EA Sports College Football 25: Early Access, Release Date, and What to Expect
After an 11-year hiatus, EA Sports has revived its college football franchise with the release of EA Sports College Football 25. The game's official release date is July 19, but early access began on July 15 for those who preordered the deluxe edition. This article breaks down the early access launch, the game's features, and the context surrounding its highly anticipated return.
Early Access Launch and Player Response
EA Sports College Football 25 achieved a successful launch, amassing 2.2 million players through its Early Access launch with the deluxe edition. An additional 600,000 players joined through the EA Play trial. These numbers are strictly for current-gen consoles, as the game was released only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no PC port or last-gen versions initially available.
Daryl Holt, EA Sports GM, stated, "The response we’ve seen from across the collegiate landscape, athletes, creators, celebrities, and the core community has been nothing short of spectacular. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome millions more into the game with today’s launch."
A Successful Return
Sports games generally perform well for EA in terms of player engagement and revenue. The deluxe edition of College Football 25, priced at $90, has proven to be a successful venture for the publisher. This installment marks the return of the series since NCAA Football 14 in 2013.
A notable aspect of the revival is the inclusion of real-world college players and compensating them for their likenesses. This issue was a point of contention between EA and the NCAA, ultimately leading to the series being put on hold. The success of College Football 25 is a significant achievement for EA, both as a standalone title and as part of the EA Sports branding, which also includes popular soccer and rally racing franchises.
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Pre-Order Confusion
Leading up to the release, some confusion arose regarding the early access date. While the advertised early release date was July 16, some players found that the PlayStation Store listed July 15 as the early access date. This discrepancy caused uncertainty among fans eager to start playing as soon as possible.
Gameplay and Features
A 21-minute gameplay trailer was released on July 8, showcasing YouTuber Bordeaux and cover athlete Donovan Edwards playing the game. The trailer provided a glimpse into the game's mechanics and features. On July 12, YouTubers and Twitch Streamers 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.
Matt Brown, a journalist known for his accurate coverage of the game's return, received an early download code and shared his initial impressions. He noted that the game is much deeper than NCAA Football 14. He also pointed out that the kicking game has been updated, but players have the option to switch back to the classic system if they prefer. Additionally, he praised the game's presentation, stating that EA plans to address gameplay issues and cosmetic details, such as uniforms, throughout the season.
Ultimate Team Mode
The Ultimate Team mode is a significant component of College Football 25. Players who pre-ordered the game or purchased the deluxe edition receive various bonuses for use in College Football Ultimate Team (CUT), including:
- Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 out of 134 player items)
- Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack (choice of 1 of 3 player items)
- Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team Uniform Item
- Heisman Hopeful Ultimate Team Pack (Deluxe Edition only, Choice of 1 out of 5 Player Items)
- 4600 College Football Points (Deluxe Edition only)
All CUT player items are non-auctionable and non-tradeable.
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Licensed Music
College Football 25 features a variety of licensed music tracks, including:
- "Sandstorm"
- "Mo Bamba"
- "Kernkraft 400"
- "Welcome to the Jungle"
- "Wave on Wave"
- An instrumental version of "Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck"
Background and Development
The development of College Football 25 involved several key decisions and considerations. Following the release of NCAA Football 14 in 2013, EA settled a lawsuit with former college football players who argued that their name, image, and likeness (NIL) were used without permission or compensation. Initially, player names and likenesses were not planned for inclusion in the game.
Several schools, including Notre Dame, Tulane, and Northwestern, initially declined to participate until NIL rules were finalized. However, after the NCAA delayed voting on new NIL rules and numerous states passed or proposed laws addressing NIL rights, EA Sports adapted its approach.
In November 2022, EA Sports announced that the game would be released in the summer . In February , it was confirmed that all 134 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs would be featured, while the 128 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs would not be included at launch. The commentary team of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, who were part of the original NCAA Football series, also returned.
Critical Reception
EA Sports College Football 25 has received generally positive reviews from critics. According to Metacritic, the game has garnered favorable scores on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
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