EA Sports College Football 25

2024 video game

2024 video game

EA Sports College Football 25

Standard edition cover art featuring Quinn Ewers, Travis Hunter, and Donovan Edwards at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas

Developer(s)| EA Orlando
Publisher(s)| EA Sports
Composer(s)| Kris Bowers (Theme)
Series| EA Sports College Football
Engine| Frostbite
Platform(s)| PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Release| July 19, 2024
Genre(s)| Sports
Mode(s)| Single-player, multiplayer

EA Sports College Football 25 is a video game based on college football, developed by EA Orlando and published by EA Sports.[1] It is a part of the EA Sports College Football game series and the first such game in eleven years since NCAA Football 14 in 2013.[2]

The game received generally positive reviews and became the best-selling sports video game in US history based on dollar sales.

## Development

[edit]

Following the release of the series' previous entry in 2013, Electronic Arts (EA) settled a lawsuit brought by former college football players who argued their name, image and, likeness (NIL) were used without permission or compensation. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), whose brand was licensed by EA, had a history of resisting attempts to financially compensate its athletes.[3] As a part of the settlement, EA announced it would stop producing college football video games.[4]

On February 2, 2021, EA Sports announced that the series NCAA Football would return under the name EA Sports College Football, stating on Twitter, "For those who never stopped believing...College Football is coming back."[5] They also released a statement on their website announcing that they had garnered and are utilizing a partnership with the Collegiate Licensing Company, an NCAA licensing group, to bring uniforms, stadiums, traditions and more from over 100 NCAA-affiliated sports teams. At the time, that meant that teams not part of the CLC would not be in the game such as Air Force, Army, Georgia State, Kentucky, New Mexico, Notre Dame, Troy and USC.[6]

The game, which was not under development prior to EA Sports' announcement of the new title, was developed in Orlando, Florida, by EA Orlando (named EA Tiburon at the time).[7] The company claimed that a revival of the NCAA Football franchise was one of their most requested games as of the time of their announcement of EA Sports College Football, and The Motley Fool projects that College Football sales could rival those of that year's Madden release.[8] However, doubts were raised as to whether or not the game's reception will exceed that of recent Madden releases, which are held in low regard by the Madden gaming community.[9]

Initially, player names and likenesses were not to be included in the game.[10][11] Because of this, several schools, including Notre Dame, Tulane and Northwestern refused to join the game until NIL rules were finalized.[12][13] EA Sports responded by stating "player name, image and likeness is not currently planned for the game. However, we are watching the developments in this area closely and are prepared to take steps to include players should that opportunity arise."[14] At the time, the NCAA had delayed and not voted on new NIL rules, but over two dozen states had either passed or proposed laws so that institutions couldn't enforce the NCAA's NIL rules.[15] The 2021 United States Supreme Court case NCAA. v. Alston deemed the NCAA's precedent of avoiding compensating athletes impermissible.[16] Following the ruling, the NCAA reversed its position, creating rules for likeness compensation.[17]

On November 22, 2022, in an interview with ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein, EA Sports vice president and general manager Daryl Holt stated that Electronic Arts would release the game sometime in summer 2024. "That's the best date for us to bring the game that we think is going to meet or exceed our player expectations...and cover the breadth and scale of what we want in the game. We're trying to build a very immersive college football experience," Holt said.[18]

In 2023, after the implementation of these changes, EA announced that player likenesses would be featured in their next college football game.[19]

The game was developed using the Frostbite engine.[20]

## Release

[edit]

College Football 25 was pitched to EA Sports by Daryl Holt, their current senior vice president and group general manager, in December 2019, being greenlit for development shortly after.[21] In February 2021, EA publicly announced that the College Football series would return.[22] EA Orlando, developers of the Madden NFL series, was announced to be creating the game.[23] On February 15, 2024, EA confirmed the game's title as EA Sports College Football 25 and revealed a trailer for it, promising to provide further information in May 2024.[24]

