NCAA Football 14 News Post

EA Sports Will Not Publish College Football Game Next Year, Future Plans in Doubt

05:23 PM - September 26, 2013 by FloorGeneral

Here is the official statement from EA Sports:

Quote:


	"Today I am sad to announce that we will not be publishing a new college football game next year, and we are evaluating our plan for the future of the franchise. This is as profoundly disappointing to the people who make this game as I expect it will be for the millions who enjoy playing it each year. I�d like to explain a couple of the factors that brought us to this decision. We have been stuck in the middle of a dispute between the NCAA and student-athletes who seek compensation for playing college football. Just like companies that broadcast college games and those that provide equipment and apparel, 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 Meanwhile, the NCAA and a number of conferences have withdrawn their support of our game.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. At EA SPORTS, college football has always been a labor of love, and it is unfortunate that these business and legal issues have impacted our ability to make next year�s game. This franchise has been developed by a team that is deeply committed to the tradition and culture of this sport � that�s why fans have always loved it. We are working to retain the talented people who are part of the team by placing them elsewhere within the EA SPORTS organization. In the meantime, we will continue to be connected and engaged with our fans who are playing EA SPORTS NCAA Football. Our decision does not affect our commitment to NCAA Football 14 and the consumers who love playing the game."

Game: NCAA Football 14Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
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Member Comments

# 101 aholbert32 @ 09/26/13 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjcheezhead


	EA has been hit hard by lawsuits this year. The silver lining in this situation is that losing NCAA football hurts EAs bottom line and could lessen the money they need for the NFL license. We may be one step closer to a 2k Nfl game. I have never been a college fan over the NFL and personally won't miss this title, I am however a big football fan in general. Having only madden for video game football is the worst thing I could imagine in my lifetime.

Huh? This will not affect Madden or the NFL license AT ALL. If anything it increases the likelihood EA will attempt to get another exclusive license. They will be able to cut the costs of making an NCAA game and are likely to want to protect the one remaining football license they have.

# 102 aholbert32 @ 09/26/13 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogslax41


	Yes. Tv rights is their next target. The NCAA open this can of worms, they are going to have to deal with it.

No way they touch the TV money. You arent exploiting someones likeness rights by broadcasting a game on TV.

# 103 Cryolemon @ 09/26/13 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	No way they touch the TV money. You arent exploiting someones likeness rights by broadcasting a game on TV.

But if O'Bannon etc win then their lawyers might try to argue that.

# 104 rspencer86 @ 09/26/13 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	I'm shocked. Shocked EA would accept a settlement that meant the end of the game. The game was still making a profit if not a small one. I still dont think this is the end of the series. They will just wait until the NCAA settles its end of the suit before proceeding. I cant see a publisher leaving a profitable series on the shelf if the suit gets settled. Finally, the settlement just screwed future players over if this is the end of the series. Instead of negotiating a royalty for future players to receive, Obannon and the former players took the money and ran.

It may have been profitable before their settlement of the lawsuit, but with those damages factored in, who knows if EA came out in the black.

Plus, even if they did decide to resume the series later, you have to think not having accurate rosters would hurt sales a bit. Yes, I know the community roster makers solve this problem. But the average buyer may not even know you can download named rosters.

This is just a crappy day for sports gamers. It's getting to a point where I might decide to give up on sports games. 4 of my 5 favorite sports games (MVP Baseball, NFL 2K, College Hoops, NCAA) are no longer made. Just a punch in the gut.

# 105 aholbert32 @ 09/26/13 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cryolemon


	But if O'Bannon etc win then their lawyers might try to argue that.

No. Guys you have to have a legitimate claim and thats not legitimate. They dont even have a basis to make that argument. They cant make a likeness argument. Cant make a privacy argument. If they do sue, they wont win a dime and the suit would get tossed on a motion to dismiss.

# 106 aholbert32 @ 09/26/13 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rspencer86


	It may have been profitable before their settlement of the lawsuit, but with those damages factored in, who knows if EA came out in the black. Plus, even if they did decide to resume the series later, you have to think not having accurate rosters would hurt sales a bit. Yes, I know the community roster makers solve this problem. But the average buyer may not even know you can download named rosters. This is just a crappy day for sports gamers. It's getting to a point where I might decide to give up on sports games. 4 of my 5 favorite sports games (MVP Baseball, NFL 2K, College Hoops, NCAA) are no longer made. Just a punch in the gut.

Actually the rosters will be more accurate. Why? Because when they come back players will receive money in exchange for their likeness.

# 107 canesfins @ 09/26/13 07:15 PM

The one positive I can think of in this situation is like others have said, At least now I'll be able to go deeper than ever in a dynasty.

# 108 aholbert32 @ 09/26/13 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerseySuave4


	they'll have a tough time against the tv people. This isn't just 1 company like EA, they'd be going up against ESPN/ABC (Disney) + CBS + FOX + others and those companies can certainly pony up the money and take the time to make sure they win that lawsuit.

Im mad that people think this would actually happen. That would be a complete waste of money and time and could result in O'bannon having to pay the networks legal fees if he lost depending on the claim they brought.

# 109 elprez98 @ 09/26/13 07:20 PM

I love the 'labor of love' comment.

