February 2, 2021

  • Michael Rothstein

    Shut

    Michael Rothstein

    ESPN Staff Author

    • Previously covered University of Michigan for ESPN.com and AnnArbor.com
    • Also covered Notre Dame for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

  • Dan White potato

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    Dan White potato

    ESPN Staff Writer

    • Covers the Big 10
    • Joined ESPN.com in 2014
    • Graduate of the University of Notre Dame

EA Sports is rebooting its college football series for Side by side Generation consoles, announcing Tuesday that it will terminate the hiatus the game has taken since and so-Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson appeared on the comprehend of NCAA Football 14.

In that location's withal a lot to sort out about what the game will look like, what its structure will exist and even when information technology will be available. Simply higher football is (eventually) coming back to gaming consoles.

Here's what we know and what we don't.

Why is EA Sports bringing the video game dorsum now?

Since the final edition of the game in the 2013 season, at that place has been discussion within EA Sports about relaunching information technology. At the fourth dimension of its discontinuation, it was a very pop title, and its return remained high on the priority list at the visitor.

EA Sports actually dropped a few Easter eggs pointing to the possibility. In the past 2 editions of Madden, some college football programs were included every bit office of the "Face of the Franchise" story mode of the game. EA Sports vice president and general manager Daryl Holt told ESPN that while information technology wasn't a conscious decision to do that as a test run for the return of a college football game game, in that location was positive feedback and returns, particularly in those college markets.

"That was another but bank check mark to go -- we know [fans] are itching for information technology and we know we can develop and evangelize a nifty higher football experience," Holt said. "And so why are we waiting?

"So the question may be non so much 'why now' versus 'why not now?'"

EA Sports recently started putting together a strategy and development team, which led to Tuesday's announcement.

When can I play the game?

To exist determined.

At this bespeak, no one from EA Sports would commit to when the game could return or fifty-fifty a engagement to denote a launch engagement. For now, consider this news to be a commitment for the game to return at some bespeak.

One thing is certain, though: Holt said it won't happen this year.

What will be in the game?

That'due south still unclear. Information technology's very early on in the procedure.

EA Sports is working with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) -- the licensing partner for many schools -- on securing the utilize of the stadiums, uniforms, mascots, traditions and names for over 100 teams in the FBS. Holt said the game itself volition be "a deep, immersive experience that has true wide-open game play for higher football." What that looks like is nonetheless to be determined and might depend on the continued technology on Side by side Gen gaming systems PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

It could accept an eventual tie-in to Madden -- in prior iterations, for example, you could import draft classes from NCAA Football into Madden. Holt said EA Sports is looking at things in terms of what is part of a football career, but the company is notwithstanding in experimentation fashion.

Holt said EA Sports is starting with the game play, making sure that is strong, and then going from there.

"Whether that'southward a reimagining or an evolution of things that were in the game before or new things and new means to play, I don't want to get into the details of what we're already planning and what we'll put in that," Holt said. "Simply it will be something that our core fans, if they appreciated and loved NCAA xiv, they will beloved this game because that's just the starting point."

Does the NCAA need to alter its rules earlier the game can return?

No. Current NCAA rules prohibit EA Sports from paying players to use their names, images and likenesses in the game. If those rules are still in outcome when the game is released, EA Sports plans to include real details such equally team names, mascots and uniforms simply non anything that would resemble the real players on those rosters.

EA Sports appear it would stop making its higher football game game in 2013 before long before the company agreed to pay part of a reported $xl meg to former college players to settle a lawsuit filed by former UCLA basketball actor Ed O'Bannon. The lawsuit argued that it was illegal for EA Sports to sell a game with characters that looked strikingly similar to existent athletes without paying those athletes.

While O'Bannon was sometimes mistakenly blamed for the game's demise, the company said at the time that it stopped production because the NCAA and some conferences were no longer interested in licensing their logos and names to the game makers, which prevented them from creating an authentic experience. Those schools are again willing to partner up with EA Sports. Holt didn't comment on why those partnerships have been revived, just he insisted at that place is null that currently prevents EA Sports from producing the game.

How will the current argue around name, epitome and likeness (NIL) rules impact the game?

While real players don't have to exist included in the new version of the game, they could be included if time to come legislation makes information technology possible for college athletes to negotiate every bit a grouping. The NCAA -- prompted by pressure level from country and federal lawmakers -- is in the procedure of changing its rules to provide athletes some opportunities to profit from endorsements in the future. It's not yet clear if those new opportunities will include the power to organize for group licensing deals.

For pro sports video games, the game maker typically negotiates with the league's spousal relationship on a price for the NIL rights of all players. The union then makes certain each actor gets a slice of the total payment. The NCAA says players shouldn't be allowed to grade a union because they are students, non employees. While a traditional union isn't essential to setting up the organization needed for commonage bargaining, NCAA leaders take so far tried to steer clear of any kind of system that would create a mechanism for athletes to negotiate as a group.

But the NCAA might not get to set the terms of future Zilch rules. Congress is expected to address higher sports reform and compensation in some way in the relatively near hereafter -- most likely earlier EA Sports would exist ready to curl out its new game. At least two of the proposals that will be considered by the Senate aim to guarantee the right to collective bargaining for time to come college athletes. If either of those options is signed into law, the door would exist open up for EA Sports to negotiate with players to create more realistic rosters.

"We'll merely keep tabs on everything every bit it develops, and we'll be prepare," Holt said.

What will the game be called?

The proper name is changing. Gone is the NCAA Football series proper name. In its identify volition be EA Sports College Football. That, Holt said, is the branding the company is working with and planning on using.

"It all starts actually with where we come across higher football as going," Holt said. "At that place'south a lot of things happening and there's a lot of things happening in sports. EA Sports College Football game gives united states of america a name and a make to kind of work effectually for some things that might evolve as well as what we're focusing on really out of the gate, which is actually the FBS Division I school and the road to the College Football Playoff and Higher Football Title.

"So EA Sports College Football, we just felt, is the right proper name for the product for not only at present but also as nosotros motility forward."

What else still needs to exist adamant?

Holt said the early focus at EA Sports is on building out a team to develop the game and working on its pattern.

"Correct now, information technology'southward been more of a focus on the partnership with CLC, the design aspects, early on innovations that we're working on that might have a long tail on them," he said. "And then building a squad and pulling the team together both internally and externally to brand a great game."