On February 22, 2024, EA Sports announced that all 134 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs would be featured in EA Sports College Football 25 but the 128 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs would not be included at launch.[25][26] That same day, ESPN's lead college football commentary team of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit announced that they would be featured as commentators.[27][28] Herbstreit was a commentator in EA's original NCAA Football series until its hiatus after NCAA Football 14. ESPN studio host Kevin Connors confirmed his involvement on X (Twitter) the same day,[29] along with ESPN College Football studio and game analyst Jesse Palmer,[30] Rece Davis, and former College GameDay analyst David Pollack.[31]

By early March 2024, EA had secured NIL opt-ins from over 10,000 athletes.[32] Similarly, the Heisman Trophy and the various bowls will appear in the game, but the National College Football Awards Association requested that their awards and trophies not be included; the Lou Groza Award is the coalition's only honor to opt into the game.[33][34][35][36]

On May 16, 2024, EA Sports revealed the main cover of the game, featuring Quinn Ewers, quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, Travis Hunter, wide receiver and defensive back for the Colorado Buffaloes, and Donovan Edwards, running back for the Michigan Wolverines, and officially confirmed the game would release on July 19, 2024, with early access for Deluxe Edition owners starting July 15, ahead of its gameplay reveal trailer the following day.[37] Following the release of the trailer, EA Sports confirmed that many of its old features from NCAA Football 14 would be brought to College Football 25 such as Team Builder, Road to Glory, and Dynasty.[38] The gameplay deep dive that released on May 31 unveiled features such as "CampusIQ," the gameplay system, which encompasses three fundamental pillars: "All 22+" which highlights the importance of individual players and their unique abilities, "134 ways to play," meaning that every team has their own unique playbook, and "Stories of Saturday," which seeks to encapsulate the raw emotions of these student athletes as they perform under intense pressure in hostile environments, put simply, a freshman responding far differently than a senior.[39]

On June 28, 2024, EA Sports revealed its top 25 overall team power rankings, and on July 2, 2024, Dynasty was revealed.[40][41]

A 21-minute gameplay trailer was premiered on July 8, 2024, featuring YouTuber Bordeaux and cover athlete Donovan Edwards. They played two games, with Edwards winning both with raw gameplay being revealed soon after.[42] As well as the trailer, the day after, an Ultimate Team Deep Dive was posted. However, unlike previous deep dives, this one was posted only to their official website. Following the same set, the Road to Glory Deep Dive released on July 11, 2024.

On July 12, 2024, YouTubers and Twitch Streamers who are in EA's Creator Network program got access to a nearly final edition of the game, in which rebuilds, player careers, and raw gameplay were shortly uploaded and streamed on YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms. The worldwide release was on July 19.

## Soundtrack

[edit]

The College Football 25 main soundtrack consists of covers of college fight songs credited to the EA Sports College Football Marching Band.[1] An original main theme, "Campus Clash", was composed for the video game by composer Kris Bowers.[2]

The drum cadences appearing in the video game are performed by the drumline of the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, as licensed from their 2020 album Bang to Rights.[43]

Other licensed music appearing in College Football 25 includes "Sandstorm", "Mo Bamba", "Kernkraft 400", "Welcome to the Jungle", "Wave on Wave", and an instrumental of "Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck". Notably absent are the songs "Enter Sandman" (played at Virginia Tech Hokies football games) and "Jump Around" (played at Wisconsin Badgers football games) as EA failed to acquire the licenses for these songs.[44]

## Reception

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2024)

|

Reception

Aggregate scoreAggregator| Score

|

Metacritic| (PS5) 83/100[45]
(XSXS) 80/100[46]
Review scoresPublication| Score

|

Game Informer| 8.5/10[47]
GameSpot| 8/10[48]
GamesRadar+| [50]
IGN| 7/10[49]

EA Sports College Football 25 received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[51]

IGN gave the game a 7/10, praising the gameplay but criticizing the lack of depth in the core game modes.[49] GameSpot rated the game an 8/10, noting that the game had strong presentation and atmosphere but critiquing the Road to Glory game mode.[48]

### Sales

[edit]

At launch, the game attracted more than 2.8 million players, 2.2 million of whom purchased the Deluxe Edition, which allowed players to access the game three days earlier than other players.[52] By November 2024, the game had become the best-selling sports video game in the US of all time based on dollar sales.[53]

