EA recently announced that a new college football game is in development for next-gen consoles. While most people are expecting EA to revive the beloved NCAA Football series, it's actually working on a completely different game. The upcoming title will still feature college football teams, stadiums, and logos but won't be a part of the NCAA franchise.
Some gamers may remember the legal battle between EA and various NCAA athletes back in 2014. A group of college football and basketball players sued EA for using their names and likenesses without their authorization. The collegiate athletes ended up winning the case, forcing EA to shell out millions of dollars to players featured in the NCAA franchise. EA would cancel the series shortly after settling the lawsuit.
Electronic Arts decided to work with the Collegiate Licensing Company instead of the NCAA to avoid potential future legal problems. The CLC will provide EA with all the school trademarks it will need to recreate the NCAA football experience. All the school logos, stadiums, and uniforms will remain fully intact, but without NCAA players' names or likeness. EA hopes this will allow the studio to give fans the college football game they've been yearning for without involving the NCAA.
EA's clever workaround hasn't gone without controversy. Sen. Chris Murphy believes it's a grave injustice for EA to exclude college football players from the game. He is even threatening to introduce legislation to help NCAA players profit from their names and likenesses. Currently, the NCAA prohibits existing players from making money off NCAA trademarks. Senator Murphy is hoping to overturn the NCAA's rules, allowing EA to revive the NCAA franchise.
A new college football franchise might give EA more creative freedom than an NCAA revival. It could introduce an elaborate story campaign or even an arcade option for fans looking for a less realistic experience. Not being tied to a complex contract allows EA to take more liberties, allowing it to make something fresh and exciting. Although the gameplay will still simulate American football, EA could introduce new mechanics to take the franchise further than previously thought possible.
EA's new college football game is more of a spin-off of NCAA football than an actual sequel. While it will feature all the elements gamers know and love for the NCAA franchise, fans should expect a few subtle changes. However, there is a chance things could change if the NCAA overturns its strict player profit policy. Fans will have to wait and see what EA has in store once its new college football title gets further into development.