EA Sports College Football now targeting summer 2024 release

EA Sports is targeting a summer 2024 release for the return of its college football video game series. The confirmation comes from ESPN which spoke with EA Sports’ vice president and general manager Daryl Holt.

There had been reports that EA Sports College Football would return in summer 2023; however, that was never actually announced by the publisher. That targeted date was determined from a leaked document from EA Sports/CLC proposal to FBS schools.

So technically EA Sports hasn’t delayed the release of its college football game. As it turns out, they have been creating it from scratch and want to make sure the inaugural edition of what is planned to be a yearly title “is up to standard,” according to ESPN.

One of the biggest hurdles EA had to figure out was a way to use real college football players in the game. The last time EA Sports had a college football video game series — previously under the title NCAA Football — the publisher was not allowed to use student-athlete names, images and likenesses. But that didn’t stop the developer to use numbers, skill sets and general appearances of players without compensating them, which ultimately resulted in an antitrust class-action lawsuit requiring in EA Sport and CLC having to pay $40 million.

But the college football landscape has changed quite a bit in the years since NCAA Football 14. A Supreme Court ruling led to the NCAA to change its own policy, and now student-athletes are allowed to be compensated for the user of their name, image and likeness (NIL).

Holt acknowledged that the road to paying players for their in-game image and likeness is now open but “still under construction.” There are still issues they are working through to secure players for use in the game, and that seems to be one of the big points of focus.

The publisher is also working to get the official schools in the game. EA has already partnered with CLC to secure the rights to FBS schools, uniforms, stadiums and other college football traditions. At least 120 schools will be in the game, although we don’ know which of the 131 FBS schools have signed on. EA has also secured the rights to all 10 FBS conferences and the College Football Playoff.

Schools and player likeness aside, the success of EA Sports College Football will ultimately hinge on its gameplay. While we don’t know much yet, one of the developer’s big priorities is on Dynasty mode which, thank goodness.