### Accolades

[edit]

Year  | Ceremony  | Category  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2024  | Golden Joystick Awards | Best Multiplayer Game  | Nominated  | [54]
2025  | New York Game Awards | Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year  | Nominated  | [55]
28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Sports Game of the Year | Nominated  | [56][57]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "EA Sports College Football 25 release date, covers revealed: Video game returns in July after 11-year hiatus". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
2. ^ a b "EA Sports to launch college football game in'24". ESPN.com. November 22, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
3. ^ Tepen, Luke (January 1, 2021). "Pay to Play: Looking Beyond Direct Compensation and Towards Paying College Athletes for Themselves". Washington University Journal of Law & Policy. 65 (1): 213–246\. ISSN 1533-4686.
4. ^ "EA settles lawsuit, to leave college football". ESPN.com. September 26, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
5. ^ "For those who never stopped believing..." Twitter. February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
6. ^ "Kentucky may not be in EA Sports' new college football game | Kentucky Sports Radio". February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
7. ^ Fuller, Austin (February 9, 2021). "EA Sports College Football will be built in Orlando, perhaps bringing more jobs". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
8. ^ Ballard, John (February 9, 2021). "Why Electronic Arts' Return to College Football Is a Big Deal". The Motley Fool. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
9. ^ "EA Sports College Football Needs to Avoid One Costly Sports Game Mistake". Game Rant. February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
10. ^ Arts, Electronic (February 2, 2021). "Electronic Arts & CLC to bring back college football video games". Electronic Arts Inc. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
11. ^ Kramer, Adam. "Despite the Unknowns, College Football's Video Game Return Is a Win for All". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
12. ^ "ND opts out of EA Sports game for now, cites NIL". ESPN.com. February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
13. ^ "Another School Is Pulling Out Of EA Sports' College Football Game". The Spun. February 28, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
14. ^ Straw, Michael (March 2, 2021). "EA Sports College Football Addresses Licensing Concerns - SGO". Sports Gamers Online. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
15. ^ "EA Sports To Bring Back College Football Game; No Plans For Players' Names, Images, Likenesses". February 2, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
16. ^ "NCAA v. Alston". Harvard Law Review. 135 (1): 471–480\. November 10, 2021. ISSN 0017-811X. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
17. ^ "NCAA adopts interim name, image and likeness policy | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
18. ^ "EA Sports to launch college football game in '24". November 22, 2022.
19. ^ McDaniel, Mike (May 17, 2023). "EA Sports Announces Decision on Real FBS Players Being in New College Football Video Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
20. ^ "'They didn't take no for an answer': Inside the return of EA Sports College Football". July 15, 2024.
21. ^ Rothstein, Michael (May 17, 2024). "'They didn't take no for an answer': Inside the return of EA Sports College Football". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 2, 2024. "Holt, now the senior vice president and group general manager of EA Sports, understood the concerns and questions his bosses might have when he pitched the potential return of EA Sports College Football in December 2019."
22. ^ Ballard, John (February 9, 2021). "Why Electronic Arts' Return to College Football Is a Big Deal". The Motley Fool. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
23. ^ Sentinel, Austin Fuller | Orlando (February 9, 2021). "EA Sports College Football will be built in Orlando, perhaps bringing more jobs". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
24. ^ "EA Sports College Football 25: Yeah, It's Really Happening". Electronic Arts Inc. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
25. ^ "They're in the game. College Football 25 will feature all 134 FBS schools #CFB25". February 22, 2023.
26. ^ Backus, Will (February 2024). "EA Sports College Football 25: How players will be compensated as all 134 FBS schools join video game relaunch". CBS Sports.
27. ^ "I'm in the Game! Today, I can finally make it official. I am honored to be one of the voices in #CFB25 ! Wait until you see this game! #EAPartner". February 22, 2023.
28. ^ "I'm so excited to FINALLY announce that I'm part of @EASPORTSCollege. I'm proud to be a partner and one of the voices of the game once again - my 14th year in that role. #CFB25 #EAPartner". February 22, 2023.