# 110 Cryolemon @ 09/26/13 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	Im mad that people think this would actually happen. That would be a complete waste of money and time and could result in O'bannon having to pay the networks legal fees if he lost depending on the claim they brought.

Fair enough, but is there actually a precedent that says they couldn't sue for that? If not I wouldn't be that surprised to see them try. If there is then it's obvious not going to happen.

To clarify, I know they'd lose if they did try, but I would't put it past them trying if they win against the NCAA.

# 111 kjcheezhead @ 09/26/13 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	Huh? This will not affect Madden or the NFL license AT ALL. If anything it increases the likelihood EA will attempt to get another exclusive license. They will be able to cut the costs of making an NCAA game and are likely to want to protect the one remaining football license they have.

The ncaa game was making more than it cost, or EA wouldn't have been developing it. It was just built off the madden engine.EA just lost the entire revenue of this game. Sales, ultimate team, advertising, everything.

EA may want to protect the one remaining game, but it's the cost. They lost a lawsuit to the creator of madden, a price lawsuit on past games, and now the obannon case. Lawsuits are really hitting them this year.

# 112 tical2399 @ 09/26/13 07:26 PM

No reason at all to buy madden next year then. I only get NCAA to have real rookies go into madden. If I cant have that then I'll pass. I gave madden 13 a try with the fake rookies and I hated it. No NCAA, then no need for madden. No reason to buy madden, then no reason to get a next gen console (ps4) as most games I want have been announced on pc as well

# 113 aholbert32 @ 09/26/13 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cryolemon


	Fair enough, but is there actually a precedent that says they couldn't sue for that? If not I wouldn't be that surprised to see them try. If there is then it's obvious not going to happen.

You have to understand how the legal system works. Anybody can sue anybody for anything but thats not the point. I could sue you because I dont like your username and the fact that I feel this way makes sick. I could walk right down the street and file a complaint arguing intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Would I win? No. Would it get past a motion to dismiss? No. Would you have to spend a lot of money to defend this case? No. Would the attorney (or me since I'm a lawyer) risk getting disbarred for filing a frivolous lawsuit? Yes.

Thats the point. Obannon can sue but he needs a legitimate cause of action to get anything (a settlement or a verdict in his favor) and he doesnt have a legit COA with the TV networks.

# 114 Exile04 @ 09/26/13 07:27 PM

Who cares about all the lawsuit talk, none of you know the facts... I jsut want to know how many people here have been complaining for the last 2 months and saying im not buying this game next year blah blah blah and now its gone and its man im so sad im going to miss complaining on OS about this game. Just like a ex girlfriend. Personally, im going to miss it

# 115 RandyBass @ 09/26/13 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerseySuave4


	they'll have a tough time against the tv people. This isn't just 1 company like EA, they'd be going up against ESPN/ABC (Disney) + CBS + FOX + others and those companies can certainly pony up the money and take the time to make sure they win that lawsuit.

Any sort legal action would likely be taken against the schools, conferences, and/or the NCAA. The networks don't really have any direct relationship with the players, so it'd be a bit of a stretch to go after them.

# 116 blkrptnt819 @ 09/26/13 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herky


	It's sad how greed is the real reason why this is being shut down. O'Bannon, the lawyers, and anyone else involved in the lawsuits can take a flying leap.

So EA wasn't greedy for making a game using player likeness and not giving the players anything? Umm interesting.

# 117 mwhaley91 @ 09/26/13 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cdog923


	As long as they patch in the Revo 2 and a 4 team playoff...

This would be a dream come true.

# 118 Cryolemon @ 09/26/13 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	You have to understand how the legal system works. Anybody can sue anybody for anything but thats not the point. I could sue you because I dont like your username and the fact that I feel this way makes sick. I could walk right down the street and file a complaint arguing intentional infliction of emotional distress. Would I win? No. Would it get past a motion to dismiss? No. Would you have to spend a lot of money to defend this case? No. Would the attorney (or me since I'm a lawyer) risk getting disbarred for filing a frivolous lawsuit? Yes. Thats the point. Obannon can sue but he needs a legitimate cause of action to get anything (a settlement or a verdict in his favor) and he doesnt have a legit COA with the TV networks.

You're right, and I'm not arguing that such a case would have any merit at all, but as I said in my edit, assuming he won against the NCAA he might take leave of his senses and go after the TV networks.

# 119 Cryolemon @ 09/26/13 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkrptnt819


	So EA wasn't greedy for making a game using player likeness and not giving the players anything? Umm interesting.

They couldn't give the players anything because the NCAA would have banned any player who took anything (even a free or probably even subsidised copy of the game).

# 120 Gap Integrity @ 09/26/13 07:36 PM

As an avid NCAA'er this is pretty terrible news. I enjoy my roster project quite a bit, and honestly without an NCAA football game I don't really have a reason to own a game console anymore. It sucks for me, but I guess I'm 31 now and might have to give up my one guilty pleasure. I still feel like the last gen on NCAA's were better games overall in terms of gameplay. I will miss this series. Been buying NCAA since 2000 on PS1. I guess now I will have time to go in depth with my old 2006 historic roster. Sucks to be forced to give up a fun hobby like this.

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EA Sports Will Not Publish College Football Game Next Year, Future Plans in Doubt