Ian Sparks
After an 11-year long hiatus and a lawsuit, EA Sports has finally rebooted its beloved college football video game series. College Football 25, the official name for the next game, is set to be released later this year.
This marks the first game since NCAA Football 14, one of the most revered sports video game. A key factor in the franchise’s return is the recent changes in NIL laws that allow players featured in the game to receive revenue from the use of their name, image and likeness.
Esports is an ever-growing facet of gaming, and Ole Miss has its own Esports team. John McDermott, the director of Ole Miss Esports, confirmed that the program will play College Football 25 competitively.
“The plan is for the Esports program to expand into College Football 25 when it is released,” McDermott said. “I am working with other leagues and conferences to get it added as (an) official competition.”
Aside from having the No. 3 League of Legends team in the country, Ole Miss Esports has quietly upped its emphasis on competitive sports games, and with the addition of College Football 25, we could see another uptick in interest and level of play.
“I am excited for this to join our already competitive sports titles lineup (which includes) Madden, NBA2K and EAFC,” McDermott said.
Anticipation for the release of College Football 25 is palpable in and out of the program. The most recent installment, NCAA Football 14, sold approximately one million copies in summer 2013. If the air of excitement for the upcoming game is any indication, College Football 25 will shatter that number of copies sold.
“For a lot of people, the NCAA football franchise holds a special place in our heart(s), as it was a truly unique and fun experience to play through. I am excited for the newer generations of gamers to relive those moments,” McDermott added.
EA Sports has announced that all 134 NCAA Division I teams will be in the game. Additionally, players who agreed to appear in the game will receive $600 and a free copy of the game. As of early March, they have reached more than 10,000 opt-ins.
“I don’t understand why you wouldn’t be a part of something like that,” Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins said after team practice earlier this month. “It’s not every day you get a chance to play as yourself in a video game.”
While the players have the ability to opt in or out, coaches reportedly will be excluded from the upcoming game, despite coaches like Lane Kiffin’s willingness to be in it.
“I would let them do it without any deal,” Kiffin said in an interview with On3. “What would help with recruiting? If you did pay me for it, I wouldn’t want it. I’d want to put it in our NIL.”
