Manziel from Texas A&M or Lamar [Jackson] when he was at Louisville,” Miller said. “I also like the looks of Jordan Travis; he would be fun to use.”

The college football video game will not feature every Division I school as FCS schools will not be in the first version of the game. The video game will feature all 134 FBS schools in the 2024 version.

“I am excited to play with all the players since we haven’t been able to play with them since 2014,” junior Zac Scovotto said.

Fans eagerly anticipate the release date, counting down the days until they can finally play the game. From the Seminole War Chant to Kick Sixes, fans could not be more excited for the release.