29. ^ "I'm in the game! So honored to be part of this incredible team — and a voice in a game I literally grew up playing! @EASPORTSCollege #CFB25 #EAPartner". February 22, 2023.
30. ^ "I'm in the game! Excited to be one of the voices in #CFB25 and to see all the players have the opportunity to be in the game! Congrats @EASPORTSCollege! Bringing back some amazing memories. #CFB25 #EAPartner". February 22, 2023.
31. ^ "I'm in the Game! Go Dawgs! @EASPORTSCollege #CFB25 #EAPartner". February 22, 2023.
32. ^ Lawler, Richard (March 5, 2024). "EA Sports College Football 25 has signed up over 10,000 athletes". The Verge.
33. ^ Ubben, David (March 8, 2024). "College Football 25 won't include some major awards after NCFAA rejects EA offer". The Athletic.
34. ^ Polacek, Scott (March 8, 2024). "Heisman Trophy Will Be in EA Sports' College Football 25; Other Awards Opt Out". Bleacher Report.
35. ^ "Bowl games will reportedly be included in EA Sports 'College Football 25'". Fox Sports. March 12, 2024.
36. ^ Nakos, Pete (May 21, 2024). "Lou Groza Award opts-in to EA Sports College Football 25". On3. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
37. ^ Lyles, Taylor (May 16, 2024). "College Football 25 Finally Has a Release Date". IGN. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
38. ^ Arts, Electronic (May 17, 2024). "WELCOME TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL 25 - EA SPORTS". Electronic Arts Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
39. ^ "College Football 25 Gameplay Deep Dive - EA SPORTS". Electronic Arts Inc. May 31, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
40. ^ "COLLEGE FOOTBALL 25 RANKINGS WEEK SHOWCASE". June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
41. ^ EA SPORTS College (July 2, 2024). College Football 25 | Dynasty Deep Dive. Retrieved July 11, 2024 – via YouTube.
42. ^ EA SPORTS College (July 8, 2024). College Football 25 | Gameplay First Look. Retrieved July 11, 2024 – via YouTube.
43. ^ "NCAA adopts interim name, image and likeness policy | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
44. ^ Kryska, Ryan (February 22, 2024). "EA Sports College Football 25 to block gamers from manually adding players who reject NIL opt-in". Associated Press.
45. ^ "EA Sports College Football 25 for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
46. ^ "EA Sports College Football 25 for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
47. ^ Guisao, Jason (July 19, 2024). "EA Sports College Football 25 Review - Hail Mary". Game Informer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
48. ^ a b McMahon, Andrew (July 24, 2024). "EA Sports College Football 25 Review: University of Madden". GameSpot. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
49. ^ a b Borger, Will (July 25, 2024). "College Football 25 Review". IGN. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
50. ^ Wilson, Ben (July 19, 2024). "College Football 25 review: "Cancel any summer commitments because Dynasty is going to rule your life"". GamesRadar+. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
51. ^ "EA Sports College Football 25". Metacritic. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
52. ^ McWhertor, Michael (July 20, 2024). "EA Sports College Football 25's $100 version paid off for EA, with 2.2M early access players". Polygon. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
53. ^ Batchelor, James (December 18, 2024). "EA Sports College Football is now the US' best-selling sports game of all time". Gameindustry.biz. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
54. ^ West, Josh (October 4, 2024). "Astro Bot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth lead the shortlist for the Golden Joystick Awards 2024, nudging out Helldivers 2 and Balatro for the most nominations". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024.
55. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (January 21, 2025). "New York Game Awards 2025 Winners". IGN. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
56. ^ Welsh, Oli (January 10, 2025). "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a GOTY front-runner at the DICE Awards". Polygon. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
57. ^ "28th Annual DICE Awards Results". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

## External links

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* Official website
* EA Sports College Football 25 at MobyGames

* v
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EA Sports College Football

As College Football|

* Bill Walsh
* Bill Walsh 95
* USA 96
* USA 97
* EA Sports 25
* EA Sports 26

As NCAA Football|

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* 2000
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* 2002
* 2003
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* 2005
* 06
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* 11
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* 14

*[Ref.]: References
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