The EA Sports College Football gaming series is back. For the first time since College Football 14 was released in July of 2013, there will be a College Football game, College Football 25.
This is the news every male college football fan who’s ever played video games has been waiting for.
Every year that passed by without a new version of the game, fans just grew more weary.
I was one of those fans, as growing up, the College Football series was among my favorite video games. I still recall the excitement of creating my own player in the “Road to Glory” mode, beginning as a high school prospect, then committing to a college and eventually leading my school to a championship while winning the Heisman.
Or when I was feeling like leading an entire team to a championship from the coaches role, I’d play “Dynasty” mode. I remember choosing the lower tier teams and building them into a powerhouse, bringing the name “Dynasty” to life by transcending a school’s program with elite success.
But the thing that brought out the most competition is the forever basic “Play Now” mode, where my brother and I gave it our all on that digital field. If there was any potential matchup of intrigue, trust me, we played it.
I loved every aspect of the game and endlessly played it, which is why it’s a peak childhood memory. But until they announced its return, that’s all it was. A memory. Due to a lawsuit over likeness and image in 2013, the game was permanently discontinued.
The problem was inevitable. The players deserved to benefit from their likeness in the game, but EA wasn’t going to budge. Just like that, it was over and it’s been 11 years since the last game. But with the recent embrace of NIL and its large footprint in modern collegiate athletics, the times have changed and an opportunity to restart the College Football gaming series has come.
Years of fans pleading finally was answered in 2021 with the announcement of the game being rebooted. Three years later, the final product is upon us as it’s set to officially release on July 19. Not only is it an updated version, but there are new features like player names, special abilities, coaching skill trees, recruiting, the transfer portal, the crowd noise meter, university rituals, game themes, progressive fatigue, diverse commentary, dynamic playbooks, the College Football Playoffs and conference realignment.
Every fan, including myself, is drooling over how amazing the game looks as we await the release. Not only is College Football gaming back, but it’s better than ever. They applied to traditional game modes of “Play Now,” “Dynasty” and “Road to Glory,” but have added “Road to the CFP” and “Ultimate Team.”
The game has everything I could’ve imagined and more, as it’s a mix of great memories and modern adaptations to form the ultimate College Football gaming experience. I still pinch myself occasionally to see if it’s really happening, and it is.
Don’t plan on seeing me the next week following July 19, you know where I’ll be. EA’s College Football is BACK.