Uhhh, is this for real?! According to Cam Weber, GM of American Football for EA Sports, this will be the first time in 20 years that EA will not be releasing a college football game. You heard that right folks, there will not be a NCAA football game released next year. As of now, it’s not happening.
Weber stated that this decision comes in light of still ongoing litigation and related business changes. Not only will EA not be publishing a new college football game, but they will hence forth be re-evaluating the future of the entire franchise.
Nothing to celebrate here unfortunately.
Weber wrote on the company blog,
[EA has been] stuck in the middle of a dispute between the NCAA and student-athletes who seek compensation for playing college football…we follow rules that are set by the NCAA – but those rules are being challenged by some student-athletes. For our part, we are working to settle the lawsuits with the student-athletes. Meanwhile, the NCAA and a number of conferences have withdrawn their support of our game. The ongoing legal issues combined with increased questions surrounding schools and conferences have left us in a difficult position – one that challenges our ability to deliver an authentic sports experience, which is the very foundation of EA SPORTS games.
EA did mention back before all this ish hit the fan that losing their NCAA license would not mean a pause in the series, but that the next game in the franchise would not carry the association’s name.
So if there is one light at the end of the tunnel, it’s that the decision will not affect EA’s commitment to NCAA Football 14. EA plans to do its best to keep developers from behind the NCAA series and just redistribute through the EA Sports label.
Does this signify the end of a franchise? On that note, how in the world has EA gotten this far without this happening? It’s going to be a dark day for some one out there who happens to be a die hard fan of the franchise. Otherwise… I guess I’m going back to Madden.
